Over the Mountain Journal Jan. 27, 2011 by Over the Mountain Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

J O U R N A L THE SUBURBAN NEWSPAPER FOR MOUNTAIN BROOK, HOMEWOOD, VESTAVIA HILLS, HOOVER, AND NORTH SHELBY COUNTY JANUARY 27, 2011

A Family Affair Relatives Pitch In to Help Couple Transform Homewood Cottage

Joe and Ann Blair Gribbin, above, moved to their Edgewood home from Dallas almost three years ago. After finding out they were going to have twins, they wanted to be closer to family. Thanks to that family, they were able to create a space perfect for them and their twins, Lulu and Ellie, for now and years to come. See Home, page 17.

The Third Annual Fotos, Frames & Fun (FFF) Auction and Party benefiting Heart Gallery Alabama will be Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at Ted’s Garage on Fifth Avenue South. See About Town, page 6.

The Küren Girls may be young, but in a short time, they are starting to make a big impact, lifting up their voices to lift up a good cause, the fight for a cure for ALS. See Life, page 8.

The 44th annual ball and pageant produced by the Beaux Arts Krewe for the benefit of the Birmingham Museum of Art will be March 4 at Boutwell Auditorium. See Social, page 10.

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CONTENTS/OPINION

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

MURPHY’S LAW

Getting ready for the Birmingham Music Club’s BRAVO! Birmingham are from left: Phil and Nan Teninbaum and Lochrane Coleman Smith. For more on the event see page 7.

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OTMJ.COM

rowse through more photos from area social events and parties. et a sampling the Küren Girls’ music that is helping raise money to find a cure for ALS.

oin the conversation. Comment on stories, social events and more. Just sign up at otmj.com and let us know what’s on your mind.

hare your good news. Are you recently engaged or married? Announce it to our Over the Mountain readers. Click on “forms, issues and info” at the top of the page to submit your announcement.

ollow us on Facebook. Keep up with what’s going on at the Journal with our updates.

Valentine’s Day is all about hearts, so find out how you can get your heart healthy in our next issue.

F E AT U R E S ABOUT TOWN LIFE PEOPLE SOCIAL

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WEDDINGS HOME SCHOOLS SPORTS

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January 27, 2011

Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Laura McAlister Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, Bones Long, Cary Estes, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Vol. 20, No. 2

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to more than 40,000 households in the Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Hot Property is a paid advertisement. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at ads@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2010 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. The Journal is not responsible for return of photos, copy and other unsolicited materials submitted. To have materials returned, please specify when submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification.

A Stroke of Genius

n 2011, I have In order to make my swimming an actual exervowed to learn cise, I have to leave my contacts at home. I wear something new every my backup glasses to the edge of the pool, slip day. Today, I learned them into their case and jump in. I tried leaving that I had my swim cap my glasses in the locker room but discovered that on sideways. I couldn’t even see if anyone was in my lane. It’s For some reason, considered bad form to frog kick a swimmer in his instead of placing the own personal space, so unless my optometrist issues longer wavy part over my me a seeing eye Labrador retriever, I’ll have to ears, I had put the comwear my glasses to the water’s edge. pany logo on my forehead Once in the pool, I can see the lane markers just like I was doing on-camfine, which is a good thing because my swimming Susan Murphy era endorsements. Which has gone a little wonky. My sidestroke lists to one I’m not. There isn’t a side and my Australian crawl crawls from one lane swimsuit manufacturer in the world that would want marker to another like I’m playing bumper pool. me as its poster child, even if Being in the water is I was skimming through the great, though. That first Being in the water is great, waves like a dolphin. Which day, I felt buoyant, uplifted I’m not. almost ... for about three though. That first day, I felt I used to be a decent Then it became buoyant, uplifted almost ... for seconds. swimmer, a lifeguard, in fact, apparent that I had to start but those days are long gone. paddling or sink to the drain. about three seconds. Then it I remember all the basic It also occurred to me became apparent that I had to about strokes, but my limbs aren’t halfway through the as nimble as they used to be. first lap that I wasn’t as start paddling or Of course, I haven’t pracgood a swimmer as I thought sink to the drain. ticed much either. I avoided I was. All this time, during swimming for the past few one cruise ship lifeboat drill years mostly because my after another, I felt confident eyesight is so bad that I had to wear contact lenses that if the ship went down, I could make my way in the pool and limit my movements to those that to shore. Now I realize that if we’re upended more kept my eyes above the water line. Swimming is a than half a mile out, I’m a goner, and if there are no lot less satisfying when you have your head sticking lane markers from ship to shore I could end up in up out of the water like a turtle. Cuba. Six months ago, I decided to return to full court Paddle and gasp, paddle and gasp. My swimming swimming to give my knees a much-needed rest. can only get better. I’ve already worked my way up After several years of pounding the pavement walk- from 15 feet to 15 laps. It’s reassuring to know that ing, they’d begun a mild protest, nothing terribly every day, my sinking ship could be farther away vocal, but a little proactive cross training was defiwhether I have my cap on correctly or not. nitely in order: walk one day, swim the other. Actually, the more I look at it, it seems like a And it’s worked ... kind of. Swimming has been person could wear the cap either way. I didn’t have easier on my knees, but it’s called into action other my contacts or glasses on when I made that first muscles that were in complete hibernation. Now my pronouncement. Drat. Now I’ll just have to go out whole body is crabby. This too shall pass. and learn something else. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

OTM Realtors discuss why now is a good time to buy in the area.

“The biggest reason to buy now is because interest rates are starting to bump up. You don’t want to sit around and get left out in the cold.”

“There is such a good range of houses in every price range. The conditions are better than I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve been in business over 20 years.”

“Three reasons: interest rates, inventory and it’s a buyer’s market. If you have a good job or the possibility of a good one, there has never been a better time.”

“There are some really ready and willing sellers out there. We’re really seeing business start to pick back up this year. It’s just a great time for buyers right now. ”

Lou Herring Hoover

Barbara Hulsey Bluff Park

James Harwell Bluff Park

Jean Burford Vestavia Hills

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Vestavia Will Honor Citizens of the Year

Leadership Vestavia Hills will honor the city’s 2010 citizens of the year Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Vestavia Country Club. The organization annually recognizes individuals and groups that have had a positive impact on the city. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased from the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce or online at LeadershipVestaviaHills.com. Sponsorships are available through Tony Truitt at 254-3005 or tony@truittins.com. Honorees this year are David R. Belcher for the Lifetime Achievement Award, U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus for the Distinguished Citizen Award and the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation for Citizen of the Year.

Bromberg’s Jewelers. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hand-In-Paw, a nonprofit organization that serves those with physical, emotional, educational or psychological needs through interactions with professionally-trained Animal-Assisted

Therapy Teams. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.ypbirmingham.com or at the door. Entry is free for YP Birmingham member cardholders.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 3

Vestavia Library Program Focuses on ‘Alabama Waters’

Conservation photographer Beth Maynor and writer John C. Hall will present their film, note

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Bragg Will Speak at Jefferson State

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg will speak at the Shelby campus of Jefferson State Community College Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. The event, part of the Red Mountain Reading Series 2011, is hosted by Jefferson State, the Alabama Humanities Foundation and the Shelby County Arts Council. The program will be in the first floor auditorium of the health and sciences building on the corner of Valleydale Road and Jaguar Drive and includes a reading, reception and book signing with the author. Books will be available for purchase at the reading courtesy of the Alabama Booksmith. A University of Alabama professor, Bragg won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing and the 2009 Harper Lee Award for Alabama Distinguished Writer of the Year. His novels include “All Over But the Shoutin’,” “Ava’s Man,” “The Prince of Frogtown” and “The Most They Ever Had.” The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sharon DeVaneyLovinguth at lovinguth@jeffstat eonline.com or 807-7627.

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YP Birmingham Will Celebrate City

The Young Professionals of Birmingham (YP Birmingham) will celebrate the reasons it loves the city with “Y Live, Y Laugh, Y Love, For the Love of Birmingham” Feb. 8 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Matt Jones Gallery, 2830 Sixth Ave. South. The event includes live music and complimentary food, wine and beer. Guests will have a chance to win giveaways from

cards and book, “A Journey on Alabama Waters,” Jan. 27 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Vestavia Hills’ new Library in the Forest. The book about Alabama rivers won the Southeastern Libraries Overall Excellence Award. ❖

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Feline Fanciers Host Annual Cat Show

Birmingham Feline Fanciers’ 39th annual Allbreed and Household Pet Cat Show will be Jan. 29-30 at the BirminghamJefferson Civic Center in the South Exhibition Hall. Pedigreed cats from around the country will compete for titles and regional and national points. Cats who are household pets also are invited to compete for ribbons and trophies. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children under 12. For more information, visit www.birminghamfelinefanciers. com or call 616-1651.

Duo Appearing In Organ Concert

The Cathedral Church of the Advent will present an organ concert Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. by The Chenault Duo, Raymond and Elizabeth Chenault. The Chenaults have become synonymous with the term “four hands, four feet” through their more than 40 commissioned works for

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�� Raymond and Elizabeth Chenault will present a Feb. 13 concert at �� Cathedral Church of the Advent. ��

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Planning “Tapped: A Food and Beer Pairing” are Niki Harris, event chairman for the Autism Society of Alabama Junior Board, and Gabe Harris, Free the Hops president. Photo special to the Journal organ duet. Since 1975, they have been organists and choirmasters of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta. The concert is free, and the public is invited. The Cathedral Church of the Advent is in downtown Birmingham on 20th St. at Sixth Ave. North. Parking will be available in the Financial Center Garage on Fifth Ave. North.

Free the Hops Plans Food, Beer Pairing

Free the Hops and the Autism Society of Alabama Junior Board are teaming up Jan. 28 for “Tapped: A Food and Beer Pairing” featuring entrees from local restaurants with beers selected to create the perfect food pairing. The event at Ted’s Garage will open at 6 p.m. It includes live music and an auction featuring beer and beer-related art and trips. Local restaurants, including J. Clyde, Mafiaoza’s, Maki Fresh and Jackson’s, will serve a variety of food, and Free the Hops will pair the dishes with craft beer.

Tickets, $20 in advance and $25 at the door, include admission, food and beer. They can be purchased from the ASA office, any ASA Junior Board member or Free the Hops. For more information, visit www.gettappedforautism.com.

