Village Living May 2016 by Starnes Media

Village Living neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Volume 7 | Issue 2 | May 2016

getting the

Princeton Proud

DECEMBER 2014

See page B1

Standing Out

Memory Court

Senior Katie Klasing makes history by becoming the ﬁrst Alabama student to earn prestigious prize for race relations.

PIG

Journey to revive Crestline Piggly Wiggly nears its end as store readies for opening

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They say it takes a village. This month, Crestline Village will prove just that. More than two years after its beloved Piggly Wiggly shuttered its doors for the last time on Nov. 2, 2013, a new chapter in Crestline Pig history will be written: The brand-new 18,000-square-foot Crestline Piggly Wiggly will ﬁnally open its doors.

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See THE PIG | page A28

OPENING MAY 2016 NEW LOCATION: 41 CHURCH ST.

Mountain Brook student athlete Sara Chandler Mitchell beats out competition for Bryant-Jordan award.

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INSIDE

Bottom photo: The new store’s interior takes shape ahead of its May opening. Photo by Frank Couch.

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School House ..B9 Sports .............. B15 Faith ................. B21 Calendar ......... B22

Top photo: Residents ﬁll the room for a 2014 City Council meeting during which rezoning for the new Crestline Piggly Wiggly was approved. Staff photo.

Sponsors .......... A4 City .................... A6 Business ...........A8 Community .....A13 Events ..............A15

Oak Street

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After lending support to one of their own, community unites for Field of Dreams event

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830

By ANA GOOD

Conﬁdence gushed out of Slade, who sat back relaxed, like being interviewed Slade Anderson will turn 9 on May was his second nature. His parents, 15. Emily and Josh Anderson, sat nearby With his party theme already planned and watched him. They know they out, there’s little for him to do but sit have time to enjoy their son — time back and wait for the date. His smile, that just a few years ago, was difﬁcult complete with a set of braces, lights up to measure. when he talks about the event. After nearly three years of battling “It’s going to be a backwards party,” acute lymphoblastic leukemia — a he said as he sat in one of the oversized form of blood cancer — Slade compurple chairs atop the Grand Bohemian pleted his last chemotherapy treatment Mountain Brook balcony. “Everyone will have to wear everything backwards — their shirt, their pants.” See ST. JUDE | page A31

Emily, Slade and Josh Anderson pose in the ballroom area of the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook where the St. Jude Field of Dreams event will be May 7. Photo by Ana Good.

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A4 • May 2016

Village Living

About Us Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray May can be a bittersweet month. For those of us with school-age kids, there is the excitement of the start of summer, but there is also a twinge of sadness that another year is gone. You blinked and your child is in high school. Where did another school year go? The good news is that May brings lots to be excited about in Mountain Brook. This issue is full of fun events, inspiring stories and even some things to get you thinking about summer fun. After much anticipation, the new and expanded Pig opens in Crestline. We will soon get to see the familiar faces of

cashiers we’ve missed and our neighbors as we shop for the favorite products that residents love at the Pig. Get all the details on the store’s opening inside this issue. Several popular events are back again this May. The PreSchool Partners Food Truck Round Up returns but at a new venue. This year’s event will be at The Summit, but it will still feature some of the best food in town, great art, fun for the kids and support a great program. The Motherwalk will take place and is not only a great way to support the work to ﬁnd a cure for ovarian cancer,

but also to celebrate the survivors. If you like a great adventure story, then you will want to check out what a group of Mountain Brook college guys did for spring break. Putting their Eagle Scout skills to work, they set out on a journey through the Mississippi Delta … on foot. Well, they hitchhiked some too, but mostly on foot. Read all about not only the scenery they saw and the adventures they had, but also the people they encountered and most of all the gift of old friends spending time together, catching up on each other’s lives.

BEHIND THE LENS By Frank Couch

Four knights — part of a permanent chess board located in front of City Hall — seemingly stand watch over the sidewalk. A fountain and chess board are unique features in Crestline Village and are gathering spots on nice weather days.

Technical data: NIKON D810, Lens (mm): 14, ISO: 200, Aperture: 8, Shutter: 1/500. Got a question or have an idea for next month’s Behind the Lens? Email me at fcouch@starnespublishing.com.

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

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

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

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

Rachel Burchﬁeld Chris Megginson Jesse Chambers Grace Thornton

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

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

Published by: Village Living LLC Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or

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

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Please Support Our Community Partners 30 A Realty (B19) Addiction Recovery Program at UAB (B5) Adventure Travel (B1) Alabama Goods (B7) Alabama Outdoors (B12) Alabama Power (B22) ALL IN Mountain Brook (B2) Amy Maziarz, Red Hills Realty (B8) Amy Smith (B20) Anna Lu Hemphill, Realty South (A14) ARC Realty (A3) Archadeck (B16) Batts’ Chimney Services (B11) Bedzzz Express (B3) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A28) Blackjack Horticulture Inc. (A19) Brandino Brass (B20) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A18, A27) Brookdale University Park (B14) California Closets (B13) Canterbury Gardens (A26) Central Alabama Cadillac Dealers (A7) Classic Gardens (A21) Club Pilates (A16) Commute Smart (A23) Counter Dimensions (B10) Dawson Music Academy (A25) Dish’n It Out (B16) Doorstep Delivery (B8) Ex Voto Vintage (A24) EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (A17) Granger Thagard Associates (B15) Home Instead Senior Care (B23) Hufham Orthodontics (A10) Hutchinson Automotive (A27) Issis & Sons (A22) Jacqueline DeMarco (B14) JJ Eyes (A29) John-William Jeweller (A16) Judith Bright (A28) King’s House Antiques (A13) Klinglers Cafe & Catering (A24) Korduroy Krocodile (B14) LAH Real Estate (A31) Lake Martin Realty - The Haynie Team (A27) Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. (A21) Landscape Workshop (A11) Lane Parke - Evson Inc. (A9) Leaf & Petal (A26) Marcella Fine Rugs (B6) Marguerite’s Conceits (B17) Mr. Chen’s (A5) NeedCo Inc. (A6) Otey’s (B17) Phoenix Builders (B11) Planet Fitness (A30) Rare Transportation - Apex (B4) RealtySouth (A32) Savage’s Bakery (B10) Shelby Dermatology (B9) Skelton’s Air (A6) Spiro Salt Room/Family Share Massage (A15) Sugar Sands Realty (B22) Swoop (B17) Taco Mama (B13) The Blue Willow (A23) The Cook Store (B20) The Fitness Center (B7) The Maids (A1) TherapySouth Crestline (B24) Tom Williams BMW (B18) UAB Comprehensive Stroke Center (A2) University of Alabama Men’s Basketball (A12) Village Dermatology (A8) Weigh To Wellness (A20) Wilcox Communities (A18)

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May 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ A5

GRAND OPENING ! Market offers fresh produce, meat, seafood, international products

A6 • May 2016

Village Living

City City recognizes employees of year By SYDNEY CROMWELL The Mountain Brook City Council began its March 28 meeting by recognizing its departmental employees of the year. One of those selected was Police Officer of the Year Drew Moore. Chief Ted Cook said Moore received at least “half a dozen” commendations in 2015, most notably for helping to catch a suspect in a child enticement case. From a blurry photo, Cook said Moore was able to use unique elements of the suspect’s vehicle wheels to identify its make and model. From there, he found all Birmingham drivers with the same car and identified one matching the suspect’s description. Within hours, law enforcement officers working the case called to say they had located and arrested the suspect based on Moore’s information. The council and audience members applauded Moore for his work. Other departmental winners included: ► Kevin Wilson: Fire Department ► Ashley Eason: Police Department non-sworn employee ► Latorya Mines: Parks and Recreation Department ► Rodney Wood: Public Works Department At the meeting, the council also: ► Re-established voting districts and assigned polling places for general, special and run-off municipal elections. ► Approved a utility agreement with ALDOT for the Phase 9 sidewalk project at Brookwood Road, Crosshill Road and Oakdale Drive. ► Approved a conditional use for Empower Pilates at 2419 Canterbury Road. Business owner Emma Suttles plans to lead Reformer Pilates

and spin classes there in evenings and weekends to avoid high-traffic times for surrounding businesses. ► Authorized a contract to rent voting machines, related equipment and election services from the County Commission for the Aug. 23 municipal election. The rental cost is $8,000 and the city will have to rent them again in the case of a run-off election in October. ► Authorized an agreement with the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority to provide bus services in the 2016-2017 fiscal year. City Manager Sam Gaston said the city is talking to the BJCTA about a potential new route that would include Cahaba Village. ► Approved a three-way agreement to maintain a sewer line and retaining wall at 2941 Balmoral Road. ► Approved the creation of the senior arborist position for a current employee of the public works department. ► Declared city-owned newspaper stands as surplus. The city intends to leave one stand in each village, but sell the rest. ► In a pre-council meeting, the council heard resident concerns about placement of sidewalks in Phase 5b of the sidewalk master plan, from Brookwood to Cahaba Road. The plan places sidewalks on the north side, which had residents concerned due to the number of trees that would be removed in the process. However, council members pointed out that the south side of the road would be dangerous to pedestrians due to exit ramps off U.S. 280, and that replanting is part of the sidewalk plan. Additionally, reconsidering the plan would cost significant time and money, so the council chose to proceed with its existing plan.

A rendering of the balcony over a public sidewalk at Steeple Arts office suites, 36 Church St., was approved April 11 at the Mountain Brook City Council meeting. Photo courtesy of Rob Walker Architects, LLC.

Council declares April ‘Donate Life Month,’ approves various contracts By ANA GOOD The Mountain Brook City Council declared April “Donate Life Month” during its Monday night meeting on April 11. The proclamation coincides with the national observance, initially declared by President George W. Bush in 2003 as a time to raise public awareness of the need for organ, tissue, marrow and blood donations. According to the Alabama Organ Center proclamation signed by Mayor Terry Oden, there are over 121,500 men, women and children in the United States on the organ transplant waiting list. Oden signed the proclamation on behalf of the more than 3,300 citizens awaiting a donation in Alabama. The council also approved a three-year contract extension with Waste Management of Central Alabama to continue garbage collection services for the city through Sept. 30, 2019. The current contract would have expired at the end of September. Per the terms of the contract, the contract may be renewed by mutual agreement for additional three-year terms and has been since the initial contract in 1998. The council also approved a Conditional Use application for Glacier Cryotherapy,

2417 Montevallo Road. The company, which first opened shop in Vestavia Hills last year, provides cryotherapy treatments. According to the company’s application, cryotherapy is a form of cold therapy, like an ice bath. A single session in the “cryosauna” lasts three minutes, where temperatures reach as low as minus 300 degrees F. The council also: ► Approved an Indemnification and Hold Harmless with Status Quo, LLC for the installation of a balcony over a public sidewalk at Steeple Arts office suites, 36 Church Street. ► Approved a Right-of-Way Encroachment Agreement at 2640 Canterbury Road for a parking pad. ► Awarded the bid for landscape maintenance services for the Emmet O’Neal Library, villages and municipal complex to Blackjack Horticulture and authorized the execution of a 36-month contract. ► Awarded the bid for janitorial services for defined areas of the municipal complex to Falls Facility Services, Inc. and authorized the execution of a 36-month contract. ► Approved an agreement between the city and Gillespie Construction, LLC for the construction of a sidewalk along Overbrook Road.

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May 2016 • A7

BOE appoints principal for MBE, recognizes students By ANA GOOD

Above: Crestline Elementary Principal Laurie King recognizes ﬁfth-grader Mia Dunlap, the winner of the Alabama Arbor Day poster contest. Below: Mountain Brook Junior High Principal Donald Clayton awards James Salvant with the Alabama Vex Robotics Mentor of the Year award. Photos by Ana Good.

Ashley McCombs is the new principal of Mountain Brook Elementary. The Mountain Brook Board of Education approved the appointment during its April 11 meeting. McCombs is the assistant principal at the school and has served in that position since 2012, officials said. Prior to that, she was a reading specialist at Mountain Brook Elementary for two years. McCombs taught in general education classrooms in other schools for 10 years before joining Mountain Brook Schools and has been certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards for nearly 10 years. “Our search for a new principal in any of our schools is guided by the need to select someone who understands and believes in the goals, values and direction of Mountain Brook Schools and who will continue to move the school forward in a process of continuous improvement,” said Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow. “We believe Ashley is the right fit for this position and will provide a seamless transition for staff, students and families. We are excited about the leadership Ashley McCombs will provide to assure an effective, challenging and engaging education for all Mountain Brook Elementary students.” The BOE also took time to recognize some of the city’s students. Among those recognized were artists, coding enthusiasts and music lovers. The board also recognized Sandy Ritchey, who made the Top 16 in the Alabama Teacher of the Year award category. Ritchey is a reading coach at Crestline

“

I have the pleasure of walking with champions every day at Mountain Brook Schools.

”

SANDY RITCHEY

Elementary and has been at the school since 2013. Prior to joining CES, she worked as a literacy coach in Hoover and has over 10 years of experience, officials said. “I have the pleasure of walking with champions every day at Mountain Brook Schools,” Ritchey said. “I’m so proud to be part of this team.” Crestline Elementary Principal Laurie King recognized fifth-grader Mia Dunlap, the winner of the Alabama Arbor Day Poster Contest. Dunlap won $50. Mountain Brook Junior High Principal Donald Clayton continued the afternoon’s recognitions, awarding James Salvant with the Alabama Vex Robotics Mentor of the Year award — an honor Clayton said was created specifically for Salvant because of his work in the robotics mentoring field. Under his direction, MBJH’s robotics club grew from two to 16 competitors in one year. Clayton then introduced band director Dr. Mark Foster, who has been with the school for 16 years. Foster recognized several band students in the audience, all who received superior ratings at a recent competition. Mountain Brook High School Principal Amanda Hood wrapped up the day’s

recognitions, congratulating Katie Klasing for receiving the Princeton Prize for Race Relations for her work in reinstituting the Heritage Panel student organization at the high school. Hood said the Heritage Panel celebrates diversity. Klasing was one of 25 students in the nation to receive the award and the only one from Alabama. “I have learned so much from this experience,” Klasing said. Hood introduced computer science and statistics teacher Fred Major, who congratulated students Grace Carmichael, Angela Fu and Ryan Kirk for their recent accomplishments and awards in the coding ﬁeld. At the conclusion of the recognitions, the board approved more than $900,000 in work to be done at the various schools over the summer break. The work includes replacing air conditioning units, carpets, cabinets and painting. The next school board meeting is May 16 at 3:30 p.m. in the Professional Learning Center. Remaining activities this year include: ► Retirement tea for MBS 2016 retirees: May 19 at 3:30 p.m. in the MBJH cafeteria. ► MBHS musical “Legally Blonde:” April 21, 23, 25 at 7 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. ► MBHS Art-Open House Art Display: April 26, 4 to 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Lobby Gallery. ► Beginning Band and MBHS Symphonic Spring Concert: April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. ► MBHS Graduation: May 26 at the Pete Hanna Center at 6 p.m. The last day of school for students will be May 27.

