3.10.16 by Over the Mountain Journal

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Thursday, march 10, 2016

Becca Bargainer and Danae Boyd, from left, are members of the junior board of the Alabama chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Alabama is the first AFSP chapter to have a junior board.

Newly Formed Junior Board Starting Conversations About Suicide Prevention

By Sarah Kuper Becca Barganier had always thought therapy wasn’t for her. She didn’t have any “issues” and she wasn’t having suicidal thoughts. But after going through a devastating experience a few years ago, her parents suggested she see a therapist.

See hope for the future, page 12

What: A casino night benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention When: March 19, 7 p.m. Where: Regions Field Details: $35 for individual ticket; $250 for highroller table for 4. Casual cocktail attire. Event for 21 and older. For tickets: afsp.donordrive.com

inside

in the blink of an eye UAB Cancer Center hosts annual gala. social Page 14

church and plate Lunches are a longstanding Lenten custom at Advent. food Page 29

A Melting Pot of Gold Birmingham’s Irish Cultural Society has long history of fun. about town Page 6

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Hope for the Future

2 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

Crestline Student Wins Big for Arbor Day Mia Dunlap, a fifth-grader at Crestline Elementary in Mountain Brook, was awarded the first place prize in the statewide 2016 Arbor Day poster contest. She accepted her award in Montgomery Feb. 24. This year’s theme was “Trees are Beautiful: Inside and Out.” Dunlap’s interpretation of the theme won her $50 and a one-year membership in the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. A crowd gathered at the capitol building to celebrate the achievement. During the festivities, Gov. Robert Bentley presented Dunlap with the official proclamation announcing the week of Feb. 22-26 as Arbor Day Week. The contest is coordinated by the Calhoun County Extension Service coordinator, David West. Following the presentation, he joined Dunlap and the second and third place winners from the state in the planting of a new Magnolia Tree on the lawn of the capitol. Mountain Brook will recognize Arbor Day March 12 with the annual tree giveaway. City officials and members of the city’s Tree Commission will hand out free trees of four different varieties throughout the day. Pick-up locations are the Piggly Wiggly on River Run Drive, Whole Foods, Western Supermarket in Mountain Brook Village and Emmet O’Neal Library. Remaining trees will be taken to Oak Street Garden Shop, where they will be available for pick up until they run out. ❖

in this issue About Town 3 people 8 news 10 social 14 home 20

weddings 28 food 29 schools 32 sports 36

Opinion/Contents

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

murphy’s law

The Can Festival

when we throw things away, they do When the word came down, I was not cease to exist. They’re just moved positively giddy: Soon, I would get to that elusive “somewhere else” to new trashcans. I realize this is clear deteriorate (I hope), and it stands to proof of how easily I can be enterreason that if we continue to shunt tained, but to me new trashcans are a things there, week after week, year big deal. after year, the borders of “somewhere If you stop and think of all of the else” will reach your own back fence. things you throw into your trashcans, Hence, the concept of recycling, week after week, year after year … on old things processed into new. Great second thought, don’t think about it. idea, right? My city thinks so, too, It will make you woozy. Anyway, the because along with the new trashcan prospect of a clean, new trashcan was we received a new recycling can, a big uplifting. A new trashcan, like having blue wonder that, properly filled, will a colonoscopy, gives you a brand new put us on our way to a cleaner planet. start. If someone can sort it all out. Besides, my old trashcan was Sue Murphy Being a chronic organizer, it pains showing its age. There were cracks in me to throw all of my recyclables, the sides where it had been inadpaper and soda cans and approprivertently dinged by a car (mine). The lid had been MacGyver-ed into On collection day, pan- ately numbered plastics, into one bin. On recycling day, the big extraordinary service with a piece icky phone calls were giant truck comes and takes all of these of plastic wire. It was testimony to made to the neighbor- items to a different “somewhere rough use and bad driving and was routinely deposited on the curb for hood association. “I think else” to become “something else.” the other end of the line, I picall to see. they missed me! What do At ture people wearing plastic gloves But I wasn’t the only one getI do now? How does one having to sort all the items into septing a new trashcan. It was to be a citywide do-over. Apparently, my dispose of a trashcan?” arate recycling process containers. I mean, you can make plastic water neighbors were as excited as I was bottles into carpet and decking and about the change because when we pens and all kinds of things. Soda received word that the collection of cans can become more soda cans, used trash collectors would begin, every Old Reliable was raced to the curb. On collection paper can become more paper, but soda cans sent to the paper plant won’t work and vice versa. The day, panicky phone calls were made to the neighborscope of the sorting process worries me, but then, I hood association. “I think they missed me! What do I am not a waste management professional. I’m sure do now? How does one dispose of a trashcan?” those good people have all that worked out. (Again, How indeed? What does a company do with an I hope.) entire city’s-worth of trashcans? I don’t know, but such Trash is an ongoing problem and I am commitis the way with all garbage. We throw things we no lonted to doing my part, separating my refuse into two ger want in our homes into the trashcan. These things “somewhere else” categories and wheeling the cans are picked up by a crackerjack refuse team and taken … I’m not sure where, except that it is somewhere else. out to the curb on their appointed day. And I won’t hit these new cans with my car. (I hope.) ❖ I need to pay more attention. Just like all matter,

On otmj.com

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

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

March 10, 2016 JOU RNAL Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Sarah Kuper, Emily Williams Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Interns: Rae Patterson, Briana Robertson Vol. 26, No. 13

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 2016 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 Views

What are you doing for Spring Break this year?

“We’ll probably just have a staycation this year. My ideal spring break would be in Key West, where I spent my honeymoon this past fall.” Jennifer Britton Hoover

“I’m home right now for spring break to visit my mom and her new puppy. So, I’m spending it in Birmingham and at the Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook Off.” Madison Morrow Mountain Brook

“I wish I had a spring break. This year, I’m not doing anything - actually, I’m working for spring break.”

“I am going to New York on the 22nd (of March). I’m going to see “Hamilton” on Broadway. I’m excited!”

Margaret Priester Birmingham

Anna Huss Homewood

March 10-24

BIRMINGHAM

Dino Discovery Birmingham Zoo The Zoo’s newest exhibit ‘back from extinction’ features 12 lifesized animatronic dinosaurs native to North America. The dinos are nearly 20 feet tall and weigh up to seven tons. An additional fee will be charged to visit this limited-time exhibit, which opens March 19. For more information, visit www.birminghamzoo.com. ❖

Thurs., March 10 HOOVER

Easter Baskets Hoover Country Club The Hoover Service Club will hold a community service project beginning at 10:30 a.m. Guests will be preparing baskets for the Green Valley United Way Food Bank. Lunch is available following the meeting for $18. Reservations are required. To register, contact Winnie Cooper at 979-5699 or LaVerne Martin at 987-2739. For more information, visit www.hooverserviceclub.com.

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 3

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

March 11-20 BIRMINGHAM

Honk! Jr. Virginia Samford This musical based on the tale of the ugly duckling will be performed

by students in the Virginia Samford STARS program. Tickets are $20 and showtimes will be Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Sat., March 12 MOUNTAIN BROOK

Arbor Day Various Locations The City of Mountain Brook and the Mountain Brook Tree Commission will

HOOVER

Pen Women Opening Reception Artists on the Bluff The National League of American Pen Women’s Birmingham branch will kick off its annual art exhibit with a reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Twenty local member’s works will be represented in the Soon Bok Lee Sellers Art Gallery from March 3-30. For more information, call 637-5946.

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Birmingham Revealed Vulcan Park and Museum Dr. Grand Dalton will conduct Samford University students in a performance dedicated to Birmingham’s jazz history. Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for non-members. For more information, visit www.visitvulcan.com.

Fri., March 11 BIRMINGHAM

Women of Distinction Harbert Center The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will host its annual luncheon at 11:30 a.m. to recognize local women who have made significant contributions to their surrounding community. Local honorees include Nancy Goedecke, Kim Greene, Ann Heard-Nesbitt, Briana Kinsey, Maibeth Porter, Linda Sewell, Dr. Donna Slovensky and Alice Womack. Tickets are $45 for members and $60 for non-members. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsnca.org.

March 11-13 BIRMINGHAM

Orpheus and Euridice/ Green Sneakers RMTC Cabaret Theatre Both of these chamber operas by Ricky Ian Gordon will be presented in a double-bill performance. March 11, 7:30 p.m. and March 13, 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. operabirmingham.org.

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celebrate the holiday with its annual tree giveaway. Two-thousand trees will be handed out for free to the public. Pick-up locations include Emmet O’Neal Library, Whole Foods, Western Supermarket in Mountain Brook Village and the Piggly Wiggly on River Run Drive. Left-over trees can be picked up at Oak Street Garden Shop beginning March 13. HOOVER

APSO Power Run Veterans Park The Alabama Power Service Organization will host its eighth annual 5K. Registration is $30 for the 5K

About Town

BIRMINGHAM

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Service Guild Gala The Club The Service Guild of Birmingham will host its 28th annual gala, March 19, 6 p.m. Guild Gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s black tie event includes a cocktail reception with silent auction, formal seated dinner, live and $10 for a kid’s half-mile fun run. Proceeds benefit the YMCA’s youth development program. For more information, visit www.powerrun.org. BIRMINGHAM

Holi Festival Birmingham Museum of Art The Indian Culture Society will host a festival celebrating Holi, the Indian celebration of color, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event will include Indian and Bollywood style dancing, music, food, storytelling and art. Guests are encouraged to wear clothing that can be washed. This event is free. For more information, visit www.artsbma.org. BIRMINGHAM

Taste of Teal Gala

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auction emceed by Jox Roundtable and live music featuring The Tip Tops. Proceeds from the evening will benefit The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, a facility dedicated to maximizing the potential of children from birth to three years of age who are at risk for developmental delay. For more information, visit www.theserviceguild.org. ❖

Cahaba Grand Conference Center The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation will host a seated dinner with drinks, live and silent auctions, casino games and music from 6-9 p.m. The organization will also present its “Legacy of Laura” awards to four community members. Tickets are $75 and include dinner, drinks and casino money. For more information, visit www. thinkoflaura.org. BIRMINGHAM

The Foundation Ball Christopher House Antiques The Rotaract Club of Birmingham will host its annual gala at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include hors d’oeuvres, music, wine and beer. Proceeds support the foundation’s signature service projects including Ready 2 Read and Ready 2 Succeed. For more information, visit www.birminghamrotaract.com.

Sun., March 13 BIRMINGHAM

Jube Joint Gospelfest Sloss Furnaces The event will include a daytime family fitness festival with food, fitness experts, art and music and a children’s zone featuring empowerment seminars. The main stage will feature performances by national recording gospel and Christian artists. Tickets are $34.99 and benefit Alabama’s Jones Valley. For more information, call 3260564.

Mon., March 14 HOMEWOOD

Sweet Hope Alabama Fab’rik Homewood The store will host an event to promote awareness for Hope Scarves, an organization that provides scarves and support for women battling cancer. The event includes drinks, bites and giveaways and 20% of all sales will be donated to the organization. For more information, visit www.hopescarves.org.

HOMEWOOD

Journey to Mount Olympus Homewood Public Library New York Times bestselling author and illustrator George O’Connor will host a book discussion at 6:30 p.m. His works include The Olympians series, the Captain Awesome series and “Kapow!” This event is free. For more information, visit www. homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Tues., March 15 HOOVER

Hoover Historical Society Meeting Hoover Library Samford journalism professor Julie Hedgepeth Williams will present the program “Wings of Opportunity: The Wright Brothers in Montgomery” at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available to guests at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.hooverhistoricalsociety.org.

Fri., March 18 MOUNTAIN BROOK

Standing Room Only Emmet O’Neal Library The library will host an “I Love the 90s Music” trivia program at 7 p.m. for ages 21 and up. Guests are invited to sign up teams of two to four people. Registration is required. To attend, contact amandaw@bham.lib.al.us.

March 18-19 BIRMINGHAM

Piano Man RMTC Cabaret Theatre Lonnie Parsons will star in this show featuring music by Elton John, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow and more. Tickets are $30. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. redmountaintheatre.com.

Photo special to the Journal

4 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

Sat., March 19

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HOOVER

Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K Veterans Park Jefferson State will host its annual 5K run and one-mile fun walk from 8 a.m.-noon. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Judy M. Merritt Memorial Scholarship fund. For more information, visit www.jeffersonstate.edu/5k. BIRMINGHAM

Rumpshaker 5K Sloss Furnaces Rumpshaker will host its annual 5K run at 8 a.m. The event benefits the organization’s mission to raise colorectal cancer awareness and raise funds to provide funds and grants to local GI labs. Registration is $25 for individuals. The price will increase after March 5. For more information, visit www. rumpshaker5k.com. HOOVER

Paws in the Garden Aldridge Gardens The Gardens will host its annual canine-friendly event from 9 a.m.5 p.m. Activities include food, dog centered displays, local vendors and demonstrations from the Hoover Police K-9s. Admission is $10 and benefits the Shelby Humane Society and the gardens. For more information, visit www.aldridgegardens.com. MOUNTAIN BROOK

Easter Egg Hunt Crestline Village Once Upon a Time, in conjunction with other Crestline Village merchants, will host an Easter egg hunt on the Emmet O’ Neal Library field at 10 a.m. The event will include a visit from the Easter Bunny as well as a photo opportunity after the hunt. BIRMINGHAM

Cherry Blossom Festival Botanical Gardens The Japan-America Society of Alabama will host a celebration in the Japanese Gardens from 11-4 p.m. This annual event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www. bbgardens.org.

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

BIRMINGHAM

Elvis Ball: Viva Las Vegas Old Car Heaven Creative Montessori School will host its second annual Elvis-themed fundraiser on March 19 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature Las Vegas style fun, including renowned Elvis impersonator, David Lee; casino games; 70s disco featuring DJ Stevo; silent and live auctions and local food. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit www.cmskids.org. ❖ HOMEWOOD

Easter Egg Hunt Homewood Park The annual egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. and ends once all of the eggs have been located. The hunt will be for toddlers up to ten years of age and children will hunt with their own age group. There will also be a section for children with special needs. For more information, visit www.homewoodparks. com. HOOVER

Variety Show Beth Hallel The congregation will celebrate the Festival of Purim with “A Night in Shushan,” a variety show. The Festival will begin at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. Activities will include popcorn, face painting and carnival games. This event is free. For more information, visit www.shalombirmingham.com. BIRMINGHAM

Art Bash 2016 Sloss Furnaces The Magic City Art Connection’s 18th annual event will be held from 7-10 p.m. This year’s theme is Fire and Ice and will include videos and projections, icy art installations and fire-themed performances. Tickets begin at $25 and

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Sunset and Song Kress Building The Assistance League of Birmingham will host its annual fundraiser March 15, benefitting the organizations philanthropic programs PrimeTime Treasures, Operation School Bell and Operation Literacy, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held on the rooftop garden and will feature silent and live auctions as well as “Four for Time,” a musical production featuring Lonnie Parsons, Kristi Tingle Higgenbothom, Jan Hunter and Carl Dean. For more information, visit www.assistanceleaguebhm.org. ❖

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6 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Melting Pot of Gold

Birmingham’s Irish Cultural Society Gears Up for St. Patrick’s Day By Emily Williams

This year, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. March marks the 100-year anniversary of the Easter Rising, when Irish nationalists launched a rebellion against British rule. At its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society, a local melting pot of Emerald Isle enthusiasts, will pay homage to the centennial. “Birmingham doesn’t have a whole lot of truly Irish people,” Connors said. “But you don’t have to be Irish to appreciate the country.” In 1981, Marty Connors and the late Paul McMahon hosted a St. Patrick’s Day dinner in a condo out in what used to be the middle of nowhere. “You know past that intersection between 280 and 459, well, that used to be nothing,” Connors said. The gathering soon outgrew the small space and was moved around Birmingham, including to the Highland Park Racquet Club and the Redmont Hotel, before settling at Pine Tree Country Club in 2001. 10:16 AM Today the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society is a group of men who aren’t all Irish, but who all enjoy having a good time celebrating Ireland’s most recognizable holiday. “St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland,” Connors said. “He brought Christianity to the isle. So, this is not about girls in tank tops. Ultimately, it’s the celebration of friendship, fraternity and the patron Saint of Ireland,” which, Connors said, is something every member can appreciate regardless of their heritage. Illustrating the group’s diversity, this year’s vice co-chairmen are Art McMahon, an Irishman by blood, and Jim Skoney, who is Polish. The group’s historian, Joe Domnanovich, is of Welsh and Croatian descent. After much debate about whether to add wives to the group’s membership, the society settled on the addition of a women’s group called the Fenians. Men become members of the society by invitation, joining the ranks of many notable figures in

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benefit the organization’s support of art educations programming for 1500 Birmingham City Schools. For more information, visit www.magiccityart.com.

