09.10.2015

Otmj Thursday, September 10, 2015

over the mountain journal ❖ otmj.com

social

sports

celebrating the arts special issue

Conducting with

Culture Izcaray Begins His First Season as ASO Music Director Story by Emily Williams • Photos by Lee Walls Jr.

Carlos Izcaray didn’t set out to become a conductor. When he was 16 or so, he dreamed of being a hotelier in the Caribbean. Then he heard a recording of Yo-Yo Ma performing the “Elgar Concerto.”

“There was something there that clicked,” he said. That’s when he knew he wanted not just to play music, but to create musical experiences by conducting full orchestras.

He’s planned a series of such experiences that will unfold beginning Sept.18 and 19, when Izcaray takes the podium as the newly appointed music director for inside the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Children’s Theatre The ASO’s 2015-2016 season kicks has new artistic direcoff with Izcaray conducting his first tor 15 EBSCO Masterworks performance The Czernobil sisat the Alys Stephens Performing Arts ters sauté into a new Center. saison 14 The Venezuela-born musician did Gallery 1930 owner not take a direct path on his journey plans expansion, second studio 14 to find a passion for music, but he Fall arts calendar 18 said that growing up in a musically inclined family helped.

“My dad is a professional musician and educator, with a very good batting average when it comes to his pupils ending up in the music business both as

Carlos Izcaray will celebrate his first season as music director with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra by conducting the first EBSCO Masterworks performance of the 2015-16 ASO season Sept. 18-19.

See Izcaray, page 16

inside

Call to Duty Mountain Brook’s Tanner fought terror on two fronts.

About Town Page 8

Rolling in the Dough Bare Naked Noodles’ Linda Croley has a passion for pasta. food Page 26 Every Mile Counts Camp SAM goes to NYC Marathon. people Page 10

2 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

Opinion/Contents

new look online

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

murphy’s law

Big Good Wolf TV

We’re excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website.

With help from our friends at Walls Media, we are creating a more interactive and informative internet experience for our readers. We’re also developing a new site dedicated to bringing you more coverage of high school sports from our team of award-winning photographers.

Look for more details coming soon.

in this issue About Town 4 people 10 news 12 life 14 social 20

weddings 25 food 26 schools 28 Sports 32

On otmj.com

There’s so much happening in the Over the Mountain area, we can’t fit it all in the paper! Visit www.otmj.com for more stories and photos.

Farmer’s Market Finds

The fruits and veggies at farmers markets look so appealing that it seems positively churlish not to go home loaded down with bags of fresh stuff. But what to do with all the goodies after you plop them down on your kitchen counter?

Vestavia Hills native Ashley Tarver wields a deft spatula when it comes to recipes using seasonal produce. Check out “Farmers Market Finds,” her new column, on our website, www.otmj.com.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

J O U R N A L September 10, 2015

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Features Writer & Copy Editor Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Kaitlin Candelaria, Emily Williams Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch, Liz Ellaby Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Intern: Tyler Waldrep Vol. 25, No. 17

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. 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 2015 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.

Where to turn…literally? The politIt seems I owe you an apology. ical talk shows always disintegrate into Apparently, there are times when I shouting matches, the Golf Channel have been feeding the wrong wolf. follows Tiger Woods primarily to I knew I was feeding the birds see him disintegrate, and in the last (and inadvertently the squirrels Mickey Mouse cartoon I saw, a retro and chipmunks), but I didn’t know Mickey was hitting someone over the about the wolf until I went to see head with a mallet.

“Tomorrowland.” I didn’t go seekThese are not good wolves. ing such wisdom. I just wanted to see We say we want to be happy. We George Clooney, who, as far as I can included that in the Declaration of tell, is a good wolf.

Independence for goodness sakes, and The movie revolves around a paryet we feed ourselves all this schlocky able: “There are two wolves who are fear. Why? always fighting. One is darkness and Again, I’m not one to withhold despair. The other is light and hope. food from any animal, but it’s only a The question is which wolf wins?

Sue Murphy metaphoric wolf and I think Big Bad THE ONE YOU FEED.” has had enough already. We need to Now, I have never been one for feed our “you can do it” wolf, the denying food to any creature, but I one who at least sets out to make agree with the premise that, if we We say we want to be the world a better place. fill our minds with fearful, disparagI was encouraged to see that ing thoughts, it makes it difficult to happy. We included that the new fall TV lineup is bringing bring forth kindness and caring. in the Declaration of back the Muppets, so things may be I was still thinking about the Independence for good- improving already, but if the show wolves when I turned on the TV that night. Out of the 857 choices ness sakes, and yet we gets cancelled or if Fozzie starts Kermit over the head with a available to me at 7 p.m. (Harold feed ourselves all this hitting mallet, I’m striking out on my own: has opted for the Premium Ultra schlocky fear. Why? Big Good Wolf TV. Doesn’t that Deluxe Second-Mortgage Cable sound, I don’t know, encouraging?

Package), most were movies about It wouldn’t have to be sappy. I’m serial killers and police dramas not talking about 24 hours of pupwhere people just get killed one at pies licking the faces of laughing children, although a a time. little of that would be good, just stuff about real people The Food Channel, my safety standard, was airing a soufflé challenge where the contestants had to use three trying to do good things.

We could talk politics, sure, but how about we chaningredients and one of them was squid. Not only that, nel Will Rogers and spend our time gently pointing out but one poor guy apparently had lost last week’s chalthe absurdities on both sides of the ball? (We’re going lenge (cream puffs with mackerel) and had to whip up to need a really big ball this year.) his creation while straddling a tank of piranha. Maybe So, stay tuned. If Oprah can have her own network, I’m getting my shows mixed up, (I click over to Animal Planet from time to time) but it doesn’t matter if you’re I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t. My accountant might have a few concerns, but deep down, he’s a good cooking or singing or going through an obstacle course wolf, too, and he’ll come around. Big Good Wolf TV. on an island with a bunch of ill-groomed strangers, Thanks, George Clooney. ❖ mean-spirited is mean-spirited.

over the Mountain Views In honor of Grandparent’s Day on Sept. 13, we asked what’s your favorite part about being a grandmother?

“We love to cook. We make bread and morning glory muffins in the kitchen. We also like fashion designing with their dolls.”

Beth Clarke Hoover

“My grandchildren are older, so my favorite thing is to hear from them -- a text or a call makes my day!”

“I love picking them up from school -- they think it’s so much fun. We’ll go order a little hamburger and coke.”

June Pryor Cahaba Heights

Jackie Imbush North Shelby

“I’ve waited a long time for grandbabies. I love everything -- reading with them, seeing them, sitting with them, everything they do. I love every minute I get with them. They both have beautiful smiles.”

Sharon Bromberg Mountain Brook

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 3

opinion

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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4 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

About Town

Schoolhouse Rock

By Emily Williams

Crestline Rocks Returns for Sept. 26 Benefit

Photo by Mary Margaret Rogoff

PreSchool Partners will pump up the volume in Crestline Village on Sept. 26 for the third annual Crestline Rocks concert, presented by Regions Bank.

“It’s an event unlike any I’ve ever seen in Crestline,” said PreSchool Partners Director of Development Allene Neighbors. “There’s something for every age.”

Neighbors said that the first Crestline Rocks, three years ago, was a product of her collaboration with Will Haver of Otey’s and Taco Mama.

“A couple of years ago, (Haver) and I started talking about doing an event that’s unique to Crestline,” Neighbors said.

The collaboration resulted in an event that brought together 850 people for a concert in the middle of Church Street. Neighbors said it was an amazing night, but the cost to block off the street for an afternoon and night, along with concerns from Church Street’s small businesses, caused them to reconsider their plans for the next year.

“We had to tweak the model for the next year, just in relation to raising money for PreSchool Partners,” Neighbors said.

Last year, the event was moved to the grassy lawn in front of Emmet O’Neal Library, where it will be held this year. PreSchool Partners also added another fundraising element to the model, the vote-by-donation competition. Video submissions were posted online and the public could vote on their favorite band for $1. The number of votes – or donations – decided where each band would be placed in the concert line-up.

“We raised $14,000 just in the vote-by-donations category,” Neighbors said.

This year, the vote-by-donation took place from Sept. 1 to Sept. 8, and the lineup will be

‘It’s an event unlike any I’ve ever seen in Crestline.

There’s something for every age.’

Vulcan Park & Museum presents: ®

SEPT 20

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

announced Sept. 10. Two bands will have the opportunity to participate in the concert.

“This year, we had a hard time finding a date because of football season, so we chose a Sunday,” Neighbors said. “Not many bands want to go on stage on Sunday afternoon. Not many people want to stay out late on a Sunday night.”

To please the masses, Neighbors said, they happily shortened the event to five hours, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and picked the new Sept. 26 date.

Along with the two vote-by-donation winners, the line-up includes a performance by last year’s second-place winner, Hugh Row Thomas. Sarah Simmons of Mountain Brook and season four contestant on The Voice will wrap up the night.

Guests are invited to bring their blankets and coolers to the event, and hamburgers and hot dogs will be flipped on the grill courtesy of Otey’s. For the kids, there will be a variety of activities, including face painting and balloon twisting.

“Also, we’ve lowered the ticket price,” Neighbors said. “Tickets will now be $10 for ages 12 and up and $5 for 11 and under.”

Tickets can be purchased at The Pants Store in Crestline Village or online at www.preschoolpartners.org. Proceeds from ticket sales and voteby-donations benefit PreSchool Partners early learning programs. PreSchool Partners is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing innercity pre-schoolers and parents for Kindergarten.

“Ultimately it’s coming straight back to PreSchool Partners, which helps our entire program, which expands into other communities,” Neighbors said. “The reach is far greater than one event.”

For more information, visit the PreSchool Partners website or call 951-5151. ❖

Sept. 10 - 24 Sept. 10-11

motivate guests towards an active lifestyle. This event is free and will take place from 12:30-1 p.m. in Room 101. For more information, visit www. homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call Leslie West at 332-6620.

VESTAVIA HILLS

Whale of a Sale Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church This children’s consignment sale will take place in the Lighthouse gym from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 10 and 9 a.m.2 p.m. Sept. 11. Most items will be half-priced from 1-2 p.m. Sept. 11.

For more information, visit the Whale of a Sale Facebook page, www. whaleofasale.blogspot.com or email thewhaleofasale@gmail.com.

Langhorne Slim & The Law

presenting their latest album “The Spirit Moves”

OCT 11

Karl Denson’s Fantastic Fall Tour

fresh off the Rolling Stones “Zip Code Tour”

BIRMINGHAM

2015 Maestro’s Ball UAB’s Alys Stephens Center Kelley and C.T. Fitzpatrick host the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s annual ball benefiting the ASO’s artistic, educational and outreach programs.

A champagne reception will begin in the lobby at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. concert conducted by ASO Music Director Carlos Izcaray and an 8 p.m. dinner. For more information, contact Ashley Blomeyer at 314-6917.

Sept. 10-12 BIRMINGHAM

Oktoberfest 2015 Das Haus FDSK German Culture Club will present the 39th annual event celebrating authentic German cuisine, beer tastings, a dachshund parade and more. Admission is $10 for the live music events on Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Das Haus Facebook page, visit www. dashausbham.com or call 907-9499.

OCT 25

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HOMEWOOD

Getting Out of the Sedentary Homewood Library Certified group exercise instructor Lisa Eaker presents a program to

Thurs., Sept. 10 BIRMINGHAM

Glow for a Cure Highland Park Golf Course Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama hosts its fourth annual night golf tournament from 4:30-10 p.m. benefiting ACA’s research program.

The evening includes 18 holes of golf, range balls, dinner and awards.

Registration is $800 per foursome, $200 for single players and $25 for spectators. To register, call Vance Holder at 871-7970 or visit www. alzca.org. ❖

Sept. 11-12 NORTH SHELBY

Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale Asbury United Methodist Church Gently used children’s clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby furniture and more will be available for purchase Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Asbury UMC’s children’s programs and various mission groups. For more information, visit www.asburygigglesandgrace.com.

HOMEWOOD

Lil’ Lambs Fall Sale Trinity United Methodist Church This consignment sale will feature gently worn clothes, toys and furniture

from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 11 and from 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 12. Volunteers can shop early at the Preview Sale Sept.

10 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.trinitybirmingham.com or call 8791737.

MOUNTAIN BROOK

50th Birthday Celebration Emmet O’Neal Library The library will celebrate it’s golden anniversary beginning Sept. 11 with a Funikijam concert at 6 p.m. on the grassy lawn. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept.

12, cupcakes and lemonade will be available to all library guests. Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library will host fine arts broker John Jones at 9:30 a.m. To complete the day, Pulitzer prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will hold a reception and book-signing at 6 p.m.

The Goodwin event is sold out. For more information, visit www.eolib.org or call 879-0459.

Sun., Sept. 13 MOUNTAIN BROOK

ScreamFree Marriage Canterbury UMC New York Times best-seller Hal Runkel will give a presentation on strengthening the bond between couples at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Canterbury Center. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 per couple and can be purchased at www.canterburyumc. org or by calling 871-4695. To reserve childcare, contact Amanda Fuller at

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Amanda.Fuller@canterburyumc.org. hoover

Rosh HaShanah Beth Hallel The congregation of Beth Hallel will recognize Rosh HaShanah beginning with a playground re-opening dedication at 5:30 p.m. prior to a special service at 6 p.m. featuring guest cantor Greg Silverman. On Sept. 14, the synagogue will hold a special day service at 11:30 a.m. No tickets are required and child care will be provided for children ages 0-5. For more information, visit www. shalombirmingham.com or call 8222510.

Tues., Sept. 15 BIRMINGHAM

Harvest of Hope Luncheon Cahaba Grand Conference Center The ninth annual luncheon, benefitting Oak Mountain Missions Ministries will begin at 10 a.m. with a silent auction. The keynote speaker will be Pelham Mayor Gary W. Waters and Fox 6’s Janet Hall will be mistress of ceremonies. Music will be provided by the Wilson Hill Band. For more information, contact Dianne Cesario at 685-5757 or email oakmtnmissions@ yahoo.com.

HOMEWOOD

Job Search Tips Homewood Public Library Career counselor Jack Norris will

present a program which tackles topics such as resume building, interview skills, networking and more. The program is free. Reservations are encouraged. To register, visit www.homewoodlibrary.org or call 332-6600.

www.signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org or call 588-0509.

Fri., Sept. 19 BIRMINGHAM

See, about town, page 6

ZooGala

Wed., Sept. 16

The Birmingham Zoo The Zoo will host their annual fundraiser, sponsored by Iberia Bank, at 8 p.m. The event will include a dinner

by Kathy G. and Company and music

by Compozitionz. Tickets begin at $250 per couple. Guests must be 21 years

VESTAVIA HILLS

Coastermania Library in the Forest This month’s Studio 1221 DIY participants will take ceramic tiles and turn them into coasters with comics and images printed on them. Snacks will be served. This event is free and takes place in the Treehouse from 4-5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. vestavialibrary.org or call 978-0155.

Thurs., Sept. 17 BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Signature Chefs Auction Iron City The annual auction, presented by the March of Dimes Alabama Chapter, will showcase culinary masterpieces, wine samplings and an auction featuring Chef George one-of-a-kind McMillan packages from 6-9 Foodbar p.m. Participating restaurants include Ashley Mac’s, FoodBar, GianMarco’s, Primeaux and more. Tickets are $250 per person. For more information, visit

James harwell performing at

Moonlight on the Mountain Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 pm

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987-3516 Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax September 10th

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6 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

About Town

Christine’s Canterbury

on

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Zeal for Teal

Sixth Annual Head Over Teal Race to Include New 10K Feature

By Kaitlin Candelaria

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about town, From page 5

or older to attend. Tickets are available at www.birminghamzoo.com. For more information, contact Casey Blighton at cblighton@birminghamzoo.com or call 397-3861.

Sept. 18-19 MOUNTAIN BROOK

Sweet Repeats Mountain Brook Community Church This consignment sale will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 18 and 9 a.m.noon Sept. 19. Strollers are not allowed from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 18. Most items will be half-priced Sept. 19. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the church’s shortterm mission trips. For more information, visit the Sweet Repeats Facebook page, www.mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot.com or email mbcc.sweetrepeats@gmail. com.

Sept. 18-20 BIRMINGHAM

Orchid Show and Sale Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Alabama Orchid Society will hold its thirty-first show and sale in the auditorium of the BBG from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20. Sales are open every day and the show begins at noon Sept. 19

Laura Crandall Brown inspired more people in 25 years than many people do in a lifetime.

When Brown passed away in 2009 of ovarian cancer, her family and friends were so inspired by her journey that they founded the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation with the mission of providing funding for early detection research of ovarian cancer while raising awareness of the disease.