Gospel Singer Debuts New Album at Benefit

Canton Jones, a Christian songwriter and producer nominated for Grammy, Stellar and Dove awards, will headline a free Jan. 29 concert at Boutwell Auditorium to celebrate children who are cancer survivors and to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Golden Corral is hosting a series of special luncheons and concerts organized only in Birmingham, where Jones will debut his newest album, Dominionaire, out in stores Feb.1. During his visit, Jones will invite more than 100 kids to lunch at the Golden Corral restaurant in Center Point. He also is making a special donation to Kameron Hardy, a 9-year-old cancer survivor. ❖

Make it personal this Valentine's Day... With unique charms that can be personalized for that special someone in your life

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Photo special to the Journal

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ABOUT TOWN

OPENING RECEPTION

Friday, February 4th 5:30 till 8:30 Welcoming New Artists: Joyce Kraft Jayne Morgan Barbara Prior, Robert Taylor Jerome Vason 3365 Morgan Drive Vestavia Hills 979-8990

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 5

Simple life in abundance

C O N S T RU C T NEW HOME

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00s om th e $ 50 0 ,0 fr E C A L P HAMPDEN e $ 6 0 0 ,0 0 0 s IL L S - from th H E K A L ST E V $ 6 0 0 ,0 0 0 s V E - from th e O C E K A L ST VE 70 0 ,0 0 0 s S - from th e $ L IL H E G A IT HER $ 70 0 ,0 0 0 s G E - from th e ID R E K A L V E ST ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 s - from th e $ 1 E G ID R . N T K IN G S M 0 ,0 0 0 s om th e $ 1 ,0 0 fr N O T R E O L D OV

RESALES ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE $300S TO $2,000,000+ IN SEVERAL LIBERTY PARK NEIGHBORHOODS.

To contact a Liberty Park Sales Associate, call 866.933.2509 or visit www.libertypark.com. 8000 Liberty Parkway

. Birmingham, AL

All information contained herein deemed accurate but not warranted. Neither Liberty Park Properties nor its builders and agents are responsible for errors or omissions. Plan information subject to change without notice.

6 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

Church Needs Helpers for Meal Packing Shades Mountain Baptist Church will host a MobilePack event Jan. 26-29 at the church’s Christian Life Center.

ABOUT TOWN During the four-day event, there will be 10 two-hour packing sessions, with 160 volunteers needed per session to pack, label and box meals as part of “Feed My Starving Children.” The nonprofit Christian organization provides meals for children in more

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�� Open Tues. thru Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

than 70 countries who would otherwise have little or no food. The church hopes to pack 300,000 meals for children. While several of the sessions are full, some still need volunteers, especially Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. Visit www.fmsc.org for more information or call the church at 822-1670.

Events Highlight Importance of Heart Health

The American Heart Association is hosting several events for the national Wear Red Day on Feb. 4. Wear Red Day encourages women to come together to fight heart disease. Go Red in Your Own Fashion will be Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Xcell Academy, a Paul Mitchell Partner School. Those who “Spread the Red” by making a $10 donation to the American Heart Association will receive a red hair extension. Everyone who enters the salon wearing red will receive a red polish application and red lipstick application. The Heart Guild will host its annual Wear Red Day luncheon benefiting the American Heart Association Feb. 4 at Fleming’s Steakhouse. The event begins at 11 a.m. with lunch served at noon. Dr. Anuradha Rao with Cardiovascular Associates, P.C., will provide heart health tips, and the Clothes Tree will present a fashion show. Tickets are $50 and include the chance to win door prizes and raffle items. There is also a cash bar. To purchase tickets, mail checks by Jan. 31 to Carrie Spicer at 3583 Great Oak Lane, Birmingham, AL 35223. Make checks payable to the American Heart Association. For more information, e-mail carrie. spicer@att.com or call 243-4546 The Little Red Dress Party

Members of the Heart Guild recently met at the Greystone home of Bishop Chavers to discuss the events of the national Go Red Day on Feb. 4. Journal photo by Laura McAlister will be Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Aloft Hotel in Homewood. The event includes health risk assessments, swag bags, food, cash bar, music and fun – all to raise awareness for women and heart disease. Reservations are through B-Metro Magazine. Tickets are on sale now for the Go Red for Women Luncheon, set for May 6 at The Club. Call 5101500 for more information and to purchase tickets.

FFF to Benefit Heart Gallery Alabama

The Third Annual Fotos, Frames & Fun (FFF) Auction and Party benefiting Heart Gallery Alabama will be Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at Ted’s Garage on Fifth Avenue South. Fotos, Frames and Fun will feature silent and live auctions and food from local restaurants, including The Veranda on Highland, The Fish Market, Taziki’s, Max’s Deli, Creative Cuisine and Catering by LaNetta. A separate Kids Zone will feature games and food from Chick-Fil-A and the Great American Cookie Co.

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Working on details for Fotos, Frames and Fun Auction and Party are event committee member Melissa Zivitz and Heart Gallery Alabama executive director Michelle Bearman-Wolnek. Photo special to the Journal

FFF tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple in advance; $35 per person and $45 per couple at the door. Tickets for children 12 and under are $5 each. Heart Gallery Alabama promotes adoption of children currently in Alabama’s foster care system by recruiting professional photographers to take meaningful portraits capturing the unique spirit of each child. More than 600 foster children are eligible for adoption in the state of Alabama.

Alzheimer’s Topic of February Conference

The Birmingham Baptist Association and the United for Life Foundation will jointly present an Alzheimer’s conference, “Embracing Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias,” as a community resource for families, caregivers, clergy and other professionals affected by or involved with dementia diseases Feb. 4-5 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills. Conference presenters include keynote speaker Ellen Marie Edmonds, author of “Embracing Dementia – A Call to Love” and host of the weekly radio show “Embracing Alzheimer’s in Mind and Heart,” and neurologist Dr. Daniel Potts of Alabama Neurology and Sleep Medicine, P.C., founder of Cognitive Dynamics, Inc. Edmonds specializes in family and caregiver responses to dementia, while Potts focuses on medical and artistic therapies for dementia disease. Registration is $20 before Jan. 31 and $25 after. Registration includes the Friday session from 1 to 5 p.m. and the Saturday session from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., which includes breakfast from Edgar’s Bakery. To register, visit www. EmbracingAlzheimers.com or call 599-3245. Exhibitors may contact Cheryl Ciamarra at Cheryl@Uni tedForLifeFoundation.org or call 969-0771. ❖

Music Club Will Host Gala, Bravo Event

The Birmingham Music Club (BMC) will celebrate its 105th year by hosting a gala and presenting BRAVO! Birmingham to showcase widely recognized performers with local roots. In 2011, the BMC turns its spotlight on home-grown performers whose talents have brought them national and international recognition. The anniversary celebration includes two events: a black tie gala Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at Birmingham Country Club and the BRAVO! Birmingham show March 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Samford University’s Wright Center. Ticket prices, beginning at $125, cover both events. For information and reservations for the gala, call Martha Black at 969-3556. Prices for tickets to the show begin at $20 with group ticket prices available. Show tickets may be purchased after Dec. 1 by calling the Wright Center Box Office at 726-2407. The gala includes a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live auction and entertainment by BRAVO! performers. Live auction items include an “April in Paris” trip to an ancestral home near Paris, a week’s vacation in Hilton Head, S.C., golf rounds at top courses in town, a week at a New Hampshire lake home, box seats for football games, a dinner for 12 catered by Sherron Goldstein, jewelry from Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers and more. An individual Patron ticket for the dinner in January is $125 and also entitles the holder to attend the show in March. Junior Patron tickets are $80, with a limited number available. Other ticket levels, which include special amenities for additional guests, are Bronze ($500) and Silver ($1,000). Corporate tickets for tables of eight are $2,500 (Gold) and $5,000 (Platinum). All proceeds from the dinner and the show benefit the BMC Concert Series and BMC Guild Music Scholarship Fund. Marsha Drennen and Jeanne Bradford are co-chairmen for both events. After the show, patrons are invited to have coffee and gourmet desserts with the stars on the Wright Center mezzanine. For information, visit www.bhamusiccclub.org or call the Wright Center at 726-2407.

Scouts’ Book Drive Needs Donations

Girl Scout Troop 67 is sponsoring a book drive to support Better Basics. New or gently-used books for ages 5 to 15 can be brought Feb. 6-19 to Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest or to school libraries at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central, Vestavia Hills Elementary West or Epic Elementary. ❖

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 7

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Aged Finish w/Top Grain Leather and Antique Brass Nail Head Trim Queen or King Size 6ft Tall Reg. Price $2,898 SALE $1,995

REG PRICE

Hand Carved Camel Back Sofa Top Grain Leather 95”w - 52”h - Exceptional Details Reg. Price $6,799 SALE $3,898

REG PRICE

SALE

Computer/Plasma TV Credenza - Aged Leather Top 6ft Long - Keyboard Drawer, File Drawers, Glass Doors

$1,200

$498

Emerson ET CIE Landscape Mirror - Large 58” x 63” Walnut w/Satinwood Inlay

$1,800

$475

3 Drawer Chest - Painted Stripe over Walnut Finish 50”w - 40”h - Antique Pulls

$2,400

$788

John-Richard Dining Chairs - Set of 6 English Lg. Brass Nail Heads - Stripe Fabric - Exceptional 45”h

$6,500

$2,875

Grand Bookcase - Distressed Black - Adj. Shelves Pull Out Work Shelves - 103”w - 97”h - 16”d

$4,399

$1,988

Oil Painting on Canvas “Madona” Very Fine Details - Hang Carved Frame 30” x 40”

$2,995

$975

Lloyd Buxton Solid Mahogany Chest - 4 Drawers 19”h - 24”w - Pull Out Shelf

$1,999

$695

On Canvas Contemporary Art - Excellent Colors Hand Vertical or Horizontal 48” x 70”

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$795

Maitland-Smith Iron Framed Oval Mirror Old World Finish - 40”h - 28”w Bird Motif

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Emerson Iron 3 Panel Folding Screen - Bronze Gold Finish - Delicate Details

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Cormandel & Chinoiserie 8 Panel Folding Screen Large 138”w - 96”h - A Classic

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Full Length Floor Mirror 6’ Tall - Beveled Edge - Antiqued Frame

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$275

Mahogany & Satinwood Bowfront Georgian Chest of Drawers - Antique Hardware 42”h

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Shell Motif - Carved Warm Oak 4 Drawer Chest 24”h - 36”w

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Mahogany & Satinwood Georgian Linen Press 86”h - 50”w - Burl w/Dentil Molding

$10,000

$3,875

Triple Arch Mirror - Large 5’ Wide 48” Tall - Antique Gold Frame

$999

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Maitland-Smith Bronze Candlestick Lamp 37”h - Silk Shade 60W

$699

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Dez Ryan Limited Edition Accent Lamp Hand Painted Silk Shade

$1,599

$375

Maitland-Smith “Limited Edition” Cut Crystal Table Lamp - 31” Tall - Hand Crafted Silk Shade

$1,595

$575

“Ann Gish” Silk Quilted Queen Ready To Bed Coverlet w/2 Euro Pillows - Hot Pink

$599

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English Sliding Door Bookcase - Adj. Shelves 55”w - 85”h - Window Pane Glass Panels

$2,499

$975

“Anichini” King Fine Linen Collection - Italian Cervino 7pc Set - Neutral Coverlet w/6 Pillows

$4,799

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Handmade Fine Quality French “Aubusson” Rug 10’3” x 13’8” Classic Renaissance Motif

$5,400

$1,975

“Archepeligo” Queen Linen Set - Canvas Coverlet 2 Euro 1 King Accent Pillow

$3,399

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6 Lite Chandelier - Bronze Palm Leaf Design Hand-Made Silk Shades 48”h