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Cottontail Express Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum The museum will host its annual Easter-themed railroad experience and easter egg hunt. Activities will include a bounce house, temporary tattoos, coloring stations and meet and greets

In 1986, the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society led a protest parade after the official event was canceled by the Downtown Action Committee because of weather; front: Marty Connors kneeling with unidentified Scottish bagpipe players. Back, from left: members Billy Grey, Kevin McEntarget, unidentified guest, Helen McMahon, Danny Patterson, Elaine Connors and former Birmingham Mayor George Seibels.

local society such as Sherriff Mike Hale and Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield. The late George Siebels, former mayor of Birmingham, was a member during the society’s earliest years. “With that much political involvement, we’ve only had two members incarcerated,” McMahon joked. The group’s annual dinner has become something of a gathering place for politicians seeking support. “We usually have a larger turnout on election years,” Connors said. “It’s one of those events that you want to stop by when you’re running for something.” But the political elite aren’t the only special guests who have attended. When the dinner was held at the Fraternal Order of Police on Green Springs, the crowd included farm animals. “We’ve had goats roaming around the dinner,” Connors said. “One year we even had a cow. We used to have llamas. They aren’t Irish, but we thought, ‘Why not?’” Llamas proved to be undesirable guests. They were placed near the restrooms and, with their tendency to spit, the animals caused more trouble than they were worth. with Peter Cottontail. Tickets are $17 for adults ages 12 and up and $12 for ages 2-11. For more information and departure times, visit www.hodrrm.org.

Sun., March 20 BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Dance Walk Parkside District The Birmingham Dance Walk, an exercise group that dances down the streets for a 30 minute work out, will begin at 4 p.m. Participants should meet at the Zyp Bike station at the corner of 1st Avenue South and 14th Street South. There will be music via jamboxes and megaphones, but guests are free to bring their own music and headphones.

To: From:

As time passed, the dinner became more organized, but it always features Connors’ grandmother’s recipe for Irish stew. The dinner normally falls on a Friday during Lent, and with many of the attendees being Catholic and unable to eat meat on Fridays during Lent, the dinner is given a special dispensation by the bishop. The first year the group was granted the order, Connors almost got it revoked. “I went on the local news to promote the dinner and said that we had a special dispensation from the bishop and everybody was allowed to eat meat on Friday,” Connors said. He didn’t realize that his wording made it seem that the bishop had given all of Birmingham the clearance to eat meat on Friday, rather than just those at the dinner party. Luckily, everything was remedied and the dispensation is issued every year. Starting the Parade

One of the most visible elements of the celebration is the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade began in 1985, while the dinner was still held at the condo. According to Conners, one of the biggest struggles when they first For more information, visit www. bhamdancewalk.com.

Wed., March 23 BIRMINGHAM

Purim-Palooza Carnival LJCC The Levite Jewish Community Center will host a carnival at 4:30 p.m. in celebration of the Jewish holiday Purim. The carnival will include inflatables, games and prizes. Events include separately scheduled children, adult, women’s and traditional Megillah readings. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dan Tourtellotte at dt@bhamjcc.org. ❖

Margaret Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246

Photos special to the Journal

Art McMahon with his brother and Birmingham Irish Cultural Society cofounder, the late Paul McMahon.

started the parade was finding men who could play the bagpipes. “People always think that bagpipes are Scottish, but they’re not,” Connors said. “The Scots stole them from us, just like they stole everything else.” All joking aside, the only people in town Conners could find who could really play the pipes were Scots, so they cut a deal and the men agreed to play on one condition. “To this day, the Irish Cultural Society’s Irish parade begins with a Scottish band playing “Scotland the Brave,” Connors said. “They had to

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 7

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

do that or they wouldn’t march in the parade.” The men don’t seem to mind the invasion, though. They agree that the song is prettier than many of the classic Irish tunes. Over the years, the downtown parade has changed course, but it goes on rain or shine. One year, the parade went on even after city officials canceled it. The president of the Downtown Action Committee announced on the news that the parade was to be canceled because of inclement weather, but he did that without consulting the group. “We all said, no,” Conners said. “You do not cancel an Irish parade. I don’t care if there’s a tornado. So, we had a protest parade through the streets of Five Points.” McMahon added that it is the Irish way to persevere no matter the obstacles. This year, the 32nd St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and parade will follow the course from Five Points South to Linn Park. The festivities will continue throughout the day with food and drink specials at participating bars and restaurants. The parade itself will begin at 1:30 p.m., traditionally led by the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band.

The St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will be held March 18 at Pine Tree Country Club. The dinner won’t boast any livestock, but it will have good Irish food, a whiskey tasting and music provided by DublinDown. Tickets are $75 per person and will support the organization’s longest-running beneficiary, KidOne Transport. The dinner has benefited a charity since 1999 and KidOne has been the charity of choice for 12 of those years, adding up to more than $100,000 donated to help transport local children to obtain medical care. “We have a great time and we joke around, but what this is, at its heart, is a group of people coming together not only to celebrate, but also to give back and do something good for the community,” McMahon said. For more information on the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society and the 36th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration dinner, visit the organization’s Facebook page. ❖

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Sat., March 12 BIRMINGHAM

Shamrock Shindig Sloss Furnace The Arc of Jefferson County Junior Board will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 7-11 p.m. in the visitor center. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple and support the Arc’s mission to provide early intervention, day and residential programs for children and adults with special needs. The purchase of a ticket includes one drink, a wristband for food and the chance to win a $3,000 pot of gold. For more information, visit www.arcofjeff.org. BIRMINGHAM

Tour de Brewers Tin Roof The eighth annual St. Patrick’s Day 10k run and ride will begin at 11 a.m. and explores Birmingham’s breweries. Stops include Good People, Cahaba Brewing Co., Avondale Brewing and a Ghost Train tasting at Hop City. Participants must be 21 to enjoy beverages but all ages are welcome to join the run and ride. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit the Tour de Brewers 8 Facebook Page.

HOOVER

Leprechaun Leap 5K The Preserve The Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area will host the second annual 5K run/walk and fun run from 8-11 a.m. at Town Hall. Proceeds benefit the organization and its efforts to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Registration is $30. For more information, visit www.runsignup.com/ race/al/birmingham/leprechaunleap.

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Thurs., March 17 HOOVER

Saturday, March 12

St. Patrick’s Day Hoover Senior Center The Senior Center will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration beginning at 12:30 p.m. This event is free. For more information, visit www. hooveral.org.

March 22 HOMEWOOD

Ireland with Niki Sepsas Homewood Library Niki Sepsas will discuss the legendary tales of Ireland in a program titled “Shamrocks, Leprechauns and Danny Boy.” For more information, visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

MI2016-Prntad-fnl.indd 1

3/4/16 11:40 AM

8 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

about Town/people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

By Emily Williams

The library holds a fourstar rating from the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, meaning it is in the top 20 libraries in the nation that share a similar budget range. Journal photo by Emily Williams

Libraries aren’t just for books anymore, at least that’s what folks at the Homewood Public Library think. This year marks the library’s 75th anniversary and Executive Director Deborah Fout and her staff are celebrating their ability to keep community members filing through the doors every day. The library holds a four-star rating from the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, meaning it is in the top 20 libraries in the nation that share a similar budget range. Fout said she owes that achievement to the team that surrounds her. With technology becoming everpresent and the library’s 24-7 online library access, programming has become more important as a way to get the community involved with the library. Some of their most popular programs are their iTween gatherings, in which teens can gather to learn more about the things that interest them. Topics can range from henna tattooing to STEM projects. For the adults, it’s all about the teas. “Our biggest success is the ‘Downton Abbey’ tea and trivia,” said adult programming librarian Leslie West. “I don’t know what we’re going to do now that the series is ending. We had a Jane Austen tea and that had a great turnout. Tea has to be involved. People just love bringing out their teacups.” According to the staff members, having to binge watch a season of “Downton Abbey” to come up with questions is the best kind of work. “That’s why I think programs have gotten so big, because that is really the way you get people in the door,” Fout said. “You have to provide programs for the community and provide services that they can’t get for free elsewhere.”

to play violin. She had a woman show up that thought it was a jam session and brought her banjo. As it turns out, the woman just moved here from Nicaragua and had never been

Board members and programming directors from Homewood Public Library preparing for the library’s 75th anniversary March 24, include: Standing, Board Chairman Mike Higginbotham, Executive Director Deborah Fout and Vicechairman Dr. Paul Doran. Front: Karen Roberson, Leslie West, Laura Tucker and Heather Cover.

Programmed to Party The Homewood Library Celebrates 75 Years

The online calendar is consistently filled with a variety of options for every age group and range and includes fun events and serious courses. Some of the most popular classes are the library’s technology courses that are geared toward teaching the older generation how to use new technology such as iPads and Kindles. “Someone comes in from AARP and does taxes for free and that course stays booked from the minute it opens,” Fout said. “Our security guard knows. He takes down the

names for the waitlist.” When the staff runs dry on ideas, guests of the library have been known to bring their programming ideas to the librarians. Teen programming librarian Judith Wright said that one of her more successful programs, Girls Who Code, was the idea of one of her Teen Advisory Board members. “We do have programs that we try that don’t work sometimes,” Fout said. “When they don’t we just move on and try something different.” According to her staff, Fout is never

Brook High School, where he is a member of the baseball team and Key Club and serves as sophomore class SGA secretary. He is active in his youth group at Canterbury United Methodist Church. Sink is the son of Andrew Lee Sink and Laura Dean Sink and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Sink of Birmingham and Dr. and Mrs. A. E. Dean Jr. of Shreveport, Louisiana.

attended Boy Scout summer camps in Alabama, Georgia and Washington. For his project, Barze reclaimed a parcel of property at the Children’s Fresh Air Farm. Since 1923, Independent Presbyterian Church has operated the summer day camp for underserved children in the greater Birmingham area. A portion of the property near the Arts and Crafts Hut had become overgrown and unusable, presenting a Murphy M. Barze safety hazard

one to say no to a programming idea; she may have a better suggestion, but all-in-all Homewood Library is a “yes library.” All of these ingredients mix to create a library that is no longer a place to sit in silence and research, but a cultural center of the community. “One Saturday, we had Miss Mandy’s Musical Meetup, which is a story time based on music,” said Children’s Programming Director Laura Tucker. “We had a violinist come in and teach the children how

in here before. Now she’s going to play in a future Miss Mandy’s.” Fout said that these kinds of stories can be found every week. “Working here isn’t so much a job as it is a lifestyle because we’re open 67 hours a week,” Fout said. “I’ll get off of work and just be sitting down in my chair and I’ll get a text from one of (my staff members) that says, ‘There are 400 people here for the event.’ I get it all the time, but I love to hear how many people are showing up.” The library has planned a 75th birthday party March 24 in the large auditorium and the staff is expecting a large turnout from the community. “It’s for all ages and we’re hoping to have huge crowds,” Fout said. “We’re doing programming all year that has to do with our 75th anniversary, but this is going to be strictly a birthday party.” From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., staff and guests will gather for cake, ice cream, balloons and traditional birthday party fare. For more information, visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary. org. ❖

People Sink of Mountain Brook Earns Eagle Scout Rank Andrew Lee Sink Jr., a member of Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Sink was recognized during a Court of Honor ceremony Jan. 24 at Canterbury United Methodist Church. Sink has served in many leadership roles in Troop Andrew Lee Sink Jr. 63, including chaplain, historian and patrol leader. Sink’s Eagle project was the construction of a prayer labyrinth on the Canterbury United Methodist Church campus. After Sink raised money to pay for construction costs, the project was completed with the help of other troop members and friends over the course of four months. Sink is a sophomore at Mountain

Mountain Brook’s Barze Earns Eagle Scout Rank Murphy M. Barze, a member of Boy Scout Troop 28 at Independent Presbyterian Church, completed all of the requirements for the top scouting honor of Eagle Scout. He was recognized at a Court of Honor at Independent Presbyterian Church Jan. 31. During his scouting career, Barze earned 25 merit badges and served as a patrol leader and troop chaplain. He was a participant in a Boy Scout High Adventure Camp in 2011 and hiked for 12 days in the Sangre de Christo range of the Rocky Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He also

for children. Barze’s project involved clearing the area of brush and extensive undergrowth and vines and replanting it with trees and grass. A senior at Mountain Brook High School, Barze is a member of the National Honor Society and a participant in Leadership Mountain Brook. He attends Canterbury United Methodist Church. After graduating, he will

continue his education at Furman University, where he plans to study history with a pre-law curriculum. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Bruce Barze Jr. of Mountain Brook and the grandson of Mrs. Martha Barze of Atlanta and Mr. and Mrs. James L. Parker of Huntsville.