Brown’s cancer was discovered in 2008, while she was in the midst of planning her wedding. What at first seemed to be a minor inconvenience – a small surgery to remove what Brown thought was a common mass on her ovary – turned out to be a very serious and ultimately fatal form of cancer. However, Laura’s friends and family say she was brave and composed throughout her entire journey and consistently expressed the desire to help others in the same situation. Thus, the foundation was born.

According to the foundation’s website, there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer. Treatment for the disease can be very successful, with a 90 percent cure rate, but that’s only if it’s caught in time.

“Most patients are diagnosed in the later stages when the disease is more difficult to treat,” the website said.

“Through this foundation, we hope to successfully carry out Laura’s legacy by raising awareness and funding research, specifically in the area of early detection.”

The foundation has raised more than $100,000 for ovarian cancer research since 2010.

This year, the foundation will host its sixth annual Head Over Teal 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Sept. 12 at The Preserve in Hoover. A 10K also has been added for those seeking a more difficult challenge. At the event, people can enjoy beer, Little Caesars pizza and music along with inflatables, face painting and crafts. Parking is available at Prince of Peace Catholic School with a shuttle beginning at 6:45 a.m.

For more information or to register, vista www.thinkoflaura.org. ❖

and continues through Sept. 20. This event is free. For more information, visit the Alabama Orchid Society’s Facebook page or call 447-5285.

Sat., Sept. 19 Homewood

Monkey C Monkey 5K and Fun Run Homewood Park The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the fun run as well as other familyfriendly activities. This is a certified 5K and will include chip timing for $2.50 extra. For more information or to register, contact Savannah Lanier at savannah.lanier@campsam.org.

HOMEWOOD

The Neverland Pirates Homewood Public Library The library will celebrate “Talk Like a Pirate Day” with Tinkerbell and her pirate friends from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This event is free. For more information, visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6691.

HOOVER

Sebastian’s Annual Run/Walk Veteran’s Park This annual advocacy and fundraising event honors Sebestain Lemos, who lost his fight to a pediatric brain tumor in 2008 at the age of seven. This year’s theme is “Camo for a Cure” and there will be a prize for best dressed. A DJ will also be onsite as well as a photobooth.

For more information or to register, visit

www.sebastiansrunwalk.org.

Mon., Sept. 21 HOMEWOOD

Alabama Humanities Awards The Club This annual luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and features keynote speaker Andrew Freear, director of Rural Studio at Auburn University. Award winners include Pulitzer prize-winner Cynthia Tucker, Birmingham attorney James Noles Jr. and the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, visit www.alabamahumanities.org or call 558-3992.

Thurs., Sept. 24 VESTAVIA HILLS

Peter Kirchikov New Merkle Senior Citizens Center Peter Kirchikov will present an educational program regarding his current book project “Consensus May Be Good, But You Need to Have a Common Sense” from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

This event is free and will be followed by a reception. For more information, visit www.peterkirchikov.com or call 2535543. ❖

more about town at otmj.com

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 7

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Photo special to the Journal

Charlie’s Angels planning committee members (front, from left) Ranae Breen, Lynn Yeager and Lynn Samson. Back: Isa Dorsky, Susan Greene, Sarah Moseley and Anne Bishop.

touched me and I want to help. Some are survivors because of research.

Research is the key to improved treatment of cancer. At the Charlie’s Angels event, my husband, Tim, and I will honor my sister Kelly, who is a survivor. She has had thyroid and cervical cancer. We have also bought our table in memory of my mother-inlaw, who passed away in 1995 due to lung cancer.”

Ranae and Tim Breen live in Greystone. He is president and CEO of Motion Industries and she supports local charities and sings in her church choir. ❖

Fundraising Full-Throttle

In recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the Charlie’s Angels luncheon Sept. 25 will raise awareness for all cancers while raising funds for the creation of the Brittany Waldrep Endowed Lectureship for Gynecologic Cancer at UAB. “A dear friend of mine named Charlie lost a precious daughter to ovarian cancer when she was a recent Auburn graduate,” said event co-chair Dr. Anne Bishop. “This loss epitomizes to me why we must support cancer research – research in all kinds.”

The event will begin at 11 a.m. at The Club. Edie Hand will be the featured speaker, followed by a fashion show featuring clothing from Belk at The Summit and models from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Each individual who purchases a table or donates funds will become one of Charlie’s Angels. Those who purchase tables have the opportunity to honor loved ones whose lives have been altered or ended due to cancer or to thank a physician.

For more information about the event,visit www.nlovca.org/events/ charlies-angels-luncheon.

A few “Angels” talk about why they’ve joined Charlie’s cause:

“I imagine cancer touches everyone in some fashion, some more directly than others. Out of respect for family, friends and society, we must contribute any resource available – time, energy and money – to support a cure. I am grateful for those with the skill and knowledge to solve and assist those who are diagnosed with cancer, and that is why I am supporting this event.”

Shelby County Commission President Lindsey Allison lives in Indian Springs. She is helping to sponsor a table for Alabama Supreme Court Justice Patti Smith, whose mother, Norma Mungenast, passed away with cancer last year.

“Last year when I lost my brother Mike to lung cancer, I not only lost my brother, but I lost one of my best friends. He will be missed as long as I live, but I appreciate the care he received at UAB. Research, paid for by others before me, is the reason for the improvements in techniques and drugs he received in the treatment of a difficult cancer. I support research for future gains that will benefit the next generation. As someone I respect said, ‘We sit in the shade of trees planted by others.’ Charlie has been my friend for more than 40 years and I am honored to contribute to an endowed project for cancer research at UAB that will honor his daughter, who died with cancer shortly after graduating from Auburn.”

Brad Bishop is the municipal judge of Hoover and professor of law at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

“As a stage 4 ovarian cancer survivor for 11½ years, I know firsthand the value of supporting cancer research to extend lives. Every dollar that I donate to research may be the dollar that secures a future world without the devastating effects of cancer for my children and grandchildren. This endowment is a unique opportunity for me to honor friends touched by cancer while funding a think-tank of national and international luminaries to share worldwide advances in cancer research right here in our community. Charlie’s Angels are friends, all touched by cancer, who are raising money for cancer research right here in our community and raising awareness of what those monies will be doing. We want to make a difference – in our lifetime, in our community, in our state.”

Sarah Moseley is a resident of Hoover and an ardent supporter of causes that help people in the Birmingham community.

“I am seeing more and more people having cancer. It’s not just family, but also friends. Their battles to overcome cancer have really

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Charlie’s Angels Luncheon to Raise Money for Cancer Awareness

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8 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

about town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Call to Duty

Mountain Brook’s Tanner Fought Terror on Two Fronts

Photo special to the Journal

By Lee Davis

Captain Christopher H. Tanner, U.S. Army Infantry and Mountain Brook resident will speak at the annual Over the Mountain Patriot Day ceremony this year in SoHo Square. Captain Tanner has been recognized for leading one of the most successful tactical campaigns to destroy and shut down large information movements of enemy fighters during the bloodiest time period of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Christopher Tanner didn’t grow up wanting to be a soldier. The call to serve found him.

The Mountain Brook native was attending the prestigious Lawrenceville School in Princeton, New Jersey, where he excelled in track and field. Tanner wanted to find a college where he could compete in track at the NCAA Division I level and pursue a degree in engineering.

The right place just happened to be in a neighboring state: The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

“I’d love to say that my father was a soldier and his father was a soldier and I was following the family tradition,” said Tanner, who happens to be a quadruplet. “In reality, West Point checked off all the boxes. I could run in a competitive track program and major in engineering. Having the opportunity to serve my country was a good part of it, too.”

Tanner said the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, changed the mindset of West Point cadets. “Before 9/11, they trained for IF they went to war,” he said. “After 9/11, it was a matter of WHEN they went to war.”

While he may not have had a military lineage, Tanner’s decision to

attend West Point proved to be a good one.

As a second lieutenant right after graduation in 2006, Tanner was deployed to Iraq, where he worked in several aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a company executive officer, coordinating support for a 145-soldier unit and maintenance of $30 million worth of military equipment. In 2008, Tanner was promoted to first lieutenant and became an infantry platoon leader on the ground at the height of the military surge ordered by then-President George W. Bush. He led more than 400 combat patrols and played an important role in developing the Iraqi army and police, while also helping to build and renovate public schools.

In 2010, Tanner – by then promoted to captain – was transferred to the Afghanistan theater of operations, where he fought in the AfghanPakistani border area leading counterinsurgency operations.

Tanner said the dynamic of the War on Terror in the two countries was very different.

“The war in Iraq was in more of an urban environment with house-tohouse fighting and the heavy use of improvised explosive devices to kill soldiers and to destroy equipment,” he explained. “Once I had 29 vehicles

blown up in one month. It was very much a hit-and-run kind of war.”

Afghanistan, with its vast mountainous territory, is more of a conventional conflict, according to Tanner.

“It was a dream combat environment for a textbook style of fighting,” he said. “That war entailed mountain combat against an enemy that was willing to stand and fight. We were able to use aircraft for support. It was the perfect environment for the resources we have.”

There are also vast differences in the natives of the two countries. “In Iraq, large portions of the population are educated to at least be able to read and write and are connected with the outside world,” he said. They want their kids to get a good education.

When we could convince them that we could help them, it would win them over to our side.”

Afghanistan, by contrast, is far less developed. “Outside the most traveled areas, there are villages in Afghanistan that are so isolated that they haven’t changed since Biblical times,” he said. “For the people who live there, each day is a struggle for survival.”

Attitudes toward their respective countries are far different as well. “In Iraq, there are basically three types of people – the Sunnis, the Shias,

A Day of Remembrance Homewood will host the annual Over the Mountain Patriot Day ceremony this year in SoHo Square. This annual event is a joint effort between Mountain Brook, Homewood and Vestavia Hills to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to honor first responders and those who are serving or have served in the U.S. military.

This year, Captain Christopher H. Tanner, U.S. Army Infantry and Mountain Brook resident will speak at 9 a.m. Captain Tanner has been recognized for leading one of the most successful tactical campaigns to destroy and shut down large information movements of enemy fighters during the bloodiest time period of Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition, the Homewood High School Show Choir will perform along with fifth grade students from all three of Homewood’s elementary schools.

Spencer Bachus Hoover will host its own ceremony at Fire Station 2 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Former representative Spencer Bachus will speak and a reception will follow. ❖

and the Kurds,” Tanner said. “In Afghanistan you have two different languages and at least 20 different ethnic tribes that are often in disagreement. It makes it hard to unify under a central government when there is that much diversity.”

While both countries still face great challenges, Tanner credits the troop surge directed by General David Petraeus in 2007-2008 for turning the war in Iraq in America’s favor. “We were able to flood the areas with more troops and work with the Iraqi people to secure their neighborhoods,” he said. “It worked much like a neighborhood watch program. Unemployment was a big problem in Iraq. We would pay citizens to report terrorist activity or to tell us if they knew where an IED

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 9

about town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

was planted. It was very successful.”

Tanner said Iraq and Afghanistan – contrary to the beliefs of many – have quality commanders and troops. The key to their success as America withdraws its presence is the development of long-term logistic support.

“One reason the American military is so successful is because the guys in the field know that someone has their back,” said Tanner. “If a soldier is wounded in Afghanistan, he can be in a military hospital in Europe or the United States in a matter of hours. Soldiers will fight if they know someone will take care of them and their buddies if they go down.”

Tanner said the top priority for the future of the Middle East is the

defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “I don’t think most Americans understand the danger ISIS can be not only to the Middle East, but to America,” he said.

“They are well funded and subscribe to a specific ideology. It’s the purest form of Islam – convert or die or be enslaved. We must take this threat very seriously.”

While in combat, Tanner earned the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and many other awards and decorations.

In 2013, Tanner came back to Birmingham to be with his wife, Lauren, who is an attending surgeon at UAB. He became an executive officer and assistant professor of military science at UAB for the ROTC program. Although he is also the father of a young son, Tanner said he misses serving overseas.

“I think about the men and women that I served with every day,” he said. “When you are in combat, doing your job is the only thing you are focused on. There are no distractions. You are given every resource needed to succeed.”

Tanner is transitioning into the private sector, soon to become vice president and director of business development at Xtreme Concepts Inc., a worldwide security and technology firm headquartered in Birmingham. The company acted as technical advisor for the highly successful film “American Sniper.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to offer help where needed,” he said. ❖

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10 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria

people

Richard Brown, Savannah Lanier, Alison Henninger, Britney Cowart and Adam Quarles will be running the TCS New York City Marathon for Camp Smile-a-Mile.

Every Mile Counts Camp SAM Goes to NYC Marathon

By Kaitlin Candelaria Five Birmingham runners are taking Camp Smile-a-Mile’s mission to New York City.

Savannah Lanier, development director for Camp SAM, said this won’t be the first time the organization has been represented in the TCS New York City Marathon, but this year’s team is different.

“We’ve had a marathon team in the past, but it wasn’t really a group that was close together,” Lanier said. “Last year, I got the idea for Camp SAM’s 30th anniversary to put together a team of people who loved the camp and who had a very personal tie to the organization to take the mission to New York City.”

Lanier reached out to fellow Mountain Brook resident Richard Brown, Homewood residents Alison Henninger and Britney Cowart, and

Birmingham-based supporter Adam Quarles.

Each member of the team has a very different connection to Camp SAM. Quarles was diagnosed with cancer in 1984, at two years old. He attended the first camp session in 1985 and has been an active volunteer with the organization ever since.

Brown began volunteering with the organization in 1991.

“I graduated from college and really didn’t have a lot of direction,” Brown said. “I got the opportunity to volunteer (with Camp SAM) and it totally molded my career path.”

Brown went on to become a certified registered nurse practitioner and now also serves as the medical director for Camp SAM. Camp SAM also inspired Henninger to become a nurse after she began volunteering there in high

school. She and Brown both work at Children’s of Alabama on the hematology/oncology unit.

Cowart said she began volunteering with Camp SAM while attending school in Auburn. However, it wasn’t until her running buddy, Henninger, began talking up the organization and all the wonderful things it did for children with cancer that Cowart took on a deeper commitment to the camp.

The group applied for a TCS New York City Marathon team early in the year and received their approval in February. Now, they’re training three to five days a week to complete the 26-mile race on Nov. 1. They will join more than 20,000 other people who are also participating.

“We’re all so busy with different schedules and our children and family, so sometimes it can be hard to coordinate our training for all five of us to run together, but one good thing

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

about training as a group is that it keeps us accountable,” Brown said.

“Even when we were at camp this summer, we would wake up and run together.”

The group registered as a charity team, so they are also charged with fundraising. Some members have birthdays coming up for which they plan to ask for donations in lieu of gifts.

“It’s been pretty moving,” Quarles said. “One of my golf buddies recently did a crab boil for me and as a result of that, we raised over $1,000 towards my total. It’s been really amazing to see people step up like that and get behind me. People are excited about what we’re doing even if their only connection to camp is me.”

Henninger agrees that the support has been amazing.

“It’s a story you can’t unhear,” she said. “You can’t help but to want to be a part of it and help.”

Camp SAM is dedicated to providing year-round challenging, unforgettable recreational and educational experiences for young cancer patients, their families and young adult survivors in Alabama at no cost. Its signature program is seven camp sessions hosted throughout the summer for childhood cancer patients in different stages of treatment.

“To do 26 miles, you have to have an inspiration,” Henninger said.

“When we want to quit, we think of the children.”

During the marathon, the team will dedicate each mile to a childhood cancer patient who has touched their lives. The last mile will be run in memory of all the children lost to childhood cancer.

“I always think about a patient or a family or coworkers or someone that I want to run in honor of each day we train,” Brown said. “When I’m cramping, sore or overheated or don’t want to run, I remember that everything I’m putting myself through, I can control. The kids and their families cannot.”

The team members all agree that it isn’t hard to stay motivated when running for such a worthy cause.

“When we’re running, we have these healthy bodies that we’re able to use for a good cause and I’ve learned not to take that for granted,” Cowart said. “There’s people who can’t do that. For them, every day is a struggle.”

Quarles said, for him, he realizes that everything is temporary.

“I always fall back on realizing any pain or discomfort is temporary,” he said. “I’ve always had that outlook on life and I see this as a great example of that.” ❖

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Hill Showcases Her Garden in New Journal

Lida Inge Hill of Mountain Brook combined her love of Southern foliage and watercolor painting to create “Journal of a Cottage Garden.”

In the book, Hill adds her own personal commentary as she identifies and describes 30 kinds of plants that fill the garden surrounding her cottage.

“There is a difference in what the native plants do for our environment,” Hill said.

She has taken various courses on native plants through the Audubon Mountain Workshop and the Botanical Gardens, honing her knowledge of the plants. With the help of BBG Director of Education Henry Hughes, Hill was able to correctly

Lida Hill signs books to fill an order for The Dandelion in Montain Brook Village.

identify each of the plants. Hughes, in turn, composed a forward for the Journal.