$1,500

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“Archepeligo” Custom Daybed Set - Raffia Trim Chocolate Canvas - 4 Euro 2 Bolsters

$4,799

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12 Lite Wax Candle Chandelier - 24” Square Designer Addition - Rubbed Gun Metal Finish

$999

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Custom King Linens - Silk - Copper Pleated Duvet - Bedskirt - 5 Assorted Pillows

$4,999

$1,975

8 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

LIFE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

Members of the Küren Girls are from left, Channing Glenn, Lowrey Patterson, Kelsey Platt, Jane Whitaker and Annie Stewart Miles. All their performances and music sales benefit research for ALS. Photo special to the Journal

A Reason to Sing

Young Singers Lifting Up Their Voices to Lift Up a Good Cause

BY LAURA MCALISTER JOURNAL EDITOR

he Küren Girls may be young, but in a short time, they are starting to make a big impact. Formed about a year ago, the musical group is made up of four Over the Mountain teens and one Montgomery teen who all have a passion and talent for singing. They already have a CD, a website and songs for sale on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. They’ve performed more than 100 shows, including last year’s SEC championship baseball game. In a short time, the girls have a long list of accomplishments, but what’s most important to them is expressed in their name. Küren is German for “cure,” and these girls want to raise awareness and funding for a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. It’s not a very well-known disease, but it’s an important one to the group, especially Lowrey Patterson, 13, of Vestavia Hills. A close relative of Lowrey’s was diagnosed with ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Gehrig was a famous New York Yankees baseball player who suffered and eventually died from the disease. It’s a chronic, progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness and atrophy and eventually leading to death. “It’s very rare, and there’s no cure,” said Lynn Patterson, Lowrey’s mother. “Because it’s so rare, there’s not a lot of funding for it. That really falls back on the families that are affected by it.” Lowrey and friends Jane Whitaker, also of Vestavia, Annie Stewart Miles and Kelsey Platt of Mountain Brook and Channing Glenn of Montgomery took up the cause and decided they could use their talents to help fund research for a cure for the disease. All funds raised through the sale of their music and concerts go to research for a cure for ALS, said parent

Where to find them: • Visit otmj.com for more photos and a sampling of the Kuren Girls’ CD • Purchase their music at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby • Visit their website, kurengirls.org or call 585-4334 for booking information • Join the cause: Text 20222 to donate $5 to ALS research. Terri Platt. Although it’s only been a year, the group has made progress in getting the word out about the disease and raising funds for research. In addition to their songs – most are familiar, uplifting spiritual ones, though they do have one original single, “Keeping Faith” – they’ve also developed ways for their fans and supporters to raise funds for ALS research. “We do have texting set up, so people can donate that way,” Lynn said. By texting “EndALS,” or the numbers 20222, an automatic $5 donation will be made to ALS Therapy Development Institute, which strives to develop a cure for ALS. While the Küren Girls said practicing weekly, in addition to live performances plus school and other extracurricular activities, can be trying, in the end it’s worth it.

“We just want to help Lowrey and support her family,” said Annie Stewart, 15. The teens spent much of their summer recording their CD. All have been performing since they were at least 8 years old, so they looked forward to the challenge. But it wasn’t as easy as they’d expected. “I was surprised at how much goes into it,” said Kelsey, 14. “You have to record the same thing over and over and over again.” “And, once you get it perfect, you have to do it perfect again,” added Lowrey. As far as working and spending so much time together, that’s no problem for this musical group. Although only two of them attend the same school – Annie Stewart and Kelsey go to Mountain Brook High School – they were friends years before the formation of the Küren Girls. Lowrey, Channing and Jane met in New York at an audition for “Annie the Musical.” They didn’t make the cut, but they did form a bond. They were around 8 years old then, and when they returned home, they decided to join the Red Mountain Theatre Company’s youth program, the Performing Ensemble. There they met Annie Stewart and Kelsey. As the girls got older, they wanted to continue to perform on a broader scale while at the same time doing some good. So far they have been able to do just that. Locally, they’ve played at churches, golf tournaments, ALS benefits, baseball games and more. In 2011, they hope to perform in some even bigger venues. “We’ve been in discussion about doing something with Auburn,” Lynn said. “We’re also contacting the Major League Baseball association to see about performing the national anthem and things like that. We’re really excited.” They also plan on producing more songs. “We’ll keep on doing it until there is a cure,” Annie Stewart said. ❖

Better Basics Welcomes New Board Members

Attorneys Frank James and Tamula Yelling are new members of Better Basics’ board of directors. The non-profit United Way agency is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families by advancing literacy through enrichment and intervention programs. Yelling is an associate at Constangy, Brooks and Smith law firm and James is a shareholder at the law firm of Baker Donelson. Yelling focuses her practice on employment litigation defense but has specialized in age, race and sex discrimination cases. She serves on the board of directors with the Community

Mary Austin Head competed at the Alabama State Compulsory Meet in Tuscaloosa Dec. 3. A Level 3 gymnast on the Mountain Brook Gymnastics team, she placed first on bars and vault and second on floor and beam, making her the allaround champion for her age division. The daughter of Tripp and Julie Head, she is a first grader at Edgewood Elementary School.

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LaBella Alvis of Christian & Small was inducted to the Alabama Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) at its annual meeting Oct. 13. ABOTA LaBella Alvis is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. Membership is by invitation only to trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skills in jury trials and who meet stringent standards of professionalism. Alvis is a graduate of Auburn University, the University of Houston and Cumberland School of Law. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation and was named one of the top 25 women lawyers in Alabama in 2008 by Alabama Super Lawyers.

Entrepreneur Institute and is a Big Brothers Big Sisters and United Way volunteer.

A member of the Alabama, Birmingham and Magic City Bar Associations, she recently served as president of the Alabama Lawyers Association. James also focuses his practice on employment law, litigation, mediation and arbitration and is regularly included in the Best Lawyers in America and Alabama Super Lawyers. A retired colonel, James served 30 years in the U.S. Army, where he received the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is a longtime trustee and board member of the Birmingham YMCA and has served on a number of other boards, including the United Way of Central Alabama, where he is a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. He also is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Summit Club and The Club.

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The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce recently named its new board members for 2011. They are, from front: Jean Clayton, Tricia Drew, Amy Carter, Christiana Roussel, Dyron Powell, president Steven Hydinger, Frank Davies Jr. and Terry Chapman. Photo special to the Journal

Alvis Is Inducted to Trial Advocates Board

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 9

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Preparing for a ‘Magical Night’

he 44th annual ball and pageant produced by the Beaux Arts Krewe for the benefit of the Birmingham Museum of Art will be March 4 at Boutwell Auditorium. The event includes the annual coronation of the King and Queen of the Krewe. The evening’s theme is “Aladdin’s Magic Night.” With stone minarets and golden onion domes in the background, 27 princesses escorted more photos at by Krewe members will be presented to their friends and family. The announcement of the queen and her court will be made at the ball. Beaux Arts Krewe is a men’s organization dating back to 1967 whose primary purpose is to support the Birmingham Museum of Art with an annual debutante ball. The presentees are: Bess Bouchelle Ager of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Minor Shepard Ager; Julia Dorothy Andrews of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Seldon Andrews; Elizabeth Tucker Bolvig of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. Christoffer Peter Bolvig and Mrs. Caroline Stevens Bolvig; Caroline Christian Bromberg of Birmingham, daughter of Mr.

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William Gregory Bromberg II and Mrs. Michael Cummings Randle; Elizabeth Taliaferro Bromberg of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. John Keenon Bromberg and Mrs. Elizabeth Longino Waller; Caroline Jane Christopher of Columbus, Ga., daughter of Mrs. Jane Lowery Christopher and Mr. Bryan Stanley Christopher; Elizabeth Cunningham DeBardeleben of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Whitney DeBardeleben; Margaret Alice Drew of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Livingston Drew; Julia Anna Mary Ezell of Tuscaloosa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Agnew Ezell III; Anne Eliza Fite of Decatur, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Blackwell Fite; Dorothy Monnish Grenier of Birmingham, daughter of Mrs. Celeste Crowe Grenier and Mr. John Beaulieu Grenier; Mary Bentley Rainer Hammet of Nashville, Tenn., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Buford Hammet II; Rebecca Lucille Kissel of Birmingham, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Urban Kissel III; Hillary Benners Marbury of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Collier Marbury; Julia Jemison Matthews of Birmingham, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George Wheeler Matthews III; Elizabeth Pride

At the mother/daughter social were, from left: Allison Brown, Alice Brown, Sue Register, Kate Register, Carolyn Greene and Margaret Greene. Photo special to the Journal

A mother/daughter social was held ...

Nov. 14 at the Country Club of Birmingham to kick off plans for the spring Starlight Ball for Mountain Brook 10th grade girls. Chairing the 2011 ball are Sue Register, Allison Brown and Carolyn Greene.

The kick-off celebration for a new ... arts support group in Greystone honored philanthropist Patty McDonald and Caron Thornton, founding executive

director of the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, who retired in 2009. Mindy Boggs, organizer and president of the newly formed Arts and Lectures Club of Greystone, served as mistress of ceremonies. Following an introduction of the honorees, she presented “You Make a Difference” awards to McDonald as Patron of the Year and Thornton as Arts Executive of the Year. The new club plans to annually honor a couple or individual in each category. As guests arrived at Greystone Golf and Country Club, they were greeted by several club officers

Nix of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Dean Nix; Blair Henderson Parks of Montgomery, daughter of Mr. Jack Darrell Parks and the late Lore Poundstone Parks; Caroline Elizabeth Parks of Senatobia, Miss., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Baker Parks; Susan Gabreilla Puffer of Hixson, Tenn., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Puffer; Elizabeth Bradshaw Ratcliffe of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester O’Neal Hamiter and Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Goode Ratcliffe Jr.; Stephanie Starr Robinson of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Gordon Robinson III; Marguerite Ashford Rowe of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ashford Rowe; Anna Michelle Scott of Sylvan Springs, daughter of Rev. Dorothy Stabler Scott and George E. Scott IV; Kathleen Anne Shearer of Mobile, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Lewis Shearer; Dorothy Ryals Thompson of Birmingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Clinton Thompson; Virginia Manning Weatherly of Tuscaloosa, daughter of Mr. Robert Stone Weatherly III and Mrs. Frances Y. Weatherly; and Martha Kennan Wood of Memphis, Tenn., daughter of Mrs. Martha Bradford Roberts and Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Wood. ❖

dressed in Roaring 20s style. Under the direction of ALCG member Wilma Thompson, Robert Logan of Backstage Florist transformed the clubhouse into a 1920s speakeasy. Highlighting the evening was an announcement by Allen Franklin, incoming Greystone Country Club board president, and former board president Ron Ward that the second Symphony on the Green at Greystone, performed by the full Alabama Symphony, is scheduled for June 4. Boggs was credited for organizing a committee which worked to make the first Symphony on the Green at Greystone a success. Arts executives present included Alabama Ballet Board president John Lacey and executive director Gia Rabito; Alabama Symphony Orchestra Association executive director Curt Long and marketing director Kate Cleveland; Birmingham Children’s Theatre executives Wes Taylor and Stacy Turner; Magic City Actors Theatre managing director Leah Faulkner; Opera Birmingham board president Dr. Julius Linn and director of marketing Eleanor Parker; Red Mountain Theatre Company Board president Ginger Milam and executive director Keith Cromwell; and Cathy Rye Gilmore, president of the Virginia