Voigt of Mountain Brook Achieves Eagle Scout Crawford Lee Voigt, a member of Boy Scout Troop 28 at Independent Presbyterian Church, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout Nov. 12. As a member of Troop 28, Voigt earned 26 merit badges and served as assistant senior patrol leader and historian. He went to Sea Base High Adventure Camp in the Bahamas and was his crew’s leader at Philmont High Adventure Scout Ranch in New Mexico. During the six years he has been involved in the troop, he hiked more than 200 miles and spent more than 70 nights camping. He also was inducted into Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national honor society. For his project, Voigt designed

and built a new horse pen at The Red Barn, a faith-based charity in Leeds that provides equine-assisted activities to individuals of all abilities and circumstances, especially children. The pen was designed so that guests at The Red Barn may interact closely with horses. Voigt, a Mountain Brook High School senior, is a middle distance runner on the varsity track team and is a member of the crosscountry team, Crawford Lee Voigt the Croquet Club and the National Honor Society, and he participates in charitable activities such as Relay for Life. He will continue his education at Auburn University, with a current interest in the field of engineering. Voigt is the son of Sandra and Bill Voigt of Mountain Brook. He is the grandson of Jane Mullins and Evelyn Voigt, both of Mountain Brook. ❖

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 9

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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10 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

news

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u homewood

More Questions Than Answers

Samford University Neighbors Attend Forums on Expansion Plans, but Questions Linger By Sarah Kuper and Rae Patterson Samford University administrators are moving forward with drafting plans to update and expand the campus after several community forums in February. Organizers estimate an average of 20 to 30 people attended each meeting. Campus planning firm Dober Lidsky Mathey gave presentations at the meetings and led question and answer sessions. The Massachusetts firm is partnering with Samford by analyzing the existing campus infrastructure and by gathering data and feedback from Samford constituents, including Homewood neighbors. Firm principal George Mathey explained to those attending a recent forum that, so far, more than 85 meetings have taken place on campus for the purpose of data collection and analysis of buildings, traffic, parking and space. That data is being used to formulate a campus plan that will consider every aspect of the university, including academic programs, student life, residences, athletics and administration. Mathey reviewed each college’s major necessities that the campus plan intends to address. While he emphasized that the university would be making adjustments to the campus using property the school already owns, Homewood neighbors voiced concerns over rumors of Samford’s

growth into their neighborhoods. Don Kirkpatrick has lived in his home on Saulter View Road for more than 30 years. He said that while Samford officials say they won’t be expanding into his neighborhood, the truth is they already have. “They already own a number of houses on Saulter Road. How many neighbors do you have that regularly have six cars parked out front with six different county license tags on them?” Kirkpatrick said. “Students are living there.” Kirkpatrick said it isn’t enough that the school is using his neighborhood as student housing, but the university also has created an entrance and exit to campus through the residential area. “They just recently cut a road as a back entrance to the campus, so now 4,500 student cars will be coming up and down Saulter Road,” he said. Samford Chief Strategy Officer Colin Coyne said the new cut-through is an “emergency only” exit that will be used strictly by the fire department and was built at the request of fire officials. Samford has bought houses in the neighborhood in years past; some made way for the cutthrough and others were sold or are in use. Coyne joined Mathey in emphasizing that Samford is looking at expansion only on property the university already owns. “There is no plan for a massive takeover of

downtown Homewood,” he said. Coyne said he knows neighbors will continue to have questions and concerns about the campus plan, but he feels the tone of the recent forums was positive. “People were very forthcoming with their

‘People were very forthcoming with their concerns but everything was kept very constructive. Really, people just want to be kept up to speed and that’s what we want to do.’ Samford Chief Strategy Officer Colin Coyne

concerns but everything was kept very constructive. Really, people just want to be kept up to speed and that’s what we want to do,” Coyne said. Kirkpatrick did not attend a community forum but has been in communication with Samford administrators. He said he’s been outspoken about the university’s growth plans. “Years ago, we had a committee and we met with Samford and the Homewood mayor at the time, Robert Waldrop, and we agreed on certain boundaries. But now there is a new mayor and

new people at the university and here we are,” Kirkpatrick said. He said he’s seen a lot of change in his neighborhood as Samford has grown. A lot of his neighbors now are somehow connected with the school, whether they are professors or staff. “I don’t have a problem with that, some of them are in my Sunday school class, but I can say over the years I’ve learned how to tell which fraternity is having a party and what the score of the ball game is just by the noise. I can also read the paper at night on my deck because of all the lights,” Kirkpatrick said. Coyne said he understands neighbors have concerns about light, noise and traffic, but he said the planning firm is doing studies and analysis about ways to minimize the impact of the school on neighbors. “We want to be good neighbors and we want to be completely transparent,” Coyne said. “I’d be shocked if there was anything that came out of this plan that would have people picketing Samford University.” Mathey invited listeners at a recent forum to return in a couple of months when Samford hosts its next forum. “We want your input and reactions as we continue,” he said. “They help improve the plan in ways that we, as professionals, can’t always see.” Kirkpatrick said he is sure the university will keep him informed about developing plans. Whether the university would change plans because of neighborhood concern is something he isn’t so sure about. “They keep sending us little memos, but they are going to do what they want to do,” he said. “I don’t really feel like they care about the neighborhood.” ❖

u Mountain brook

SWAT Medicine

Mountain Brook EMTs Trained to Provide Care in a Crisis

Photo special to the Journal

By Sarah Kuper Nightly news reports are filled with stories of civilian shootings and domestic terrorism. While it seems a city like Mountain Brook would be safe from such violence, local EMTs want to be prepared if the unthinkable happens. Six Mountain Brook Fire Department EMTs have been trained to handle crisis events such as mass shootings and hostage situations, graduating from SWAT school in November. Deputy Fire Chief Chris Mullins said he has been eager for team members to go through tactical medicine training for many years because it is one more way to help citizens. “As it was, if we got to a shooting situation, we had to wait behind the fire truck until the scene was clear. Meanwhile, people would bleed to death,” he said. Without tactical medicine training, EMTs are not prepared to assist in an active shooter situation. This means victims may be injured inside a school or business with no access to medical care until a perpetrator is apprehended or the building is cleared. Now that several Mountain Brook EMTs have tactical medicine training, they have new gear and new skills to administer medical aid to victims during an active shooter scenario. Mullins said the medical treatment is no different, but the training taught EMTs how to treat a patient under extreme circumstances. “We think of it as ‘care under fire.’ You never think about treating a patient while having to defend yourself but we learned that,” he said. Mullins went through the training himself and said it was Deputy Fire Chief Chris Mullins trains with tactical gear at the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy

authentic SWAT team training. “Sixty hours in five days of physically demanding training – it was terrible on an old man,” he said. The EMTs spent a week at the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy running through scenarios they might

‘As it was, if we got to a shooting situation, we had to wait behind the fire truck until the scene was clear. Meanwhile, people would bleed to death.’ encounter. Mullins said they learned how to break through doors and windows and clear a building while staying mindful of victims’ medical conditions. Typically EMTs and firefighters do not carry any kind of weapon. Mullins said that will not change. “We don’t want people in the community worrying that a firefighter will show up to an emergency with a weapon,” he said. But a bill pending in the Legislature would allow trained emergency responders to be armed for defensive purposes. Mullins emphasizes that it is not the medical team’s job to seek and take down a perpetrator but rather to assist victims. He said odds are Mountain Brook residents will never see an EMT in SWAT gear – at least he hopes they won’t. “I doubt the public will ever see them. That would be a bad day if they did,” he said. The SWAT-trained EMTs will continue to train several hours each month to keep their skills up to date. Mullins said Homewood and Hoover also have tactically trained EMTs, and the departments would work together if the need ever arose. ❖

u Mountain Brook

BCRFA Board President Kate Kiefer presented the organization’s largest donation to date, $775,000, to UAB Cancer Center Director Dr. Edward Partridge on Feb. 1.

Photo special to the Journal

PTO Raises Money for New Playground at Mountain Brook Elementary

u birmingham

BCRFA Presents Its Largest Donation to UAB Cancer Center The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama presented $775,000 — its largest donation to date — to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Feb. 1. BCRFA has donated more than $5.8 million to UAB since its inception in 1996. BCRFA makes an annual donation to the Cancer Center with proceeds from all its fundraising efforts during the previous year, including money raised during events, corporate and individual donations and sales of the breast cancer specialty license plate tags. According to a press release, more than half of the total donation this year was raised through the BCRFA specialty car tag sales. Available at motor vehicle license offices across the state, the breast cancer research tag is the ninth most popular specialty tag in the state, with more than 10,000 vehicles sporting it. “We are extremely thankful for this very generous gift from the community. Their support allows us to bring the most innovative care to our cancer patients and, as an extension, to their families,” said Dr. Edward

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 11

news

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Partridge, director of the Cancer Center. “Although we have made significant progress against the fight against breast cancer, sustained funding is critical to continued progress. The longstanding partnership between the BCRFA and the Cancer Center provides UAB investigators with the resources to accelerate discovery and translate new knowledge into meaningful therapies for all types of breast cancer. ” BCRFA provides pilot funding for several projects ranging from examining the ways patients’ immune systems respond to triple-negative tumors to evaluating a new compound, UAB-30, for its ability to prevent breast cancer, to developing therapies to prevent DNA repair in a breast cancer tumor cell. All BCRFA donations go to the UAB Cancer Center and stay in the state to help the residents of Alabama. Community partners for this year’s gift include Tameron Automotive, Belk, The Thompson Foundation, Sirote & Permutt, the Alabama Power Foundation, Spectrum Reach and iHeart Media, among many others. ❖

It has been 20 years since school children at Mountain Brook Elementary had a new playground. In that time, the play structure options for elementary schools have moved past swings and slides and now incorporate climbing walls, zip lines, balance challenges and adventure obstacles. The school’s PTO has taken the initiative to raise $350,000 for a new playground structure, four square courts, spinners and pre-school-specific play areas. Planners hope to incorporate a nature trail and outdoor amphitheater too. One goal of the campaign is to create a play area compliant with national disability access laws that will last at least 20 years. The playground campaign ends March 20 with a Fun Run to bring in additional donations. If the $350,000 is raised, work on the new playground should begin over the summer and be complete by the start of the school year. Donations can be from $200 to “buy a brick” up to a $50,000 gift or more. Donors who give more than $1,000 will receive name recognition in the new play area. To make a gift or to find out more, visit lancerpto.com/playgroundcampaign. —Sarah Kuper

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Ken Call today for an Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 appointment: 823-3353 FAX: 205-824-1246 Jan. 2015 This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the Jan. 15, 2015 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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12 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

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Hope for the Future From page 1

“I thought it wasn’t for me, but it helped. People need to know it is OK to get help and often the people who look like they have it together are falling apart on the inside,” she said. Barganier believes that, if she hadn’t been able to use mental health resources, she might still be struggling. That’s why she believes in the mission of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. “It is about creating conversation about mental health. People think it is something you can control but it isn’t. It is a chemical imbalance and should be treated like any other illness,” Barganier said. She is a founding member of the Alabama chapter’s junior board, established in 2015. Alabama is the first AFSP chapter to have a junior board. While a lot of non-profits have junior leadership opportunities, the foundation’s area director, Lisa Holman, said having young professionals lead awareness about mental health is essential to accomplishing AFSP’s mission. “We want to groom young people to be leaders. They are the generation that is going to change things. Years ago people never said the word “cancer” but now there is so much awareness. The younger we can normalize mental health, the closer we will be to erasing the stigma,” Holman said. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s suicide fact sheet, suicide was the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds in Alabama in 2013 and the 11th leading cause of death among adults overall. The data indicates the suicide rate in the state was almost double the homicide rate. But Holman said she doesn’t feel defeated. Since the Alabama chapter was chartered in 2008, the turnout for suicide prevention events such as the Birmingham “Out of the Darkness” walk has grown from barely 500 to 2,000 people last year. “When we first started, people thought no one would walk for suicide prevention. We started with organizing three walks in the state and now we have 10 walks throughout Alabama,” Holman said. The ADSP has made it a goal to reduce the suicide rate in Alabama 20 percent by 2025. The Alabama chapter is ferociously chasing that goal by working

closely with the Crisis Center, raising money for research initiatives and organizing events to spread awareness. The newly formed junior board is leading the charge to share informa-

Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.

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‘It is about creating conversation about mental health. People think it is something you can control but it isn’t. It is a chemical imbalance and should be treated like any other illness.’ Becca Barganier

‘That’s why we will talk to anyone who will listen to us. I look forward to the day when a child can check out of school to go to the psychiatrist just like they would check out for the dentist.’ Lisa Holman, area director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

tion and erase the stigma by inviting public attention with events such as last fall’s Art of Hope event and the March 19 Beat the Odds casino night at Regions Field. The Art of Hope event showcased art submissions that displayed interpretations of depression, suicide and helplessness but also hope. Barganier said the event received

overwhelming support through art submissions and attendance. The evening focused on art therapy and other ways to express mental health struggles and solutions. Attendees at this year’s Beat the Odds night can expect an increased focus on survivorship. “We will have a table with ribbons that people can wear to show who is here in honor of someone or yourself. We think this will show how much people are affected by suicide and spark conversation,” Barganier said. Both Holman and Barganier said they understand how hard it is to talk about struggling with mental health. Holman said that, despite more awareness about the issue, there still seems to be a stigma. “That’s why we will talk to anyone who will listen to us. I look forward to the day when a child can check out of school to go to the psychiatrist just like they would check out for the dentist,” Holman said. Taking the conversation to local high schools and colleges is one way Holman is working toward that day. “Young people are so energetic and so on fire for a cause. That’s what we need,” she said. Barganier said she admires public figures who are recognizing the need for awareness among even the youngest children. “Look at Kate Middleton, she is going into schools in England and talking to little ones about mental health and reaching young people at risk.” At the inaugural Beat the Odds casino night in 2015, junior board members hoped to raise about $20,000, but they exceeded their goal and raised $40,000. This year the board hopes to raise $50,000. The money will go toward research and toward the junior board’s awareness event in the fall. Holman thinks they can reach their monetary goal and continue to build momentum in Alabama. “We still have a long way to go but we are getting there,” Holman said. Barganier said she is grateful she was able to see a therapist and become more aware of ways to deal with mental health issues. She said she is hopeful that the junior board can help create conversation about mental health in a way that makes seeking help more “normal.” ❖

UAB Psychiatrist to Speak at Aware Mountain Brook Event Dr. Richard Shelton, member of the UAB Department of Psychiatry faculty and head of the newly formed Mood Disorders Research Center, will be the guest speaker at Aware Mountain Brook’s spring event. Aware is a group of area residents supporting education and awareness surrounding mental health and suicide prevention. The group holds events with guest speakers throughout the year covering topics from eating disorders to drug abuse. Shelton will speak at 6 p.m. April 26 at the permanent bleachers on the Crestline Elementary School field. ❖

Richard C. Shelton, M.D.

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 13

life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Exceptional Foundation Hosts Prom

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Photos special to the Journal

To kick off prom season in Birmingham, the Exceptional Foundation held its annual dance Feb. 21 at The Club. More than 100 guests enjoyed live music, dinner, dancing and a lead-out. Before the prom, the Junior League of Birmingham hosted a pre-party for the guests with special needs, helping the ladies with their hair and makeup. Erin Germann, one of the foundation’s first participants, made an appearance as a special guest. It was the first time she has attended prom since she moved to Tennessee. Mountain Brook High School classmates and foundation participants Andy Jordan and Merrill Ward were there to greet her and share their favorite memories. ❖

14 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

social

In the Blink of an Eye

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

UAB Cancer Center Hosts Annual Gala

Photos special to the Journal

Artists worked with a variety of media to create on-the-spot masterpieces that were purchased via silent auction. Ahmad Austin, above. Thomas Andrew, left. From left: Robert and Lessley Hynson and Monique and Todd Lake.

rtBlink, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center’s annual gala, took place Feb. 20 at The Kirklin Clinic. The event was organized by Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board Gala Committee members Joel Welker, Rick Swagler, Mitzi S. Davis, Robert Carr, George Wheelock, Lessley Hynson, Alisa Belcher and Suzanne Wald. As guests entered The Kirklin Clinic on the first floor, artist Ronald Bayens captured the scene in a 24”x30” oil on canvas that will hang in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. An eclectic buffet by Iz Catering and a performance by the Rock Candy Band kept guests entertained until late in the evening. The event raised about $600,000, with donations still coming in. As more than 900 guests mingled, 18 artists worked with a variety of media to create onthe-spot masterpieces that were purchased via silent auction. The event also included an Artists Gallery, where guests could purchase additional works by ArtBlink artists. Presented by AutoTec, Jemison Investments Co. Inc. and O’Neal Industries, ArtBlink supports the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center’s highest priorities, including seed funding for new projects and additional funds needed to move new treatments quickly and safely from the laboratory to the patient. ArtBlink also supports services for patients and their families seeking life-saving care at UAB, as well as outreach efforts in communities across Alabama and the Southeast. Guests attending the event included: Dr. Edward and Barbara Partridge, Dr. Selwyn Vickers, Robert and Lessley Hynson, Craft O’Neal and Lisa Oliver, Richard Adams, Mary Sue Durant, Will and Dana Ferniany, Joan Rasberry, Bert O’Neal, Bert Jr. and Susanne O’Neal, Camper and Mary Chollet O’Neal, Johnathan and Amy Stevens, Joel Welker and Pam Meisler, Caldwell and Cathy Marks, Kate Kiefer, Rick and Susan Swagler, and Jose Pereira and Sherri Jackson. ❖

Rebecca DiPiazza and Trey Hamer.