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John Civils and Jimmy Brady, attorneys with Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart, LLP, 2801 U.S. 280, Suite 200, have been recognized as “Top Lawyers” for 2016 by Birmingham Magazine. Civils was recognized as a top mediation attorney, while Brady was recognized as a top insurance attorney. 251-1193, huielaw.com

Taylor Jeffcoat has opened Jeffcoat Counseling, LLC, a private counseling practice at 16 Ofﬁce Park Circle, Suite 10A. She offers professional counseling for children who are dealing with behavioral and/or emotional issues and to their families, who play an active role in their mental health. 516-0486, jeffcoatcounseling.com

First US Bank opened a commercial loan production office at 300 Office Park Drive, Suite 175, on April 4. This is the bank’s 21st location in the state, with its headquarters in Thomasville, Alabama. The new location in Mountain Brook will house a number of the bank’s executive team leaders and will be led by J. Samuel Henderson, III, the EVP for the Birmingham market. firstusbank.com

News and Accomplishments Rebekah Eaton, a Realtor with RealtySouth’s Crestline ofﬁce, 105 Euclid Ave., was named to Realtor Magazine’s annual “30 Under 30” list. This year’s honorees were chosen from more than 400 applicants nationwide. 879-6330, realtysouth.com

May 2016 • A9

Iron Tribe, with a location at 15 Dexter Ave., has been named “Elite Business of the Year” by Infusionsoft, a company that offers email marketing and sales platforms to small businesses. 802-1775, irontribeﬁtness.com

Hirings and Promotions RealtySouth’s Crestline ofﬁce, 105 Euclid Ave., has hired Kevin Barnes as a Realtor. 879-6330, realtysouth.com

LAH’s Mountain Brook ofﬁce, 2850 Cahaba Road, Suite 200, has hired Christy Trotter as a Realtor. 870-8580, lahrealestate.com

Business news

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A10 • May 2016

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Business a part of the family Under 6th generation of leadership, Bromberg’s celebrates 180 years By ANA GOOD

Bromberg & Company President Frederick W. Bromberg has been working for his family’s company since 1966. Photo by Cherie Olivier.

Frederick W. Bromberg remembers the exact day he first started working at his family-owned jewelry store. The date was June 30, 1966, and at only 6 years old, his job was to operate the downtown elevator from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Ricky, as he is known, still has the first 50-cent piece he earned that day, framed along with a note from his father — past Bromberg’s President Frank H. Bromberg Jr. — commemorating the occasion. “It’s what I always wanted to do,” said Bromberg inside his back office at the jewelry store’s Mountain Brook location. Bromberg said he has few family memories that don’t involve discussion about the store. “My family would talk about the store over dinner, at holiday gatherings,” he said. “It was an everyday occurrence.” Bromberg, who today oversees operations as the company’s president, said he’s always been connected to the store. Bromberg worked at the store during the summer, during Christmas breaks and would even take the bus to the downtown location after school every day. After working as the elevator operator, Bromberg moved through almost every job in the company, from working in the stockroom to the office, the sales floor and even as a telephone operator. For Bromberg, it was the best and only way to learn everything about the company. “It would have been impossible to understand the company’s inner workings except from the bottom up,” he said. This year, Bromberg & Company Inc., now

VillageLivingOnline.com under its sixth generation of family leadership, will celebrate its 180th year in business. The company, Bromberg said, is the oldest company in continuous operation in the state. It began in 1836, when a young Frederick Bromberg opened the very first Bromberg’s location in Mobile. At the time, Alabama had achieved statehood only 17 years prior and the city of Birmingham did not yet exist. In Store Magazine recognized Bromberg’s as the “oldest family-owned retail business of any kind in the U.S.” According to “Bromberg’s: An Alabama Tradition for 150 Years,” a book about the store’s origins published in 1987, the Bromberg family story originates in the early 1800s. The Brombergs lived in the prosperous Prussian village of Bromberg, where they enjoyed a prominent status in the city. After the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, however, the city suffered economic decline and fell under the rule of Poland. In 1832, Frederick Bromberg, then just a young silversmith and jewel merchant, decided to immigrate to America in search of better opportunities. He arrived in New York, where he met and married a fellow recent immigrant and native of Hamburg, Germany, named Lisette Cunigarde Dorothea Beetz. A few years later, in 1836, the couple moved south to Mobile, a city, they were told, that offered a temperate climate, sophisticated culture and plentiful opportunity. It wasn’t long before Frederick established himself and opened a store in the new city. According to “Bromberg’s: An Alabama Tradition,” early store inventory included piano fortes, sheet music and a few musical instruments before it expanded to include instrument repair. The original store became the exclusive agent for Chickering pianos and eventually grew to include jewelry and gifts. Despite various challenges, including a financial crisis, wars and yellow fever, Frederick’s grandson, Frederick W., moved the business to Birmingham in 1900.

May 2016 • A11 Watch Ricky Bromberg talk about the business:

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It was here the company grew to enjoy considerable prosperity. After various moves to various Birmingham buildings, including the Linn Building, which housed the first Bromberg’s Birmingham location, and the Farley Building, where it remained for 15 years, the company was among the first to branch outside the city limits into the suburbs. The Bromberg’s Mountain Brook store, which opened in 1959, marked the company’s first branch expansion. Today, the company maintains its corporate offices and stockroom on Second Avenue North in downtown Birmingham as well as two retail locations in Mountain Brook Village and The Summit. Bromberg’s said the company’s success is because of a combination of luck and hard work. Throughout the years, the company has managed to remain among family based on the luck of having capable descendants to carry it on, he said. In terms of its resiliency, Bromberg said it all goes back to the company’s motto and ability to change with time. “We can’t rest on the laurels of past achievements,” said Bromberg. “We can’t be emotional about saying goodbye to things that do not work, or afraid of taking new opportunities. Everything we do falls within the umbrella of our mission.” Bromberg said he looks forward to continued prosperity in the decades to come with the rest of the Bromberg family and the Birmingham community. For more information on Bromberg’s, visit brombergs.com or call the company directly at 969-1776 or 871-3276. Bromberg’s stores are located at 131 Summit Blvd. in Birmingham and 2800 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook.

Ricky Bromberg’s 50-cent piece he earned during his first day of work, framed with a note from his father — past Bromberg’s President Frank H. Bromberg Jr. — commemorating the occasion. Photo by Cherie Olivier.

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A12 • May 2016

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Chamber Jordan Alexander founder shares tale of inspiration for new line benefiting A21 By ANA GOOD

Jordan Alexander jewelry founder Theresa Bruno speaks March 7 during the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Photo by Frank Couch.

Theresa Bruno, Jordan Alexander Jewelry founder, was moved by what she witnessed on a recent trip to Greece. She toured safe houses operated by the A21 Campaign, a group dedicated to fighting human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced slave labor, and what she saw made her decide to devote a jewelry line exclusively to help victims. Bruno shared her experience with more than 100 guests at the April 7 Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. It was during her time in Greece along with a group of other female entrepreneurs that Bruno said she saw firsthand where victims were taken and “broken” after they were kidnapped and forced into slave labor or sexual slavery. While visiting a recently raided home in the area, Bruno said she was appalled at “what one human being could do to another human for money.” Bruno said she connected with a woman who had been held captive for nearly four years while she recovered at a safe house operated by A21. “I looked at her and she could have been any of our daughters,” said Bruno of the woman who was only 20 years old when she was enslaved after taking a job outside of her home country. The jewelry line, she said, will provide

more than a monthly check for A21. It incorporates four words — hope, love, purpose and mercy — that Bruno said she hopes will serve as a tool to teach others about human trafficking and support efforts to end it. Of her jewelry line, Bruno said she at first had no idea what she was getting into. “I walked into a huge show mostly on a dare and immediately felt like turning around because I didn't belong there,” she said. But it was her “stubborn charm,” thanks to her Southern roots, she said, that kicked in and gave her the confidence to push forward. “I like to think being Southern in this business plays to my advantage,” she said, when people ask her why she is based in Birmingham. Though many designers are based in areas closer to raw materials or groups of artisans, Bruno said she prefers to stick close to her home in Birmingham. Jordan Alexander, according to its Facebook page, is a fine jewelry collection that “blends luxurious elements like baroque pearls and diamond accents with unexpected Bohemian touches. The collection is said to be inspired by Bruno’s Southern roots and her grandmother’s and mother’s “exquisite estate-like personal jewelry collections.” For more information on Jordan Alexander, visit jordanalexanderjewelry.com. For more information on the A21 Campaign, visit a21.org.

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May 2016 • A13

Community Mountain Brook’s Hallman earns Eagle Scout rank

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Conyers Harris Hallman, a member of Boy Scout Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Hallman was recognized during a Court of Honor ceremony March 6 at Canterbury United Methodist Church. His grandfather Terry Conn and his uncle Jeffrey Conn were also both Eagle Scouts. Hallman has been active in Troop 63 since crossing over and receiving his Arrow of Light from Cub Scouts. He has served in the positions of Assistant Patrol Leader and Quartermaster. He earned 22 merit badges and attended a Boy Scout Leadership Conference in August at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. For his Eagle project, Hallman built a handicap accessible ramp for the main house of Grace House Ministries, located in Fairfield, Alabama. Grace House Ministries is a residential group home facility serving girls ages 6-21 from

Birmingham and surrounding areas on a longterm basis. These girls have come from crisis backgrounds with the commitment to develop into mature, Godly women. Through his fundraising for the project, Hallman was able to pay for the building materials to build the ramp, as well as present a check to Grace House Ministries for $1,500 to be used on other home improvements. Hallman is currently a freshman at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Virginia, where he was a member of the WFS Bengal and JV football teams, JV track team and is currently on the JV lacrosse team. Hallman sings in the Woodberry Forest Boys Choir and is also a member of the Rod and Gun Club. He is the son of Kyle and Heidi Hallman of Mountain Brook and the grandson of Mrs. Bonnie Conn of Vestavia and Mrs. Phyllis Hallman of Tucson, Arizona.

Susan Kidd Thanks to all of you for supporting us for 44 YEARS! Who knows, we may pop up again somewhere.

William Culp earns Eagle Scout William Culp earned the rank of Eagle Scout from the Vulcan District Eagle Board on January 14, 2016. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 63 at Canterbury Methodist Church, under the leadership of Russ Carothers. A Court of Honor ceremony was held on February 21 to recognize William’s achievements. For his Eagle Service Project, William built a stone fire pit and four benches at the King’s Home in Chelsea. After raising money to cover the construction cost, the project was completed with the help of fellow Scout members and close friends. Funds remaining at the end of the project were donated to King’s Home.

William earned 23 merit badges and had 41 camping nights. Within the troop, he held the positions of Assistant Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader. He was also inducted into the Order of Arrow. William is a sophomore at Mountain Brook High School where he plays varsity lacrosse. He is a member of Mountain Brook Community Church. William is the son of Jenny and Sonny Culp. He is the grandson of Margery Birdsong and Glenn Culp of Birmingham and Dr. W.E. Birdsong of Jasper.

320-2535 2807 2nd Avenue South at Pepper Place

A14 • May 2016

Village Living

MBHS invites back alumni

Siblings earn awards for service Siblings Hollon and Henry Skinner received Presidential Service Awards for their volunteer hours last summer in various community and out-of-state activities. Each received a medal, certificate and congratulatory letter signed by President Barack Obama. To receive the award, students must be nominated, submit volunteer hours and be reviewed by a committee. Hollon Skinner earned a Gold Presidential Service Award for her volunteer work and time spent at Bible Times Market Place, sponsored by Independent Presbyterian Church, and for helping staff at Bible School in Eutaw with St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She totaled more than 250 volunteer hours. Hollon is a junior at Mountain Brook High School and a member of the Interact Club, Natural Helpers, JV girls basketball team and the varsity softball team. Henry Skinner earned a Silver Presidential Service Award. He also volunteered his time at Bible Times Market Place with Independent Presbyterian Church and in New Orleans at “Swamp School,” a science-based camp that operates in the St. Charles Parish Wetlands Watchers Park. Henry had more than 99 service hours. Henry is an eighth-grade student at Mountain Brook Junior High and is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 28. – Submitted by Kathy Skinner.

Hollon Skinner

Former MBHS students returned to speak to younger students for the second annual Alumni Day. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick.

Henry Skinner

Mountain Brook High School hosted its second annual Alumni Day on Jan. 5. Recent graduates from the past three years of MBHS came back to spend the day and speak to current students. The 29 alumni addressed English classes on their high school experience and gave advice for choosing a college and tips for being successful once there. They were given prompts for questions and answers such as “things they are glad they did in high school” and “things they would do differently.” The current students were able to hear pros and cons of state schools versus small liberal arts colleges, as well as staying close by or attending far away. Some alumni emphasized keeping cost low for an undergraduate degree in order to avoid debt, as they already know they want to pursue more than a bachelor’s degree. The visiting group of alumni had varied interests and studies, from education and engineering majors to pre law, pre med, math and

business majors. A few of them participate in sports and marching band at the collegiate level. The large group who wanted to come back and participate was a positive reflection of not only last year’s first Alumni Day, but of the caliber of students who graduate from Mountain Brook High School. They all entered the school with big smiles and positive energy. It was an invaluable day for the high school students. Visiting alumni included: Hampton Adams, Hunter Branch, Olivia Burton, Austin Chapman, William Cole, Anne Grey Cook, Everette Dawkins, Tillman Drew, Will Freeman, Jack Fruin, Abby Garrett, Will Hargrove, Cate Harmon, Gaines Hartley, Ben Jackson, Greg Jenkins, Lindsey Kirk, Trey Lockett, Hannah Mouyal, Reid Pyburn, Annie Reich, Katie Reiss, Madelyn Rosenthal, Paul Roth, John Sisson, Emmie Stutts, Brother Swagler, Lottice Taylor and Zijie Yin. – Submitted by Elizabeth Fitzpatrick.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A15

Events

The Food Truck Round Pp will move to The Summit this year but will still offer Birmingham’s favorite local food trucks and artists. Photo courtesy of Molly Silverstein.

Food Truck Round Up moves to The Summit By EMILY FEATHERSTON The PreSchool Partners Food Truck Round Up will return early this month for its fifth year, but is moving to The Summit. The round up, presented by Protective Life, will once again bring Birmingham’s favorite local food trucks and local artists together in one location. During the past four years, the event has raised more than $200,000 for PreSchool Partners’ early childhood education programs, and organizers hope the change in location will attract even more guests.

The May 7 event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Carmike Cinema parking lot. Local food trucks such as Melt, Off the Hook, Dreamcakes and Heavenly Donut Company are scheduled to attend, as well as several local artists. Tickets to the event are $10 for adults in advance and $15 on the day of the event. Tickets for children 10 years old and under are $5, and those 2 years old and younger can attend for free. For more information about the event and a full list of participating food trucks and artists, visit preschool-partners.org/events.

Registration is open until the day of the race. Registration fees for adults are $30 plus a signup fee of $3.20. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Zoo.

11th annual Zoo Run scheduled for May 21 By ANA GOOD Animal lovers and runners alike are invited to run Miles for Marine Mammals during the 11th annual Zoo Run on Saturday, May 21. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the zoo parking lot and finish in the Trails of Africa exhibit. Kids’ races, set for participants from babies to age 12, will begin at 8 a.m. in the Junior League of Birmingham - Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo Barn. Available children’s races are as follows: Turtle Trot (ages 2 and younger), Chicken Cha-Cha (ages 4-4), Skunk Scurry (ages 5-7), Serval Sprint (ages 8-12).

All participants will receive free admission to the zoo. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase additional discounted admission tickets for family members, which are good for the day of the race only, and a special T-shirt. Registration is open until the day of the race. Registration fees for adults are $30 plus a sign-up fee of $3.20. Registration for kids is $12 plus a $3.20 sign-up fee. Register at runsignup.com. The award ceremony will take place following the completion of the races in Trails of Africa. Those interested in volunteering at the Zoo Run are asked to visit birminghamzoo.com/ get-involved/volunteer.