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Among young women who will be presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball are, from left: Stephie Robinson, Liza Nix, Julia Andrews, Elizabeth DeBardeleben and Dorothy Thompson. Photo special to the Journal

Presentees at the 44th annual Beaux Arts Krewe Ball will include, from left: Christian Bromberg, Elizabeth Bromberg, Bentley Hammet, Bradshaw Ratcliffe and Julia Anna Ezell. Photo special to the Journal Samford Theatre. Gilmore produced and directed a major segment of the cabaret show, which opened with a rendition of “Cabaret,” sung by Kristi Tingle-Higginbotham. Jan Hunter performed “Le Jazz Hot,” and the Hot Tamales duo presented song and dance numbers. Kristin Staskowski, Red Mountain Theatre’s managing director, directed another segment which featured the Spotlights,

RMT’s ensemble for ages 11-13. Tam DeBolt sang “Follow the Light” from RMT’s recent original production of “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey,” in which she starred. Debbie Mielke was musical accompanist. Event sponsors included Mindy and Larry Boggs with NettWorth Financial Group; Bishop and Tony Chavers with Alabama Magazine; Janice Folmar and Richard Hayes with

Among those celebrating the kickoff for a new arts support group in Greystone were from left: Mindy Boggs, Virginia Samford Theater’s liaison Wilma Thompson and VST co-liaison Lisa Roberts.

Photo special to the Journal

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Among those attending the Muse Dance Club Christmas Dinner and Dance were from left: Robin and Jim Sulzby and Lucy and Dan Allison. Photos special to the Journal ReMax Southern Homes-280; Susie and Bob Gaston; Kem Marks with Maynard, Cooper & Gale, Attorneys; Carol Myers, with Myers Players Group; Merrill-Lynch and Marlene Wallace with Career Concepts, Inc. Other guests enjoying the Cabaret at Greystone were Brooke Beckham, Sherry Best, Rebecca and Bob Blythe, Ellen Buffington, Martha and Joe Eastis, Donna Francavilla, Carolyn Haynes, Elaine Kennedy, Paige Kyser, Courtney Lankford, Devon and William Logan and Stephanie Melonas. Also at the event were Sandy and Jim Marriner, Valerie Middleton, Sue and

Maurice Nuby, Heather Pate, Mary and Brad Rankin, Lisa Roberts, Brenda Sheehan, Debbie Hunter-Snow and Robin Snow, Sylvia Stagner, Sharon and Bob Suellentrop, Charles Thompson, Shelayne Thompson, John Thornton, Ann and Steve Vanderburg, Shirl Ward, Beth Yoder and Joan Zolak.

The Muse Dance Club met Dec. 10 at ...

Birmingham Country Club for its annual Christmas dinner dance. The ballroom was decorated with a winter holiday theme of “Starlight Night” with white and silver reindeer in the foyer. In the

SOCIAL East Room, white branches and tiny lights dressed each table. Ann Allen and Edward, Beth Henry and Rich and Ann Key and Gilley were the party chairmen. Music was provided by Rambler’s Reunion. Dance club members there included Mimi and Henry Little, Lucy and Dan Allison, Robin and Jim Sulzby, Marie and Ronnie Baynes, Joy and Lee Cooper, Mary Ellen and Tom Clark, Mary Ruth and Fred Ingram, Betty and Bill Phillips and Caroline Jemison and Jim Kelly. Norma Jean and Tony Beuchen came from Atlanta. Others attending were Katie and Bobby Howard, Louise and Butch Clayton, Linda and Sam Johnson, Janie and Jimbo Henderson, Dee and Jim King, Linda and Arthur Freeman, Pat and Ben Carroll, Bitsy and Bill Coleman, Martha and Garner Cheney, Eloise and Davis Bennett, Judy and Adrian Bewley and Lulu and Jimmy Abernathy.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 11

II, Gunnery Sgt. Eric T. Browning and Staff Sgts. Curtis J. Wentworth, Fabio E. Patino and Dwayne Glover. The Marines left that evening with two van loads of toys and donations, exceeding the amount donated last year. This year, the Lackeys’ special guest was K. Carl Smith, a motivational speaker, former Army officer, activist, author and founder of the Conservative Messenger and the Frederick Douglass Republican movement. Smith has appeared on national TV shows, including “The 700 Club” and

“The Huckabee Show” on Fox News. He was appointed to the Alabama Amistad Commission in 2009 by Gov. Bob Riley. The Lackeys also welcomed Dale Peterson, former Commissioner of Agriculture candidate, and his wife, Kathy, to their benefit. Guests were treated to tours of the family’s Governors Library and the adjoining Resolute Study. The Governors Library features pictures and memorabilia of governors from all over the U.S. Among guests were Helena Barkworth, Madeline and

A party benefiting Toys for Tots was ...

held at the Vestavia Hills home of Debbie and Lamar Lackey and daughter SaraGrace Dec. 11. The Lackeys asked their guests to bring unwrapped gifts for children in need. The U.S. Marine Corps was represented by USMC Cpl. Keith P. Nicely

Debbie and Lamar Lackey with daughter SaraGrace Lackey welcomed special guest K. Carl Smith to their benefit for Toys for Tots.

Photo special to the Journal

KING’S RANCH | HANNAH HOMES

12 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

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Also there were Nancy and Doug Ross, Kevin and Laura Patton, Rep. Paul J. DeMarco, Eric and Mary Talyor, Peggy A. McClure, the Vaughn family (Tom, Kathy, Ella and Jane), Andy, Andrew and Foster Laird, Caitlin and DeWayne �� Miner, Joe and Nancy Randall, Pepper Place | 2807 2nd Ave. So. Judge Judy Palmer, Paula and 205.244.1933 Craig Smalley, Jennifer Parsons kingshouseorientalrugs.com Champion, Shannon George, Pasha Moore, Judge Suzanne Childers, David Childers and Jeanie, Kaitlin and J.R. Faherty. More at the party were Phillip Brown, Diane Jones, Eric and Patty Vaughn, Jeff Anderson, Tina McGee, �� Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Dr. �� Hugh Cort, Laura Maharrey, �� Jim Whitehead, Patty, Sarah �� and Drake Aitken, Josh and �� Tanya Beck, Micah and Jennifer �� Christy, Casey and Andrea �� Fannin, Susan Todt, Ly and �� Mike Cleckler, Rev. Roosevelt �� Williams II, J. J. Bischoff and �� Charlie Bischoff. Other guests were Patrick �� Bradford, Lisa McNair, Marc �� Stalker, Omar and Kira Fraser, �� Tom and Margie George, Peg �� McCain, Twig Graham, Don �� Bemonowski, the Mickle family �� (Al, Karen, Trevor and Truly), �� Rev. Kevin J. Bazzel, Bob and Jennifer Ross, Melissa Hardin, Sam Villashaw, Leo Neil, Sara Taylor, the Mathews family (James, Erin, Emma and Taylor), John and Amy DeMarco, Judge Dorothea Batiste, Danny and Mur Feldman, Sophia Lal and Travis Self.

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Arthur Fix, Kent Howard, Doris Wilkerson, Jerry L. Pulliam, Jr., Steve E. Martin, Vicky M. Brandy, Debbie Pitts, Kevin and Jackie Hughins, Russell Mawn, Shawn Freeman, Judge Teresa T. Pulliam, Harold and Debbie Mathews, Jerry Boohaker, John and Linda Whatley, Rosemary Fisk, Howard Walthall, Dustin and Susan Kurre, Greg and Kelly Neil and family, Heidi Kimer and Michael Morrison.

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Five Poinsettia

�� Debutantes were �� honored at the ... �� Poinsettias in Bloom party at �� Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market in late November. �� Honorees were Mary Coston Maggie Elliott, Avery ��Colquett, Gwaltney, Glendenning Johnston �� and Alex Kingsford. The debs learned the art of flower arranging and then made �� rose topiaries to take home. Guests �� enjoyed refreshments on a festive �� tablescape. �� The young women were presented at the Poinsettia Ball

Hosting the Sprig O’Holly’s January Meeting were from left: Anne Michaels, Betty Weeks, Elaine Wood and Joan Hinkle.

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Dec. 28. Hostesses of Poinsettias in Bloom were Jeannie Colquett, Vickie Elliott, Catherine Nixon, Lee Johnston and Linda Kingsford.

Members of Sprig O’Holly Garden ...

Club heard Fred Spicer, executive director of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, speak on expansion plans for the gardens at the group’s Jan. 17 meeting and luncheon at The Club. Spicer has served for more than 25 years as a public garden administrator, landscape architect and nurseryman.Co-hostesses for the meeting were Faye Dick, Barbara Randle and Janis Zeanah. The garden club’s Christmas luncheon was Dec. 11 at

Birmingham Country Club. Joan Hinkle, Anne Michaels, Betty Weeks and Elaine Wood planned the event. At the annual holiday gathering were members Jean Beatty, Virginia Chappelle, Martha Chism, Kay Davidson, Faye Dick, Lovie Dixon, Sarah Dodd, Marilyn Gross, Faye Hallman, Tallulah Hargrove, Fay Hart, Barbara Hawkins, Joan Hinkle, Nancy Jones, Jan McElroy, Anne Michaels, Betty Nunis, Adrienne O’Brien, Barbara Randle, Helen Smalley, Blanche Thomason, Betty Weeks, Elaine Wood and Janis Zeanah. Dr. H. L. (Lindy) Martin, a guest and associate at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, gave the invocation and remarks on the meaning of the season. ❖

At a “Poinsettias in Bloom” party for debutantes were, from left: Sally Hughey, Caroline Dixon, Ally Scofield and Meg Cole.

Photo special to the Journal

Drs. Phillips, Todd & Taylor, Orthodontics hosted their 15th annual skate party to express appreciation to and spend time with their patients. Families and friends were invited for pizza, cake, skate races and prizes. Photo special to the Journal

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The Assistance League of Birmingham ...

of collecting funds for Toys for Tots in a unique way. In 1997, the club began its Pigskin Prognosticator Award, with members contributing money that allowed them to pick the winners of 10 college games each week. Weekly winners were recognized, and the top picker at the end of the season was awarded the club’s “Heisman” trophy. The funds contributed have been used annually to purchase new toys presented at a Christmas party to the Marine unit in Bessemer. The unit coordinates the local distribution of toys. Members also bring new toys for the drive. Club members have contributed more than $16,000 toward the purchase of toys. For the past several years, club member Lindy Davis of Lindy’s sports magazine has coordinated the contest through his website. Rotary is the largest civic club in the world. Hoover Rotary members are businessmen and women in the Over the Mountain area. For more information about membership, contact club president Ryan Nelson at rnelson@nelsonandco. com or Larry Sparks at clsparklaw@gmail.com.