Austin and Mary-Margaret Brown and Janie and David Brown.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Bids and Bites

On Feb. 5, guests gathered for Vestavia Hills Elementary West’s annual auction fundraiser, Bids and Bites. Guests in attendance had the opportunity to bid on more than 225 items, including vacations, furniture, jewelry and artwork through the silent and live auctions. The event raised more than $25,000 for the school. “Our auction is such a fun event and, of course, we love using the profits to enhance the great instruction at West,” said Principal Kim Hauser. Evan Wright served as co-chairman for the auction. “We were thrilled to exceed our fundraising goals and draw another record crowd this year,” he said.

“Everyone had a great time and took home some great deals.” The event took place at the Park South Shopping Plaza in the former Pier One location. As bidders browsed, live music was provided by Sam Shober of Meteorite and food was provided by Chris Z’s catering. Auctioneer Bob Barker kept the live auction running smoothly. The funds raised by the event will go toward the purchase of a 3D printer, new Chromebooks and a number of other instructional items benefitting all students at West. ❖

Photos special to the Journal

VHEW Raises More Than $25,000 in Annual Auction

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Kelly and Alissa Padgett, above. Alicia Hunsberger and Lois Powers, below.

hands, e k a h s e w B efore nds. we hold ha

EJMB

Estate Jewelers of Mountain Brook

Invites You to a Trunk Show Featuring 20th Century Designer Jewelry March 1st - April 3rd Sip Bubbles & Shop Baubles!

At RealtySouth, real estate doesn’t simply equate to hard negotiation and paperwork. For us, it’s more than a transaction. It’s the relationship that matters most. For more than 60 years, we’ve been running in the same crowds. If I look familiar, it’s not necessarily because I sold your cousin’s home. We are in the same carpool line every afternoon. Our children have been classmates for years. Your community is our community. We are proud to be your neighbor. It’s Who We Are.

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From left: Jess Mason, Erin and Sarah Margaret Donohoo.

Viridian offers all the charm of a vintage neighborhood with the latest energy-efficient green homebuilding technologies. These authentic, one-of-a-kind homes are tucked in the woods in a unique gated community off Tyler Road, with prices starting in the $600s. Two lush parks and an abundance of green space provide privacy and a sense of history for this significant property.

Galactic Gathering

McWane Center Hosts an Out of This World Event On Feb. 6, McWane Science Center hosted the 15th annual Beaker Bash. This year’s event took guests on a Galactic Road Trip through the stars to visit new planets, meet strange lifeforms and even take a detour into a black hole. Guests enjoyed food, beverages and educational demonstrations following the solar system and all the planets. Dr. Larry DeLucas talked with guests about his adventures as a NASA astronaut on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Beaker Bash is McWane Science Center’s familyfriendly fundraising event that directly supports statewide science education programs and makes field trips affordable for thousands of students in our community. Co-chaired by Maggie Dreher Baggett and Bragan Dreher Petrey, 2016 Beaker Bash committee members include Leigh Abbott, Sissy Austin, Ellen Badham, Laura Rais-Bahrami, Sally Baker, Tyler Buck, Jenny Burton, Emily Bynum, Erica Cone, Jenny Carroll, Kaira King Catenacci, Tasha Davis, Stefanie Davis, Lindsey Druhan, Erin Donohoo, Shaun Flynn, Celia Grammas, Ann Blair Gribbin, Hebard Haugseth, Jamie Hill, Carly Hines, Key Hudson, Ashley Inscoe, Kelly Keathley and Katie Bee Marshall. Also on the committee are Kate Mather, Jess Mason, Jennifer McDaniel, Ellen Melville, Casey Moore, Allene Neighbors, Kelley Norwood, Maggie O’Connor, Ashley Parrish, Mary Bryne Pierce, Catherine Pringle, Liz Read, Sumner Rives, Mackenzie Rodgers,

Body Worlds www.wedgworth.net (205) 365-4344

McWane Exhibition Gets Under the Skin

Have you ever wondered what you would look like without skin? McWane’s newest exhibition, Body Worlds Rx, gives guests a glimpse underneath the skin to show the effects that some of the most prevalent diseases have on the body. Some of the items on display are lungs affected by smoking, brain samples affected by dementia and veins and arteries displaying cardiovascular disease. The exhibit is being sponsored by UAB Medicine. The pieces in the exhibit are real human samples, preserved through a process called plastination, which removes all fluids and replaces them with a plastic to harden and preserve. VIP guests were treated to a preview of the exhibit Jan. 26. As

Jennifer, Kylie and Scott Taylor.

Mary Samuels, Mary Screws, Hayden Scott, Thames Schoenvogel, Joan Short, Richelle Simmons, Christine Smith, Jessica Thuston, Ann Bailey White, Lauren White, Bevelle Worthen and Jennifer Yarbrough. ❖

guests surveyed the specimens in the exhibit, Dr. Angelina Whalley, director of the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany provided insight into the plastination process it took to create the exhibit. The exhibit opened to the public

Jan. 27 and will remain at the center until May 1. Admission is $5 in addition to the regular museum ticket price for non-members and the first visit is free for museum members. For more information, visit www. mcwane.org. ❖

Photo special to the Journal

Vestavia’s Premiere Green Home Community

Laney and Stuart Maxey.

From left: Art Tipton, Connie O’Brien and Dan Hayden.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Photos special to the Journal

Look Natural, Be You, Only Better. From left: Brenda Lovelady Spahn with Sharon Curry Bell and Jeff Spahn.

Three Times a Lady

The Lovelady Gala Raises Funds for Renovations The sounds of Lionel Richie and The Commodores set the scene for The Lovelady Center’s third annual gala. The Feb. 18 event was held at The Club and boasted the ‘70s theme “Three Times a Lady.” The Total Package Band enticed the crowd of 300 to the dance floor with the music of the era. Decorations were organized by Robert Logan of Backstage Productions and featured vintage vinyl records repurposed as setting chargers and classic ‘70s disco balls. Chairman of the board John McNeil welcomed guests and made a special presentation to the event’s honoree, Sherri Burgess, for her generous contributions to the center. Founder and Executive Director Brenda Lovelady Spahn gave a moving speech on how The Lovelady Center came into being and its purpose. Money generated from the event will be used to fund building renovations to accommodate women entering the center’s supervised reentry program after prison. Throughout the evening, guests were entertained by a live auction by Granger, Thagard & Associates auctioneers, featuring exclusive dining packages and trips to Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida; Cuba; Whistler, British Columbia; Antigua; Tuscany; and Las Vegas. The Host Committee for the gala included: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Abernethy, Mr. and Mrs. Don Ankenbrandt, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Blount, Mrs. Frances Blount, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Brooks, Mrs. Deane Giles, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Giles, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. John McNeil and Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Yeilding. Guests attending the event included: Ms. Shannon

Opening Monday, April 4th Aesthetic Dermatology opens Monday, April 4th offering the most advanced cosmetic dermatology care in Birmingham. Both Dr. Marian Northington, formerly the director of cosmetic dermatology at UAB, and Dr. Gregory Bourgeois from Shelby Dermatology will provide cosmetic care of patients. Call to schedule your appointment today. • • • • •

Rick and Sherri Burgess.

Abbott, Ms. Leigh Ann Albright, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Alessi, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Alvis, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ash, Ms. Audrey Baker, Ms. Julia Baldwin, Mrs. Shannon Banta, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Barnard, Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Bates, Ms. Jennifer Beane and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Beard. Mrs. Maggie Brook, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. Will Burkhalter, Mrs. Rebecca Cammack, Mr. and Mrs. Coy Carreker, Ms. Margaret Casey, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cooper, Mrs. Terry Crutchfield, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy DeMedicius and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dinges. Ms. Myra Moore, Mrs. Lisa Ann Muir-Taylor, Mrs. Rosie Mullen, Ms. Jane Anne Nesmith, Ms. Mary Ann Nichols, Mr. Jim Nonnengard and Ms. Renee Schneider, Ms. Celeste Norton, Ms. Miranda Oestenstadt, Mr. John Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pardue, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Pattillo, Ms. Mary Lee Payne, Ms. Cathy Pecher, Mr. and Mrs. Jody Petty, Mr. Randy Pewitt and Ms. Charlotte Posey. Ms. Kim Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Jan Weisburg, Ms. Kimberly White, Mr. Mark White and Mrs. Carol Ann Hobby, Mrs. Amy Windham, Dr. and Mrs. Danny Wood, Mr. and Mrs. John Wood, Ms. Marne Wood, and Ms. Connie Young. ❖

Botox® Fillers Ultherapy Liposuction Laser Hair Reduction

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Dr. Northington is a fellowshiptrained dermatologic surgeon who served as the UAB director of cosmetic dermatology for the past decade. Dr. Northington specializes in laser treatments for sun-damage, wrinkles and aging skin; the use of Botox® and soft tissue llers; liposuction; and skin cancer surgery. She is a native of Florence, AL.

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Pride and responsibility drive us to be the best in everything we do.

Joseph Braswell

As a life-long Over-the-Mountain resident and a third generation working at Guin, I feel great pride and responsibility in carrying on the legacy of honesty and hard work that my grandfather began over 55 years ago. Family is very important to us, and we treat our customers with the same care and respect as members of our own family. It would be a privilege to serve you.

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Vintage Cast Iron Urn

Celebrating 70

Ballerina Club Recognizes Anniversary at Platinum Ball

Twirling ballerina cutouts, glamour and glitz set the scene for Ballerina Club’s 70th anniversary ball at Birmingham Country Club. Billed as the Platinum Ball, the Feb. 27 event was chaired by Anne Lamkin, assisted by committee members Jean Liles, Connie Bishop, Vicki Lukens and Kathy Miller. Ballerina President Sue Parker Trammel welcomed guests and recognized past club presidents who Hanna antiques were present. Mall Just Friends played for dinner and dancing. Robert Logan created the brilliant décor. Members and guests 2424 7th ave. so. entered the party scene through a doorway adorned with (205) 323-6036 a beaded overhead sign that announced Ballerinas’ 70th MOn-sat 10:00-5:00 anniversary. Round tables for dining lined each side of the Terrace Room and extended into the Formal Dining Room, where the band played in front of a ballerina backdrop. Also extending the length of the party rooms were Lucite columns containing white lights, tied with black ribbon and topped off with ballerina cutouts. Tables for six or eight had platinum, jewel-encrusted IN OUR DELICIOUS centerpieces holding blush roses, sparkles, greenery and a EASTER CREATIONS miniature cutout of a twirling ballerina – all reflected by a mirror mat lit by votive candles. The centerpieces were set on platinum-colored crushed satin overlays accented by black napkins. Each place setting was marked with a miniature silver frame displaying the guest’s name and serving as a keepsake. Dinner and dancing followed the cocktail hour. The menu included she-crab soup, beef tenderloin or salmon, twice-baked potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise sauce, along with key lime or fudge pie for dessert. Enjoying the ball were Joanne and Art McConnell, Margaret and Bill Howell, Rusty and Don Kirkpatrick, Janis Zeanah, Fay Hart, Jane Morris, Corinne Greer, Celebrate Easter with our Carolyn and Whit King, Kathy and Ted Miller, Nell and decadent brunch featuring Sam Williams, Betsy and David Middlebrooks, Ann and Fletcher Harvey, Cheree and Eric Carlton, Jean and seasonal holiday favorites, Hanna Antique Curtis Liles, Carmen and Randall Morrow, Sue and including Rosemary Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Preston Trammel, Peggy and Ralph Coleman, Barbara Studded Lamb, Brown March and Bob Jones, Virginia and John Golightly, and Anne Sugar Glazed Ham, Bloody and Tom ❖ Mary BarTHE and more. This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr MOuNTAiN JOurNAl forLamkin. the

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Please make sure all information is correct, R E S E RV E YO U R TA B L E : including address and phone number! 2 0 5 . 2 0 3 . 47 2 3 Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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From left: Robert and Jan Posey, Betsy and David Middlebrooks.

Irene Blalock, Buddy Palmer and Olivia Alison.

Randall and Carmen Morrow.

Eric and Cheree Carlton.

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From left: D.G. Pantazis, Temple Millsap, Andy Parker, David Drummond, Sarah Schoel, Wes Quattlebaum, Stacey Summerville, Noah Oliphant, Adam Baxter, Colin Read, Stewart Jones, Murray Bibb, Lauren Nash, Stephen Faust, Tommy Brown, Will Thuston, John Goldasich and Glenn Drennen. Below left, Emily Morris, Richard Danner and JoBeth Wicks. Guests enjoying the casino games, below right.

Come One, Come All

Glenwood’s Junior Board Wins Big With Annual Fundraiser The Club was transformed into a circus spectacular Feb. 19 for the Junior Board of Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center’s annual fundraiser, A Night Under the Big Top. The TekLinks-sponsored event raised more than $225,000 for Glenwood and will support the organization’s mission to provide behavioral health care and educational services for individuals with Autism spectrum disorder. More than 800 guests dressed in black tie attire enjoyed a plethora of casino games. A silent auction with more than 100 items was held as attendants sipped beer from Birmingham Bud and Avondale Brewing and wine donated by United Johnson Brothers and Derk’s Filet and Vine. Hungry gamblers treated themselves to table-side finger foods such as chicken tenders, stuffed potato bites, bite-sized sandwiches, cupcakes and more. Apart from the gaming tables, tucked away in the VIP area, Neighborhood Hops and Vine held a wine tasting and The Hive provided a bourbon tasting. A silent disco was held under

a tent on the terrace, where guests donned headphones and danced to their own music. For the more traditional dancer, live music was played to a dance floor in the ballroom. Guests in attendance included Junior Board members Adam Baxter, Murray Bibb, Tommy Brown,

Glenn Drennen, David Drummond, Stephen Faust, John Goldasich, Stewart Jones, Temple Millsap, Lauren Nash, Noah Oliphant, D.G. Pantazis, Andy Parker, Wes Quattlebaum, Colin Read, Sarah Schoel, Stacey Summerville and Will Thuston. ❖

Andy’s

Farm Market and Garden Center 824.0233 • 3351 Morgan Drive 402.2639 • Hwy 150 Hoover Mon-Sat 8-5 • Sun 12-5

Big Beautiful Ferns! www.AndysGardenCenter.com

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OTM Real Estate Frenzy Association of Realtors President Talks Trends for 2016

Photo special to the Journal

By Sarah Kuper

Dot Mash, above, is the 2016 Birmingham Association of Realtors president and a Realtor with LAH Real Estate.

