OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM
SOCIAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019
SPORTS
COLOR MY WORLD
Journal photo by Ingrid Howard
The Color4Friendship One Mile Color Run was held at the Levite Jewish Community Center on March 17 to celebrate love and inclusion for the special needs community. See page 32
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
OPINION/CONTENTS
Murphy’s Law
Inside
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63rd Museum Ball Celebrates Cultural Renaissance in Downtown Birmingham PAGE 12
INSIDE OUT 2019 Parade Ideal Home Showcases High-End Design That Embraces the Outdoors PAGE 22
CLEAN YOUR PLATE Brick & Tin’s Chef Aims for Vegetables Adults Will Eat PAGE 28
ABOUT TOWN 4 NEWS 10 LIFE 12 SOCIAL 18
HOME 22 FOOD 28 SCHOOLS 32 SPORTS 36
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With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter. Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area. To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.
In The Doghouse
uppy update: I am happy to I had to employ a more pungent report that Dave is making spray on my backyard landscaping steady progress. He is growing because Dave found it hilarious to lift in size and strength and sometimes up the corners of the newly laid sod wisdom. If Cesar Millan decides to and toss it into the air. I’ll admit, it make a snap inspection, we will fail was a funny sight, but as our pack miserably, but in amateur circles, I grownup, I had to put the kibosh on think we are doing just fine. the game. As with having a toddler, I’ve had I’ve tried to make the house dogto make some changes to my house. friendly, although I’m sure that if Dave There are no shoes on the floor, no were doing the decorating, things closet doors open, as that would be would be different. The table legs setting poor Dave up to fail. Since he would be beef flavored. The dust ruffle has learned to literally spring into would squeak. The exterior doors Sue Murphy action, I had to remove the tablecloth would open when he stepped onto a from the dining room table and mat made of potty pads just in case reposition the throw pillows on the he didn’t make it, and when he couch. returned inside, a treat dispenser Dave needs food and would automatically present him A gate has transformed my laundry room into a suburban industrial with a reward for a job well done. frolic and rest and dog condo. The floor is furnished Actually, it would give him a treat reassurance. Come to anyway. I mean, we’re talking about with blankets and water bowls, and the window ledge has been doused a doggie dream home. think of it, I need the with a please-do-not-chew-on-me a chronic organizer, all of same things. It will all thisBeing spray that seems to be working. doggie redecorating has been a The same spray on the sofa dust challenge for me. Me, who relishes work out. ruffle met with less success. I have all things neat and tidy, has had to done some stop-gap stitching but I give a bit – OK, a lot – but there are know there will be other rounds two of us now, sharing a single livahead. This is frustrating, really, given that the couch is ing space, each trying to get their needs met. Dave right next to Dave’s mountain of playthings. He has needs food and frolic and rest and reassurance. Come to toys that are fuzzy and others that squeak and some that think of it, I need the same things. It will all work out. are hardy for chewing. He has his own doggie chaise as When the kids were little, I felt like I lived in a toy well as a pineapple-shaped dog tent (Sponge Dog box. Now I live in a doghouse, and it’s OK. It’s better Square Pants … I couldn’t resist), but somehow my than OK because it comes with a warm little body who place on the couch is the big attraction. just likes to be with me. Dave found a delicious place to sleep in the sun on At the end of the day, happiness comes down to the dining room rug, although he does not understand remembering what’s really important, and care and conwhy the sunny spot disappears on a cloudy day. Sadly, cern trump couches and table legs. If Cesar Millan the sunspot is located right next to the tasty legs of the drops by, he’ll just have to get over it. I’m whispering dining room chairs. (More spray) to my own dog now and we’re doing just fine.
Over the Mountain Views
Do you support Alabama getting the lottery?
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
April 4, 2019 JOU RNAL Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Ingrid Howard, Emily Williams Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Blake Ells, Rubin E. Grant Contributors: Susan Murphy, Jordan Wald, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls, Bryan Bunch, Sam Prickett Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd, Suzanne Wald Intern: Kennedy McJunkin Vol. 28, No. 17
Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2019 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.
“I’m for the lottery. It will help people with education funds.” Haley Cox Homewood
“I don’t see any harm in it. I grew up in Florida and we bought tickets all the time.” William Gilbert Homewood “I’m for it. If we had a lottery it would help the students with scholarship money.” Katy Surrett Homewood “We’re for it if some of the money from lottery ticket sales goes to a good cause. We personally won’t buy tickets though.” Chad Hoffman and Morgan Barton Homewood
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 3
ABOUT TOWN
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4 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
ABOUT TOWN
Garden Variety
Master Gardener Karen Mitchell Shares Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale Vegetable Offerings By Emily Williams
ing vegetables in containers. Vegetables available at the sale will include nine varieties of eggplants, 18 varieties of sweet peppers, 21 varieties of hot peppers and 45
Photo courtesy BBG
Whether or not you sport a verdant thumb, all levels of gardener can find something to suit their needs at the 50th annual Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale, on April 12-14. What began as an annual celebration of plants, dubbed “Fiesta,” has grown to become one of the Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ major fundraisers. More than 100,000 plants will be available for purchase, along with free advice from the garden’s expert volunteers working at the sale. One of those experts is vegetable booth co-chair Karen Mitchell of Vestavia Hills, a certified master gardener, president of the Alabama Hydrangea Society and spring sale volunteer since about 2008. “We love talking to people,” Mitchell said. “I love getting to talk to children. I remember one year there was a boy who wanted to buy a pepper plant, and I told him Proceeds from the sale benefit the Friends of everything he needed to do Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ educational and said, ‘You come back and outreach initiatives, as well as the garnext year and tell me how it dens’ day-to-day and ongoing garden. grows.’” Outside of her love of varieties of tomatoes – in different hydrangeas, she has an affinity for sizes and colors. There also will be 15 vegetable gardening and appears for miscellaneous varieties, cucumbers speaking engagements on the subject and cantaloupes among them. throughout the year. One of her most “I encourage people who have in-demand topics is container gardening. never been to the plant sale to just According to Mitchell, the best come by. It’s something that should thing about growing vegetables is the be on everyone’s bucket list,” enjoyment of eating the produce after Mitchell said. “Even if you’re just putting in the work to nurture the walking through, it’s amazing to see plant. how much we have.” “You don’t do this to save money,” In addition to vegetables, booths Mitchell said. “You may get about will offer natives, perennials, annuals, five tomatoes off of your plant in one bedding plants, climbing flowers, season.” herbs, tropicals, trees, shrubs and A common misconception when it more. comes to vegetable gardening is that Proceeds from the sale benefit the it requires a lot of space. Friends of Birmingham Botanical “The most important thing when Gardens’ educational and outreach you are growing anything is sunlight,” initiatives, as well as the gardens’ she said. “So, you can grow just about day-to-day and ongoing garden. anything in a container.” The sale is open to the public and All of the container-friendly variwill take place at Brookwood Village eties will be marked at the vegetable in the upper Macy’s parking lot. Sale booth and include plants such as egghours are April 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 plants, certain tomato varieties, pepp.m., April 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. pers and more. and April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Jalapeno peppers grow beautifulFor those who want a sneak peek ly in a pot,” she said. “They can be of the sale, a preview party will be overwintered easily … . I had one that held April 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. I grew for about 4 years and then I and will include food from Taco stopped, which I later regretted Mama. Tickets are $45 in advance or because it took a long time to grow $50 at the door. the new pepper plant.” A members-only sale will follow Mitchell makes a point to provide from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. shoppers with a handout of informaFor more information, visit bbgartion on how to get started when grow- dens.org/springplantsale.