A16 • May 2016

Village Living

Giving back, 1 lemonade sale at a time Annual Lucy & Ruby’s Brainy Day raising resources for brain cancer research By ERICA TECHO Lucy and Ruby Harris started fundraising in support of brain cancer research in 2013. What started as a simple lemonade and cookie stand hosted by the young Vestavia Hills residents has now grown into an annual event, Lucy & Ruby’s Brainy Day. “It’s really exciting, and it did all start with the idea of my youngest daughter,” said Lucy and Ruby’s mom, Lisa Harris. “It was just a casual little thing that she was going to do.” Lucy and Ruby’s father, Scott Harris, was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, and they started their lemonade stand to give back to the hospital that was treating him. That first year, the girls raised $3,000 for Wheeling for Hope, a nonprofit that benefits brain cancer research and patient support services at UAB and Children’s of Alabama. Scott Harris passed away in November 2013, and the girls chose to grow the event to help keep his memory alive and provide hope to those

living with cancer. Lucy & Ruby’s Brainy Day is in its third year and has raised more than $30,000 for Wheeling for Hope to date. Harris said she hopes as the event continues to grow, they can bring hope to more families and help create a greater sense of community. “This provides an opportunity for people to get involved,” she said. “The awareness, for me, of brain cancer is just as important as the fundraising, maybe even more so.” The event is held in May every year, in recognition of Brain Cancer Awareness Month. It will be held May 7 at Mountain Brook Community Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food, live music, a silent auction, games, activities, prizes and free cookies and lemonade. Donations will be accepted upon entry to the event. There will also be T-shirts for sale, and $5 from each T-shirt purchased will go toward research. All proceeds from the silent auction, a pre-event online auction and online donations will go toward research as well.

John Wilson Dorlon and Ashton Pate at the 2015 Lucy & Ruby’s Brainy Day. Photo courtesy of Lisa Harris.

This year, Hoover resident Matt Anderson and his two daughters are partnering with the cause. Anderson’s wife, Gretchen Anderson, passed away from brain cancer in July 2015, and they plan to have a “Go Grey for Gretchen” booth set up at the event. “Brain cancer doesn’t get a lot of attention, so this event is a great way to help increase awareness in the community and give back,” Anderson said. “My daughters and I are excited about being involved this year and partnering with Lucy and Ruby.” This year, they plan to personally reach out to more families and individuals affected by brain cancer, Lisa Harris said. “It’s more about creating a sense of community

Lucy & Ruby’s Brainy Day • WHEN: May 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • WHERE: Mountain Brook Community Church • COST: Donations accepted on entry • WEB: lucyandruby.com

with people who have been impacted because brain cancer isn’t something that really gets attention,” she said. For more information, visit lucyandruby.com.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A17

Walk for ovarian cancer awareness to paint town teal

Graham, Britton and Todd Miner participate in Motherwalk, which honors those lost to ovarian cancer and raises funds for research. File photo.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON The 5K and 1-mile fun run benefiting the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, which aims to both raise funds for ovarian cancer research and awareness about the risks and symptoms of the disease, will celebrate its 13th year this month and once again bring a parade of teal. The Motherwalk 5K will again take place at Homewood Central Park, starting at 8 a.m. with a moment of silence and dove release beforehand in memory of those lost to ovarian cancer. The 1-mile fun run will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the recognition of ovarian cancer survivors and the distribution of race awards. Adult registration for the 5K is $35 either online in advance or on race day. The 1-mile fun

run is also $35 for those 13 years old and older, and $20 for youth 12 and under. Registration is free for all ovarian cancer survivors. Advance registration and packet pickup will take place on Wednesday, May 11, from 4-7 p.m. at the Trak Shak in downtown Homewood. Participants can register as an individual or as a team, and all are encouraged to dress up and “get their teal on” for the event. Team photos will be taken on race day from 6:30-8 a.m. Awards will be given to the largest team and the team that raises the most funds, as well as the top male and female overall in the 5K and the top three finishers in each age bracket. All youth 12 and under in the fun run will also receive a medal. For more information about the event and to register, visit motherwalk.com or nlovca.org.

Zoo announces summer events lineup By ANA GOOD The Birmingham Zoo is gearing up to offer a full schedule of spring and summer events. Guests are invited to take a step back in time to a world of prehistoric wonders by visiting the Dino Discovery - They’re Back! exhibit, open daily through July 31. The exhibit is located in the Alabama Wilds area of the Junior League of Birmingham - Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. Dino Discovery will give guests the opportunity to hear dinosaurs roar, see them move and take in a prehistoric experience like none before. A total of 12 life-sized, North American-native animatronic dinosaurs tower above zoo guests at heights of nearly 20 feet. The creatures weigh in at nearly 7 tons and measure 85 feet in length, taking guests on an expedition spanning back more than 160 million years ago. Thanks to the warm weather, the zoo will also

bring back seasonal favorites, including the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show and Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Shows on weekends, lorikeet feedings, camel rides, giraffe feedings, pelican feedings — some at an additional cost. In June, guests are invited to join the Zoo for the second annual Zoo, Brews and Full Moon BBQ on June 18 from 5:30-9 p.m. This family-friendly, paid event throughout the zoo will include dinosaurs, food, face painting, music and special beer samplings from a variety of local breweries. On July 16, the zoo will host its first DinoNite, a nighttime event at the zoo to include dinosaurs, special activities and a movie. In conjunction with the Birmingham Barons, the zoo will also have two Zoo Member Nights at Regions Field on July 11 and July 20. For more information, including pricing details and a full list of upcoming events, visit birminghamzoo.com/events/.

A18 • May 2016

Village Living

For the

ORGANIZED GRAD Valet tray $39 Beautifully detailed valet trays that lay ﬂat for easy travel. Available in an assortment of colors. Lamb’s Ears 70 Church Street 802-5700

gift guide

For the

COOL GRAD Krewe St. Louis sunglasses $215 Give your grad a pair of timeless, gorgeous designer shades to enjoy for seasons to come.

For the

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The Blue Willow 3930 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia 968-0909

For the

OUT OF STATE GRAD

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“It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham” T-shirt $24 American Apparel. Comes in various colors.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A19 For the

For the

GUY IN YOUR LIFE

PERSON WITH A SWEET TOOTH

Valet tray $89 Made in the U.S. by leather from one of the oldest family-owned leather companies. This tray is a great catch-all for keys, wallets, watches and cuff links at the end of the day. Complimentary laser engraved monogram available. Colors are chocolate and saddle.

Graduation cap cookies $2.50 each or $30 a dozen Delicious cookies for your Spartan. Celebrate their graduation with something sweet. Savage’s Bakery & Deli 2916 18th Street South 871-4901

For the

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For the

PERSON ON THE GO

BEACH LOVER Turkish towel $28 Perfect for the beach, lake or pool. Soft and thin, so it dries fast. Can be worn as a sarong.

Yeti Rambler bottle series 18 oz. - $39.95, 36 oz. - $59.99, 64 oz. - $89.99 Give your graduate the ultimate drink companion. Keep their drink as cold as science allows and always on the go with rugged stainless steel protection.

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Travel/toiletries kit by Zumer Sport $20 Gift your grad with a travel kit that has athletic ﬂair.

1-stone PRK clasps $88 Choose her school colors.

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Swoop 2721 Cahaba Road 803-0886

JEWELRY LOVER

Judith Bright 2415 Montevallo Road 918-3600

A20 • May 2016

Village Living

Following their footsteps MBJH teacher, wife teaching students how to ‘Swing for the King’ Kendall and Derek Kennedy, both middle school teachers, combine their love for teaching, children and their religious beliefs all into a thriving side business, Swing for the King, where they teach swing dance routines to novices of all ages. Photo courtesy of Derek and Kendall Kennedy.

By ANA GOOD Derek and Kendall Kennedy didn’t know they had rhythm until they took a ballroom dance class years ago at the University of Montevallo. “We made a pretty good pair on the dance floor,” Kendall Kennedy said. Their lessons came in handy during their college years, she said, especially when it came to swing dancing — a new trend among university students. “If you didn’t know how to swing dance, you were kind of the odd man out,” Kendall Kennedy said. “The boys and girls who were known as good swing dancers were the ones that got invited to all the parties.” Today, the Kennedys, both middle school teachers in the greater Birmingham area, pass on what they learned on the dance floor to their students. “Right around middle-school age is when they want to start interacting with each other — boys and girls — but most of them don’t know how to,” Kendall Kennedy said. “Our goal is to teach them how to do it in an appropriate but fun way that still glorifies the Lord.” Kendall Kennedy is a family and consumer sciences teacher at Rudd Middle School in Pinson, and Derek Kennedy is a civics and geography teacher and the seventh-grade boys basketball coach at Mountain Brook Junior High School. They combine their love for teaching, children and their religious beliefs into a swing-dance class, Swing for the King. Since late 2012, the couple have been taking area teens for a spin on the ballroom floor. The Kennedys have taught more than 1,500 children from more than nine different Over the Mountain schools.

However, Kendall Kennedy stresses they are “absolutely not” professional dancers. “We are both teachers,” she said. “We love children, and this was an opportunity to get to know more kids in the community. For us, this is more like a form of ministry than a profession.” In fact, she said the idea for the company began with a plea from her mom. As her little brother was about to enter seventh

grade, Kendall Kennedy said her mother fretted about the kind of inappropriate dancing and behavior she had heard about at middle school dances. “My mom asked us to teach my little brother how to swing dance and invite some of his friends,” Kendall Kennedy said. “I never thought it would happen.” To their surprise, the kids loved it — almost as much as their parents did, she said.

“People began to hear about it,” Kendall Kennedy said. “And wanting their kids to participate as well.” Taking a page from what they had learned from their college experience, the Kennedys reasoned the best way to maximize the beneﬁts to their students was to develop a curriculum based solely on swing dance routines. “It’s what everyone is doing right now,” she said. “It’s trendy among even older kids, so why

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VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A21

Derek and Kendall Kennedy, both middle school teachers in the greater Birmingham area, pass on what they learned on the dance floor to their students. Photos, from left, courtesy of Maggie Taylor McCoy, Mallory Johnston Kellum and Hallie Gibbs.

not teach them the fundamentals why they are young?” Kendall Kennedy said classes are usually on weekends, running Friday through Sunday and ending with a small dance party where students can show off what they learned. Classes average about an hour and a half each day and usually are held at the Mountain Brook Community Church in the fellowship hall or the gym, unless otherwise requested. The Kennedys teach swing dancing basics, a traditional three-step dance and add in some extra moves for fun. Parents are invited to the last 15 minutes of the second day of class to

watch what their child has learned. The dance classes have been so popular among young kids that even parents and grandparents have requested their classes at adult events, Kendall Kennedy said. Along with hosting classes for middle school students, the Kennedys also have taught classes to high school students, at a 50th birthday party, at supper clubs and fundraisers for mission trips and other causes complete with photo booths and concession stands. Kendall Kennedy said they do not have a set schedule of upcoming classes. Instead, they ask interested parents to contact them with a group of students who would like to participate.

Parents should provide a list of students with an even number of boys and girls, so everyone has a dance partner. The students rotate partners throughout the class to avoid any date-like situations and to ensure every girl gets properly asked to dance, and no boys get rejected. Group classes usually range from 14 to 40 students, she said. “We receive emails from parents, students and even principals who say they are in awe of the way these classes have changed the environment of their social functions,” Kendall Kennedy said. “They are no longer having to tear people apart. The dances tend to have a much more

appropriate, fun and lighthearted atmosphere.” With their love of the dance, do the Kennedys ever take any dance classes themselves or compete on the side? The short answer, Kendall Kennedy said, is no. When they finally have a night off, she said they tend to stay away from the dance floor. “We’re not trying to become professionals,” Kendall Kennedy said, laughing. “We just like to have a good time.” For more information, or to inquire about organizing a dance class, contact Kendall Kennedy at kprater1@forum.montevallo.edu or at 447-4736.

A22 • May 2016

Village Living

Living life unfettered with food allergies By ANA GOOD Marko Maglic-Kinnunen’s first experience eating eggs didn’t exactly go as planned. He was a year old and his mother, Leann Kinnunen, had prepared French toast for him. “I gave him two tiny, tiny bites,” the Mountain Brook mother said, but that was all it took for his body to react. Almost immediately, Marko had hives all over his neck, Leann said, and he was crying and vomiting all over the place. “That was my first experience with a severe allergic reaction,” said Leann, though she had suspected for some time that Marko had food allergies. The first signs that Marko’s body processed certain foods differently, in fact, came while Leann was still breastfeeding. “He had severe eczema everywhere,” said Leann, who shared her family’s personal experience with food allergies as part of food allergy awareness month. “He would scream every time I tried to feed him.” At the time, Leann, Marko and her husband, Stevan Maglic, lived in New York. Marko’s pediatrician referred them to a dermatologist, said Leann, to treat the eczema. From there, they were referred to a gastroenterologist to try and help treat Marko’s digestive issues. “The problem,” said Leann, “is that many pediatricians don’t tend to know much about allergies.” Rather than refer her to an allergist to help treat the actual cause of Marko’s discomfort, the family visited doctor after doctor who treated only his symptoms. Leann said she had prepared the French toast using only egg yolks after she had read that egg whites tend to be a more common allergen. The

“

As parents, you have to get to a place where you can feel safe. Reading labels and asking questions at restaurants becomes part of life.

”

LEANN KINNUNEN

suggestion to try and feed Marko eggs, said Leann, came from his pediatrician. When Marko’s body reacted, Leann called his doctor, who told her to give him Benadryl. “Thankfully that worked,” she said, “though we later learned that he’d had an anaphylactic reaction and what we really should have done was get in an ambulance and head to the hospital.” Following the incident, Leann took Marko to see a pediatric allergist at Columbia, where she worked at the time. He tested Marko for egg allergies, she said, but didn’t want to perform tests for any other allergens. Leann said the doctor explained it was common to get false positives, and that because the tests weren’t very accurate at Marko’s age, he didn’t want to limit his diet just yet. “Regardless,” she said, “I asked for an EpiPen.” It was only a few months later, said Leann, that she had to use the EpiPen — an auto-injector which contains a single dose of epinephrine,

At the time of his initial diagnosis, tests indicated Marko Maglic-Kinnunen was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, mustard, sesame, flaxseed, shellfish, radish, ginger, basil, cumin and red food dye. Marko, now 8 years old, has grown out of some allergies, including peanut, basil and flaxseed. Photos courtesy of Leann Kinnunen.

used to help calm the effects of a life-threatening allergic reaction. The family had gone out to eat at an Indian restaurant. Leann brought along some food for Marko, but also fed him a few bites of the basmati rice from the buffet line. “At the time,” she said, “we believed he was only allergic to eggs.” That time, said Leann, Marko started behaving strangely. Stevan walked him outside, hoping some fresh air would help. “When he came back inside,” said Leann, “his

lips were huge, he was covered in hives, vomiting and having trouble breathing.” Leann stuck Marko with the EpiPen, jumped into a cab and rushed to the nearest hospital. The family knew it was time to get to the bottom of exactly what he was allergic to. “He has quite a few allergies,” said Leann, “including some that are considered unusual.” At the time of his initial diagnosis, tests indicated Marko was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, mustard, sesame, ﬂaxseed, shellﬁsh, radish, ginger, basil, cumin and red food dye.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A23

Above: Stevan Maglic, Marko Maglic-Kinnunen and Leann Kinnunen at dinner. Leann said Marko knows he is not supposed to eat anything given to him by anyone other than his parents or his babysitter unless one of them OKs it ﬁrst. Right: Marko holds his dog, Oreo.

Marko, now 8 years old, has grown out of some allergies, including peanut, basil and ﬂaxseed. Others, like his allergies to sesame and shellﬁsh, appeared to have been resolved, but have since returned, said Leann. Asked if reoccurrences among allergies are common, Leann said there’s still a lot of unknowns.

