The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
INSIDE
JOU RNAL OTMJ.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012
VOL. 22 #20 Sip and Savor kicks off Junior League Shop Save & Share
ABOUT TOWN PAGE 4
Clay shoots event takes aim at breast cancer
ABOUT TOWN PAGE 6
Former Rebelette shines as Tennessee Titans cheerleader
PEOPLE PAGE 14
BOO YA!
Scaring Up a Fun Time on Halloween The spooky seasonʼs a time to expect the unexpected – but thatʼs what youʼll find all year round at the Mayfair home of Homewood artist Elizabeth Knight Hubbard, above right with friend Janie Mayer. Page 26.
Cooking Light celebrates 25th anniversary
SOCIAL PAGE 18
Floats in an Oct. 31 parade have thrilled crowds with bats, dragons and other featured creatures. The event started as a way to bring Mardi Gras to Mountain Brook. Page 10. Halloween happenings: Weʼve got a treat bag full of fun things to do. Page 12. What does your Halloween attire say about you? Get Sue Murphy ʻs take on costume choices. Page 2.
OTM shops preview latest looks for winter
FASHIONS PAGE 42
10TH ANNUAL JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL P. 7 • JAMES C. LEE III NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR P. 15 • MEET THE CANDIDATES P. 16 • HOME BREW ON TAP P. 30
2 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
OPINION/CONTENTS
HOLIDAY IN THE HILLS RETURNS
MURPHY’S LAW
I The City of Vestavia is once again teaming up with the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce to present the Holiday in the Hills Festival 2012, which starts Nov. 15 and runs through the end of December. Special section begins on page 32
Correction: Wrapsody of Hoover will wrap up its fourth annual Hope Floats Campaign with a balloon release at the store Oct. 30 to benefit the Angel Squad of the UAB Comprehensive Care Center. In our Oct. 4 issue, we listed incorrect information on the event.
ON OTMJ.COM Browse through more pictures from the area’s biggest and best parties. Share your good news. Click on “Got News” to submit news items. Like us on Facebook for updates on what’s going on at the Journal.
COMING NOV. 1
The Nov. 6 elections are almost here (finally). Read part two of our candidates’ profiles. Plus we’ll take a look at local organizations helping military veterans.
IN THIS ISSUE ABOUT TOWN LIFE PEOPLE NEWS
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SOCIAL WEDDINGS NEW BUSINESS SPORTS
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JOU RNAL
18 25 30 48
October 18, 2012
Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Keysha Drexel Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, Bones Long, Cary Estes, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, William C. Singleton III Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Interns: Ben Johnson, Margaret Frymire Vol. 22, No. 20
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 2012 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.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Princess, Pirate, Plumber-in-Chief
handsome prince kissing your hand? don’t dress up for Halloween. Still, the costume should come with a All those grownups who can’t warning label. “If you’re waiting for wait to don a Yoda costume for some Prince Charming to ride in and a festooned masquerade ball? Not make your life magical, you’ll be waitone of them. I peruse the costume ing a long time, sweetie ... actually, aisle strictly for cultural literacy. forever. The trick is to be a princess in To me, a good way to get a handle your own right. Grab that scepter and on who people are is to find out tell everyone exactly what you want. who they want to be. Good luck getting it, of course, but Back when I taught kindergarten, that’s another princess issue entirely. the kids gave more thought to their Enjoy the glitter, but control your own Halloween costumes than they did life.” to the items on their Christmas lists. Pirate: The popularity of this one They’d deliberate for days (a long time is bothersome as well. What do pirates in kindergarten circles) and march in actually do? They pillage and plunder Oct. 31 with the newfound identity of Sue Murphy and behave in a generally uncivilized their choice. way. Yes, pirates sail the seven seas Of course, a lot of their choices and rarely bathe, so that’s enticing, depended on the merchandising in the real world, pirates (corpoefforts of the latest cartoon onslaught I peruse the costume but rate or otherwise) end up in a jail cell or Disney movie. Just like in the aisle strictly for cul- with their doubloons handed off to grownup career world, unless you go attorneys and creditors. out on a self-made limb, you’re limtural literacy. To me, theirSuperhero: This one I like, except ited to what the market offers. There were always the classicsa good way to get a apparently the only way to become a superhero is to suffer some -ghosts, vampires, various and sunhandle on who people cartoon kind of damage. Radiation, spider dry monsters. Witches were big there for a while, but the way the Harry are is to find out who bite, lab experiment gone horribly wrong. None of it could be fun. Potter series ended put the downside they want to be. Besides, it seems that all superheof that fantasy right out there in roes end up super lonely. They can’t Technicolor. Having a magic wand tell anyone about their superness, so loses its glamour when you have to cultivating relationships is problematic. You’re forever wield it in a world where there’s always someone trying ducking into a phone booth, you turn green and your to siphon your soul from your body. shirt rips open. Hobos aren’t that prevalent, either. It used to be Sooner or later your significant other is going to ask everyone’s go-to last minute costume--some ragged questions, and when you can’t give them the answers, clothes, a few smudges on your face, a bandana on a you end up with irreconcilable differences. stick slung jauntily over your shoulder. The fantasy was Still, superheroes have the satisfaction of saving freedom from expectations, freedom from care. Now, the world over and over again, and it’s obvious that the that the jobless lifestyle has hit so close to home, people world needs a lot of super help. can see that it’s not a carefree choice at all. We’ll get there. Doctors and nurses, teachers and It seems that every fantasy identity has its downside, plumbers, moms and dads and people of the cloth. That’s though. Look at the top three: where the real super work is done, but kids don’t know Princess: Who wouldn’t want the glitter and sparkle that yet. Maybe they need a Disney movie. ❖ of the princess lifestyle? All those frilly dresses and a
OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS
What’s Your Favorite Halloween Treat?
“Candy corn, because it has been a staple of Halloween for years. Or caramel squares. I always loved those as a kid.” Drew Davenport Hoover
“It has to be candy corn. It’s nostalgic--and low fat.” Jill Wooten Hoover
“I would have to say candy corn. I like the flavors, and it’s small enough that you can eat a lot of it. The chocolate candy corn is really good.” Julie Maddox Hoover
“That would definitely be Reese’s Cups. The peanut butter, the chocolate--it’s just awesome.” Kendra Nivens Hoover
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL BMC_PRIMARY-NETWORKƒ-OTMJ-10_25x12_5ƒ.pdf
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CAHABA HEIGHTS / GREYSTONE / HOMEWOOD / HOOVER / THE NARROWS / OAK MOUNTAIN / VESTAVIA HILLS
4 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
About Town
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
A Real Drawing Card Junior League Fundraiser Offers Discounts and Helps Community
G
et ahead on your holiday shopping and help raise money for community projects at the 2012 Junior League Shop Save & Share event, which begins Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 4. The Outlet Shops of Grand River will host a Sip and Savor kickoff party for the fundraiser Oct. 25 from 6-9 p.m. The event is open to the public with the purchase of a Shop, Save and Share card. Fashion shows will feature the latest in fall fashions showcasing stores from the Outlet Shops of Grand River. There will also be several food demonstrations, including one by Chef Randall Baldwin of Dyron’s Low Country fea-
Sip and Savor Party When: Oct. 25, 6-9 p.m. Where: The Outlet Shops of Grand River How to help: This event is open to the public with the purchase of a Shop, Save & Share card. Money raised supports more than 35 commuinty projects. turing Alabama-grown fall produce as well as appetizers and drinks for attendees. This is the seventh year for the event, which raised more than $70,000 last year and more than $225,000 for the community since it began.
During the event, cardholders get a 20 percent shopping discount at retailers and restaurants and on services throughout the Birmingham area, including Pepper Place, Trussville, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia, Hoover, the U.S. 280 corridor, Alabaster and online vendors. The SSS cards cost $40 each. “This fundraiser is really a win-win for everyone,” said Valerie Ramsbacher, president of the Junior League of Birmingham. “The League raises money that supports over 35 community projects. Card buyers receive discounts from their favorite retailers and restaurants, who in turn benefit from sales related to the Shop Save & Share card.” Susan Day, co-owner of the Lili Pad, said the event gives business owners a chance to support the Junior League of Birmingham. “It provides great savings for our customers on their favorite clothes and gifts for their children and grandchildren,” Day said. “And as a business we always see an exciting boost in sales during SSS. It really is a wonderful opportunity for everyone. We look forward to it every year.” Some of the participating businesses include: Belk, Blackjack Gardens, Inc., centuries, Chickadee, Kicks Shoes for Kids, Learning Express Toys, LOFT at the Summit, Mommy and Me Time Fitness, Monograms Plus, Pinkberry, Table Matters, the Lili Pad, the Blue Willow, Village Dermatology and participating retailers at the Outlet Shops of Grand River.
Organizers get ready for the Junior League Shop Save & Share event. They are, from left: Elizabeth Lyman of Junior League, Jamie Robinson, marketing director of the Outlet Shops of Grand River, Chef Randall Baldwin of Dyron’s Low Country and Amanda Saint of Junior League. Photo special to the Journal
“We are extremely proud that the Outlet Shops of Grand River is the title sponsor of the SSS fundraiser for the third consecutive year,” said Amanda Saint, fundraiser chairman. “We are also thrilled to welcome LOFT as a new
sponsor this year.” To purchase a Shop, Save, and Share card or see a complete list of participating merchants, visit www.jlbonline.com or www.shopsaveshare. net. ❖
Save the Date Birmingham
Taste of Magic City Oct. 18, 8 p.m. Bottletree Cafe The Bottletree Cafe at 3719 Third Ave. South will be the setting for Taste of the Magic City, which includes a concert featuring Act of Congress and a silent auction. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the concert starting at 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Bottletree Cafe offers free parking. The event is being presented by Bottletree Cafe and M-Power Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that provides opportunities for people to break the cycle of poverty through education and health services. For more information, call 533-6288.
Merchants Committee. Participating merchants will be open until 7 p.m. For more information, call the chamber at 871-5631 or visit www. homewoodchamber.org. Birmingham
Emmylou Harris and the Red Dirt Boys Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Birmingham native Emmylou Harris returns to the Alys Stephens Performing
Arts Center for the first time in more than five years. A 12-time Grammy winner and Billboard Century Award recipient, Harris was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Tickets are $74.50, $65.50 and $54.50. For more information, call 975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org. Homewood
Stamp Unveiling and Documentary Screening Oct. 20, noon and 7 p.m. Samford University
harvest of hope
Homewood
Driving Miss Daisy Oct. 18-21 Virginia Samford Theatre The timeless American play which inspired the beloved Academy Awardwinning film, “Driving Miss Daisy” tells the story of a decades-long relationship between a stubborn Southern matriarch and her compassionate chauffer. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-20 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Tickets are $30 for center seats and $25 for side seats. For more information, call 251-1206 or visit www. virginiasamfordtheatre.org. Homewood
Third Thursday Wine Down Oct. 18, 5:30-7 p.m. The Third Thursday Wine Down event in October is sponsored by the Homewood Chamber of Commerce
From left: Kellie McDowell, Sallie Waite, Mona Wright and Laura Sappington prepare for the Harvest of Hope event at The Club. Photo special to the Journal
Joining forces with Samford University and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, the U.S. Postmaster will unveil a pictorial cancellation stamp and cachet envelope commemorating the 50th anniversary of the film classic “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Designed exclusively for the USPS by worldrenowned artist Nicolosi, the stamp and envelope will be unveiled at Harwell G. Davis Library in conjunction with other activities and events on campus that day to mark the anniversary.
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and Nicolosi will unveil the artwork. A private screening of a documentary which was filmed at the Monroeville courthouse will be at 7 p.m. at Samford’s Brock Recital Hall. Following the screening, Nicolosi and Professor Nancy Grisham Anderson will have a “talk back” with the audience, discussing the lessons learned from the documentary and book. For more information on the screening, go to www.samford.edu and www.alabamahumanities.org. Over the mountain
Birmingham
Harvest of Hope Oct. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Club Cornerstone Schools of Alabama’s Women’s and Men’s committees will host the Harvest of Hope fundraiser in celebration of the school’s 20th year. Cornerstone School, a nonprofit Christian school in Woodlawn, is an elementary and middle school dedicated to serving Birmingham’s inner city kids. The event includes live music from Birmingham’s John Williams Trio, a silent auction featuring Cornerstone student artwork, beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres. This year’s honoree is Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland, wife of Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, Samford University president. Guest speaker is Caz McCaslin of Upward Sports. Tickets are $100 per guest. For more information, contact India Bailey at ibailey@csalabama.org or visit www.csaalabama.org.
Shop Save & Share Card Sale Oct. 24-Nov. 4 Retailers and restaurants The Junior League Shop Save & and Share card will be on sale Oct. 24-Nov. 4. Cardholders receive 20 percent shopping discounts at retailers and restaurants and on services in Pepper Place, Trussville, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia, Hoover, the U.S. 280 corridor, Alabaster and other areas and from online vendors. Cards can be purchased with a $40 donation to the Junior League of Birmingham. To buy cards and for a list of participating merchants, visit www.jlbonline.com or www.shopsaveshare.net. Vestavia Hills
Ballet Women’s Committee Fall Extravaganza Oct. 25, 10 a.m. Vestavia Hills Country Club Guests at the Ballet Women’s Committee Fall Extravaganza will have a chance to win 14-carat white gold
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“inside-out” diamond hoop earrings. The event will include a silent auction, luncheon and a fashion show with clothes from Lulie’s on Cahaba and
Chloe’s. Guests will also get a glimpse of costumes from Alabama Ballet productions. Call 823-1006 or 482-3559 for tickets.
PLANT SALE TIME
Volunteers and staff members get ready for the Fall Plant Sale at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. They are, from left: Kelly Boone, Ken Hall, Journal photo by Keysha Drexel Rona Walters and Karen Mitchell.
BIRMINGHAM
Magic City Harvest Boxed Lunch Event Oct. 24-25 UAB During the 17th annual World Hunger Day event, Magic City Harvest will have a boxed lunch event to help provide 3,800 free meals to nonprofit feeding programs. Boxed lunches to help pay for the meals will be delivered across the Birmingham-Hoover metro area Oct. 25. The boxed lunches cost $8 each, with a minimum order of 10, and will include a Boar’s Head wrap sandwich with picante dip, Texas Caviar, chips and a berry bar. Volunteers are needed Oct. 24 starting at 8 a.m. at UAB Hospital to help prepare the 3,800 meals Magic Harvest will give out to those in need. Volunteers are also needed to deliver the boxed lunches ordered by those in the community starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 25. For more information, call Magic City Harvest at 591-3663 or email Paulette Van Matre at mcharvest@ bellsouth.net.
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Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 5
BIRMINGHAM
Celebrity Golf Invitational Oct. 26, 8 a.m. Oxmoor Valley Robert Trent Jones Trail
The first Celebrity Golf Invitational benefits the Jeremiah Castille Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham with a vision “to invest, influence, impact and inspire
CHRISTOPHER GLENN, INC. Antiques, Gardens, & Giving
BIRMINGHAM
Fall Plant Sale Oct. 20-21 Birmingham Botanical Gardens This event gives shoppers a chance to spruce up their yards for fall and help educational programs at the Gardens. Autumn is the best time to plant trees and shrubs, and the Gardens’ experts can help you choose plants that fit into your landscape. The annual sale in the Blount Plaza helps pay for Discovery field trips and other programs. The sale will offer a variety of fall annuals, biennials, fall lettuces, camellias, daylilies, herbs, irises, native plants, perennials and ferns. Many selections are already available for browsing online at www.bbgardens.org/ fallplantsale” www.bbgardens.org/fallplantsale. Not all plants available for purchase will be listed on the website.
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6 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
On Target
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About Town
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Clays Event Takes Aim at Breast Cancer
s far as James Alison is concerned, participating in the Alabama Charity Clays shooting event is a blast. That’s why he has taken part in the annual Baptist Health Foundation fundraiser every year since it began in 2008. “It’s good friends, good camaraderie and a lot of fun,” says James, vice president and chief engineer at Birmingham-based Steward Machine Company. “The first time I went I was a little bit worried that there would only be a bunch of guys with fancy shotguns in fancy vests. “But it’s really not. It’s very casual and informal. There’s not a lot of pressure. It’s fun and really nicely done.” The 2012 Alabama Charity Clays event and the women’s Annie Oakley shoot will be Oct. 25-26 at Selwood Farm in the town of Alpine between Talladega and Sylacauga. There also will be a Sportsman’s Social with dinner and
Charity Clays
When: Oct. 25-26. Where: Selwood farms How to help: Those who can’t attend can send donations for the breast cancer center resource initiative to Baptist Health Foundation.
door prizes beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Park Lane in Birmingham. Also returning this year for the 2012 Sportsman’s Social will be Scott Leyseth, “The Sporting Chef,” a leading authority on the preparation of fish and game and author of several recipe books. “The Last Man Standing” contest during the Sportsman’s Social will offer guests the opportunity to win a specially selected Beretta shotgun, Beretta clothing, jewelry, dinners, a quail hunt, $500 gift certificates or one of many other items. James is a casual shooter and hunter who
participates in two or three clay-shooting events each year. He says the Alabama Charity Clays is one of the best he has ever experienced, partly because of the hospitality shown by Baptist Health System officials and staff who help organize the event. “Everything is taken care of. Your shells, your cart, your lunch,” James says. “They give you a very nice gun bag to keep that you can use to carry your shells and other essentials. It’s something I use all the time.” James said he likes being able to meet people from Baptist Health. “What really makes this event a little more special than most clay shoots is they have some of the employees from Baptist helping out at each shooting station,” he said, “so you meet a lot of people during the shoot who are on the Baptist staff. They’re very helpful and add to the fun.” Over the past four years, Alabama Charity Clays has raised more than $425,000 – money that has been used each year for a specific purpose within Baptist Health System. Proceeds from this year’s event will be added to funds received from the Women’s Breast Health Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to help Baptist create a breast cancer survivor network and resource center. This service will act as a unique hub for information, services and long-term support for breast cancer survivors and their families from across the region. “You really feel like you’ve helped people by participating in this event,” James said. In 2008, proceeds purchased beds and monitors for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Shelby. As a result of the 2009 event, an upgrade to Princeton Baptist’s Tesla MRI was purchased. This is especially helpful in the early detection of breast cancer. A Faxitron was purchased in 2010 for the Breast Care Center at Princeton Baptist. This mobile digital radiography system provides onthe-spot images for surgeons removing tumors in breast cancer patients.
Annie Oakley Committee get fired up for the Alabama Charity Clays shooting event at Selwood Farms. Renee Fenn is seated in the front. Standing from left: Amy Belcher, Susan Stabler and Photo special to the Journal Stacie Moore.
Funds from the 2011 Alabama Charity Clays went toward the purchase of stereotactic breast biopsy equipment for Princeton Baptist. This fully digital table biopsy system is designed for maximum patient comfort and lesion access. Event sponsors include Beretta, Maynard Cooper & Gale, P.C., Blue Cross & Blue Shield and more than two dozen team sponsors. Gene Davenport is the chairman of the 2012 Alabama Charity Clays Committee, and Susan Stabler is chairman of the Annie Oakley event. Committee members include Shane Armstrong, Amy Belcher, Mark Belcher, Gail Braswell, Joseph Braswell, Donna Cooper, Carol Drummond, Melissa Durbin, Jim Emack, Renee Fenn, Marco Gonzalez, Erik Henninger, Brian Holt, Terri Lamons, Leigh Leak, Landon McCaskill, Stacie Moore, Kristy Parrott, Parker Spees, Candace Thomas, Mary Catherine Tomlinson, Dr. Tommy Tomlinson, Chip Welch,
Gary Wilkinson and Shad Wilks. For the Annie Oakley women’s shoot on Oct. 25, registration and breakfast will be at 9 a.m., followed by safety instructions and safety assignments at 9:30 a.m. Course shooting will begin after that, ending at 11:30 a.m., when lunch will be served and door prizes awarded. For the morning shoot Oct. 26, registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast will be served. Course shooting begins at 8:30 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. For the afternoon shoot, registration begins at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. and course shooting at 12:30 p.m. To register, call Marcia Twitty at 243-2943. Those who cannot attend but want to support the breast care center resource initiative can send donations to Baptist Health Foundation, P. O. Box 830605, Birmingham, AL 352830605 or call 1-877-474-4243. ❖
Save the Date Continued lives so they will rebuild and restore generations.” Castille was the Most Valuable Player in University of Alabama Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s last game, the 1983 Liberty Bowl. For more information, call 251-621-3375 or email Barbara at barbara@castillefoundation. org. Homewood
OLS Arts and Crafts Show and Sale Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Christmas shoppers looking for unique gifts can get a head start at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood, where parishioners will display their creations during this ninth annual sale. The church’s Family Life Center assembly hall will be filled with handmade items, including pottery, wooden toys, aprons, jewelry and rosaries. There will also be paintings, drawings, photography, crocheted items, jams, jellies, honey and baked goods. The OLS Ladies Altar Sodality will have a bake sale and frozen casseroles to sell.
Birmingham
Oct. 28, 4 p.m. UAB Piano Series Featuring Nikolai Lugansky Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center This season’s UAB Piano Series will feature performances by worldclass pianists, including Nikolai Lugansky, who will perform Oct. 28 in the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Lugansky is among the world’s top five pianists, according to UAB Professor of Piano Yakov Kasman. Born to research scientists in Moscow, Lugansky’s musical ability shone brightly at an early age. At age 5, before he had even learned to read music, he went to a neighbor’s house and played a Beethoven sonata from memory. Today, Lugansky is considered one of the world’s great interpreters of piano repertoire. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 for UAB students with valid identification. Season tickets are also available for all three performances in the piano series. For tickets, call 9752787. For more information, visit www. uab.edu/music.
RunNING FOR HOPE
From left: Amy Reese, Mandy Cox and Angela Dunn get ready for the Run Away from Domestic Violence 8K at St. Vincent’s One Photo Special to the Journal Nineteen.
North Shelby
Run Away from Domestic Violence 8K Oct. 27, 8 a.m. St. Vincent One Nineteen Health and Wellness Stay fit and help raise awareness about domestic violence at the Run Away from Domestic Violence 8K and 1-mile fun run. The event is co-sponsored by the Hannah Home Shelby Auxiliary. More than 500 people are expected to participate in the sixth annual event, which also includes Zumba classes. The registration closing date is Oct. 26. The registration fee for an individual walker or runner is $30. The cost is $15 for student participants under 21. For team information, contact Auxiliary President Marsha Drennen at mwdrennen@aol.com. For sponsor or event information, contact event chairmen Amy Reese at areese0617@charter.net or Angela Dunn at angela.dunn13@gmail.com. Registration is available at the St. Vincent’s One Nineteen fitness desk. Verizon Wireless will be collecting phones for its HopeLine program at the event. Bring used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless carrier to donate to HopeLine, which uses the phones to support victims of domestic violence through recycling and reuse as well as cash grants to nonprofit organizations.
10TH ANNUAL JEWISH FOOD FEAST
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 7
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BIRMINGHAM
Pioneer Classic Golf Tournament Nov. 1, 9 a.m. Highland Golf Course The 26th annual Pioneer Classic will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Proceeds help the Lakeshore Foundation’s national wheelchair basketball league and tournaments. The four-person scramble costs $75 per golfer. For more information and to register, contact Jennifer Changer at 313-7436 or jenniferc@lakeshore.org.