December. Tallulah Hargrove was elected to membership in November. Carolyn Satterfield hosted the programs and Chaplain Ruth Jensen gave the invocations. Coming up in the New Year, 13 dancers representing seven states in a variety of dance styles from jazz to classical ballet will compete in NSAL’s Birmingham Chapter Dance Choreography Competition Jan. 29 at the BJCC at 7:30 p.m., the winner to compete for a $10,000 first prize at the NSAL National Conference to be held in Birmingham May 17-21. Tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800745-3000, the BJCC Ticket Office at www.bjcc.org, The Alabama

Dance Council at www.alabamadancecouncil.org/, or NSAL at www.arts-nsal.org/. Among those attending the December luncheon meeting were: Mildred Allen-Taub, Edie Barnes, Edith Bauman,

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Walt Hughes, left, and Ryan Nelson, far right, presented Toys for Tots donations to Marines on behalf of the Hoover Rotary Club.

The Birmingham Chapter of the National Society ...

of Arts and Letters holiday season opened Nov. 17, 2010, at The Country Club of Birmingham. NSAL is a national organization founded to assist and encourage young artists through a variety of competitions, scholarships and career opportunities. President Margie Denton presided over the November and December programs, which featured talks and readings by authors introduced by NSAL Vice-President and Program Chair Mildred AllenTaub.

Left, at a National Society of Arts and Letters event were Dr. William C. Carter, Marcel Proust authority, with Mildred Allen-Taub, NSAL vice president and program chairman, and right, author Gin Phillips with Allen-Taub. Photo special to the Journal

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Celebrating 35 Years in Business

Photo special to the Journal

World-renowned Marcel �� Proust authority Dr. William C. Carter gave a talk at November’s �� luncheon program entitled “Proust: The Revealing Smile of �� 619 Montgomery Highway Vestavia Hills • 979-5611 Art,” which highlighted aspects �� of the author’s one-and-a-half jewelsbyrose.net �� million word work, “In Search of Lost Time.” Distinguished Professor Emeritus of French at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Dr. Carter is the editor of “The Memoirs of Ernest A. Forssgren, Proust’s Swedish �� Valet”, and author of the defini�� tive biography “Marcel Proust: A � �� Life,” New York Times Notable �� Book for 2000. NSAL’s Dec. 15 program �� featured fiction writer Gin �� Phillips, author of “The Well and the Mine,” her acclaimed �� debut novel published by Penguin with an introduction by Fannie �� Flagg, and the 2009 winner of the Barnes and Nobel Discover �� Award for fiction. Ms. Phillips �� discussed the writing and publish�� ing process and read from her �� book set in the 1930’s mining town of Carbon Hill. A resident of Birmingham and a BirminghamSouthern College graduate, Ms. Phillips is a native of Because when you organize Montgomery. Her second novel, your home, you simplify your life. “Ghosts Underground”, also by Penguin, will be out in the spring CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION of 2012. Roses from Jane Hinds’ 800.448.1915 | californiaclosets.com garden set the holiday tone for Showroom: 709 3rd Avenue N., Birmingham November’s luncheon program, and Danette Ledbettter’s silver centerpieces added sparkle in

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The Hoover Rotary Club continued its 13-year tradition ..

At the Assistance League’s December meeting and luncheon were, from left: president Margo Niewodowski, Mary Ann Wade, Molly Bee Bloetscher, Harriet Rejonis and Frances Owens. Photo special to the Journal

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 13

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held its Christmas meeting and luncheon Dec. 15 at Inverness Country Club. President Margo Niewodowski welcomed guests and thanked Char Bonsack for hosting the meeting. Karen Baker introduced Frances Owens, charter member, past president and current advisory committee member, who gave a history of Assistance League of Birmingham from 1976 to the present.

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string carrots. For dessert there was a fruit sushi, almond cookies and green tea creme brulee. Table centerpieces were alternately set with tall cylinder

vases layered with sand, river rock, money trees and square black cubes with dendrobriums and moss. ❖

The Vestavia Ladies Golf Association ...

and the Vestavia Country Club on Nov. 12 hosted the third annual Golf Ball honoring the lady club champions from the Birmingham area member clubs of the LBGA. More than 100 guests celebrated with the champions with cocktails, dinner and dancing to music by Tony Marino and the Checkmates. Those honored champions present were Gayle Palmer, Vestavia Country Club; Tatum Jackson, Pine Tree Country Club; Beverly Lance, Old Overton Country Club; Cathy Guy, Limestone Springs Country Club; Marie Roberts, Timberline Country Club; Gale Melton, Hoover Country Club; Jaycylyn Nail, Grayson Valley Country Club; Sandra Smith, Altadena Country Club; and Lori Evans, Inverness Country Club. The oriental theme was complemented by a dinner of Asian greens and Mandarin oranges, miso glazed filet mignon and sesame crusted chicken breast with sweet soy glaze over wasabi mashed potatoes, snow peas, shitake mushrooms and shoe-

Those honored at the Vestvia Ladies Golf Association Golf Ball were from left: Gayle Palmer, Vestavia Country Club; Tatum Jackson, Pine Tree Country Club; Beverly Lance, Old Overton Country Club; Cathy Guy, Limestone Springs Country Club; Marie Roberts, Timberline Country Club; Gale Melton, Hoover Country Club; Jaycylyn Nail, Grayson Valley Country Club; Sandra Smith, Altadena Country Club; and Lori Eans, Inverness Country Club.

Left, Jaycylyn and Chris Nail enjoy a dance at the Vestavia Ladies Golf Association’s Golf Ball. Right, Tatum Jackson and Mike Murphy were also among those at the 2010 Golf Ball. Photos special to the Journal

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 15

Trimming the Greystone Ladies Club’s Christmas tree for the Children’s Hospital auction were, from left, front: Carolyn Haynes, Therese Haselden, Mary Rankin and Brenda Sheehan. Back: Renee Newfield, Molly Trueb, Sue Nuby, Ann Layne, Pat Yost, Margarita Clements and Heather Strauss. Photo special to the Journal

Greystone Ladies Club celebrated an annual ...

tradition by decorating a tree for the Children’s Hospital Illuminations Christmas tree auction. Club member Ann Layne led the volunteers’ efforts, and the GLC tree was chosen by a Golden Ornament Sponsor again this year. Hare, Wynn, Newell and Newton, LLP selected the club’s tree for a $3,000 donation to Children’s Hospital. The tree’s setting was a snowy village corner with a gaslight lamppost and family of carolers. Burgundy, light green and glitter-covered ornaments, stems and berries adorned the tree to complete the holiday vignette. Other volunteers from the Greystone Ladies Club included president Sue Nuby, Margarita Clements, Carolyn Haynes, Therese Haselden, Renee Newfield, Mary Rankin, Brenda Sheehan, Heather Strauss, Molly Trueb and Pat Yost. Another yearly GLC tradition is to sponsor children from the Shelby County Department of Human Resources. All children on the list were sponsored again this year due to the generosity of club members. This project was led by Pat Daughety, Margaret Jackson, Louise Mango and Pat Yost. Each year in December, GLC members gather for a festive holiday coffee. Some 100 attended this year’s event at the Legacy home of Deborah and Butch Flatt.

Members of the Lily of the Cahaba ...

chapter attended a recent meeting of the Hoover City Council for the reading of a proclamation recognizing November as American Indian Heritage Month. Gary Ivey, council president, signed the proclamation. From the Lily of the Cahaba chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution were regent Marlene Lawley, Pat Campbell, Mimi Akers, Sandra Beaver and Shelby Bailey, American Indian chairman. ❖

Presenting the proclamation were, from left: Hoover City Council member Jack Wright and DAR Lily of the Cahaba chapter members Regent Marlene Lawley, Shelby Bailey, Mimi Akers and Patricia Campbell.

Photo special to the Journal

Save the Date March 5th, 2011

24th Annual

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Adams-Hill

Mr. and Mrs. Donelson Ross Adams of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth Evins

Adams, to Mr. Jeffrey Craig Hill. Mr. Hill is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Craig Hill of Gadsden. Miss Adams is the grand-

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daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Andrew Adams Jr. of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Cowan Evins of Birmingham. She graduated from Saint Timothy’s School in Stevenson, Md. She received a bachelor’s degree from Millsaps College, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Miss Adams was presented at the Ball of Roses, Heritage Ball and Redstone Club Ball. She is a member of the Birmingham Ballet Guild. Mr. Hill is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Hill of San Antonio, Texas, and the late Janice Nixon Dickson and Mr. B.J. Dickson of Talpa, Texas. He graduated from Gadsden High School and Auburn University with a degree in building science. Miss Adams is employed as a paralegal, and Mr. Hill is an estimator for Hoar Construction Co. in Birmingham. The wedding is planned for Feb. 19.

Jr. of Marianna, Ark. She is a 2006 graduate of Mountain Brook High School. She graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 2010 with a degree in studio art and was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She is the gallery director for Tinney Contemporary Art Gallery in Nashville, Tenn. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Eddie Vee Graham and the late Mr. Willie Graham of Sumrall, Miss., and Mrs. Alice Wilson and the late Mr. Thomas Clarence Wilson of Hattiesburg. He is a 2004 graduate of Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg. He graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 2008 with a degree in economics and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He is employed as a loan officer/relationship manager for INSBANK in Nashville. The wedding is planned for March 5 in Birmingham.

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Hays-Wilson

Doctors Clare and William Hays of Birmingham announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Sarah Christine, to Mr. Blake Joseph Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Wilson of Hattiesburg, Miss. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Rosemary Inlow and the late Mr. Roland Inlow of McLean, Va., and the late Dr. and Mrs. William Hays

Dahl-Denney

a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Dr. Denney is the grandson of the late Mrs. Sonia Lazarus and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Lazarus of Vestavia Hills and Dr. and Mrs. Calvin Denney of Dothan. He is a 2000 graduate of Mountain Brook High School, a 2004 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia and a 2008 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine. The bride is an ophthalmology resident at UAB. The groom is a general surgery resident at UAB. The wedding is planned for May.

Battle-Brown

University and a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She is employed with Children’s Health System of Alabama. Mr. Brown is the grandson of Ms. Jeannie Brown of Vestavia Hills and the late Mr. Charles Brown of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. George Kirsten of Birmingham and Mrs. Layla Moustapha and the late Dr. Ismail Moustapha of Hoover He is a graduate of Auburn University and is employed at Tubular Products Co. The wedding is planned for March 5.

Brady-Wall

Alabama and is a member of Kappa Delta sorority. The groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Coy Wall of Atlanta and Mrs. Helen Neal and the late Mr. Lawrence Basil Neal of Atlanta. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The bride is employed at Coastal Bank and Trust, and the groom is employed with CPSI. The wedding is planned for Feb. 12.