“That’s the problem with food allergies,” she said. “There isn’t enough known these days.” When the family moved to Alabama six years ago, Leann said it was imperative to ﬁnd a school where she knew Marko’s dietary restrictions were looked after, but not blown out of proportion. The family enrolled him at the Creative

Montessori School in Homewood, she said, who have since day one done more than their part to care for Marko. “They banned nuts at the school for my son,” said Leann, speaking on how thankful she is for the staff. Two of Marko’s teachers even used the Lent season to get a taste of what his everyday is like, she said, when they gave up everything Marko is allergic to. Since Marko’s arrival at the school, said Leann, other children have also beneﬁted from the nut-free policy. “It makes it a lot easier to know that simply isn’t an issue,” she said. The entire staff at Creative Montessori is also trained in how to use an EpiPen, she said, in case any child should ever have a dangerous allergic reaction. Leann said while of course it is important to be mindful of a child’s allergies, it is also important to make an effort so that they don’t feel different. In her household, for example, the entire family knows how to read labels and will not consume anything in the house that Marko cannot eat. On a food allergy Facebook support group she

is part of, Leann said she reads about instances where utensils and plates are labeled with stickers, certain foods are locked away and food is placed in different sections of the refrigerator. What she has found, she said, is that sometimes the children in those situations feel left out and different. “If you can’t give up stuff for your kid, what does that say about you?” she said, while also acknowledging that it may be easier for her family to restrict its diet because they only have one child. Leann said she recently asked Marko if he feels different after reading about a little girl who was struggling with understanding why she couldn’t eat certain things when everyone else could. “I asked him what he would say to the little girl,” said Leann. “He said, ‘Just don’t think about it, play with your friends and don’t worry about having food allergies. Everybody’s got something, some sort of problem, and this is our difficulty. Don’t make being sad about it the most important thing.”’ Leann said Marko knows he is not supposed to eat anything given to him by anyone other than his parents or his babysitter unless one of them OKs it first. He’s also able to read and understand food labels now, she said. Leann said because of Marko’s uncommon allergies, she has often had to call companies directly and ask what it means specifically when their label says things like “made with natural flavorings.” Of course, she said, it would be easier to stick to a set of grocery store foods they already know are safe, but that would limit the family’s ability to explore other foods that are also safe. “As parents, you have to get to a place where you can feel safe,” she said. “Reading labels and asking questions at restaurants becomes part of life.” For her family, that means being educated, but not overly cautious to the point that it limits life’s experiences. “It’s OK to eat out, travel and not home school a child,” she said. “When they get to college, they are off on their own anyway. The sooner they can start out living as normal as possible, the better.”

A24 • May 2016

Village Living

mother’s day

For the

ACTIVE MOM Gift certifi certiﬁcate Various prices Gift certifi certiﬁcates provide three or more one-on-one personal training sessions.

gift guide

The Fitness Center 3900 Montclair Road 870-1121

For the

JEWELRY LOVER Sterling silver French pendant $59-$250 (add $20 for engraving) These French pendants are cast from an original antique and are available in sterling silver, 14k gold and 14k rose gold. They can be engraved with children’s initials for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift.

For the

POLISHED MOM Pearl necklace $100 24-inch 6.5 x 7 mm freshwater cultured pearl lariat with a pear-shaped pearl drop is perfect for Mother’s Day.

Ex Voto Vintage Jewelry 2402 Canterbury Road 538-7301

For the

FAITHFUL MOM

Bromberg’s 2800 Cahaba Road 871-3276

enewton Designs Jewelry $115.95 Simplicity with cross necklaces worn solo or layered for a timeless look. The Blue Willow 3930 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia 968-0909

For the

STYLISH MOM

Issis & Sons gift card Any amount available Purchase this gift card, and let Mom pick out what she wants.

Tom Ford Edita sunglasses $400 Treat Mom to a timeless, gorgeous pair of designer shades that she can enjoy for seasons to come.

Issis & Sons Redeemable at all locations: Pelham, Greystone or Hoover 620-6926

JJ Eyes 2814 18th Street South 703-8596

MOM WHO CAN’T DECIDE

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Visit our showroom in Mountain Brook Village. Shop online with in-store pickup . Complimentary gift wrap. 205.538.7301

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A25 For the

SHOE LOVER Birkenstock Mayari Sandal $89.95 This graceful cross strap sandal with toe loop is the perfect addition to her summer wardrobe. The Mayari sandal is made for all-day comfort and style. Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 870-1919

For the

MOM ON THE GO For the

PHOTOGRAPHER Juju Bee Frame $46 Mom loves to display the people she loves. Give her a gift she will cherish.

Mighty purse $118 Keeps her cellphone charged. Marguerite’s Conceits 2406 Canterbury Road 879-2730

For the

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A26 â&#x20AC;˘ May 2016

Village Living

ART IN THE VILLAGE Clockwise, from above: Artist Natalie Russo with one of her paintings for sale during Art in the Village on April 16. Beth Bradley paints while displaying her work. Shoppers look at artwork for sale. Photos by Patty Bradley.

VillageLivingOnline.com

Above: Several shoppers brought their dogs to enjoy the annual show by the Mountain Brook Art Association. Below: Children take in the creativity on display at Art in the Village.

May 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ A27

A28 • May 2016

Village Living Left: Crestline Elementary students at the time of the Pig’s closing drew art to show their support for the village’s grocery store. Photos courtesy of Amy Rainer.

‘SAVE THE PIG:’ 2013

Below: Arrelia Callins stands next to students’ art, as well as a painting by Liz Landgren, displayed inside the store in 2013. Staff photo.

THE PIG

CONTINUED from page A1 As the village can attest, bringing the store back wasn’t easy. There were countless hourslong public meetings, rezoning talks, incentive agreements and, most recently, even an intentionally set ﬁre. But now, it won’t be long before Mountain Brook’s residents and Pig-lovers alike can once again walk the aisles of their favorite neighborhood grocery store. The setbacks will all seem like a distant memory soon, when the automatic doors slide open just across the street from where the original Pig once stood.

THE PEOPLE’S PIG

As soon as rumors about the impending close began to circulate in 2013, it was clear Crestline residents wouldn’t let it go without a ﬁght. Resident Kathryn Corey said she remembers the day she heard the news like it was yesterday.

“My phone lit up one morning with a call from my sister-in-law,” Corey said. “Ms. Arrelia [the well known Arrelia Callins, a Piggly Wiggly cashier for more than 25 years] had told her that the store might be closing. She called me because she knew how much I loved that grocery store.” The phone calls just kept coming in that morning in the summer of 2013, Corey said Before long, rumors spread like wildﬁre online. On the Facebook group Save the Crestline Pig, chatter quickly picked up that the village’s lone grocery store was on the verge of packing up its boxes and vacating its space at 93 Euclid Ave. Negotiations between the Scott family, who own the retail space, and Andy Virciglio, who leased the space for the Piggly Wiggly, weren’t panning out.

As word got out, thousands of Mountain Brook residents sprang into action. More than 2,800 people “liked” the Save the Crestline Pig Facebook page just hours after it was created. Over time, the site grew to have more than 5,000 followers. A few days after the ﬁrst news stories about the store’s rumored closing hit the press, a standing-room only crowd of Piggly Wiggly supporters ﬁlled the public meeting room at Emmet O’Neal Library on June 10, 2013. “I have no idea how many people were there, but it was obvious I wasn’t alone in my concern for losing a cornerstone of the community,” said Corey, who helped organize the meeting. “Not only from a convenience standpoint, but in every way. The Pig was part of the community, from

the friendships we had with all the employees to the sense of community we would feel just by visiting the store.” Hundreds of Mountain Brook residents spilled out of the meeting room, lining the walls three-people deep as a sign of solidarity with their favorite Pig. Amy Rainer, a third-grade teacher at Crestline Elementary at the time, also had her students take part in the campaign to save the Pig. She had her class both write letters to the Mountain Brook City Council and make posters about the Pig that were eventually hung throughout the village. “I had been shopping there for nearly 10 years,” Rainer said. “My students had never

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A29

STARTING FRESH: 2015

Left: Andy Virciglio, left, Naseem Ajlouny, center, and Basim Ajlouny pose inside the new Crestline Piggly Wiggly during its construction in 2015. Photo by Frank Couch. Above: A sign hangs in 2015 along the construction fence. Staff photo.

known a Crestline without their Pig.” Despite the entire community’s efforts, the Pig would not live to see a new year. When Virciglio issued a statement announcing the store’s closing, the community once again did not just step aside. Determined to close the chapter of their lives that was the Piggly Wiggly on a happy note, the community held a “Party at the Pig” in November 2013, during which they thanked store employees and chanted “Long live the Pig!” as they stood in line to ﬁll their plates with barbecue and sides. In the sunshine, packed into the parking lot of their favorite store, customers embraced employees and exchanged their favorite Pig-related memories. In a ﬁnal show of support, the Crestline community distributed the $15,240 it collectively raised for the store’s 60 departing employees.

THE PIG, REVIVED Efforts to bring the Pig back began almost immediately after it closed its doors, though it took some time to get those plans in order. “When the Pig left, I don’t think anyone anticipated the level of response by the community,” Crestline resident Elisabeth Lyman said. Lyman was among the ﬁrst to get involved in the quest to both save and bring back the Crestline Pig. She pleaded early on with the Council to try and do something to save the community store. “We all used to take the Pig for granted,” she said. “We didn’t realize what we had until the threat of it being gone was upon us. It was just like that old song, ‘You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.”’ Lyman said it was the community’s outcry that eventually got everyone’s attention.

In February 2014, Retail Specialists presented preliminary plans that called for the store to move into what was at the time the CVS Pharmacy property as well as additional property on Vine Street. Though that plan never panned out, the team behind it — Andy and Stanley Virciglio, owners of the former Crestline store, and Naseem Ajlouny and family, partners in the River Run store — remained committed. Preliminary details for a second plan, which was eventually approved, ﬁrst came to light with minimal details during a June 23 pre-Council meeting. Months later, nearly a year to the day the Crestline Pig closed, the Council held a public hearing Nov. 24, 2014, to consider the ﬁrst steps in reviving the Pig. The Ajlouny and Virciglio family members teamed up with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood architects, as well as construction

ﬁrm Brasﬁeld & Gorrie, to present the plans. In order to accommodate the Pig, the Council had to vote on whether to rezone three parcels of land along Vine Street, a plan that had already been approved by the Planning Commission. Despite a large public showing and a nearly two-and-a-half-hour presentation, the Council voted to delay a decision on the rezoning after it decided the public deserved more time to review the latest plans. It wasn’t until nearly a month later — Dec. 16 — that the Council approved both the rezoning and an incentive agreement to bring the Piggly Wiggly back. The Council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning ordinance and an economic incentive agreement that gave the developer, Ajlouny

See THE PIG | page A30

A30 • May 2016 THE PIG

CONTINUED from page A29 Investments, LLC, a share of sales tax and non-educational ad valorem revenue. The lots were owned by different individuals, each of whom had applied for rezoning. In order to accommodate the Pig, all three sites, which housed the Scout House, Please Reply and the Early Learning Center, were rezoned to a “Local Business District” to allow for commercial development. All three businesses have since relocated. According to the plan’s details, the city agreed to paid Ajlouny $1.2 million for improvements to parking areas, access roads and to the area in general once the work was complete. In turn, Ajlouny would convey both an improved parking lot parcel and the Regions Bank access parcel — connecting the Piggly Wiggly to Church Street — to the city. The city also agreed to share sales tax revenues with the developer either up to $4 million or for a period of 20 years, whichever occurs first. Ajlouny will receive 75 percent of sales taxes for the first five years of the store's existence and then split revenues equally with the city at 50 percent. Each year the Pig’s retail sales exceed $17.5 million, the proposed agreement would also allow for a property tax abatement on noneducational ad valorem taxes up to 15 years. The incentive agreement is similar to others between the city and developments such as Publix on Overton Road and Piggly Wiggly on River Run and Lane Parke. Construction finally began during the summer of 2015 and was projected to take eight months to complete. Despite the progress, unforeseen events delayed the projected April 2016 opening. During his Jemison Award acceptance speech at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce luncheon Jan. 14, 2016, Brasfield & Gorrie Chairman Miller Gorrie said a fire put construction back by approximately a month. The fire, he said, caused damage to the store’s light fixtures among other things. “We will eventually get there,” he said at the time. According to surveillance footage shared via the Mountain Brook Police Department’s Facebook page, the fire appears to have been intentionally set at about 9:25 p.m. Jan. 11. Surveillance footage

Village Living captured four suspects in the store’s vicinity who later entering the building. MBPD announced Jan. 20 it had identified and questioned four juvenile males suspected of intentionally setting the fire. Police Chief Ted Cook said the department could not release more information about the suspects because they are juveniles. The department did, however, file delinquency petitions with the Jefferson County Family Court in January, he said.

THE NEW HOME: 2016

LONG LIVE THE PIG

Don’t expect Crestline’s new Piggly Wiggly to resemble the old store. This one, Virciglio said, will be “bigger and better.” The building has some 28,250 square feet of gross floor area. By contrast, the old store had about 11,400 square feet of retail space and 3,600 square feet of storage space. The parking lot will also be more expansive. A total of 90 parking spaces surround the store, doubling the old store’s 45 parking places. The interior will feature reclaimed wood, broader aisles, expanded product selections and unique offerings. The store will have its own wine section, complete with wine barrels selected by the owners and chandeliers. The expanded beer section will include even more craft selections and a growler bar. The deli will have salad and soup bars and even a milkshake bar. The meat and fish section will feature not only certified Angus beef and a larger fresh, never-frozen fish selection, but an aged-meat cooler as well. The store’s LED lights and completely enclosed coolers will prove more energy efficient, as will the two sets of double doors at the entrance. But some things, to the delight of Pig aficionados, will remain the same. “Ms. Arrelia will be back,” Virciglio said of the longtime community friend. “You better believe she will be.” Virciglio said several other former Crestline Pig employees, many of whom had been working at the Homewood store, will also be back. “There will be many smiling faces returning that the neighborhood will recognize,” he said. Along with their favorite employees, customers can also expect to see the return of locally sourced products, food from local restaurants and of course, the charm of its favorite neighborhood store. “We can’t wait for them to be back home,” Corey said, “just down the street.”

Interior and exterior views of the Piggly Wiggly, now located at 41 Church St. in Crestline. The interior will feature reclaimed wood, broader aisles, expanded product selections and unique offerings. Photos by Frank Couch.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • A31 sometimes taking them to Memphis to see their big brother. Toward the end of his treatment when Slade became seriously ill, Emily said the drive to Memphis was exactly what the family needed. “I knew that once I got to St. Jude I could relax,” she said. “Everything would be OK.” According to its website, treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago. The hospital creates more clinical trials for cancer than any other children’s hospital and turns laboratory discoveries into lifesaving treatments. Though it doesn’t come cheaply to operate — the daily operating cost for St. Jude is $2 million, which is primarily covered by individual contributors — families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food.

ST. JUDE

CONTINUED from page A1 June 9, 2015, according to Emily Anderson. Sitting across from her son, the dates came easily to her. She can pinpoint the exact date of various milestones over the course of the past three years, etched permanently in her memory. Saturday, May 7, will be a happy date for the family. Slade, along with two other local St. Jude patients, Sophia Schefano and Cole Tanner, will be honored at the St. Jude Field of Dreams fundraising event in the ballroom of the Grand Bohemian. Together with the three other families, the Andersons will do their part to help raise funds for the research hospital that saved their child’s life.