“EASTER BRUNCH” Made by culinary artists.
This Easter, step away from tradition, with an artfully inspired buffet at Habitat Feed & Social. Featuring twists on traditional dishes and live entertainment.
Sunday, April 21st 11:00am - 2:30pm $59 per adult • $25 for children 6-12
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APRIL 4 - 18 Thurs., April 4 Freedom from Addiction Coalition Breakfast What: The mayors of the cities of Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills present a free continental, community awareness breakfast featuring guest speaker Thomas P. Dooley, PhD. Learn more about the current reality of the drug addiction epidemic and discover available pathways to recovery. When: 7:30-9 a.m. Where: Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Website: vestaviahills.org
April 4-7 The Underpants
What: Homewood Theatre presents Steve Martin’s take on a classic German play, putting his wild and crazy spin on it. You never know what will happen when someone’s bloomers fall down. When: April 4-6, 7:30 p.m.; and April 7, 2:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Theatre at The Dance Foundation Website: homewoodtheatre.com
Fri., April 5 Drink & Drop - Adult Egg Drop Competition
What: Vulcan Park and Museum’s Junior Leadership Board hosts the third annual Drink and Drop. Try your hand at the classic elementary student competition by keeping an egg protected as you drop it from the top of Vulcan’s 124-foot pedestal. When: 5:30-8 p.m. Where: Vulcan Park and Museum Website: visitvulcan.com
Racing for Children’s Dinner
What: The ninth annual Racing for Children’s charity dinner and auction presented by Medical Properties Trust kicks off the Honda Indy Grand Prix weekend festivities, while benefiting young cancer patients at Children’s of Alabama. Honorary crew chiefs for this year’s event are Devin Cherry, 15, of Hoover and Walker Simmons, 8, of Vestavia Hills. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Website: childrensal.org
Fri., April 5 Voices United
What: Crisis Center, Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama present a concert supporting survivors of sexual assault, featuring music from Me & My Knife, Captain Kudzu, Timber and Bitter Calm. When: 9 p.m. Where: The Nick Website: “Voices United - featuring Captain Kudzu, Timber, Me And My Knife, Bitter Calm at The Nick” Facebook page
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Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 5
ABOUT TOWN
ARC REALTY is proud to recognize OUR TOP PRODUCERS
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Anthony Ray Hinton Set to Speak as the 2019 Corts Distinguished Author
Anthony Ray Hinton, who served 30 years on Alabama’s death row before being exonerated and released, is being honored this month as the 2019 Distinguished Author at the ninth annual Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series. Hinton’s personal memoir, “The Sun Does Shine, How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” was published a year ago. It became a New York Times best-seller, and Oprah selected it for her summer Book Club last year. Hinton was one of the longestserving death row inmates in Alabama history and among the longest-serving death row inmates in the country to be released after presenting proof of innocence, according to the website for the Equal Justice Initiative, where Hinton now works as a community educator. Initially, Hinton’s incarceration made him confused, angry and full of despair, he wrote in his book. But he decided he did not want to wallow in resentment and, instead, began to transform his life and the lives of those around him through humor and
Sat., April 6
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High Country 5k & Fun Run
What: Shades Crest Baptist Church presents the 18th annual 5k and onemile fun run, including a post-race pancake breakfast. Pre-registration packet pick up is April 5 in the Shades Crest Fellowship Hall from 4-8 p.m. with a free pasta dinner in the fellowship hall. When: 6:30-7:45 a.m., late registration and packet pickup in the Family Life Center; 8 a.m., 5k start; 9 a.m., fun run start Where: Shades Crest Baptist Church Website: shadescrest.org
Funky Fun Run and 5k
What: Dress in your best retro gear in support of The Autism Society of Alabama and their goal to maintain programs and services offered to families affected by autism across the state. Inflatables, yard games, sensory digs, bubble stations, arts and crafts and more. When: 7 a.m., check in; 8 a.m., 5k start; 9:30 a.m., fun run start Where: Avondale Park Website: funkyfunrun.com
Keeping it classy! CUSTOM MONOGRAMS, ILLUSTRATIONS, PAPER GOODS AND MORE
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Walk MS
joy. sented by the Orlean Beeson School In 1985, Hinton was arrested and of Education at Samford University, wrongfully convicted with two counts according to a statement from of capital murder in the deaths of Samford. Birmingham-area fast-food restaurant The Tom and Marla Corts managers. He was 29. Distinguished Author The arrest was based Series was launched to on the seizure of a gun that highlight reading and lithad belonged to Hinton’s eracy and to provide mother and that state financial support for the forensic scientists said was Orlean Beeson School. used in the murders. Previous speakers EJI took up the case, include Greg Mortenson, and years later the U.S. Wendell Berry, Wes Supreme Court ruled that Moore, Laura Bush, Hinton deserved a new Parker J. Palmer, Philip Anthony Ray Hinton Yancey and Eric Motley. trial because he had deficient legal representation Hinton’s speech will the first time. The trial was scheduled, be April 16 at 7 p.m., with a book but the judge dismissed the case after signing to follow, in Samford’s Leslie forensic experts for the prosecution S. Wright Center. could not match bullets from the General admission tickets are free crime scene to Hinton’s gun. Three for Samford students and $10 for the experts hired by the defense also were general public. VIP tickets are $50 set to testify that the gun could not and include a private reception with have been the murder weapon. Hinton at 6 p.m. and a signed copy of Hinton will share his story of his memoir. Tickets can be purchased “love, justice and hope sustained at samford.edu/go/OTMJ or by calling through dark times,” in his speech 205-726-2853. during the author series, which is pre—Virginia Martin run and walk to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient support. Children’s activities, music, refreshments, a ShopPurple store and more. When: 8:30 a.m. opening ceremonies, 9 a.m. walk Where: Railroad Park, West Green Website: support.pancan.org
Mt Laurel Spring Festival
What: The town of Mt Laurel hosts its 19th annual Spring Festival featuring a craft fair, farmers market, live music, inflatables, a kids zone, food trucks and more. When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Mt Laurel Town Center Website: mtlaurel.com
Girls Inc. Cajun Cook-off
What: Enjoy taste-testing your Cajun favorites including gumbo, étoufée, jambalaya, beignets and more at this cooking competition presented by and benefiting Girls Inc. of Central Alabama. Included will be live music, kids activities, face painting, balloon artists and a silent auction. When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Railroad Park Website: girlsinccentral-al.org
What: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society presents a walk to end MS. Featured will be a one-mile and three-mile route. Money raised helps fund ground-breaking research and supports programs and services helping those touched by MS. When: 7 a.m., with an 8 a.m. start Where: Homewood Central Park Website: nationalmssociety.org
Grill to Build
Purplestride
Funky Fish Fry
What: UAB Medicine will host a 5k
What: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham presents its 11th annual BBQ cook off featuring live music, face painting, a moon bounce, kids workshop and a backyard BBQ competition. When: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Where: Habitat Restore Website: habitatbirmingham.org What: The Autism Society of
Alabama’s Junior Board and the Mitchell’s Place Junior Council present their annual fundraiser to raise funds and awareness for Autism, featuring music, fried catfish, beer, face painting, inflatables and sensoryfriendly stations for kids of all ages. When: noon-6 p.m., with sensory friendly hours from noon-4 p.m. Where: Avondale Brewing Co. Website: funkyfishfry.com
Paul Meyers Memorial Golf Tournament
What: This seventh annual golf tournament is geared toward young professionals who sometimes take the costume contest more seriously than the golf scores. In addition to the glow-in-the-dark golf game, nongolfers are invited to join the party for a BBQ dinner, silent auction and live music. All proceeds benefit the Paul Meyers Medical Mission Trip to Haiti. When: 3-10 p.m. Where: Highland Park Golf Website: paulmeyersfoundation.com