COLLIER’S Nursery
autumn
Referee Bill Kuerzi, left, and Jo Fowler celebrate 25 years of Pioneer Classic Basketball. Photo special to The Journal From left: Betty Anfanger and Bobbye Seligman get ready for the 10th annuPhoto special to The Journal al Friedman Family Foundation Jewish Food Festival.
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BIRMINGHAM
Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jewish Food Festival Levite Jewish Community Center The Levite Jewish Community Center will host this 10th annual festival featuring traditional Jewish foods cooked in-house in a fun, family atmosphere. The menu includes brisket, noodle kugel, corned beef, stuffed cabbage, falafel sandwiches, matzo ball soup, hummus, black and white cookies, hamentashen and Dr. Brown’s soda. There will also be live music by the Klezmer Kings. The N.E. Miles Jewish Day School will have its Go Green Family Fair with crafts and activities for all ages. For more information, call 879-0411.
f o r
planting
e n j o y 11/ 2 w e l l - o r g a n i z e d a c r e s o f s h r u b s , trees, groundcovers, vines & perennials as well as a knowledgeable, helpful staff.
822 . 3133
October 12th - 28th
M on – S at 9 - 5:30 . S un 1 - 5 . 2904 o ld R ocky R idge R d .
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To: From: Date:
Lee Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 October This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnaL for the Oct. 4, 2012 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
treats
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.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
celebrate Halloween with us!
Trick or Treat at participating stores Sunday, October 28th, 2-6pm Kids Costume Contest at 4pm
Hosted by Speedy from the Rick & Bubba show Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in three different age categories Face Painting, Balloon Twisting & Fun Games for the whole family
I-20 East, Exit 140 x shopsofgrandriver.com Just 20 minutes from Birmingham
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9/14/12 12:52 PM
8 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
About Town
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
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Please send your letter of interest and resume to: vcoresumes@vc.edu
Allyn Holladay Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Dec 2009 This is your AD prOOF from the Over THe MOunTAin JOurnAl for the December 17, 2009 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
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Members of the Host Committee for the Episcopal Place Bishop’s Dinner met recently to plan the event. Committee members include, front, from left: Cathy Gilmore, Martha Oyston, Margaret Mussleman, Rev. Judy Quick, co-chairman Tellis Shoemaker, Barbara Sloan and co-chairman Suzan Doidge. Back: Tim Blanton of Episcopal Place, Mark Haas, Rev. Jack Alvey, John Paul Mussleman, Father Rob Johnson, Nancy Sharp, Sandra Lynn, Charlie Lynn, Olivia Photo Special to the Journal Weingarten, co-chairman Lori Smith, Katherine Kilpatrick and Darlene Green. Birmingham
Episcopal Place Bishop’s Dinner Nov. 1, 6 p.m. The Club This biennial celebration of the Episcopal community’s outreach to low-income seniors and disabled adults is on All Saints’ Day. The Rt. Rev. John McKee Sloan, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, will be the special speaker. The fundraising event will include cocktails, dinner, comments from the Bishop and a special presentation
involving residents of Episcopal Place’s affordable housing community. Tickets are $75 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals. Proceeds will help fund Episcopal Place’s “ECares” Supportive Services Program, which provides residents with van transportation, subsidized noon meals, housekeeping, resident activities, pastoral care and worship services. For more information, call Episcopal Place at 929-0085, email Tim Blanton at tblanton@episcopalplace.org or visit www. episcopalplace.org. Hoover
Trash & Treasures Sale Nov. 3, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sertoma Gym The Hoover Service Club will have its annual Trash & Treasures Sale Nov. 3 in Sertoma Gym behind Green Valley Elementary School. Proceeds will be used for scholarships to aid the needy in the community. Donations of toys, clothing, household items and furniture can be dropped off at the gym Nov. 2 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact Jennifer Caton at 978-7056 or jcaton@AAAAlabama.com. ©2012 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Franchises independently owned and operated.
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Hoover
Moss Rock Festival Nov. 3-4 The Preserve More than 10,000 visitors are expected at this year’s Moss Rock Festival at The Preserve in Hoover. The eco-creative festival will include more than 150 exhibitors. There will be exhibits by artists in several different mediums plus information on green living ideas, products, services and organizations. The event runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The festival will also include live music, engaging installations, a cake expo and tasting, hiking and a 5K bike ride. The festival is free. For more information, visit www. mossrockfestival.com. For information on volunteering or being a sponsor or contributor, call 595-6306 or email mrf@ findartbirmingham.com.
Send information about your event to editorial@otmj.com
About Town
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
a taste of vestavia on the menu Clockwise, from left: Enjoying last year’s Viva Vestavia were, from left: Bill Visintainer, Debbie Visintainer and Rob Richardson. Joe Perez, Diana Zaragosa, Mayor Butch Zaragoza. Michelle Smith and Steve Mote. Photo special to The Journal
Vestavia Hills
Viva Vestavia Nov. 1 6:30-9 p.m. Hollywood Pools The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Foundation is celebrating Viva Vestavia, which offers a taste of Vestavia Hills restaurants’ fare and fine wines. Chamber members and Vestavia Hills restaurants will present their signature dishes to the community. This year’s event features several hometown favorites; they will each compete for patrons’ favorite dish and presentation. Tickets are $35 dollars each and must be purchased before the event; call the chamber office at 823-5011 or visit www.vestaviahills.org. Proceeds will be used to fund an annual scholarship to a Vestavia Hills High School senior by the foundation. Any additional funds will be used for special projects underway in the community.
October 12th - 28th
To: From: Date:
Lee Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 October This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnaL for the Oct. 4, 2012 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.
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Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 9
10 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
LIFE
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
“We’re so glad to have the support that we do for the parade and at the same time feel like maybe we’re doing something that people will enjoy as much as we enjoy doing it.”
MOUNTAIN BROOK
Mystics of Mountain Brook Halloween Parade
Hard at work on their Mystics entry are last years large float winners, clockwise, from front: Allen Baker, Jack Welsh, Will Welsh, Grace Russell, Turner Welsh and Abby Russell. Other team members not pictured are: Hayden and Leo Bruno and Alex Russell.
Brother and sister Trent Wright and Casey Horn are the founders of the Mystics of Mountain Brook Parade. Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.
BY KEYSHA DREXEL JOURNAL EDITOR
W
hat started out as a way for Mobile natives to bring a bit of Mardi Gras to Halloween in Mountain Brook has grown into an annual event that attracts thousands, reroutes traffic and even has the dismissal bell ringing early at one elementary school. And for Trent Wright, who started the Mystics of Mountain Brook Parade with his sister nine years ago, that’s the ultimate sign of success. “Well, when the school lets the kids out early, I kind of feel like I’ve made it,“ Wright said. Last year, the parade Trent started with his sister, Casey Horn, had students at Crestline Elementary going home early to avoid traffic related to the event. Casey said for her and her brother, founding the parade was a nod to the parades they attended growing up in the birthplace of the nation’s oldest Mardi Gras parade. “We’re from Mobile, so there’s Mardi Gras in our blood,” Casey said. “And we’re just kids at heart, so a parade sounded like a fun idea.” For Trent and Casey, Halloween has always been special. “October 31st is our mother’s birthday, so we’ve always made a big deal out of Halloween in our family,” Casey said. The parade features floats made by Mountain Brook residents in all shapes, sizes and Halloween-related themes. “People put a lot of effort into making these floats,“ Trent said. “ It’s not a big parade route, but they really get into it.” The route started out in Trent’s neigh-
It Takes a Village Mystics Mix Mardi Gras, Monsters in Growing Parade
borhood but in its second year had already attracted such a large following that Trent and Casey had to go to the city and get a parade permit. “It started small but it grew quickly,” Trent said. “So we decided to go all-in.” Going all-in meant a growing partnership with city merchants and the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber got on board with us last year, and the merchants give away the prizes in the float competition,” Trent said. During the planning process for this year’s parade, Trent said he learned Mystics of Mountain Brook had inspired local businesses to get into the Halloween spirit. “Mafioso’s called, and they’re going to do a big Halloween party geared more to adults, with a costume competition with prizes right after the parade,” Trent said. He said La Paz and several other merchants are participating in the after-parade activities. “There is barely standing room only in the Village when we do the parade,” Trent said. Trent said the parade owes its growth to the support of the community. “What we do is pretty expensive to put on, and so we are lucky to have local businesses sponsor it and get their names on the (parade) T-shirts,” he said. A $50 donation gets a business a ban-
ner carried in the parade by Mountain Brook cheerleaders. But the parade is not designed to be a money-making event, Trent said. In fact, he said, just the opposite is true. “For the last few years, we’ve had money left over from the parade that allows us to write a check to the city to help the community in some way,” Trent said. One year, the Mystics of Mountain Brook helped the city’s firefighters be a little more comfortable during their downtime. “We bought the firefighters a recliner and a TV, and they were so thankful and we felt lucky to be able to do that for them,” Trent said. Last year, the Mystics made a $1,100 donation to the city’s beautification programs. “We’re so glad to have the support that we do for the parade and at the same time feel like maybe we’re doing something that people will enjoy as much as we enjoy doing it,” Casey said. Last year, Trent said, almost 5,000 people attended the Mystics of Mountain Brook parade. “When we started this, we had no idea that our little neighborhood parade would turn into something that draws people from all over the metro area,” he said. Casey said she thinks the parade is
Oct. 31, 4 p.m. Crestline Village The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will host a Halloween parade at 4 p.m. that winds through Crestline Village. There will be more than 23 floats in the parade along with Mayor Terry Oden driving his antique fire truck. Parade participants will throw beads, T-shirts, footballs and stuffed animals into the crowd. The parade will start by the Emmet O’Neal Library, move to the Tot Lot, go left on Church Street, then right on Dexter Avenue. The parade ends on Vine Street. Admission is free.
something unique for families to do during the Halloween season in the Over the Mountain area. “There’s nothing really like it in this area, and it’s good to see people come out and enjoy it from year to year,” Casey said. The number of people walking or riding in the parade has also grown over the years, Trent said. “Last year we had everyone from the Birmingham Belles to the Tragic City Rollers to our own Mountain Brook cheerleaders in the parade,” he said. “This year, the mayor’s going to drive his antique fire truck in the parade.” Like any Mardi Gras-inspired event, the Mystics of Mountain Brook parade gives those in the crowd a chance to take home some beads. “We throw pretty much everything but candy--Moon Pies, balloons, cups and of course, lots of Mardi Gras beads,” Trent said. But it isn’t the beads that draw the crowds to the parade each year, Trent said. “It’s the floats,” he said. “They get better and better every year.” Trent said the parade has separate categories for large and small floats, with prizes given in each category. “Every float has its own theme,” Trent said. “They really get into planning for and making the floats for the parade each year.” The Welsh family says they are a good example of folks who really get into planning and creating a float for the parade. “Oh, it’s something we think about and plan for all year,” said Lori Welsh. “This goes far beyond the Halloween season.” Lori and her husband Joe are members of a team that has created the winning large float in the parade for the last two
years. And the Welsh family, along with neighbors Stephanie and Brannon Bruno and Micah Russell, are looking for a three-peat. “We’re really excited about our float this year, and we’re hoping we’ll take home first place again,” Lori said. The neighbors say working on the float together brings a sense of community and is just fun to boot. “We work together as a team, and it makes us feel like a team,” Lori said. “It’s fun to get everyone involved and get our creative juices flowing to see what we can come up with every year.” The first year the group of neighbors entered a float in the parade, it had a haunted castle theme with a huge ghost that looked like it was floating over the truck hauling it. “After seeing our idea come to life that first year, we were hooked, so we went even bigger in our second year,” Lori said. For their second entry in the parade’s float competition, Lori and her neighbors transformed papiermâché, a 25-foot utility trailer and an animatronics dragon into a living, moving, fire-breathing dragon straight out of the Shrek movies. Micah sculpted a huge dragon out of papier-mâché and the team figured out how to make its wings move. The kids even got in on the act, Lori said. “On the Shrek float, it was my son who came up with the idea of using a fog machine to make it look like smoke was coming out of the
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 11
life
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
dragon’s mouth,” she said. Lori said she thinks the Shrek float won first place that year because it was truly a team effort where everyone got to contribute a creative idea. “The Brunos dressed up as Fiona and Shrek, and the kids dressed up as all the storybook characters featured in the movies,” Lori said. Last year, the neighbors decided to stick with their success in animatronics and crafted a menacingly large flying bat with dozens of cardboard bats fluttering around it. “We had a bat cave and we were all dressed like bats and vampires,” Lori said. “It was a very intricate design involving fishing wire and a lot of planning.” This year‘s float theme was inspired by the neighbors’ trip to New Orleans in February. “We went to Mardi Gras together,” Lori said. “We caught some beads we can recycle in our parade and also got the idea to do something with a Chinese dragon theme.” Lori said she wouldn’t reveal the details of the plans for this year’s float, but she did give a few hints. “We were very inspired by the Chinese dragon idea, but we’ve done animatronics for the last few years, so people might expect that again,” Lori said. “But they’ll just have to come out and see if that’s the direction we take this year.” In the meantime, the neighbors are working on putting the finishing touches on their entry for the 2012 parade and looking forward to competing in years to come.
“I have this whole list of ideas on my iPad, and I keep it beside my bed at night so I can get them all down as I think of them,” Lori said. “I probably have enough ideas for the next five or six years.” Lori said working with her neighbors to plan and coordinate the float each year is something she looks forward to doing. “There’s much sitting around and talking,” she said. “The kids are running around playing together and having a good time, and the adults are planning on what we’re doing with the float and how we’re going to do it.” Lori said she thinks the parade has brought other groups of neighbors together. “It’s fun to have this in Mountain Brook, and I think it’s something that everyone enjoys, whether they are in the parade or watching the parade,” she said. This year’s event kicks off at 4 p.m. from the Emmet O’Neal Library. ❖
For over 90 years, Levy’s has been Birmingham's Specialist in Antique and Estate Jewelry as well as Fine Diamonds, Art and Antiques.
October 12th - 28th
2116 2nd Avenue North • (205) 251-3381 www.levysfinejewelry.com To: From:
To: From: Date:
Jennifer Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Lee Date: faxOct. 2012 Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, 205-824-1246 October This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnaL for the This is your Oct. 4, 2012 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!
AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN J Oct. 18 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes t
Please make sure all information is correct, includin 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.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Please initial and fax back within 24 ho
if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will r
12 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Halloween happenings
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Halloween Happenings
Fall Open House Oct. 18th Noon - 4:00pm
Date:
Mountain Brook
Fifth Annual Bone Bash
Photo special to The Journal
Oct. 18, 7-11 p.m. English Village mulberryheightsantiques.com Come to Park Lane in English Village from 7-11 p.m. for a frightfully good night. Park Lane will transform into a Halloween spectacle as money is raised to fight arthritis. The event is being presented by Iberia Bank. Guests will enjoy live music and popular games including the Wicked Wine Toss. A “spooktacular” silent auction will include The 22nd annual Boo at the Zoo will getaways, artwork, Iron Bowl tickets feature kid-friendly candy villages and and more. Adding to the festivities will game areas. Attendees should come be hors d’oeuvres by Kathy G and a dressed in their favorite costumes, ready special drink created just for the event. to participate in the Halloween-themed Costumes are encouraged but cocktail activities sponsored by local nonprofits attire is acceptable, and a costume Carolyn and children-oriented businesses. sponsored by Massage Envy The train and other “haunting” rides Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE:contest 205-823-9646 will complete the evening. The event will be open for an additional charge. FAX: 205-824-1246 benefits the Arthritis Foundation. This Animal exhibits will be closed, but a Oct. 2012 year’s event honoree is Kayla Kitchens special Halloween Wildlife Show will be of Norththe Shelby County, who helps raise for available This is your ad proof from the over mountain Journal the for viewing. The zoo will close awareness thator arthritis is a disease at 4 p.m. for Boo at the Zoo. Admission oct. 18, 2012 issue. Please fax approval changes to 824-1246. affecting people of all ages. Kitchens is $8. For more information call 879was diagnosed with rheumatoid 0409 or visit www.birminghamzoo.com. arthritis at age 24. Tickets are $40 Mountain Brook in advance and $45 at the door. Buy tickets and game packages at www. bonesbashbham or by calling 314-8440. Oct. 19, 6 p.m.
2419 Canterbury Road • 870-1300
To: From:
Having fun in their Halloween costumes at the 22nd annual Boo at the Zoo last week were, from left: Jordan Williams, Caylee May Williams, Malie Kate Raley and Ashton Finley.
Our annual list of some of the fun things to do this Halloween season. Don’t be afraid to travel outside your comfort zone and try something new, our area offers plenty of treats this year!
please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! please initial and fax back within 24 hours.
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11th Annual Pumpkin Painting Thank you for your prompt attention.
Contest Oct. 18-28 Hoover Public Library Make a pumpkin into a piece of art without carving it and enter it in the Hoover Public Library’s contest. Each entry will receive a prize and medal, and all pumpkins will be entered into a grand prize drawing Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. Contest admission is free. Birmingham
Pink Pumpkin Patch at Urban Cookhouse
Oct. 18-31 Urban Cookhouse at The Summit If you need a pumpkin this fall, you can get one grown at the Southern Oaks Farm. The pumpkins are available for purchase at the Urban Cookhouse at The Summit. Half of the sale price from each pumpkin will go to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. Prices range from $8-$12 per pumpkin. Homewood
Campfire Ghost Tales & S’more!
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Oct. 18, 6 p.m. Homewood Public Library Come out to the Homewood Library for a night of family Halloween fun. S’mores and kid-appropriate ghost stories will be at the campfire in the round auditorium next to the children’s department. Birmingham
Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo
Oct. 19-21, 25-28, and 31, 5 p.m. Birmingham Zoo
A Night Dark and Grimm
Emmet O’Neal Library Join the Mountain Brook community at the EOL for a night of kid-friendly Halloween fun. Children can participate in the fairytale forest maze, march in the costume parade, take pictures at the photo booth, watch a movie on the lawn and take part in many other games and crafts. Birmingham
First Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’
Oct. 20, 11 a.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve Come out to Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve and see how far you can chunk a pumpkin. Challenge fellow “chunkers,” enjoy local brews and support the nature preserve. It costs $10 to enter the contest and enjoy the festivities. Birmingham
Bart’s Spooktacular Party
Oct. 20. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art Come out to the museum for Bart’s Spooktacular Party on Free Family Day. Bart the Art Bat invites everyone to get into the spirit of his favorite holiday, Halloween. Come dressed as your favorite objet d’art to scare away the goblins, go on a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt and rack up on goodies and listen to spooky stories. Kids can decorate pumpkins, create trick-or-treat bags and keep their energy up with popcorn and lemonade during the arts and activities sessions. The petting zoo from T&N Acres will be open, and children can get balloon animals as souvenirs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Bart’s Books will give those attending a chance to hear two fall-themed books at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. A costume parade around the museum starts at 12:30 p.m. The event wraps
up with a family film, “Spooky Buddies,” at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 254-2565 or visit www.artsbma.org. Birmingham
Howl’oween Spooktacular
Oct. 25, 5:30-10 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company Pets are invited to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary’s Howl’oween Spooktacular. There will be costume contests for both pets and their owners, with the winners getting prizes. The event is dog-friendly, with dogs welcome on the patio and in the brewing company’s large backyard. All dogs must be on a leash. The event is open to the public with a $12 donation in advance or $15 at the door. Admission tickets include a free Avondale Brewing Company beer of your choice, music and entertainment. A full selection of Avondale Brewing Company’s locallybrewed craft beer will be available for purchase, and Shindigs Food Truck will be on hand. A portion of the beer and food sales will be donated to the auxiliary. In case of rain, the event will be moved inside, where dogs are not allowed. To purchase tickets, go to www.gbhs.org. Vestavia Hills
Monsters and Mummies Cake Pops
Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Head to the Library in the Forest this month to make a ghoulish treat. The library will provide everything you need to make a monster-themed cake pop to eat there and one to take home, too. The program is for grades K-3. Admission is free.
Hoover
Hidden World of Bats Class
Oct. 25, 6-7:30 p.m. Aldridge Gardens Take the family to a class to learn all about bats at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. Naturalist Dick Mills will be the instructor. Participants will learn about the qualities and adaptations of bats. Mills plans to bring a few of the fuzzy flying mammals to class. Professional development hours are available. To register, visit www.aldridgegardens.com or call 682-8019. Birmingham
The Rocky Horror Masquerade Ball Oct. 26
The Alabama Theatre This month, the Alabama Theatre will show a series of Halloween movies. Oct. 26 events include a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and a costume contest for the best dressed overall and the best Rocky Horror look-a-like. Doors open at 6 p.m. The costume contest is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.50 in advance or $23 at the door. Vestavia Hills
Spooky Tales on the Spooky Trail
Oct. 26, 6:30-8 p.m. Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest This Halloween trail event begins in the Treehouse and continues on to the amphitheater and beyond. As children follow the trail, the tales get scarier, so each child can choose how far to go and when to stop. For more information, call 978-0155. Homewood
Alabama Ballet presents “La Sylphide”
Oct. 26-28. Samford University’s Wright Center Just in time for Halloween, the Alabama Ballet will present the company premiere of “La Sylphide: A Witch’s Revenge.” The ballet tells the story of a young Scottish man who becomes enchanted by a forest fairy the night before his wedding. As he follows the fairy deep into the woods, an evil witch schemes to teach the young man that past misdeeds do not go unpunished. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 975-2787. Hoover
Horror in the Gardens
Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m. Aldridge Gardens The Aldridge Gardens Junior Board presents the second annual Horror in the Gardens, a costume Halloween party for those 21 and older at the gardens’ Pavilion. The event will feature entertainment by local musicians, food vendors with samples of local food, door prizes and a costume contest. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door or at www.aldridgegardens.com. North Shelby
Jack-O’-Lantern Plate Oct. 26, 4 p.m. North Shelby Library
Organizers and sponsors get ready for the Howl’oween Spooktacular to benefit the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary. They are, from left: Missy Ellis holding her dog, Nina, Mac Russell, Eleanor Parker, Chad Schofield, Craig Shaw and Eric Baumann. Photo special to The Journal
Take part in Halloween fun at the North Shelby Library by making snaggled-toothed jack-o’-lanterns. Register for this fun craft, open to all ages, with Cecelia Dean at 439-5504. Homewood
Live Ghost Hunt
Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. Homewood Public Library Venture out to Homewood Public Library to experience rumored “paranormal activity.” The Triple J Ghost Hunters will offer tours at two different times. Participants must be 12 or older. Those 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event is limited to 30 per session. Tickets are $20 per person. Hoover
Hayride and Family Night
Oct. 27, 5- 8 p.m. Veterans Park The City of Hoover will host its Hayride and Family Night at Veterans Park on Valley Road from 5-8 p.m. Admission is free. The event will feature hayrides around the park. Children are encouraged to dress in costumes and bring buckets to collect candy. Members of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce will have booths set up to distribute candy to children attending the event. Pelham
Owl-O-Ween
Oct. 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Alabama Wildlife Center Come out to the Alabama Wildlife
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 13
Halloween happenings
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Center at Oak Mountain State Park Oct. 27 for Owl-O-Ween. Those attending can feed the birds, decorate an owl cookie to take home, create an owl craft and play in a beanbag toss game from 11 a.m-2 p.m. Story times at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. will feature “The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark.” At noon and 1:15 p.m., there will be a birds of prey presentation featuring a live owl. The event is free after paid admission to the park, $1 for children ages 6-11 and seniors over age 62 and $3 for adults. For more information, visit www.awrc. org.
inflatables, face painting, live music, children’s activities and more. Admission is free but 50-cent tickets are required for some activities. Proceeds will go to the Alabama Red Cross for tornado relief efforts. Sponsors of the event include Garrett & Associates, Tutoring Club, Jani-King of Birmingham, Primrose School at Liberty Park, Liberty Park Residential Sales, Hilton Garden Inn-Liberty Park, the Outlet Shops of Grand River and Subway. For more information, call Bob Elliott at 2966741 or the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce at 823-5011.