Dot Mash is the 2016 Birmingham Association of Realtors president and a Realtor with LAH Real Estate. She’s been working in the Over the Mountain real estate market for most of her career and she has raised her kids and grandkids in Mountain Brook, where she grew up as well. “I left to go to college at Alabama but I came right back. And that’s what a lot of people from this area do. They come back to stay.” Though Mash feels the community spirit and traditions of Over the Mountain neighborhoods have not changed, she has seen changes in real estate trends. “More than ever, the schools drive the real estate market. First-time homebuyers may find something in Crestwood or elsewhere but they have to be ready to move when their children are school aged,” she said. Though many Over the Mountain neighborhoods feature large statement homes, Mash said in the past year she has seen few listings of that kind. “I haven’t been seeing a lot of huge, million dollar sales. It’s mainly first time homebuyers. There is a lot of youth coming in with UAB and all the hospital systems.” With all the young professionals entering the market, Mash said buyers are flocking to the Vestavia Hills and Hoover areas more than Mountain Brook and Homewood. “People may look at Crestline Park but even there, the homes are priced out of the market. The same is getting to be true of Homewood properties.” According to MLS data from 2014-2015, a home in an Over the Mountain neighborhood is priced one third higher than a home in a Birmingham neighborhood. Mash gives credit to the school systems, local shops and restaurants. But it also is a result of neighborhoods in places such as Mountain Brook and Homewood having no room to expand, she said. Because Homewood and Mountain Brook are particularly saturated, Mash said homes in Vestavia Hills don’t stay on the market long. People can get a good house in a good school system and still have money to renovate as they can afford it. Mash added that one development in the past year that

OTM Rental Homes In High Demand Influx of Medical Professionals and Downsizing Baby Boomers Leads to Competitive Rental Market By Sarah Kuper On March 18, hundreds of medical students across the nation will find out where they will spend the next few years training as resident physicians. It’s called Match Day, and until noon on that day, these trainees have no certainty about where they will live come June 1. After the envelope is opened, medical students will start internet searches and pour over real estate listings to quickly find a place to rent or buy.

Many new doctors prefer to rent a home due to the rigorous residency hours and unpredictable schedules that make homeownership difficult. Plus, they are likely in the area for just a few years. Because many Birmingham health systems offer graduate medical education, rental homes in good neighborhoods are in high demand. Brooke Tarrant moved to the Hoover area with her family when her husband, Zeke, matched into an anesthesiology residency. Since they had been living in Columbia, Missouri, all of their house hunting had to be done remotely. Tarrant said she used every resource she could think of, including ad sites like Craigslist. “I found the problem with Craigslist was not knowing exactly where the homes were located – distance from the hospital with traffic and what schools were See rental demand, page 27

has made outer neighborhoods more appealing is low gas prices. “People are more willing to commute, especially if you can get more house a little farther from town,” she said. “The average drive from Hoover or Vestavia to town is around 20-30 minutes. That still isn’t that bad. We have people from Dallas come look and they can’t believe how great that commute is.” Another reality Mash said is becoming truer every year is that people who do find a home in an Over the Mountain neighborhood aren’t planning to move for several decades, or at least until something better comes along. “Once people arrive in a community, they want to stay there and put down ‘People aren’t putting roots. We think of it like their house on the musical chairs; you aren’t going to give up your seat market until they’ve unless you have a spot you secured where they can go to. People aren’t putting their house on the are going next. This is market until they’ve secured causing a huge backwhere they are going next. This is causing a huge backlog of people who log of people who are lookare looking when ing when nothing is listed.” She adds the caveat that nothing is listed.’ houses might be bought and sold in Mountain Brook and Homewood before the listings would have made it to the MLS. “People will see a home they like in these areas and just knock on the door, even if it isn’t for sale. They’ll leave a note in the mailbox to say, ‘Contact me if you ever want to sell.’” In fact, this phenomenon and the return of the competitive housing market in Birmingham made national news in the March 3 Wall Street Journal article “Bidding Wars Return to Birmingham, Ala.” Mash said while this is good news for sellers, it makes for a discouraging atmosphere for buyers. A home will stay on the market for a very short time See trends, page 26

inside

Birmingham Start-Up Ready to Bring Solar Power to Homes, Businesses Page 22

Symphony Volunteer Council Plans Spring Decorators’ ShowHouse Page 24

RealtySouth’s Dawn Reeves Awarded Silver Medal by Ad Group Page 25

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Sam Yates and Rob Ozols, from left, design a solar panel system for a commercial property.

Let the Sunshine In

Birmingham Start-Up Ready to Bring Solar Power to Homes, Businesses By Sarah Kuper

Decorator Fabrics • Hardware • Trim 1820 Greensprings Highway 322-5878 www.kingcottonfabrics.com

Brought together by business and then brought closer by friendship, Sam Yates and Rob Ozols have formed a company that may help change the way Alabamians power their lives. With backgrounds in engineering and law, Yates and Ozols are using skills from previous careers to pursue a passion for user-friendly energy

If you only see one home at this year’s Parade of Homes, this is the one.

et r The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 : 205-824-1246 ch

ur ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the March 10, 2016 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

sources. Yates and Ozols founded Vulcan Solar Power in 2015 after seeing a need in the greater Birmingham area for easy-to-use residential and commercial solar power systems. The company has obtained all its required licenses, and Yates and Ozols said they are excited to start working with a long list of homeowners and businesses interested in solar power. “It isn’t just for ‘greenies,’ there is

commercially good payback on a system,” said Ozols, the company’s chief executive officer. While the cost for a home system is between $15,000 and $30,000, once the panels are installed, Yates and Ozols said it is as though the property owner has budgeted utilities for the next 25 years. “The technology is always improving and the cost is going down while the price of utilities will only

Our newest Essex Model offers you all the elegant style, luxurious features and comfortable open spaces for today’s active family lifestyle. Plus, Liberty Park offers our highly rated Liberty Park Elementary and Middle Schools right in the heart of our Classic American Hometown.

Hurry! New Homes Now Ready for Immediate Move-In. Plus, more new homes coming for May Move-Ins. Buy before March 31st and receive up to $7,500 in pre-sale home options and up to $5,000 for move-in-ready home savings.

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.

High $300s to high $600s DECORATED MODELS NOW OPEN (205) 945-6401 | libertypark.com

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Buyer’s incentive of up to $5,000 in special features and savings on move-in-ready homes or up to $7,500 in special features and savings on pre-sale homes, as selected by buyer and approved by the seller, Liberty Park Joint Venture, LLP, is applicable to homes built by LifeScape Builders, LLC. Such incentive will be disclosed in the sales contract and included on the Closing Disclosure in the transaction. This offer applies only to contracts finalized by March 31, 2016 and cannot be combined with any other incentives or offers. The information contained herein should be deemed accurate but not warranted. Liberty Park Joint Venture, LLP, Liberty Park Properties, and their respective builders and agents, are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Journal photo by Sarah Kuper

www.birmingham.archadeck.com

According to an Arizona State University 2012 study, Alabama has the eighth-highest solar power potential in the nation based on its climate and geographic location. But as of 2014, Alabama ranked 49th among states with installed solar capacity, according to the Solar Energies Industry Association state fact sheet.

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continue to go up,” Ozols said. There are several different system options. They range from using part solar and part local electricity, to totally disconnecting from the “grid.” Ozols said the solar equipment requires almost no maintenance. “Panels don’t get blown or ripped off, they are hail resistant and easy to replace if something does happen,” he said. Yates said there are web and mobile interfaces that keep property owners aware of their energy usage and how the solar panels are functioning in real time. Ozols and Yates acknowledge that there is often a stigma surrounding solar-powered homes, but they said solar power isn’t just for new-age homes anymore. “We can work with almost every type of roof and we will tell you if it doesn’t make sense. We can work with aesthetics too – tucking panels in landscaping or using a not-as-obvious side of the roof,” Yates said. Vulcan Solar Power specializes in “turnkey” installations and service. That means the company will handle all the required licensing, installation, analysis and maintenance.

It offers free consultations, site surveys, quotes and designs. “We can work within a budget. We can come back with all sorts of options – big and small,” Yates said. Installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, the highest expert certification for solar power systems. Ozols and Yates said they believe solar power is the way of the future – not just in terms of the planet, but with respect to the local and national economy.

“Solar jobs are growing nine times faster than the overall economy,” Ozol said. Yates and Ozols want to help educate college students and professionals about the opportunities in solar power. “Solar technology is creating good-paying jobs. There are federal programs that help train energy workers in solar power – right now those opportunities are not being taken advantage of,” Ozols said. Yates said students who want to

pursue careers in solar will likely take their skills to other states where solar is more accessible. According to an Arizona State University 2012 study, Alabama has the eighth-highest solar power potential in the nation based on its climate and geographic location. But as of 2014, Alabama ranked 49th among states with installed solar capacity, according to the Solar Energies Industry Association state fact sheet. Neighboring state Georgia ranks 16th on that list. ❖

Stock

“We gladly recommend Don Bonner to help friends & family buy & sell real estate.” When Renee and Steve Blair decided to downsize from their family home in Meadowbrook, they turned to ARC Agent Don Bonner for guidance. “He sold our home in five hours,” says Renee. “That has to be some sort of record. We didn’t think we could find a new home nearby in the short time we had to work with, but Don found us the right house just down the hill. It was not somewhere we thought about looking, but the right house was available. Timing is everything.” Trusting a realtor to navigate the buying and selling process is important, too. “We referred our daughter to Don and she bought her first home with him,” says Steve. Helping families buy and sell real estate is something Don is passionate about. “I’ve been in this business more than a decade now, and it never gets old. Marketing, assisting shoppers looking at homes or helping someone showcase a property to the best advantage, it’s all fun for me.” Learn more about Don’s business philosophy and see his listings online at arcrealtyco.com.

A Relationship Company 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35243 • 205.969.8910 www.arcrealtyco.com

Don Bonner • (205) 213-0928 • dbonner@arcrealtyco.com

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97% of buyers say honesty & integrity is one of the most important qualities for a real estate agent. Trust Jan & David with all your real estate needs. “We have lived on Beautiful Lake Martin for 25 years.” Call or text us for more information.

Journal photo by Maury Wald

Jan & David Hall 256-329-6313 • 256-496-2585 jhall@russelllands.com

TRILLIUM — Over 4 acre private estate in a great location. Great outdoor spaces, 5 bedrooms and 4 fireplaces. Big water views. Private showing. $1,300,000.

PARKER CREEK — Adorable classic cabin loved by owner. Rustic with rock fireplace, pine floors, covered porch and a great swimming area! $419,900. fbcalparadeofhomesad.pdf 1 1/20/16 12:29

Symphony Volunteer Council Plans Spring Decorators’ ShowHouse

For more information, visit alabamasymphony. org/2016showhouse.htm.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Decorators’ ShowHouse, and the Symphony Volunteer Council has chosen Mountain Brook as the setting. The interior of the McTyeire home, picture above, will be transformed by local interior decorators. A sneak preview of the 2016 ShowHouse will be held April 7. The home will then be open April 9-24. Hours of operation are Tuesdays-Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 2-5 p.m. Parking and a free shuttle service will be available at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds from the event benefit the Symphony Volunteer Council’s mission of supporting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra through endowments and the Louis Pickard Music Scholarship, annually awarded to six students who win first or second place in their category at the annual Lois Pickard Music Scholarship Competition.

GBAHB to Host Parade of Homes, Remodeling Showcase This Spring

Jan Hall Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 March This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the March 10, 2016 issue. C

CMY

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

The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders’ annual Parade of Homes will take place April 22-24 and April 21-May 1. The homes will be located across the greater Birmingham area and will be open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Further details and a map of the participating homes will be released in the coming weeks. The organization will be hosting its Home Building and Remodeling Showcase March 18-20 at the Pelham Civic Complex. The event will showcase vendor booths and will include seminars on topics such as ADA standards, trends in remodeling and more. A Grillin’ and Chillin’ zone will showcase the latest in outdoor remodeling. Hours will be March 18-19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and March 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $7 per person. For more information, visit www.birminghambuilder.com. ❖

RealtySouth’s Dawn Reeves Awarded Silver Medal by Ad Group The American Advertising Federation’s Birmingham chapter recently named RealtySouth Vice President of Marketing and Relocation Dawn Reeves as its 2016 Silver Medal recipient. The Silver Medal Award Program recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern, a press release from RealtySouth stated. Reeves has served as vice president of marketing for RealtySouth since 2001 and took on leadership of the company’s Relocation Department in 2012. She served in numerous positions with AAF Birmingham between 2001 and 2006, including vice president of communications, membership and programs, secretary/treasurer and president. She also has remained active on the AAF District 7 level as well as the national level, serving in multiple offices. In July, she will be installed as vice chairwoman of the Council of Governors board of direc-

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 25

home

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Here’s the L-o-n-g and Short of it...

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tors. She previously has been named AAF President of the Year, AAF Birmingham Ad Woman of the Year and recipient of the AAF Governor’s Award. “It is an honor to be among the list of national Silver Medal recipients,” Reeves said in the press release. “To know that people have been paying attention to my work all these years when, from my perspective, I was simply accepting opportunities to serve and assist in an effort to give back to my industry is both exciting and humbling.” RealtySouth CEO Richard Grimes called Reeves the epitome of dedication and drive. “It is exciting to see Dawn receive this kind of recognition from her peers,” he said. “It’s truly a result of her commitment to both the advertising and real estate industries.” ❖

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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.

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26 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

trends,

From page 20

and will field several offers. “Buyers begin to wonder if they will ever get a home, but that is when they have to listen to their agent when the agent asks, ‘How bad do you want the house?’ and suggests going in with a strong offer,” Mash said. For the upcoming year, Mash said she expects to see the market become even more favorable for sellers. Even so, she has some advice for sellers who don’t want to miss out. “Go ahead and do the repairs. Make it market ready by cleaning out

home and increasing curb appeal. Buyers now don’t want to move into a house and do maintenance. That will get you the most return on your property.” Mash said sellers also need to realize that with the advent of real estate websites, the first showing now takes place online as buyers scroll through pictures. “When a buyer comes to the house, it is really the second time they’ve looked at the house. Good quality photographs are really important.” For buyers, Mash said the best advice she can give is to be prepared. “If you see something you like, you need not to sleep on it. Go ahead and put an offer in. Go to a mortgage lend-

er and get preapproved. A seller wants to make sure whichever offer they select, the buyer will be qualified.” Mash predicts home sales in Vestavia Hills and Hoover will increase in the next year and home prices in Mountain Brook and Homewood will remain high. Mash intends to use her position as president of the Birmingham Association of Realtors to educate others on the nuances of the Over the Mountain market. She said she knows part of her position entails keeping track of national real estate trends but she believes the greater Birmingham area has its own trajectory. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

2015 data for single-family home sales

Vestavia Hills

Almost 600 homes sold for an average of $419,416.

Mountain Brook

Just more than 300 homes sold for an average of $638,298.

Hoover

More than 1,600 homes sold for an average of $328,438.

Homewood

Nearly 400 homes sold for an average of $341,979.

Source: Birmingham Association of Realtors’ 2015 data for single-family home sales.