Hill said the original plan was to write the Journal and simply show it to people and gauge their interest in native plants and converse about the native environment. When she did not receive the result she hoped for, she took a few friends’ advice and had the book published – on recyclable paper.

“I’ve been interested in environmental concerns for a very long time,” Hill said. “I am a fanatical recycler. I even recycle the papers that hold the coffee grinds.”

As a means of promoting her book and public knowledge of native plant life, Hill has made herself available to give talks regarding her book at smaller venues, such as garden clubs, churches and homeowners’ associations.

“I would like for people to just kind of stop and see something that they think is lovely,” Hill said. “And then, as they look further and read – especially what Henry Hughes has said – then they would like for other people to start to think about what they should do and how we all can help a little bit.”

Hill plans to present her book with a celebration at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Following refreshments, Hill will give a presentation titled “Passion for Native Plants – a Journey and a Journal,” during which she will discuss her experiences with plants that led her to publish her first book.

Books will be sold at the event.

Signed copies of “Journal of a Cottage Garden” can be purchased at

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Dandelion, Crestline Pharmacy, Leaf and Petal at the BBG, Little Professor, Little Hardware and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Hoover’s Kelli Lane Named to AETA’s Executive Board

Kelli Lane, technology integration coordinator for Hoover City Schools, has been named to the executive board of the Alabama Educational Technology Association as vice president of professional development.

In this newly created role, Lane will collaborate with board colleagues and AETA members to help further define what it means to be a school technology coordinator through specialized training and a credentialing process.

“We as an Kelli Lane organization have realized that with roles such as mine, everyone comes in with different knowledge levels and different perspectives,” Lane said. “Some may be classroom teachers and then placed in (a technology coordinator role) the next day. We want to work with these professionals and help them identify areas for growth.”

Lane will oversee development of the AETA credentialing process and present the final plan to the Alabama State Department of Education for approval.

Lane, now in her second year with Hoover schools, works under the direction of Chief Technology Officer Bryan Phillips to help teachers to innovate in the classroom through technology. Before working in Hoover, she worked as both a tech-

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Harwell Releases New Album “Holding Out”

James Harwell has released a new album “Holding Out: The Duggar Mountain Sessions.”

The album was produced and mastered by Rick Goodwin and Ben Haskell. Goodwin created all arrangements and Haskell engineered and mixed the music.

The album is composed of 10 tracks, all written by Harwell except for track 10, “Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” which was written by Robert Frost.

Wil Thomas contributed to the lyrics on track eight, “Filled Up with All Alone,” and Les Gordon co-wrote track nine, “Lost Myself.”

Harwell began his musical career in college, touring with his band the Undertow until 1991. He continues to perform when he isn’t in the office. He recently performed in the Moonlight on the Mountain Concert Series in Bluff Park May 1.

When he isn’t creating and performing his music, Harwell serves as president of the Birmingham Association of Realtors and finds himself in the top 2 percent of RealtySouth. Harwell is also To: a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

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Jim Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 May 2015 This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl fo Nov. 4 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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Realtor Brooke Wahl: “I haven’t Thank you for your prompt attention. done any of this on my own.”

That Brooke Wahl would succeed as a Realtor doesn’t surprise anyone in her family. “I took her to work with me when she was a little girl,” says Charlotte Donald, Brooke’s grandmother, a second generation Birmingham Realtor, the daughter of Nelson Weaver, an industry pioneer in the 1950s. “At the age of seven, Brooke was answering the phone in our office and transferring calls, riding around town with me and unlocking homes for Open Houses,” says Charlotte. “But her tenacity was most apparent when she grilled me with questions: ‘Why hasn’t this house sold? Why this sales price? Why does this agent have more listings than you?’”

Brooke’s mother Keke Donald, also a successful Birmingham Realtor, sees her daughter’s genuine interest in helping others as the key to her growing business. “Brooke’s husband is a UAB surgical resident and so she’s plugged into that community,” says Keke, who supports Brooke with behind-the-scenes details, managing technology and staging homes. “She loves helping new residents discover fun things about our hometown, acting as an ambassador and a concierge.”

Clients looking to sell a home throughout the city have also discovered Brooke’s track record. Sold signs go up almost as quickly as for-sale signs. Brooke realizes she’s benefitted from great role models. “My grandparents and my mother have demonstrated how serving others, helping people find a home, is a rewarding career.”

Brooke, along with her grandmother and mother, recently joined ARC Realty. Founder and Chairman Tommy Brigham is enthusiastic about what they bring to his company. “In Brooke, I see the best of a new generation of Realtors.”

“What else would you do in our family?” asks Charlotte. “This is a new season for us: Brooke is the out-front agent, a natural people-person. Her mother and I get to play supporting roles, which means I have time to play with my great-granddaughter. She’ll probably be answering the phone in our office in a few years, too.”

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12 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

Bicycle Buzz

By Emily Williams Just like the Beach Boys sang, the freeways – or better yet, streets – here are jammed with all kinds of folks on their bikes.

In early June, the Alabama Legislature passed a law requiring motorists to maintain a threefoot distance from cyclists while passing on the road, which became effective this month. With new legislation and an increase in cyclists taking advantage of the Over the Mountain area’s mountainous terrain, tension between motorists and cyclists is as high as the temperature outside.

In July, Amy Jackson of Mountain Brook created a post on the Facebook page What’s Happening Mountain Brook calling attention to a specific cyclist who held up a long line of traffic just before 8 o’clock one morning. The post held a respectable position toward the top of the page’s feed for more than a week as it gathered more than 200 comments.

“I simply asked that cyclist consider riding during ‘off’ hours,” Jackson said. “I am still amazed by the comments to that post. It really hit me then just how bad this issue is for the cyclists and the motorists.”

Cyclists are not a habitual nuisance for Jackson. She said the only times she as a motorist becomes annoyed are when a cyclist is holding up more than five vehicles, riding during peak hours – morning, evening and school-related rush hours – and refusing to pull over to allow traffic to pass.

“Every day that I drive I come into contact with cyclists on Old Leeds Road, Cherokee Road and Overhill Road,” Jackson said.

Both Cherokee Road and Overhill Road are hilly, curvy and heavily driven, while Old Leeds Road is particularly busy during the school year due to traffic from both Shades Valley High School and Mountain Brook High School.

“I may not always drive slowly, but I know to be extra cautious as cyclists are always on these roads,” Jackson said. “I worry about people who aren’t familiar with the biking population.”

“I will not be surprised when a cyclist is hit taking a left turn onto Cherokee Road from Old Leeds Road,” Jackson said.

The regular route of a large riding group passes through the intersection on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and during the weekend, taking a left in front of a blind curve.

“I always hold my breath until they all get safely through that intersection,” Jackson said.

Another cause for concern is the problem of passing a cyclist on hilly roads.

“Most cyclists are respectful of drivers; however, I feel they become agitated when drivers

u over the mountain

The Fued Between Motorists and Cyclists

don’t follow their lead,” Jackson said. “I would never pass if I didn’t feel it was safe.”

A recent survey issued by the Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation Department to gather public opinion before organizing future developments included multiple questions regarding the addition of bike lanes in the community. Jackson, who previously served as president of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, said she did not believe the addition of bike lanes would end the feud between motorists and cyclists.

“Bike lanes would have to be extremely expensive for our city,” Jackson said. “There is a growing population of cyclists. However, I’m not sure if there are enough to justify spending that amount of money on bike lanes.”

In addition, Jackson said that, if bike lanes were added to streets, motorists’ animosity toward cyclists might increase toward large groups that don’t stay in the lane.

“Many people think I don’t like cyclists, which is not true,” she said. “I love seeing people walk, run and ride through our community, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask that those slowing down traffic wait until motorists get out of the way. It’s a win-win.”

A View From the Side

When he lived in Washington in the late 1980s, Danny Feldman of Homewood honed a love for cycling while beginning his career as a lawyer. After he moved back to Alabama and his knees forced him to quit running, he found that cycling was a good sport for exercise and has been riding ever since.

“When I started cycling, you didn’t see groups of 20 or 40 riders,” Feldman said. “It’s much, much larger now and it’s much more socially acceptable.”

He said that, within the community, there are different kinds of cyclists. There are those who ride competitively and race, those who ride long distances, those who commute and even those who carry their children on board with them.

“There are some pretty well-established routes that people have been riding for years,” Feldman said. “There is a route through what are called the neighborhoods, which goes through Mountain Brook and into Crestwood. Old Leeds Road is

Cycling Deaths Rise Among Adults, Study Says The fatality rate of bicyclists aged 35 to 54 almost tripled between 1975 and 2012, according to the CDC. In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report issued Aug.13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted a report that showed that, overall, bicycling-related deaths declined by 44 percent during the study period. The greatest decline in deaths was among cyclists aged 15 or younger.

Fatalities of adults ages 35-54, on the other hand, rose from a rate of 0.11 to 0.31 per 100,000 population.

Despite improvements made in bicycle safety and the use of helmets, overall, cyclists on U.S. roads still die at a rate double that of vehicle occupants, according to the study.

Though many cases of cycling fatalities can be found across the country, some cases hit closer to home.

William Robertson Jr. of Birmingham was fatally injured on Aug. 29 when he was struck by a vehicle on Highway 75 in Blount County while cycling with Demetrius White and his wife, Tracey. The couple also sustained injuries and were airlifted to UAB Hospital.

On Labor Day, community members joined in on a bike ride in remembrance of Robertson and in honor of the White family. ❖

a popular road because there aren’t any traffic lights or stop signs and it connects Homewood with Leeds.”

Feldman, who has incurred a few injuries during his years of cycling, said he and his peers are always on the lookout for danger while cycling.

The causes for concern aren’t limited to motorists, but include dogs and even other cyclists.

“When I get done with a ride – number one, you feel good,” Feldman said. “There is also a little part of me that says, ‘Good I didn’t get run over.’”

Though Feldman racks up more than 5,000 miles on his bike in a year, he said he drives more

u vestavia Hills

Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

Rep. Palmer Talks About Iran, Budgets in VH Town Hall

By William C. Singleton III

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, above, speaking at a Vestavia Hills town hall meeting last week. The freshman congressman gave an update on pending issues in Congress and his strategy on long-term change on Capitol Hill.

During a recent town hall meeting, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama, shared his outlook on various national issues, including his concerns about the Iran nuclear deal, his outlook on repealing the Affordable Care Act and his efforts to reduce government waste.

The freshman congressman has been holding town hall meetings throughout his Sixth

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

than 30,000 miles in his car and always considers himself a motorist before being a cyclist.

Feldman said that, while nearly all cyclists do or did at some time identify as motorists, the reverse is not true.

“I think most cyclists will appreciate a motorist’s point of view, unfortunately I don’t think most motorists appreciate a cyclist’s point of view,” he said. “The only time they do appreciate it is if a loved one is out their cycling.”

Feldman said he has driven enough to know that cyclists can be aggravating. He recalled one instance from his time serving on the Homewood City Council when he drove home after a meeting, during which there had been a discussion about cycling. He encountered a group riding three-cyclists abreast; the law states that cyclists may ride only two abreast.

“The polite thing to do is get single file to make it easier for someone to go around you,” he said. “But they just kept on peddling at 15 miles an hour. I remember thinking, it’s that kind of behavior – which is just rude and inconsiderate – that drives motorists crazy.”

That being said, Feldman sees the same unkind behavior from motorists who pass cyclists on a narrow, double-yellow line or a blind curve and who “buzz” cyclists – passing as close to the cyclist as possible without causing injury.

“It’s like the motorists becomes judge, jury and executioner,” Feldman said.

He said that there is no comparison in the damage that is done when a 4,000-pound vehicle collides with a cyclist on a 20-pound bike, versus a bike hitting a car.

As for the unappreciated traffic cyclists cause for motorists, Feldman said that this is one of the prices we pay to live in a civilized society.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been caught in church traffic when I haven’t gone to church,” he said. “I’ve been caught in football traffic when I haven’t been to that game and it’s the price you pay for living in a civilized society.

I don’t know why people are so unforgiving of a cyclist when they don’t whine and complain in other traffic.”

Much like Jackson, Feldman shares the opinion that bike lanes would not do much to ease the tension between motorists and cyclists. “(Bike lanes are) more suited for people who are actually trying to commute than exercise,” he said. Cycling groups of 20 people would find it difficult to ride for miles in a single-file line.

Feldman said he believes that, as the cycling community grows, so, too, will motorists’ tolerance towards cyclists. “People will understand, there goes my daughter, brother or sister and they won’t be so hot headed on the road,” he said. ❖

Congressional District, which encompasses the southwestern portions of Jefferson County and all of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Coosa and Shelby counties.

The one held at the Vestavia Hills City Hall was his first in the city. About 30 people attended the Vestavia town hall meeting to hear an update on pending issues in Congress and Palmer’s strategy on long-term change on Capitol Hill.

Palmer expressed concerns about the Iran nuclear deal that would make available to Iran nearly $150 billion in frozen assets. The agreement, which is designed to discourage Iran from pursuing a nuclear bomb, would do the opposite, Palmer said.

“By giving them the whole $150 billion, it gives them the ability to circumvent anything we try to do later on down the road,” he said. “It will allow them to buy and sell arms.”

Palmer said he spoke with a foreign official who believes Iran accessing a nuclear bomb

would have a domino effect.

“He made it quite clear, if Iran gets a bomb, the Saudis will get one; Egypt will get one; I believe Turkey will get one; The United Arab Emirates will get one, and we’re going to have a nuclear arms race in the Middle East we cannot contain,” he said. Palmer said he will push for national town halls to explain the issue “so the American public knows where this is heading.”

Palmer said the appropriation process has gotten “derailed,” and he expects the House to pass a series of continuing resolutions to fund government at current levels until the end of the year.

The Republican congressman also said he plans to introduce legislation that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing any new regulations until at least five years after the last regulation had been put in place. Palmer expressed concern about overregulation that burdens the economy.

See palmer, facing page

Palmer,

From previous page

Palmer also said he and other likeminded congressmen would like to work on tax reform but he doesn’t know whether they will get to it by the end of the year. He said there’s a move to address regulatory reforms, but that too is a long-term issue. Palmer said 180 federal agencies have been identified as being duplications or having inherent inefficiencies.

“We’re not in there to slash and burn,” he said. “We’re in there to reduce the scope and size of government and the cost of government and starting this long process of getting our budget under control.”

An audience member who identified himself as a retired Army officer asked Palmer about his opinion on the use of medical marijuana and how to handle crowding of state prisons. Palmer said both are state issues, but he said he doesn’t support the use of medical marijuana, although he does support the use of cannabis oil.

He also said the think-tank he helped found, the Alabama Policy Institute, recommends policy to educate and prepare non-violent prisoners for the workforce and provide a path for early parole.

Responding to another question,

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 13

NEWS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Palmer said failure of Republican leadership to act on meaningful legislation and counteract some of President Obama’s initiatives has been a “huge frustration.”

He said that frustration is leading many to support non-establishment candidates such as Donald Trump and Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidates.

“That’s why Trump and Carson and these others are drawing these big crowds,” he said.

Palmer also said he believes that, if a Republican is elected president, there would be enough impetus to address Obamacare, “but it’s not going to go away immediately. You can’t just stop cold turkey. You have to phase … that out. And there are going to be some parts that stay. ” He said the bigger issue is dealing with Medicare and changing the way Americans look at healthcare.

Jim Thomas, 73, said he has attended town hall meetings held by other congressional officer holders. But he likes the format of Palmer’s town hall meeting.

“In some of them I’ve been to, they (the representatives) shield themselves from certain questions or they will give you a non-answer and move on,” he said. “With Mr. Palmer, he gives you the straight answer whether you’re for him or not. That’s what you’ve got to admire about him.” ❖

u vestavia Hills

School System Pursues New Mascot Despite Suit The Vestavia Hills school system is moving ahead with plans to select a new high school mascot despite a lawsuit challenging its decision to ditch the “Rebel Man.” The city school board recently agreed to enter a contract with the Birminghambased Knight Eady Sports Group to help it choose a new mascot.

Meanwhile, Vestavia Hills resident Roger Harris has filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court to stop the school board from changing the mascot. The suit claims the board and Superintendent Sheila Phillips were not transparent with their plans to change the mascot, and in fact made the decision to remove the Rebel Man as the high school’s mascot before taking the official vote during a July board meeting.

The suit attempts to stop the school district from spending money on the rebranding effort. The suit was filed on Aug. 31, five days after the Vestavia Hills school board approved the contract with Knight Eady. The school system plans to pay the consulting firm $30,000 over 16 months for communication and branding services.

“The board and superintendent

wanted to ensure that we approached this process carefully and methodically, and Knight Eady agreed with that sentiment,” said Whit McGhee, spokesman for Vestavia Hills City Schools. “Knight Eady works with some of the biggest sports entities in the state, like the Alabama High School Athletic Association, the Birmingham Tip Off Club, and the Lutzie 43 Foundation. So, this is not a new process for them. Their expertise will help them to capture the true brand and culture of Vestavia Hills High School and the community.”