Mountain Brook
North Shelby
Oct. 27-28 Emmet O’Neal Library Visit the Emmet O’Neal Library to walk through the Dead Authors’ Graveyard. The spooky walkthrough exhibits the lives and deaths of some great authors. The event is open to all ages but may be unsuitable for small children. The Oct. 27 event will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and the Oct. 28 event will be from 1-4 p.m. For more information, call 445-1121.
Oct. 30, 6 p.m. North Shelby Library Join the North Shelby Library for a night of scary stories, entertaining games and good food. The party is for ages 8-13 and will be in the meeting room. Registration is required. Call Cecelia Dean at 439-5504 for more information.
Dead Authors’ Graveyard
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Tween Halloween Party
Mountain Brook
Brown Bag Lunch Series
Liberty Park Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 28, 1-4 p.m. Liberty Park The Liberty Park Business District and the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce will host the Liberty Park Pumpkin Patch across the street from the Shops of Prominence in Liberty Park. Entertainment will include
To: 324-9194 From: Over The Mountain Journal Convertible Tops Date: Sept. 2011 Sunroofs
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Oct. 31, 12:30 p.m. Emmet O’Neal Library Join the library every Wednesday for a film or speaker as part of its Brown Bag Lunch Series. On Halloween, the library will screen a film on the history and lore of witches. Bring a sack lunch; the library will provide drinks and dessert. Doors open at noon. Programs begins at 12:30 p.m.
Vestavia Hills
CIALIZING I N PE
North Shelby
Trick or Treat!
Oct. 31 North Shelby Library Come by the library on Halloween and trick or treat in each department. Be sure to wear your costume and try to guess who or what the librarians are. Call 439-5500 for more information. — Compiled by Margaret Frymire and Ben Johnson
Sweet Redemption
Dr. Haleigh Blackwell, right, gives Braxton Seligson money for his Halloween candy as part of a candy buy-back program she’s conducting after Halloween. Blackwell, a general/family dentist in Cahaba Heights, is coordinating the program to raise money for Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization that sends care packages to U.S. military troops serving overseas. Blackwell came up with the idea because her brother is currently serving with the U.S. military in Afghanistan. She will buy candy from trick-or-treaters after Halloween for $1 per pound. For more information on the program, call Blackwell at Pearly White Dentistry, 970-7292.
PLACE 12
October 12th - 28th
To:
Lee
To:
Erica Coley
14 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Dancing Like a Star
PEOPLE
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Heather Foster cheering for the Tennessee Titans in their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr. last week.
Former Rebelette Shines as Tennessee Titans Cheerleader
BY DONNA CORNELIUS
H
JOURNAL FEATURES WRITER
eather Foster is no stranger to a footballcrazy atmosphere. She’s a graduate of two schools that, to put it mildly, are passionate about the sport: Vestavia Hills High School and the University of Alabama. Now, Heather is experiencing football fandom on a different level. She’s cheering for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Her mother, Mary Foster, said Heather has an extensive dance background. “Heather has danced since she was five years old at Dale Serrano Studios and danced competitively with Encore Studio even while she was a member of the dance team at Pizitz Middle School and then later as a Rebelette at Vestavia Hills High School,” said Mary. “She loves to dance.” During those experiences, Heather often performed before crowds. But her first time on the sidelines at LP Field in Nashville was a whole new ballgame. The stadium seats some 69,000. “I don’t think anyone could have prepared me for what it was actually going to feel like,” she said. “You don’t realize how big the field is until you’re out there.” Becoming a Titans cheerleader fulfilled a goal Heather set for herself while she was still in high school. “I knew then that I wanted to be part of an NFL organization,” she said. “I looked at Nashville and Dallas. I had family in Nashville and had visited friends there, and I could see myself having a life there and being happy.” At Alabama, Heather majored in public relations and said she loved being a member of Phi Mu sorority. Shortly after graduating from UA in the spring of 2011, she vied for a spot on the Titans cheerleading team. “It was a crazy fiasco,” she said of the experience. Tryouts were held shortly after Tuscaloosa was devastated by the April 27 tornado, which interrupted the final weeks of the school year. Heather, like many other UA students, was still somewhat shell-shocked by the disaster.
“I left Tuscaloosa in a hurry to go to Nashville and try out,” she said. “I made it to the finals but got cut.” Undaunted, Heather tried again in April of this year. The tryout process lasted more than two weeks, she said. “I made about six trips from Birmingham to Nashville,” she said. “I was working full time in Birmingham but had to go to all the practices.” In mid-May, Heather got good news: She’d made the team. “I had to pack my bags and move right away,” she said. She landed an inside sales job in Nashville and quickly “fell in love with the cheerleading coach, the team and the Titans organization,” she said. Balancing her job and her cheerleading responsibilities can be a challenge, but Heather loves what she’s doing. “We practice a lot,” she said. “In June, we had training camp. We practiced Tuesday through Friday nights and Saturday mornings.” Titans cheerleaders also have to pass a fitness test and a written exam testing their knowledge of subjects ranging from history to football, she said. During the summer, said Heather, the team practiced three days a week. During the season, it’s a two-day regimen. The 27 cheerleaders perform at all Titan home games – but they’re more than just Sunday afternoon entertainers. “We each do two or three charity events per month,” Heather said. “It’s important to us. We don’t get to talk to fans on game days, and at these events, it’s fun to do that, especially to talk to kids. “And for me, it’s a great way to get involved in my community.” One charity function Heather eagerly signed up for was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. “I was the first to volunteer for that,” Heather said. That’s because she has a personal connection to the cause. Her uncle, she said, is a survivor of multiple myeloma. On game days, Titans cheerleaders are expected to arrive at the stadium four hours
before kickoff, Heather said. “That’s usually at noon,” she said. “We practice and mark off the field for our routines. We have a wonderful hair and makeup team, and it takes a while for them to get all of us ready.” Most of the team’s performances are “dancing, not cheering,” Heather said, adding that about half the team is made up of former dance team members and half of former cheerleaders. While the women have several different uniforms, Heather is looking forward to the Titans’ Oct. 28 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Since the game is close to Halloween, the cheerleaders will exchange their usual outfits for costumes. “I’m trying to decide if I’m going to be Wonder Woman or a hippie,” Heather said. Her parents, Greg and Mary Foster of Vestavia Hills, have already been to Nashville to see their daughter in action. Also cheering proudly in the stands have been Heather’s sisters Meredith, Carlin and Carlin’s husband Josh. “We are so very proud that Heather continued to pursue her dream,” said Mary. “Her determination and the sacrifices she was willing to make to reach that goal will serve her well all her life.” Mary said she and Greg have been “impressed with the Titan cheerleader squad and their director, Stacie Kinder. Stacie runs an excellent program, and we could not be more proud of Heather for being a part of this great
group of young women.” “When we watch her cheer as a member of the NFL cheerleaders working with the Tennessee Titans’ great organization, we see in her happy face the reality that when you dream big and work hard to make those big dreams come true, you can accomplish anything,” Mary said. The Fosters are looking forward to their next road trip to Nashville for the Titans-Colts game. Another loyal fan is Heather’s boyfriend, Ryan Kinder. The Hoover High School graduate hasn’t missed a single game or performance, Heather said. Although this season still has weeks to go, Heather hopes to keep cheering for the Titans beyond this year. “Absolutely I’ll try out again,” she said. “Everyone has been very nice and very accepting.” According to cheerleading director Stacie Kinder, Heather has already been a hit in her new role. “Heather is an excellent addition to the 2012 Tennessee Titans cheerleaders,” Stacie said. “She is beautiful inside and out and brings with her a positive attitude and excellent dance ability. “ I hope this is the first of many years she has with the Titans. She’s already a fan favorite.” ❖
People Notes Ballet Director, Students Selected to Train in Russia Birmingham Ballet Director Cindy Free, of Hoover, and two of her students recently received the honor of dancing at the oldest and most prestigious ballet school in the world. Free and students Elizabeth Lindsey of Mountain Brook and Katherine Free
of Hoover were selected to participate in the Moscow 2012 Student and Teacher Workshops held in July at the acclaimed Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. Cindy Free was presented with a Master Certificate in teaching Bolshoi Ballet methodology for ballet technique, partnering and character dance from the Moscow State Academy of
From left: Elizabeth Lindsey, Cindy Free, Irina Vakhromeeva and Katherine Free. Photo special to The Journal
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Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 15
People
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Lee Named State Citizen of the Year by March of Dimes
J
ames C. Lee III, chairman and CEO of Buffalo Rock, has been named the March of Dimes 2012 Alabama Citizen of the Year. He will be honored at the 18th annual March of Dimes Alabama Citizen of the Year Testimonial Reception Nov. 13 at B&A Warehouse. The award honors an outstanding community partner in Alabama whose distinguished leadership and devoted service to the community have contributed greatly to the quality of life for Alabama and its people. The recipient is a person who, in achieving success and acclaim, has given back generously to others. The Buffalo Rock Co. is one of the largest privately-held, single family-
owned Pepsi-Cola franchises in the country. He is the fourth generation Lee to take over the business. Buffalo Rock began in 1901 and currently employs more than 2,000 in 13 different locations in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Serving a total population base of more than 6.5 million, the company provides wholesale beverage and snack sales, fullline vending and catering services. Lee began his career with Buffalo Rock,, working summers, at age 12. After graduating from Auburn University in 1970, he spent one year working with Pepsi-Cola Co. He went to work for Buffalo Rock on a full-time basis in 1971.
As a Birmingham resident and a fourth generation Lee, he concentrates his efforts toward community involvement. With his encouragement James C. Lee III and support, Buffalo Rock makes significant contributions to the community through the sponsorship of charitable events, including donations of time, services and products.
Choreography, commonly known as the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. The academy is the affiliate school of the Bolshoi Ballet. Birmingham Ballet students Katherine Free and Elizabeth Lindsey each received a Russian Federation certificate of short term training from the academy. The girls were selected by an audition held at Birmingham Ballet Academy in the spring. American students are selected from among hundreds of applicants who audition each year through the Russian American Foundation at the National Bolshoi Ballet Academy’s Summer Intensive Auditions held in New York. Only 15 students from those auditions are selected to travel to Russia to continue their dance training and study the Russian language at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. Birmingham Ballet was one of only three schools nationwide that brought students to attend Moscow 2012 Workshops organized by Irina Vakhromeeva, a native Russian who now lives in America.
interview. Cawley was a preliminary winner in the fitness category and was both the Overall Self-Expression and Overall Talent winner. For her talent presentation, she played “Carnival of Venice” on the flute. Chandler Kitchens was selected first alternate; second alternate was Hannah Moss. Both are students at Vestavia Hills High School. Rounding out the top eight were Anslee Palmer, Caroline Bottcher, Mary Katherine Mize and Maria Inman, all from Vestavia Hills High School, and Elizabeth Nichols from Hoover High School. Sarah Elizabeth Hyde of Vestavia Hills and Megan McClung of Homewood both received Special Recognition Talent Awards. Hyde was the Overall Fitness winner. Elizabeth Nichols of Hoover won the Overall Scholastic Award as well as the Spirit Award, which is voted on by contestants. This year the Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County program awarded more than $14,000 in cash-tuition scholarships and more than $460,000 in college-granted scholarships. Members of the Class of 2014 who are interested in participating in next year’s Distinguished Young Women program can visit www.distinguishedyw. org and click on “participate” or email Jefferson@distinguishedyw.org. The program will be held in July 2013.
He was recognized in an Eagle Court of Honor Oct. 6 at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham. He is a member of Troop 95 at Shades Valley Lutheran Church. Sessamen’s project was to construct the front facade of a 26-feet-wide and 13-feet-tall World War I German hangar to serve as the backdrop to the Museum’s David A. Sessamen 1918 Fokker D.VII fighter plane. He enlisted the help of his fellow scouts in Troop 95 along with professional carpenters Roddy Sample and Richard Sessamen and “weekend warrior” carpenters John Walker and Russell Wood. The Spain Park High School junior started in scouting as a Tiger Cub in the first grade and advanced through Cub Scouts to earn its highest award, the Arrow of Light. After crossing over to Boy Scouts, he became a member of the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s honor society, led the troop as its senior patrol leader for more than two years and earned 29 merit badges. The son of Harry and Leah Sessamen of Hoover, he is the fourth generation of Sessamens in scouting in the Vulcan District. His great-grandfather, Ezra Hennigan Sessamen, was a young adult when the scouting movement began and was a leader of Troop 19 at Southside Baptist Church in Birmingham. Ezra later became president of the Birmingham Area Council and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. David’s grandfather, Dean Sessamen, advanced to the rank of Second Class and worked his way up to Scoutmaster of Troop 19. He was the founding Scoutmaster of Troop 13 at First Baptist Church in Birmingham and was the committee chairman of Troop 13 when he died at age 87 in 2011. He also received the Silver Beaver Award after decades of service in the Vulcan District. David’s father, Harry Sessamen, advanced to the Rank of Star and has served for more than 10 years in various leadership positions in Pack 312, Troop 13 and currently Troop 95. David is the first Eagle Scout in the family. ❖
OTM Students Honored by Distinguished Young Women Three Vestavia Hills High School students were honored this summer by the Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County. Madeline Cawley was named Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County 2013. She is a member of the National Honors Society and Latin Honors Society and is drum major for the VHHS Marching Band. This year, 21 girls participated in the Distinguished Young Women program and competed in the categories of talent, self-expression, fitness, scholastics and
People Notes Continued
Spain Park Student Earns Eagle Scout Rank David A. Sessamen, 16, of Hoover earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award.
From left: Hannah Moss, Madelien Cawley and Chandler Kitchens were named Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County. Photo special to The Journal
One long-term civic project to which Lee devotes a significant amount of his time is Bent Brook Golf Course. As a facility open to the public, it was the first privately-owned public course in Birmingham that offers BirminghamHoover metro area residents another alternative for public golf. He serves on the board of Children’s Hospital of Alabama and is past president of the Vestavia Park Foundation and Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, past board member of the American Beverage Association and past president of the Auburn University Athletic Development Council. Since its inception, Alabama Citizen of the Year of Birmingham has
raised nearly $2 million for the March of Dimes. This year’s wine and cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony. ❖
October 12th - 28th
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Lee Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 2 October This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOu Oct. 4, 2012 issue. please fax approval or c
please make sure all informat including address and phon
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Re-Elect Judge Sherri Friday... Experience is the Difference
• Judge Friday was recently rated most qualified in the Birmingham Bar Association Judicial Qualifications Poll by the widest margin of all Jefferson County Judicial races. • Endorsed by Jefferson County Association of Chiefs of Police and by the Mountain Brook Fraternal Order of Police. • Alabama Judge of the Year 2010 National Alliance for Mentally Ill and over 1,500 adoptions completed since 2007.
Vote Friday on Tuesday! Nov. 6th
News
16 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Election 2012
Voters, Candidates Ready for Nov. 6 By William C. Singleton III
dent. For more information on Bailey, visit www.pennyforcongress.com.
ver the Mountain residents will go to the polls Nov. 6 to select a congressional representative for District 6, various judges to serve Jefferson County’s judicial circuit and a probate judge, circuit clerk and county treasurer. Here is a list of some of races that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot and some information on candidates vying for those positions. Information on the other races will be published in our Nov. 1 issue.
10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 6
O
Journal Contributor
U.S. Representative Congressional District 6
Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus faces Democrat Penny “Colonel” Bailey in the U.S. Representative Congressional District 6 race. Bachus has served in Congress since 1993. He is the senior member of the Alabama U.S. House delegation and chairs the House Financial Services Committee. Bachus is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama School of Law. He and his wife, Linda, have five children and six grandchildren. Bachus is a Vestavia Hills resident. For more information on Bachus, visit www.spencerbachus.com. Bailey is the Democratic nominee but considers herself a fiscal conservative and favors a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Bailey served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years before retiring as a colonel in 2007. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from Samford University. Bailey and her husband, Air Force Col. J.D. Bailey II, have three adult children. She is a Birmingham resiu vestavia hills
Crime Prevention Program Launched at National Night Out
More than 500 attended Vestavia Hills’ second National Night Out event Oct. 2. The celebration by the city’s police and fire departments was held at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. Vestavia Hills National Night Out event is part of a nationwide program designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness. National Night Out also aims to generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs like the one Vestavia Hills launched at this year’s celebration. At the event the police and fire departments announced the latest initiative, Operation Over-Watch, which officials said resembles a home inspection service.
Republican David Faulkner is being challenged by Democrat Don Blankenship for the 10th Judicial Court Judge Place 6 seat. Faulkner has practiced law for 17 years, focusing on civil and businessrelated cases. He is a partner at the law firm of Christian & Small, L.L.P. in Birmingham. He is the general counsel for the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Faulkner graduated from the University of Alabama and received his law degree there also. He and his wife, Nancy, have three children. Faulkner is a resident of Mountain Brook. For more information on Faulkner, visit www. electdavidfaulkner.com. Blankenship is an attorney who has specialized in land use, real property, probate and civil litigation for 22 years. He has served as city planner, senior city planner and zoning administrator and administrative assistant to the mayor of Birmingham. Blankenship graduated from Samford University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He is also a graduate of Miles College School of Law. He is married to Rose Marie. He has two adult children. Blankenship is a Gardendale resident. For more information on Blankenship, visit www.blankenshipforjudge.com.
10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 7
Voters will have to decide between Republican J. William “Bill” Cole and Democrat Tracie Todd when they go to the polls to vote in the 10th
Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 7 race. Cole has served as the Place 7 judge since 2005. Prior to his time on the bench, he was in private practice with Luker, Cole & Associates. He also served as a municipal court judge in Morris. Cole graduated from Vanderbilt University and the University of Alabama School of Law. Cole and his wife, Kelli, have four children. He is a resident of Mountain Brook. For more information on Cole, visit www.judgebillcole. com. Todd currently serves as a special municipal judge for the city of Birmingham. She is a former deputy district attorney who led juvenile, misdemeanor and felony prosecutions. Todd graduated from Dillard University and from the University of Alabama School of Law and completed a study abroad at the Australian National University College of Law. For more information on Todd, visit www.judgetodd.com.
10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 9
Republican Bobby Lott faces off with Democrat Jim Hughey III in the race for 10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 9. Lott serves as a municipal judge for the city of Gardendale and as an administrative law judge for the state Department of Education. He is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Solo/Small Firm and Future Leaders sections, the Christian Legal Society and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals. He graduated from the University of Alabama, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an MBA and from Birmingham School of Law. He lives with his
Under the new program, police and fire personnel will schedule times with residents and business owners to conduct safety and security inspections at their homes or businesses. The celebration included displays of police and fire Youth Leadership volunteers help with Vestavia Hills National Night Out. From left: Devon Askins, Maggie department Photo special to The Journal vehicles and the Sappington and Claire Cochran. LifeSaver One National Night Out. For more inforhelicopter. There mation on the Vestavia Hills Operation were also live performances by local Over-Watch, visit www.vestaviaoverjazz musicians and more music from a watch.com. For more information on disc jockey. National Night Out, go to www.nationPolice officials estimated about 500 hot dogs were served at this year’s altownwatch.org/nno. ❖
wife, Kathy, in Gardendale. For more information on Lott, visit www.electjudgebobbylott.com. Hughey has practiced civil litigation with Lightfoot, Franklin & White since 1998. He has served on various boards of directors, including the Downtown YMCA and the University of Alabama Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. Hughey graduated from Vanderbilt University and from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he was editorin-chief of the Alabama Law Review. Hughey and his wife have three children. He is a Birmingham resident. For more information on Hughey, visit www.jimhughey.com.
10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 13
Voters casting their ballots in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court Place 13 race will have to choose between Republican Pat Thetford and Democrat Carole Smitherman. Thetford is a civil litigator for the law firm of Wade S. Anderson and Associates and staff counsel for State Farm Automobile Insurance Company. He has tried nearly 75 civil litigation cases. Thetford was named as a finalist to complete the remaining two years of Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge G. William Noble’s term. Gov. Bob Riley chose Judge Nicole “Nikki” Still to fill Noble’s unexpired term. Thetford graduated from the University of Alabama, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an MBA and from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons. Thetford is a resident of Mountain Brook. For more information on Thetford, visit www.electpatthetford.org. Smitherman is in her third term on u over the mountain
Homewood, Vestavia Outdoor Projects to Expand with Grants
Outdoor recreation in Homewood and Vestavia Hills will be getting a boost from $200,000 in grant money. Each city received a $100,000 grant, administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program and the U.S. Department of Interior’s Land and Water Conservation Fund. The $100,000 grant will help the Freshwater Land Trust add more features to the El Paso Wildflower Preserve in Homewood. The group will build an outdoor classroom for students touring the preserve, which opened in April. The project in Homewood also includes adding a 1-mile trail, two
the Birmingham City Council and has served as the council president and briefly as mayor. She has worked in the district attorney’s office, as a circuit court judge and operates a private law practice with her husband, State Sen. Rodger Smitherman. Smitherman graduated from Spellman College and from Miles College School of Law. She and her husband have five children. Smitherman is a Birmingham resident. For more information on Smitherman, visit www.facebook.com/pages/CaroleSmitherman.