A ‘COINCIDENCE’

Josh Anderson, who never stopped smiling while he talked about his son, said ending up at St. Jude three years ago was little more than a coincidence. The family was in the hospital’s vicinity in Memphis, Tennessee, visiting Emily Anderson’s family for Thanksgiving. It all began as planned, Emily Anderson said, until a short, out-of-state vacation weekend turned into a much longer stay. While at his grandparents’ house, Slade complained of an earache. Believing it was something that could be cured with a quick dose of medicine, Emily Anderson drove Slade to the local outpatient care facility. “ I thought it was best to get it seen about right away,” she said, “otherwise I feared the whole weekend would be miserable for him with an untreated ear infection.” As the doctor examined Slade, Emily Anderson watched as the doctor shifted his attention away from Slade’s ears and down his body. The doctor’s attention focused on Slade’s belly, which looked unusually swollen. “We’ll need to do further testing,” Emily Anderson remembers the doctor saying. The doctor, who also worked as a regular at St. Jude, immediately recognized Slade’s less noticeable symptoms. When the blood work came back, the results confirmed the doctor’s

Slade Anderson reclines in a chair at the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook. Photo by Ana Good.

suspicions. Over Thanksgiving weekend 2012, Slade, then 6 years old, was diagnosed with ALL. Without a minute to waste, an ambulance transported Slade and Emily Anderson to St. Jude where he remained for eight full weeks. “We were close to the hospital by chance,” Josh Anderson said. Asked about his time at St. Jude, Slade said the feeling is hard to explain. Despite his age, Slade is acutely aware of what his little body already has gone through and is mindful of what his journey might mean to other children. “Everyone there is like family,” Slade said. “The medicine is free; the doctors will take care of everyone regardless of where they are from.” Emily Anderson mirrored her young son’s thoughts. “The research they do at St. Jude benefits children around the world,” she said. Throughout Slade’s illness, Emily said she found comfort in simply being at St. Jude. The family found its “new normal” by planning around Slade’s routine, she said. Josh and Emily would take turns staying home with their two daughters, Louise and Elizabeth,

STRENGTH THROUGH SUPPORT

As the family traveled back and forth to Memphis, Emily Anderson said it was the Mountain Brook community that helped keep everything together. In their absence, she said, the community had shown an outpouring of support. “People have really stepped up,” Emily Anderson said. “My girlfriends would call me up all the time and ask if they could help. They brought over dinners, got the girls to ballet — they helped us pick up the pieces.” At Crestline Elementary, the Andersons’ school, Slade’s classmates were encouraged to wear their “Team Slade” T-shirts every Friday. The love and support for Slade quickly spread through the community, inspiring complete strangers — even companies — to pledge their encouragement. Taco Mama named a burrito after him. Sugar, Mobley & Sons and the Pants Store all sold “Team Slade” T-shirts. Eventually, that support flowed outward, across the borders of Mountain Brook, the state of Alabama and even the nation. According to Emily Anderson, Slade received a letter of encouragement from George W. Bush, signed footballs from Eli Manning, Nick Saban, Johnny Manziel, Drew Brees and a happy birthday tweet from AJ McCarron.

Slade has also been featured in a St. Jude commercial with Marlo Thomas. To their surprise, the family received an American flag flown over Afghanistan by a soldier who had heard of Slade’s journey.

ENJOYING LIFE

With treatment in his rearview mirror, Slade didn’t waste time getting back into the adventures of being a little boy. This past fall, much to his delight, Slade played tackle football. He can tell you all about playing rosters and statistics for his two favorite teams: The Alabama Crimson Tide and the New Orleans Saints. Be careful, though, or he might ask you some trivia questions. He also played baseball and basketball this year and used his sister Louise — or Weezie as she is known among family — as a basketball practice partner. “Weezie is his little minion,” Emily Anderson said of the duo. “She does whatever he tells her to do.” As Slade and Weezie laughed atop the Grand Bohemian, joking among themselves as brother and sister, Emily Anderson said her family will forever be indebted not only to their community for all its support, but to St. Jude as well. “We hope the St. Jude Field of Dreams event grows more and more each year,” she said. “So other families can receive the same type of care we did.

EVENT DETAILS

Last year, the inaugural St. Jude Field of Dreams event helped raise $101,094 to benefit the Tennessee-based children’s research hospital through a silent auction and donations. More than 300 people attended the event, which took place at Regions Field. This year, Field of Dreams will be Saturday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Merrill Lynch and will once again feature auction items including event tickets, travel packages, gift certificates and autographed memorabilia. Tickets are on sale now for $125 per person or $200 per couple. Group tickets and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Tickets to the event are available at stjude.org/ fieldofdreams.

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MAY 2016

School House B9 Sports B15 Faith B21 Calendar B22

Princeton proud Mountain Brook senior earns prestigious prize in race relations By ANA GOOD

atie Klasing began her junior year at Mountain Brook High School with a mission: She wanted to reinstate the then-defunct Heritage Panel, an organization dedicated to social justice and working for change in schools. Now a graduating senior, Klasing can say she not only successfully brought the organization back to life and completed some of its long-term goals, but also that she was selected as one of the recipients of the 2016 Princeton Prize in Race Relations for her work.

See PRINCETON | page B8

Photo courtesy of Tyler Stanford.

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B2 â&#x20AC;˘ May 2016

Village Living

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May 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ B3

B4 • May 2016

Village Living

Mountain Brook baby-sitting service focuses on safety, fun By RACHEL BURCHFIELD One of Mountain Brook’s newest baby-sitting services got its inspiration from a well-known and well-loved book series of the 1980s and 1990s. “The inspiration of this business, believe it or not, was ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ series,” said Lilly Papapietro, founder and chairman of L&L Babysitting, named after herself and her co-founder, Lizzie Cooper. Lilly, Lizzie and twins Gracie and Anne McKinley Walker are the four baby sitters who make up L&L Babysitting. “Every baby sitter who works here is very experienced with all-aged children,” Lilly said. “We all definitely have an important role in this business.” Lilly said she has ample baby-sitting experience from her younger siblings. “I absolutely love entertaining children,” she said. Lilly calls co-founder Lizzy “very responsible.” “I definitely suggest her to be your baby sitter,” she said. The Walker twins, Lilly said, are the backbone of the business. “They are so trustworthy,” she said. The girls decided when they formed their company that they wanted to offer quality baby-sitting, but other services as well. “We have decided to go out of the box and do more than just babysit,” Lilly said. “Our services are CPR, cleaning and pet care.” L&L Babysitting charges $4 an hour. “We really are trying not to have high prices, so the parents are not put on the spot,” Lilly said. For now, L&L Babysitting’s services are limited to Mountain Brook. They base their style of baby-sitting off of their own favorites from their childhoods. “We don’t have one specific baby sitter we want to be like, but we do get new ideas from multiple baby sitters we had at young ages,” Lilly said. Their favorite part of their job? “It is all fun, but our favorite part would have to be bringing smiles to the children that we are baby-sitting,” Lilly said. “We all love baby-sitting, and we promise no matter what that we will always keep your children safe,” she said. Those interested can call 871-0129 or email lillianamelia@outlook.com.

L&L Babysitting was formed by Mountain Brook friends Lilly Papapietro and Lizzy Cooper. Photo by Frank Couch.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B5

Healing humans with horses By SYDNEY CROMWELL There may be a species and language barrier between humans and horses, but Connie Guthrie and Carol Hollis White say the relationship their addiction patients build with the animals can shed light on their relationships with people. “In the relationship with the horse, [there are] feelings that would come up in real life that maybe I wasn’t even aware of, and in a therapeutic setting it was safe enough for those feelings to come up. And the horses provide a comfort and a safety,” Guthrie said. Guthrie, a Mountain Brook resident, and White, a Homewood resident, lead the adventure-based counseling program that is part of UAB’s Addiction Recovery Center. The four-week program includes one day at a climbing wall, one day at a ropes course, a day of acting out scenarios about participants’ family life and a day at Vintage Creek Farm in Sterrett. Guthrie helped to start the program about four years ago, when she saw the benefits of equine therapy in her own life and wanted to apply it to addiction treatment. “I wanted to share it here in Birmingham to people who needed it, especially trauma advisers,” Guthrie said. White joined the program about a year ago, though she’s been a therapist for about 25 years. Her interest began with her daughter, who attended a Special Equestrians therapy program for a physical disability until she graduated high school. Aside from the physical benefits, White said her daughter felt a deep connection with the horse she rode for years.

Carol Hollis White and Connie Guthrie with one of the horses they use in the adventure-based counseling program at UAB’s Addiction Recovery Center. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

“She began to say things like, ‘I can think about something, and he understands it,’” White said. After her own research and owning a horse, White said she experienced that connection for herself. “They can tell if a human being is being authentic, or if a human being is safe or wants to go or stop or turn in a circle,” she said. Part of the healing of the program, Guthrie said, is simply that it’s fun to be outdoors and interact with the horses. However, there are lessons along the way that the participants can apply to the rest of their lives.

One of the first tasks for the addiction recovery participants is to choose a horse and put a halter on it. For some, this means facing a fear of horses, uncertainty about what to do or unwillingness to ask for help. If two participants choose the same horse, they also have to work out whether they’ll share or whether one person is willing to give up the horse or wants to stand his or her ground to keep it. Guthrie and White’s job is to watch, listen and show their participants how the situation in the barn mirrors their decisions in real life. “If that’s the only thing they get

from the day, that’s huge for somebody who’s never been empowered to ask for what they want, or for someone who’s never shared,” Guthrie said. Once the group begins handling their horses, the lessons continue. White said horses are sensitive to humans’ emotions and personality, and it shows in the way they respond. While relationships between humans can be more complex and difficult to understand, she said a horse’s reactions are simple and direct enough for the recovery patients to see things in a new light. White recalled one participant who was being too passive and having a

hard time figuring out how to lead her horse because she was afraid she would hurt it. Because she didn’t set boundaries, White said the horse ended up stepping on her foot. “She basically let the horse run over her, and it stepped on her foot, which was awful for her, for her foot, but the light bulb went on. She was like, ‘Oh, my God, I get it now. If I do not take care of myself, I get hurt. And I can take care of myself without hurting somebody else,’” White said. Guthrie and White said every time they bring a group to the barn, the participants seem calmer and happier on the way back. “And they can verbalize what they learned,” White said. Guthrie is certified through the American Society of Experiential Therapists and has undergone additional training, specifically for equine therapy. White is working on her certification, as well. They bring groups to Vintage Creek about once every four weeks, but agreed they would like to do so more frequently. At the barn and throughout the adventure-based counseling program, Guthrie said it is “joyful” to get to help her patients understand their behaviors and how their choices led to addiction, despite being successful students or professionals in many cases. “They have a disease, and this kind of work helps them make sense of the choices they’ve made and why they make them,” Guthrie said. “I get to come out here and enjoy myself and watch people make huge shifts, and that’s the most gratifying thing in the world, to feel like I was with someone when they learned something that’s going to change their life,” she added.

B6 • May 2016

Village Living

Reading coach among ‘Sweet 16’ finalists for Teacher of the Year By ANA GOOD Sandy Ritchey, a reading coach at Mountain Brook Elementary, recently learned she had been named among the "Sweet 16" finalists for the 2016-17 Alabama Teacher of the Year award. Ritchey, who has been at the school since 2013, said it is her students who got her to where she is. During a recognition ceremony at the Mountain Brook Board of Education monthly meeting on April 11, Ritchey thanked the board, the school staff and her students. “I have the pleasure of walking with champions everyday at Mountain Brook Schools,” Ritchey said while addressing the crowd. Ritchey said it was clear early on that in Mountain Brook, teachers, staff and parents don’t give up on students. In thanking those she works with, Ritchey said she believes it is only great leaders who can grow other great leaders. “I’m so proud to be part of this team,” she said. According to her Mountain Brook Schools online profile, Ritchey holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a Master's degree in Elementary Education, an Administrative certificate and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership. Prior to joining CES, she worked as a Literacy Coach in Hoover as well as the former assistant principal at Gwin Elementary School and has over 10 years of experience. Superintendent Dicky Barlow said if it were up to the BOE, Ritchey would of course be selected as Teacher of the Year. Ritchey is among 15 other finalists who emerged from a group of more than 140 educators

“

I have the pleasure of walking with champions everyday at Mountain Brook Schools.

”

SANDY RITCHEY

from across the state who submitted applications for the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program. From here, the pool of 16 will be narrowed down to four ﬁnalists before the 20162017 Teacher of the Year is announced at a ceremony hosted by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education on May 11 at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery. “The educators nominated for this prestigious award nurture the character, intellect, and talent of Alabama’s students, and are committed to helping their students achieve success in the classroom and beyond,” said Sherrill Parris, Senior Deputy State Superintendent of Education in a news release. “They exemplify teaching at its best, and we are proud to have them teaching in our state.” Once selected, A l a b a m a ’s Teacher of the Year spends the majority of the school year serving as a full-time ambassador for education and the teaching profession as well as presenting workshops to various groups.

Sandy Ritchey, a reading coach at Mountain Brook Elementary, is a top 16 ﬁnalist in the Alabama Teacher of the Year contest. According to her Mountain Brook Schools proﬁle, Ritchey has been at the school since 2013. Photo by Ana Good.

Alabama Teacher of the Year is also a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year. Alabama’s current Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Brown, said it has been an honor and a privilege to represent Alabama’s educators. “I am grateful to have been granted the opportunity to visit, observe, and share stories from many of the classrooms of our teacher champions of Alabama,” said Brown. The other elementary teacher ﬁnalists: ► Kelly Cleere, Orange Beach Elementary, Baldwin County Schools ► Dawn Davis, Montana Street Magnet, Dothan City Schools ► Mikki Powell, Rock Quarry Elementary, Tuscaloosa City Schools ► Dawn Judy Ellis, Peter Crump Elementary, Montgomery County Schools ► Connie Bowman, Iola Roberts Elementary, Pell City Schools ► Nancy Spencer Brandon, Rainbow

Elementary, Madison City Schools ► Kathryne Flippo, Bluff Park Elementary School, Hoover City Schools The other secondary teacher ﬁnalists are: ► Judy Peacock Bridges, Baldwin County High, Baldwin County Schools ► Kathryn Johnson Enos, Enterprise High, Enterprise City Schools ► Joseph Smith III, John Herbert Phillips Academy, Birmingham City Schools ► John Conway, Booker T. Washington Magnet High, Montgomery County Schools ► Kate White, Guntersville High, Guntersville City Schools ► Dana Jacobson, Clay-Chalkville High, Jefferson County Schools ► Carol Bohatch, James Clemens High, Madison City Schools ► Vinny Chiaramonte, Bumpus Middle School, Hoover City Schools

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B7

Travel plans?