New Beer’s Eve
What: McWane After Dark presents a night to celebrate “New Beer’s” and the local breweries that have been a catalyst in Alabama’s economic and cultural renaissance, featuring food trucks, music and beer served with a pint of science. 21+ event. When: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Where: McWane Science Center Website: mcwane.org
April 6, 7 and 13 Charlotte’s Web
What: Birmingham Children’s Theatre presents Charlotte’s Web, a classic tale that shows us friends come in
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
After school programs are available for boys in grades 3-12. Rehearsal satellite locations include Mountain Brook, Hoover/Vestavia and Chelsea. When: 2-3 p.m. Where: Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church Website: birminghamboyschoir.com
Jazz in the Park
Journal file hoto by Jordan Wald
What: The 10th anniversary of this free concert series, presented by Magic City Smooth Jazz, will feature C. LaFaye and N’Fusion, a popular smooth jazz group featuring saxophonist James Crumb Jr. When: 3-6 p.m. Where: Homewood Central Park Website: magiccitysmoothjazz.com
Thurs., April 11 Sat., April 13 Cornhole Classic
What: The Bell Center Junior Board hosts its seventh annual Cornhole round-robin tournament featuring an afternoon of cornhole, food, beer, music and more. Proceeds benefit the Bell Center and its mission to maximize the potential of children from birth to three years of age who are at risk for developmental delay. When: 12:30-2 p.m. Where: Good People Brewing Co. Website: thebellcenter.org all shapes and sizes. Based on the popular novel by E.B. White, adapted by Joseph Robinelle. When: April 6 and 7, 2:30 p.m.; April 13, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and April 11 sensory friendly performance Where: Children’s Theatre Website: bct123.org
Sun., April 7 Walk to End Lupus Now
What: The Lupus Foundation of America presents a onem-ile walk to raise money for research, increase awareness of lupus and rally public support for the estimated 27,000 people who suffer form its impact in Alabama. When: 1 p.m., check in; 2:45 p.m., ceremony; and 3 p.m., walk Where: Veterans Park Website: chapters.lupus.org
Run for a Reason 5k
What: This year marks the eighth annual Sozo Children Run for a Reason 5k, with 100 percent of the proceeds supporting the mission of Sozo Children in Uganda, Africa. This family-friendly event welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and features food trucks, free donuts, corn hole and inflatables. When: 1 p.m., packet pickup; 3 p.m., 5k start Where: Sozo Trading Co., Avondale Website: sozochildren.org
Birmingham Boys Choir Open House
What: Learn more about the BBC tradition spanning over 40 years and meet Ken Berg, BBC music director.
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 7
ABOUT TOWN
Taste for a Cure
What: The Parkinson Association of Alabama hosts a fundraiser featuring tastings of unique food, beer and wine pairings conceived and prepared by an all-star team of local chefs. Included will be silent
and live auctions. Proceeds benefit medical research toward a cure for Parkinson’s disease. When: 6 p.m. Where: Haven Website: parkinsonalabama.com
Broadway’s Next H!T Musical
What: The hysterical Broadway’s Next H!T Musical is the only unscripted theatrical awards show. Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. It’s all improvised, and it’s all funny. When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Hoover Public Library, Theatre Level Website: hooverlibrary.org
Fri., April 12 A New Look at the Life of Audrey Williams
What: As part of Homewood Public Library’s Alabama Bicentennial celebration, storyteller Dolores Hydock presents “A New Look at the Life of Audrey Williams.” Audrey Sheppard grew up in Brundidge and became half of one of the most
famous couples in country music history when she married Hank Williams. The evening includes a light hors d’oeuvre buffet. When: 6:30 p.m., buffet; and 7: 30 p.m., show Where: Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium Website: homewood.libnet.info
April 12 and 13 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert
What: See Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in high-definition, on a giant screen, while the Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. When: April 12, 7 p.m.; and April 13, 2 p.m. Where: Samford University, Wright Fine Arts Center Website: alabamasympony.org
Sat., April 13 Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue 5k Meow-A-Thon
To: From: Date:
What: The Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue 5k Meow-A-Thon and Whisker Walk is a 5k race and one-mile fun run/walk benefiting Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, a no-kill, cage-free shelter for cats and kittens. When: 8 a.m., check in; 9 a.m., 5k start; and 10:30 a.m., Whisker Walk start Where: Veterans Park Website: “Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue 5K Meow-A-Thon and 1 Mile Whisker Walk” Facebook page
About Town continued on page 9
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
ABOUT TOWN
Belle of the Ball
21st Annual
Annual Dogwood Luncheon Celebrates 40 Years of Vestavia Belles LEBANESE & CULTURAL FESTIVAL 20thFOOD Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival B E W
April 26 &and 27, 10am April to 9pm Friday Saturday, 13 & 14 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. y
mily
illiams
The 40th anniversary of the Vestavia Belles will be the highlight of the 55th annual Dogwood Luncheon, hosted by the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board. The luncheon will take place April 25 at Vestavia Country Club and will feature keynote (Between University Blvd. and 10th Ave. So) speaker Ashley Lowe Nance, a 20th Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival Vestavia Hills resident, writer, Friday and Saturday, April 13 & 14 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. educator, beautification board member and former Vestavia St. Elias Maronite Catholic ChurchLebanese delicacies Belle. 836 8th Street So.,including: Birmingham Baked Kibbee, In addition to a seated lunch (Between University Blvd. and 10th Ave. So) Rolled Grape Leaves, Spinach and door prizes, the event will feature a fashion show of Pies, Baked Kibbee and Falafel FOOD: Lebanese delicacies including: Baked Kibbee, Keynote speaker Vestavia Belle attire throughout Tabouleh (Lebanese Rolled Grape Leaves,Sandwiches, Spinach Ashley Lowe Nance, the years. Pies, Baked Kibbee and Falafel Salad), Sandwiches, Tabouleh (LebaneseGrilled Lebanese Lemon above, is a Vestavia As hostesses of the city, Established 1999 Salad), Grilled Lebanese Lemon Established 1999 Beans), Chicken, Loobia (Green Hills resident, writer, Vestavia Belles are required to Chicken, Loobia (Green Beans), Rice, Homous and Pita Bread.Homous educator, beautificadon Civil War-era gowns freSILENT and AUCTION: Features Rice, Pita Bread. Desserts include a variety of Features catered Lebanese dinners, tion board member quently at city events, complete Baklawa, Kaak (Lebanese Sugar Desserts include a variety of Kibbee,catered vacation packages, collector DELICACIES INCLUDING: Baked Lemon Lebanese dinners, Cookie),LEBANESE Lebanese Ice Cream. and former Vestavia with hoops under the skirt, white items, gift certificates to Baklawa, Kaak (Lebanese restaurants and events in theSugar Belle, right. gloves and a hat. Grilled Chicken, Grape Leaves, Tabouleh, Homous, Spinach vacation packages, collector 5K RUN: Saint Elias Cedar Birmingham area. Closes 8 p.m. 5K Run on April 14 atCookie), 8 a.m., Nance had hers made in the Lebanese Ice Zlaybah Cream. and Iceitems, onlike April Baklawa, 14. Pies and Desserts Cream. gift certificates to followed by Cedar Shake Fun style of Scarlett O’Hara from the DANCING: Traditional Run at 9 a.m. Benefits The restaurants and events opening scenein ofthe “Gone With the Wind.” She was dances by youth of the church Exceptional Foundation, an Saint Elias Cedar on indoor stage starting 6 p.m. organization established to St. Elias Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run able to pass on the dress she wore to her own Birmingham area. Closes 8 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. provide social and recreational 5Kwith Run· on 14Amin at 8Sultan a.m., daughter when she became a second-generation NewApril York-based activities for individuals Silent Auction Music & Dancing · Free Shuttle Parking on April 14. Lebanese Band performing special needs. For route and Vestavia Belle. by Cedar Shake outdoor tent from 6 toFun registration, visit followed under Being a Belle isn’t solely about the dress, 9:30 p.m. nightly. www.cedarrun5k.com Traditional at 9proceeds a.m. Benefits Theand national charities. according 25%ForofMore allRun festival go to local to Vestavia Belle chairwoman Rita Information Visit www.stelias.org dances by youth of Sophomore, the church Exceptional Foundation, an Greene. junior and senior girls have on indoor stage starting p.m. organization established to to apply and go6through a formal interview. For more information visit www.stelias.org. “I always tell the new Belles that being a Friday and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. provide social and recreational Belle is also a job,” said Greene. Belles are New York-based Amin Sultan activities for individuals with required to log eight hours of volunteer service Lebanese Band performing special needs. For route and during the summer at the Vestavia Hills Library under outdoor tent fromhelping 6 to out with summer reading in the Forest, registration, visit Michelle programming. 