10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Place 15
Republican incumbent Suzanne Childers is being challenged in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court Place 15 race by Democrat Patricia Ann Stephens. Childers was elected to her judicial position in 2006. Prior to her service as a judge with the domestic relations court, Childers served as Guin Municipal Court judge and practiced law with a focus on divorce law. She graduated from the University of Alabama and Birmingham School of Law. She has one adult daughter. Childers and her husband, David, live in Birmingham. For more information on Childers, visit www.reelectjudgesuzannechilders.com. Stephens is an attorney with McMath Law Firm. She served as a deputy district attorney for eight years and as lead prosecutor in capital murder, rape, robbery and child sex abuse cases. She graduated from Auburn University and Miles College School of Law. She lives in Fultondale and has two adult sons. For more information
on Stephens, visit www.stephensforjudge2012.com. ❖
stream crossings and a boardwalk with informational signs over an area of the preserve that contains many different kinds of wildflowers. Vestavia Hills will use its $100,000 grant to build a new six-foot-wide gravel trail and pedestrian bridge in McCallum Park. The new trail will be a 1.25-mile loop that runs parallel to Little Shades Creek. The trail will be designed for pedestrians and mountain bikers and will include benches, bike racks and informational signs. The 80-foot-long pedestrian bridge will connect McCallum Park with nature trails across the creek, giving park visitors access to the trails and creek-side visitors access to the park facilities. Both trails are part of the Shades Creek Corridor of the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System, a long-term plan for connecting the communities of Jefferson County through a network of trails, sidewalks and bike lanes. ❖
Jennifer Caraway, YWCA director of Domestic Violence Services, U.S. Attorney Joyce Vann and YWCA CEO Suzanne Durham. Photo special to The Journal
◆ BIRMINGHAM
Grant Will Provide Legal Services to Domestic Violence Victims
The YWCA Central Alabama, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Alabama, in October announced $399,783 in federal funding awarded to the YWCA to provide direct legal services to victims of domestic violence. The purpose of this federal grant program is to develop innovative, collaborative projects that provide quality representation to victims, according to YWCA officials. The grant money was allocated through the Department of Justice, Legal Assistance for Victims, or LAV Grant Program. LAV grant funds will allow the YWCA to hire two new attorneys to join the YW Family Law Center, a
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 17
NEWS
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
comprehensive, holistic legal services system that serves victims of domestic violence in Jefferson, St. Clair and Blount counties. The YWCA is the area’s only certified provider of domestic violence services. The YW Family Law Center provides legal representation over a broad spectrum of legal issues that survivors encounter. ❖
of Hoover resident Danny Shivers. On Sept. 13, Shivers was walking around Star Lake when he suddenly fell unconscious on the ground and stopped breathing. Todd and Marlin, were nearby working on landscaping. They quickly assessed the situation and began CPR on Shivers. Hoover City Councilman Jack Wright happened to be near the scene and called 911. Hoover City Engine 1 and Rescue 40 responded quickly to the scene, city officials said. Shivers was then transported to Shelby Baptist Medical Center where he was treated successfully. After the presentation at the council meeting, Shivers said he could not thank Todd and Marlin enough for their efforts on his part. Mayor Gary Ivey commended Todd and Marlin for their quick response and civic service. The crews of Engine 1 and Rescue 4 were also honored at the council meeting. ❖
Tour D
uring
ent h Ev c t a P the Liber ty Park Pumpkin
Join us for our
OPEN HOUSE
Stop by your Primrose School for a special get-together. This is a great time to meet teachers, tour the school, and enjoy some refreshments. So, join us and let’s get to know each other. What:
Open House
City Council Honors Public Works Employees
When:
Sunday, October 28th 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
JOURNAL INTERN
RSVP:
205-969-8202
URL:
PrimroseLibertyPark.com
◆ HOOVER
Where: Primrose School at Liberty Park 1800 Urban Center Parkway Vestavia Hills, AL 35242
BY MARGARET FRYMIRE
Two city employees in Hoover were recognized for their lifesaving efforts at the Oct. 1 Hoover City Council meeting. The city honored Daniel Todd and Kim Marlin for helping save the life
October 12th - 28th
Educational Child Care for Infants through Private Kindergarten and After School Each Primrose School is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools and The Leader in Educational Child Care are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2012 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved.
To: From: Date:
Lee Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 October This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnaL for the Oct. 4, 2012 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.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
18 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Social
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Cooking Light Celebrates 25th Anniversary
From left: Sid Evans, a Time Inc. group editor; John Montgomery, Big Communications; Chef Chris Hastings; Diane Oshin, Cooking Light publisher; and Scott Mowbray, Cooking Light editor.
Bill Mudd and Alison Nichols.
Chris Hastings Prepares ‘Walkabout Menu’ of Southern Specialties
C
ooking Light magazine held its 25th anniversary celebration in its editorial hometown, Birmingham, at Hot and Hot Fish Club Oct. 8. The event featured a 12-course “walkabout menu” of Southern specialties by 2012 James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club. For the event, Hastings prepared dishes from Alabama growers, farmers and fishermen using lighter versions of traditional Southern recipes. The menu included grilled quail and fall vegetables from Tuscaloosa County, oyster shooter and tequila-baked oysters from Baldwin County and muscadine sorbet from Chilton County. Guests were also treated to beer from Back Forty Beer Co. of Gadsden and wine from International Wines along with signature cocktails mixed up by the bartenders at Hot and Hot Fish Club. A portion of the proceeds will benefit FoodCorps, a program where community leaders nationwide aim to teach children what healthy food is and where it comes from in their communities. Cooking Light was founded in April 1987, and the magazine’s website went online in 1999. Each month, the food and lifestyle magazine includes about 100 original recipes as well as articles on food trends, fitness tips and other health-related and culinary news. The magazine is published by the Southern Progress Corp., a subsidiary of Time Inc. Southern Progress has its editorial offices on Lakeshore Drive in Homewood. With more than 11 million readers of each issue, Cooking Light is the largest epicurean magazine in the country. Chris Hastings and his wife, Idie, own Hot and Hot Fish Club on Birmingham’s Southside. The couple opened the restaurant in 1995. Hastings is a graduate of Wales Culinary School and has worked at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta, Birmingham’s Highlands Bar and Grill and Bottega and Lark Creek Inn in San Francisco. Hot and Hot is known for featuring seasonal, local ingredients and has won 11 consecutive Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. In 1998, it received the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award for Best New Restaurant. Hastings won the James Beard Foundation’s most prestigious award for best chef in the South in May and has received several regional best chef nominations from the foundation over the years. ❖
Phillip Rhodes, Randy Johnson and Margaret Barnhart.
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John Montgomery, Leigh Ann Montgomery, Beth Thompson and Clay Ryan.
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FINE PHOTOGRAPHS Opening Reception
18 OCTOBER, 6 - 8PM
From left: Fred Spicer, Elizabeth Broughton, Molly Clark, Richard Keith Langham, Barbara Burton and Alex Hitz. Photos special to The Journal
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Author Kicks Off Book Tour at Garden Event
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enowned chef and author Alex Hitz launched a national book tour Oct. 5 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens as part of the Red Diamond Lecture and Luncheon Series. More than 250 guests filled the Linn-Henley Lecture Hall for the lecture. The capacity crowd welcomed Alex’s culinary inspiration as he shared recipes from his latest book, “My Beverly Hills Kitchen: Classic Southern Cooking with a French Twist.” Now a resident of Los Angeles, Alex is a native of Atlanta, Ga., and the founder of the Beverly Hills Kitchen food line sold on the Home Shopping Network. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu. Alex said his book focuses on some of his favorite dishes and colorful memories of growing up in his family’s Atlanta home. Alex said he got his love of food and entertaining from his mother and the family’s cook, learning from them the art of cooking anything from Southern cuisine to fine French fare. While a student at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Alex said he perfected French cooking techniques and found a way to take Southern ingredients and themes and apply them to French traditions and techniques. Following the lecture, Alex signed books for guests in the Garden Center before hosting the annual event’s inaugural luncheon in Blount Plaza. More than 100 guests attended the luncheon, held under a tent outside The Gardens Cafe in Blount Plaza. There, Kathy G. and Company prepared recipes from Alex’s book and shared the unique creations. “My Beverly Hills Kitchen: Classic Southern Cooking with a French Twist” is available in book stores and fine retailers, including Leaf & Petal at The Gardens. Some of the luncheon guests included: Barbara Burton, Tricia Noble, Kim Rogers, Sheryl Kimerling, Keith Langham,
Earthborn Studios Pottery
by Tena Payne of Birmingham As seen at Hot & Hot Fish Club 870-3589 And used 205-823-9646 by Iron Chef winner Chris Hastings Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: FAX: 205-824-1246 Sept.
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Jodi Ruttenberg, Cissy Jackson, Sheryl Kimerling, Shelby Suttle, Betsy Dreher and Shannon Suttle.
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Coronets Dance Club Kicks Off New Season
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embers of the Coronets Dance Club recently enjoyed a fall luncheon to kick off their 2012-13 season. Linda Gooldrup, luncheon chairman, chose a menu of Boston Bibb salad, almond crusted chicken with tangerine butter sauce, creamy risotto, grilled vegetables and cookies. The tables were decorated with bright pots filled with roses and accented with napkins in fall colors. President Shirley Evans welcomed those who attended and presided over the business meeting. Serving on the board with Shirley are Edna Alderman, vice president; Fay Hart, secretary; Sally Stanley, treasurer; Jean Burnett, assistant treasurer; and Sue Belcher, parliamentarian. Enjoying the luncheon were members Anne Nelson, Carolyn Delk, Nancye Lawrence, Corinne Greer, Gloria Hudson, Carolyn Edge, Julia Russo, Pat Garlikov, Dorothy Crook, Betty Tucker, Evelyn Ringler, Betty Miller, Nelle Freeman, Mary Lewis, Sandra Holley, Barbara Bell, Nell Larson,
From left: Sue Belcher, Nelle Freeman, ReDonda Broom, Edna Alderman and Photos special to the Journal Dianne Horn.
Betty Healey, Lynell Bolen, Elaine Bretz, Virginia Cobb, Juanita Cox, Gloria Etheridge, Clarice Gibbs, Claire Gomperts, Joanne McConnell, Louise Pinkerton, Vera Shirley, Phyllis Tinsley, Paulette Yelverton, Jean Hendrickson, Liz Slive and Cathy Crapet. New members this year are Una Ray Barnett, Sue Vaughn Hick and Jackie Webb. The club’s annual fall dance will be held this month. Redonda Broom, Marti Buck and Dianne Horn are chairing the event. ❖
Carolyn Delk and Linda Gooldrup.
DAR Chapter Marks Constitution Week
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he Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution organized several activities to mark Constitution Week Sept. 17-23. The chapter celebrated the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution with a bell-ringing ceremony with firefighters at Hoover Fire Station 4. Chapter members also put educational displays in area libraries and book stores. The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started in 1955 by the DAR, which petitioned Congress to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually for the observance of Constitution Week. Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey presented a proclamation recognizing Constitution Week to Regent Marlene Lawley and Vice Regent and Constitution Week
Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey, Susan Moore and Marlene Lawley. Photo special to The Journal
Chairman Susan Moore. The chapter also presented a cer-
tificate of appreciation to the Hoover firefighters. ❖
Survivors Speak for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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o observe October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in an effort to stop domestic violence, two domestic violence survivors spoke at Valleydale Church Oct. 15. The preview event for the S.A.V.E., or Saving Abuse Victims Effectively project, featured speakers Elizabeth (Liz) Sherrell and Jerra Dooley. The Shelby County women created S.A.V.E. in an effort to help Christian women in the area learn how to be the first-line responders to abuse victims through churches and faith-based organizations. The program involves three levels of training beginning with the “LifeSAVE-her Party” for women to learn the various methods of domestic violence, including verbal, financial, physical, spiritual and sexual abuse. The program also gives participants 10 important do’s and dont’s for dealing with domestic violence victims and helpful tools to help abuse victims find safe shelter and
Jerry Dooley and Liz Sherrell.
vital assistance. The program includes training sessions for lay counselors, social workers and women’s mentors that will help them organize support groups and establish safe houses for domestic violence victims. For more information on S.A.V.E, call 613-5967, email info@gracefull.org or visit www.gracefull.org. ❖
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Western’s Wine and Food Event Raises Money for Library
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he 23rd annual Western Supermarket Wine and Food event attracted a record crowd Sept. 28. The event was held from 6-9 p.m. at the Birmingham Zoo, with all proceeds going to benefit the Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook. Brett Hubbard, Western’s director of deli, bakery and floral, said attendance was up 50 percent over last year’s record crowd. Hubbard said the great attendance this year should translate into an even larger donation to the library. This year’s event raised more than $20,000 for the Emmet O’Neal Library, Hubbard said. Those attending had the opportunity to taste more than 650 different wines. Culinary students from Jefferson State Community College used local foods to whip up tasty food offerings for the event. The menu included Hereford beef, farm-raised shrimp, sushi, Fox Valley crab cakes, imported and locally-made cheeses and a variety of local desserts. All of the food featured at the event is available at Western Supermarkets. Western’s professional wine staff was on hand along with wine distributors and growers who answered questions from attendees and offered suggestions on wine selection. The event also featured carousel rides and raffle prizes. Those attending also got a closeup look at some of the zoo’s furry residents as zoo staff members paraded some of the animals through the crowd. This year’s event was high-tech, with wine tasters using their smartphones to scan QR codes at the door. The QR codes gave guests a table event directory on their smartphones, with space for tasting notes they could email to themselves for further review. The less tech-savvy eventgoers could use a traditional printed wine directory. Those attending also got to take advantage of one-time wine discounts and were able to pre-purchase their favorites from the tasting to be delivered to their local Western Supermarket. Members of the Emmet O’Neal Library Board attending included David Roth, chairman; Caroline Darby, vice chairman; Max Pulliam and Judge James Hard, who is up for appointment on the library board. Emily Curran and Shaun Gray from the Mountain Brook Library Foundation Board also attended. Amy Carter, a member of the Mountain Brook City Council and State Rep. Paul DeMarco of Homewood were others at the event. Also at the fundraiser were Darwin Metcalf, president of Western Supermarkets, Inc.; Ken Hubbard, Western’s chief executive officer; David Wolfson of Delicato Vineyards and Heath Karesh from Treasury Wine Estates. ❖
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Top photo, from left: Darwin Metcalf and Ken Hubbard. Above, Heath Karesh discusses wines at the event that raised more than $20,000 for Emmet OʼNeal Library.
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To: From:
Carolyn Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 I pledge to continue to serve the citizens of Jefferson County with Date: the integrity and fairness that IOct. have 2012 shown during my years
as your Judge. I ask for your vote 6. Thison is November your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the - Virginia Vinsonissue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. oct. 18, A.2012
Association t Voted Most Highly Qualified by the Birmingham Barmake sure all information is correct, Murder and all felony jury trials t Circuit Judge Since 2001 – Presides over Capitalplease including address and phone number! t Attorney since 1981 – State, Federal and Municipal Courts Court in Alabama t Mental Health Court – Presides over the first Felony Mental Health Tapestry Park apartment homes is its own neighborhood please initial and fax back within 24 hours. Educator – National Judicial College, Alabama Judicial College, Cumberland School t of Law and Birmingham School of Law with a large open lawn, outdoor dining areas, and peaceful walks -minutes from Mountain Brook and for over 25 years t Member of Huffman Baptist Church – teaching Sunday SchoolThank you for your prompt attention. Downtown Birmingham. Volunteer – St. Vincent’s Foundation, The Women’s Network, Eastern t Community Women’s Committee of Fifty, YWCA, UAB Pre-Law Advisory Board and others Now Open - Tour Today! 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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From left: Noah Hall, Katie Drumhiller, Erin Summerlin and Thomas Skinner.
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Photos special to The Journal
Revamped Cocktails in the Gardens Wraps Up Sixth Season
or its sixth season of Cocktails in The Gardens, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens toasted a rejuvenated format and lower menu prices. The season started Aug. 9 and wrapped up Oct. 11 in the Hill Garden. All proceeds benefit BBG educational programs, including the flagship Discovery Field Trips. The 2012 Cocktails in The Gardens series ended Oct. 11 with a performance by Birmingham native India Ramey and Asian-inspired fare from Kathy G. The menu included Chinese five-
spiced chicken wings, wok-seared pork-ginger potstickers with a sweet chili sauce, Thai chicken satay with peanut chile dipping sauce, Gulf shrimp fried rice with snow peas and scallions served in Chinese take-out boxes and cilantro-marinated grilled chicken with Asian rice noodles, Shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, Napa cabbage and Ponzu sauce served in Chinese take-out boxes. Dessert included cheesecake with lemongrass creme Anglaise and fresh berries served with Chinese fortune cookies. The chilled Asian Appletini, the signature cocktail, was served
Neil Crook and Cameron Perry.
along with assorted beers and liquor and Bulletin Place chardonnay or merlot. ❖ Deanna Davis, Judy Daniel, Carol Corvin, Lyndra Daniel, Katy Sexton, Barclay Darden, Janie Trammell and Carole Crabbe. Photo special to The Journal
T
Wine and Cheese Event Starts Season for Charades Dance Club
he Charades Dance Club ushered in the fall season with a wine and cheese party Sept. 25. Club members attended a fall wine and cheese party at the home of Katy and Rick Sexton. Party chairman Carol Crabbe with committee members Deanna Davis, Carol Corvin, Lyndra Daniel, Barclay Darden, Ellen Cunningham, Judy Daniel and Linda Daniel provided a variety of party sandwiches, cheese straws, hot dip and crackers, lemon squares, cookies and brownies. An arrangement of phlox, stephanotis, Belinda roses, angelonia,
Knock Out roses, gardenias and azalea leaves provided a white, pink and purple centerpiece for the dining table. Members at the party were Enid Dean, Lou Ann Sherling, Lynn Smith, Rita Spencer, Madelon Rushing, Judy Bewley, Helen Robin, Susan Bowman, and Susan Strickland. Also attending were Susan Reeves, Becky Rollins, Katie Dunn, Grace Finkel, Martha Cobb, Sara Ruiz de Molina, Diana Turnipseed and Kathi Ash. Enjoying the scenery from the back deck of the Sexton home were Laurie Hayworth, Kathleen Watkins,
Mary Putman, Karen Sanders, Dale Holditch, Leslie Puckett, Anne Finch, Sallie Aman, Alice Schleusner, Barbara Cobb and Louise Ellis. President Janie Trammell conducted a short meeting at the party. She introduced new member Caroline Clayton. Mingling after the club meeting were Verna Lyons, Carolyn Hill, Sara Lynn DeFuniak, Marsha Terrell, Nell Henderson, Anne Dawson, Diane Weatherford, Karen Lloyd, Evelyn Bradley, Jeanne Bradford, Diane Gamble, Claire Goodhew and Nancy Stetler. ❖
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From left: Jim Spencer, Kenneth M. Schuppert, Phillip W. Williams, Bonnie Richards, Mary Estess, John F. Germ and Mark D. Maloney at the Glenn E. Estess Sr. memorial dedication at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Photo special to The Journal
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Estess Honored By Rotary Club
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embers and guests of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley gathered in the Japanese Garden of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Sept. 24 to dedicate a memorial to Glenn E. Estess Sr., Rotary International president during the group’s centennial year and a past president of the Shades Valley club. Mary Estess, Glenn’s wife of 59 years, members of the Estess family and many Rotary leaders were on hand for the dedication. Among those attending were Rotary International Vice President Kenneth M.
Schuppert Jr., Past Rotary International Director Mark D. Maloney, Past Rotary International Director James R. Shamblin, Past Rotary International Director John F. Germ, Rotary District 6860 Gov. Phillip W. Williams and many past governors of District 6860. Estess was remembered for a lifetime of distinguished service to others through Rotary. He was installed as Rotary International’s president during the organization’s international convention in Osaka, Japan, in 2004 and spoke of “lighting the way” into Rotary’s second century of service to the world. In 2005, responding to Rotary’s theme for the year, “Celebrate Rotary,” the Osaka Central Rotary Club donated
From left: Neil Caudle, Matt Register and Graham Johnson.
Artist Featured at Vino & Van Gogh Fundraiser
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he United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham Junior Board welcomed a very special guest to its third annual Vino & Van Gogh fundraiser at B&A Warehouse Aug. 16. Folk artist Hank Holland sold his art as one of the featured art vendors at the event. Born with cerebral palsy, Holland has an inspiring success story shaped by his art, not his limitations. Holland traveled to support Vino & Van Gogh from Lockport, La., where he was raised and lives with his family. Holland is considered one of the top 25 folk artists in America, with his paintings hanging in all 50 states and 97 countries, including one in the private Vatican collection. Holland paints primarily Cajun scenes, including baptismal events, juke joints, swamp houses and his signature tree houses.
the Friendship Bell of Celebration to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to be featured in the BBG’s Japanese Garden and housed in a traditional Japanese belfry donated by RCSV. At the memorial service, an authentic Japanese Kasuga lantern was dedicated in Estess’ memory to “light the way” to the Japanese belfry and Friendship Bell. During the dedication ceremony, RCSV presented Mary Estess with an Honorary Lifetime Membership. Glenn E. Estess Sr. passed away Feb. 7. ❖
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Holland, Birmingham artists and sponsors, including Vision Landscapes which presented the event, helped the Junior Board raise more than $33,000 for people with disabilities in central Alabama. Among those at the event were Jeremy and Melanie Burns, Neil Caudle, Matt Register, Graham Johnson, Rick Jackson and Daniel and Brenda Moore. ❖
Jeremy and Melanie Burns.
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Big Hearts Show at McDonald House Gala
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ore than 450 attended the 10th annual Heart of the House Gala benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama Aug. 23 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover. Guests bid on packages auctioned off by Jack Granger of Granger Thagard Auctioneers. 1829 29th Ave. So. • Homewood • 870-8110 Hosted by ABC 33/40’s Nicole Allshouse, the event honored Sirote & Permutt for its annual support of the Ronald McDonald House as well as positively affecting the areas of health, education and the arts in the community as a whole. The RMH’s largest funMaryHenderson Glen & Walton Women’s Center is excited to draiser for the year raised Marianne Sharbel, Rick Hanna Jr., Kasey Burleson and Paul Sharbel. Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 announce our new satellite office in Chelsea! The physi$175,000. FAX: 205-824-1246 cians you know and trust at our main office in Birmingham Supporters at the event Lazarus, Connie and Jason Stein, Oct. 2012 included Harold Blach, John and will now be coming to YOU in Chelsea. They bring with Jenna and Craig Stephens, Max Anne Cathy and Jim them the excellence have expect—healthcare This is your AD PROOFyou from thecome OVERtoTHE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for Durward, the Cooper, Billie and Charles Spann, Black, Ginger and Jerry Held, 18, 2012inissue. Pleaseconsiderate, fax approvalsensitive or changes thatOct. is delivered a personal, andto 824-1246. Debbie and Brian Wiatrak, Eleanor Judson Smith, Ruwena and Barnes, Eva and Jim Robertson, knowledgeable manner. Henderson & Walton’s physicians Richard Healy, Abbie and John Please make sure allandinformation are Board Certified in Obstetrics Gynecology and is correct, Becker, Linn and Patricia Pritchett, Lynda and George Hiller, Dottie and Clarence Brooks, Peggy and and Henry Mellen, Marianne affiliated with St. Vincent’s Birmingham. including address and phone number!Mary Bob Bales, Nancy and David Stein, and Paul Sharbel, Jackie and John So, if you’ve been looking for quality women’s healthcare, Sonya and Kyle Franklin, Amy Martinek, Velinda and Branson and Mark Smith, Jenny and Joey Please initial faxneighborhood! back within Give 24 hours. you’ve found it—right here and in your us Block, Lajuana Bradford, Carol If we have not heard from you by pmup of the before the in press date,Clarke, Mary and Hank Patterson, Tudisco, Erin and John Parnell, a call today at (205) 678-8093 to 5set an Friday appointment your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. Darby and Randy Nichols and Patty and Joe Finnegan, Bob and our Chelsea office and meet our physicians. Jennifer and Frederic Smith. ❖ Andy Bernstein, Robin and Steve Thank you for your prompt attention.