Mountain Brook Police Officer Orvie Mattson stands outside his patrol car on a residential street in the city. Officers will keep a close eye on homes where residents request a steppedup patrol efforts while they are away. Photo by Frank Couch

Police department shares tips on how to keep home safe By ANA GOOD With summer break and long vacations just around the corner, area residents looking to help ensure their homes remain just as they left them need look no further than the Mountain Brook Police Department. Mountain Brook residents can ask to be put on the police department’s House Watch List at no cost prior to leaving. Police Sgt. Drew Evans said all residents have to do is call the department’s dispatch line and ask to be put on the list. Residents will have to answer a few questions, he said, including what dates they will be out of town, the names of anyone who will stop by the house including maid services, pet care or lawn care, as well as descriptions of vehicles that will be left behind. Knowing who and what officers should expect to see will help them better determine when someone is not supposed to be there, Evans said. Traveling residents are also asked to provide the police department with an emergency contact number. Police Chief Ted Cook said Mountain

Brook’s reputation as one of the wealthiest cities in the state travels far and wide. It’s not uncommon, he said, for officers to arrest criminals from as far away as Decatur and Mobile lured into the city by the promise of wealth. “What we hear from those we arrest is that ‘Mountain Brook has the good stuff,” Cook said. Rather than use that information to alarm residents, Cook said he hopes it will remind the community to always be mindful of their surroundings and use resources such as the department’s watch list. “Criminals these days are much more mobile,” he said. “Residents shouldn’t hesitate to contact police if something seems off.” Because a lot of the crimes the department

sees are crimes of opportunity, Cook and Evans stressed the importance of locking doors and windows on cars as well as homes. Houses on the watch list are ideally patrolled once a day, Evans said, depending on the availability of officers and the amount of calls they respond to. Rather than simply drive by the house, he said officers will get out of their vehicles and walk around the outside of the house to check for abnormalities. Besides signing up to be on the watch list, Evans recommends residents either have someone pick up their mail or have their mail temporarily stopped to avoid it piling up. “When mail begins to pile up,” he said, “it’s a pretty clear sign to criminals that no one is home.”

The same logic applies to newspapers, Evans said. It’s never a good idea to have them pile up outside either. Homeowners might also consider installing house lights set on a timer to turn on and off throughout the day to give outsiders the perception that someone is home, he said. “It’s also a good idea to mow the lawn before you leave,” Evans said about a part of residents’ properties often overlooked ahead of trip plans. “Take care of any lawn maintenance that needs to be done. If the house looks unkempt, it might signal that no one is home.” For more information, contact the Mountain Brook Police Department at 802-2414 or 879-0486.

B8 • May 2016 PRINCETON

CONTINUED from page B1 Klasing is the ﬁrst Princeton Prize recipient in Alabama, a national honor awarded to 25 high school students for their efforts in promoting race relations. Along with the recognition, Klasing also participated in the Princeton Prize Symposium on Race on at Princeton University April 29-30 and received a $1,000 award. Klasing said she had been part of the Heritage Panel during her sophomore year of high school, but there was little done afterward to keep the organization running for another year. Heritage Club group members are asked to make a commitment to discourage bullying, harassment and discrimination. Club activities center on training and education in conjunction with the Social Justice Program of the YWCA of Central Alabama.

‘RESPECTFUL LEADER’

It was her experiences while attending Camp Anytown during the summer after her sophomore year, she said, that inspired her to try and revive the Heritage Panel at school. Camp Anytown, which is part of the YWCA, is a social justice leadership camp for high school students. At Anytown Alabama, according to the camp’s website, student delegates engage in typical summer camp activities and also develop leadership skills that they take back to their schools and communities. The lessons she learned there, she said, aligned with the goals of the Heritage Panel. “I wanted to teach others what I had learned about how diverse and accepting people can be,” Klasing said. “I learned a lot about stereotypes, prejudice and just how wrong it can all be.” Klasing said she worked with YWCA’s Coordinator of Social Justice Programs Rebecca Harkless, Mountain Brook High School Principal Amanda Hood and Student Assistance Counselor Kenneth Harkless to bring the organization back. During a recognition portion of the April 11

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exchange day. “We learned so much about each other,” said Klasing, “about how much we have in common.” On April 21, it was Mountain Brook’s turn to spend part of the day at Wenonah. The students then convened once again at MBHS where they shared their experiences with others.

I wanted to teach others what I had learned about how diverse and accepting people can be. I learned a lot about stereotypes, prejudice and just how wrong it can all be.

”

LOOKING AHEAD

KATIE KLASING

Photo courtesy of Katie Klasing

Board of Education meeting, Hood congratulated Klasing for receiving the Princeton Prize and for her work with the Heritage Panel. “Katie is a genuinely kind, respectful leader in our school,” Hood said. “She’s a remarkable young woman, wonderful student and has a very strong sense of self. She knows who she is and works to help promote the best in people.” As president of the Heritage Panel this year, Klasing helped successfully organize an exchange program with Wenonah High School — an activity past Heritage Panel members had tried to accomplish, but never successfully pulled off. In early April, students from Heritage

Panel at MBHS spent a day with students from a similar club at Wenonah. “The purpose of the exchange program was to broaden experiences and have deep conversations about differences and similarities that teenagers from different communities may have in common,” said Hood. The students also participated in diversity training led by Rebecca Harkless, said Hood, and through that training were able to form a strong bond. Several of the students connected so well, said Klasing, that a handful visited MBHS during its annual Relay for Life event following the

Klasing couldn’t contain her excitement when asked what being a Princeton Prize recipient meant to her. “Rebecca Harkless encouraged me to apply,” Klasing said, “and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. I spent a lot of time on the application. I was so excited when I heard the news. I didn’t think I’d be the ﬁrst in Alabama to ever be recognized.” Along with her work with the Heritage Panel, Klasing also participated in the YWCA’s Peace Birmingham dialogue, a monthly discussion about social justice issues among a diverse group of high school students from a variety of area high schools, including small private schools and large inner-city public schools. Klasing is also president of the Mountain Brook chapter of Venture Crew, a co-ed youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America. As if she already weren’t busy enough, Klasing is also a model with an agency in Birmingham and another in Atlanta. Modeling, she said, has helped introduce her to “so many artistic, talented people.” Despite her hectic schedule, you’ll never hear her complain. “I am juggling a lot,” said Klasing, “but I don’t have a problem with it. I’ve signed up all my activities myself and I love each and every one of them.” When she graduates this month, Klasing said she’s conﬁdent Heritage Panel will be left in capable hands. “Heritage Panel will be very progressive after I leave,” she said. “We’ve met a lot of times just in the past month to discuss how to improve and make both big and small changes.” This fall, Klasing will attend Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

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May 2016 • B9

School House

Altamont student donates water fountain for Jemison Trail By ERICA TECHO When Arjun Lakhanpal went running without his water bottle one day, he realized Jemison Trail’s one water fountain was not enough. A few months later, the Altamont junior went in front of the Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation Board to propose a second water fountain, this one in memory of his uncle Sundeep Caplash, who died in a running accident five years ago. Caplash was an avid runner who worked to give back to the community, Arjun said, and the water fountain seemed like a fitting way to remember him. “It wasn’t just doing a memorial because we’re originally from India and we’re Hindu, and we believe in cremation,” said Arjun’s mother, Geeta Lakhanpal. “We don’t bury or have a memorial. This way, it would be remembering him, but also doing something [with] his legacy, which was helping people.” After getting approval from the Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation Board, Arjun worked to raise the money for the fountain. “I set up a GoFundMe page, and the necessary funds I needed to raise was about $7,000,” he said. “I was able to get that in less than 24 hours.” The next few months included discussions on location, ordering the fountain and installing the fixture. In January, a few days before the fifth anniversary of Caplash’s death, the “Fountain of Memories” was up and running by the intersection of Overbrook and Beechwood roads.

Arjun Lakhanpal sits beside a sign for Jemison Park. Lakhanpal recently raised about $7,000 to purchase a second water fountain for the park. Photo by Erica Techo.

“It felt pretty good once the water fountain was actually installed, and it felt good taking the initiative on something,” Arjun said. “Running past that sometimes, and seeing the water fountain there, it kind of brings back the memory that I was able to make that happen.” Arjun said he credits the C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center at Altamont with preparing him to take on his own project. The program

requires students to attend cultural events, complete community service and ﬁnish a project, but he said it also instilled a desire to give back. As an ofﬁcial part of the Miree Program, Arjun has volunteered his time with an organization called LETT (learning excellence through tennis), taught at EPIC Elementary and has volunteered at Mitchell’s Place. “Volunteering there and the LETT organization

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project led me to realize I like doing things in the community, and that led to that [water fountain] project,” Arjun said. Arjun’s mother said she saw Arjun realize how much he enjoyed giving back the more he got involved in the community. “The Kyser Miree program, without that, I don’t think I would have gone to the community and taken the leadership and initiative on the project with LETT and also with the water fountain,” Arjun said. “I think it’s really good for us to learn these leadership skills when we’re in high school.” Normally, he would not feel comfortable approaching the Parks and Recreation Board about a project, Arjun said, but his experience provided the conﬁdence to get the ball rolling. In the few months since the fountain was installed, Arjun and his mother said they have heard positive feedback from community members. Shanda Williams, superintendent of Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation, said the fountain has been well-received and she has received multiple calls complimenting it. Arjun said he hopes people will continue to enjoy the fountain, and he is glad to have helped provide a long-standing resource on the trail. “It wasn’t just an idea I thought of one day and said, ‘That’d be cool if I did something like that.’ I was actually able to follow through and go through with it,” Arjun said. “I think it’d make my uncle proud because he always gave back to the community, and I try to give back to the community in his honor.”

B10 • May 2016

Village Living

MB JV girls soccer wins JV Super Cup

CES student wins state Arbor Day art contest

Mia Dunlap with her winning piece, held by CES teacher Heather Phillips. Back row: Coach Jay Hammond, Mary Allison Anderson, Emma Blakely, Claire Brian, Glenn Haas, Emma Culhane, Coach Mark Cornelius. Middle row: Catherine Sims, Kathleen Odum, Hope Methvin, Lucy Walthall, Elle Martin. Bottom row: Amelia Baker, Sarah Francis Adair, Mary Claire Mauro, Nancy Kate Nicrosi. Not pictured: Virginia Wahlheim and manager Holly Brown.

Mountain Brook JV girls soccer traveled to Huntsville on March 4-5 to participate in the 2016 JV Super Cup. The girls went 4-0 for the weekend with only one goal scored against them and shut out James Clemens High School to win

the championship game. Mountain Brook JV girls are currently 6-0 for the season. Congrats to Coach Hammond, Coach Cornelius and a great group of Lady Spartans. – Submitted by Terri Odum.

Mia Dunlap, a fifth-grader at Crestline Elementary School, was awarded first place for her art in support of the 2016 Arbor Day poster contest. This year’s theme was “Trees are Beautiful: Inside and Out,” and Mia took first place in the state for her interpretation of the theme. A crowd gathered in Montgomery on the lawn of the capitol to celebrate this achievement, and Mia was presented

with the official proclamation from Gov. Bentley that announced the week of Feb. 22-26 as Arbor Day Week. After the presentation, Mia, along with David West, Calhoun County Extension coordinator, who also coordinates the Arbor Day poster program, and the top three winners from the state, planted a new magnolia on the lawn of the capitol. – Submitted by Laura Dillon.

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May 2016 • B11

MBE concludes its 1st successful year with MakerSpace movement Thanks to support provided from the PTO and through a Mountain Brook Schools’ Institute for Innovation Grant awarded last spring, Mountain Brook Elementary MakerSpace has provided a place where the imagination, creativity, problem-solving, and coding skills of our 21st century learners are coming to life. Teachers Jennifer Jinnette, Bill Andrews, Shannon Millhouse, Thea Patrick (MBE technology coordinator) and Donna Williamson (MBS technology director) continue to seek ways to correlate STEM (Science, Technology, Math, Engineering) content standards with computer programming and 3-D printing in order to make learning rigorous and relevant for students. Here are highlights of the 2015-2016 school year successes in the MakerSpace: Kindergarten: Kindergartners scanned and printed plastic replicas of sculptures they originally designed out of wood particles and glue composite. Fourth grade: Project Ignite has been set up and enabled students to explore circuitry and 3-D design. Fifth grade: Project Ignite and Tinkercad lessons are providing venues for students to design and print artifacts for their World Projects.

Magic Moments Club members participate in a charity fashion show. Photo courtesy of Mary Myers Huddleston.

Sixth grade: Students completed a technical writing assignment where they explained aspects of the Tinkercad program and reflected on the outcomes. Since measurement standards can be found in both grade levels, fourth- and sixthgrade teachers are planning a unit of study where sixth-graders will teach fourth-graders area and perimeter lessons that involve designing floor plans with printed model houses. Sixth-grade student Isabella Donner states, “I really wanted to make a present for my sister. I wanted to make her a vase or a flower pot. I scanned a Mason jar, imported it into Tinkercad, and used Tinkercad to create and add decorations to the Mason jar. I learned that I could take an everyday object and change it to make it my own.” PAGE: A technology and design interest group utilizes Sculptris in addition to Tinkercad to plan, create and print projects. Shannon Millhouse provides a glimpse into the impact these experiences have had on student learning: “This year in the MBE MakerSpace, fourth, fifth- and sixth-grade students have learned to use CAD (Computer Assisted Design) programs. With these programs, they have planned, designed and printed three-dimensional items. They have created and printed chess

pieces, animals, key rings, hairbrush holders for lockers, organizers for desks, and decorative pieces with sayings and initials on them. Some students created holiday gifts for family members. Through the design process, they applied many math concepts including: measurement, volume, integer, coordinate plane and spatial skills. Older students gained experience with the process of designing, evaluating results, revising and reﬂecting on the ﬁnal outcomes.” MakerSpaces are emerging all around the world at a rapid pace. Joining in on the exploration and discovery has resulted in increased engagement and ownership of learning for both students and teachers. Others in the school have expressed creative curiosity and have already utilized this innovative space after receiving training from their peers who initiated the idea. Ongoing professional development will be the keystone for the success of the maker movement at MBE. The future holds many possibilities to expand these effective and challenging design practices to a broader audience where vertical partnerships and cross-curricular studies can be fostered. – Submitted by Ashley E. McCombs, assistant principal

Kindergartners Russell Chambliss and Chiles Novak display a dog and little girls they made with the 3-D printer. Photo courtesy of Ashley E. McCombs.

MBJH Magic Moments Club hosts fashion show The MBJH Magic Moments Club hosted a Charity Sale Fashion Show at The Summit on Saturday, March 19. The participating stores were Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines, which donated a portion of their sales toward providing a Magic Moment for 12-year-old Britton from Alabaster. Students in the Magic Moments Club have been raising funds for Britton’s Magic Moment this school year. Several students modeled clothing from each of the stores. The crowning moment of the event was giving the Magic Moment of a trip to Disney World to Britton as she modeled Lilly Pulitzer on the catwalk. – Submitted by Collins Clegg.

B12 • May 2016

Village Living

Ellen Landy competes in state spelling bee

From left: Wiley Cooper, teacher Heather Phillips, Patton Hahn, Banks Tessier, James Hard and Frederic Smith.

CES group participates in Destination Imagination As part of the Destination Imagination program, a group of fourth-grade boys from Crestline Elementary School chose to take on one of the 2016 challenges of a service learning project. There were many aspects of the challenge that they had to complete, including deciding a community need, creating a product to meet that need, developing a meme to advertise the product, and presenting these items at a communitywide event. Over several weeks, they brainstormed many possible needs of their school. They discussed solar panels and a garden, and after much research, they decided the most pressing was a MakerSpace. MakerSpaces, also referred to as hackerspaces, hackspaces and fablabs, are creative, do-it-yourself spaces where people can gather to create, invent and learn. They felt if other kids had a place to go in school to just “make stuff,” then this could help them with developing creativity, problem solving and innovation skills. After scheduling a meeting with the principals and realizing that space was an issue, they came up with the concept of a mobile cart. This was a way to bring the MakerSpace concept to classrooms, plus it didn’t take up as much room, and it cost a lot less. Once this part of the challenge was met, the next phase was the development of a meme.