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rental demand, From page 20

like etc.” Tarrant said they resorted to looking at apartments but found that the school districts weren’t always desirable. In the end, Tarrant and her family decided to rent a small apartment until they learned the area and were able to buy a home. “We ended up renting a two bedroom, two bathroom for a little more than we wanted but it has worked out and now that we know the area, we are buying a home,” she said. Many transplant families find that word of mouth or simply driving around neighborhoods in the spring is the best way to catch a good rental home before it disappears. Social media sites such as “Doctors’ Wives of Birmingham” offer inside information into houses coming up for rent, and hospital residency departments may publish ads for rentals before they are posted online or signs are put up in the yards. But it isn’t just young medical families who are grappling for rental real estate. Matthew Whitaker is a team leader with gkhouses – a Homewood based property management company. “We are seeing baby boomers who can’t physically perform the maintenance on a home anymore or they just don’t want to – maybe they’ve got grandkids and they want to be able to travel and not be tied to it. They want to be able to go and not worry about

To: From: Date:

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 27

home

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

cutting the grass,” he said. Whitaker said baby boomers are looking more like millennials when it comes to their approach to housing. “It’s no longer ‘sexy’ to own a home. As generation X gets out of school and has a family, they don’t want to live in an apartment but they want the same benefits of apartment living. They’ve got kids and they want to be able to travel on the weekends and not fool with fixing the toilet. It’s a similar story for baby boomers.” While the rental market is competitive in Birmingham in general, Whitaker said a family rental home in an Over the Mountain area is an especially rare find and it doesn’t stay listed for long. “As soon as we get them, we can’t keep them. We have people competing for them, homes get multiple applications. People are crawling over each other to find a good property and then when they do, they don’t move because they know how hard it is to find something else,” Whitaker said. Spencer Sutton, director of marketing for gkhouses, said this kind of demand makes for a great opportunity for Over the Mountain homeowners

who are considering renting out their houses.

Social media sites such as “Doctors’ Wives of Birmingham” offer inside information into houses coming up for rent... “It can be a great investment to hang on to your property rather than sell it. We know what a good renter looks like and we help our homeowners find them. But it isn’t profitable if you have to turn over your home every year – that’s why it is important to celebrate the tenant so you have a long-term rental. It works out for everyone.” Sutton and Whitaker say a large component of their work at gkhouses is making sure both renters and property owners feel understood and appreciated. While they believe the supply eventually will catch up with the demand for nice rental homes in good school districts, until then, there are a

few tips that can give renters an edge when they begin hunting in Over the Mountain areas. “I would suggest already getting preapproved and have recommendations. It will give you a leg up on everybody else who hasn’t done that,” Whitaker said. “Even if you don’t have a house in mind, go ahead and get the logistics taken care of so you don’t lose out to someone else while you wait,” Sutton said. ❖

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

Please make sure all information is correct, 2 including address and phone number! Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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

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28 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

Courington-Cunningham

Leann Courington and Russell McWhorter Cunningham IV were married June 6 at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. The 4 p.m. ceremony was officiated by Dr. Doug Dortch. A reception followed at The Country Club of Birmingham. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Pearson Courington of Jasper. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell McWhorter Cunningham III of Birmingham. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a Martina Liana ball gown made of silk taffeta with a sweetheart neckline and jeweled cap sleeves. It featured filigree and Swarovski crystals. Her chapel-length veil was of silk illusion and attached to a jeweled headpiece. She carried a bouquet of white and pink peonies with sweetheart roses and lamb’s ear. The honor attendant was Valerie Brown McGinnis of Jasper. Bridesmaids were Ellen Cunningham Keith, sister of the groom, and Jennifer McCorkle of Birmingham; Jennifer Moore Hitchner and Shanda Sartain Nicholson of Tuscaloosa; and Dr. Katie Waldrop Grelle of Meridian, Mississippi. Flower girls were Giulianna Nicole and Olivia Mills Hitchner of Tuscaloosa. The father of the groom served as best man. Groomsmen were Marshall Alston Keith III and Frank Day Wilson of Birmingham; Dr. Charles Henry Wilson IV of Mobile; and Thomas Edwin Greenhalgh II of Tampa, Florida. The ring bearer was William Martin Keith, nephew of the groom, of Birmingham. After a wedding trip to Elbow Cay, Bahamas, the couple live in Birmingham.

weddings & engagements

Bryan-Colville

Mr. and Mrs. John E. Bryan III of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara Catherine Bryan, to William Robert Colville Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Robert Colville Sr. of Spanish Fort. The bride-elect is the grand-

Maguire-Keel

Mr. and Mrs. Raymer Francis Maguire III of Orlando, Florida, announce the engagement of their daughter, Ferrell Susan Maguire, to Michael Allen Keel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Chain Keel of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raymer Francis Maguire Jr. of Orlando and

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Mr. and Mrs. Alan Wilson of Hoover announce the engagement of their daughter, Madison Elizabeth Wilson, to Patrick Stephen Williamson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Williamson of Vestavia Hills. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Juan Valdatta of New Orleans and Mr. and

daughter of Mr. John E. Bryan Jr. and the late Mrs. Eugenia Bryan of Birmingham and Mr. and Mrs. James A. Lowry of Nashville, Tennessee. Miss Bryan is a 2009 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2013 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She is employed with Southern Company Services. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. Hooper W. Matthews Jr. of Atmore and the late Ms. Merle Matthews of Atmore as well as Mrs. Margaret Colville and the late Mr. William Colville of McIntosh. Mr. Colville is a 2009 graduate of Bayside Academy and a 2013 graduate of Auburn University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in forestry and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He is employed with Sizemore and Sizemore. The wedding will be May 21. the late Mr. and Mrs. Paul Frank Herman of Jacksonville, Florida. Miss Maguire is a graduate of William R. Boone High School in Orlando and Vanderbilt University, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She received her juris doctor from New York University. Miss Maguire is employed with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in New York City. The prospective groom is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Rhett Pringle Walker Sr. of Montrose and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Ross Thomas of Mobile as well as the late Mr. and Mrs. Allen Tison Keel Sr. of Birmingham and Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Keel is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and Duke University, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He received his master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University. Mr. Keel is employed with Surveyor Capital in New York City. The wedding will be April 2 in Orlando. Mrs. Max Wilson of Tuscaloosa. Miss Wilson is a 2010 honor graduate of Spain Park High School, a 2014 cum laude graduate of Troy University and a 2016 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a master’s degree in health and wellness intervention. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Alan Goldner and the late Mr. Alan Goldner of Meridian, Mississippi, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Pat Williamson of Brookhaven, Mississippi. Mr. Williamson is a 2009 honor graduate of Shades Mountain Christian School and a 2014 graduate of Troy University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in risk management and insurance. He is employed as a commercial lines underwriter with Insurance House in Atlanta. The wedding will be April 2 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham with the reception to follow at the Hoover Country Club.

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food

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 29

Church and Plate

Food and Drink Botanical Gardens Offers Sushi, Whiskey Classes

Lunches Are a Longstanding Lenten Custom at Advent On weekdays during Lent, Sidney Clapp and Cece Martin go to church dressed not in their Sunday best, but in chef’s jackets. The two are this year’s chairwomen of Cathedral Church of the Advent’s Lenten Lunches. They wear their white jackets with purple embroidery for a practical purpose – to make it easy for volunteers to find them when they need them. That’s no small thing; the Lenten Lunches project typically involves about 300 volunteers, including cooks, bakers, servers and cashiers. The lunches are served every weekday from Ash Wednesday through Maundy Thursday as part of Advent’s Lenten Noonday Preaching Series. “We’ve been told we may be one of only two churches in the U.S. that does a daily Lenten lunch,” Martin said. Both women said they love to cook, and Martin does some catering. The two had worked together as Lenten Lunches volunteers for the past five or six years, they said, adding that they prayed about taking on the demanding roles of chairwomen. “We felt like it was our turn,” said Clapp, who lives in Mountain Brook. Heading the Lenten Lunches program is no small task. “We get here about 8 o’clock every morning and leave about 2:30,” Clapp said. Martin said the job involves more than overseeing the food prep, cooking and lunch service. “We have to order all the groceries,” she said. “There are sponsorships, public relations and marketing to deal with, too.” Tradition Rules

Many Lenten Lunches dishes are made with time-honored recipes. “Most of the menu has been in existence for years,” said Martin, who lives in Birmingham in English Village. “We’ve had homemade mayonnaise since the beginning. We’ve always had Advent’s tomato aspic – everyone loves it.” Tradition is an integral part of the downtown Birmingham church, which was founded in 1872. According to the church’s most recent cookbook, “Lenten Lunches: Recipes Past and Present,” the Lenten Noonday Preaching

Journal photos by Emily Williams

By Donna Cornelius

Cece Martin, left, and Sidney Clapp are this year’s chairwomen of Cathedral Church of the Advent’s Lenten Lunches. Each day’s menu features a different entrée, from Advent’s original chicken tetrazzini with broccoli salad and a yeast roll, left, to Marvelous Meatloaf with a choice of two vegetables and cornbread.

Series is the longest-running week-long Lenten preaching series in the United States. The earliest known weekday Lenten service at Advent was in 1908, the cookbook says. The church’s first Lenten Lunches were fairly simple. “It was a far more casual affair then – usually just soup and a turkey sandwich,” the cookbook says. “The volunteers would sit in the front pews to hear the speaker and then race downstairs to warm up the soup and assemble the sandwiches.” In 1979, church members Betsy Rackley and Jean Tomlinson led a group to Memphis, Tennessee, to Calvary Episcopal Church, which

piggly wiggly

at the time had hosted a successful luncheon program for more than 50 years. Advent started its lunches on Feb. 20, 1980. You won’t find an early signature dish called the Plantation Sandwich – warm cornbread topped with sliced ham and chicken hash – on the menu today. But no one is likely to leave hungry since there are still plenty of favorite foods to choose from. Pimento cheese and chicken salad sandwiches are always available. There’s a different soup every day, such as tomato basil, chicken and sausage gumbo, and Southern chicken chowder. Each day’s menu features a different entrée, from Advent’s original chicken tetrazzini with broccoli salad and a yeast roll to Marvelous Meatloaf with a choice of two vegetables and cornbread. Fairly recent additions to the menu include

See lenten lunches, page 31

It’s Grilling Season and Piggly Wiggly is your headquarters for extra delicious Certified Angus Beef! Come see the Butcher at the Pig to have steaks cut as you like them. Piggly Wiggly is the only local grocery store with Certified Angus Beef; you can taste the difference!

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will offer two classes this month that focus on food and drink. One class will focus on a trendy treat and the other spotlights a Culinary Community traditional tipple. News and Sushi with Kelly Viall is a Events hands-on beginner class from 6-8 p.m. March 18. Viall, a veteran chef, will teach students the basics of sushi making, including how to shop for ingredients and how to serve raw fish confidently at home. The cost is $30 for BBG members and $35 for nonmembers. Plant Adventures Program Specialist Brooke McMinn and whiskey enthusiast Nathan McMinn will lead an armchair trip around the world of whiskey on March 24. Whiskeys of the World, set for 6-8 p.m., will begin with a discussion about the botanical aspects all whiskeys share, from the grain to the oak. Then, starting in Scotland and moving through Ireland, Brooke McMinn Canada, America, Japan and back to Scotland, class members will learn what makes each style distinct. The cost is $20 for BBG members and $25 for non-members. For more information and to register online for either class, visit www.bbgardens.org/classes.

Fresh Option in Homewood Real and Rosemary Plans March 15 Opening

Homewood soon will have a new fast-casual restaurant that its owner says will offer fresh food and family dining. Real and Rosemary plans to open March 15 at 1922 29th Ave. South. Owner Jennifer Mims said the eatery will serve “real food, featuring fresh vegetables and lean proteins alongside soups, salads and sandwiches.” “My mother often cooked with fresh vegetables from our garden,” said Mims, a Clanton native and University of Alabama graduate. “Much of the inspiration for the restaurant came from my childhood memories of picking produce from the field, cooking it simply and eating it with my family. Now as a mother, I want my family to value real food and great company as well. Real and Rosemary’s goal is to create experiences worth

See food news, page 31

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30 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

food

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Traditionally Tasty

St. Elias Church Opens Doors for Lebanese Food and Culture Festival Some churches have bake sales. Others have fellowship dinners. But there aren’t many church events that involve making 12,000 stuffed grape leaves. At St. Elias Maronite Catholic

Church in downtown Birmingham, volunteers have to cook enough food to feed the thousands who attend its annual Lebanese Food and Culture Festival. This year’s 18th annual festival is April 8 and 9. “The first year, we had about 3,000 people attend,” said church

member Norman Bolus. “Last year, we had about 8,500 to 9,000.” He and his brother, Paul Bolus, came up with the idea for the festival after attending similar ones in Birmingham. “We’d go to the Greek and St. George Melkite festivals and say,

Journal photos by Sarah Kuper

By Donna Cornelius

Mountain Brook

Chamber of Commerce April 7th luncheon

Featuring Speaker

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At St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in downtown Birmingham, volunteers have to cook enough food to feed the thousands who attend its annual Lebanese Food and Culture Festival.

‘Why couldn’t our church have one?’” Norman said. “In 1998, we decided it was either time to do it or to quit talking about it. We got approval to do it for one year.” The project took some time to plan, so St. Elias’ first Lebanese festival was in 1999. “That first year, we did 10 times better than we thought,” Norman said. “It really took off.” The brothers grew up in Birmingham and are lifelong St. Elias members. Paul is an attorney with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, and Norman is program director and an assistant professor for the UAB Nuclear Medicine Technology program. Both said it was important to them and other church members that the festival promote not just food, but also Lebanese culture. “We were losing some of our traditions, and this gives us an opportunity to preserve them,” Norman said. “From the very beginning, we wanted to get our youth involved. A lot were drifting away from and not keeping up with traditions.” One way the church’s young people participate in the festival is by performing traditional Lebanese dances. “Theresa Garnem has led our kids in dancing since the beginning,” Paul said. “We have five to eight groups, from children 4 years old to young adults, and many teachers. They start practicing three months before the festival. The teens love it.” Festival-goers can tour the church, either with guides or on their own. “Oftentimes, people would ask, ‘Now, which church are you?’” Paul said. “We didn’t have a presence in the community. That’s one reason we have church tours. Lil Harrison, who is in charge of the tours, is always amazed at how many people like to see the church.” The Amin Sultan Lebanese Band from New York plays under a big tent both nights of the festival. “There’s a whole Lebanese community in Birmingham,” Paul said. “Our church has about 300 families and about 500 members.” St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church was founded in 1910. The Maronite church is an Eastern rite Catholic church. “There are actually 23 rites of

Catholicism with Roman Catholic the most prominent,” Paul said. “We’re under the authority of the pope.” Those who love to try foods from different cultures will find a feast of opportunity at the St. Elias festival. The church is full of good cooks, Norman and Paul said. And that posed a challenge when the original festival menu was being planned. “We had to have a blind bake-off to choose the recipes,” Paul said. “People have their own recipes for dough for spinach pies, for grape leaves. “It was very controversial,” he said, laughing. Dishes were numbered and tasted before final selections were made. “We never told anyone which recipe we went with,” Paul said. Norman said it’s important to be consistent from year to year with taste and quality. “The ladies we work with are exacting,” Norman said. “If something’s not right, it’s going back.” Samia Michael, whose specialty is tabbouleh, is one church cook who insists on excellence, the brothers said. Tabbouleh is traditionally made of tomatoes, parsley, mint, bulgur wheat and onion and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt. “She picks out her own tomatoes and other fresh ingredients,” Paul said. “She uses fresh lemon juice. If the parsley isn’t pretty enough, it doesn’t make the cut.” The festival’s thin bread is made on a special contraption called a saj. “It’s like an upside-down dome heated with natural gas,” Paul said. “You place the dough on a pillow and then put it on the grill. You can see a demo at the festival.” Green beans called loobia are included with the entrée plates sold at the festival. The beans have become so popular that regular attendees have asked if they can buy just the beans, Paul said. “We don’t sell them separately because we can’t make them fast enough,” he said. “We put green beans and tomatoes in a huge braiser. If we’re not at least two braisers ahead when we get to our busiest time, everything stops.” Isabelle Mathis, Norman and Paul’s aunt, makes fresh zlaybah. “They’re fried doughnuts with a

See St. Elias, facing page

st. elias,

From facing page

butter-syrup mixture put on them,” Norman said. The Lebanese festival has been a way for St. Elias to fund church programs and to help its community. “From the very beginning, we’d give back,” Norman said. “Twentyfive percent of the proceeds goes outside the church. We don’t have the capacity to have our own soup kitchen, so we’ve donated to organizations like the Red Door and to Birmingham Catholic Charities. This is a way we can show a Christian attitude.” More than $384,000 has been given to organizations outside the church since the festival started, the Bolus brothers said. “Groups in the church get money,

Food news, From page 29

sharing and delicious meals that you feel good about eating.” Real and Rosemary will have a dining room that seats 60 and a covered patio. Take-out orders and catering also will be available. Hours will be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit Real and Rosemary’s Facebook page.