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Brooke-Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. William Wade Brooke of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Margaret Brooke, to Steven Robert Thompson Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Robert Thompson of Memphis, Tenn. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Charles S. Caldwell and the late Mr. Frederick Dixon
Dorlon-Naramore
Katherine Fleming Dorlon and Malta Lane Naramore IV were married Sept. 8 at St. Mary’s-on-theHighlands Episcopal Church. Huey Gardner officiated the ceremony. A reception followed at the Country Club of Birmingham. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Phelan Dorlon Jr. of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Malta Lane Naramore III of Birmingham. Given in marriage by her father, the bride was attended by her sister Elizabeth Dorlon Floyd of Nashville, Tenn., and her sister-in-law Kathryn
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Weddings & Engagements
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Brooke and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Alexander Williamson, all of Birmingham. Miss Brooke is a 2007 graduate of Mountain Brook High School, a 2011 honor graduate of the University of Mississippi and an honor graduate in pastry arts from the French Culinary Institute in New York City. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority and was presented at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball, the Ball of Roses and the Heritage Ball. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. Donald Wayne Robinson of Reno, Nev., and the late Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Robert Frank Thompson Jr. of Memphis and the late Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson is a 2007 graduate of Memphis University School and a 2011 honors graduate of the University of Tennessee. He is employed with BB&T in WinstonSalem, N.C. The wedding is planned for Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Covenant Presbyterian Church in Homewood. Elam Dorlon of Birmingham as matrons of honor. Bridesmaids were Katherine Elizabeth Allen, Andre Bryant Brantley, Yaicha Farr Brown, Elizabeth McCollum Goodwyn, Mary Margaret Lester, Margaret Kyle Matthews, Susan Swift Shields and Ann Bennett Waller, all of Birmingham; Margaret Meador Barnhill of Locksley; Amelie Shields Hall of Allston, Mass.; and Mila Hirsh Dreher and Katherine Chambliss Holcomb of New York. Malta Lane Naramore III, father of the groom, and Wesley Brumback Naramore, brother of the groom, of Birmingham, served as best men. Groomsmen were Wade Larimore Armstrong, Joseph Lee Braswell, John Anderson Davis Jr., Todd Magruder Dorlon and John Coleman Dorlon, brothers of the bride, William Henry Ennis, Sam Nance Farlow Jr., Albert Fletcher Giles III, Miles Hartley Morris, Charles Pearson Norton and Perry Butler Tillman, all of Birmingham; and Mark Anthony Hickman of Tuscaloosa. John Wilson Dorlon, nephew of the bride, of Birmingham was ring bearer. After a honeymoon trip to St. Lucia, the couple live in Birmingham.
Harbert-Bryant
Mary Kathryn Harbert and John Frederick Bryant were married July 7 at St. Steven’s Episcopal Church.
Garrett-Welsh
Taylor Lynn Garrett and Daniel Logan Welsh were married Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham. The Rev. Richmond Webster officiated the ceremony with the Rev. Jonathan Talley of Lexington, Va. A reception followed at The Club. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bryan Garrett of Birmingham. She is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Donald Carl Turnbull and Dr. and Mrs. Marshall
The Rev. Russell Kendrick officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Jones Harbert of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Lewis Bryant of Nashville, Tenn. The bride was given in marriage by her father. Amelia Carroll Benton and Margaret Chambliss Johnson were maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Leslie Lee Anderson; Laura Lea Bryant, sister of the groom; Miranda Grace Conner; Elisabeth Whitney Crow; Caroline Catherine Davis; Bradley Elizabeth Fuqua; Cole Mabray Harbert, sister-in-law of the bride; Audrey Ann Norwood; Annie Browning Smith and Katherine Snell Williams. Helen Cole Harbert, niece of the bride, was the flower girl. Frederick Lewis Bryant, father of the groom, and William Vernon
Bryant, brother of the groom, were best men. Groomsmen were Thomas Harrison Anderson; William Byron Barber; Clinton Edward Hunter Brush; Philip Alexander Carter; John Murdoch Harbert II, brother of the bride; Raymond Jones Harbert Jr., brother of the bride; Richard Harb Howell and George Sunderland Rich Jr. Stacey Alan Dunn Jr., nephew of the bride, was the crucifer. Ushers were David Brannon Schumacher and George Andrew Quinn. Greeters were Caroline Gilchrist Dunn, niece of the bride, Laura Elizabeth Johnson, Katherine Elizabeth Miller and Tricia Harper Starr. Readers were Katherine Elizabeth Miller and Tricia Harper Starr. After a honeymoon trip, the couple will live in Charlottesville, Va.
Garrett, all of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Louis Welsh of Evans, Ga. He is the grandson of Captain and Mrs. James Percival Googe Jr. and the late Lynda S. Googe of Memphis, Tenn., and Mr. and Mrs. John Frederick Welsh of Ormond Beach, Fla. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an Alyne by Rivini gown from Carriage House Weddings. Ivory-colored tulle lined the V-neck corded Chantilly lace tank-style gown with a delicately modified trumpet skirt and a deep sweetheart neckline. Corded Chantilly lace buttons lined the back of the gown. The bride wore her mother’s fingertip length veil of ivory illusion edged in lace scallop. She carried a bouquet of ivory roses and blue hydrangeas tied to a prayer book that had also been carried by her mother, grandmother, aunt and four other brides in the family dating back to 1948. The bride’s sisters, Grace Anne Garrett and Mary Baker Garrett of Birmingham, were her maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Alexandra W. Ivins and Grace Elizabeth Welsh
of Evans, Ga., Kelli Lee Jarrell of Dry Creek, W. Va., and Karen Keyes Lambdin of Greenwood, Miss. The groom’s father was his best man. Groomsmen were Charles Ramsey Bennett of Memphis, Tenn., Bryan Marshall Garrett of Birmingham, Stuart Anthony Lehn of Martinez, Ga., Sean Kenton McCoy of Christiansburg, Va., William Courtney Quarles of Washington, D.C., and Samuel Josiah Welsh of Evans. Ushers were Karsten Glen Bloomstrom, Kevin Marshall Cox, Caleb Clinton Dixon, Alexander Patrick Houser, Curtin I. Ivins, Preston Michael Landt, Alexander Henry MacDonell, IV, Michael Edwards Mecredy, Hugh Thomas Rogers and Jared Elliott Starin. The music was provided by Dr. James Dorroh. Serving as crucifer was Joseph Davis Shuster of Nashville, Tenn. Reading the scripture were Mr. and Mrs. John Daly Ivy III of Columbia, Md. Program attendants were Lacey Schuler Davis, Melissa Ann Mays and Laura Elizabeth McBride. The couple live in Staunton, Va.
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Elizabeth Knight Hubbard used her imagination, pumpkins, candles and a little spray paint to give her Mayfair Drive home a festive fall feel. The large pumpkins were painted and filled with pansies, while miniature pumpkins were just the right size to create votive candle holders. A hollowed-out pumpkin was transformed into a fun way to cool drinks for autumnal parties.
W
Matchless Decorating
Homewood Artist Brings Art into her Home--And Tosses Out the Rules
hen Elizabeth Knight Hubbard decorates her Mayfair Drive home for the fall season, the Homewood artist usually starts by throwing all the traditional guidelines out the window. “When it comes to outfitting your space, you have to make it your own, and that means following your own rules,” Elizabeth said. As an artist, Elizabeth embraces a suspension of the rules. And as a woman who was born with 95 percent hearing loss, Elizabeth said she’s learned to follow her own path. That philosophy is something Elizabeth said is reflected in how she decorates her house, not just in autumn but year-round. “Be who you are, flaws and all, and use what you love-I think that’s what my house says about me because that’s really where I work from,” she said. Elizabeth’s home features an eclectic mixture of new and old, edgy and traditional, found and bought. “I have my great-grandmother’s silver set sitting next to a funky lamp I found at an art show,” she said. “Those things are not something you’re going to see put together in catalogs or showrooms, but they work together in my home because that’s who I am,” she said. Elizabeth said she has always embraced who she is, even during the difficult teen years when part of her yearned to be just like the other kids from Mountain Brook. “Back then, a disability wasn’t as acceptable as it is today,” she said. “I really started feeling different when I reached middle school age.” Her parents wanted her to live as normal a life as possible, so Elizabeth never learned sign language. “I will have people with hearing problems come up and
Story by Keysha Drexel • Photos by Lee Walls Jr. start signing to me, and I have no idea what they’re saying,” she said. “I learned to read lips, and I think it forced me to really learn to pay attention.” That attention to detail is something Elizabeth says has served her well as an artist. “I think when one sense is taken away, the rest of your senses become sharper,” she said. “I’ve always noticed details and felt like I could see everything with my eyes even more than other people because of my hearing.” Elizabeth’s artistic eye served her well when she went away to college in Gainesville, Ga., to earn a degree in commercial art. “I’ve always dabbled in art, always had that love of art, but I wanted to do something artistic that would allow me to make money, so that’s why I started out in commercial art,” she said. Elizabeth spent four years in commercial art, doing everything from designing lottery tickets to creating renderings for new housing subdivisions. “It was a good experience, but after four years, I said enough of that and moved back to Birmingham (from Georgia)” she said. Elizabeth then spent some time working in The Cook Store, which used to be owned by her mother in Mountain Brook Village. “Working there really gave me an appreciation for beautiful things that can be useful,” she said. “I can remember getting really excited when the new merchandise would come in and we had to figure out how to move everything around in the store and find the best way to present it.” Elizabeth even taught cooking classes at the store and discovered she really liked working with children. “It was a great experience, but it was around that time
that I decided I wanted to go back to my first love--working in clay,” she said. In college, Elizabeth took a sculpting class and fell in love with clay work. “It’s hands-on, it’s all about your creativity and your imagination. I missed it when I wasn’t doing it,” she said. So after her stint at The Cook “Be who you are, Store, Elizabeth took a leap of faith and decided to try to earn a flaws and all, living as a clay artist. and use what She said she was worried about supporting herself as a full-time you love--I think artist but was encouraged by her that’s what my husband and her family. “My family keeps me going, house says about and they’ve always inspired me,” me because that’s she said. To get started on her new really where I career, Elizabeth needed the right work from.” supplies. “I drove to Atlanta to buy Elizabeth Knight 1,000 pounds of clay, came back home and set up my kiln and Hubbard started working on raku pottery,” she said. Raku, an ancient Chinese firing process that uses natural resources like fire, air and water, helps Elizabeth create oneof-a-kind hand-built decorative pieces. The process as much as the finished product is important
to Elizabeth, she said. “It’s full of surprises. You’re using all these natural elements, and it’s an intense firing process that causes a lot of smoke,” she said. “I guess my neighbors have been wondering all these years what in the world I’ve been doing in the backyard.” It has been about 12 years since Elizabeth started creating the raku pieces, which include crosses, bowls, yard art and necklaces. In her raku pieces, Elizabeth continues her love of mixing the old with the new to create something unique. She uses family lace to roll a pattern in the bottom of the raku bowls she creates. “Each piece has its own unique story and history, even though it is a new object,” she said. Her creations are all original ideas that started out in Elizabeth’s imagination, she said. “I have a big book beside my bed where I write down all my ideas. They come to me mostly at night when I’m getting ready to go to sleep,” she said. Elizabeth said she is also inspired by the other artists she works with at The Studio in Homewood. The Studio offers space to rent for all sorts of artists, she said, from stationery artists to jewelry designers like Janie Mayer. “Being around Janie and all the other artists at The Studio constantly inspires me,” she said. “I’ll see something they are working on and it will give me an idea for my own work, and I think it works that way for them, too.”
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Elizabeth said she has always been intrigued by abstract paintings and loves their strong, simple design and muted colors. She said she’s dabbled in acrylic paints for the past few years and is developing her own style. She teaches painting classes at The Studio and is getting a chance to work with children again. “I always tell them that there are no mistakes. Your tree doesn’t have to look like my tree--they are all trees and are beautiful in their own way,” she said. Finding her own version of beauty is something that transcends Elizabeth’s work and has taken up residence in her home. “That’s the way I approach decorating, too--the same way I approach art,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. You just have to love it.” Elizabeth said she advises those looking to revamp their home decor to think outside the box. “Things don’t have to match,” she said. “The colors in your sofa don’t have to match the painting hanging over it. Everything blends together perfectly when you are using objects that speak to you and that reflect who you are.” Elizabeth said she tells people to shop for art for their home at local art shows and craft shows instead of at large galleries. “That’s where you’re going to find unique items at much better prices,” she said. “There’s decorator art and then there’s original art.”
In 1966, Janet and Bill Haas of Vestavia Hills opened their first fabric store. Since then, the business has transformed from apparel piece goods to one of the best home decorator fabric stores in the region, King Cotton. For 45 years through their three King Cotton locations, the Haas family has shared with the community a legacy of creativity, service, and the very best in distinctive fabrics, elegant trimmings, beautifully crafted drapery hardware, and custommade headboards. With over 3,000 fabrics in stock and many more available through special order, the experienced staff, fondly referred to as the Chenille Magnolias, work with customers on a one-to-one basis to create the perfect mix that artfully expresses individual styles and personalities. The anchor store is located in Birmingham and housed in a charming 19th Century building that was once a church, an artist’s studio, and an antique store. It is conveniently located just off I-65 on Green Springs Avenue. Janet and Bill bought the property in 1993 and along with their daughters, Kym Prewitt and Nina Daniels, began restoration and renovation of the building, which has earned an historical
See Artist, page 28
To: From: Date:
marker. The Haas family welcomes you to their Birmingham location or to visit them online at www.kingcottonfabrics.com.
fine fabrics for living
Monday - Saturday 9:30-4:30 322-5878 • 1820 Greensprings Hwy www.kingcottonfabrics.com.
250-6248 Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Oct. This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Oct. 18, 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
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incorporated three metal pumpkins from page 27 she borrowed from Frontera into her Elizabeth said her rule of thumb is fall decor. Frontera that if a piece grabs her eye at an art also helped show and she’s still thinking about it Elizabeth design a when it’s time to leave, she knows she candle chandelier drapery • upholstry • nursery must have it and incorporate it into featuring miniature dorm • outdoor her home decor. pumpkins with Tues.- Fri. 10AM - 5PM “If you love something, it doesn’t votive candles. Sat. 10AM - 2PM matter if it matches a thing in your “Sometimes, it 205.264.1136 house, it will look good because it is take a village,” she Inside Trussville Antiques & Interiors something that caught your eye--and 147 North Chalkville Rd. Trussville said. your heart,” she said. To Elizabeth, Elizabeth said she also has a “less fall decorating is is more” viewpoint when it comes all about transito decorating for the fall season and tion. other special events. “I think we “Some people will just completely feel in our minds overdo it,” she said. “I like to keep and in our bodies things simple.” a natural transiElizabeth said she likes to incorporate natural elements In the fall, Elizabeth loves to use tion between the into her fall decor. Here, mini pumpkins are used in a burlap, gourds and pumpkins to create tabletop candelabra. summer and fall unique displays in her home. seasons, so it’s a “It’s all about using what you have purpose. I hate shopping, so I will try great time to reflect and gather those in a different way,” she said. “And to use things I already have in a new things around you that represent who I love to use elements from nature, way,” she said. you are,” she said. especially during the fall.” Elizabeth said she relies on help Elizabeth said the key to her decoFor example, Elizabeth had two from her friends to get her fall decora- rating style is seeing the possibility in trees in large planters that had died by tions in place. This year, Janie Mayer every object. the end of the summer. She decided helped her spray paint the pumpkins “I tell people to be original, on her kitchen island. She also got to use them as part of her Halloween embrace the things they have, decorations by spray-painting them. pumpkins with pansies planted inside embrace who they are and reflect that “Everything old can have a new from Sweet Peas Garden Shop and in your home,” she said. “It’s your home and it should reflect the true you and all the parts of your life.” Elizabeth said she also advises people to not plan too far ahead when it comes to fall and other seasonal Kathy’s Designer Kitchens, Inc. decorations. 1831 29th Ave. S. • Homewood, AL 35209 “Of course you are going to pick 205-871-9880 • Kathy Owens, CKD, President up ideas and objects that catch your eye along the way, but I’d rather be more spontaneous about what I’m To: going to use,” Elizabeth said. “My From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 husband calls it procrastinating, but I FAX: 205-824-1246 call it being spontaneous.” Date: March 2012 Elizabeth said her house is an ever-evolving art gallery, no matter the season. This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the “Nothing is ever permanent. I’m April 5, 2012 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. always moving stuff around, mixing that crazy painting I found at an art Have your at the Birmingham Zoo including address and phone Please make surenext allevent information is correct, show with family photos and things I got from my mother and grandmothLooking for a truly unique space number! er,” she said. ❖ for your next event? Why not
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With catering options ranging from African safari to formal elegance, we can help make your event a success. The Zoo also offers event extras including animal demonstrations and much more. Call 205.397.3859 or send an email to specialevents@ birminghamzoo.com for more information or to book your event today! Hurry, bookings are filling up!
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November 3-4, 2012
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BUSINESS BRIEFS
Birmingham Business Alliance Announces 2012 Small Business Awards
The owners of the Cahaba Brewing Company are, from left: Eric Meyer, Andy Gwaltney, Taylor DeBoer and Photo special to the Journal Burton Dunn.
Home Brew on tap Friends Craft New Venture Out of Love of Beer Making
By Keysha Drexel
F
Journal Editor
our friends from Over the Mountain have opened what they are calling Birmingham’s most authentic tasting room experience. Eric Meyer of Hoover, along with Homewood’s Andy Gwaltney, Taylor DeBoer and Burton Dunn are the owners of the Cahaba Brewing Company Tasting Room, which had a grand opening Sept. 24. The event featured live music from local artists and food from Cantina on Wheels. The tasting room is at 2616 Third Ave. South near Pepper Place and the Lakeview District. The 8,000-square-foot building houses the brewery and the tasting room. The owners said the building was selected for its location and for the room it offers the company to expand in the future. The company serves a line of small batch beers with an emphasis on handcrafted quality.
“We wanted to start the company so that we could continue to make craft beer and share it with the local community.” Eric Meyer The tasting room is designed to be a haven for beer aficionados, said Burton Dunn. It can accommodate small groups of friends, private parties and affinity parties. The company was formed in 2011 by the group of friends who were united in their love for craft beer and making their own beer at home. “We wanted to start the company so
than 10 years of brewing experience and that we could continue to make craft beer specializes in pale ales, IPAs and specialty and share it with the local community,” season beers. Gwaltney has five years of Meyer said. “I had brewed beer at home brewing experience, and his specialties are in the past and really enjoyed the scienpale ales, stouts and brown ales. Meyer tific aspects of the process.” has more than three years of brewing Dunn said the Free the Hops moveexperience and specializes in lagers, seament was instrumental in paving the way sonable ales and specialty seasonal beers. for new companies like Cahaba Brewing. Beers served in the tasting room “Free the Hops opened a lot of doors include the Liquidambar Amber Ale, for the company by systematically changa lightly hopped ing Alabama’s antiAmerican amber ale, quated beer laws,” the Oka UBA IPA, Dunn said. “Alabama Cahaba Brewing Co. aandpalatable India Pale beer drinkers are forAle noted for being ever in their debt for hop-forward with a the work they have malty backbone. The done and the work they Ryezome Rye Stout, a continue to do.” crisp stout that finishes From the beginning, with pleasant aromatic Dunn said, the Cahaba hops and hints of Brewing Company has chocolate and coffee, had the goal of providis also on the tasting ing beer lovers in the room menu. Birmingham-Hoover The owners say metro area with clean they have their favorand consistent small ites among the combatch beers. pany’s products. “We were inspired Meyer said his to start Cahaba by the favorite beer to brew is desire to produce high an Oktoberfest. Dunn quality, consistent beer said his favorite beer is locally,” he said. To do this, Dunn Where: 2616 Third Ave. So. Ryezome Rye Stout. Additionally, said, the company Hours: Thursdays, 3-9 p.m. Cahaba Brewing offers hand-selected and and Fridays, 3-10 p.m. specialty beers, includassembled just the ing seasonal brews right brewing equipwww.cahababrewing.com like the popular Kiwi ment necessary for the Kölsch and Oktoberfest Ale. job. As luck would have it, the group’s The tasting room will also introduce friends at Straight to Ale in Huntsville a new CaHoPba project featuring six difwere upgrading their brewery equipment, ferent brews with different recipes each so Cahaba Brewing Company was able to Friday night through Oct. 26. The best purchase their equipment. The company was named for the iconic recipe, as chosen by beer lovers in the tasting room, will be released in select river whose waters flow through the area. retail locations in 22-ounce bombers. Like its namesake, the company is not The tasting room is open Thursdays focused on volume, Dunn said, but on from 3-9 p.m. and Fridays from 3-10 p.m. the quality of the experience it offers its For more information on Cahaba customers. The owners have several years’ experi- Brewing Company, visit www.cahababrewing.com. ❖ ence in beer brewing. DeBoer has more
Fernando Valentin, president of the Trinity Design Group in Birmingham, was named Small Business Executive of the Year at the Birmingham Business Alliance 2012 Small Business Awards Sept. 20 in downtown Birmingham. In addition to Small Business Executive of the Year, awards were presented in competitive categories. Fernando Valentin, right, presiHonorary awards were dent of Trinity Design Group, also presented to was named Small Business small business leaders Executive of the year. Howard and advocates in the Finch, left, dean of Samford University’s Brock School of community. Business, presents the award. As the BBA Small Business Executive of the Year, and in a new partnership with Samford University, Valentin will serve as Executive in Residence at the university’s Brock School of Business Andrea and David Snyder, during the 2012owners of Urban Cookhouse, accept the Emerging Business 13 school year. of the Year Award from Devon He will speak to Laney, far left, of Innovation small business and Depot. entrepreneurship classes, advise Brock School of Business Incubator tenants and participate in school activities, such as judging the annual Regions Bank New Venture Challenge business plan Valerie Ramsbacher, presicompetition. dent of the Junior League Also receiving of Birmingham, accepts the honorary awards Nonprofit of the Year Award from Drew Langloh, president at the 2012 Small and CEO of United Way of Business Awards Central Alabama. Celebration were Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell and Berkowitz PC as Small Business Champion of the Year; David Fleming, president of Operation New Birmingham, as the Jesse J. Lewis Young Professional of the Jr. Small Business Year Monica Pate, far left, of Advocate of the Verizon Wireless, with her colYear; and J.H. Berry leagues Robin Barnett, Mandy Cannon and Joseph Heckel. & Gilbert as Legacy Business of the Year. Urban Cookhouse received the Emerging Business of the Year Award, and Eco Three and DK3D Animation were finalists. Silvertron Café received the Retail Business of the Year Award; Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market and Dreamcakes Bakery were finalists. Monica Pate of Verizon Wireless received the Young Professional of the Year Award; Brooke Adams of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Jeremy Norman of Norman and Associates LLC were finalists. Junior League of Birmingham received the Nonprofit of the Year Award; Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity and Triumph Services were finalists. DiscoveryBioMed Inc. received the Technology/ Biotechnology Business of the Year Award; Atherotech Diagnostics Lab and Doozer Software were finalists. Employment Screening Services received the Small
Business of the Year Award for companies with one to 50 employees. Founders Investment Banking and Diamond Studio were finalists. Bhate Geosciences Corp. received the Small Business of the Year Award for companies with 51- 250 employees. Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith and Bruno Event Team were finalists. Slade Environmental, Land Use and Transportation Planning received the Dr. A.G. Gaston Emerging Minority- or Woman-owned Business Award. DK3D Animation and Cheeriodicals were finalists.
Homewood Business Expanding Mantooth Interiors in Homewood is expanding its business. The upscale home furnishings store in downtown Homewood was formerly known as the Brass Bed. The 40-year-old company has taken over the franchise of the Curtain Exchange next to its location on 18th Street South. The acquisition means the store now offers customers a more complete design experience, according to owner, Larry Mantooth.