They wanted to use personal pictures of their pets and got to work finding ones that would work. One student, James Hard, created two books of pictures of his guinea pigs in various settings, and after a group vote, one of those pictures was accepted by the group — Lola, the guinea pig, on a skateboard. The group liked the idea that she looked like she was going somewhere important. Coming up with a zippy saying was the easy part: “See ya round folks, I’m gonna’ zip on by the makercart.” After these two parts of the challenge were completed, they worked on stocking the cart and creating tasks that students could use as a guide for innovation and creativity. They even filmed tutorials that were posted to the school website to help other kids learn how to accomplish different things by seeing a “master tinkerer” at work. However, this wasn’t the last part of the challenge — they had to present this project to a community audience. They decided to present to all of the fourth-grade students, including the teachers, parents and others who were interested. They have now seen this project through completion and were recently awarded the Spirit Award at the Central Region Competition for Destination Imagination. They will be moving onto the statewide competition in April. – Submitted by Heather Phillips.

Ellen Landy placed in the top 20 at the state bee. Courtesy photo.

Ellen Landy recently represented Mountain Brook Junior High School at the Alabama State Spelling Bee held at Alabaster United Methodist Church. She began the process in November by competing in her English class bee. She advanced to the MBJH schoolwide bee, where student winners from all of the English classes competed in the auditorium. Upon winning, Ellen participated in the district bee at the Mountain Brook Board of Education, facing students from the four Mountain Brook elementary

schools and the Highlands School. Ironically, “macaroni” was the winning word (and her favorite food) that advanced Ellen to the Jefferson County Bee, which was held at the Lincoln Center in downtown Birmingham. Her goal was to win the bee at this level, and with the word “wallop,” she met this goal to make her way to the state bee. She described the state bee as “icing on the cake” for her experience and finished in the top 20. Congratulations, Ellen! – Submitted by Collins Clegg.

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May 2016 • B13

Ranger Round Up BWF’s annual PTO fundraiser

BWF Assistant Principal Christy Christian and the BWF kindergarten teachers gather at Ranger Round Up.

The Hendrickson family enjoys Family Night.

BWF hosts Family Night Brookwood Forest parents, students and siblings came together on March 17 for Brookwood Forest Family Night. The halls were ﬁlled with smiles and laughter as families visited classrooms to talk with teachers and see ﬁrsthand projects and schoolwork.

Families enjoyed a barbecue dinner by Jim ‘N Nick’s. The lunchroom was transformed into a dining hall for the Brookwood Forest family to eat and enjoy fellowship. – Submitted by Kathleen Woodry.

Ranger Round Up, BWF’s annual PTO fundraiser, was held on February 26 at Pine Tree Country Club. The evening included an annual live and silent auction. The décor by Kim Maddox, Shirley Lewis and Amy Smith started an evening in the forest transforming PTCC into a beautiful and elegant yet casual evening. Kindergarten teacher Diane Waud gave an inspiring outlook on how lucky BWF is to have such amazing parent involvement. Every day in every way our PTO contributes to our kids. It is not always about what PTO is doing, but whom we are doing it for…our kids. Our teachers do and will not lack for anything because of the generosity of the PTO.

Bringing this evening together were the committee members including: Andrea Newell (co-chair), Nicole Hardee (co-chair), Jean Roberson (head of Stampede), Mary Frances Graves (donations coordinator), Christina Powell (PTCC/food coordinator) Stefanie Davis, Yvette Weaver, Ellen Stein, Amy Maziarz, Jennifer Doobrow, Liz Sims, Julie Camp, Beth Russom, Amy Knight, Laura Kunze, Lynlee Palmer, Maggie Passink, Krisalyn Crye, Naomi Davis, Rebecca Eatman, Kathleen Widener, Terre Su Jackson, Andrea Rhodes, Maryann Pledger, Haley Hazelrig, Beth Watts and Janet Richey. – Submitted by Kathleen Woodry.

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B14 • May 2016

Village Living

From left: Sarah Simon, Lizzie Amberson and Sara Allen Brown. Photo courtesy of Catherine Gasque.

Chiefs help to Stop Hunger Now Sixth-graders at Cherokee Bend participated in Canterbury UMC’s sixth annual Stop Hunger Now by working shifts packing meals of rice, beans, dehydrated vegetables and vitamin packs for children desperate for nourishment in schools and orphanages in Honduras and Haiti. Joined by community volunteers such as the Birmingham Barons and Exceptional Foundation, these students helped work toward the goal of 500,000 meals in a threeday period in late January. This food packaging event allowed for the local population to serve others and sparked a conversation about world hunger, while increasing awareness and thankfulness. Mrs. Curtis, sixth-grade English teacher at Cherokee Bend, leads the Chiefs Hands committee at the school. This group is comprised of sixth-graders who organize opportunities for students to participate in outreach service projects throughout their sixth-grade year. This group has partnered with the YWCA and the Community Food Bank and will be working with the Brown Bag Project at Canterbury UMC in the spring. –Submitted by Catherine Gasque.

The cast of “Legally Blonde” rehearses the show’s musical numbers. Photos courtesy of Gary Weatherly.

MBHS theater department performs ‘Legally Blonde’ By EMILY FEATHERSTON

Emilie Harwell, who played Elle Woods, and Josiah Sonach, who played Emmett, pose with Elle’s dog, Bruiser.

For its spring musical, the Mountain Brook High School theater department took the stage to perform “Legally Blonde—The Musical.” Based on the popular film starring Reese Witherspoon, “Legally Blonde” details young Harvard Law student Elle Woods as she pursues a law degree while overcoming stereotypes, snobbery and scandal. Theater department head Gary Weatherly said the school wanted to do the show because of its popularity as well as its positive message of women realizing their potential and proving themselves in the world. The show was performed April 21, 23 and 25 at the Fine Arts Center at the high school.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B15

Sports

Mitchell stands out MBHS senior takes home Class 7A Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Award By KYLE PARMLEY

Sara Chandler Mitchell won the overall Class 7A Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete award. Mitchell was the District 3 representative and beat out three others to win the overall award for 7A. Staff photo.

Sara Chandler Mitchell was speechless — literally — after learning she won the Class 7A Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Award. “They actually told us all before that the winners had to give a speech,” she said. Not thinking that she would ever win, there were no words prepared. “I got super nervous so I wasn’t going to spend very long up there. I certainly wasn’t going to make a production out of it,” Mitchell said. Mitchell was the District 3 representative, and beat out three others to win the overall award for 7A. The award does more than honor accomplishments in the arena of play, as it combines that with excellence in the classroom as well. “It’s the kids that are well-rounded and have extreme success on the court and have extreme success in the classroom,” Mitchell’s volleyball coach at Mountain Brook High School, Haven O’Quinn said. “She definitely did both. She’s just such a cool kid.” As a result, she earned $5,500 in scholarship money that she will use toward her costs of attending the University of Virginia in the fall. Even though her father attended UVA, she made the decision on her own accord, saying, “That really didn’t have much of an influence on it. I don’t know. It just felt right. I’m very, very excited.” Mitchell helped lead the Spartan volleyball team to back-to-back state championships her junior and senior seasons, and was thought so highly of by her administrators, counselors and

teachers as an all-around individual, she had no shortage of recommendations. “Honestly, I don’t think you’ll find anybody that can say anything bad about that kid,” O’Quinn continued. “She is extremely mature, so easy to be around, so pleasant.” Mitchell became a dominant setter and leader of the Mountain Brook volleyball team, but it didn’t start that way. “It’s so weird to think about because when I was a freshman I had no idea what was in store,” Mitchell said. “I was terrified. I was this little wimpy kid.” She came to tryouts as a freshman not expecting to make the team. But she and Sara Carr, a dear friend and fellow freshman, both earned spots on a roster chock-full of upperclassmen. “I think she came in very timid, not expecting to really do too much,” O’Quinn said. “By the end of her freshman year, in postseason play, she was setting.” She was thrown into the fire and has flourished into a leader, a far cry from her days as that timid freshman. “It’s hard to realize that you’re the senior and you’re the one everyone is looking to,” Mitchell said. “It’s prepared me for the later things I’ll do. In ninth grade, I could have never imagined the things I would’ve been able to accomplish.” O’Quinn couldn’t help but repeat herself when asked about Mitchell’s chances of success down the road.“She’s mature. She thinks before she speaks. She just has a sweet, kind heart. She’s just a good person. She’s going to be very successful, whatever she ends up doing.”

B16 • May 2016

A LITTLE

Village Living

brotherly competition Luke and Peter Hartman fin their niches By KYLE PARMLEY

Peter Hartman has emerged as a top tennis player at Mountain Brook. Photo by Kyle Parmley.

Growing up, Luke and Peter Hartman played a variety of sports, and they were pretty evenly matched in most of them. Peter thought he was the better baseball player. Luke thought he could compete on the tennis court. They both think they’re better at basketball. “From the time we were kids, we just always played against each other,” Luke Hartman said. “I feel like a lot of the time when it’s me vs. him, we can get past the game and you start playing mind games.” The Mountain Brook High School brothers have honed in one sport as their school careers have progressed. Luke, a senior, recently signed to play baseball at Bucknell University. Peter, a junior, is the No. 1 singles player for the Spartans and hopes to play tennis in college. Now that they both play one sport, something strange has happened. “He’s actually been asking me to play (tennis) recently,” Peter Hartman said. “I can’t even think of why he would want to do it. He says he wants to see how he does.” That would be no contest. On the same note, Peter stepped into the batting cage a few years ago to see what he could do with a baseball bat in his hand. That was no contest.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B17

We share the same athletic interests. We push each other in ways that you can’t get from any other outside source like a brother.

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LUKE HARTMAN

“It was a little disconcerting to me honestly,” Luke said. “I was a little surprised just because he played for several years. “He honestly swings the bat the exact same way he does a tennis racket. He looks like an idiot, but it was funny. We had a good laugh about that.” Peter did not believe his brother when told that he swung the bat like a tennis racket, so he asked for his swing to be videoed so he could see for himself. “I was literally swinging a tennis racket. I would have to concede on the baseball field,” Peter said. Aside from the constant desire to try — and fail miserably — to one-up the other, it is obvious that the two brothers, separated by just a year, have a great amount of respect and admiration for reach other. “I love Pete, and I think he’s a great kid,” Luke said. “It’s just been fun growing up with him, obviously. We share the same athletic interests. We push each other in ways that you can’t get from any other outside source like a brother.” The two have the upstairs portion of the house to themselves for now, and use the space to blast music and, of course, compete against each other. “We’re always playing music and having push-up contests,” Luke said. Who wins those contests is up for debate. “If it’s just one contest of who can do the most push-ups, I win. But his endurance is a little better than mine,” Luke said.

Luke Hartman will play college baseball at Bucknell University. Photo courtesy of Ben Breland.

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B18 • May 2016

Village Living

Picking up momentum

Support growing for Spartan tennis By KYLE PARMLEY

Above: Freshman Margaret Polk has quickly become the girls’ top singles player. Right: Yates Jackson’s height and lefthandedness give him great advantages on the tennis court. Photos by Kyle Parmley.

Don’t tell the Mountain Brook tennis team that it doesn’t belong. The boys team set a goal of going up to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the prestigious Rotary Tournament and coming away with a ﬁrst-place trophy. There aren’t many instances where the Spartans are not one of the top dogs in the race. The Rotary Tournament is one of those rare times. The usual winners of the tournament are tennis powers, private schools that attract the top players from their regions. Mountain Brook High School is a public school, where you get what you get when it comes to talent. And that was good enough for second at Rotary, a tournament the school has never won. It was not the result the boys strived for but was a good one at that. Back in Alabama, though, the Spartans have a gameday experience. Maybe not up to the level of tailgating for Alabama or Auburn football games, but still pretty good. Match day on the Mountain Brook tennis courts draws people in. Amy Jackson — Yates’ mother — introduces herself as a team mom and grills enough hot dogs for seemingly the whole school. While that may only be a slight exaggeration, student support is on the rise for tennis. “Tennis is growing in Mountain Brook,” Peter

“

Tennis is growing in Mountain Brook. More people are coming out to the matches. It’s a lot more fun when we have supporters and a fan base.

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PETER HARTMAN

Hartman said. “More people are coming out to the matches. It’s a lot more fun when we have supporters and a fan base.” “That’s something we’ve kind of stressed doing this year,” Yates Jackson said. “Getting people out here and getting the word out, and it’s worked so far.” A set of bleachers and a grassy hill are littered with friends and family, hoping to see another 9-0 rout from the Spartans, not an uncommon sight regardless of the opponent. Hartman, David Faulkner and Yates Jackson led the charge in singles this season on the boys side. “We could draw their names out of a hat on

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B19

Paul Jones moved from the No. 6 to the No. 4 singles slot in 2016 for the Spartans.

any day and put them 1-2-3,” said Wally Bell, one of the coaches of the team along with Susan Farlow. The pair has led the program for the last nine years. Hartman claimed the title of No. 1 for the season, due in part to his consistency and composure on the court. Faulkner is the fiery one of the bunch, and his emotions can run rampant if not held in check. He likened some of his antics to rising professional tennis star Nick Kyrgios, but was quick to point out he’s been punished for it too. “It’s funny, because (David) knows himself,” Bell said. “He’s a great kid, but he’s gotten a double competitive spirit, and it comes out sometimes.” Make no mistake, though. When Faulkner channels his emotion in the right direction, he is one of the top players in the state. He, along with Hartman, Jackson and Paul Jones, took home a state championship in singles in 2015. Jackson joins Hartman as the top doubles duo on the team. “They’re considered our dynamic duo. Having 6-foot-3 ‘Cherry’ at the net is big,” Faulkner said. Jackson quickly corrected Faulkner. “6-4.” His red hair garnered him the nickname, and when the left-hander is playing at the front, Hartman can usually hit one shot and become a spectator. “Yeah, I hit a serve and I just stand there because he’s got the whole net covered,” Hartman said. Farlow added, “It looks like (Jackson) is hardly even trying. He has all this unusual spin.” On the girls side of the net, freshman Margaret Polk emerged as the top singles threat, with

David Faulkner plays with Paul Jones as part of Mountain Brook’s second doubles tandem.

Sarah Cooper, her sister Ellie Polk, and Cele Sullivan in tow. The Polks formed the top doubles tandem. “We play doubles together, which is really fun,” Ellie Polk said, who won a singles and doubles state championship in 2015. “But we don’t have a rivalry or anything.” No sibling rivalry at all? “There really isn’t,” Bell said.

The Mountain Brook Junior High tennis teams performed well at the Metro Tournament. Photo courtesy of Collins Clegg.

MBJH girls win, boys place 2nd at Metro Congratulations to the Mountain Brook Junior High tennis teams for their performance in the Metro Tournament in April. The boys played well and finished second to an undefeated Berry team. Individually, Alva Caine won first place at No. 1 singles; William Watts won first place at No. 2 singles; and Wood Hamilton won first place at No. 5 singles. Also, Harrison Hitson finished second at No. 3 singles; Brooks King finished second at No. 4 singles; and Hughes Thomas finished second at No. 6 singles. Contributing throughout the season are Ethan Shunnarah, Stephen Malone, Sam Chitty and

James Dixon. The boys have a 9-1 Metro record and a 9-2 overall record. The girls won the Metro tennis championship with a perfect sweep of all six singles and the doubles matches. Individual champions in singles were Charlotte Gillum, Liz Vandevelde, Madison Jenkins, Courtney Clark, Kate Jeffcoat and Sarah Catherine Cooper. The doubles team of Paloma Caine and Margo Belden won the doubles championship. Ann Vandevelde is also on the team but was unable to play due to injury. The girls team is 10-0 in the Metro and 11-0 overall. – Submitted by Collins Clegg.