Delightful Donuts Heavenly Donut Co. Makes Thrillist List

A Birmingham donut maker is on Thrillist’s recent list of the Best Donut Shops in America. The online lifestyle site ranked the Heavenly Donut Co. among its 33 top donut-makers in the U.S. Liz Childers, one of two Thrillist writers who compiled the list, wrote this about the Birmingham company:

lenten lunches, From page 29

Lean Chicken Salad over romaine lettuce with walnuts and Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, made from one of Martin’s recipes. Prices range from $10 for plates to $6 and $7 for soups and sandwiches. Tomato aspic and Bing cherry salad are $2 each. Volunteers make homemade pies, cakes and meringues. Chocolate roulage is another sweet treat. This year, Elizabeth Sharman is overseeing the dessert-makers. Most desserts are $2 except for the meringue, which is $3. Diners can eat at tables or go through an express line with a special menu. Lunches to go include a sandwich, chips, an apple and chocolates. About 200 people are served each day, Clapp said. Ushers get a head count of those at the preaching service, which starts on weekdays at 12:05 p.m. The lunch line opens then, too, and lunch service ends at 1 p.m. Attendance at Lenten Lunches usually increases as Easter nears, Clapp said. “As Lent goes on, people in the downtown area become more familiar with us being here, and we start having more who come,” she said.

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food

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Brothers Paul and Norman Bolus, from left, came up with the idea for the festival after attending similar ones in Birmingham.

too, such as our youth and young adult groups and the ladies altar society,” Norman said. “They’re fully funded for the year.” “In Southern tradition, kids turn to their parents for family recipes, so it makes sense that, when Kimberly and Brock Beiersodoefer – who knew nothing about donuts in a city that was late to catch on to the donut craze – decided to open a donut shop, they turned to Gibson’s (the grandpa of the Southern donut game) and current owner Don DeWeese.” The article states that the couple spent time in the Gibson’s Donuts kitchen in Memphis, Tenn., before producing their own fried treats. “While jokes like ‘Heaven is a place on Earth...when you have one of Kimberly’s custard-filled Bismarcks” or “the chocolate-covered sour cream is like a gift from heaven’ (Brock makes the chocolate in house) are far too easy to riddle off in full corny glory, well, I stand behind it,” Childers writes. The Heavenly Donut Co. is at 4911 Cahaba River Road in Birmingham. For more information, visit www. theheavenlydonutco.com.

Lenten Lunches involve a churchwide effort, Clapp said. “This ministry is so important to our church and is very much supported by the church staff and the clergy, not to mention the volunteers, who give tirelessly and freely of their time week after week, year after year,” she said. “Lenten Lunches could not survive without our volunteers and church staff.” In addition to providing good food, Lenten Lunches has a charitable purpose. This year, proceeds will go to organizations that help women in crisis. “This ministry is to bring people to our church – and to Christ,” Clapp said. Lenten Lunches continues Monday through Friday through March 24. Cathedral Church of the Advent is at 2017 Sixth Ave. North in Birmingham. A shuttle bus to the church is available from the parking lot of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, 2305 Montevallo Road. The bus leaves each weekday of Lent at 11:30 a.m. and returns no later than 1:30 p.m. For more information about the Lenten Noonday Preaching Series and Lenten Lunches, visit www. adventbirmingham.com. ❖

After tornados devastated the Birmingham area and other parts of Alabama in 2011, festival proceeds focused on helping storm victims. “The tornados hit on the Thursday before the festival, and we weren’t sure we should even have it,” Paul said. “We decided to open and donated to Magic City Harvest to help relief efforts in Ensley.” The festival now includes the Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run on Saturday. The runs are organized by the church’s younger members. “Our MYA – the young adults group – came to us and said they’d like to be in charge of something,” Norman said. The 5K and fun run benefit the Suki Foundation. Suki, an acronym for Spreading Unconditional Kindness Intentionally, aims to educate the com-

munity, fund local research and help families with children diagnosed with Rett syndrome. While some food festivals offer drive-through lines, St. Elias doesn’t – for a reason. “We have a take-out window with designated parking spots,” Paul said. “We want people to get out. We’d love for them to take that extra 10 to 15 minutes and come in and look around.” St. Elias also offers Friday lunch deliveries in the downtown Birmingham area. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. both days. The church is at 836 Eighth St. South in Birmingham. Admission is free. For a menu, festival schedule and parking information, visit www.stelias. org. To register for the 5K or fun run, visit www.cedarrun5k.com. ❖

Road Trips Beach-goers Can Stop in at Food Festivals

Downtown Destination Pizitz Food Hall Opens This Fall

Heading south this month? Two food festivals, one near Gulf Shores and another in Destin, Florida, may be worth a side trip while you’re at the beach. The third annual Taco and Tequila Fest at HarborWalk Village in Destin is March 19 from 1-5 p.m. The event includes more than 20 varieties of tequila paired with fish shrimp, beef and authentic Latin tacos. For more information, visit the Taco and Taco Fest Facebook page. Elberta, about a 30-minute drive from Gulf Shores, will host its annual German Sausage Festival on March 26. The festival menu features German sausage and sauerkraut plus Germanstyle filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans and rice, and plain old foods such as hamburgers, hotdogs and ice cream. For more information, visit www. elbertafire.com.

Birmingham’s growing reputation as a foodie destination is about to get a major boost. Bayer Properties recently announced that it’s putting a food hall in the historic Pizitz building in downtown Birmingham. The Pizitz Food Hall, set to open this fall, will offer a curated collection of local and regional flavors, innovative food and beverage options, two full-service restaurants, a bar, and an outdoor seating and entertainment area. A different chef will be featured quarterly at one of the food hall’s stalls. The building’s $66 million renovation will include rental apartments and temporary office space. Architect for the food hall is Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio, whose experience includes Krog Street Market in Atlanta. For more information, visit bayerproperties.com/property/ thepizitz. ❖

Rehab Reality by Julie Martin

Addiction is All Consuming, No Pun Intended If an alcoholic or addict, you can certainly relate to the power that alcohol and drugs have over a person. The physical addiction is overwhelming in itself, but the time spent keeping up with it is exhausting just the same. Addiction is in the forefront of the addicted from the time they wake up, to the time they go to bed, and every second in between. Everything else is inconsequential to the high. It’s a vicious attempt to get nowhere as quickly as possible. It’s justifying why they need that “one” drink or hit by sunrise, and trying to figure out how to get more before the sun sets. It’s truly all consuming.

Most diseases are all consuming. And whether it’s cancer or addiction, there is certainly treatment out there for the taking. Most cancer survivors say chemotherapy, radiation, or any treatment is far from easy or painless, but certainly worth the alternative of doing nothing. Recovery from drugs and alcohol is no different. Once accepting the diagonosis, or finally accepting the fact that life’s out of control, do something about it. Become consumed with the important things in your life before the unimportant things consume you. Bayshore Retreat can and will help in your recovery.

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David “Coach” Brooks teaches kids chess in The Knight School with one of their silly pranks, “Jackpot Jake.”

Knight School

To: From: Date:

Linda OTMJ March 2015

CIALIZING I N PE

Former Teacher Turns Chess Club Into a Weekly Chess Party By Rae Patterson

David Brooks is widely known in Convertible Tops the Over the Mountain community as Sunroofs “Coach Brooks,” founder and head of This is your ad proof for the over the mountain Journal for the march 12, 2015 issue. Please approve, initial and faxInteriors to 824-1246 or contact the chess academy called The Knight Leather

School. The Knight School has won more than 20 state championships, and it facebook.com/AlabamaAutoTop please initial and fax to 824-1246 within 24 hours. is all because of Brooks’ revolution1201 3RD AVENUE SOUTH . BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 ary fun approach to chess. Brooks . PHONE: 205-251-0684 WWW.ALABAMAAUTOTOP.COM If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday has parlayed his method of teaching before the press date, your ad must run as is. To: Maury chess using puzzles and other fun To: From: WorldOver of Dogs The Mountain Journal techniques in a social atmosphere – From:Date: Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Oct. 2015 in a weekly “chess party” – into a Thank you for your prompt attention. Date: March 10 franchise with branches in four states. This is your aD the The MOunTain JOurnal ThisprOOF is your aDfrom prOOF for Over Over The MOunTain JOurnal for the for the March 10, 2016 issue. Brooks tracks the origins of his Oct. 8, 2015 issue. please approve, initial and fax to 824-1246 or contact success to an embarrassing loss when please makeassure all information is correct, your sales representative soon as possible to make changes. he was a child. including address and phone number! Brooks started playing chess when please initial and fax to 824-1246 within 24 hours. he was nine years old and he was, as he described it, “really, really bad.” Thank you for your prompt attention. if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday He tells the story of the day in study before the press date, your ad must run as is. hall when he was being beaten by his physics teacher in front of a crowd of students. Thank you for your prompt attention. “I was just killed by him! And I committed at that point that I would play defense and never get beaten again and then I kinda took it seriously from then on … It wasn’t a win that made me do it; it was a loss.” Many years later, at the age of 28, Brooks received his Ph.D. and took a position at John Carroll High School teaching honors freshman English and AP world history. During lunch breaks, he meandered into the chess club, which was being taught by a priest. He played chess with the kids there for a year and then was asked your sales representative as soon as possible to make changes.

by the school to teach that chess club. “I told them I would if we could make it into a chess team and be competitive,” said Brooks, “and they said yes. And we just started winning; we never lost.” The chess team at John Carroll quickly grew into a social sensation with about 40 kids on the team and a group of students who served as supporters, similar to the Diamond Dolls for baseball. Brooks established the chess team squad called the Stale Mates, which was composed of boys and girls, just like the chess team. “It became this big, fun thing to be on the Stale Mates, so people would make cakes for us and compete to be on the squad,” Brooks said. The chess club was a success on more than just the social plane. The Knight School website reports that it “stopped counting victories after (it) had won 51 school-vs-school matches and had lost zero.” Soon younger siblings of the John Carroll chess club were asking Brooks to coach chess at their elementary school. After-school chess classes at four elementary schools were the beginning of what Brooks would call The Knight School. The Knight School expanded rapidly in the first three years, but there were only five school days each week and only one coach. “I realized I could make a living in (coaching chess) when I figured out I could film all the different things I did – the opening monologue, the tactics lessons and the puz-

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zles – and hire coaches to go out and show the films, and have them run it exactly how I would run a class,” Brooks said. In 2012, Brooks retired from Catholic schools after 20 years of teaching in order to devote his full attention to chess. There are now 400 Knight School students across 75 school chess teams. The school also offers classes called “Little Geniuses” for 207 preschool students in 24 locations. In addition, there are advanced chess classes, classes for students with special needs and chess camps offered over the summer. The Knight School has even become a franchise and spread to Auburn, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, as well as Dallas and Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Washington D.C. Brooks said that the Knight School is focused on fun, which is “how all education should operate.” “My competitors just can’t believe that I have more students than they have,” Brooks said. “I don’t really play chess like they do. I’m not a chess guy; I’m an educator. The whole Knight School is built on the idea that you need to know the kid, not the chess board.” The Knight School tagline is “Completing the Perfect Childhood.” Brooks said many parents ask why their children should play chess. “Critical thinking and being academically confident in the classroom is what we’re all about,” Brooks said. On the Knight School website, he explains that chess students grow in their integrity through sportsmanship and learn to think of themselves as a “smart person.” Brooks said most kids experience academics only in the classroom and not as a fun social outlet. “It makes you well-rounded, I think, to be a chess-player and a baseball player and a debater,” he said. To learn more about The Knight School, visit theknightschool.com. ❖

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Sharing the Way

Second Annual Homeschoolers Fair Highlights Growing Community This past Valentine’s Day, a group of educators organized one of the largest Valentine exchanges in the state. The party was thrown by Birmingham Homeschoolers and it was an opportunity for area home school families to get together, have fun and be creative. Kristy Trent is the coordinator for Birmingham Homeschoolers. She home-schools her four children in addition to fostering a sense of community among families through the Essential Church School and Birmingham Homeschoolers. “There are a lot of misconceptions about home schooling – that kids aren’t socialized etc. But we have a community where we use each other’s talents and have fun monthly events,” she said. According to its website, the Essential Church School offers off-site instruction for home school families as well as tools to assist and support a home school education. Since 2007, Essential Church School has grown from a handful of home school families to about 300. The group was born through a home school community

‘In 2007, it was just five or six families meeting at the park and now we have more than a thousand people connected through our website and our events regularly have two or three hundred people show up.’ at Church of the Highlands but it is not affiliated with the church. Trent said there are several organizations like the Essential Church School in the greater Birmingham area, and through Birmingham Homeschoolers she helps bring them all together to share resources and tools. The Birmingham Homeschool Fair and Curriculum Share is one event Trent helps organize as a way to keep a growing community tightly knit. On April 2, home school educators from near and far will go to the Cahaba Grand Conference Center to discuss ideas, buy and sell curricula and meet with area organizations about educational opportunities. Trent said representatives from Alabama colleges will be there as well as civic organizations eager to reach out to the home school community. “A lot of organizations love the home school community because we are using the facilities and resources they offer. Families have the freedom to let their kids explore their pas-

Photo special to the Journal

By Sarah Kuper

Birmingham Homeschoolers are planning an Easter Egg hunt for March 25th, from 1-3 p.m at Veteran’s Park in Hoover. Last year’s event, above.

sion for robotics at the children’s museum or zoology at the zoo. Libraries love us,” she said. Trent said that when she moved to the area in 2006 it seemed like home schooling was an anomaly, but now the prevalence of home schooling has exploded. “In 2007, it was just five or six families meeting at the park and now we have more than a thousand people connected through our website and our events regularly have two or three hundred people show up,” she said. This will be the second year for the Birmingham Homeschoolers Fair. Last year the group organized the event in six weeks and had a surprisingly large turnout. This year, Birmingham Homeschoolers has worked for months on the fair because of the obvious demand. “One purpose of the home school fair is to bring people together and make connections. The more we can show we are working together for the same purpose, the more people will realize that we aren’t people who raise goats and ride in buggies,” Trent said. She said this year’s event has gotten a lot of support from the community through sponsorships and awareness. The fair is free to the public. To register for the event and receive updates on exhibitors, visit birminghamhomeschoolers.com. ❖

Photo special to the Journal

Cherokee Bend Chiefs Help Stop Hunger Now

From left: Chief Hands members Sarah Simon, Lizzie Amberson and Sara Allen Brown.