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
The store has previously worked with contractors on draperies and curtains. The Curtain Exchange sells readymade curtains and custom options, and its inventory is set to grow. Mantooth said the expansion was a natural fit for what his company does.
Vestavia Chamber Making It Easier to Find Available Commercial Property The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and Xceligent have partnered to provide data of available properties in Vestavia Hills using the chamber’s website. Commercial properties available for lease or sale in the Vestavia Hills area can be found with the click of a mouse with the new program. Sales comparables, historical trends, rates, occupancy and demographics are also available to assist owners, investors and appraisers in their property decision-making. The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest chambers in the Birmingham area. With more than 1,000 member-
representatives, the chamber continues to find avenues to fulfill its mission of fostering, promoting, advancing and improving the economic, civic, education and general business conditions of its members and the Vestavia Hills community. The chamber is also in development of a mobile application, VH2GO, which will take the chamber’s directory and website information and place it in the hands of both members and the community. To learn more about the property search, VH2GO or how to become a chamber member, call 823-5011 or visit www.vestaviahills.org.
Homewood Bakery Features Grapico Cupcake Homewood is the place to be for fans of cupcakes and grape soda. Dreamcakes Bakery has partnered with Buffalo Rock Company to create a limited-run Grapico cupcake. The Grapico Dreamcakes Cupcake is the latest flavor in a cupcake trend that has swept the country. “We are thrilled about our partnership with Dreamcakes,” said Matthew Dent,
president and chief operating officer of Buffalo Rock. “Our collaboration celebrates two great products produced right here in Homewood. It just seemed like a natural fit.” The cupcakes are now available at Dreamcakes Bakery and Cupcake Truck through November. “I can’t think of a better flavor for a new cupcake than Grapico,” said Jan Moon, the bakery’s owner and chief executive officer. “We went all out with this recipe. The batter, filling and icing are all made with Grapico to give you that one-of-a-kind grape taste.” Dreamcakes Bakery in Homewood’s Edgewood neighborhood has been serving cakes, cupcakes and other sweet treats since 1991. For more information about
Dreamcakes, visit www.dreamcakesbakery.com. Buffalo Rock Company is one of the nation’s largest privately-held, familyowned Pepsi and Dr. Pepper bottlers in the U.S. For more information about the company, visit www.buffalorock.com.
Dog Park Opens in Vestavia Hills A new dog park opened in Vestavia Hills last week. The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Rollingwood Dog Park. The new dog park is at 2664 Briarberry Drive. For more information, call 823-7453.❖
BLUFF PARK WINDOW WORKS
• Wood window restoration and repair • Sash replacement, rot repair • Replace broken and fogged glass • Wood insulated, putty glazed, and composite vinyl replacement sashes • Locally owned and operated
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Chambers Plan Networking Events Over the Mountain area chambers of commerce are offering several networking opportunities. Here are some of the upcoming events. MOUNTAIN BROOK
The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon Nov. 8 featuring Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden and Mountain Brook City Council members. The luncheon is held every two years after an election season. Networking is at 11 a.m., and the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at Park Lane in English Village. Reservations are $25 for chamber members and $30 for non-members. For more information, visit www. welcometomountainbrook.com or call the chamber office at 871-3779. VESTAVIA HILLS
The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Leadership Vestavia Hills to hold a political forum Oct. 23. Statewide and Congressional District 6 candidates will attend the forum in the Vestavia Hills High School auditorim. There will be a “meet and greet” session at 6 p.m. The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. On Nov. 13, Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jamie Blair will give an update on the school system at the monthly chamber luncheon at Vestavia Country Club. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., and the program begins at noon. Reservations are due by 4 p.m. Nov. 9 and cost $18. Late reservations and walk-ins cost $25. For more information on both events, visit www.vestaviahills.org or call the chamber office at 823-5011. HOMEWOOD
The Homewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 11th annual Holiday Open House Nov. 8 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. to encourage the community to shop locally.
Businesses in the Edgewood and 18th Street downtown areas of Homewood will be celebrating the event, with stores open later than usual and special events going on throughout the city. More than 2,000 people attended last year’s open house event. Organizers are hoping that special in-store events, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of free parking will draw an even larger crowd this year. A free holiday trolley will make stops between the downtown area and Edgewood to accommodate shoppers. Maps of the trolley routes and parking areas are at www. homewoodchamber.com. For more information, call the Homewood Chamber of Commerce office at 871-5631. HOOVER
The guest speaker at the Oct. 18 Hoover Chamber of Commerce luncheon will be Mike Lanier, president of Hoar Program Management, a nationally recognized firm providing comprehensive program management services to public and private entities. The event will be at the Hoover Country Club with networking at 11:30 and the luncheon at noon. Cost is $20 at the door. For more information, call the chamber office at 988-5672 or visit www.hooverchamber.org. BIRMINGHAM
The Birmingham Business Alliance will host the 2012 Congressional Forum with Sen. Jeff Sessions Oct. 18 in the East Ballroom of the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex. The event starts at noon and ends at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for a table of eight are $400; individual tickets are $55 each. For more information, visit www. birminghambusinessalliance.com. ❖
To: From: Date:
Jim Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Oct. 2010 This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for t Nov. 4 2010 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.
Thank you for your prompt attention.
32 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Vestavia Special Section
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Holiday in the Hills Returns for Second Year
F
or the second consecutive year, shoppers can start ticking items off their holiday shopping list at the same time they support local businesses in Vestavia Hills. The City of Vestavia is once again teaming up with the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce to present the Holiday in the Hills Festival 2012, which starts Nov. 15 and runs through the end of December. The chamber will host a kickoff party at Vestavia Hills Library from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 15. That’s when shoppers can pick up insulated shopping bags filled with coupons, special event flyers and promotions from participating merchants. Those attending the kickoff party can also get a prize passport at the open house event. The prize passport is a postcard that shoppers take to participating merchants during the Holiday in the Hills Festival to have them stamped. When shoppers get three stamps from three different businesses on the prize passport, they turn it in at the chamber office or bring it to the city’s Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 4 for a chance to win a prize during a drawing. Shoppers can look for door decorations at individual businesses to see if those merchants are participating in the Holiday in the Hills event. Participating merchants include Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia, Alfano Computer Solutions, The Amandas, Annabelle’s/Vestavia Hills Apothecary, Artists Incorporated, Baymont Inn & Suites, Birmingham Ballet, Birmingham School of Music, Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates, The Blue Willow, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Cameras Brookwood, Chickadee, Chloe’s, Collage Designer Consignment, Contri Bros. Gifts Basket, Crabtree Computer Services, Cross Construction, El Poblano, Fancy Goods Variety, Farmers Insurance-Mary Jo Johnson Agency, Hilton Garden Inn-Liberty Park, Iz Cafe, Jewels by Rose, the Jimmie Hale Mission, Joelle Salon, Karen’s Hallmark, Kidz Closet, Learning Rx, Mary Kate Cosmetics-Susie Serio, Mia Moda, Mobility Central, Monograms Plus, Newk’s Express Cafe, Nuyella, Pearly White Dentistry, Rocky Ridge Hardware, SouthStar Properties, State Farm Insurance-John Henley Agency, Steed’s Jewelers, Town Village Vestavia Hills, Webster Electric, Wee Flip, Wild Birds Unlimited and Wood & Spooner Cosmetic Dentistry. The list of merchants will be updated and can be viewed at www. vestaviahills.org. For more information on the festival, call the city at 978-0100 or the chamber at 823-5011.
Meeting recently to discuss plans for the 2012 Holiday in the Hills were, from left, front: John Henley, State Farm Insurance/ The Henley Agency; Leigh Belcher, Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation; Jerri Waterhouse, Family Private Care; Karen Odle, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and Tammy Johnson, Commercial Realty Partners. Back: Tina Willis, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce; Katie Woodruff, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce; Kim Mangham-Barelare, Journal photo by Maury SouthStar Properties and Mayor Butch Zaragoza, City of Vestavia Hills. Wald
Calendar of Events Nov. 12 Veteran’s Day Celebration
Dec. 4 Tree Lighting Festival
6:00 pm, Mountain Top Community Church 6:00 pm, Vestavia Hills City Center A patriotic celebration featuring special guest Visit with Santa and enjoy performances by the speakers, music, and the Iwo Jima re-enactors. Pizitz Middle School Girls’ Choir, the A2 band and the VHHS Rockettes. Stop by the business expo for coupons and giveaways. Nov. 15
Holiday in the Hills Kick-Off Party
Dec. 8 Breakfast with Santa
3:00-5:00 pm, Vestavia Hills Library Hosted by the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce to kick-off the holiday shopping season. Enjoy gingerbread cookies and children’s activities and visit with one of Santa’s elves. The first 150 attendees will receive a goody bag with coupons and promotions from our merchants.
7:30-10:00 am, Senior Citizens’ Lodge at Wald Park Bring the whole family to enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa. $1 Suggested Donation
Dec. 4 Holiday Film Festival
Dec. 8 Seniors with Santa
12:00-9:00 pm, Vestavia Hills City Center (special events room near Zoe’s Kitchen) Inaugural Holiday Film Festival featuring family favorites. Bring your own blanket or folding chair. Free admission and popcorn!
2:00-4:00 pm, New Merkle House Senior citizens are invited to enjoy holiday treats and entertainment. Sponsored by Family Private Care and Town Village Vestavia Hills.
Dec. 9 Vestavia Hills Holiday Parade 2:00 pm, Liberty Park Sports Complex to Alston Meadows The City’s official parade featuring the VHHS Band and Santa, followed by a festival of area merchants. For information on participating, contact Paige Hockman at 296-5008.
Dec 20-22 Cruising the Christmas Lights Travel around the city to see the best holiday light displays. Check www.vestaviahills.org for a list of addresses. Submit an address to chamber@vestaviahills.org.
Visit www.vestaviahills.org for an extended list of events.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Vestavia Special Section
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 33
Visit these merchants this season for great deals and holiday fun! Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia Alfano Computer Solutions The Amandas Annabelle’s/Vestavia Hills Apothecary Artists Incorporated Baymont Inn & Suites Birmingham Ballet Birmingham School of Music Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates The Blue Willow Bruster's Real Ice Cream Cameras Brookwood Chickadee Chloe’s Collage Designer Consignment Contri Bros. Gift Basket Crabtree Computer Services Cross Construction El Poblano Fancy Goods Variety Farmers Insurance-Mary Jo Johnson Agency Hilton Garden Inn-Liberty Park Iz Cafe
Jewels by Rose The Jimmie Hale Mission Joelle Salon Karen’s Hallmark Kidz Closet Learning Rx Mary Kay Cosmetics-Susie Serio Mia Moda Mobility Central Monograms Plus Newk's Express Café Nuyella Pearly White Dentistry Rocky Ridge Hardware SouthStar Properties State Farm Insurance-John Henley Agency Steed's Jewelers Town Village Vestavia Hills Webster Electric Wee Flip Wild Birds Unlimited Wood & Spooner Cosmetic Dentistry *Visit www.vestaviahills.org for the most current list.
Stop by the Business Expo at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4!
34 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Vestavia special section
Andy’s Farm Market & Garden Center Andy’s Farm Market opened in 1997 on Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills. It is a family owned business specializing in fresh, local fruits and vegetables. “We bring in farm fresh produce daily,” says owner Andy Burris. “We carry a large variety of Alabama made products. McEwen grits, sweet potato biscuits, Mille Ray’s rolls, Dean’s cakes, Wickle’s Pickles, and Bud’s Best cookies. We have Alabama honey as well, which is a big draw for customers looking for allergy relief.” Andy’s also has two other locations. Andy’s Farm Market and Garden Center on Hwy. 150 in Hoover and Andy’s Creekside Nursery on Morgan Drive in Vestavia Hills. Visit any of the three locations for a great selection of pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, hay bales, and fall décor. Christmas trees arrive the day after
Thanksgiving, along with wreaths, garland, custom made mailbox decorations, and much more. “Our trees are the freshest in town,” says Andy. “We give every tree a fresh cut and display them in water. We also offer set up and delivery.” Andy’s has been in business for 15 years now and Andy attributes their success to their wonderful customers and employees they have had over the years. “Vestavia Hills and Hoover both have a great sense of community with customers who support local businesses. We are fortunate to be where we are, and we want to thank all of our customers for supporting us all these years.” You may have followed them over the years with their ads placed here in the Over the Mountain Journal. It all started when their oldest daughter, Andrea, was put in their first ad when she was 6 months old. That one picture turned into 15 years of their children appearing in their ads and customers watching them grow. Happy 15th to Andy’s and to Andrea! Andy’s Farm Market and Garden Center is located on Hwy. 150 in Hoover, 402-2639, and 3351 Morgan Drive, Vestavia Hills, 824-0233.
Andy’s
Farm Market and Garden Center 824-0233 • Morgan Drive Vestavia 402-2639 • Hwy 150 Hoover Mon-Sat 8-6 • Sun 12-5
Gorgeous Fall Color!
Big Beautiful Mums, Pansies & Huge Assortment of Pumkins & Gourds www.AndysGardenCenter.com
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Vestavia Hills Apothecary & Annabelle’s
Morton and Carol Slaughter are the owners of Vestavia Hills Apothecary and Annabelle’s. Since 1998, with customer service as the hallmark for both stores, the Slaughters and their capable staff have enjoyed a wonderful opportunity to serve the community. In business for 24 years, Vestavia Hills Apothecary tops the list as a health care provider and remains one of the few independent pharmacies in the area. Count on the pharmacy staff to always take time to answer questions and address your health concerns. Annabelle’s offers many choices for gifts and
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FROM: VESTAVIA HILLS APOTHECARY NNABELLE ’ S
1062 MONTGOMERY HIGHWAY 205.979.4444 WWW.ANNABELLESTOO.COM
stationery. Affordable personalized note pads for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers and teachers are a big hit this year. Looking for gift wrap? Come to Annabelle’s to find a wonderful selection of ribbon and raffia by the roll to enhance special holiday packages. For invitations and stationery, Annabelle’s is one-stop with a design staff ready to help commemorate life’s events. From birth announcements and birthdays to graduations and weddings, count on Annabelle’s. As always, expect complimentary giftwrapping and excellent courteous service at Annabelle’s. Up to the door parking and a helpful friendly staff are attributes of this familyowned store. You will always be welcomed at Vestavia Hills Apothecary and Annabelle’s. Vestavia Hills Apothecary & Annabelle’s is located at 1062 Montgomery Highway, 9794444.
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 35
Vestavia Special Section
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Chickadee
along the way,” says Kate. Chickadee’s new store manager, Blakely McGarity, is a designer as well and is willing to answer any design questions along with her well trained staff. Gifts wrapped beautifully free of charge is just one of many reasons to shop Chickadee. “We love owning our own business! It has been so satisfying to see the store develop over the last year and to get to know so many wonderful people. Having the opportunity to go into customers homes and help them create spaces that they will love for years to come, is one of our favorite parts of having Chickadee.” Chickadee is located at 3138 Cahaba Heights Road. The phone number is 969-3138
Chickadee is located in the heart of Cahaba Heights Village in a former service station that was renovated for retail. The shops inventory is geared towards home and design including antiques, home acce ssories, furniture and gifts with a friendly experienced staff. Owners Kate and Carolyn Hartman often spoke of opening a retail shop and decided to take the plunge in early September of 2011. Their combined taste and age difference created a unique collection that is appealing to young and old. “Our first year has been amazing, we have enjoyed helping many of our customers with their homes and making great friendships
Greenbrier Furniture
Greenbrier Furniture is a retail furniture store specializing in eclectic upscale home furnishings affordably priced and designer services. “My father, John Hughes opened Greenbrier in 1965, his second store in Birmingham,” said owner Gary Hughes, above. “When the store opened it was one of the first suburban furniture stores in Birmingham, bucking the norm of a downtown location. “When we first built the store at this location, I-65 was not constructed. It has since become one of the busiest intersections in the state,” Gary said.
Greenbrier Furniture is still family owned and has since become a distinct Birmingham landmark. “It’s great to control what products we offer shoppers and not be bound to corporate, ‘cookie cutter’ merchandise,” Gary said. “This is a good business because people in this area take great pride in the appearance of their home’s interior. “I would venture to say that we have done more in-home designer installations than anyone in the state! So I invite you to take advantage of our expertise that goes beyond just shopping for furniture.” The store is located at 1493 Montgomery Highway, 822-7456.
UNIQUE, always STYLISH DESIGNER SERVICES always available Always
Gifts, Antiques & Home Accessories
Introducing Mandy Bagwell Christmas &
Juliska Country Estate Holiday Collection Mon - Fri, 10am - 5:00pm • Sat 10am - 4:00pm 3138 Cahaba Heights Road • 205.969.3138 www.ChickadeeBirmingham.com
Come see a furniture store with a refreshing point of view 1493 Montgomery Highway at I-65 and U.S. 31 South Vestavia 822-7456 Open Monday-Firday 9:00-5:30 Saturday 10:00-4:00
36 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Vestavia Special Section
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Steed’s Jewelers
Second Hand Rose
Second Hand Rose is the oldest ladies designer consignment boutique in Birmingham having been in business for 27 years. Gina Saab has owned the original location on Valleydale Road for seven years. After experiencing great success with the original location, she partnered with Kay Teschner to open a second location in Cahaba Heights. “This business is like Christmas morning everyday!� say Gina and Kay. “We never know what fabulous merchandise will walk through our doors. We see labels including Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Tory Burch to name a few.
We are honored to be the lucky recipients of these amazing clothes, purses, shoes and jewelry that we can offer to our customers at great prices. Everyone loves a bargain! We encourage people to purchase it when they see it because we don’t want them to say “I should have bought it when I saw it.� Their treasure might not be there next time they come in. We can dress you from head to toe for all of your holiday parties and our clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry make perfect gifts for the women you love. If you can’t decide on one particular treasure, we offer gift certificates.� Second Hand Rose is located at 4200 Oakview Lane. The phone number is 970-7997.
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The story of Steed’s Jewelers is a story of passion, family, service and love. The Steed’s Jewelers story begins with two dynamic and talented brothers, Dale and Lee Steed, who saw a jewelry industry that lacked feeling and needed new vision. They understood why unique, quality jewelry is important to people in the first place: to celebrate the special occasions, to commemorate the momentous accomplishments, to honor the deepest relationships, and to capture the unspeakable beauty of life and those who matter most. Committed to making their vision come true, the Steed brothers followed their father’s footsteps and formed Steed’s Jewelers in 1986. With a carefully selected, talented team, they devoted themselves to the production of the finest quality jewelry and unparalleled service. Today, Steed’s Jewelers has a well-earned reputation for being passionate, dependable,
artistic designers, creators and manufactures. “Our extensive line of timeless pieces encompasses classic and fashion-forward design, ultimately bringing together impeccable artistry with enduring technology, perfect for every unforgettable moment. We have three talented jewelers on staff, that enables us to provide most of the work to be done in-house,� Lee says. “We had the opportunity in our teenage years of working with our mother and father in their jewelry store in downtown. “We have a unique opportunity to get to know our customers and their families on a personal level.� “We’re excited about this holiday season and we are introducing several new exciting collections to our store, including designs we’ve created that will dazzle that someone special on your list.� Steed’s Jewelers is located at Park South Plaza 1425 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 111, 8229173.
Making a list?
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Park South Plaza • 1425 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 111 next to Diplomat Deli in Vestavia Hills Mon.-Fri. 9:30 - 5:30 • Sat. 10-3 • (205) 822-9173
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Vestavia Special Section
The White Room
Hayden & Mike Wald Realty South
Mike Wald is a real estate agent who specializes in helping families purchase and sell homes in Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Hoover. He consistently ranks as one of the top over the mountain Realtors. “I’ve been helping over the mountain families with their real estate needs for about 20 years,” says Mike. “What I love the most about this business is the strong relationships with the all the families I’ve had the opportunity to help. Now, I’m getting to help the kids of previous clients find their first homes. That’s pretty fun and it really makes you feel good to be trusted by generations of the same families. I hope someday I’ll get to help the grandkids, too! “It’s great having your own business because you get to decide how you’re going to take care of your clients. Fortunately, my dad taught me when I was growing up that if you take care of your clients, you won’t have to worry about
how successful you are. Of course, he was right. We always put the interests of our clients before our own. And it’s a wonderful feeling when we get calls from people who want us to help them, and they say one of their friends recommended us,” says Mike. “Another advantage is that you get set your own hours. When my kids were growing up, I had the flexibility to be able to coach them in youth sports and attend their events at school.” “About three years ago one of our sons, Hayden, joined me in the business. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern in Business. He is doing an awesome job with our buyers. I’m so proud to be on the same team with him.” “I believe the over the mountain real estate market has turned the corner. Homes that are priced appropriately are selling. With rates inching closer to 3 percent, this fall and even the holiday season, could very well be the perfect time to put a house on the market. It’s certainly a great time to be buying! There are also some excellent opportunities to buy new construction in Vestavia and Mountain Brook. In fact, it’s possible to buy a new home and move in before Thanksgiving!” You can reach Mike Wald at 541-0940 and Hayden Wald at 919-5535.
The White Room is an upscale bridal salon located in Cahaba Heights. “We carry couture gowns from some of the most talented designers in the world as well as Mother of the Bride/ Groom gowns and special occasion dresses,” says Carolyn Kelley, owner, and daughter, Cathy Kelley, right with Biscuit. The unique team of mother and daughter, Carolyn and Cathy travel to New York twice yearly to hand pick the most exquisite gowns to offer their southern brides. Make sure to stop by the office and say hello to Biscuit too! “What is a bridal appointment with us like? Most importantly, we have fun! Our consultants will start by listening carefully to you and asking you the right questions. We will talk about your vision for your wedding day and will take into account your likes and dislikes. We want you to know that we will do everything we can to ensure that selecting your wedding gown is an experience that you will never forget. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and at home. After we have a chance to get acquainted, you will be taken on a tour through our showroom, where we feature our entire collection of wedding gowns. We feel that it is important for you to see all of our gowns on your visit. At The White Room, there are always laughs and at times teary eyes - and that’s when you know you’ve found THE dress! Our caring and knowledgeable staff will attend to you every step of the way.” Carolyn Kelley, owner and seamstress offers in house alterations. Carolyn herself will custom fit your gown to your body so that it will be perfect for your special day! Designers featured at The Room include: Amsale, Anna-Maier-Ulla Maija, Anne Barge, Christos, Jenny Lee, Jim Hjelm, Judd Waddell, Kenneth Pool, Lea Ann Belter, Paloma Blanca, Rivini and Watters Bride. Our Mother of/
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 37
Special Occasion designers include: Daminaou, Elon Michelle, Frascara, Marisa Baratelli, Rina Di Montella, Rose Taft Couture and Boutique and Siri. Upcoming : Jim Hjelm Fall Collection Oct. 19th & 20th, Jim Hjelm Best of Collection - October 26th and 27th, Watters Bride November 2nd and 3rd. Discounts are available during trunk shows! You can contact them at www.thewhiteroombirmingham.com. The White Room is located at 3161 Cahaba Heights Road, by appointment and their phone number is 970-6767.