Mr. and Mrs. Al Cox of Montgomery and Mr. and Mrs. James Dahl of Pike Road announce the engagement of their daughter, Dr. Ashley Lynn Dahl, to Dr. Brad David Denney, son of Dr. and Dr. David Denney of Mountain Brook. Dr. Dahl is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Hanly Funderburk of Montgomery and the late Mr. and Mrs. Frits Dahl of Dothan. She is a 2000 graduate of St. James School, a 2004 summa cum laude graduate of Clemson University and a 2008 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She is Mr. Joe Battle Jr. of Vestavia Hills announces the engagement of his daughter, Amy Patricia, daughter of the late Mrs. Myra Battle, to Stephen Matthew Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Brown of Vestavia Hills and the late Ms. Alice Brown of Mountain Brook. Miss Battle is the granddaughter of Mrs. Myra Jackson of Homewood and the late Mr. George Jackson and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe Battle Sr. of Hoover. She is a graduate of Auburn Mr. and Mrs. John David Brady Jr. of Mobile announce the engagement of their daughter, Charlotte Carrington, to Kyle Lawrence Wall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Ralph Wall of Mountain Brook. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Chesley Bowman of Montgomery and Mrs. John David Brady Sr. and the late Mr. Brady of Mobile. She is a graduate of the University of

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 17

The Gribbins’ dining room, like most of their Edgewood home, is decorated with natural colors. The antique table was given to the family from Ann Blair’s mother. Journal photos by Emil Wald

A Family Affair Relatives pitch in to help couple transform charming Edgewood cottage

BY LAURA MCALISTER JOURNAL EDITOR

nn Blair and Joe Gribbin may spend much of their time chasing around 2-yearold twins, but that doesn’t mean their home decor is all Dora and dolls. The couple moved into their Edgewood home almost three years ago. When they found out they were expecting more photos at twins, they decided to leave Dallas and move back home to be closer to their families. “We’re both from here,” Ann Blair said. “When we started looking around, we knew we loved the Homewood area.” Their Edgewood home is the young couple’s second. Ann Blair wanted it to be child-friendly but also reflect her style and taste. Thanks to the help of family and friends, she and Joe, along with their girls, Lulu and Ellie, have created just that in their home. Starting with the outside, the Gribbin home is warm and inviting. It’s a 1930s cottage with light blue shake siding. “It’s just kind of charming,” Ann

OTMJ.COM

Blair said. “It’s not a huge house, but it works for us.” The two-story, three-bedroom house did require some work before moving in, but it was minimal, according to Ann Blair. They resurfaced the walls, replacing wood paneling with a smooth surface and neutral paint. Their biggest project was knocking out a wall that separated the living room and den and adding an arched entryway there. Once those projects were complete, Ann Blair relied on her mother’s good taste and her father-in-law’s carpentry skills to transform the house into their home. “I’ve surrounded myself with a lot of resourceful people,” she joked. Ann Blair’s mother, Ann Holloway, works at Tricia’s Treasures, an antique furniture store in Homewood, and she’s also known for her home decorating know-how. “My mom is just really great,” Ann Blair said. “She’s really helped me. I always tell her she should have been an interior decorator or an architect. Just about everything in here is from her or Tricia’s Treasures. It’s one of my favorite places.” Joe and Ann Blair moved to their Edgewood home from Dallas The front door of the Gribbin home almost three years ago. After finding out they were going to have opens up to the living room. As in the twins, they wanted to be closer to family, Ann Blair said. rest of the house, the colors are neutral

18 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

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“My mom is just really great. She’s really helped me. I always tell her she should have been an interior decorator or an architect.” – Ann Blair Gribbin

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Ann Blair’s mother and Joe’s father helped out in the nursery for twin girls Ellie and Lulu. The drapes came from Tuesday Morning and Ann Blair’s mother made them into a bed skirt for the cribs. Joe’s father topped the antique chest with a diaper changer he built. He also built shelves in the girls’ playroom, right, to store their many toys. Ann Blair said eventually she plans to turn the upstairs of the house into a playroom and bedroom for the twins. The sophisticated look of the nursery will easily transform into a guest bedroom.

Family Affair

continued from page 17

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and earth tones, which pair nicely with the antiques. “I prefer antiques,” Ann Blair said. “I’m not real into modern.” In the living room are two slipper chairs with reds and browns along with a beige oversized couch with red accent pillows. To keep with the natural feel of the room, she had a sea grass rug cut for the space; it sits atop the original hardwood floors. Ann Blair’s favorite area in the living room is the bay window, which has a built-in bench and custom-made cushion to make for a relaxing getaway. Across from the living room is the family’s formal dining room. The antique wooden table and buffet were given to the couple by Ann Blair’s mother. The dining room rug, which

OVER THE MOUNT MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

has a needlepoint floral design, came from Tricia’s, as did the framed dried leaves decorating the walls. With two small girls, though, formal dining typically isn’t an option. A small sunroom located off their kitchen has been transformed into a dining area for their toddlers. The rooms in which the Gribbins spend most of their time are the playroom and den. That’s where Ann Blair’s fatherin-law Joe Gribbin’s carpentry skills really came in handy. Recently, he added storage cabinets to the playroom, which opens up to the den, where he built an entertainment center that sits on top of a black and red distressed chest. “He just made a top to put on it to hide all the cable boxes,” said Ann Blair of her father’sin-law handiwork. “And in the playroom he built the shelves. They’ve all got baskets that you can pull out to store toys.” Ann Blair had a sea grass rug cut for the den as well and used some of her own decorating skills on the walls. “We found these old shutters that were going to be thrown away,” she said. “We fixed them up and hung them on the wall, and over the couch we have an old tobacco basket.” Although the couple has two small girls, they’ve been able to contain the pink and most of the toys to the playroom. Even the nursery shows Ann Blair’s love of antiques and sophisticated style. A pinpoint floral rug similar to the one in the dining room covers the floor, and the same yellow and chocolate brown taffeta draperies that frame the windows also are used as bedding for Lulu and Ellie’s wrought iron cribs. “I actually got the drapes at Tuesday Morning,” Ann Blair said. “My mom made a dust skirt for the cribs with them.” Ann Blair’s father-in-law also pitched in to help complete the nursery by building a diaper changer that sits atop an antique chest in the room. “The best part about this room is, I can use it again,” Ann Blair said. When the twins are older, the couple plans to remodel the upstairs of the house, now used for storage, for a bedroom and playroom for their girls. The nursery will become a guest bedroom. “I really won’t have to change anything,” Ann Blair said. “All I’ll have to do is take out the cribs and put in a bed, and we have a guest bedroom.” Though their Edgewood cottage is small and cozy, the family has plenty of room left to grow in it, and Ann Blair said that’s just what they plan to do. ❖

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 19

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Above, slipper chairs in earthy reds and browns pair nicely with the sea grass rug Ann Blair had cut for the living room. Below, she used an old tobacco basket and shutters the couple found to decorate the den where Ann Blair and Joe spend most their time.

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SCHOOLS

Simmons Raises Funds for St. Jude

that featured recitations of poems from the Poetry Out Loud anthology. Both students earned spots in the state Poetry Out Loud competition in Montgomery Feb. 21 and will have their original poems published in a chapbook produced by Slash Pine Press. Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Three poems by ISS junior Emily Cutler of Hoover were accepted for publication in the fall 2010 issue of the Minetta Review, New York University’s literary magazine.

Simmons Middle School students raised $2,637.09 for St. Jude Research Hospital, their eighth year to host the event. Money was raised in memory of Tera Morris, a former SMS student. St. Jude is a world leader in the fight against diseases such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell anemia. During September and October, Simmons sixth graders did extra math problems by participating in the St. Jude Math-a-thon. Sixth grade teachers who sponsor the yearly fundraiser are Kerri Davis, Lisi Hepp, Lee Ann Nelson and Phyllis Scott. Simmons Middle School students helping to raise money for St. Jude Research Hospital were, from left, front: Alex Shamsul, Shaylynn Walsh, Laura Ethridge, Daniel Johnson and Casey Gilliland. Back: Kathryn Free, Annie Medders, Chandler Raybon, Tucker Hill and Cameron Rollins. Photo special to the Journal professionals. Winning entries will be featured in a Jan. 31 showcase at Mountain Brook High School’s Fine Arts Facility. The public is welcome. This years sponsors of Art Forms are Amano, Great American Cookies, and Sally Bergquist of Realty South. For more information, entry forms and guidelines, visit www. mtnbrook.k12.al.us/mbjh.

Mountain Brook Junior High ninth grader Olivia Burton was this year’s Art Forms logo contest winner with “Putting the ‘Art’ in Spartan.” Photo special to the Journal

‘Art Forms’ Includes Contest, Showcase

Olivia Burton was this year’s logo contest winner at Art Forms, a celebration of the arts at Mountain Brook Junior High School. The ninth grader’s entry was “Putting the ‘Art’ in Spartan!!” Students enter in categories of visual, literary and performing arts. All categories are judged by

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

DeLano Receives Curriculum Award

The Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD) named Vestavia’s Dr. Karen T. DeLano its 2010 Outstanding Curriculum Leader for the state. DeLano has served as the assistant superintendent for Vestavia Hills city schools since 2000. Given at AASCD’s recent state conference in Florence, the award honors DeLano for her achievement as a catalyst for her district’s prioritization of a rigorous curriculum framework. DeLano earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Auburn University. She has

Dr. Karen DeLano, left, with Dr. Jamie Blair of Vestavia Hills city schools, received the Outstanding Curriculum Leader Award at the AASCD conference. Photo special to the Journal

worked as a teacher in elementary classrooms, served as curriculum coordinator for Elmore County schools and was principal of Shades Cahaba Elementary. DeLano is an adjunct professor of educational leadership at Samford University. She serves on the Leadership Advisory Council for the University of Montevallo. DeLano supervises eight Vestavia schools and more than 500 teachers.