Changing the high school mascot has been a continuous issue in Vestavia Hills but recently came to a head after the June 17 fatal shooting of nine black people attending Wednesday night services at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. The gunman, Dylann Roof, who is white, had been pictured with the Confederate battle flag and confessed his intent was to kill black people.

Since the shooting, several Southern state governments have sought to remove symbols connected with the Confederacy that were perceived as being racially offensive. Alabama and South Carolina have removed the Confederate battle flag from state property as a way to promote unity and racial healing.

The “Rebel Man” mascot has also

been considered racially insensitive because of its depiction of a Confederate soldier and Southern plantation owner.

After receiving a request to ditch the Confederate symbol, the Vestavia Hills school board held a public hearing in July to hear both from residents who supported keeping the name and mascot and those who believed it was a relic of the past and wanted it gone.

A week later, the school board called a special meeting at which Phillips recommended the mascot be changed but the “Rebel” name remain. She said the process to rebrand would occur over the 2015-2016 school year and would include community involvement.

According to its contract, Knight Eady will engage the community in the rebranding process through “focus groups, one-on-one interviews, quantitative survey research and additional student/faculty communication to fully understand the VHHS community, culture and Rebel brand.”

Knight Eady also will appoint a committee of “community influencers” and leverage them as ambassadors for the new VHHS brand.

Knight Eady also will develop a plan for merchandise, apparel and other items involving the new brand and craft communication messages for the board regarding the rebranding effort.

—William C. Singleton III

14 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

celebrating the arts

Piqué-ng Interest

The Czernobil Sisters Sauté Into a New Saison

Meredith Keith

Keeping Up With Keith Gallery 1930 Owner Plans Expansion, Second Studio

By Kaitlin Candelaria

to experiment with new subject matter,” Keith said. “I do a lot of requests but I like to keep them noncommittal because it frees us both up.

Meredith Keith never intended to be an Sometimes, paintings just take a turn and you artist. In fact, she went to college to become can’t really predict what’s going to happen and a doctor. Although she describes herself as an a commission can birth a series of varied paint“artsy-craftsy” child, her love for creating art is something she almost grew into on accident ings.”

Keith, who’s worked as an artist professionduring her college years. ally for about 15 years now, eased into owning “I was apprenticing for a man who did a white-wall gallery by renting her current interiors and we were painting the walls, space from restaurantfloors and ceilings with owner Al Raibee in murals and texturized Meredith Keith English Village for painting,” Keith said. “One showings one month Age: 44 thing I loved about workat a time back in 2010 ing with him is that we had Residence: Mountain Brook before finally sitting Occupation: Artist, Co-owner of to learn to communicate down with her mother, Gallery 1930 with customers. It wasn’t Kathryn Keith, and like painting was all about Hometown: Mountain Brook sister, Laura Vogtle to Education: University of Alabama, me, it was more of a ‘I’ve create Gallery 1930. got to learn what you want UAB Now, she and Raibee, and what’s going to please Latest accomplishment: Opening and who owns the popular expanding her white-wall studio to you.’”

English Village restauinclude a wine bar Keith said learning to rant Vino, are working communicate with people together to expand her gallery space and add a who didn’t necessarily know what they wantwine bar. ed became a big asset for her later on as she The new larger space will feature work began working professionally as an artist. from Keith and other artists whom she works “My mindset is that I’m painting as a serwith and is set to open in early October. It will vice,” she said. “Starting out with that mindalso be available for events. set was helpful because it was a great way to “I would love to have it to where people back into painting as a career.” come from out of town and know that we have It’s also a mindset that has helped her make a success with her Gallery 1930. Not only is she consistently great pieces and great taste,” planning an expansion of that gallery, which will Keith said. “I don’t want our gallery to be sleepy old school traditional. I want it be fashinclude a wine bar, she’s also in the process of ion forward.” opening a second studio in Pepper Place.

Keith said her style has definitely evolved “She’s such a great bridge between the fine since she began painting 15 years ago. arts and wanting to please the customer,” said “I started off with very folky-type art Keith’s gallery manager, Amanda Morisette. with lots of polka dots,” Keith said. “I don’t “It’s decorator art, but it’s still appreciated by know how I got from that to buildings and critics and collectors.” structures, but my process has certainly gotten Keith has a difficult time describing her more refined. Each painting has mistakes, but I style, but she said that she works to keep up have gotten better at predicting and correcting with what decorators in the area are doing.

See keith, page 17 “I like to paint on a large scale and I like

Everything was beautiful at the ballet, in the words of lyricist Edward Kleban, and those words are still true in Birmingham as the Alabama Ballet looks forward to its 2015-2016 season.

After all, the demands of ballet are rigorous and constant, and that doesn’t change during the summer performance break, which sisters Alana and Ariana Czernobil know all too well. Neither of the sisters, who are in the unusual position of dancing in the same company and will appear together in a performance this fall, slowed down one bit over the summer.

Alana is a faculty member of both the Encore Performance Company and NS Dance Studio and spent her vacation teaching. Ariana spent the summer traveling and studying full-time at UAB, where she is working toward a Alana degree in kinesiology.

Czernobil The Czernobil sisters grew up in Chicago, honed their skills at a conservatory in North Carolina and each found their way to the state of Alabama to perform with the Alabama Ballet as company dancers.

The duo have shared many things in their dancing careers, including graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts, a boarding school that combines academics and intensive arts training and where a student’s day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

“Most people would probably say it’s similar to (the high school in) ‘Fame,’” Alana said. “It was a conservatory for the arts.”

Alana spent all four of her high school years at the conservatory while Ariana spent three.

The love of ballet came to Ariana a bit later than it did to Alana. “I started when I was three and I hated it,” Ariana said. “I hated it, but it kind of grew on me. I didn’t know I really wanted to dance until I was a freshman in high school.”

Even though she did not have a true love of dance, she, like Alana, began the intensive training necessary for success in the field when she was between her sixth- and seventh-grade school years.

“I would go to ballet class from 4:30 to 9 p.m. every night and then travel back home and have to do homework after that,” she said.

Alana’s love for the art of ballet began See czernobil, page 17

Ariana Czernobil

Alana Czernobil Age: 28 Residence: Cahaba Heights Occupation: Company dancer, Alabama

Ballet

Hometown: Lemont, Illinois Education: Bachelor’s in psychology

from UAB

Latest accomplishment: Beginning her

10th season with the Alabama Ballet and being cast alongside her sister in “Transfigured Night”

Ariana Czernobil Age: 22 Residence: Birmingham Occupation: Company dancer, Alabama

Ballet

Hometown: Lemont, Illinois Education: Studying kinesiology at

UAB

Latest accomplishment: Latest

Accomplishment: Being cast alongside her sister in “Transfigured Night”

Journal photo by Emily Williams

Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria

By Emily Williams

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 15

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Making it in the Magic City

By Kaitlin Candelaria Roy Hudson is no stranger to the theater scene in Alabama.

He was named teacher of the year in Alabama in 2008 – the first time a fine arts teacher had ever claimed the title.

He founded the now well-known Shades Valley Theatre Academy at Shades Valley High School, where he taught for more than 15 years.

And now he’s added a new entry to his resume; in August, he was named the artistic director of Birmingham Children’s Theatre.

A Texas native, Hudson moved to Alabama after the birth of his first child to teach at UAB. Although his plans originally were to move to L.A. and try to make it big in the film industry, becoming a father altered his course of action.

However, the move to Birmingham proved to be a fruitful one. He worked at Town and Gown Theater before moving on to a larger production company. His production work includes a litany of big-time acronyms – the SEC, the PGA and even NASA. “It was an exciting time,” he said.

“But I also had small children at home and had to figure out the right mix.”

It was then that Hudson accepted a teaching position at Shades Valley

good about themselves. And every kid High School, which he calls the best needs to feel good about themselves.” move he ever made.

Hudson hopes to apply that “As much as I love doing everymodel at the Birmingham Children’s thing – and I really love doing everyTheatre, as well. thing – I really like working with “I love working with young people kids the best,” Hudson said. “There’s something that’s so special about that. in the field because it’s an opportunity to find kids who may not fit in some I was very blessed with wonderful place else,” he said. “They come here kids and great support from other and they’re able to work and feel posteachers and the administration.” itive and confident about themselves.”

Hudson said he saw the figurative His first big project as the artistic writing on the wall when the state director has been to implement a began making cutbacks to fine arts youth education in education and Roy Hudson program. The knew he had to do Young Actor’s something to make Age: 63 Theater will allow his theater program Residence: Mountain Brook children and young viable.

Occupation: Artistic director for adults to work as “I started work- Birmingham Children’s Theatre performers at the ing with kids on Hometown: Burkburnett, Texas theater. the academic side Education: MFA in theater from “We’re going to of things,” he the Dallas Theater Center start doing the first said. “I’d have a Latest accomplishment: Being dozen kids gradunamed best director in Birmingham shows that feature just children,” ate each year with by broadwayworld.com for his Hudson said. between one and direction of “I Hate Hamlet.”

“We’re also now two million doloffering classes lars in scholarship in the fall, meaning that classes are offers, which was huge. And we were able to send them to school – some in available year-round, which has never theater, but many in law and medicine been the case before.”

Hudson said one of the biggest and architecture. These kids became challenges will be figuring out ways people who loved the arts but that to reach everybody. are excelling at whatever career they “We live in a digital and mobile chose to do because they worked with world now,” he said. “We’ve got to a comfortable, safe group of people who pushed them and made them feel come up with ways to bring the arts

ASO’s New Music Director Kicks Off The Season!

Friday & Saturday, September 18 & 19 / 8PM Alys Stephens Center Don’t miss it. Buy your tickets today.

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Roy Hudson

to children because it’s very critical.”

He also said he wants to make sure that Birmingham Children’s Theatre is focused on bringing relevant material to children.

“Gone are the days when we can

just do fairytales,” he said. “There are so many issues that children and young adults have to live with these days, so we’ve got to reach them with things that are important to them socially and educationally.” ❖

Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria

Hudson is Named Artistic Director of the Birmingham Children’s Theatre

16 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

izcaray, From page 1

life “Each concert itself is a timeless experience, especially when it’s done right,” he said.

Though the audience’s reception of the performance is important, Izcaray said that the change from day one of rehearsal to the day of the performance is what makes for a great musical experience.

“Some of the concerts I’ve done here in Alabama have been some of the best – there were great expectations coming from everywhere,” he said. “The orchestra was curious.

I’m curious about them. They’re curious about me. There are question marks everywhere and the answer to all of those question marks is in the concert.”

performers or also as educators,” Izcaray said.

Though he and all of his brothers can call themselves musicians, he said his parents’ approach was always laid back – not so laid back that Izcaray didn’t begin playing the violin at the age of four, though.

“That’s when I started to get the goosebumps in certain moments of music,” Izcaray recalled.

“My appreciation came quite early. My love for it as a passion and a career path came much, much later.”

While attending a boarding school in Expectations for the Season Madison, Wisconsin, Izcaray began playing in a youth symphony orchestra, which nurtured his As for this season, Izcaray has created an arc desire to actively lead the orchestra, rather than that tells its own story, and the opening perforjust performing. mances on Sept. 18 and If he had any doubts 19 will set the tone for the Carlos Izcaray about his choice, he said year.

Age: 38 they were laid to rest “It’s like getting that Residence: Homewood during his time at the first dance,” he said. “She Occupation: Music director of the internationally acclaimed said yes. There’s this great Alabama Symphony Orchestra Interlochen Center for the excitement and you really Arts, where he participated Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela don’t want to step on that in a summer-long program Education: Holds degrees from the New dress.” before attending the school World School of the Arts and Jacobs Izcaray said audiences School of Music at Indiana University; for a year. can expect the traditional distinguished fellow of the American “The feelings are so sound of the symphony this Academy of Conducting at Aspen fresh because I just went season, with a few personal Latest accomplishment: After 20 years, touches from his own repback now to conduct the returned to Interlochen Center for the World Youth Symphony ertoire.

Arts in July and conducted the World Orchestra,” he said.

“With this season we Youth Symphony Orchestra “Seeing those kids and have struck a good balance their enthusiasm, it remindbetween, for example, preed me of exactly what I senting some of the most went through back then.” well-known master works – such as Beethoven’s Izcaray has called four countries home – Ninth and Fifth,” he said. “Yet we’re also bringmost recently Germany – and has performed ing some other works that perhaps don’t get around the world. performed as much.”

Izcaray said audiences can expect the traditional sound of the symphony this season, with a few personal touches from his own repertoire.

Audiences will be treated to world premieres as well as staples such as the Classical EDGE series and the Red Diamond SuperPOPS! conducted by resident conductor Christopher Confessore. Guest artists will range from wellseasoned soloists such as Arnaldo Cohen to younger artists and composers.

“I’m challenging myself and really stretching,” Izcaray said. “As if it wasn’t enough conducting a full season, I’m playing as a cellist in one of the works. I think that piece is going to be really well received. It’s a piece for cellists,

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

orchestra and a movie. It’s a cinematic experience.”

With the first performance as the season’s pacemaker, Izcaray will begin with a bit of the unknown.

“I expect a lot of people will come that know the orchestra, but I like to think there are a few who have never seen this orchestra,” he said. “Usually those are the ones that have the freshest ears to new music.”

The concert will begin with “Tambor” by Joan Tower, a Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy-winning composer who is American but, like Izcaray, grew up in South America.

“This transcultural thing is something that I wanted to keep in mind for the first concert,” Izcaray said.

Second will be a piece by Erich Korngold, a man from the “old world” who became known as father of the Hollywood sound. The sound then shifts with a piece by John Corigliano called “Mannheim Rocket.” It is contemporary and full of humor while highlighting the craftsmanship of its orchestrator.

“Then, at the very end, Strauss with the ‘Der Rosenkavalier Suite,’” Izcaray said. “It is just one of the most amazing orchestral experiences there is and I wanted to finish with a bang.”

It is a love story and acts as the champagne toast to the end of the evening’s music.

As with the first concert, audiences can expect light and entertaining music as well as thoughtprovoking and profound performances from Izcaray this season.

It is Izcaray’s journey into the human spirit and it begins Sept. 18-19 at 8 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.

“We’ve already agreed now to embark on a journey together – the orchestra, the community and myself – so the overall feeling is excitement.”

For more information on ASO’s season, visit www.alabamasymphony.org or call 975-2787. ❖

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keith,

From page 14

the mistakes. My process is more streamlined, but I still love to experiment.”

Keith is known for her paintings of Birmingham skylines, but she keeps her subject matter varied.

“One of her biggest assets is how versatile her work is,” Morisette said. “She can paint a horse or an abstract or a cityscape.”

Keith, who is a Mountain Brook native, said that, although the Birmingham art community has room to grow, she’s found a place here because of Southern tradition.

“I think people love to entertain in their houses and that’s a Southern thing,” she said. “People put a lot of money, time and energy into their homes, so I think they appreciate art that can really enhance that and make it somewhere you want to be.

That’s what makes art collectors here different from art collectors somewhere like New York. The majority of people that I’ve observed here are people who just want a cool atmosphere in their home.”

For more information on Keith or Gallery 1930, please visit www. meredithkeith.com. ❖

czernobil, From page 14

when she turned three years old and received her first pair of slippers, but her true passion came a bit later.

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 17

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

“When I was nine, the Joffrey Ballet moved to Chicago and I was (in) their first children’s cast of ‘The Nutcracker,’” Alana said, and that is when she fully committed to the idea of becoming a ballerina.

Though they found their passion for dance at different times, their current love for the job is ever increasing.

Beyond the physical demands, Ariana said that being part of a company and playing roles allows a dancer to challenge themselves mentally as they develop their characters.

“It’s something that, even at 28, you find things you can improve upon,” Alana said. “You never feel like you’re stagnant in any way, you’re just always developing.”

Though Alana and Ariana have a built-in support system as sisters, they said the entire company feels like a family of like-minded individuals.

“With ballet and the arts in general, you benefit from a sense of community,” Alana said. “So, right away, if you’re a new member in the company, people are very accepting and they understand.”

Understanding is a key factor for the ballet community, considering the physical demands that a ballet dancer faces – or what Ariana describes as the “perfection aspect” that many dancers are always trying to achieve.

“You strive for it, but you’re never going to get it,” she said. “Nobody is perfect. You’re never going to have that one perfect performance.”

The sisters’ perfect roles would be ones they could perform together

– as the first and second violins in Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco.”

For now, that goal will have to wait. But as the Alabama Ballet company kicks off its new 2015-16 season, the sisters are looking forward to a performance at the end of October in which they have been cast in two of the leading roles of Frank Staff’s “Transfigured Night.” The one-act ballet will debut as a part of the American Horror Stories performance on Oct. 29, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

“Doing the ‘Transfigured Night’ is something that will be a nice accomplishment together,” Alana said. “It’s about sisters and it’s very rare that two sisters are in the same company together.”