JIM HJELM Fall Trunk Show
Friday, October 19th and Saturday, October 20th
JIM HJELM Best Of Trunk Show
Friday, October 26th and Saturday, October 27th
Watters Bride Trunk Show
Friday, November 2nd and Saturday, November 3rd
205-970-6767 • 3161 Cahaba Heights Road By appointment 10:00 am - 6:00 pm www.thewhiteroombirmingham.com
38 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Vestavia Special Section
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Collage Designer Consignment
Collage Designer Consignment has been outfitting some of the best dressed women in the Southeast! From news anchors to local dignitaries to prom queens, women of all ages depend on Collage to have the better designer brands of apparel, handbags, shoes and jewelry at significantly lower prices. “Join us for our 20th Anniversary/Grand Opening Celebration on Thursday, October 25 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at our brand new location at the Vestavia City Center next to Panera,” says Tracy True Dismukes, owner. “We’ll have food and wine, a FREE GIFT with every purchase, local business giveaways and register for a Tory Burch designer handbag! Find us online at ShopCollage.com and at facebook. com/ShopCollage and ‘On The Curve’ in downtown Homewood. Collage Designer Consignment is located at 700 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 106. The phone number is 822-3991.
Jewels By Rose
Jewels By Rose is a jewelry store that specializes in estate jewelry, unique fine jewelry and trendy fashion jewelry. “We have been in business in Vestavia Hills for 37 years,” says owner Donna Jowers, above. “We have a beautiful selection of engagement rings, diamond ring mountings and diamond and colored stone band style rings. “When making a purchase with us we can usually set your stone and size the ring on the day of purchase…our customers love being able to wear their purchase out the door. “We have a master jeweler on site for creating a one of a kind piece or to repair your broken jewelry and eyeglasses. Whether you are shopping for a $20 holiday gift or a $20,000 gift, our knowledgeable and friendly staff is always eager to help with your gift needs, answer questions, solve jewelry problems and design new pieces from something you may already own. You can email us at jewelsbyrose.net or like us on Facebook.” Jewels by Rose is located at 619 Montgomery Hwy. South in Vestavia Hills. The phone number is 979-5611.
Jewels By Rose 619 Montgomery Highway Vestavia Hills • 979-5611
Vintage Jewelry • Engagement Rings • Old Cut Diamonds • Custom Design Restoration
jewelsbyrose.net
Celebrating 37 Years in Business
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 39
SChools
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
OTM Students Honored
M
More National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, Achievement Scholars Named
ore students from Over the Mountain schools have been named 2013 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. National Merit Scholars are determined by students’ test scores on the Preliminary SAT. Students usually take the test during their junior year of high school. The students named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists represent less than 1 percent of all U.S. high school seniors and have the highest scores on the PSAT in the state. This year, the National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the names of about 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million. The National Merit Scholar winners will be announced in the spring. Semifinalists are now involved in the qualification process to become
finalists. Out of a class of 49 seniors, the Altamont School had two students named semifinalists: Stephen McMahon of Homewood Stephen McMahon and Olivia Dure of Birmingham. Indian Springs School in North Shelby County has four National Merit Scholar Semifinalists for 2013: Caleb Olivia Dure Caldwell, Bowen Lu, Benjamin Kitchens and Victoria
Sanchez. Additionally, several students from Over the Mountain schools were named semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The students were among more than 16,000 black American high school seniors recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. More than 160,000 high school juniors from across the country requested consideration in the Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2011 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Semifinalists are designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring students in the states that make up each region. To advance to the finalist level, students must submit detailed scholarship applications, their school records and information on their leadership abilities, educational goals and participation in school and community activities. The Alabama School of Fine Arts had two students named 2013
National Merit Scholar Semifinalists from Indian Springs School are, from left: Caleb Caldwell, Bowen Lu, Benjamin Kitchens and Victoria Saenz. Photo special to the Journal
National Achievement semifinalists. They are Zavier Mason and Yasminye D. Pettway. The Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School had three students honored. They are Imani A. Alexander, Tamunotonte A. EneKorubo and Morgen A. Owens. Ryan M. Hall was the National Achievement Scholarship semifinalist from Oak Mountain High School. In Hoover City Schools, Corey McCloud and Khalil M. Saadiq were Hoover High School’s semifinalists. Spain Park High’s semifinalists were
Francois Barreau, Simone N. Charley and Dion Hagan. Indian Springs School had two semifinalists in the 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program. They are Ashley K. Graham and Temilola M. Ransome-Kuti. These scholastically talented young men and women now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $2.5 million that will be offered next spring. ❖
School Notes
Kyra Callens, left, and her aunt, Violet Smiley, who is fighting breast Photo special to the Journal cancer.
OMMS Student Joins Breast Cancer Fight
A 13-year-old student at Oak Mountain Middle School is using her title as Miss Wiregrass Area’s Outstanding Teen 2013 to draw attention to breast cancer research. Kyra Callens, an eighth grader at OMMS, was crowned Miss Wiregrass Area’s Outstanding Teen 2013 Sept. 29. Contestants were interviewed by a panel of judges, completed a physical fitness routine and competed in the evening gown category and onstage question segment. For the talent competition, Callens performed a lyrical dance to “Only Hope.” Her platform was “We Are the Champions -- Help Fight Breast Cancer!” Callens said she chose her platform to honor her aunt, Violet Smiley of Vestavia Hills. Smiley was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Callens’ grandmother, Jerrie Callens of Plantersville, and her great-aunt
Dorothy Rutledge of Birmingham are also survivors, along with several of her cousins from Chilton County. Callens is an active teen volunteer in the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She is a member of the Shades of Hope Team, which will walk in the annual Walk for a Cure in Linn Park Oct. 20. She is also participating in several events this month to raise money for breast cancer research. Callens is involved with “Wall of Hope” projects at the Great American Cookie locations in Riverchase Galleria and Brookwood Mall. She is also gathering items for silent auctions and luncheons being held on Saturdays throughout October at The Pointe Dance Arts in Hoover. Silent auction items have been donated by Studio Elle in Vestavia Hills, Spa Service by Sharon in Alabaster, Harper Lane in the Riverchase Galleria, United Logo in the Riverchase Galleria and The Clothes Tree in Vestavia Hills. Luncheon donations to Callens’ cause have come from Taziki’s in Chace Lake in Hoover and Chick-fil-A in Pelham and Alabaster.
For more information on the silent auctions, luncheons and other events, call 907-4126.
Cherokee Bend Families Join in Fall Fiesta
Families from Cherokee Bend Elementary School in Mountain Brook joined for an evening of relaxation, food and outdoor fun at the school Sept. 23 at the Fall Fiesta Family Picnic. About 450 people attended the event organized by Caroline Ezelle, Melissa Robinett and their committee. Fiesta attendees lined up for food by Taco Mama and cold treats from NOLA ice and heard music by Sims Crawford and David Donahue.
Homewood Schools’ Employees Get Moving
Employees of Homewood City Schools aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle when they participated in The Movement, a program on International Walk to School Day Oct. 3. Thousands of students, parents
Cherokee Bend students get together at the Fall Fiesta Family Picnic. They are, from left, Paige Parant, Ava Lefkovits, Ellie Kate Berte and Connor Hughes. Photo special to the Journal and communities representing more than 3,300 schools across the country walked and biked to school to celebrate International Walk to School Day. This one-day event was part of an international effort to encourage more families to get out of their cars and on their feet to enjoy the many benefits of safely walking and biking to school. Homewood businesses supported the event by offering those who walked a cup of coffee for $1. Participating businesses included O’Henry’s at Brookwood, O’Henry’s downtown, Hart and Soul and Homewood Diner. School employees had to wear their Walk to School T-shirts to get the discounted cup of coffee.
Ingram Named Commended Student Homewood City Schools employees participate in the National Walk to School Day. They are, from left: Jeremy Justice, Debra Bowman, Cindy Hutchinson, Betty Winches, Kari Potts, Merrick Wilson and Kevin Maddox. Photo special to the Journal
Barrett Ingram, a student at Shades Mountain Christian School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Brian Willett, the school’s principal, announced the award. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corp., which conducts the program, will be presented to Ingram. He is one of about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation that are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although Barrett Ingram he will not continue in the 2013 competition for National Merit Scholarship Awards, Ingram placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
40 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
SCHOOLS
Crestline Students Ready for Pumpkin Run The 2012 Crestline Elementary School Pumpkin Run in Mountain Brook is set for 2 p.m. Oct. 21. Boys in the fourth through sixth grades will start at 2 p.m., with the second and third graders hitting the pavement at 2:20 p.m. Boys in kindergarten and first grade will start their run at 2:40 p.m. Girls in the fourth through sixth grades will start the course at 2:10 p.m., with the second and third graders starting at 2:30 p.m. Girls in kindergarten and first grade hit the road at 2:50 p.m. The Pumpkin Run will follow a 1-mile course. The race starts at the school on the fields on Vine Street and winds through the Crestline
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Fall Festival Fun at OTM Schools
neighborhood from Vine to Deter to Peachtree to Jackson. The race ends on Elm Street behind the school gym. Ribbons will be awarded to all students who finish the course. Trophies will be given to the top three finishers overall in the boys’ and girls’ competitions. Trophies will also be awarded to the top three in each age group. The age groups are from 5-12 years old. Parents can run with kindergarten students. For a registration form or more information, visit www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/ces or call the school office at 871-8126.
Vestavia East Preps for Carnival
Mountain Brook Elementary Plans Spooky Event
Mountain Brook Elementary School students will transform into ghouls and ghosts for the school’s annual Halloween carnival. The carnival will include games, prizes, food and much more. This year’s event is set for Oct. 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the school. For more information, call the school’s office at 871-8191.
Students, teachers and parents at Vestavia Hills Elementary East are getting ready to blast off for the school’s largest fundraiser of the year. The 2012 Out of This World Carnival will be held at the school Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m. The carnival will include games, a cake walk, fun houses, food, a dinner and the East Haunted House. All proceeds go to fund PTO and special school projects throughout the school year. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, visit www.vestavia.k12. al.us/eastelementary. For more fun fall things to do see Halloween listing beginning on page 10.
School Notes Vestavia East Students Write for a Good Cause
Under the guidance of Staci Blevins, students at Vestavia Hills Elementary East are reading and writing for a good cause. Each month, the student writers publish the school newspaper, the East Express JR. Copies are 25 cents, and all proceeds are donated to BJC Animal Control and Rescue Services. The students have learned about the organization’s work and how it rescues animals and tries to find them permanent homes. BJC staff members contribute articles to the school newspaper on animal safety and care. The first issue went public Sept. 21, and sales raised more $113 for BJC. The students said they were excited about helping the animals, all while brushing up on their reading and writing skills.
Homewood Teachers Win National Awards Two teachers from two different Homewood City Schools have won national awards. Rita Schell, LEAD teacher at Hall-Kent School and Pam Smith, LEAD teacher at Edgewood Elementary School, have been selected as the elementary Rita Schell school science recipients of the 2012 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of math and Pam Smith science. The award winners serve as role models for their colleagues, inspiration for their communities and leaders in the improvement of math and science education.
Established by Congress in 1983, the awards program authorizes the U.S. President to bestow up to 108 awards each year.
The Sanders family attends Movie Night at Brookwood Forest Elementary School.
Brookwood Forest Hosts Movie Night Families from Brookwood Forest Elementary School in Mountain Brook brought their chairs, blankets and picnic dinners and gathered on the school’s field for Movie Night Oct. 5. Students and their families got together to eat popcorn, catch up with BWF friends and watch “Toy Story 3” together at the event.
Photo special to The Journal
OLS Students Celebrate Feast Day With Prayer In honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, students at OLS School participated in a special prayer service to celebrate the feast day of their parish. The September service was led by the eighth grade class officers in the church. The student leaders described the seven sorrows of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as portrayed in the stained glass
Bumpus Middle Student to Perform at WDW
Mia Gage, a seventh grader at Hoover’s Bumpus Middle School, will join more than 500 elementary, junior high and high school students in the 2012 Universal Cheerleaders Association/Universal Dance Association Thanksgiving Tour at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. Mia will perform in the parade as part of a select group of cheerleaders and dancers chosen as All-Americans during UCA and UDA Mia Gage summer camps across the country. All-Americans are chosen through tryouts in either cheerleading or dance. Only the top 12 percent of cheerleaders and dancers from the groups’ summer camps earn the chance to march in the holiday parade. Mia will perform with the UCA/ UDA All-Americans group in the preparade at the Magic Kingdom Park on Thanksgiving Day.
Hoover Hosts Marching Band Festival The Hoover Invitational Marching Festival is slated for Oct. 20 at Regions Park Stadium. More than 20 high school bands from throughout the Southeast will compete in the marching festival, with the first performance starting at 10:15 a.m.
Trophies will be awarded to all bands, color guards, majorette squads, percussion sections and dance teams that receive Superior ratings. Drum majors and feature twirlers will receive individual medals for Superior ratings. The festival’s Best in Class award will be based on the highest number of points. A Best in Class trophy will be awarded to the best band, color guard, drum majors, majorette squad, percussion section and dance team in each class. Twirlers will not be eligible for the award. Participating bands will come from the Euphora School in Mississippi, Talladega High School, the Purvis School in Mississippi, Crossville High School, Pleasant Grove High School, Brookwood High School, Leeds High School, Pepperell High School in Georgia, Corner High School, Itawamba High School in Mississippi, Brewer High School, Sylacauga High School, Walker
High School, Oak Grove High School, Spain Park High School, Escambia High School in Florida, Fort Payne High School, Southside High School, Pontotoc High School in Mississippi, Huntsville High School, North Cobb High School in Georgia, Thompson High School, Hewitt-Trussville High School, Enterprise High School and Bob Jones High School. The Hoover First Edition Jazz Band will play during the dinner break at 4:50 p.m. The Hoover High School Buccaneer Band will close out the high school performances at 8:20 p.m. The Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners will perform at 8:40 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 9 p.m. Tickets to the marching band festival are $8 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, visit hooverband.com/hoover-invitational. The drum majors of the Hoover High School Buccaneer Band get ready for the Hoover Invitational Marching Festival. They are, from left: Zoe Cruz, Archit Thopay and Michelle Mayhall. Photo special to The Journal
Eighth grader Sam Kyle carries a rose during a special prayer service for Our Lady of Sorrows Schoolʼs Photo special to The Journal Feast Day. windows that adorn the walls of the church. As they explained each piece of art, another student placed a rose on the windowsill of the window that was depicted. A Hail Mary was said after each sorrow. The students also prayed special petitions before concluding the service by singing the “Hail Mary.”
Pizitz Middle School Students Go High-Tech Students at Vestavia Hills’ Pizitz Middle School have been learning about new technology that will help them better communicate with their classmates and teachers. Sixth graders in Rachel Brown’s class are learning about vGoogle, the school system’s platform for using Google applications. The students are learning about creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations and how to use the platform’s email system. The students will use the technology tool in group projects, peer editing and as a more efficient way to work on and turn in assignments from school or home.
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 41
SChools
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
REBEL ROUSERS
homewood high homecoming queen AND COURT
Members of the 2012 Homewood High School Homecoming Court were recently honored at the school’s homecoming football game. Students are selected for the court by their classmates. The members of this year’s court are, from left: Giana Stallworth, Lauren Simmons, Mary Claire Nabors, Homecoming Queen Camille Ponseti, Lauren Collins, Franny Kyle and Samantha HollisWhite.
Several second graders from Vestavia Hills Elementary West show their school spirit and get the crowd involved at football games. The students are cheerleaders for the Vestavia Rebels 80-pound football team and cheer at all of the team’s games. From left, are: Katie Bruno, Elizabeth Ann Burton and Audrey Trimm. Photo special to the Journal
Photo special to The Journal
Homewood Student Honored During Fire Prevention Week A Homewood High School student has been honored as part of Fire Prevention Week activities Oct. 6-13. Samantha Hollis-White was named Miss Fire Prevention for the 2012-13 school year. The purpose of the Miss Fire Prevention Contest is to select a high school Samantha Hollissenior as a White spokesperson for Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services. As the winner, Hollis-White will receive a scholarship to the college of her choice from the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. To compete, Hollis-White had to have a 2.5 grade point average or higher and was interviewed by a panel of judges in both preliminary and final rounds of competition. She was judged on general appearance, poise and personality, speaking ability and fire prevention knowledge.
Pizitz Middle School Gwin Students Participate Students Rally in Costume in Walk to School Event Students at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills dressed up like cops and robbers to get ready for a football game against sister school Liberty Park Middle. With the theme of Lock Up the Lancers, the students were allowed to wear costumes to school to attend the pep rally before the game. At 5:30 p.m. on game night, the students met at a local store and walked as a group to the game at Vestavia Hills High School.
Gwin Elementary School in Hoover joined schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day Oct. 3. The event started at 7:15 a.m. with students, parents and teachers walking the school’s track. Other special activities included using a walkability checklist and giveaways for participating students. In 2011, International Walk to School Day was celebrated at more than 4,000 events at schools across the country and by children and adults in 40 countries around the world. Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment.
Rocky Ridge Elementary Students Get Nooks Pizitz Middle School students dressing up for Lock Up the Lancers Day include, from left, front: Davis Spain and Madeline Johnson. Back: Spencer Rocheleau, Olivia Slupe, School Resource Officer John Penrose and Jane Nail. Photo special to The Journal
The color tablets enable students to download books, access educational applications and search the internet through the school’s wireless connection. Four classes currently have the Nooks as part of the pilot program. School officials said they hope to be able to give devices to more classes each year. Elizabeth Gilmore, a fifth grade teacher participating in the program, said she is already seeing the benefits of the new technology in the classroom. “I love being able to have my students have access to the web in a split second in order to research topics,”
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Students at Rocky Ridge Elementary School in Hoover are going high-tech with their reading assignments. Through the Hoover Engaged Learner Initiative, Barnes and Noble gave Nooks to third and fifth grade Mary Charles Robbins classes at the school. To:
From:
she said. “We are learning a lot from each other already.” ❖
To: From:
823-1590, ssteinmetz4428@charter.net Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-8 FAX: 205-824-1246 Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., Oct. 2011 Date:
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WHERE STUDENTS ARE JOURNAL for the Kathryn Dinsmore, third This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN from the left, was named June 3, 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. Hoover High School Homecoming Queen 2012 T O E X P R E S S T H E M S E LV E S at the school’s homecoming football game in October. COMMUNITY OF Please initial and fax The senior is the daughIf we have not heard from you by 5 p ter of Kellett and David your ad will run as is. We Dinsmore. Other members A PLACE Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. Thank you for you of the Homecoming Court WHERE YOU If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press CAN BE date, were, from left: Tess Davis, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. freshman, the daughter of BE BE Russell Davis; Erin Nation, Thank you for your prompt attention. sophomore, the daughter of Melissa Nation; Homecoming King Sam Wunderly, senior, the son LOCATED 15 MILES SOUTH OF BIRMINGHAM, INDIAN SPRINGS IS A NATIONALLY RANKED of Melissa King; Katherine BOARDING AND DAY COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL FOR GRADES 8-12 WITH 270 STUDENTS. Tracy, senior, the daughter of Kathy and Robert Tracy; OPEN HOUSE and Caroline Conrad, junior, the daughter of Karen Conrad.
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FASHION
42 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
winter wear
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
HOLIDAY/WINTER FASHIONS
Cool weather has arrived and it’s time to update your wardrobe for the most wonderful time of the year! Some of our favorite boutiques offer a preview of the newest fashions for the season.
Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.
Anna Sibley Barclay is the owner and designer of A.Barclay Designs, an evolving collection of scarves and resort wraps. The cashmere and linen scares are hand-woven on looms in Italy.
It’s All in How You Wear It Mountain Brook Native Wears It Well in Scarves of Her Own Design
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BY KEYSHA DREXEL JOURNAL EDITOR
nna Sibley Barclay dreamed of being a fashion designer while growing up in Mountain Brook. And now with her first line of scarves and a showroom in Atlanta, the 28-yearold is living that dream. Anna is the owner and designer of A.Barclay Designs, an evolving collection of scarves and resort wraps aimed at giving the accessories marketplace a luxurious shot in the arm. She has a store next to her office in Buckhead which just opened this summer. Anna’s journey to the design world started when she was a student in Mountain Brook. “I was always fascinated with fashion, and a friend of mine who also lived in Mountain Brook used to say that we were going to be designers in New York, living above our own store,” she said. After earning a degree in art history from Rhodes College, Anna pursued the dream of being a clothing designer by working as a buyer in New York to learn the ins and outs of the business. But the stint in New York made her homesick for the chicken salad, sweet tea and woodsy terrain of her Southern hometown. “I really learned a lot from that experience, the business side of things, but I got tired of New York, so I moved back to Birmingham and worked in retail,” she said.
After that, Anna took a break from fashion and worked in fundraising in the Atlanta area. But it wasn’t long until the urge to create returned and Anna set her sites on the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she said she learned a lot about designing with natural fabrics and fibers. “I took a few classes there with the idea of learning how to create my very own full clothing line, but after a while, I realized I wanted to go in a different direction,” she said. Anna said one day she realized her artistic canvas didn’t have to be a full clothing line. “I wear scarves every day and I love them and one day, I just started looking at them as this big, blank canvas where I could be really creative and make something unique,” she said. As a scarf lover, Anna said she often had a hard time finding quality scarves that were large and versatile. “So, I set out to design my own,” she said. Anna’s scarves are made with all-natural materials like silk, silkcotton, linen and cashmere. The scarves are handmade in Italy, with the silk and silk-cotton scarves screen-printed with Anna’s original designs. The cashmere and linen scares are hand-woven on looms in Italy. “I really wanted to give customers something that is high quality and one-of-a kind,” she said. “With most scarves, they are made with See Scarves, page 45
Salter Hydinger is wearing a below the knee chocolate brown coat with front pockets and sparkly gem button detail. Grayson Hydinger is wearing camel corduroy slacks and a denim tweed double-breasted jacket. Salter and Grayson are from Mountain Brook. Christineʼs Across-the-Street 871-6611
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 43
Fashion
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
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1. Ann Catherine Bowen of Birmingham and Rachael Gomes, a UAB student of Selma are dressed in their fall festive best. Ann Catherine is wearing a sleeveless tunic in a textured Aztec print with tabbed buckled accents on the skirt, $78. It is layered over a seamless scoop neck long sleeved tee in chocolate brown, $32. Her scarf is an infinity scarf in a sweater knit with fringed edges in dark green, $26. She is wearing heavy knit leggings in black, $29, with brown boots accented with tree buckles and a low heal, $82. Rachael is wearing a long sleeved tie back dress in a wide chevron print in fall colors, $66. Her scarf is an infinity sweater knit with a scallop edge in orange, $26. She has finished this look with black leggings, $29, and short moccasin fringe wedge booties in camel, $79. The Pink Tulip, Homewood, 870-7258, Cahaba Village 637-5390. 2. Looking elegant for any holiday outing is Tyger Paris, left, in a Kasper “Golden Age” jacket $69.99, and dress $69.99; Charming Charlie “Stacy” shoes $29.87, bracelet $14.97, earring $14.97, and miniaudiere $30. Courtnee Marbut is wearing a Kasper “Deco Decadence” copper jacket $89.89, LOFT Modern Skinny pant $59.50, lace tee $39.99, and camisole $22.99; Charming Charlie “Rosette” bootie $34.97, bracelet $9.87, earring $7.97, ring $9.97 and clutch $2. The Outlet Shops of Grand River, 699-3700 3. Brooke Stisher and Hill Sewell, both of Mountain Brook, are ready with a stylish look for the season. Brook is wearing the Geo Sail Dress in Bermuda grass that is 100% silk and is, $198.00, so perfect for those Indian summer nights. Hill is wearing the Murray Shirt; Cunningham Check; Starry Night, $98.50 Captains 1/4 Zip; Light Heather Gray, $185.00 and 5-Pocket canvas Pants; Bluff Brown $98.50. Vineyard Vines, 970-9758.