9:30 p.m. nightly. Over The Mountainwww.cedarrun5k.com Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 Both the luncheon and Belle program make up FAX: 205-824-1246 the city’s annual Dogwood Festival, which in past For More Information Visit www.stelias.org March years also included an art show. Proceeds from the event will support the purchase of This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the trees and seasonal holiday decor for Vestavia Hills’ City April 4, 2019 issue. Hall, senior lodge and Dogwood Room. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by April 15 Please make sure all information is correct, by contacting a Beautification Board member or emailing Gina Henley at ghenley401@charter.net.
Free Admission
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church 836 8th Street So., Birmingham
Photos courtesy Vestavia Beautification Board
FOOD:
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including address and phone number!
Journal file hoto by Jordan Wald
DANCING:
As hostesses of the city, Vestavia Belles are required to don Civil War-era gowns frequently at city events, complete with hoops under the skirt, white gloves and a hat. Current Belles at last year’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies from left, Katherine Ratliff, Madison Murrell, Ashleigh Long and Jules Faught.
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Vapor Ministries’ Micah McElveen to Speak at Vestavia Hills Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
Alabama Asian Cultures & Food Festival
What: The Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation presents a one-day immersion into Asian culture. Enjoy the artistic talent of performers from China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Nepal, among others. Included will be cultural heritage booths, Asian food from local restaurants and a fashion show. When: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Zamora Shrine Website: “Alabama Asian Cultures & Food Festival” Facebook page
Wing Ding Challenge and Festival
What: Leadership Vestavia Hills presents a fundraiser to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Included will be wings from competing cooks, live music and a children’s area full of games and activities. When: 4-7 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall Website: leadershipvestaviahills.com
April 13-Aug. 11 Ways of Seeing
What: The Birmingham Museum of Art presents an exhibition that explores how art has documented fashion over time and around the world. Ways of Seeing is a series of six consecutive exhibitions that explore themes, perspectives and ideas from across the Museum’s global art collections. When: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art, Bohorfoush Gallery Website: artsbma.org
Sun., April 14 Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris
What: This family-friendly walk/run serves to raise diabetes awareness, connect the diabetes community and raises funds to help send kids to attend Camp Seale Harris, Alabama’s only diabetes camp.
When: 1-5 p.m. Where: Veterans Park Website: campsealeharris.org
Run for the Kids
What: Alabama’s only fully charitable marathon benefiting Magic Moments and Children’s of Alabama, this event features a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and fun run. Stifel presents the official BHM 26.2 after party including a meal from Jim ‘N Nick’s, Coca-Cola, a kid zone and live music. When: 7 a.m., marathon, half marathon and marathon relay start; and 10 a.m., fun run start Website: bhm262.com
Tues., April 16 Eggs & Issues Breakfast
What: Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) will attendees with an update on legislative issues. The event is co-hosted by the Hoover, Montevallo, Mountain Brook, Shelby County and Vestavia Hills chambers of commerce. Register at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce website. When: 7:30-9 a.m. Where: Birmingham Marriot Hotel Website: mtnbrookchamber.org
April 18 Wine, Women and Shoes
What: Baptist Health Foundation hosts a fundraiser featuring a wine tasting, designer shopping, auction lots, Charming Shoe Guys, a Best in Shoe Contest and more. Funds raised
benefit BHF and its mission to provide resources for financially vulnerable patients and wellness resources in our community. When: 5:30-9 p.m. Where: The Club Website: winewomenandshoes.com
HOP OVER TO PAGE 16 FOR OUR EASTER EVENTS CALENDAR
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Sat., April 20 Mutt Strut
What: Join Hand in Paw in celebrating the 10th anniversary of its annual dog-friendly 5k and one mile fun run. Enjoy a day full of dogs, music, kids tent, races, local vendors, prizes, food trucks and more. When: 8 a.m.-noon; 10 a.m., 5k start; and 10:30 a.m., fun run start Where: UAB Campus Green Website: handinpaw.org
Earth Day at The Gardens
What: This free event promotes healthy communities, sustainable living and human wellness through educational dialogue, informational displays and outdoor activities. Enjoy exhibitors, vendors and activities for the whole family. When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blount Plaza and Gerlach Plant Information Center Website: bbgardens.org
Mon., April 22 Focus on Recovery Charity Golf Tournament
What: The 13th annual four-player scramble includes lunch and high quailty gifts, all in support of Focus on Recovery and its mission to help women in early recovery find lasting freedom from addiction. A silent auction and awards reception will follow the tournament. When: 11 a.m., registration; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., shot-gun start Where: Inverness Country Club in Birmingham Website: focus-on-recovery.org
Thurs., April 25 One Starry Night
What: The Assistance League of Birmingham presents its spring gala featuring dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefit the three philanthropic programs of the Assistance League of Birmingham: Operation Literacy, Operation School Bell and Prime Time Treasures. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: The Club Website: assistanceleaguebhm.org
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Mayor Ashley Curry and the city of him. Vestavia Hills will host the annual “We’re not guaranteed a long life,” Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast McElveen said in a on April 23 at Vestavia release. “The truth is our Country Club. Micah time on earth is like a McElveen, CEO and execuvapor. When you realize tive director of Vapor that, you are afforded an Ministries, will be the keyopportunity to live it difnote speaker. ferently.” McElveen suffered a The verse inspired him near-fatal surfing accident to build Vapor Ministries Micah and Audrey in 1995 that landed him in and work to alleviate povMcElveen the ICU and left him a erty in developing counquadriplegic, shattering his tries. dreams of becoming a collegiate athlete. McElveen will discuss his journey According to McElveen, during the at the event, which begins at 7:30 a.m. many years of rehabilitation that Tickets are $20 each and can be purrestored the use of his limbs, the Bible chased at vestaviahills.org. verse “life is but a vapor” stuck with —Emily Williams
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 9
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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10 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
From left, Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer; Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato; Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch and Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry have been working together to take a proactive approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. Naloxone, below, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an opioid antagonist – a drug meant to block or reverse the effects of opioids, particularly in the case of overdoses.