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Village

B20 • May 2016

Village Living

3 Spartans named to ASWA’s All-State team By KYLE PARMLEY The Alabama Sports Writers Association recognized three of Mountain Brook’s finest for their achievements on the basketball court this past season. Trendon Watford and Sara Carr were each named to the Class 7A All-State second team, while Jack Kline was named to the third team. Carr and Kline have completed their senior campaigns at the high school and will leave behind great legacies. Watford is just a freshman and is still attending Mountain Brook Junior High School through this year. Each has a bevy of accolades to go along with their names in the Spartan record book. Carr will leave Mountain Brook with a program record in career rebounds (988), points in a season (513), rebounds in a season (385) and points in a game (40). She also is the third all-time leading scorer with 1,503 points and contributed 88 blocked shots, 231 steals and 172 assists in an illustrious career. Carr also boasts second team All-State honors from her junior season, as the Lady Spartans advanced to the regional round of the postseason for all four of her seasons. To top it off, she was named team captain and received the Best Teammate Award from her team this year. Kline will leave Mountain Brook with 115 wins, the most in school history. He finished his senior season averaging a double-double, with 12.3 points and 10 rebounds per game. His senior year ended in the Northeast Regional Semifinals, but the previous three years included three Northeast Regional championships, three area titles, two state championships and a state runner-up finish. Watford burst onto the scene in his first season at Mountain Brook, leading the team with 23.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. His 618 points in the season is a single season record at the school.

Taylor Carson, accompanied by his parents, Anna and Chris Carson, commits to play lacrosse for Birmingham-Southern. Photo courtesy of Brian Doud.

Lacrosse captain Taylor Carson signs with Birmingham-Southern

Top: Trendon Watford capped off a phenomenal freshman season with an AllState selection. Bottom: Sara Carr leaves Mountain Brook with her name littered in the record books. Photos by Ted Melton.

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Taylor Carson, a Mountain Brook High School senior all-state attackman and 2016 captain for the varsity lacrosse team, committed to Birmingham-Southern College to continue his lacrosse career. Taylor, son of Anna and Chris Carson, is a three-year starter for the team. He scored 25 goals and contributed 15 assists in his sophomore season. As a junior, he led the team with 35 goals and was named to the all-state team. He was named a team captain at the start of the 2016 season. “I have coached Taylor since his eighth-grade season when he started for the undefeated 2012 U15 state

champions,” Mountain Brook lacrosse team head coach Brian Doud said during Carson’s signing ceremony. “Since then, he has improved his game each season and played a key role in our team reaching the state semiﬁnals in 2015. “His commitment to Birmingham-Southern College is a testament to his perseverance, leadership, pursuit of excellence and commitment to win. Coach Casey Kear at BSC is getting one of our program’s best players.” Birmingham-Southern College competes in NCAA Division III lacrosse in the Southern Athletic Association. – Submitted by Brian Doud.

VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B21

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

Having a strong character is more important than winning Several years ago, I heard about a fifth-grade boy who showed character during a summer all-stars baseball game that was intense and high-stakes. Both teams were determined to win. The boy, named Michael, made an amazing stop at shortstop. Everybody in the stands thought he’d caught the ball for an out, but it was questionable whether the ball touched the ground before landing in his mitt. The umpire asked Michael if he’d caught the ball. The crowd grew silent as everyone leaned in and listened closely. Michael knew if he said yes, he’d be the game hero. His team and their fans would be thrilled. But Michael chose to be honest instead. He admitted the ball hit the ground before landing in his mitt. Immediately, you could hear the crazy parents in the stands grumbling about the call and the missed catch. Michael’s mother, on the other hand, was so proud of her son for choosing to tell the truth. She grew more proud when a father from the opposing team emailed her after the game to congratulate Michael on his honesty. Now, all of us like to win, and it’s probably fair to say that most of us would love to be heroes. And while the desire to win can be good and motivating in pushing us to work hard, be brave and achieve our goals and dreams, it stops being good when it overshadows something more important. Like character. What is character? Character is the way you conduct your life, and who you are when nobody is looking. Character is making a habit of good choices, and practicing virtues like honesty,

kindness, patience and respect. Character is how you treat people who can do nothing to help you. And character is doing the right thing on a small level every day, because these small choices prepare you for those big choices that put your true character to the test. At some point, we all face moments like Michael. In a matter of seconds, we’re forced to choose between doing what’s safe, easy, yet wrong and doing what’s hard, risky, yet right. And if you put yourself in Michael’s shoes, it’s easy to imagine the temptation to lie. It took great courage for him to be honest even though he knew he might disappoint some people and even make them angry. Michael took a risk, but it was a risk worth taking because he kept his integrity. He proved he’s the kind of person who others can trust and respect. More importantly, his choice allowed him to feel proud of himself. It enabled him to feel that deep inner peace we all want and crave. Living in a place like Mountain Brook, I’m surrounded by winners every day. I see highly successful adults raising exceptionally talented kids in this community of champions where the bar is set high. In many ways, it inspires me. I love watching people use their gifts to help others, serve God and reach their full potential. With each generation, the standard of excellence gets passed on, which makes the kids of Mountain Brook well equipped to become world changers by the time they leave home for college. What I’ve realized over time, however, is how easily the drive to succeed can create blind spots

in communities like this. Being overly focused on outward success — and overly impressed by tangible signs — can make character an undervalued commodity. Frankly, I want more for my kids. I want them to care more about their substance than their show. How my kids feel about themselves matters far more than whether they look like a big deal to others. And while I want them to strive for excellence, I believe real excellence starts with character. Because it’s not trophies, bragging rights or bank accounts that will make my kids winners at life. It’s not victories that will turn them into a class act. It’s not fancy homes that will lead to meaningful relationships. And it’s not a perfect résumé that will fill the emptiness inside them as they wrestle with who they are and what purpose they were made to serve. Winning is awesome, and I hope every child experiences the thrill of winning many times as they grow up. At the same time, I hope my kids and others learn to value character over winning, understanding that character is really about moral fiber, and when you seek moral excellence first, excellence in the rest of your life will naturally follow. I applaud parents like Michael’s mom and the dad who emailed her, because they get it. They understand how Michael’s character win was a greater victory than being a fifth-grade hero. And what the rest of us can learn from this is to make sure we celebrate the right things at home. Our kids should have no doubt that what thrills us more than them being named Most

r e m m T u S E T s PHOTO CON WHERE

? S U E K A T U O Y WILL

DEADLINE IS AUGUST 5 Winners will be announced in our September issue. Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of Village Living wherever you are To enter: Email high resolution photos in .JPG format, captions including location and photo credits to kwilliams@starnespublishing. com. Four photos allowed per person.

Likely to Succeed is for them to earn a reputation of being Most Likely to... ► Comfort a classmate who is upset; ► Stand up for someone being bullied; ► Admit their mistakes and face the consequences; ► Agree to be PE partners with the least athletic person; ► Give money back to a person who just dropped a $20 bill; ► Congratulate a friend for making a team that they didn’t make; and ► Work hard and keep a positive attitude, even when everyone else is complaining. Kids with great character attract friends with great character. The perks of this are obvious. So if we want to launch our children into positive relationships and help them become people who others want to be around and imitate, we must value and cultivate quiet strength. Any child can catch a baseball, but only a handful would have the guts to choose honesty over a moment of glory. If you ask me, that’s the sign of a superstar who’s going places in life. That’s the kind of child I hope to raise, and the kind of person I want to be in my own character journey. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know,” is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.

B22 • May 2016

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Calendar Mountain Brook Events Through July 31: Dino Discovery- They’re Back! Birmingham Zoo. The Zoo’s newest exhibit features 12 life-sized, North America-native animatronic dinosaurs. Visit birminghamzoo.com. May 7: St. Jude Field of Dreams. 6:30 p.m. Grand Bohemian Hotel Mtn. Brook. $125 individual ticket, $200 couples ticket. Raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Visit stjude.org/fieldofdreams May 10: Mountain Brook Schools Student Showcase. 5-7 p.m. City Hall in Crestline Village.Approximately 75 booths for our students, kindergarten through 12th grade, to share with visitors about specific things th y are learning in school. Some streets in the immediate area, such as Oak Street, will be closed. May 14: Motherwalk and 5K. Homewood Central Park. 5K and 1 mile run fun. Benefitting the Norma Livin ston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. 8 a.m. Visit runsignup.com. May 21: 11th Annual Zoo Run 5K. 8 a.m. All participants receive free admission to the zoo. Benefiting the Marine Mammal Center. Children’s race also available. Registration $1 kids 12 and under, $30 adults. Visit birminghamzoo.org. Birmingham Botanical Gardens May 1-June 30: Judy Bobula will have her mixed media paintings on exhibition. May 3: Spencer Lecture. 6:30 p.m. Lecture by Dr. Bill Welch from Texas A&M. 5:30 p.m. reception and book signing. Free, but reservations required. Visit bbgardens.org/ spencerlecture.

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May 3: Thyme to Read Book Club. 6 p.m. Discussing “Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening,” by Carol Wall. May 7: Flora Photography. 9 a.m. Learn to capture images of plants and flowers $60 members, $75

non-members. Register online at bbgardens.org. May 7-8: Birmingham Rose Show. All day. Presented by the Birmingham Rose Society. Visit birminghamrose.org.

Emmet O’Neal Library Events

May 13: ARC Stories Roots: Stories about the Nature of the South. 6:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Personal stories told in front of an audience by the people who lived them. $10.

Call 445-1121 or visit.eolib.org.

May 14: Family Yoga in the Gardens. 9 a.m.

Children

May 15: Sip ‘n Sewcialize with Kim and Ellie. 1 p.m. $40 members, $50 non-members.

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

May 18: Annual Fern Lecture. 4 p.m. The Birmingham Fern Society and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens will present the entitled "The Case of the Promiscuous Quillworts." Dr. W. Carl Taylor. Free and open to the public.

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

May 18: Flicks Among the Flowers. 8 p.m. Outdoor movie in the gardens.

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

May 21: Food is Medicine. The ABC’s of Vitamins and Minerals for Health and Longevity. 10 a.m. $40 members, $45 non-members.

Tuesdays- Evenings at EOL. 6 p.m.

LJCC May 11: Yom Hazikaron. 7 p.m. Featuring Amit Farkash. May 13: ASO Coffee Concert Trip features Brahms. 9:30 a.m. $18 plus $5 bus fee. Members only. May 15: Birmingham Celebrates Israel. Noon. Free event, food is available at an additional price. May 15: Margarita Mixer. 2 p.m.-5 p.m. $22/$20 mvp. Interchanging partner doubles events for player of all abilities.

Wednesdays Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays- Movers & Makers. 1:30 p.m. Thursdays- Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays- SNaP. 3:30 p.m. Saturdays- Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

May 2016 • B23

Library Events (continued) Teens (Grades 7-12) Game On! 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Pizza and prizes. TAB. 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Monthly meeting of our Teen Advisory Board. READ Club. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Book club of MBHS students. Teen Trivia Challenge. 6:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. Adults Wednesdays: Brown Bag Lunch Series. 12:30 p.m. Bring a sack lunch. Beverages and dessert provided.

Great Books discussion group. 6:30 p.m. “Krakatau” by Jim Shepard. The Bookies book group. 10 a.m. Salon Discussion: Scandinavian author. $mart Directions @ Your Library. 6:30 p.m. Ethical Investing. Doors open at 6 p.m. Light dinner served. Documentaries After Dark. 6:30 p.m. Film on space and humanity. Genre Reading Group. 6:30 p.m. Discussing books about disasters.

Area Events May 1: Dear Edwina Jr. 2:30 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Theatre, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. $15 adult/$8 student. Visit bct123.org. May 1: Sixth Annual Birmingham Bible Reading Marathon. Southside Baptist Church, 1016 19th St. South. Begins at 6 p.m. Sunday and will continue around the clock until 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 5. Everyone is welcome to read or listen. Reading will be in 15-minute increments. For details or to sign up to read, visit www.libertypark. org/biblemarathon. May 1: Southern Bazaar. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. BJCC. Arts, crafts, clothes and jewelry. Free admission. Southernbazaar1@gmail.com. May 2: BAO Bingo. 7 p.m. Birmingham Aids Outreach, 205 32nd St. South. Visit birminghamaidsoutreach.org.

$25. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org. May 14: Do Dah Day. 11 a.m. Caldwell Park. Pet parade, music, food and more. Beneﬁting local animal charities. Free admission. Visit dodahday.org. May 14: Spring Walking Tour: Forest Park. 10 a.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. Visitvulcan.com. May 14: 38th Annual Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition. 10:30 a.m. UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. $25 adults, $10 students. Visit operabirmingham.org. May 14: Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert. 2 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Free concert. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

May 4: Paul Simon. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. Tickets $59-$129. Visit ticketmaster.com.

May 14: Mudbugs and Music. 2 p.m. Good People Brewing Company. Beneﬁting the Arthritis Foundation. $25-$50. Visit mudbugsandmusic.com.

May 5: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. Downtown Birmingham, 113 22nd St. North. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.

May 18-22: Regions Golf Tournament. Greystone Golf & Country Club. $20-$80. Visit regionstradition.com.

May 5: Celtic Woman. 7 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $45-$75. Visit ticketmaster.com.

May 19: Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary Purses Etc. Auction & Luncheon. 9:30 a.m. The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Drive. Luncheon & Keynote Address by Karen Abercrombie, actress from the movie War Room. $50 per person or $400 for Table of (8) guests. Visit BirminghamSalvationArmy.org.

May 5: Live at the Lyric: Citizen Cope. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $26-$40. Visit lyricbham.com. May 6: Live at the Lyric: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $27$32. Visit lyricbham.com. May 7: ASO presents The Music of Pink Floyd with The Machine. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $29-$62. Visit alabamasymphony.org. May 7: Garden Art Party. Iron City. Beneﬁting Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama. 7 p.m. Tickets are $95 per person. Call 871-1970 for information. May 7: Trussville City Fest. The Mall in Trussville. Celebrating the city’s 36th anniversary. $5, children under two are free. Visit trussvillecityfest. com.

May 21-22 Great Southern Gun & Knife Show. BJCC Exhibition Hall. May 21 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 22 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit greatsoutherngunshow.com. May 20-22 Barber Historics. Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. $20-$49, children under 12 free with adult ticket. Visit barbermotorsports.com.

May 7: Relay for Life. 12 p.m. Briarwood Christian School South Campus, 6255 Cahaba Valley Road. Visit relay.acsevents.org.

May 21-22 Auditions for Mary Poppins. May 21st at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and May 22nd at 2 p.m. in the Springville Middle School auditorium at 6691 Highway 11 (Main St.), Springville, AL 35146. The play offers a wide variety of parts for actors of all ages, including a large chorus of townspeople. Rehearsals will be during June and July. No experience is necessary.

May 7: The Run for Kids Challenge. Oak Mountain State Park. 12 hour 50K and 10K races beginning at 7 a.m. at the Cedar Pavilion. Visit southeasterntrailruns.com.

May 22: XTERRA Southeast Championship. 8 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park. Racer registration $30-$160 plus park admission. Visit xterraplanet.com.

May 8: Live at the Lyric: Mavis Staples. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $28-$45. Visit lyricbham.com.

May 24-29 SEC Baseball Tournament. Hoover Met Stadium. Ten team tournament. Visit secticketofﬁce.com.

May 8: Southeastern Outings Dayhike at Living River. 1:30 p.m. Cahaba Environmental Center at Living River, Shelby-Bibb Countyline. The approximately 3-mile hike is rated moderate. Depart at 1:30 p.m. from McDonald’s Galleria. Contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680 May 13-14 Men on Fire. 7:30 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre. Birmingham’s gay men’s chorus.

May 28: Color Run. Uptown Entertainment District. Promoted as the happiest 5K on the planet. $24.99 presale tickets. Visit thecolorrun. com. May 28: Memorial Day Trail Race. 8 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park. Six and 12 mile races. Visit southeasterntrailruns.com.

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