ISS Students Win Poetry Prizes

Three Indian Springs School students have been honored for their accomplishments in poetry. ISS sophomores Benjamin Kitchens of Indian Springs and Alice Marson of Mountain Brook won honors at the Alabama Emily Cutler regional finals of the national Poetry Out Loud Competition Dec. 7 at the Bama Theater in Tuscaloosa. Marson’s recitation of her poem Benjamin Kitchens “To Rosie” earned first place in the category featuring original poem recitations. Kitchens placed third overall in the category Alice Marson

OLV Olympiad Teams Win at Shades Valley

The Our Lady of the Valley Science Olympiad teams won honors at the Shades Valley Invitational Dec. 4. In a field of 18 teams, OLV team 1 won second place. OLV team 2 took fourth place and OLV team 3 won fifth place. OLV was the top finishing team from the state. Led by OLV science teacher and Science Olympiad coach Ann Stevens, the teams won 26 first-third place event medals, and many other students had top 10 finishes. Several medals were awarded to first-time participants. OLV’s teams were made up of 70 students in fifth through eighth grades, with returning ninth graders Josh Gancayco, Brianna Brickner and Sarah Webster. Two fourth graders also participated in the invitational. Students receiving medals included: • Anatomy: Elizabeth Matta and Maria Stamba, second; Chris Arora and Maggie Hagelskamp, third. • Awesome Aquifers: Noah Smith and Ashleigh Keelin, first; John Ruppert and Amber Issis, second. • Can’t Judge a Powder: Mick Hagelskamp and Josh Gancayco, first. • Compute This: A.J. Keelin and Jack McGuire, third. • Crime Busters: Mick Hagelskamp and Josh Gancayco, first; Adison Wellborn and Emma Harchelroad, second; Haley

Archer and Reagan Harris, third. • Disease Detectives: Marty McGuire and Jack Christensen, second; Maggie Hagelskamp and Breanna Brickner, third. • Dynamic Planet: Sara Sligh and Albert Dascher, third. • Ecology: John Ruppert and Amber Issis, first. • Experimental Design: Marty McGuire, Mick Hagelskamp and Abby Hagelskamp, first; Maggie Hagelskamp, Sarah Webster and Chris Arora, third. • Fossils: Joey Portante and Daniel Matos, first; Simon Webster and Sarah Webster, third. • Junkyard Challenge: Jake Herndon and Matthew Byers, third. • Meteorology: Breanna Brickner and Juan Jose Campos, second. • Microbe Mission: John Ruppert and Marty McGuire, third. • Optics: John Ruppert and Jack Christensen, first. Taylor Yeatman and Elizabeth Matta, second. • Ornithology: Joseph Naro and Abby Hagelskamp, second. • Road Scholar: A. J. Keelin and Kevin Ambrose, second. • Solar System: Jack Christensen and Joseph Naro, first. • Storm the Castle: Cam McLean and JoJo Meineke, third.

LMP Students Celebrate Greek Day

Sixth grade students and teachers at Liberty Park Middle School recently participated in its annual Greek Day festivities. To prepare for this day, the language arts classes read the book “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan. They also created iMovies based on their favorite Greek god or goddess. In math classes, the students learned about surface area then recreated Greek temples such as Athena, Athena Nike and the Parthenon using cardboard, paper towel rolls and paint. On the day of the event, all teachers and students dressed as Greek gods and goddesses and the students presented their iMovies and temple creations to their parents. In the afternoon, the students learned more about Greek culture

Dressed as Greek gods and goddess for Liberty Park Middle School’s Greek Day were from left: Julia Freeman, Caleb Roberson, Clayton Bowden, George Hughes and Samantha Jesse. Photo special to the Journal

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 21

SCHOOLS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

HMS Scholars Bowl Team Takes Second

The Highlands Middle School Scholars Bowl team won second place in the Donoho School Middle School Invitational Quiz Bowl tournament Nov. 20. In the qualifying round, Highlands competed against five other teams in a round robin. The Highlands team won four of the matches to become the pool winner. Advancing to the championship game, Highlands came in second to Altamont. Team members are Wesley Madden, Johnny Baxley, Elizabeth Holland and Connor Walker.

Museum Exhibit Shows Vestavia Students’ Art

Birmingham Mayor William Bell congratulated Homewood High junior Brodie Martin, who won second place in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest. Brodie’s essay, chosen from entries written by students at 22 metro Birmingham high schools, earned her a $1,000 award. Photo special to the Journal by participating in different activities led by volunteer parents. The activities included sampling food, learning vocabulary, discussing architecture, viewing a slideshow, making an evil eye pendant and participating in Olympic style games.

Gwin Celebrates Veterans Day

Gwin Elementary invited friends and family of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard Nov. 10 to honor veterans at its annual Veterans Day program. Veterans received a standing ovation as they entered the gymnasium. They were escorted by flag bearers John Amundsen, Emma Burch, Bailey Vance, Madison Walker and Tyler Williams. Boy Scout Troop 93 posted the colors during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Principal Linda Joseph welcomed guests, and students from Robin McMahan’s and Tammy Propst’s unicycle club rode around the gym waving American flags to “Stars and Strips Forever.” Speaker Barbara Minor, who has grandchildren at Gwin, discussed the history of Veterans Day. The Gwin Ovation chorale group, led by choir director Carlee Means, performed songs. Students Jordan Montgomery and Tyler Waugh read Veterans Day essays. Each veteran was recognized for his or her service. The program ended with a

moment of silence followed by the song “Thank You, Soldiers.” Assistant principal Sandy Ritchey closed the program. Carlee Means planned and directed the event with help from enrichment teacher Traci Ingleright. Librarian Ginger Clark hosted the veterans in the library before the program. Art teacher Amy Alfano held a Veterans Day poster contest to decorate the hallway to the gym. Gwin’s PTO held a reception following the program for the invited veterans, family and students.

The Birmingham Museum of Art is displaying artwork by students of the Vestavia city school system through Feb. 13. Twenty-one students were recognized at a reception held at the museum’s Sonat Gallery Dec. 4. Schools participating in the exhibition include Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights, Vestavia Hills Elementary Central, Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Pizitz Middle School, Liberty Park Middle School and Vestavia Hills High School. Students whose works are on display are Hunter Acton, Anderson Liddle, Ryan Childers, Hinton Livings, Caitlin Crane, Lindsey Lockridge, Russell Dearing, Nelson Mills, Joseph Etterer, Anslee Palmer, Elana Golding, Emily Rutland, Gabirelle Gregory, Hannah Vinsant, Allie Hatchett, Amy Weng, Kristin Julian, Ameila Williams, Sukhman Kaur, Andrea Zhang, Shirley Zhang and third, fourth and fifth graders at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights.

Cherokee Bend Students Team Up to Support Make-A-Wish

At Gwin Elementary’s Veterans Day program are second grader Erin Lutomski with her grandfather Johnny Sperando, who served in the Air Force. Photo special to the Journal

Mountain Brook students did their part to make wishes come true for children suffering life threatening illnesses during the holiday season. Cherokee Bend School students Mac and Charles Abele, James Burkett, Campbell Doidge, Henry and James Huffham, Witt Lanier and Blake Pugh joined with kids from across the country writing letters to Santa Claus as part of the Macy’s “Believe” program raising awareness and money for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Showing off their second place scholars bowl trophy are Highlands students, from left: Elizabeth Holland, Johnny Baxley and Connor Walker. Not pictured is Wesley Madden. Photo special to the Journal For each letter mailed at Macy’s “Believe” mailboxes nationwide, the retailer contributes $1 to Make-A-Wish and will contribute up to $1 million.

Liberty Park Majorettes Take Top Honors

The Liberty Park Middle School majorettes placed first at the Twirltacular Extravaganza held recently at the school. Members of the LPMS

majorette team are seventh grader Maria Ritchey and eighth graders Bradley Copeland, Katie Henderson, Carolyn Lytle and Hannah Jane McCarty. Students ages 5 to 21 competed, with teams and individuals coming from as far south as New Orleans and as far north as Tennessee. Competitors could twirl in group events or individual events. The LPMS majorettes twirled as a group. LPMS teacher Shelly Munger is the team sponsor. ❖

Cherokee Bend students raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation were, front row, from left: Blake Pugh, Charles Abele and Witt Lanier and Henry Huffham; and back row, from left: James Burkett, James Huffham, Campbell Doidge and Mac Abele. Photo special to the Journal

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22 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

Patriots Use Strong Second Half To Defeat Spartans SPORTS

Homewood’s Jeremy Watson, 32, scores two points in the Pats win over Mountain Brook.

BY LEE DAVIS

Spartans’ scoring with 19 points. Taylor Harsh followed with 18. Homewood’s record rose to 19hen two teams ranked in 3 overall and 3-1 in Class 6A Area Class 6A’s top 10 face 12 play. Mountain Brook dropped one another, fans can to 19-4 overall and 3-3 in area competition. usually count on a close game. Spain Park, ranked number And when ninth-ranked eight in Class 6A, used a lay-up Mountain Brook hosted sixthranked Homewood Friday night, from Robby Prater in overtime to that’s exactly what the fans got – at give the Jaguars a hard-fought 5553 win over Vestavia Hills. Steven least for two and a half quarters. The Patriots broke open a 32- Lawson keyed Spain Park’s win 32 deadlock with a 16-2 run in the with 23 points, which included six third period to take a 72-61 win three-point baskets. ��seven �� The Jags rallied from a� over the Spartans. �� point deficit in the fourth quarter After falling behind, Mountain �� Brook battled back but never got to force the game into overtime. �� B.J. Houston led the Rebel scoring within six points of Homewood. David Walker paced the Patriots with 19 points. Spain Park moved its record to with 18 points, and Jeremy Watson 18-7 overall and 4-1 in Area 12 followed with 16. Nick Young chipped in 13. Marvin Whitt – play. Vestavia fell to 10-11 overall Homewood’s leading scorer – was and 0-5 in the area. �� Oak Mountain defeated Pelham held to just nine points. Mario Stramaglia topped the 39-36, thanks to Colton McGriff’s

JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Homewood’s Marvin Whitt, 10, drives past the Spartans’ Brooks McElveen, 44. More photos at otmj.com Journal photos by Pete Collins three-point basket with three seconds remaining in the game. Heath Quinn led Oak Mountain with 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Bert Seitz scored eight points and 10 rebounds. The Eagles raised their record to 12-9 overall and 3-1 in Class 6A Area 10 play. John Carroll Catholic used two free throws by Marcus Merriweather to earn a 54-52 win over Parkway Christian. Merriweather finished with 12 points. Chris Turk paced the Cavs with 24 points and nine rebounds. Shelby County defeated Briarwood 62-59. James Palmer led the losing cause with 21 points; Jason Laatsch added 16. Thompson upset Hoover 45-42. Sam Hutcheson led the Bucs with 10 points. Altamont overwhelmed Fultondale 68-46. Brindon Sutton paced the Knights with 18 points, and Shawn Tuteja chipped in 15. Altamont raised its record to 7-8 overall and 3-2 in Class 2A Area 10. In girls’ play, Mountain Brook handily defeated Homewood 7525. Mary Katherine Pinson and Grace Morrissette each scored 11 points for the Lady Spartans, while Annabelle Friedman contributed 10. Eden Williams led the Lady Patriots with 10 points. Mountain Brook ran its record to 19-3 overall, 6-0 in Class 6A Area 12. Cayman Crowder’s three-point basket with just six seconds remaining gave Vestavia a 54-52 win over Spain Park. Sharon Sanders led all scorers with 17 points. Crowder scored 11, and Caroline Langley scored 10. Carolyn Perry helped

the Lady Rebels’ cause with eight rebounds. Jessica Freeman led the Lady Jaguars with 14 points. Vestavia saw its record rise to 9-10 overall and 2-3 in Class 6A Area 12 play. Spain Park fell to 14-12 and 2-3 in Class 6A Area competition. Opening with 23 unanswered points, Hoover – ranked second in Class 6A – rolled to a 66-32 rout of Thompson. Breion Allen scored 16 points, while Chardonae Fuqua added 13 and Breigha Cochran contributed 10. The Lady Bucs ran their record to 22-2 overall, 4-0 in Area 10 games. Oak Mountain defeated Pelham 37-30 as Madison Pierce scored 13 points for the winning cause. Hannah Griffin added 11. The Lady Eagles improved their record to 16-5 overall and 3-1 in Class 6A Area 10. John Carroll Catholic easily defeated Parkway Christian 53-23.