Citizens Now Being Trained on Use of Opioid Overdose Drug
“Like most families in America, we’ve had someone in our family that’s had struggles with opioid addiction,” Roberts said. “I hardly meet anybody that doesn’t know someone that has a family member or friend that has a challenge with that … . The whole point is, if you know somebody that might be a user or have issues with it, why not get trained in the event that something happens?”
People Trained in Naloxone Use Grows Use of naloxone was legalized by the Alabama Legislature in 2015, and
Photo courtesy of Intropin/Wikimedia Commons
On the same day officers with the Mountain Brook Police Department were trained to use naloxone, one of them used the drug to save a life. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an opioid antagonist – a drug meant to block or reverse the effects of opioids, particularly in the case of overdoses. It can come in the form of a nasal spray or an intramuscular injection and, when used appropriately, it can save a life. That’s exactly what happened within hours of the MBPD’s training session. “I got a call from Chief (Ted) Cook, and he told me this story,” said state Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, who helped organize the training. “He said, ‘One of our officers got a call and went out this afternoon after being trained that morning and was able to revive a young female.’ And I just went, ‘You have got to be kidding me.’ And then another one happened over the following weekend and another one happened late last week, so that’s now three people that Mountain Brook police officers have had the privilege to administer Narcan to and save a life,” Roberts continued. “I just thought that was the coolest thing.” Now, Roberts and a handful of other community partners are working to educate the public – not just first responders – on how to properly administer naloxone. The Jefferson County Department of Health is offering training sessions throughout the county for those who may be at risk or know someone who may be at risk of an opioid overdose. Training, which usually takes about 20 minutes, is free. Those who complete a training session with the health department can receive overdose kits containing the drug.
Photo courtesy Dan Roberts
By Sam Prickett
since 2016, pharmacies have been able to sell the drug without a prescription. Since then, the number of people the health department has trained has increased “exponentially,” according to
Sarah Estopinal, a nurse practitioner who often serves as instructor during the health department’s training sessions. “I think a lot of people didn’t know
about it initially. But once they learned about it, they became really intrigued,” she said. Roberts’ campaign to increase awareness for these training sessions dovetails with larger efforts by the mayors of Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia and Hoover, all of whom have taken a proactive approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. Part of those efforts have come in the form of quarterly anti-addiction breakfasts, which feature guest speakers and offer resources to those who are struggling or know someone who is struggling with addiction. The next breakfast will be April 4 at 7:30 a.m. at the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church and will include a naloxone training session. Over the Mountain efforts have “contributed to the understanding that the problem is not isolated to one specific community in Jefferson County,” Estopinal said. In 2017, 268 overdose deaths were recorded throughout the county, according to the most recent report from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. “It’s not like one of our communities is drug-free,” Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch told the Over the Mountain Journal last year. “That problem is everywhere … . So, we said, ‘Let’s take a step.’” Efforts also have been aided by Steve Briggs, a community activist who is chairman of the Addiction Prevention Coalition, and numerous other community partners. “No one wants to take credit here,” Roberts said, “but all the pieces have come together.” The Jefferson County Department of Health, in partnership with the Recovery Resource Center, hosts regular training sessions at Cooper Green Memorial Hospital on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Individual training sessions can be scheduled by calling 930-1153.
From left, Vestavia Hills Police Officer Shane Ware, accepting for Police Officer of the Year Nathan Stewart; Police Chief Dan Rary; Fire Chief Marvin Green; Firefighter of the Year Mathew Burkett; Maron Todd, Public Services Employee of the Year; and Public Services Supervisor Beau Markham.
Vestavia Hills Rotary Club Honors City Employees of the Year
At the March 15 meeting of the Rotary Club of Vestavia Hills, a program recognized the City of Vestavia Hills’ employees of the year. Those recognized included Police Officer of the Year Nathan Stewart, Firefighter of the Year Mathew Burkett and Civilian Employee of the Year Marlon Todd of Public Services. Along with members, special guests in attendance at the luncheon included Police Chief Dan Rary, Fire Chief Marvin Green, city manager Jeff Downes, Public Services Director Brian Davis and city Councilors Rusty Weaver, president pro-tem, George Pierce, Kimberly Cook and Paul Head.
Public safety workers in Hoover were honored with the 2018 Public Safety Awards at the Hoover Chamber Luncheon on Thursday, March 21, 2019. Fire chief Clay Bentley presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Stephen Finlen and the Paramedic of the Year award to Rusty Lowe. Police chief Nick Derzis presented Willie Young with the Detention Officer of the Year award and Brandon Harris with the Police Officer of the Year award. Officers Cyle Cutcliff and Chad Logan were also nominated as police officers of the year. Linda Moore, head of Hoover’s 911 center, awarded Amy Appleton the 911 Responder of the Year award.