Sixth-graders at Cherokee Bend participated in Canterbury UMC’s sixth annual Stop Hunger Now event by working shifts packing meals of rice, beans and dehydrated vegetables, as well as vitamin packs, for children in schools and orphanages in Honduras and Haiti. Joined by volunteers throughout the community such as the Birmingham Barons and Exceptional Foundation, students helped work toward the goal of 500,000 meals in a three-day period in late January. Melinda Curtis, sixth-grade English teacher at Cherokee Bend, leads the group of volunteers, called the Chief Hands committee. The group comprises sixth-graders who organize opportunities for students to participate in outreach service projects throughout their sixth-grade year. In addition to Stop Hunger Now, the group has partnered with the YWCA and the Community Food Bank and will be working for the Brown Bag Project at Canterbury UMC in the spring. ❖

HE ONCE BEAT HIS DAD FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES IN CHESS. AFTERWARD, HE CELEBRATED WITH SOME ORANGE SLICES AND A BOOK ABOUT WIZARDS.

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34 • Thursday, March 10, 2016

sports Lady Patriots routed Huffman 69-41. Turnaround was fair play, as the Lady Vikings had beaten Homewood by 14 points in the regular season. Cold shooting by Homewood helped Huffman move to an early 5-0 lead, but Ward didn’t get any sense of déjà vu. “We remained confident and didn’t worry about what happened in the previous meeting,” she said. “We wanted to set the tempo and execute. Our girls kept playing their game and things came into place.” The big story in the win may have been the play of Homewood’s defense. The Lady Patriots held Huffman’s Shaforia Kines – who averages 16 points per game – to six points. The Vikings shot an anemic 25 percent from the field for the afternoon. “We watched a lot of film on her so we were prepared,” Barber said. “Kalia (Cunningham) and Ajah did a good job on her and we went straight at her offensively.” Wayne paced Homewood with 19 points and four rebounds. She also contributed six steals, two blocks and an assist. Barber scored 18 points, including four three-pointers, and Tori Webb had 15 points and nine rebounds. “We had a good week of preparation,” Barber said. “It didn’t faze us when we got behind early. I think the experience of playing in the Final Four last year really helped us.” Barber, a prolific three-point shooter, said that adjusting to the unique perspective of shooting at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena – as opposed to a typical high school gymnasium – wasn’t a problem. “It takes a few minutes to get used to it, but after that it’s not a problem,” she said. “At the end, it’s just about concentration and accuracy.” Those traits, along with hustle and determination, took the Lady Patriots a long way in 2015-16. But against LeFlore, they weren’t quite enough. ❖

Fallen Crown

Lady Patriots Lose Title as Wayne Suffers Injury By Lee Davis The game lasted four quarters, but Homewood’s hopes of repeating as Class 6A girls basketball champions may have suffered a fatal blow in the second period of the championship final against LeFlore last Saturday. Standout sophomore forward Ajah Wayne suffered an injury in the second period, and while she made a brief comeback, the Lady Patriots never did. Homewood fell to the Rattlers 80-65 in the Class 6A finals at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena, denying Coach JoVanka Ward’s team a second consecutive title. “This is a great young team,” Ward said after the game. “We feel very blessed and fortunate to have made it this far. The top concern for our girls now is the health and well-being of

homewood, From page 36

Four but return a solid nucleus. Luke Touliatos, the MVP of Homewood’s championship week who put up an incredible 31-point performance in the semi-final win over Huffman, will return for his senior season. Also returning is sophomore center Trey Jemison, a 6-9 giant who wears a size 17 shoe and is already a superb rebounder. That’s a pretty good start for next year. But talk about next year can and should wait. After decades of coming close, the Patriots finally own a boys basketball state championship. It’s time for the town to celebrate.

Lady Patriots Come Close

Not all the news coming out of Homewood was good, as the Lady Patriots fell just short in their bid to earn a second straight girls Class 6A crown. Their 80-65 loss to an undefeated LeFlore team wasn’t as bad as the score indicates, considering Homewood played most of the game without star forward Ajah Wayne, who was injured in the first half and made only spot appearances for the

one of their teammates (Wayne). They are really close and to see one player go down was tough.” LeFlore moved to a 39-22 halftime lead and was never seriously challenged. At one time the Rattlers enjoyed a 28-point advantage. The Lady Patriots had their bright spots. All-state guard Hannah Barber led the scoring with 22-points, including four three-pointers. Tori Webb had 16 points and 18 rebounds and Shelby Hardy had 14 points and 12 boards. Homewood finished the season with a 27-7 mark and the best news is that every player on the roster will return next season. “I’m really proud of these girls,” Ward said. “They fought hard the entire year and they’ll be ready to go when it’s time to get cranking again.” In Thursday’s 6A semi-final, the rest of the game. Coach JoVanka Ward’s disappointment has to be soothed by the fact that the entire Lady Patriot roster returns for 2016-17. “It’s tough to lose but we will be back,” Homewood guard Hannah Barber said. “I’m not sure we needed any more motivation, but this will help.” Don’t be at all surprised to see the Lady Patriots in their third consecutive championship game in 2017.

Hatchett Job

As Shepler celebrated his first state championship this week, another veteran coach with two titles under his belt was announcing the end of his career. George Hatchett is retiring after 38 years as head coach of the Vestavia Hills Rebels. Hatchett also coached at Mortimer Jordan and Fairfield before coming to Vestavia in the early 1980s. “It’s just the right time,” Hatchett said when contacted last week. “My health is good and I’ve had a great experience at Vestavia. Coaching is a young man’s game so I felt it was time to go.” Hatchett plans to spend some of his retirement on the golf course, but

Journal file photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

All-state guard Hannah Barber, left, led Homewood in scoring with 22-points, including four three-pointers and Shelby Hardy, right, had 14 points and 12 boards.

George Hatchett is retiring after 38 years as head coach of the Vestavia Hills varsity boys basketball team.

he also has a much higher priority. “I’m already in the top 10 of grandparents who spoil their grandchild,” he said, laughing. “But now I’m aiming to be number one.” For years, many thought of Vestavia as a football or baseball powerhouse, but Hatchett put basketball on the map by winning state

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Black Thursday

Bucs and Jags Lose In State Semi-Finals By Lee Davis The cold rainy weather of March 3 was an unhappy omen for the Hoover and Spain Park boys basketball teams. Both teams saw their dreams of a state 7A title end that gloomy day in the semi-finals of the Final Four at Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Buccaneer and Jaguar fans alike could point to 100 might-have-beens as their teams lost in overtime. Hoover fell to McGill-Toolen 77-74 in double overtime, while Spain Park followed with a 63-61 loss to Central-Phenix City that took a single overtime period to settle. Hoover, which had a 16-18 record entering the Final Four, seemed close to earning its second consecutive bid in the championship final when it built a 72-68 lead with only 2:07 remaining in the second overtime. The Yellow Jackets’ Rene Scott scored five consecutive points to give McGill the lead at 73-72. The Bucs rallied when Johnathan Postell scored from inside to give Hoover a brief 74-73 advantage. Scott then scored the game’s last four points to give the Yellow Jackets a lead they wouldn’t lose. Two final Hoover possessions failed to produce points. Postell led Hoover with 15 points and 10 rebounds. “Scott is an outstanding guard,” Hoover coach Charles Burkett said. “When his team needed him the most, he came through in the clutch.” Hoover shot 42 percent from the field, while McGill shot an even 50 percent. Despite the loss, Burkett was proud of the way his team ended its up-anddown season. “We worked extremely hard to get to this point,” he said. “When things weren’t going well, we never quit. We never stopped believing in what we do. It’s been a wonderful championships in 1992 and 2009. “The first thing we had to do was establish a place for ourselves. We were able to get some of the school’s best athletes to come out for basketball, even if their college future might be in another sport,” Hatchett recalled. “That way, we made basketball important.” Hatchett said the biggest change in the game came with the advent of the three-point basket. “There’s far more emphasis on outside shooting now,” he said. “You don’t see as many offenses where kids play with their backs to the basket anymore. Whether that’s good or bad, it’s the state of the game now.” While the game has changed, Hatchett said players haven’t. “Teenagers are amazingly adaptive,” he said. “They all have cell phones and video games and access to all sorts of information, but they can still come in and work hard and be dedicated to something bigger than themselves.” Hatchett said he had no regrets. “I feel like I gave an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay,” he said. “It was a great ride.” Vestavia basketball can say the same thing to George Hatchett.

ride.” That ride almost earned another blue trophy for the Bucs. Spain Park’s loss was equally frustrating. The Jaguars had two solid shots at tying the game at the end of overtime, only to see both of them blocked by the Red Devils. The final blow came when Austin Wiley’s shot was knocked away by Tionne Williams as the buzzer sounded. Wiley had no excuses when it ended. “I’m not going to complain that I got fouled,” he said. I should have made the shot.” Despite playing with a sprained ankle, Wiley – who stands 6-11 – scored 19 points and bagged 13 rebounds in the losing cause. Spain Park’s hopes also dimmed when Jamal Johnson fouled out with 10 seconds left after being called for a charge on a layup attempt. “I thought I had an easy layup,” Johnson said after the game. “They got the charge call on me, but I thought it was a blocking foul against them. That’s the way it goes sometimes.” Johnson ended with 20 points and nine rebounds. The game, which ended in a 54-54 deadlock after regulation play, was a see-saw battle from start to finish. “I knew it would be a wire to wire game,” Spain Park coach Donnie Quinn said. “It came down to who had the ball last. They would go on a run and take the lead. Then we would go on a similar run and regain the lead. We came up a bit short, but it was not because of lack of effort or intensity. I’m very proud of this team.” Spain Park ended its season with a 23-10 record, and with Wiley and Johnson returning, the Jags should be a pre-season favorite for the state title in 2017. But for now, the next title run will have to wait. ❖

Edgar’s Honor

Mountain Brook’s Edgar Welden has been a fixture on the Alabama sports scene for decades and is finally being honored accordingly. The board of directors of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame has announced that Welden has been named the 2016 Distinguished Alabama Sportsman. Welden, who now is chairman of the board of the Hall of Fame, has long been active in supporting high school athletics. He is president of the BryantJordan Student Athlete Scholarship Program, which annually awards more than 100 scholarships to high school seniors based on athletic and scholastic achievement. Welden founded the Birmingham Athletic Partnership, a non-profit organization that supports Birmingham’s high school and middle school athletic programs. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the present Final Four format for determining high school basketball champions and the Super Seven format for choosing high school football champions. Welden will be formally inducted at the ASHOF’s Annual Induction Ceremony on Saturday, May 21, 2016. ❖

Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 35

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

state crown,

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

From page 36

Clockwise from above: Homewood team members and coaches with the schools first-ever state championship trophy in boys basketball; Jake Burdeshaw (15); Richard Jemison (55); Austin Patterson. More photos at otmjsports.com

– battled back to cut the margin to 33-23 at the half. The Patriots helped themselves by connecting on six three-pointers in the first two quarters. The second half wasn’t easy as Homewood fought off a furious comeback attempt by Muscle Shoals. With 1:13 remaining to play, the Trojans’ Calvin Bak sank a threepointer to cut the Patriots’ lead to 50-49. Homewood stretched the lead back to three when guard Austin Patterson sank two pressure-packed free throws to bring the lead to 52-49. A steal on Muscle Shoals’ next possession brought the Patriots’ Peyton Brown to the free throw line with 17 seconds to play. Brown sank both attempts to give Homewood a seemingly safe 54-49 advantage. Bak fired an errant three-pointer with 12 seconds to play, grabbed

‘Our goal from the beginning was to win the state championship. We were experienced in big games when we came here so we sort of knew what to expect.’

Derrick Underwood and Joe Kennedy – ended their high school careers with a state title. While the conventional wisdom may be that next season is a likely rebuilding year, the return of

Luke Touliatos

his own rebound and was fouled. He sank two free throws, shaving Homewood’s lead to 54-51. On his team’s following possession, Patterson was fouled and went to the free throw line, but missed. Muscle Shoals rebounded and fired a long desperation shot that missed the mark as the buzzer sounded. A wild celebration ensued at midcourt as Homewood celebrated its first-ever state crown in boys basketball. Patterson, who played the entire 32 minutes, finished with 15 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists. Luke Touliatos, who scored a whopping 31 points in the Patriots’ rout of Huffman in the semi-finals, added 13 and was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. Center Trey Jemison scored eight points and forward Chris Miller

chipped in seven. “It’s amazing to end the season with this win,” Touliatos said in an emotional post-game press conference. “Our goal from the beginning was to win the state championship. We were experienced in big games when we came here so we sort of knew what to expect. That helped us a lot getting to the Final Four and the championship.” Shepler saluted his vanquished opponent. “You have to give a lot of credit to Muscle Shoals,” he said. “They got behind early but didn’t give in. They could have won, but I’m so proud of our guys for holding on and winning.” He could give a lot of credit to

Homewood as well, which started its run with a 64-51 win over Huffman on the previous Thursday. The Patriots got off to a 13-5 first quarter start before the Vikings rallied to take a 26-25 halftime lead. Touliatos led the way in the second half, scoring 20 of his total of 31 points in the final two quarters. The Patriots’ defense held Huffman to a 30 percent shooting total from the field in the second half. Homewood finished its season with a 31-5 mark while adding the final jewel to an already-sparkling basketball tradition. Nine Patriot seniors – Patterson, Will Mizerany, Peyton Brown, Ronald Claiborne, Chris Miller, Tobie Taylor,

Touliatos and Jemison give Homewood a good nucleus for the future. Shepler will be returning too, going for yet another year of sweet memories. ❖

Congratulations Homewood Boys Basketball 6A State Champs! From your friends at

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, March 10, 2016

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Lady Patriots Lose Title as Wayne Suffers Injury. Page 34 Bucs and Jags Lose In State Semi-Finals. Page 34 lee davis

Patriot Games

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Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Homewood Title Much Deserved

Chris Miller (44), Luke Touliatos (24) and their Patriot teammates earned Homewood’s first-ever Class 6A state championship with a 54-51 win over Muscle Shoals at Legacy Arena at the BJCC last Saturday. Touliatos was named Tournament MVP. Homewood finished its season with a 31-5 mark.

Shepler and Homewood Claim 6A State Crown

By Lee Davis

im Shepler has coached boys basketball at Homewood for 26 seasons, but there’s little doubt which one he is likely to remember the most. Try 2015-16. Early in the season, Shepler’s Patriots defeated

J.O. Johnson to give the veteran coach his 500th career victory. As memorable as that was, it was nothing compared to what Homewood did for Shepler last Saturday. The Patriots earned their first Class 6A state championship with a 54-51 win over Muscle Shoals at Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Homewood’s win gave truth to the adage about

the third time being the charm. The Patriots reached the Class 5A finals in 2008 and 2010 only to come up short. But there was no denying Shepler’s team against the Trojans. Inspired by a large partisan crowd, Homewood opened the game with a 13-0 run. Muscle Shoals – coached by former Spain Park coach Neal Barker

Homewood’s boys basketball tradition goes back to the days of the high-scoring Ronnie Greathouse in the 1970s and the successful coaching tenures of Dave Beason, David Jones and Tim Shepler, but for some reason a state championship always alluded the Patriots. Until last week. Homewood’s 54-51 victory over Muscle Shoals at the BJCC finally brought the blue hardware to the school’s alreadycrowded trophy case as the Patriots claimed the Class 6A title. For Shepler, the championship had to be particularly Tim Shepler satisfying after runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2010. “I’ve aged about 10 years in the last six weeks,” the 56-year old coach joked last week, referring to his team’s penchant for playing nailbiters. “But this is so sweet for our guys.” Certainly it was, and while nobody around Lakeshore Drive would dare mention the word “repeat” so soon, it’s certainly within the realm of possibility. After all, Homewood claimed the title this season despite the graduation loss of all-state guard Malik Cook. The Patriots lose five players who saw action in last week’s Final

See state crown, page 35

See homewood, page 34

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