This won’t be the first time the duo has performed alongside each other. In the ballet’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker,” Alana and Ariana have shared roles opposite each other as demi-soloists in the “Waltz of the Flowers.”

As for the upcoming season, the sisters are looking forward to performances that they hope will excite audiences and also looking forward to days filled with rehearsals. ❖

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Maury Over The Mountain Journal August 2015 This is your AD prOOF for Over The MOunTAin JOurnAl for the August 13, 2015 issue. please approve, initial and fax to 824-1246 or contact your sales representative as soon as possible to make changes.

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18 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

arts about town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal fall arts preview

Samford’s Academy of the Arts

Big Fish on the Menu Familiar Favorites Highlight Arts Offerings

“Clark Gable Slept Here” Sept. 10-Oct. 3 Terrific New Theatre

Terrific New Theatre will hold it’s second show of the season with “Clark Gable Slept Here,” a dark comedy. For more information, visit www.terrificnewtheatre. com or call 328-0868.

Music Under the Stars Sept. 11, 6 p.m.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

At 6 p.m., St. Mark’s will host an outdoor jazz concert featuring Shaun Pezant, Gary Wheat, Cleve Eaton and the Alabama All-Stars Band. For more information, visit www.stmarks.dioala.org or call 322-8449.

Academy of the Arts Fall B courses and workshops for all ages begin soon Visit our websit for more details SAMFORD

Tracey Alvey, Artistic Director

2015 2016

AT HOME

Alabama Ballet Center for Dance September 25 - October 4, 2015

AMERICAN HORROR STORIES Alabama School of Fine Arts October 29 - November 1, 2015

SNOW WHITE

Alabama School of Fine Arts October 30, 2015

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S

THE NUTCRACKERTM

Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University December 11 - December 20, 2015

DON QUIXOTE

Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University February 19 - February 21, 2016

COPPÉLIA AND THE TOYMAKER

Alabama School of Fine Arts April 8 - April 10, 2016

Tickets can be purchased by calling 205-202-8142 or visiting alabamaballet.org.

Photo Credit: Arik Sokol Alabama Ballet is a 501(c)(3) organization

ArtWalk 2015 Sept. 11-12 Downtown Loft District

The Birmingham Art Association will present ArtWalk 2015 in the downtown loft district from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 11 and from noon-6 p.m. Sept. 12. The event is free. For more information, visit www. birminghamartwalk.org. or call 240-0428.

Blind Boys of Alabama Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Hoover Library

Five-time Grammy award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement award winners the Blind Boys of Alabama will perform in the Library Theatre. For more information, visit www. hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821.

Collaborative Concert Series Sept. 13, 4 p.m.

Samford University

The Birmingham Boys Choir’s third annual concert series will feature the Jasmine Dance Ensemble at 4 p.m. in Brock Hall. The concert is sponsored by the Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation.

For more information, visit www. bimringhamboyschoir.com or call 7679219.

The Stolen Faces Sept. 16, 6-8 p.m.

Moonlight on the Mountain

Experience the Nashville band, The Stolen Faces at Moonlight on the Mountain in Hoover from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 16. The show will feature covers of songs by the Grateful Dead. For more information, visit www.moonlightonthemtn.com or call 2438851.

Stephen McCullough Band Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Hoover Library

The Stephen McCullough Band will play their unique blend of southern funk, blues and soul at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Plaza.

This event is free. For more information, visit www.hooverlibrary.com or call 4447821.

“It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues” Sept. 17-Oct. 4 Virginia Samford Theatre

The Virginia Samford Theatre presents the Tony-nominated musical “It Ain’t Nothin But the Blues” directed by Carl Dean. Visit www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org or call 251-1228 for more information

Raisin’ Cane Sept. 18, 7-10 p.m.

Wright Fine Arts Center

The Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University will present Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Trio in “Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.samford. edu/wrightcenter. For more information, call 726-2853.

“Big Fish” Sept. 11-Oct. 4 Red Mountain Theatre Company

Guest Recital Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.

UAB Hospital

Vulcan Aftertunes Sept. 20, 3-6 p.m.

Vulcan Park and Museum

Art Play Parlor Series at 7 p.m. Sept.

25. Tickets are $37.50 and include hors d’oeuvres and beverages. For more information, call 975-4769.

The Red Mountain Theatre Company will perform Daniel Wallace’s “Big Fish” in the Cabaret Theatre. On opening night, Wallace, above, will be present for a special talkback session following the performance.

For more information, visit www. redmountaintheatre.org or call 324-2424.

As a part of Vulcan AfterTunes Sunday afternoon concert series, Longhorne Slim and The Law will perform. Gates will open at 1 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. For more information, visit www. visitvulcan.com.

The Indigo Girls Sept. 23, 7 p.m.

Alys Stephens Center

Folk duet the Indigo Girls will perform at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center’s Jemison Concert Hall at 7 p.m.

The concert will include old favorites like “Closer to Fine” and “Galileo,” as well as new music. For more information, visit www.alysstephens.org or call 975-2787.

Art Play Parlor Series Sept. 25, 7 p.m.

ArtPlay

Pianist Gleb Ivaniov will perform in conjunction with the Patty McDonald

The UAB College of Arts and Sciences music department will host soprano Deborah Popham, above, for a guest artist recital. This recital is free and will take place in UAB’s Hulsey Recital hall.

For more information, visit www.uab.edu/ cas/music.

Mid-Day Music Sept. 25, 12:30 p.m.

Cathedral Church of the Advent

The Cathedral Church of the Advent will kick off its 2015-2016 Mid-Day Music series with Tenor Roderick George and pianist Cynthia MacCrae, will perform a free, 30-minute concert at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. adventbirmingham.org or call 226-3505.

Alabama Ballet at Home Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4 Alabama Ballet Center for Dance

The Alabama Ballet’s 2015-2016 season will open with the Alabama Ballet at Home performance. Tickets are $20 and include complimentary drinks. For more information, visit www.alabamaballet.org or call 322-4300.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Pickin’ in the Park Sept. 26, 3-7 p.m.

Homewood Central Park

Meet Our Receptionist!

The Homewood Arts Council will hold an acoustic community music festival Sept. 26 from 3-7 p.m. The festival is free to attend. For more information, visit the Homewood Arts Council Facebook page.

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Service of Choral Evensong Sept. 28, 3-4:15 p.m.

Independent Presbyterian Church

The Youth Choir at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham will present the Service of Choral Evensong from 3-4:15 p.m. Following the service, Bruce Ludwig of the Cathedral of St. Paul will present a 30-minute organ recital.

The performances are free. For more information, visit www.ipc-usa.org or call 933-3700.

UAB Faculty Recital Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Alys Stephens Center

University of Alabama at Birmingham faculty members Lisa Wienhold and Chris Steele will be featured in a recital at Reynolds-Kirchbaum Recital Hall at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Sept. 28. Wienhold, flute, and Steele, pianist, will perform at 7 p.m. at 1200 10th Ave. S, Birmingham. This is a free event.

For more information, visit www.uab.edu/ cas/music or call 934-7376.

Bluff Park Art Show Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bluff Park Community Center

The 52nd annual Bluff Park Art Show benefitting Bluff Park Elementary will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Cloudland Drive in front of the community center.

For more information, visit www. bluffparkartassociation.org or call 966-0246.

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Symphony 30 Picnic Sept. 27, 4 p.m.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Symphony 30 will host its eighteenth annual picnic fundraiser benefitting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The event will feature dinner and a symphony concert at 5 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.symphony30.org.

American Horror Stories Oct. 29, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Alabama School of Fine Arts

The Alabama Ballet will present Agnes DeMille’s “Fall River Legend” and Frank Staff’s “Transfigured Nights.” Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and Oct. 31. and 2:30 p.m Nov. 1. For more information, visit www.alabamaballet.org or call 322-4300.

Moss Rock Festival Nov. 7-8 The Preserve

Retirement Sale

This ninth annual festival will feature art, music, installations, hiking, biking, geocaching, educational installations and more. The festival will run from 10 a.m.5 p.m. Nov. 7 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8. This event is free. Visitors must park and ride to the festival from the Hoover Met. For more information, visit www. mossrockfestival.com. ❖

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To: From: Date:

Emily LW Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646Aph., 205-824-1246, fax August

AYS

This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the august 13, 2015 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approve your adFEB. or make19-21, changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

2016

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Jigsaw Jamboree

Photo special to the Journal

JOX Shines at the Autism Society’s Annual Gala

From left: Paul and Jacqueline DeMarco and Erin and Pete Donohoo.

Daniela Barber, Chrissy Schubert and Christy Boyles.

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Ryan

T

he Autism Society of Alabama hosted the eighth annual Autism Shines Gala Aug. 22 at the Marriott on

280.

The gala was attended by more than 300 guests, celebrating the children and adults on the autism spectrum. JOX Roundtable personalities Lance Taylor, Jim Dunaway and Ryan Brown emceed the event, called the auction and brought laughter to the crowd with their dry wit and humor.

The live auction was filled with hot-ticket items, including a Disney package, a Viva Las Vegas package and trips to both the Scottsdale Golf Resort and coastal Cancun. One winning bidder is going to an Alabama football game in style, including hotel accommodations and box seats between the 5 and the 0, and another is getting lunch for a year from Ted’s Restaurant.

New to the event was the Moore Nissan 50/50 Corn-Hole Toss raffle, with one lucky winner taking home $400. Events of the evening also included a seated dinner, complimentary wine donated by United Johnson Brothers and craft beer donated by Good People, live music by a Box of Souls and great deals at the silent and live auctions.

Backstage Florist and Design staged the event with large, multicolored puzzle-piece arrangements for the tables accented with brightly-colored table toppers and chair sashes.

Three individuals were honored with the President’s Award by ASA President Jonathan Nelson: Matt Maini of Gadsden, who served six years on the board of directors; David Lamb, a Camp FROG attendee and ASA volunteer; and Susan Spann, a volunteer network support group leader for the organization.

Above: Jeff Hager, Rachel and Tony Fargaso and Bama Hager. below: Jim Dunaway, Ryan Brown and Lance Taylor.

Nelson announced the organization’s signature programs for the year, which include Autism Friendly Alabama, the Respite Program and the Alabama Public Library Resource Collection Initiative.

Members of the fundraising committee who oversaw the event included Chairman Jenny Morris, fundraising manager Lauren Reid, President Jonathan Nelson, Rod Harbin, Nancy

Barnes, Christy Boyles, Ben Carlisle, Fran Heisner, Matt Moore and Donna Broome.

“The increase of supporters at this event indicates just how much the community is embracing autism,” said Executive Director Melanie Jones.

“The event was successful and the proceeds will support our many wonderful programs which the society has provided statewide for over 20 years.” ❖

A Milestone for Maturity Birmingham’s Top 50 Over 50 Grace the Cahaba Grand

Community members gathered at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center to celebrate Positive Maturity’s second annual Top 50 Over 50 awards gala July 30.

To kick off the evening, award winners, their guests, Positive Maturity staff members and board members mingled as they enjoyed complimentary beer and wine. As the networking event came to a close, guests were ushered into the banquet hall to take their seats as the presenters and special guests took theirs on the stage.

Executive Director Penny Kakoliris and Brett Shaffer, a member of the board of directors, welcomed guests to the event. Guest emcees for the event were Mike Royer, formerly of NBC’s News Channel 13, and Tina Savas, event chair and vice president of the board of directors. The co-presenters provided light-hearted banter as they officiated the evening’s presentations.

After a brief welcome, Ken Jackson was introduced to auction two quilts that were made by volunteers at Shepherd Center East, Positive Maturity’s senior center.

Jackson also was a 2014 Top 50 Over 50 award recipient.

After the auction, the honorees were announced and came forward to receive their awards and have their

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 21

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

in attendance, and 47 of the 50 award recipients were in attendance. Award winners included Judy Abroms, the Rev. Sally Allocca, Flora Blackledge, Harry Brown, Jeremiah Castille, John Croyle, Tommie Cummings, Chris Curry, J. Mason Davis Jr., Charles Dean, Theodore Debro Jr., Robert Dobson, Tim Donahue, Dr. Andrew Duxbury, Dr. Gary Edwards, Bill Fleming, Ann Florie, Donna Francavilla, Dr. George French, Joanie Gable,

Stephen Hannum, Ben Herren, Edward Hardin, Bill Hawkins, Everett Holle, David Hornsby, Judge O.L. Johnson, Doug Jones, Jennifer Kilburn, Gen. Charles Krulak, Tim Lewis, Bill Logan, Kathy G. Mezrano, Nell Miller, Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Bonnie Montey, Neal Morrison, Joe Perez, Dudley Reynolds, Dr. Lester Seigel, Clayton Sherrod, Mike Slive, James Spann, Bart Starr, Shirley Witt Taylor, Teresa Thorne, Dr. Gaye

Vance, Linda Verin, Judge Stanley Wade and David S. Wallace. ❖

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Bart Starr was awarded the William M. Miller award as a Top 50 Over 50 recipient. His son, Bart Starr Jr., received the award on his father’s behalf and gave a wonderful acceptance speech in his father’s honor.

The William M. Miller award is bestowed in honor of the late William M. Miller, who is one of the founding members of Positive Maturity Inc. There were more than 360 guests

for more information please Call mike wedgworth: 205.365.4344

To: From: Date:

Patty Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Nov. 2013

To: From: Date:

Maury Over The Mountain August 2015

This is your AD prOOF August 13, 2015 issue. ple your sales represent

This is your aD PrOOF from the Over The MOuNTaiN JOurNal for the please initial and Nov. 28, 2013 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

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if we have not before the

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Art on the Rocks, presented by Dale’s Seasoning, packed the Birmingham Museum of Art last month for its final event of the summer. The 2015 Art on the Rocks season 74 Church Street • Crestline Village marked the 11th year of the summer series. More than 2,000 guests were treated to art, music, food and activiMon.-Fri. 10-5 & Sat. 10-4 871-7909 ties in and around the museum’s galleries. www.townandcountryclothes.com Among the highlights of the third installment was an edible art installation – a wall of doughnuts – which comprised more than 300 fresh-baked artisan pastries from We Have Doughnuts. BIG Communications presented an animated photo booth where guests could document their evening with a live-action photo series.

Laurel Southern Living and the Pepper Place Pop-Up Shop Over the Mountain Journal 823-9646 ph, 824-1246 fax collaborated on an accessories buffet, complete with a Aug. 2014 custom perfume bar and an array of stylish fall fashion is your AD prOOF FOr Over The MOunTAin JOurnAL for the Aug. 21, 2014 issue. pleasemust-haves. contact In the sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval orgalleries, things got moving with performances by dancers from DANCEe and AROVA Contemporary changes to 824-1246.

Ballet. Opera Birmingham took inspiration from ease make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

European paintings for moving arias by soprano Jennifer Bryant. Seasick Records provided the music indoors, spinning records for the crowd until the end of please initial and fax back within 24 hours. if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday before the press date, your ad will run asthe is. night. Live music kicked off at 9 p.m. in the outdoor plaza, where the instrumental band In Snow opened for Thank you for your prompt attention. the headliner Clear Plastic Masks.

In the VIP section, the junior patrons enjoyed specialty cocktails mixed by Birmingham bartender Eric Bennett and local brews from Cahaba Brewing. Food truck representation was strong at the event with Spoon Fed Grill, Cantina on Wheels, Taste of Nature, World of Wings, Jim ‘N Nick’s and ONO Ice coming out to offer a variety of options. Yellowhammer Creative provided Art on the Rocks 2015 souvenirs in the forms of T-shirts and totes featuring art inspired by BMA’s collection, and artists in the Asian galleries made a lasting impression on guests with intricate Henna tattoos.

The party continued once the museum doors closed at After Rocks, where Art on the Rocks downtown partners Carrigan’s, The Collins Bar and Paramount served up drink specials just for guests of the event. ❖

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Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 23

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Brews for Books

Brews for Books 2015 brought three bands and a packed house of Literacy Council supporters to Avondale Brewing Co. Aug.14. This is the fourth year for the event and it raised more funds than ever before to support The Literacy Council’s adult basic literacy and ESOL programs.

“We are grateful to everyone who joined us for Brews for Books,” said Literacy Council Executive Director Beth Wilder. “It was a great event and everyone I spoke with felt good knowing a fun night out would benefit our programs and ultimately help change someone’s life.” The event featured performances by The Schmohawks, Andy Spain and Lost Astronauts, and headliners Heath Green and the Makeshifters.

“We want to thank the bands, the folks at Avondale Brewing Co. and our sponsors America’s First Federal Credit Union, Thompson Engineering and Vulcan Materials for their support,” said TLC junior board President Amber Long. “They made this night possible and played a big role in the success of the event.” ❖

Photos special to the Journal

Literacy Council Junior Board Hosts Fundraiser at Avondale

Above: Rachel Anderson and Emily Frost. below: Amanda Lowery and Hannah Gentry.