Journal photo by Ingrid Howard
Journal photo by Maury Wald
Hoover Recognizes First Responders at Chamber Luncheon
Hoover Police Officer of the Year Brandon Harris, right, with Police Chief Nick Derzis at the March Hoover Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 11
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
POP GOES THE MUSEUM By Emily Williams
‘It started with the idea of pop art and just grew into this theme of Birmingham becoming an emerging cultural city, a tourist attraction.’ LINDSEY LACEY, BALL CO-CHAIR
Journal photo by Emily Williams
Focusing on modern pop art and the booming culture in downtown Birmingham, Lindsey and John Lacey and Courtney and Bryson Stephens have teamed up to co-chair the 63rd annual Museum Ball on May 4. The Birmingham Museum of Art will be transformed by HotHouse Design Studio into a “Pop in the City” celebration, featuring a color scheme of black and gold with pops of bright fuchsia. According to Courtney and Lindsey, the theme began with an idea to focus on pop art. With the museum’s Third Space modern art exhibition at an end, BMA’s contemporary galleries are currently being re-installed in the Pizitz Gallery and will open in time for Museum Ball guests to take a first look. “It started with the idea of pop art and just grew into this theme of Birmingham becoming an emerging cultural city, a tourist attraction,” Lindsey said. Courtney added that the museum is an integral part of that cultural boom. Museum ball guests can expect an evening of bold imagery and bold sounds from the band Universal Crush. The food, being created by Mac Russell of Shindigs Catering and Whistling Table, will make a statement, as well. It will be his first time catering the Museum Ball. “He’s incorporating the pop theme into his menu,” Courtney said. “So, we are excited for people to experiment a little bit with some of the things that he is bringing to the table.” Both the Laceys and the Stephenses have been patrons to the museum for many years, but each family has noticed the changes that have occurred over the past decade. With older children in their 20s and 30s, as well as younger kids who are 12 and 10, the Laceys have seen the shift in museum offerings firsthand. “My older kids did not get to do quite as much when they were kids, but our younger ones have been able to take advantage of all of the things that (the museum) has been offering,” Lindsey said. Not only have her younger kids grown up attending summer camps, her older kids are now getting involved with the junior patrons. In addition, her husband has been a supporter since the early ‘90s, but the couple’s involvement ramped up about five years ago when they joined the Collector’s Circle for
“That just wasn’t offered when we were that age,” Lindsey said, but now she sees her older kids excited to attend these events at the museum.
Lindsey and John Lacey, left, and Courtney and Bryson Stephens, right, have teamed up to co-chair the 63rd annual Museum Ball on May 4.
Contemporary Art, which offers its members a variety of social events, trips and education programs. “I get to see everyone in the family enjoying the museum on every level,” Lindsey said. Back in the early 2000s, Courtney was involved in the beginning stages of the Junior Patrons board at the museum and has been a supporter ever since. “It’s been off-and-on attending the museum ball, supporting other friends who have chaired the event or taking my child down to the (Bart’s ArtVenture) room in the
museum during the summer,” Courtney said. “My daughter did the art programs in the summertime and my sister used to teach at the summer camps.” Since her first few years of support, Courtney has noticed a complete shift in junior patron involvement. She noted that the explosion of involvement from younger generations can be seen at the hugely attended Art on the Rocks summer series, which draws in hundreds to each event for a night of live music, tours of the museum and themed food, drinks and art activities.
The funds raised at the event will help the museum continue to reach out to even younger generations, benefiting the BMA’s educational outreach programs that increase student, educator and parent access to the arts. “I think the museum is a great, community-owned entity, and that’s the important message for us,” John said. “We are trying to draw attention to the new emerging Birmingham. And changes occurring and bringing more younger people to the museum are important to create that emergence. “It’s not too late to get involved,” he added. “We’re looking for more support, and we’d like to make it a record year for the museum.” For more information, visit artsbma.org.
Photo courtesy BMA
63rd Museum Ball Celebrates Cultural Renaissance in Downtown Birmingham
Tankard taught at the Landscape Institute of Harvard University for more than 20 years.
Judith Tankard to Speak at the Birmingham Museum of Art
Renowned author and landscape historian Judith Tankard will host a lecture April 25 at the Birmingham Museum of Art, taking guests on a visual journey through one of the most iconic eras in garden design. The program will focus on her newly revised book, “Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Movement.” Using examples from the museum’s collection, Tankard will discuss the important principles of garden design in the early 1900s and the role these gardens played in the visual arts. Tankard is the author or co-author of 10 illustrated books on landscape history and has published articles and book reviews in many publications. Her most recent publication is “Ellen Shipman and the American Garden.” Her award-winning books include “Beatrix Farrand: Private Gardens, Public Landscapes,” named an Honor Book for the 2010 Historic New England Book Prize; “A Place of Beauty: The Artists and Gardens of the Cornish Colony,” winner of a 2001 Quill and Trowel Award from the Garden Writers Association; and “The Gardens of Ellen Biddle Shipman,” recipient of a 1998 book award from the American Horticultural Society. In 2000, she was awarded a Gold Medal by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for her role in the advancement of historic New England gardens. Tankard taught at the Landscape Institute of Harvard University for more than 20 years, served as the editor for the Journal of the New England Garden History Society for 10 years and recently retired as vice president and long-time board member of the Beatrix Farrand Society. Before the talk, drinks will be served among the sculptures in the Red Mountain Garden Club Memorial Garden. A book signing will follow the lecture. Tickets for the event are $45, with all proceeds benefiting the Red Mountain Garden Club Memorial Garden. For more information, visit artsbma.org.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 13
LIFE
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Samford Students Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with Dance for Downs
Above, from left, Saige Avis, Caylin Gatchell, Kenzie Simpson, Allie Simmons and Amber Boggs. Below, left, Ashton Holliday, Josey Aughtman and Samantha Brandt. Below right, Ashton Johnston, Jake Pratt, Julia Parr and Elly Boone.
In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, the Vestavia Hills-based organization Unless U hosted its annual Dance for Down Syndrome on March 21 at Samford University. This year’s dance was directed by Marye Grace Browning, with Samford cheerleaders welcoming guests to the Seibert Gym decked out in carnivalthemed decor. The event was conceived by Unless U founder Lindy Cleveland while she was attending Samford. It became the basis for her work to create the organiza-
tion, which serves adults with developmental disabilities. Funds raised at the event support
Unless U’s programming, including continuing education, life skills and social skills.
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For Art’s Sake
Six years ago, Kimberly Kirklin took a big leap with the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center and led a pilot program to take arts programming to patients by establishing UAB Arts in Medicine. Unlike clinical art therapy programs, which are conducted to achieve a medical outcome, Arts in Medicine takes fine arts activities to patients for their personal wellness. “We work with music therapists and art therapists in different areas,” Kirklin said. “But for this program, we wanted to not necessarily be doing this to try and achieve different therapeutic outcomes, but to enhance the environment for everybody.” Growing up in Birmingham, Kirklin had first-hand experience with both the world of the arts and the world of medicine. Her father, Dr. James K. Kirklin, is a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon known for his work in heart
transplantation. Therefore, medicine was a part of life growing up. So, too, were the arts, which Kirklin embraced at the young age of 3 when her mother started her in violin lessons. She transitioned through different instruments and art mediums before committing to her love of musical theater while attending the Indian Springs Schools. From there, she pursued a musical theater degree at the University of Miami, making her way to New York for a time before switching gears and returning to Birmingham to work in arts education and outreach. “I’ve been at the Alys Stephens Center for over 16 years, and during that time, I did a lot with education and outreach,” Kirklin said. “I knew the benefits of going into classrooms with artists, seeing how it could impact kids in different communities.” It was a natural next step for her to take those programs from a kid in a
Photos courtesy UAB
Success of UAB Arts in Medicine Leads to More Community Outreach By Emily Williams
Growing up in Birmingham, Kimberly Kirklin had first-hand experience with both the world of the arts and the world of medicine.
classroom to a patient in a hospital. “So, I started to research it and realized that this is a real field,” Kirklin said. She went to the University of Florida to obtain a master’s degree in arts in medicine and used what she learned to launch what has become UAB Arts in Medicine.