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44 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
Fashion
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
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1. Looking great gearing up for holiday fun are Judy Theriot and Susan Matthews of Mountain Brook. Judy is wearing an Eileen Fisher purple sweater, $58, and 7 For All Mankind skinny jeans, $45. She has finished off her outfit with a Gucci purse, $390, and brown suede boots by Sam Edelman $58. Susan is wearing a yellow Rutzou dress, $45, and Van Eli black suede boots, $48.50. She has finished off her ensemble with a Mark Edge vintage silver plated and stainless chain necklace, which can be converted into a bracelet, $129. Second Hand Rose, 9707997, Cahaba Heights, 987-7027, Riverbrook Plaza, Valleydale and Hwy. 31
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2. Ready to ring in the holiday season, Lauren Stewart of Birmingham is wearing a Julia Jordan long-sleeve cowl-neck color-block dress, $178. Who said you can’t mix black and blue! This ponte and jersey mix is the perfect weight for the fall and winter months. She is holding the newest Hobo International design Twinkle in black with a beaded fringe, $138. Her jewelry includes a hematite chain and cross necklace with a rhinestone center, $18, and blue square enamel post earrings, $12. Laura Lovett of Leeds looks so sharp in this Max and Cleo sweater wrap dress in a grey space dye pattern with fringe embellishments, $165. Our favorite convertible purse Zara by Hobo International now comes in gold leather for the holiday for $118. To accentuate the V-neck of the wrap dress she is wearing a green bauble bib, $28, and Susan Shaw hammered gold cast hoops, $31. Lulie’s on Cahaba, 871-9696 3. There is nothing more special than a holiday wedding and these two girls are beautiful brides. Brittany Speer, left, is wearing an Erin Grey Couture two- piece ensemble. The top features a sweetheart neckline of Alencon lace and the A-line skirt has various tiers of Alencon lace. Kelsey Smith, right, is wearing a strapless sweetheart neckline gown from designer, Jenny Lee. The fit and flare gown is made of Alencon lace and features a short chapel trail. The White Room, 970-6767 4. Caroline Hubbard of Homewood looks sharp in these great looking patent leather boots in a berry color. The boots are by Lavnin,$149.98. Her designer jeans are by PRVCY, $64.98. A red speckled wool blend cowl neck sweater by Two Starlings, $24.98, looks great paired with a gray cable Merino wool sweater by Vince $99.98. A magenta leather purse by Marc Jacobs is perfect with this outfit, $347.98. Her jewelry is a gray multi-stone cuff bracelet, $23.98 and gray drop earrings, $14.98. Collage Designer Consignment, Vestavia Hills, 822-3991, Homewood, 879-6163
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5. Kaitlin Yeilding of Birmingham looks so sophisticated and ready for any holiday party in this French Connection dress of spiegal sequins, $398. The Jessica Simpson shoes in red suede add just the right pop of color, $89. She has finished her look with the perfect accessories, black faceted round stud earrings with CZ’s, $14, Michael Kors watch, $250, and Hobo clutch by Veronica in black, $158. Private Gallery, 969-1559
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FASHION
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 45
1. Rain or sun, let your style shine with rain boots from Flip Flops and What Nots. Corkeyʼs Rain Boots, Sunshine, multi color swirl, $49.99; Sparkle - basic black boot with a little sparkle, $49.99; and Rodeo paisley cowboy, $54.99. Flip Flops and What Nots, 9677429 2. Ready to step out this holiday season is Sloan Bashinsky of Birmingham. She is wearing a Sterling Styles steel layered top, $64, Three Dots aubergine pencil skirt, $74, and Bacio 61 grey boot, $124. She has polished off her look with a Paisley Road lavender scarf, $54, Laurel Bassett silver cuff, $108 & earrings, $50. Town & Country 871-7909
SCARVES, from page 42
polyester or other unnatural materials and are made in huge factories in China.” Anna said she gets the inspiration for her screen-printed scarves from things that catch her eye during her everyday life. “I take inspiration from drawings that I do, pictures that I take, from everywhere,” she said. “Sometimes, it is just an image that I’ve always wanted to see on a scarf that inspires me.” Anna calls her scarves pieces of art that you can wear and says scarves are the perfect accessory because they are so versatile. “There’s a million ways you can wear my scarves,” she said. “They are much larger than most other scarves on the market and so that means there are lots of creative ways to use them. To me, bigger is better.” Anna said she favors a substantial scarf that she can wrap around her neck several times. “I wear them in all seasons and with all different types of outfits,” she said. “I think that’s part of the appeal-you can put on a scarf and really feel pulled together and chic.” Anna said her line is a year-round source for unique and rich designs in varying weights that work well for everything from fall football games in the South to snowy New York days to sultry summer evenings and beach strolls. Her scarves also appeal to a broad range of women, Anna said. “The other day, I had a mother come in and buy a scarf for herself, her mother and her daughter,” she said. “These are stylish at any age.” Not only is Anna providing the accessories world with a unique and high-quality item, but her design business also strives to help others. Anna teamed up with a friend from Mountain Brook, Beverly Burden, to help orphans in Tanzania. For every scarf purchased at A.Barclay Designs, items are bought for multiple orphanages. Burden lives in Tanzania and helps Anna identify what each orphanage needs. “I just wanted a way to give back and help others,” Anna said. “I feel really fortunate to be able to make
1 into the fashion business, that you money doing what I love, and I wantshould do something else,” Anna said. ed to give some of that money back to “But you can’t listen to them. You people who really need help.” have to listen to yourself and know Not only does Anna give proceeds that you can do it.” from her sales to help the orphanages, Anna also has a few tips on how to but she does her part to stimulate the fashionably wear local economy in scarves in any seaTanzania. son and for every “The orphanagoccasion: es needed blankets, • With a cockso we got all the tail dress, drape a blankets they needsilk scarf around ed made locally by your shoulders as people in Tanzania a wrap. and then bought • During colder the blankets from weather, wrap a them to donate cashmere scarf to the orphanaround your neck ages,” she said. several times, with “It gives people a only some of the job, stimulates the ends of the scarf economy and helps hanging. the orphans.” • Use a silkNext year, cotton scarf as Anna said, she a sarong during hopes to help the Anna calls her scarves pieces holiday trips to the orphanages get of art that you can wear. beach. school uniforms • Fold a large for the Tanzanian scarf into the size of a traditional scarf children. and wear it around your neck. “I don’t just want to be the mon• If you are petite, fold the scarf eymaker,” Anna said. “I want to be in half and put it around your neck to someone who gives back.” add body. Anna said she encourages other • Wear a brightly-colored scarf with young women with dreams of fashion neutrals to provide a pop of color to designing to follow their hearts. any outfit. “You are going to have a million Anna’s scarves can be found at people along the way tell you that you www.abarclaydesigns.com. ❖ are crazy, that it is too hard to break
Comfort of
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46 • Thursday, October 18, 2012
SPORTS
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
OTM Students Compete in Seventh Annual Special Olympics
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everal students from Over the Mountain schools competed in the Special Olympics Track and Field Events at Jack Wood Stadium in Trussville Oct. 3. The Over the Mountain students joined 200 athletes from 24 Birmingham metro area schools participating in the seventh annual event. The students competed in 100meter dashes, javelin throws, assisted walks and several other events. Carrie Jones, an exceptional education teacher at Hewitt-Trussville High School, coordinated the track and field events. “This gives our student athletes their 15 minutes of fame and provides a venue for their family members and friends to support them,” Jones said. The day was all about putting a positive spotlight on the students and raising awareness about the importance of giving all students the opportunity to participate in athletics, Jones said. “They may not be on the (football) field on Friday nights, but they want a high-five and a pat on the back for their hard work,” she said. Members of the Trussville Police Department escorted the students on a lap around the track during the opening ceremonies. Students from Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills and Hoover
Competing in the Special Olympics Track and Field Events held at Jack Wood Stadium in Trussvile on Oct. 3 were, from left: Davis Spain, Pizitz Middle; Leon Rosato and his teacher Lori McCombs, Hoover High; Michelle George, Homewood High and John Morgan Rowlen along with his mom left and his teacher Journal photos by Marvin Gentry Susan Foste, Brookwood Forest Elementary.
schools participated in this year’s event, Jones said she hopes the event continues to grow next year and include even more student athletes. “We had a total of 27 schools participate this time, and it just keeps getting bigger from year to year,” she said. “We want to continue to be able to grow and give more kids a chance to shine.”
The Book of Luke Patriot QB Grew Up Loving the Game BY LEE DAVIS
I
JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER
t’s easy to tell that Luke Porter grew up around football. That’s because whenever the Homewood quarterback talks about the Patriots’ 6-1 start in 2012, he sounds just like a coach. “Preparation is the key,” said the well-spoken senior when contacted last week. “It’s all about preparation and staying focused. If we continue to have a work ethic and keep our eyes focused on our goals, we have a chance to have a big year.” Preparation and focus are surely important, but Porter also understands the value of patience. He worked quietly as the backup to star Homewood signal caller Stephen Baggett the previous two seasons before taking over the starting position in August. “It was exciting to get the opportunity,” said Porter. “Stephen was a great quarterback, and I learned a lot from working with him. I hope now is the time I can contribute.” And as the season moves into midOctober, Porter’s patience has paid off. Going into Friday night’s game against Class 5A Region 4 rival Sylacauga, Porter had completed 44 of 92 passes for 600 yards with six touchdowns and only four interceptions. A strong runner in Homewood’s ground-oriented attack, Porter also has rushed for 115 yards on 24 carries. The Patriots’ offense has been one of the most impressive in metro
Birmingham, averaging more than 40 points a game. Homewood’s biggest onslaught came in a 75-13 rout of Ramsay as the winners exploded for 55 points in the first quarter before coasting to victory. Despite the gaudy offensive numbers, Porter said his biggest contribution has been the comparatively mundane – but crucial – concentration on ball security. “It’s really all about taking care of the football,” said Porter. “Our coaches tell us that if a drive ends with a kick – an extra point, a field goal or even a punt – we’ve done our jobs. What we don’t want to do is lose a fumble or an interception and give the other team a chance for an easy score.” Porter’s blue-collar attitude reflects the philosophy of Doug Goodwin, the Patriots’ second-year coach. The quarterback credits Goodwin and his staff for much of Homewood’s early success. “Coach Goodwin has a great mind and is definitely a player’s coach,” he said. “We feel comfortable asking our coaches a question about anything.” The 2012 season is a time for transition as well. After several years as one of the smallest programs in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s large-school Class 6A, the Patriots moved into Class 5A’s Region 4 at least until 2014. The move places Homewood into competition with schools with comparable student body sizes and also gives the schedule a new look.
Here is a partial list of Over the Mountain students who competed in the event. From Hoover City Schools, participants from Green Valley Elementary were Kennedi Robinson, Gavin Parsons and Toney Myles. From Hoover High School were Brandon Northington, Chase Ethridge, Colin Thomas and Leon Rosato. Participants from Bluff Park Elementary were
Ben Tudisco, Justin Rau and Chloe Thomas. From Homewood City Schools, participants from Homewood Middle School were Cora Steele, Leslie Putman, Haleigh Essix, Seth Nicholas, Nimisha Stewart, Reed Johnson and Joshua Galloway. Students from Homewood High School competing included Brandon Reynolds, Michelle George, Jessica
Nevins, Bobby Barrow, Roderick Gadsden, Malone Morgan, Chase Sanders, Demetrius Foster, Ravin Mitchell, Markeisha Johnson, Victor Colston, Avelyn Truitt and Darryl Stephens. If students from your school participated in the 2012 Special Olympics Track and Field Events in Trussville and you would like to recognize them, email us at editorial@otmj.com.
Gone are such traditional rivals as Mountain Brook and Hoover; in their places are new region foes, including Chilton County and Talladega. The good news is that Homewood is back in the classification it dominated a decade ago. “A new class and region really haven’t had much impact on us,” said Porter. “Sure, it was fun to go against the teams we had been playing in the past. But we’re excited about playing teams we haven’t seen before. “Whatever region you’re in, it’s still all about playing good football. If you don’t play well, you can lose. Any team can compete with us, so we have to be ready.” He is quick to add that Homewood is aiming high in its first year back in Class 5A. “We think we have a chance to be very good,” said Porter. “We’d like to go far into the playoffs and win a state championship. But we have to focus on one week at a time.” A season highlight may have been a 27-12 victory over Briarwood Sept. 19. “That was an important win for us, and not just because it was a region game,” said Porter. “Briarwood has a great tradition and great coaches, and if you’re going to beat them, it’s going to take a team effort. Beating Briarwood was a good one to get under our belts.” Athletics have been a part of Porter’s life almost since birth. His father Eddie played football for Georgia Tech in the 1970s. Young Luke started playing quarterback when he was six years old. “My dad always has a story from his playing days to tell,” said Porter. “He’s always been such an inspiration
to me in sports and in life. He instilled the passion for athletics that I have.” Porter also stars in baseball for the Patriots and has a genuine love for both sports. “My favorite may be football, and when I’m playing it, I’m not thinking about baseball,” he said. “And when I’m playing baseball, I don’t think about football. I try to stay focused on what I’m trying to do.”
In the classroom, Porter enjoys studying American and world history. “It’s fun because you learn so much about the people who came before us,” he said. “It helps you appreciate who made our country the greatest in the world.” If Homewood keeps winning, Porter and his teammates might have the opportunity to make a little history themselves.
Going into Friday nightʼs game against Class 5A Region 4 rival Sylacauga, Porter had completed 44 of 92 passes for 600 yards with six touchdowns and only four interceptions.
Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
jaguars
from back cover
because of Mullens’ effective use of screen passes to Spain Park’s talented array of backs and receivers. “I just put the ball in the hands of our playmakers, and they made the plays tonight,” said the quarterback. “It’s easy to complete passes when you’re throwing screens all night.” The Jaguars set the tone on their second possession of the game. Otis Harris’s 24-yard touchdown run gave Spain Park a 7-0 lead. Mullens and his teammates scored again on their next opportunity. Completing five consecutive passes on the drive, the signal caller’s sevenyard scoring strike to Matt Berler gave the Jags a 14-0 lead before the first quarter ended. Spain Park moved into Oak Mountain territory twice in the second period before having to settle for field goal attempts. Thomas Taylor’s two successful kicks gave the Jaguars a 20-0 halftime advantage.
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • 47
sports
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
The Eagles didn’t get much relief in the third period. On Spain Park’s second possession, the Jags added to their lead. Mullens led his team on an 11-play march that ended with his six-yard touchdown pass to Cade Hoffman. Taylor’s conversion gave the Jaguars a commanding 27-0 margin. Oak Mountain used its special teams play to get its first points of the game. The Eagles blocked a punt, and Riley Fowler ran 11 yards with the loose ball for a touchdown, cutting the margin to 27-6 before the quarter ended. Early in the final stanza, Spain Park stuck for the final time. Mullens’ 12-yard touchdown pass to M.J. Brown raised the score to 34-6. The visitors earned a consolation touchdown late in the game, when Harold Shador reached the goal line on a 20-yard dash, bringing the final to 34-13. Harris complemented Mullens’ passing performance by rushing for 132 yards. Scott Hester sparked Oak Mountain by rushing for 76 yards.
Spain Park moved to 6-1 for the season and 5-0 in region play. The Eagles fell to 5-2 overall, 3-2 in league competition. Afterward, Jaguar coach Chip Lindsey saluted his team. “It’s fun coming to work every day,” he said. “These kids do everything that’s asked of them. They are a great group with whom to work. “Our senior class is great, too. If you don’t think that’s a big deal, try going through a season where you don’t have good senior leadership.” Lindsey and his team don’t have much time to rest on their laurels. They must visit Stanhope Elmore next, where a victory over the Mustangs will give Spain Park its first-ever region championship. “Our guys are eager and hungry to do something our program has never done before,” said Lindsey. “I can see it in their faces. All of our goals are still in front of us.” And for the moment, the Jaguars have bragging rights over the school with which they have so much in common.
Oak Mountain quarterback Jake Adams pitches the ball to running back Josh Gaines in the Eagles’ loss to the Jaguars Friday night. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
populations. Now that the Patriots are back in Class 5A, Homewood is rolling. Don’t be surprised to see Coach Doug Goodwin have his team in the 5A title game. John Carroll Catholic 35, Ramsey 20. The Cavaliers showed a lot of heart in bouncing back from a one-sided loss to Homewood to earn a win over the Rams. The road from here is rough, as John Carroll closes the season with Chilton County, Briarwood and Thompson. Winning two of three would be a nice accomplishment for the Cavs. Chilton County 27, Briarwood 21. The Lions’ most recent loss dropped their record to 2-5, which means this is a very atypical season on Highway 119. Briarwood graduated a spectacular senior class last spring, and so far the younger players are still learning how to uphold the program’s sterling tradition. There’s still plenty to play for, however, as upcoming games against Ramsay and John Carroll are winnable for the Lions. So despite everything, Briarwood could still reach postseason play. Coosa Christian 13, Shades Mountain Christian 7. Although the Eagles fell to 1-5, they have gotten more competitive in recent weeks. As a comparatively young program, Shades Mountain is still experiencing growing pains, which is why it’s important to get better every week. The Tyler Road warriors seem to be doing that very thing.
Davis
from back cover
selves. On the bright side, the alert Hoover defense grabbed seven turnovers on the way to a 17-point win over a respectable team. That’s the beauty of the Bucs’ depth and versatility – when one aspect of their game is struggling, other areas can pick up the slack and carry them to victory. Hoover is so talented that it frequently seems to be competing with perfection as much as the opposing team. It will take an extraordinary team playing almost a perfect game to keep Hoover from claiming a state championship in December. Mountain Brook 24, Hewitt-Trussville 0. The Spartans’ surprisingly easy victory over the Huskies may have convinced the few remaining doubters that Mountain Brook is the real deal. Coach Chris Yeager’s roster isn’t dominated by head-turning major college prospects. Instead, the Spartans are primarily a group of quality high school-caliber players who love football and always play with intensity. This winning formula could take Mountain Brook to an undefeated regular season. The Spartans’ Oct. 26 visit to Vestavia Hills might be the best game of the season. Vestavia Hills 53, Carver-Birmingham 8. Once again, the Rebels rolled to an easy win over a Class 6A Region 6 opponent. It’s a little difficult to gauge Vestavia, except to say the Rebels run the ball effectively, play great defense and win most of the time. Of course, that’s what they’ve been doing with extraordinary consistency since Buddy Anderson took over the program in 1978. Vestavia’s big game with Mountain Brook can’t get here soon enough. Spain Park 34, Oak Mountain 13. It’s very likely the Jaguars would love to have a mulligan on their 37-24 loss to Austin Aug. 31. If not for that difficult evening at Ogle Stadium, Spain Park would be undefeated. In the weeks that have followed, Coach Chip Lindsey’s men have gotten better every week, climaxed by an impressive win over the Eagles. Now Spain Park stands on the cusp of its firstever region title. Oak Mountain has come down to earth a bit since its fast 3-0 start, but few at the beginning of the season would have dared to believe the Eagles would be 5-2 after seven weeks. Coach Cris Bell will have to prepare his team for a brutal final three weeks, which include visits
The Finley Legacy
Clociwise, from top: Mountain Brook wide receiver Patrick Sullivan looks for running room behind the blocking of Hunter Branch in the Spartan’s win over Hewitt-Trussville Friday night. Mountain Brook running back Gene Bromberg celebrates a touchdown. Spartan reciever Reagan Alexander Journal photos by Bryan Bunch fights a Husky defender for the ball.
by Prattville and Clay-Chalkville to Heardmont Park. Homewood 49, Sylacauga 10. The easierthan-expected win over the Aggies proves the Patriots are in ascendancy as one of the top
teams in Class 5A. Under former coach Bob Newton, Homewood dominated the classification for a decade before being moved to Class 6A, where the Patriots were often forced to compete with schools with much larger student
I’ve often written that the late Berry coach Bob Finley is the most influential figure in the history of Over the Mountain high school athletics. Although 18 years have passed since his untimely death, Finley’s legacy still manifests itself in many ways. Perhaps the most interesting is at Shades Mountain Christian, where his grandsons, Peyton and Finley Clutts, perform in the Eagles’ marching band. Of course, Shades Mountain plays its home games at Finley Stadium, on the campus of the old Berry High School. One of the saddest ironies in sports is that Coach Finley died on the field that carries his name. Finley Clutts was chosen Shades Mountain’s junior class representative in homecoming activities last Friday. He serves as class president, has a 4.0 grade point average and hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. The Bob Finley legacy continues to shine through the lives of his grandsons.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sports
OTM Students Compete in Special Olympics. Page 46
game of the week
Jaguar Jam Spain Park Rolls Over Oak Mountain
Lee Davis
Seven Up
Patterns Form as Season Moves to Stretch
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Clockwise from above: Spain Park’s Mickey Forrest (17) gets by an Oak Mountain defender during Friday night’s game. Jordan Brook (51) along with Spain Park’s Jacob Wolkow (32) wrap up Oak Journal photos by Marvin Gentry Mountains Scott Hester. Spain Park’s Cade Hoffman finds room to run.
By Lee Davis
Journal Sports Writer
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pain Park and Oak Mountain have always been natural rivals. Their close proximity in North Shelby County and their comparative newness – the respective schools have been in existence only for little more than a decade – have given their annual football meetings an air of freshness and energy. And in the short time the teams have been competing, rarely has there been as much at stake as last Friday night. The Jaguars and Eagles were battling for a shot at supremacy in Class 6A’s Region 4, as both pro-
grams have enjoyed better-than-expected seasons. But as the smoke cleared late that evening at Spain Park’s Finley Stadium, it was apparent that one team is ready to stake its particular claim to greatness. The Jaguars combined an impressive aerial show with a dominating defense to whip the Eagles 34-13 in a game the hosts controlled virtually from start to finish. One of the prime movers was quarterback Nick Mullens, who completed 40 of 46 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. The high completion percentage was in part See Jaguars, page 47
hy do football seasons seem to go by faster with each passing year? It could be age, or maybe time really does fly when you’re having fun. Whatever the reason, it’s hard to believe that week 7 of the 2012 high school season has just ended. And as always, some major patterns have emerged. First, and most obviously, Hoover is very good. The Bucs win impressively each week, despite seeming to sleepwalk through The Book of some of their games. Luke: Mountain Brook, Patriot QB Vestavia Hills, Spain Grew Up Park and Homewood Loving the Game. are good as well, Page 46 with a chance for greatness. The coming weeks will tell us a great deal about who has championship mettle. Let’s take a look at area teams as they enter week 8: Hoover 31, Hillcrest Tuscaloosa 14. On the surface, it looked like a bad night for the top-ranked Buccaneers. They were badly outgained in the first half while picking up a mere 23 yards rushing themSee Davis, page 47