INSIDE
The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
JOU RNAL OTMJ.COM
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012
VOL. 21 #12 COTA Sporting Clays Fundraiser Shoot will be held in honor of Bryan Carr
ROLE REVERSAL
ABOUT TOWN PAGE 3
Fatherʼs Day Gift Guide
PAGE 12
Night of Hope benefits JDRF
SOCIAL PAGE 14
Quenta and Al Pollard goof off for a family photo with their triplets, William, Addison and Jackson. Al is a stay-at-home dad to the triplets while Quenta Photo courtesy Heather Swanner Photography works full time.
For Al Pollard being a Stay-at-Home Dad Is a Triple Treat BY LAURA MCALISTER
A
JOURNAL EDITOR
l Pollard considers himself a workaholic, and it’s a good thing. His job requires him to work seven days a week and to be ready for just about anything 24 hours a day. Al is a stay-at-home dad of 5-year-old triplets Jackson, Addison and William. His wife works full time as a business manager for a local company. While it wasn’t exactly the career path Al planned, he said it is the one he’s now chosen. And after three years at home with his triplets, he wouldn’t have it any other way. Believe it or not, neither would his wife, Quenta. “I think it’s wonderful because both of us have a great appreciation for what the other
Featuring Fathers
Sue Murphy on the Fab Four for Father’s Day, page 2 ADA honors two of the area’s special dads, page 10
does,” Quenta said. “I’m not saying this is the best way for everyone, but it’s the best way for us. It works really well for us.” Al worked in college recruiting with various companies when the couple lived in Seattle and later Dallas. When his wife’s job moved her to Birmingham, Al quit his job. That’s when he started to think being a full-time dad might be worth a try.
“We decided to give it a shot, and if it didn’t work out I could always look for another job,” Al said. Three years later, he’s quite content in his current position, and he takes it very seriously – at least most of the time. He admits that sometimes you just have to laugh when things get tough or when children throw tantrums. In addition to caring for the triplets, as a stay-at-home dad it’s his responsibility to do the laundry, clean house, prepare meals and grocery shop – even during the evenings and on weekends, he said. “He really treats it like his job,” Quenta said. “In the evenings when I come home, I don’t have to do anything. He cooks dinner and cleans up afterwards. He does the launSee TRIPLE, page 11
Museum Ball spotlights ʻMasterpiecesʼ
SOCIAL PAGE 16
Festive farm reception
WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS PAGE 21
GUMBO GALA P. 4 • ZOO JR. BOARD HOSTS TAILS IN THE TRAILS P. 15 • MIDNIGHT BALL HONORS 138 P. 18 • WEDDING WORKS OF ART P. 21