Started With Aging
A great group activity has been Lillis Taylor’s (above center) textile design classes for parents in high-risk pregnancies. The parents can create and embroider pillows for their newborns.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
LIFE
After extensive research, the center launched its first arts in wellness program for the elderly, now dubbed the Aging Creatively program. “There is a lot of research coming out and continuing to develop about the importance of creativity in the aging process,” Kirklin said, “because it can help with cognitive function. When you are working with movement and dance, it can improve mobility and balance. Also, it is mainstream knowledge that social connections are so important throughout life, but also as we age.” Through the first program, Kirklin and the ASC saw support systems
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forming among program participants as a byproduct of doing art projects together.
Moved to Hospital Patients The results were enough of a success to launch an expanded Arts in Medicine pilot program in 2013, partnering with UAB Hospital. “We found that people were selfreporting, after the art, that they had less anxiety or pain … . That was of interest to the hospital,” Kirklin said. “At that point we were able to expand to a full program.” The UAB Arts in Medicine program now has its own office space in the hospital, where it rolls out close to 100 hours of arts services each week. “We can come in and offer them an interaction that is a distraction but is also a way that we can communicate with them and work to address the whole person,” she said. “We
‘There is a lot of research coming out and continuing to develop about the importance of creativity in the aging process.’ KIMBERLY KIRKLIN
know that UAB provides amazing medicine and surgeries and biomedical care, but everybody has a lot of work to do. That’s where we can come in and look at who they are when they are not in that hospital bed.” Program offerings range from taking packets of paints and coloring pages to a patient, to leading group dance classes, to hosting a musical performance in the hospital’s atrium. Helene Taylor, a visual artist, often brings in community canvases. She will draw an image outline on a blank canvas, post it somewhere in the hospital and allow passersby to take a few moments to paint. A great group activity has been Lillis Taylor’s textile design classes for parents in high-risk pregnancies. The parents can create and embroider pillows for their newborns. “It gives the parent something that they can do for their child and it often becomes a part of that child’s story,” Kirklin said. “It gives them a sense of control within their personal medical experience.” One father created a pillow for his son, who was born with a genetic heart disease. It reads: “You’re a blessing from God for me and mom. Your disease came from me and is a blessing from God. Never let anyone tell you otherwise or let this disease limit you ever.” Elizabeth Vander Kamp is a storyteller and leads movement activities. Her storytelling is great for bone marrow transplant patients, Kirklin said, who often are very low on energy
during their treatment. Kamp is able to tell them a story and illicit a conversation. According to Kirklin, after one of Kamp’s stories, an elderly patient told her, “You helped me remember who I am.” “And that is why we are here,” Kirklin said. “It’s things like that that you wouldn’t expect to get at the hospital.” Visual arts and meditation guide Kim McKenzie works frequently with patients in the center for psychiatric medicine. One of her approaches is to have patients paint with their hands, making big sweeps of color on the canvas. “Not all patients want to talk,” Kirklin said. “Not all people connect with talk therapy. In situations like that, she’s not doing art therapy, but it’s just a way for people again to have some control over their experience in the hospital. It’s a way to be creative and get a little messy.” The institute also brings in special programming at times. For the second year, AIM will host a summer magic camp for pediatric patients with hemiplegia, a weakness on one side of the body as a result of cerebral palsy, stroke or other traumatic brain injury.
Branching Out Into the Community After six years of piloting, perfecting and expanding the programming, Kirklin said the next phase for AIM is to reach farther outside of hospital walls. “Our next phase is to go out further into the community,” Kirklin said. “What kind of arts classes and programs can we bring out into the public for just general wellness and wellbeing?” The team already has a partnership with Children’s, the Exceptional Foundation and the Collate Jewish Family Services’ Cares program. Most recently, a dance therapy class was added to the calendar, held at the Dance Foundation for people with Parkinson’s Disease. “We are really interested in researching and adding to the literature about arts in wellness,” Kirklin said. The program is conducting two studies, one with Kamp and bone marrow transplant patients and another with Taylor’s work in high-risk obstetrics. “What we are wanting to do is see how the arts impact the patient experience,” Kirklin said. “So, we’ll probably be working on that for a couple of years, but it is really interesting.” There is more and more research to be found on the benefits of arts in medicine programs, Kirklin said. She recently attended an arts in medicine conference in the United Kingdom and noticed how widely the concept is accepted and implemented throughout the country. She’s hoping to see that same result spread throughout the United States. “The arts and medicine are two worlds that fit so well together, but you don’t always think they do,” she said.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
CJFS Raises Hands Up Together In Honor of Hal Abroms By Emily Williams
sought advice from CJFS Executive Director Lauren Schwartz to help his wife stay active and engaged in life for as long as possible. Schwartz told him about a new program that the organization was about to launch at the time, CJFS Cares, and
The event, being chaired by Ronne and Donald Hess, will take place at the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre.
Photo courtesy Collat Jewish Family Services
Longtime Mountain Brook resident and philanthropist Hal Abroms will be honored by the Collat Jewish Family Services at its annual “Hands Up Together” event April 28. The event, being chaired by Ronne and Donald Hess, will take place at the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. Festivities will celebrate the decades of partnership between Abroms and CJFS, a United Way of Central Alabama agency that provides care and support for older adults of every faith and financial ability. Hal and his late wife, Judy, displayed a devotion to philanthropy throughout their more than six decades of married life in Birmingham. In addition, the Abromses supported educational initiatives at Indian Springs School, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School; and helped found the Abroms Engel Institute for Visual Arts at UAB, where budding contemporary artists can interact with the community. At CJFS, the couple served as donors, advisers, advocates and fundraisers.
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 15
LIFE
Hal Abroms, above, and his late wife, Judy, displayed a devotion to philanthropy throughout their more than six decades of married life in Birmingham.
“When Esther Schuster was the executive director of CJFS, she told me that when a child has to come in and clean a parent’s apartment and bathe the parent, it’s a humiliating thing for both the parent and the child. That made sense to us, and we could see how worthwhile it was to expand the CJFS Personal Care program,” Hal said, in a statement. The couple directly benefited from the CJFS services when Judy’s early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms began to cause her to withdraw in 2014. Hal
Judy became one of its first participants. On Judy’s days at Cares, Hal had a few hours to himself while she joined in a full schedule of art, music, exercise and games. “She was the best balloon volleyball player – everybody wanted to be on her team, and she loved to sing,” Hal recalled with a smile. Judy passed away in October 2018, after attending Cares until almost the end. The 4 p.m. “Hands Up Together” event honoring the Hal will include entertainment celebrating his favorite musical era, featuring the Las Vegas Rat Pack Revue, followed by a wine and cheese reception. For more information, visit cjfsbham.org or call 879-3438.