Physical activity may improve quality of life after cancer.

If you are not currently exercising and would like to get active, UAB researchers are looking for your help.

Contact us about the BEAT study Better Exercise Adherence after Treatment for Breast Cancer

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic Camp Winnataska Holds Annual Alumni Awards

The Camp Winnataska Alumni Club recently honored six individuals at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic Aug. 29.

About 60 alumni, ranging in age from 2-90 years old, gathered for food, fellowship, news and awards.

Attendees took part in the dedication of three new facilities, including a covered road bridge made possible with grants from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the Alabama Power Foundation and built under the leadership of Donald Guthrie of Mountain Brook. Other facilities dedicated were a newly remodeled Craft Hut for the younger campers and a Recreation Pavilion made possible by a donation from Betty and Fred von Herrmann of Homewood.

Florence Ballard, who discovered

the campsite in 1916 with her husband, Elwyn, posthumously received the Memorial Award. Susan Thorington of Vestavia Hills was presented the Spirit of Winnataska Award for spearheading health hut renovations. Dr. Joe and Betty Ray Hughes of Mountain Brook were given the Great Chief Distinguished Service Award for providing countless hours of service and years of funding to the camp. Dollie Grover Brice of Mountain Brook received the Four-Fold Award, given to a person who has worked in many areas and who has given thought, time, talent and treasure to assist in carrying out the mission of Camp Winnataska.

Karen Moore of Leeds was presented the Sir Gareth Award, given annually to a volunteer who has tirelessly provided professional advice or expertise.

Carol Kilgore of Pell City was given the King Arthur Volunteer Leadership Award in recognition of outstanding guidance or supervision during the previous year. She has served two consecutive terms as board chairwoman.

Many Over the Mountain community members were in attendance at the picnic, including, from Vestavia Hills: Ginger Sharbel, Roger Conville, Barbara Sloan and Jim Thorington. From Mountain Brook: Dana and Linn Lower, Forrest Brice, Nancy Guthrie and Lane, Mary Rose and Emma Cate Rutledge.

From Homewood: Kap Garmon.

From Hoover: Bob and Kathy White, Courtney Beam, Jamie Thrasher, Audrey Jost and Cameron, E.J., Mary Virginia and Joseph McKinley. ❖

Physical activity may improve quality of life after cancer.

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Physical activity may improve quality of life after cancer.

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Photo special to the Journal

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Iron City was Liz Aldridge the setting for the third annual “New Year, New You” Reveal Party July 30, presented

by L.I.F.E. Fitness, during which Liz Aldridge of Helena revealed six months of fitness training.

Aldridge was named the winner of the L.I.F.E. Fitness 2015 “New Year, New You” award on Facebook in December after entering the competition. She then began working with L.I.F.E. personal trainer Matt Crane in January to develop a fitness regime that would improve her overall health.

To begin the evening, guests enjoyed refreshments by Happy Catering, music by Mark A.D. and a silent auction while waiting for the highlight of the evening, Aldridge’s reveal.

To build suspense, a short documentary chronicled Aldridge’s journey to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Afterward, a red light shone down and the audience applauded as Aldridge took the stage to reveal her transformation.

All proceeds from the event benefit Children’s of Alabama’s Center for Weight Management.

“This is a fun and unique event that brings great awareness to reducing childhood obesity and overall health for our patients and families,” Children’s Coordinator of Community Development Cayleigh Cummings said. ❖

Photos special to the Journal

Aldridge Reveals Fitness Transformation at Iron City

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Superheroes, princesses and fairy tale characters gathered for the ninth annual Fairy Tale Ball in the Cahaba Grand Ballroom Aug. 22.

The event, organized by the junior board of Childcare Resources, brought adults, kids and costumed characters together to benefit the organization’s efforts. The event raised more than $84,000 for Childcare Resources efforts in North Central Alabama, including training childcare professionals, assisting eligible working families with childcare costs and offering a Parent Education @ Work program.

Guests enjoyed gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a candy bar, interactions with their favorite fairy tale characters and music provided by the Rock Candy Band.

A silent auction kept the adults busy, featuring date night packages, sports tickets and other goods and services donated by area businesses.

Childcare Resources junior board members include David Kinman, president; Christine Hudson Goldman, vice-president and Fairy Tale Ball co-chair; Bradley Moore, secretary

Photo special to the Journal

Joseph Braswell

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Phoenix Oldham with Elsa and Anna of “Frozen.”

and treasurer; David Woodall, Fairy Tale Ball co-chair; Charles Goodrich, nominations co-chair; Dr. Victoria Anderson; Maria Bertuso; Christen Butler; Dr. Nicholas CaJacob; Robert T. Comer IV; Dave Folk; Anna Fowler; Dr. Andrea Hendricks; Lamar Hodge; Alison Jenkins; Kate Johnson; Jesalyn McCurry; Terrance Moultrie; Nichelle Nix; Lindsey Pearson; Heidi Ramey; Ashley Rhea; Kathleen Sherwood; Katie Shuey; Chris Strong; Chay Watkins; and Madeline R. Willings. ❖

DeBardeleben-Eichold

Elizabeth Cunningham DeBardeleben and Bernard Herbert Eichold III were married June 6 at The Cathedral of the Advent Church in Birmingham. The Rev. Samuel Gates Shaw officiated the 6 p.m. ceremony. A reception followed at Mountain Brook Club.

The bride is the daughter of Mr.

Qualls-Eason

Jenny Anne Qualls and Clint Michael Eason were married in a sunset ceremony on Sept. 20 at the Thompson Farm on Lake Logan Martin. Dr. J. Wayne Kilpatrick officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Qualls of Hoover. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mae Cooley of Homewood and the late Dr. Harold Niles Cooley Sr., and Mrs. Betty Qualls of Decatur and the late Mr. Charles Henry Qualls.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Eason of Hoover. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Thompson of Lincoln, and Mrs. Mona Jenkins of Birmingham and the late Mr. Jerry Jenkins and Mr. Chief Eason of Boaz. He is the great grandson of Mrs. Mildred Holder of Birmingham and the late Mr. Otis Holder.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a shell-colored silk gown with beads, sequins and a sweetheart neckline. She wore her mother’s wedding veil and carried a bouquet of orchids.

The bride was presented by her sisters, Karen Qualls Atchison and Laura Qualls Whitehead. Caleb Qualls, brother of the bride, was the ring bearer.

Jason Qualls, brother of the bride, was the photographer.

After a honeymoon trip to Cheaha Mountain, the couple lives in Maylene with their two dogs and two cats.

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 25

weddings & engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

and Mrs. Whitney De Bardeleben of Birmingham. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Adair Brevard III of Mobile and Mrs. Prince DeBardeleben Jr. of Birmingham and the late Mr. Prince DeBardeleben Jr. The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Herbert Eichold II of Mobile. He is the grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Eichold II and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Frederick Delchamps Jr. The bride is a graduate of Auburn University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in international business and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She was presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball, the Ball of Roses, the Heritage Ball and the Redstone Ball.

The groom is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. The groom is pursuing a master’s of business administration degree and a master’s of science in mechanical engi-

Ryan-Qualls

Stephanie Brooke Ryan and Jason Charles Qualls were married Nov. 8 in a private ceremony at a secluded lake nestled behind Greystone. Mr. Frank Thompson officiated the ceremony. A reception celebration with friends and family was held at the home of the groom’s aunt and uncle, Dr. and Mrs. Harold Cooley Jr. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Ryan of Helena. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ryan of Bessemer and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Chapin of Pleasant Grove.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Qualls of Hoover. He is the grandson of Mrs. Mae Cooley of Homewood and the late Dr. Harold Niles Cooley Sr. and Mrs. Betty Qualls of Decatur and the late Mr. Charles Henry Qualls.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an oyster-colored dress with satin and sequin appliqué, a sweetheart neckline and ruffled bottom. She carried a bouquet of roses and canna lilies.

Caleb Qualls, brother of the groom, was the ring bearer.

Laura and Jacob Whitehead, sister and brother-in-law of the groom, were the photographers.

After the wedding, the couple ventured to a romantic location. They live in Hoover.

neering at the University of Alabama.

The bride and groom met while members of the Mobile Carnival Association Court.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory lace gown by New York designer Carolina Herrera. The full lace gown was strapless with a sweetheart neckline and worn with an off-the-shoulder bolero jacket that had sleeves to the elbow and buttons up the center back. The silhouette of the gown was fit and flared with buttons down the entire back. The skirt flared at her fingertips and swept to a full chapel-length train. A custommade veil of ivory illusion trimmed with a coordinating re-embroidered Alencon Lace completed her ensemble.

The bride was attended by her sisters as maids of honor, Anne Welch DeBardeleben of Birmingham and Virginia Estes DeBardeleben of Nashville, Tennessee.

Bridesmaids were Margaret McCollum DeBardeleben, sister-in-

Qualls-Whitehead

Laura Katherine Qualls and Jacob Christian Whitehead were married April 25 at 6 p.m. in a wooded cove outside the home of her aunt and uncle, Dr. and Mrs. Harold Niles Cooley Jr. of Hoover. Mr. Bronson Moore officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Qualls of Hoover. She

Bhasin-Hiley

Dr. Devina Bhasin and Thomas Hiley were married April 4 at the Biltmore Ballroom in Atlanta.

The bride is the daughter of Drs.

law of the bride, Brooke Fleming Pilot, Linley Hallmark Roberts, Lane Walker Robinson and Kelly Elizabeth Walker, all of Birmingham; Jamie Denise Eiland and Margaret Exley Giles, both of Nashville; Caitlyn Gullatte McDaniel of Atlanta; Jordan Easter Taylor of Dallas; Catherine Brevard Ward and Sarah Grace Ward, cousins of the bride, of Fort Payne.

Mena Lynn Brevard, cousin of the bride, of Daphne was the flower girl.

The groom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen were Bradley John Brown of New Orleans; Phillip Logan Cowart of Selma; Whitney Debardeleben Jr., brother of the bride, of Birmingham; Alfred Delchamps Eichold, brother of the groom, of Atlanta; Samuel Eichold III, brother of the groom, of Memphis, Tennessee; John Thomas Florence of Houston; Brandon Heath McGrew, Jeffrey Evan Plaskett, Michael Joseph Doumit Wishon, all of Mobile; Edwin Lee Peters III of Austin, Texas; and James Clayton Turner of Fairhope.

Junior groomsman was John Hagen

Livingston, nephew of the bride, of Birmingham.

Ushers were Bradley Kevin O’Brien of Birmingham; Thomas Bryant Cassidey, Austin Tyler Hilyer, Paul Joseph McCracken and Clifford Don Wyatt III, all of Mobile; Albert Gaines Gibson of Abilene, Texas; Patrick Cameron Gunter of Bay Minette; Charles Davis Looney of Tuscaloosa; and Lawton Adair Ward, cousin of the bride, of Fort Payne.

Scripture readings were provided

by Anna Caroline Delchamps, cousin of the groom, of Mobile and Gordon Morrow Terry of Birmingham.

Crucifer was Charles Welch DeBardeleben, uncle of the bride, of Birmingham.

Program attendants were Ava Jade Aumiller, niece of the bride, of Texarkana, Arkansas, Ann Grace Stanford Hill and Frances Boehm Hill of New Orleans.

Music was provided by the Cathedral Church of the Advent choir under the direction of Dr. Frederick T. Teardo.

is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mae Cooley of Homewood and the late Dr. Harold Niles Cooley Sr., and Mrs. Betty Qualls of Decatur and the late Mr. Charles Henry Qualls.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Whitehead of Hoover.

He is the grandson of Mrs. Suzanne Y. Bryant of Hoover and the late Mr. Joseph Royce Bryant Jr., and Mr. Lewis E. Whitehead Jr. of Mountain Brook and the late Mrs. Mary B. Whitehead.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore her mother’s wedding gown. It had a high neckline and was made of satin with pearl and sequin appliqué. She also wore her mother’s veil and carried a bouquet of roses and lilies.

Matrons of honor were sisters of the bride Karen Qualls Atchison and Jenny Qualls Eason. Maid of honor was Caylee Day. Bridesmaids were Makayla Johnson; Emily Bertolino; Brooke Qualls and Jodi Qualls, sisters-in-law of the bride; Bethany Bass, sister of the groom; and Jana

Whitehead and Taylor Whitehead, sisters-in-law of the groom.

Best men were Jonathon Whitehead, brother of the groom, and Michael Wiesneth. Groomsmen were Clint Eason and Stephen Atchison, brothers-in-law of the bride; Caleb Qualls and Kevin Qualls, brothers of the bride; Micah Whitehead, brother of the groom; and Michael Whitehead, father of the groom. Liam Atchison, nephew of the bride, was the ring bearer and Cayden Atchison, nephew of the bride, was the honorary ring bearer.

Ushers were Carlos Hernandez, Hunter Smith, Alan Parsons and Cory Potter.

Music was provided by pianist Patricia Thompson, violinist Jonathan Wise and soloists Emily Bertolino and Makayla Johnson.

Jason Qualls, brother of the bride, was the photographer.

After a honeymoon trip to an all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia, the couple lives in Homewood with their two cats.

Ram and Sunita Bhasin of Bluefield, Virginia. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Ramnath Bhasin of India and the late Mr. and Mrs. Gyanchand Malhoutra of India.

The groom is the son of retired Lt. Col. and Mrs. James Hiley of Birmingham. He is the grandson of Mrs. Ronald Sheldon of Salinas, California, and the late Mr. Ronald Sheldon and the late Col. and Mrs. James Hiley of Pensacola, Florida.

Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a traditional Indian wedding lengha made of vivid red silk with velvet detail. Heavy gold embroidery and jewel embellishment were featured throughout the dramatic paisley pattern along the lower half of the skirt. She wore a simple red veil.

The couple chose to incorporate both of their faiths in the wedding ceremony. The Sanskit Hindu service

was performed by Priest Bipin Bhat, who graciously explained each step of the ceremony. The Rev. Raymond Waters officiated the Christian service.

The bride completed her undergraduate studies at Emory University and graduated from Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Yale University, followed by fellowships at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She is a transplant hepatologist at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

The groom is a graduate of Samford University and Emory University School of Law. He is an attorney for Spain & Gillon.

Following a honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii, the couple is living in Atlanta.

To have our wedding & engagement forms sent to you, call 823-9646.

food

26 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Rolling in the Dough Bare Naked Noodles’ Linda Croley Has a Passion for Pasta

By Donna Cornelius Gorge at St. George: Middle Eastern Food Festival Is Sept. 17-19

Journal photo bh Lee Walls Jr.

Bare Naked Noodles is not your average eatery.

For starters, you may think your GPS has gone bonkers when you follow its directions to the café and arrive at a sprawling office complex in Hoover. But you’re in the right place. Go into the building’s East or West entrances and, as Bare Naked Noodles owner Linda Croley says, “Just follow your nose.”

From 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on weekdays, the café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. Until 4 p.m., customers can come in to pick up not only menu items but Croley’s raviolis, lasagnas, meatballs and sauces.

And at night?

“We turn into a pasta-making operation,” Croley said. She and her helpers stay late to roll out sheet after sheet of pasta dough for her Italian specialties.

The Hoover resident hasn’t always been in the food business. She was working in brokerage when she started her pasta company in 2011, she said.

“I started selling dried pasta, but my goal was to produce fresh pasta,” she said.

Croley said she was in Seattle when a Pappardelle’s Pasta display at Pike’s Place Market hooked her.

“There were 150 candy jars full of pasta,” she said. “After I ordered three large shipments, the company called and asked if I wanted to sell it.”

Croley said the key to starting her own business was when she began to sell her own tomato sauce in 2013. But since she couldn’t produce a large quantity of the sauce at home, she got a spot at Chef’s Workshop, a commercial kitchen provider in Hoover.

“I was content for a while,” Croley said. “I had a team. I was working at Wells Fargo by day and making pasta at night.”

Croley was selling her products at Birmingham area farmers markets, festivals and grocery stores and through her website, www.barenakednoodles. net, when the opportunity to open a restaurant presented itself. Her business was outgrowing the commercial kitchen space, she said.

“In March of this year, I was contacted by the previous owner of this café,” she said. “This was on a Sunday night. By Monday, I owned it.”

The Bare Naked Noodles café opened for one week at the end of March. Then it closed so Croley

Linda Croley’s Bare Naked Noodles café has breakfast, brunch and lunch – then morphs into a pasta-making place at night.

and her husband, Jesse, could visit Italy for two weeks. But even her vacation was food-focused.

“We rolled pasta with little old ladies who didn’t speak English and toured olive oil factories and wineries,” Croley said. “We opened for good in April.”

The business’ name came up during a brainstorming session, she said.

“With the pasta noodles we were selling, the flavor is all in the noodle,” she said. “It’s pasta that doesn’t need to get dressed.”