Mario Stramaglia topped the Spartans’ scoring with 19 points. Alexis Willis led a balanced scoring attack with 12 points. Megan McCarrick and Holly Schneider each added 11, and Caitlin Just scored 10. John Carroll brought its record to 10-11 for the year. Briarwood saw its 17-game winning streak shattered in a 6351 loss to Shelby County. Cara Medders was the Lady Lions’ top scorer with 13 points. Anna Handlin added 11. Briarwood’s record dropped to 20-4 overall and 5-1 in Class 5A Area 8 action. In Saturday boys’ play, Vestavia defeated Hazel Green 66-50. William Truss topped the Rebels’ scoring with 16 points, and Frank Belcher added 15. B.J. Houston scored 11. The Hoover girls’ team suffered its third loss of the season, falling to Norcross of Georgia 49-44. Chardonae Fuqua paced the Lady Bucs with 15 points, and Breion Allen added 10.

Briarwood’s Foster Signs Baseball Scholarship

Briarwood Christian School senior catcher Harrison Foster signed a baseball scholarship recently to play with William Carey University in Hattisburg, Miss. With Harrison at the signing is Briarwood Christian Head Coach Steve Renfroe. Harrison will graduate in May and wants to study Communications. Harrison is the son of Rick and Mary Foster of Birmingham.

OTM Team, from back cover

Hoover’s Ryan Carter was chosen as the All-Over the Mountain team’s quarterback. He is joined in the backfield by running backs Justin McArthur of Hoover, Ameer Abdullah of Homewood, Georgie Salem of Vestavia Hills and Bradley Bostick of Oak Mountain. Joining Denson in the talented wide receiver corps are John McCrary of Mountain Brook, Zak Michael of Spain Park and Aaron Ernest of Homewood. No team can succeed without a great offensive line, and this year’s crop may be one of the best yet. The six linemen who qualified for the team are Blake Burks and Brandon Morgan of Hoover, Adam Trant of Mountain Brook, Nick Maxey of Briarwood, Justin Ivory of Vestavia Hills and Ben Tamburello of Spain Park. Ryan Raspino of Vestavia was

Caudle, from back cover

first national championship since 1957. “It’s just now starting to sink in,” said Caudle. “Everything is starting to settle down a little bit, but it’s been crazy ever since Monday (Jan. 10) night.” The triumphant ending of Caudle’s football career was appropriate for a young man who battled injuries and bad luck from the first time he arrived on the Plains. His teammate Cam Newton may have won the Heisman Trophy for being America’s best player, but if they gave an award for loyalty and perseverance, Caudle would win in a landslide. Caudle was one the South’s most highly recruited quarterbacks when he signed with Auburn in 2006. After being red-shirted in his first season, he played sparingly as a freshman, seeing action in only one game. As a sophomore, Caudle’s playing time increased slightly, as he played in two games. While disappointed with his first two seasons, Caudle never got discouraged. “Sure, I wanted to play more, but mainly I just wanted to do something to help the team win a championship,” he said. After the Tigers finished with a disappointing 5-7 record in 2008, Chizik, a former defensive coordinator at Auburn, returned to the campus as head coach after a brief stint at Iowa State. The new coach brought a new enthusiasm to the program, and Caudle saw the change as an opportunity for a fresh start. He played in five games and threw his first career touchdown pass in a 31-10 loss to LSU. Caudle also led Auburn to three touch-

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 • 23

SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

named as the placekicker. Raspino successfully converted on all 40 of his extra point attempts and connected on 11 field goals in 14 tries. Matthew Futuro of Briarwood won a spot on the team for his overall versatility. On defense, no less than eight linemen earned their way onto the squad. Chosen were Tyler Roberts and Michael Nysewander of Hoover, Jeffrey Milner and Maricuz Harper of Vestavia Hills, Emmanuel Cooper of Spain Park, Caleb Ward of Briarwood, Harrison Wright of Mountain Brook and Kameron Wood, John Carroll Catholic. The linebacker corps, as always, is outstanding. It includes Terreynce Glaze and Connor Eagan of Hoover, Miller Williams and Mel Wilcox of Mountain Brook, Alex Payne of Spain Park and Andy Whitcomb of Oak Mountain. Fielding a great secondary is a long-time Over the Mountain tradition, and this season is no down drives in a 63-31 rout of Furman. And, for the third consecutive year, he earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. As his senior season opened, Caudle was battling for the position of starting quarterback, before it became apparent that a transfer from a Texas junior college – Newton – was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime type athletic talent. Caudle again found himself down on the depth chart. But instead of pouting, he worked to become an outstanding holder for Byrum, who would go on to be one of Auburn’s all-time great kickers. Byrum made 17 of 22 field goal attempts in 2010 – including the national championship clincher against Oregon. He also connected on 72 of 73 extra point attempts, and Caudle was an indispensable part of the success. Caudle credits Chizik and his staff for the changes in attitude that took Auburn from a losing record to a national championship in a mere two years. “The new coaches came in here with confidence,” he explained. “They focused us in on the goal of winning a championship and taking Auburn to the top. It was special to be a part of it.” Caudle will graduate in May with a degree in building science and said he plans “to get out in the working world.” But at Auburn, he’ll be remembered not only as Wes Byrum’s holder but also as the quarterback who never

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Members of the 2010 All-Over the Mountain team from Hoover are, front row, from left: Preston Sanford, Connor Eagan, Montez Carlton, Teryence Glaze and Justin McArthur. Standing from left: Michael Nysewander, Brett Bowden, Tyler Roberts, Ryan Carter, Jaylon Denson and Blake Burks. Not pictured Brandon Morgan. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

exception. Earning spots in the defensive backfield are Montez Carlton, Preston Sanford and

Brett Bowden of Hoover, Devin Bowman of Briarwood, Michael Cowan of John Carroll Catholic

and Justin Carter of Spain Park. The punter is Michael Latham of John Carroll.

stopped believing in Auburn – and himself. “Yes, I had a lot of ups and downs, but things happen for a reason,” Caudle reflected. “Everything paid off at the end. In fact, it couldn’t have ended any better.” It surely couldn’t have. Neil Caudle proved himself as much more than a field goal holder. He proved himself aadwinner in footJoyLeague54 1/5/11 3:50 ball and life.

Patriots Hire Goodwin...

time Homewood has gone outside its system to hire a new football coach since Gerald Gann was brought in from Berry in 1979. When Gann left for Hoover in 1995, long-time assistant Bob Newton was elevated to the top spot. When Newton retired five years ago, assistant Dickey Wright was named head coach. Goodwin is replacing Wright, who retired late last year.

Homewood named Doug Goodwin as its new head football coach last week. Goodwin comes to Homewood from Russellville, where he posted an impressive four-year record of 46-9. Previously, he had served as head coach at Demopolis and led it to a championship in 2004. PMstate Page 1 Goodwin’s hire is the first

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

Sports

Patriots Use Strong Second Half to Defeat Spartans. See page 22

Berguson and Denson Lead 2010 All-OTM Football Team

BY LEE DAVIS

JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER

or the Hoover Bucs, the 2010 football season was almost perfect. Coach Josh Niblett’s squad won its first 14 games, mostly by lopsided margins, and reached the Class 6A championship game at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Hoover Express was derailed by Daphne in a close 7-6 verdict, but that hardly diminished the Bucs’ accomplishments. Their domination was apparent by the fact that 12 Hoover players, (see photo page 23) qualified for the 2010 All-Over the Mountain football team, which is conducted by an exclusive Over the Mountain Journal poll of the head football coaches of the eight schools that participate in Class 6A or Class 5A competition. In addition, Buccaneer wide receiver Jaylon Denson was named the 2010 Over the Mountain Player of the Year. Denson caught 63 passes for 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has already verbally committed to play college football at Auburn University. The coaches chose Spain Park’s Benjamin Berguson as the 2010 Coach of the Year. After Jaguar coach David Shores was put on administrative leave because of an alleged incident involving a player just prior to the season, Berguson was named interim head coach. Under his leadership, Spain Park rallied from an 0-2 start to finish 6-6 and earn a spot in the Class 6A playoffs. Along the way, the Jaguars scored impressive upsets of Homewood, Vestavia Hills and Tuscaloosa County. Despite the strong showing, Berguson was not named Spain Park’s permanent coach for 2011.

See OTM Team, page 23

Lee Davis

Winning Hold: Caudle’s Career Ends With National Title Members of the 2010 All-Over the Mountain offensive unit include, from left, first row: Ameer Abdullah, Homewood; Ryan Raspino, Vestavia Hills; Bradley Bostick, Oak Mountain; Georgie Salem, Vestavia Hills; John McCrary, Mountain Brook. Second row: Canon Smith, Briarwood; Ben Tamburello, Spain Park; Adam Trant, Mountain Brook; Aaron Ernest, Homewood; Justin Ivory, Vestavia Hills; Coach Ben Berguson, Spain Park. Not pictured: Matthew Furuto, Briarwood; Nick Maxey, Briarwood; and Zak Michael, Spain Park.

Members of the 2010 All-Over the Mountain defensive unit include, from left, front: Alex Payne, Spain Park; Michael Cowan, John Carroll Catholic; Walker Cox, Mountain Brook; Devin Bowman, Briarwood; Justin Carter, Spain Park. Second row: Andy Whitcomb, Oak Mountain; Jeffrey Milner, Vestavia Hills; Miller Williams, Mountain Brook; Charles Mel Wilcox, Mountain Brook; Caleb Ward, Briarwood. Third row: Maricuz Harper, Vestavia Hills; Kameron Wood, John Carroll Catholic; Harrison Wright, Mountain Brook; Emmanuel Cooper, Spain Park. Not pictured: Michael Latham, John Carroll Catholic and Walker Cox, Mountain Brook. Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

or Neil Caudle, his entire college football career was coming down to one play. His Auburn Tigers, playing Oregon for the national championship, had driven all the way to the Ducks’ one-yard line, with just enough time for a final snap of the ball. Tiger coach Gene Chizik sent in his field goal unit, which included Caudle. The former Spain Park quarterback would be holding for Wes Byrum’s kick that would determine whether the Tigers would win a national title or be forced into overtime. “We were very confident,” Caudle recalled, when contacted last week. “We had practiced it so many times. Really, it was just about like an extra point. “I had the easy part. The snap was perfect, all I had to do was put the ball down so Wes could kick it.” Byrum’s kick was perfect, and pandemonium broke out in Glendale, Arizona – and hundreds of miles away at a place called Toomer’s Corner. With a 22-19 win, Auburn had won its

See Caudle, page 23

There’s more to see at otmj.com