You’d be hard-pressed to come up with a pasta dish that Bare Naked Noodles doesn’t have.

There’s Croley’s favorite, lasagna, in meat, veggie and butternut squash versions. She typically has 30-something flavors of ravioli, some that are staples and others that are seasonal.

She doesn’t make manicotti with pasta sheets.

“We use an egg crepe with fluffy ricotta, basil and parmesan cheese covered in tomato sauce,” Croley said.

Bare Naked Noodles has three types of meat-

piggly wiggly

®

Gril

k a e t S er t t e B la

balls – mini, large and large stuffed with mozzarella. Also on the menu are cannelloni, gnocchi, tortellini and tortelloni.

Not everything is Italian.

“We also do platters of chicken enchiladas just because we love them,” Croley said.

When you visit the café, look for the day’s menu on a large chalkboard beside the front door.

There’s always a quiche of the day in addition to muffins, croissants with jam, fruit, granola and yogurt.

You’ll find sandwiches like the Italian grinder with salami, pepperoni, provolone and olive salad.

The Tuscan turkey sandwich has fontina, tomatoes and basil pesto.

On the lighter side, the Taste of Italy salad is a mozzarella plate with prosciutto, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, grilled crostini, tomatoes and olives. Fresh squash noodle salad has goat cheese and house vinaigrette.

Heartier entrees might include lasagna or pork See noodles, page 27

Kibbee, rolled grape leaves and Mediterraneanstyle chicken are on the menu at St. George Melkite Catholic Church’s Middle Eastern Food Festival.

The 34th annual celebration will be Sept. 17-19 at the church, 425 16th Ave. South in downtown Birmingham.

Food will be served from Culinary 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. all three days Community News and of the festival. Downtown delivery Events will be available for lunch on Thursday and Friday with a minimum $75 order.

Other homemade foods at the festival will include spinach pies, falafel and hummus. A sweets booth will offer pastries and cakes.

The event also includes music, dancing, vendors and church tours. Proceeds benefit Birmingham area charities.

For a complete menu and more information, visit www.saintgeorgeonline.org or the church’s Facebook page.

Flavor Festival: Breakin’ Bread Event Moves to Sloss Furnaces

One of Birmingham’s premier food and wine events has a new venue.

Breakin’ Bread, the Local Flavor Festival is moving to Sloss Furnaces for this year’s event, set for Sept. 27 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. The move was due to the need for more space because of the festival’s popularity and expansion, organizers said.

Hosted by the Birmingham Originals, an organization that promotes dining in local independent restaurants, Breakin’ Bread aims at attracting families.

Foodies will get to taste signature dishes from more than 40 Birmingham restaurants plus Alabama beers, wines and soft drinks.

A VIP area will host a cooking contest featuring some Birmingham Originals chefs.

The event also includes a farmers market, children’s area, music, wine tasting seminars by Scott Jones of Jones Is Thirsty, and a beer garden showcasing Alabama craft brews.

The Alabama Tourism Department named

www.pigbham.com The Certified Angus Beef® brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select.

Ten quality standards set the brand apart.

It’s abundantly flavorful, incredible tender, naturally juicy. Piggly Wiggly is the only grocery store in the area with Certified Angus Beef. Taste the Difference!

See news, page 27

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 27

food

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Southern Graze Pops Up

ily recently moved to Avondale after raising their children in Vestavia Hills.

“I like seeing the creative inspiration behind the food and getting to anticipate what the menu will be like.”

Pop-ups are fun for the chefs as well as for the guests, Schmidt said.

“You get to do something different,” she said. “And it was fun to get a bunch

Two of Birmingham’s Brightest Women Chefs Mix It up With New Venture

of women together to cook.”

If you want to be notified about future Southern Graze dinners, send an email to southerngraze@gmail. com or follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @southerngraze. Venues will vary, from event spaces to private homes to “wild cards” – unexpected places, Schmidt said. ❖

I have a food-themed bucket list.

I dream the impossible dreams, like eating at the Fat Duck in the U.K. and meeting hunky Australian chef Curtis Stone. I’m not sure when I’ll next be able to pop over to England, and I doubt Curtis’ busy schedule gives him much time to sit and chat with random food writers.

But I’ve managed to fulfill one of the items on my list: going to a pop-up.

Pop-up restaurants or dinners are increasingly popular ways for chefs to showcase their food and for diners to venture into uncharted dining territory.

Some events really take guests off the beaten path; a New York pop-up presented dishes made from food scraps.

Southern Graze, organized by Birmingham chefs Angela Schmidt and Maureen Holt, doesn’t go that far off the trail (thank goodness). The series of dinners is billed as “a new perspective on old traditions.” If the first Southern Graze event is any indication, that’s a smart plan.

The dinner was Aug. 27 at Full Circle, a new event space in Forest Park.

Schmidt, who owns Chef U, a private chef company specializing in dinner parties, said she and Holt, chef

news,

From previous page Breakin’ Bread one of the signature experiences for the Year of Alabama Food.

General admission tickets for ages 21 and older are $34.50. The cost is $20 for ages 12-20. Children under 12 are admitted free. VIP tickets are $99.

Additional alcoholic beverage tokens are $4.

Birmingham Originals has donated more than $100,000 to local charities.

Photo courtesy of Lindsey Griffin

By Donna Cornelius

The first Southern Graze Pop-up event was Aug. 27 at Full Circle, a new event space in Forest Park.

and co-owner of Birmingham’s Little Savannah restaurant, wanted to “work together and create something.”

“We also thought it was a great opportunity to bring some other women into the mix,” Schmidt said.

For Southern Graze’s opening night, Schmidt and Holt brought on board chefs Becky Satterfield of Satterfield’s Restaurant and Kay Reed of Iz Catering.

Most chefs will be women, but men won’t be automatically excluded, Schmidt said.

Southern Graze will use sommeliers and stylists and plans to promote local food folks. Chutney for the Aug. 27 dinner came from Rebecca Williamson of Holmsted Fines. Deborah Stone’s

Stone Hollow Farmstead produced the goat cheese. Alabama forager Chris Bennett foraged up some shiso leaves.

The plant grows wild in Alabama and is in the mint family.

Diner Haden Brown of Homewood said she learned about Southern Graze through a friend’s Facebook post.

“It’s the first pop-up I’ve been to, although I’ve heard about them for years,” Brown said. “There’s such a range of people here – professors, doctors, teachers. It’s really a fun, relaxed crowd.”

Lorrin Etka-Shepherd came with her daughter, Maddie Shepherd, a junior at Barnard College in New York.

“I love to come to these pop-up dinners,” said Lorrin, who said her fam-

This year, the group is again donating a portion of ticket sales to Camp Smile-AMile and Make-A-Wish Alabama.

has a second location in Nashville) took its name from the literal meaning of the Jeremy word ‘burrito,’” Hunt wrote. “Ironically, To: From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 it has just one burrito on the menu, FAX: 205-824-1246 but you can do a lot with the classic.

The adobada (pork marinated in chile Date: July sauce) is what made LD so famous, so This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the July you should probably try that before you issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. test-drive the chicken tinga or shrimp.

But either way, you’re getting helpings of salsa and beans in your burrito – and ANY SAUCE, ANY CHEESE, unlike at some other places that rhyme ANY TOPPINGS with “bipotle,” the guac comes free of charge.” please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

Little Donkey is at 2821 Central Ave. ❖ If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date,

Best Burrito: Little Donkey Dish Makes Thrillist List

Food and travel website Thrillist recently came up with a list of the 33 best burritos in the country – and Homewood’s Little Donkey made the cut.

Thrillist writer Kristin Hunt praised the restaurant’s Classic Burrito.

“In an effort to improve your Spanish vocabulary, this Alabama shop, (which

The stuffed dates helped her win a national Eating Well magazine contest.

From previous page “They wanted recipes for cookies with memories, so I came up with mine, tenderloin over Pappardelle’s Pasta with which I called One Nutty Date,” she said. rustic carrots, Brussels sprouts, onions Croley said food was a way for her and lardons. to stay connected to her family.

Fresh roasted vegetables and des“Once I moved away from home, serts are available, too. whenever I’d get homesick, I’d cook Croley said she uses locally made something,” she said. products as much as possible.

She worked on Wall Street and in “I know every single farmer and 1994 was recruited to Birmingham by a every single meat distributor we use,” life insurance company. She was workshe said. “We concentrate on Alabama ing for Wells Fargo when she retired. products.”

“My goal was to retire from brokerThe Long Island, New York, native age when I was 55, and I made it, and said she grew up cooking with her now I’m working harder than I ever mother’s Italian family.

“The memories are so great,” Croley worked,” she said, smiling. “It’s been crazy – andRing fun.” Sizing! said.

“I remember being in the kitchennext ame day Ring Sizing! day The company also does catering and with my grandma making her Sunday 205-769-6930 205-769-6930 provides private chef services. Croley sauce. On Christmas Eve, we’d stuff 9 Montgomery hwy, vestavia hills 619 Montgomery hwy, vestavia hills plans to offer pasta-making classes and dates.”

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special dinners and events, she said.

Bare Naked Noodles products are sold in the Birmingham area at farmers markets, at Western Supermarkets and at Piggly Wiggly’s Bluff Park, Clairmont Avenue, Homewood and Liberty Park stores.

Bare Naked Noodles Café is at 100 Concourse Parkway, suite 145, in Hoover. For more information, visit the website or follow the company on Instagram and Twitter @pastasogood. ❖

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28 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

schools

Double Take

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Vestavia Hills Students Set High Bar on Test

By Kaitlin Candelaria Jamie Smith said it’s important to her to not only learn the names of the kids at her schools, but also to learn a little bit about them. Man, does she have her work cut out for her.

Smith, who just accepted the assistant principal positions at Deer Valley Elementary School and at Brock’s Gap Intermediate School in Hoover, will be working with more than 1,600 students this year. That’s a lot of names.

“One challenge is the way that I talk to the kids,” she said. “One day, I’m talking to kindergarteners and the next day, I’m talking to sixth-graders, so I have to remember where I am.”

Smith calls her new job a “unique situation” but feels that she’s up to the challenge of working as an administrator at two schools.

“It really makes things interesting because the weeks go by so fast and you’re not doing the same thing every day,” Smith said. “It’s the same job but I have different responsibilities at both places. The administrative teams at both schools have made it so easy for me and the office staffs – both of them – are always there when I have a question or if I need something.”

Smith comes from an administrative family background, but she never saw herself following in her father’s footsteps. After earning a bachelor’s

degree in computer information systems, she found herself in the corporate world. But that wasn’t for her, and she went back to school and earned a teaching certification.

“I was at a school where I was teaching technology with my undergraduate degree and the assistant principal told me one day, ‘You really need to be an administrator,’” she said. “And I said, ‘Really? Because my dad has been for years and years,’ and he told me that it was in my blood.”

Smith is a fan of the Hoover school system – so much so that her son Jonah is a student at Riverchase Elementary School.

“Every school system is so different,” she said. “The relationships (at Hoover) are so amazing. The relationships between the administrative teams and the teachers that have already been established are just phenomenal. I’ve just slipped in and they’ve accepted me and the whole system is really great about communication.”

Smith, who would love to one day become a principal, said that working underneath the principals at Deer Valley and Brock’s Gap has been a great experience for her.

“I am definitely learning in a good way,” she said. “I think that learning from Dr. Richardson and Mr. Mitchell is going to be the best thing for me.

Photos special to the Journal

Smith Splits Her Time Between Two Schools

Clockwise from left: Jamie Smith will be serving as an assistant principal at not one, but two Hoover City Schools this year. April Bucki has accepted a position as assistant principal for Riverchase Elementary School. This year, Josh Britnell holds the position of assistant principal at Spain Park High School.

They have very different and unique styles of leadership, but they’re both really great and I’m learning a ton from both of them.”

Smith isn’t the only new assistant principal in the area.

April Bucki has been named the newest assistant principal at Riverchase Elementary School. Bucki has taught in the Hoover City School system for eight years and has spent a total of 21 years in education.

“I am so excited for this opportunity to work with such an amazing

school,” Bucki said. “I look forward to working with students and parents to build positive relationships in the community.”

Josh Britnell has also been named assistant principal at Spain Park High School. His appointment comes on the heels of Larry Giangrosso, former assistant principal, being appointed principal.

Britnell has administrative experience in the Shelby County school system and has been in education for 11 years. ❖

Shades Cahaba Elementary first-grade teacher Allison Woods, SCE parent and teacher Betsy Crimi, volunteer Deborah Shotkus, Education Advisory Committee President Nancy Biggio and SCE teacher Megan Werner

HCS Volunteer Recognized at June Board Meeting

Deborah Shotkus, a retired teacher who volunteers at Shades Cahaba Elementary School, was awarded the Education Service Award during Homewood’s Board of Education meeting in June.

The award is presented by the Education Advisory Committee each year to an individual or organization who commits time and/or resources to the Homewood school system.

According to officials, Shotkus was recognized because she spends time with each student she volunteers with, tracks their progress and truly invests herself in them.

“Over a period of three years, she has worked with every single first-grade student at one time or another,” Allison Woods, a first-grade teacher at Shades Cahaba Elementary, said. “She is flexible with the requests the first-grade teachers make and always gives 110 percent.”

Shotkus taught first grade in another state for many years before retiring.

Her husband’s job brought her to Birmingham after her retirement, where she began volunteering.

“Our first-graders love Mrs. Shotkus,” Betsy Crimi, another first-grade teacher, said. “They beg to have their turns with her. They long to share all of their work and daily news with her. She is a selfless, reliable resource for some of our youngest, precious students.” ❖

Students at Vestavia Hills High School are outperforming their statewide counterparts by a wide margin on the ACT, according to data released through the Alabama State Department of Education.

Recently graduated seniors for the school scored a composite score of 25.3, which is more than six points above the state average of 19.1.

A second set of data containing results for last year’s juniors showed similar results.

In both sets of data, more than half of the students met all four ACT benchmark scores, a threshold the testing company says indicates a 50 percent chance of obtaining a “B” or higher in core college classes.

“We are very excited about our students’ performance on the ACT, especially given that all students participated,” Principal Tyler Burgess said. “The cumulative effect of support and outstanding instruction beginning in kindergarten helps our students achieve. We want to celebrate that success but also continue to improve with each new class of students taking this assessment.”

Hoover’s Richard Crowned Outstanding Teen 2016 Katelyn Richard was crowned Miss Jefferson County’s Outstanding Teen at Hoover High School Aug. 1.

In January, Richard tore her ACL and had to undergo surgery. After a full recovery, Richard won the talent portion of the competition by performing a power tumbling routine to “Can You Do This?” by Aloe Blacc.

While Katelyn Richard campaigning for Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen organization, Richard visited K-12 schools throughout the state, speaking at schoolwide assemblies, in classrooms and to small groups about her platform issue, “One Race Human.”

Her platform is dedicated to improving human relations by addressing discrimination in all forms.

Richard was chosen as the first youth ambassador for The Birmingham Pledge and partnered with the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham to organize and lead hikes to the top of Ruffner Mountain on New Year’s Day of 2014 and 2015 in order to recite The Birmingham Pledge.

Richard has organized teen volunteers for “Gift Wrapping by Queens,” benefiting Grace House Ministries, served as emcee for the fourth and fifth annual MLK Unity Walk in Birmingham, has been an All-Star softball player for 13 seasons and has held a Universal Cheerleaders Association leadership pin for four seasons.

Richard is a junior at Hoover High School, where she is a varsity cheerleader and a member of the Lady Bucs softball team.

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 29

Homewood Middle School teacher Haley Gossett was selected to attend the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Academy for Educators program this summer in Huntsville.

Through support from the Alabama Legislature, one educator from each of Alabama’s 136 public school districts received a full scholarship to the program.

Gossett, who teaches sixth-grade math and science, received materials, full tuition, lodging and meals for the weeklong camp. Space Academy for Educators provides the environment to develop professionally, network and build collaborative relationships across the state.

STEM educators experienced simulated space missions, took part in astronaut training activities and received curriculum materials. According to officials, Gossett was able to learn about innovative practices and activities to take back to Homewood Middle School while taking part in the Space Camp experience.

Photos special to the Journal

Homewood Teacher Goes to Space Camp

HMS Students Jake Rowell, Isabel David, Paul Condon and Carleigh East are members of the Heritage Panel.

Homewood Middle Creates Heritage Panel Homewood Middle School has formed a Heritage Panel, an organization consisting of 25 students dedicated to empowering student leaders to make the school more inclusive and welcoming. The students aim to create a climate change that discourages bullying and harassing behavior.

The organization will work together throughout the year to make classroom presentations and to host panels for students.

The panel started the year with a two-day workshop in which students and faculty were trained. During the workshops, participants were asked to look within themselves and their school community to make personal commitments to improve relations at the school.

The panel is a part of the National Conference for Community and Justice.

EVERY TIME YOU SEE THIS TAG, REMEMBER THAT AN ALABAMA CHILD IS BATTLING CANCER ... AND RECEIVING WORLD-CLASS CARE

ASFA’s Wesselmann Represents Alabama at Princeton

PoP Undergoes Extensive Renovations Prince of Peace Catholic School has undergone a major transformation just in time for the 2015-2016 school year.

The campus had extensive renovations this summer, including the addition of a new 16,000-square-foot, two-story building built to house the 150 students who make up the middle school division of the school.

In addition to the new building, outdoor playing fields, a basketball court and the campus’ third playground also have been added. The rest of the school has gotten updates such as fresh paint, new tile, new carpet, technology upgrades and the addition of new science labs.

Because the middle school students will now be housed in a separate building, elementary students also have been divided into an upper and lower division.

The updates come as a result of the school’s commitment to maintaining a small class size and a singular campus for students in Pre-K through eighth grade. Plans for the updates began more than three years ago and the new building will be blessed and dedicated

by Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, STD, Fourth Bishop of Birmingham, on Sept. 13 at the annual parish picnic.

Over the past decade, Alabama’s Curing Childhood Cancer tag has raised more than $2.5 million for childhood cancer research and treatment programs at Children’s of Alabama.

If you already have our tag, be sure to renew it at your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

If not, please purchase one when it’s time for a new tag.

Buy a tag.

Alabama children are counting on you!

curingchildhoodcancer.org Vinzent Wesselmann (left) of Vestavia Hills represented Alabama at the High School Diplomats program where he shared a room with Japanese student Takaumi Minagawa.

P

Haley Gosset, sixth-grade math and science teacher at Homewood Middle School, was selected to attend the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Academy in Huntsville.

Vinzent Wesselmann, a junior at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and alumnus of Pizitz Middle School, recently represented Alabama at the High School Diplomats program at Princeton University. HSD is a full-scholarship program that selects 40 American students and 40 Japanese students to spend 10 days at Princeton University educating one another about their respective cultures.

“It is rare to find programs that can change your way of thinking and inspire you to do things you never imagined of in less than two weeks,” Wesselmann said. “High School Diplomats is one of those programs and has created what I believe to be some of the strongest friendships with people who live halfway around the world.”

Wesselmann said that, at the beginning of the program, his roommate could not speak English very well, but his desire to learn more about American culture aided in his linguistic improvements.

“I think overcoming the language barrier was actually one of the most interesting parts of the program and it showed me that there are other ways to express yourself than verbal communication,” he said. “Every day we would have presentations from groups of either American or Japanese students that would discuss the education system, social issues, geography or the government in our respective countries.”

Wesselmann said that one of his most meaningful discussions took place on the anniversary of the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

In addition to serious discussion, he said that each day of the program had a different theme. Each theme highlighted an aspect of American culture, including prom and pep rallies, as well as popular holidays.

“In turn, we had a Japanese culture day in which American students were introduced to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, various forms of Japanese martial arts, sushi making, traditional Japanese clothing and calligraphy,” Wesselmann said. “I highly recommend anyone with an interest in Japanese culture or diplomacy to apply for this life-changing program.”

WITHOUT EVER LEAVING OUR STATE.

30 • Thursday, September 10, 2015

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

davis,

Action Shots

From page 32

Spartan Comeback

Another interesting takeaway from the first real weekend of the season was Mountain Brook’s rousing 16-14 comeback win over Huntsville. The Spartans trailed 14-3 at halftime before storming back to victory.

And while Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager tried to minimize it in pre-season conversation, there’s no question that the ghost of 2014 hung over the Spartans as fall practice began. Mountain Brook lost three games, literally on the last play, on the way to a disappointing 3-7 mark. So coming back from adversity to score a win over a good Crimson Panther team will do far more for the Spartans’ collective psyche than any 40-0 domination of a hapless opponent would have done.

Another team that probably feels better about itself is Spain Park. The Jaguars bounced back from a heart crushing overtime loss to Austin to rout Hueytown. But as we have seen repeatedly, in Class 7A football there’s rarely much time to savor a victory.

Go to otmj.com or our Facebook page this week for details about our new site dedicated to expanded OTM sports coverage from our team of award-winning photographers!

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

games in 2015. Trendy offenses may come and go, but over the long haul, basic fundamentalsdriven football is always going to be successful.

Anderson has more than 300 victories and two state championships to prove it.

And often, Anderson’s reputation for conservatism can work to Vestavia’s advantage.

For example, who was looking for that 63-yard touchdown pass on the second play from scrimmage against Homewood? Frequently, the Rebels have surprised an opponent with a gadget play that was anything but conservative.

After nearly 40 years as Vestavia’s head coach, Anderson hasn’t given any indication he’ll be retiring anytime soon.

Nolan Turner (22) and Walker Minor celebrate after Turner scored the Rebels’ opening touchdown in Vestavia Hills season open win over Homewood on Aug. 28. Minor picked up 101 yards on 21 carries for three touchdowns. The Rebel defense held the potent Homewood ground attack to a mere 67 yards and forced three turnovers.

smith,

From page 32

None of those obstacles has prevented Homewood’s Andy Smith from becoming one of Alabama’s finest cross-country runners. Smith, a senior, is hoping to lead the Patriots to their fourth consecutive state crosscountry title and earn his second individual crown at this year’s state meet in November. His personal best times of 15:42 in the 5K and 4.17 in the mile run make him the fastest returning runner for those events in state track and field.

Smith also excels in both indoor and outdoor track and field, and he has won seven individual state championships combined in crosscountry, indoor and outdoor track. He has been a part of three state titlist relay teams and was a key member of Homewood’s state outdoor champions in 2014. But cross-country may be

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Amid the opening of the football season is a bit of basketball news. Former John Carroll star Ronald Steele, who led the Cavaliers to state championships in 2003-2004, is returning to his alma mater to coach the girls basketball team.

Steele played at the University of Alabama and professionally in Europe before coming back to John Carroll.

Steele’s addition turns the Cavalier basketball coaching tandem into a brother act.

Ronald’s younger brother Andrew directs the fortunes of John Carroll’s boys team. ❖

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Steele City

Mountain Brook quarterback Connor Adair works to avoid a Huntsville tackler in the first half of the Spartan’s 16-14 win over the Crimson Panthers. The Spartans trailed 14-3 at halftime before storming back to victory.

his first love.

“The summer either makes you or breaks you when it comes to crosscountry training,” Smith said last week. “If a runner hasn’t trained hard during the summer, then he’s probably not going to have a good year.”

Smith and his teammates spent most of their summer participating in workouts that began at 6:30 a.m. They ran long distances, lifted weights and even did lap swimming to improve their conditioning.

“It was tough,” Smith admitted, “but will be worth everything once the season starts.”

Training for cross-country is quite different from training to run on a traditional track, according to Smith.

“Cross-country isn’t just running around in a big circle on a track, so you have to be prepared for anything,” he said. “You definitely have to do a lot of hill work. Those hills can be a killer if you’re not prepared.

Also you have to be concerned with

things on the trail like how to run over sand. It’s a different type of race.”

Smith said the mental aspect of cross-country running is as important as the physical part. “I usually get very nervous before a race, but that feeling usually goes away once I start running,” he said. “When it gets toward the end, I just keep telling myself, ‘Don’t quit, don’t quit.’ I try to block out everything except trying to finish the race as strongly as possible.”

Another important factor is dealing with the inevitable pain that comes at the end of a difficult race.

“There’s an old saying in track that says if you’re not hurting, you’re not running hard enough,” Smith said. “If I’m going to be hurting at the end of a race anyway, there’s no point in running poorly.”

Smith’s attitude is symbolic of the rise of Homewood track and field in recent years, as runners such as Alex

Ngei, Hunter Poole, Logan Sadler and Davis Platt have all contributed to the Patriots’ success. In addition to going for a fourth straight cross-country title, Homewood will also be aiming for its fourth consecutive indoor track title early next year.

“We have a group of guys who decided in ninth grade to take crosscountry and track seriously,” Smith said. “So we’ve been working hard ever since.”

Patriot cross-country coach Lars Porter said Smith’s attention to detail in preparation is an important ingredient in his success.

“Andy has been a pleasure to coach the last three years, and I’m excited about his senior year,” Porter said. “He has bought into the fact that daily dedication and small improvements each day lead to major improvements over time. Andy understands that success and struggles are all par for the course.”

Smith began running competi-

tively in the seventh grade after getting encouragement from his father, Glenn, who had been a triathlete. “I went out for football and it wasn’t for me,” Smith recalled. “So dad suggested I give cross-country a try. From the very beginning, I liked it.”

College recruiters are already knocking on Smith’s door. He said he has offers from the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Arkansas. “I definitely plan to run at the college level,” he said.

For the moment, Smith is focused on the season ahead. He wants to add that fourth team and second individual championship trophy to his school’s hardware collection.

“The main thing is being my best at every practice and every meet,” Smith said. “If I do that, everything will work out.”

Cross-country running is far from a walk in the park, and Andy Smith wouldn’t have it any other way. ❖

Thursday, September 10, 2015 • 31

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Mitchell,

www.ezgo.com

From page 32

GET UP TO $500* OFF. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

tive target on their backs, but they have embraced the challenge.

“We have T-shirts with a big target on them,” she said. “Because we are the champions, all of our opponents have us circled on the schedule. We won’t have any easy nights. Every team we play will give us their best shot because it will be a highlight of their season to beat us.”

Mountain Brook opened the 2015 season on a strong note. The Lady Spartans finished second in a large field in the prestigious Juanita Boddie Tournament last week and followed that effort with an impressive sweep of Thompson.

“I’m really excited about where we are at this point,” Mitchell said. “There are so many good teams in the Boddie Tournament, the fact we finished second was an excellent start. I’m hoping that the confidence we got from that will help us the rest of the way.”

As one of the finest setters in Alabama, Mitchell realizes that much of Mountain Brook’s ability to score will rest on her shoulders. She said the key to success at that vital position is a mix of skill and controlled intensity.

“If I can’t improve on my teammates’ passes, my hitters won’t be able to execute,” Mitchell explained.

“So it’s important to take ownership as someone who is going to have their hands on the ball in every point-scoring situation and do everything I can to make sure we have success.”

Keeping a cool head at all times is just as important.

“I think demeanor on the court is as important as anything,” she said.

“Volleyball is a high-intensity sport. As a setter, I have to be a calming voice.

It’s easy to get caught up in a blur when everything is so fast-paced, so it’s important to keep energy up, but also to reel it in. It’s easy to be loud and jumping around when you’re scoring points, but what do you do when things aren’t going your way? One of the great things about our team is that we know how to step back and say, ‘Let’s get these points back one at a

Mountain Brook’s Libby Gann returns the ball for the Spartans during the game against Thompson last week.

time’ without panicking.”

Often a setter has to play the role of a coach on the court. “Sometimes it’s necessary to lay down the law,” Mitchell said. “My team knows I can be tough when I need to be.”

Mountain Brook coach Haven O’Quinn may be Mitchell’s biggest fan. “I think she’s our silent superstar,” she said. “Nine times out of ten she puts the ball exactly where it’s supposed to be.”

Mitchell feels the same way about her coach. “Playing for coach O’Quinn is the biggest blessing,” she said.

“Coach is very good at keeping us focused. She works us extremely hard, but she makes the game fun, too. The main thing is that she has so much passion for volleyball.”

“Passion” is probably a word that would apply to Mitchell. She played volleyball along with softball and basketball as a pre-teen and by sixth grade decided to go exclusively with volleyball.

“I just fell in love with it,” she said.

“I knew that it was the right sport for me.”

Mitchell – who first played on the varsity as a freshman – admits to having mixed emotions about her senior year.

“It’s really surreal that this is my last year at Mountain Brook,” she

said. “I’ve been playing with so many of these girls since fifth grade. I can’t believe that it’s all over after this season. It seems like yesterday when I was a nervous freshman playing varsity for the first time.”

Mitchell said that one of the proudest legacies she and her class have established is an increased interest in volleyball at the youth level at Mountain Brook and other communities.

“A few years ago I would work at summer volleyball camps and we’d have maybe 30 girls, and half of them had probably never played the game in their lives,” she recalled. “Last summer we had about 70. Honestly, I’d like to think that the success that we’ve had lately (an Elite Eight appearance in 2013 and the state title in 2014) are a big reason for the increase.”

College volleyball isn’t on Mitchell’s radar, which is all the more reason she wants her senior year to be special.

“It would be nice to win another championship, but that’s not the goal,” she said. “The most important thing is playing to our potential.”

No matter what happens in 2015, Mitchell’s name is secure as one of the all-time greats of Mountain Brook volleyball. And please call her Sara Chandler. ❖

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GET GAMEDAY READY!

New Coach Leads VSA to Successful Season The revamped Vestavia Swim Association summer swim program under the direction of new head Coach Michael Boetchen finished as the top summer team and second overall in the Senior County Metro Championships held this month at the Birmingham Crossplex.

This is quite an accomplishipment and a great improvement over our 16th place finish last summer.

Visit our new store in The Summit to find the best Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide gear!

From left, front: Briana Dixon, Katie Wakeford, Sophia Velezis, Gabrielle Velezis and Sarah Francis Gilroy. Second row: Ariana Zamani, Brooke Dixon, Cindy Jiang, Mary Liles Monroe and Maime Livingston. Third row: Dana Mays, Erica Han, Lauren Crabtree and Drake Amick.

Back: Coach Michael Bottchens, Nick Velezis, Sam Campbell and Christopher Rubin.

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Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Vestavia Swim Association Completes Sucessful Season Page 31

The Long Run

lee davis

Lightning Bolts

Rebel Offense, Defense Overwhelm Homewood

Smith Has High Goals for Senior Season

By Lee Davis

See smith, page 30

Andy Smith’s personal best times of 15:42 in the 5K and 4.17 in the mile run make him the fastest returning runner for those events in state track and field.

Photos special to the Journal

For those unfamiliar with the sport, cross-country running can, almost literally, sound like a walk in the park. After all, the athletes are competing in an attractive wooded setting with pristine running trails and are surrounded by nature. So how hard can that be?

Actually, cross-country is one of the most demanding sports an athlete can choose. The five kilometer course is grueling, and nature, most notably hills and trail hazards, are not a runner’s friend.

Mitchell’s Run Spartan Setter Looks to Senior Year

By Lee Davis

When Sara Chandler Mitchell meets someone for the first time, she has only one request.

Please don’t call her Sara.

“It’s Sara Chandler,” she said, when contacted last week. “I know it’s a little unique for a double name, but I like to use them both.”

Mitchell’s first name combination may be unusual, but she and her teammates became household names in the volleyball world last October when Mountain Brook won its first-ever Class 7A state title. Mitchell was never better than in the championship final against Hoover, chalking up 38 assists from her setter posi-

tion in the Lady Spartans’ 3-1 upset victory.

“Looking back, it was an incredible run,” Mitchell said. “To be the first team from Mountain Brook ever to win a volleyball championship is

From left: Sara Chandler Mitchell, Sara Carr and Payton Selman form a strong senior nucleus for the Spartans.

something we can have pride in. But we can’t live in the past. This is a new year and a new team.”

There’s reason to believe that the Lady Spartans are capable of earning a second consecutive blue trophy. Julia Smith, Mountain Brook’s outstanding defensive specialist from last season, has graduated but plenty of talent returns. Sara Carr – the Most Valuable Player of last year’s state tournament – and Payton Selman join Mitchell to form a strong senior nucleus.

“It’s easy to look at who we lost, but we’ve also got a lot of good players coming back,” Mitchell said. “We don’t have any freshmen on the varsity so there’s a lot of experience on the roster.

It’s up to the seniors to provide the leadership we need to be our best.”

Mitchell said that, as defending state champs, the Lady Spartans have a figuraSee mitchell, page 31

Lightning was plentiful at Vestavia Hills’ football opener against Homewood on Aug. 28.

Some of the bolts came from the sky, which resulted in a 62-minute delay at halftime.

The other lightning strikes came on the field, as the Rebels overwhelmed the Patriots 41-7 at Waldrop Stadium. Vestavia exploded on the second play from scrimmage when quarterback Brett Jones connected with Nolan Turner for a 63-yard touchdown bomb to give the Rebels an early 7-0 lead.

Vestavia dominated the rest of the evening, with Walker Minor running for 101 yards on 21 carries for three touchdowns. The Rebel defense held the potent Homewood ground attack to a mere 67 yards and forced three turnovers.

“I was really proud of how we came out and played,” said Vestavia coach Buddy Anderson. “Our offense, defense and special teams all came together and did a good job.”

Anderson, despite being the winningest coach in the history of high school football in Alabama, has had his share of critics in recent years.

They say his offensive schemes are outdated and his game plans are too conservative.

The simple truth is that Anderson believes that the same attributes that won football games 10 and 20 years ago, a strong running attack and rugged defensive play, will also win

See davis, page 30

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