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16 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
By Judy Butler
Spring Break Life Broken
This is the time of year for new beginnings. Unfortunately some of those “new beginnings” can be new legal beginnings. For whatever reason it seems to be a time when an otherwise very responsible young adult becomes very irresponsible. Must be the pollen in the air – or maybe it’s pent up anxiety and the real person reveals his or her self. The problem that most don’t understand is that one bad decision can derail their life. For instance, how many DUI’s before the license is gone forever? What about a Felony? That’s like having a scarlet letter on your forehead and either of those two examples can happen in the blink of an eye. Even worse case is a careless move can cause death. Many times young people who have these issues play the blame game. “It’s not their fault, they just have crappy luck”. Actually they’ve made crappy decisions. Sure, sometimes they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing, but the reality is it’s possible that at any given point they could make the decision to not be there. Is rehab the answer? Yes. If it keeps them out of jail, which is the reason that many go to the big box rehabs. More importantly if this has become the new norm, then YES. The earlier you can get to the root cause of this behavior the better. We can help redirect life in a better direction. Our counselors are professionals who help identify the underlying issues and work with clients to develop an After Care plan that will work. Call us today.
April 4-21
Sat., April 20
Embodying Faith: Imagining Jesus Through the Ages and Oscar’s Easter Brunch
What: The Birmingham Museum of Art exhibit explores how artists imagined Jesus through examples drawn primarily from the BMA’s own collection. Included are prints, drawings, paintings, sculpture, quilts, flags and books spanning more than 500 years. An Easter brunch will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. When: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sun., noon-5 p.m. (museum closed on Fri., April 19) Where: Birmingham Museum of Art, Arrington Gallery Website: artsbma.org
April 5-20 The Easter Bunny, a Brookwood Village Tradition
What: The Easter Bunny will be available for visits and photos with shoppers of all ages in his charming spring garden. Children will receive a free gift with their visit. When: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sun., noon-6 p.m. Where: Brookwood Village, upper level across form the food court Website: shopbrookwoodvillage.com
Sat., April 6 Oak Mountain Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Market
What: Oak Mountain State Park presents its 12th annual Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Market. More than 25,000 filled eggs, hay rides, inflatables, corn hole, yard games, pony rides, local craftsmen, artisans, boutiques, bakeries, food vendors, food trucks, pictures with the Easter Bunny and Cricket the miniature Unicorn and more. New this year is an egg hunt for dogs. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., check the website for hunt times Where: Oak Mountain State Park Website: “Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Market” Facebook page
Oak Kids Eggstravaganza
What: Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church’s third annual community-wide Easter egg hunt is set to include lunch and bounce houses following the egg hunt. When: 10 a.m. Where: Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church soccer field Website: ompc.org
Trinity UMC Easter Egg Hunt
What: The church will host its annual egg hunt, featuring crafts, a bounce house and Magic City Sweet Ice. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, West Homewood Campus Website: “Trinity UMC Easter Egg Hunt 2019” Facebook page
Overton Park Easter Egg Hunt
What: Off-Shoots Garden Club hosts an egg hunt featuring over 3,000 eggs, including Golden Egg prizes, photo opportunities with the Easter
Zoo Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
What: Enjoy a scrambled egg, pancakes and sausage breakfast with orange juice and coffee, followed by a visit from the Easter Bunny. All children receive a special holiday gift upon arrival. When: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Where: The Birmingham Zoo, Nourish205 Website: birminghamzoo.com
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Rehab Reality...
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
EASTER
Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5k and Family Day Eggstravaganza
Trinity United Methodist Church Senior Pastor Brian Erickson carries the cross at last year’s Homewood Way of the Cross service.
April 19 Good Friday: Homewood Way of the Cross
A group of Homewood churches will host the 25th annual Homewood Way of the Cross in recognition of Good Friday, before celebrating Easter Sunday on April 21. Beginning at 2 p.m. in Homewood Central Park, church representatives and congregation members will walk to Edgewood Presbyterian Church with the leader carrying a large cross. Participants will walk both in song and in silence, taking stops along the way to read scripture or pause for prayer.
What: The fifth annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5k and Family Day Eggstravaganza will feature, music, face painting, bounce houses, an inflatable slide, a D.J. pictures with the Easter Bunny and age specific Easter egg hunts including more than 3,000 eggs filled with candy, cash and prizes. When: 9 a.m., 5k start; 9-11 a.m., family fun day; and 10 a.m., egg hunts Where: Veterans Park Website: jeffersonstate.edu
Zoo Eggstravaganza Bunny, a cake walk, face painting and more. When: noon Where: Overton Park Website: “Overton Park Easter Egg Hunt” Facebook page
April 8 and 15 Riverchase Galleria: Pet Night
What: Bring your furry friends for a photo with the Easter Bunny. Dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes are welcome. Reserve a spot on the website now. When: 5 p.m.-close Where: Lower level Belk Men’s Court, Riverchase Galleria Website: riverchasegalleria.com
Sat., April 13 Egg Hunt in the Hills
What: The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce presents an egg hunt for children in third grade and younger. Bring your basket to hunt for eggs filled with candy and small prizes. When: 9 a.m. Where: Byrd Park Website: vestaviahills.org
VHUMC Easter Egg Hunt
What: The church will host a hunt for ages toddler-third grade. Bring a basket and camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny. When: 10 a.m. Where: Vestavia Hills UMC Fellowship Hall Website: vhumc.org
The Samford Family Easter Egg Hunt
What: Gather with family and friends at an egg hunt presented by Samford University Alumni Association and the Office of Greek Life. The event includes the Flowering of the Cross.
When: 10-11:30 a.m. Where: Samford University, Sherman Circle and The Quad Website: samford.edu
The City of Homewood’s Easter Egg Hunt
What: An evening egg hunt for ages toddler-11 years will feature games, prizes, bounce houses and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Grouped by ages, the 7-11 year hunt will begin after dark. Don’t forget to bring a basket, and bring a flashlight if your hunt is after dark. When: 5:30 p.m., check website for egg hunt schedule Where: Homewood Athletic Complex - Lower Baseball/Softball Fields Website: homewoodparks.com
Fri., April 19
What: A rain or shine event, children can collect up to 10 eggs in Henley Park and receive a pair of bunny ears. All eggs are empty. An adult egg hunt will take place in the Trails of Africa, where winners can walk away with special Zoo prizes. When: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., children’s egg hunts; and 11:15 a.m. adult egg hunt Where: Birmingham Zoo Website: birminghamzoo.com
City of Mountain Brook Community Easter Egg Roll
What: Hop on over to the Mountain Brook Chamber’s Easter Egg Roll. Be sure to B.Y.O.B. (bring your own basket) and join the fun. When: 10 a.m. Where: Grassy Field in front of Emmet O’Neal Library Website: mtnbrookchamber.org
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Easter Extravaganza
Green Valley Easter Egg-stravaganza
Stations of the Cross: Seeking the Suffering Jesus on the Streets of Birmingham
The Great McWane Egg Drop
What: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest presents an egg drop followed by pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts, snacks, lawn games and more. This event is for children in first grade and younger. When: Hunt begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall Website: vestavialibrary.org
What: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, Greater Birmingham Ministries and Church in the Park will collectively host a Stations of the Cross pilgrimage form Linn Park to Kelly Ingram Park. When: noon Where: Linn Park Website: gbm.org
What: Green Valley Baptist Church will host a free egg hunt for ages fourth grade and under, beginning with a light breakfast. The event will include games and activities for everyone, a photo booth and more than 3,000 Easter eggs. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: Green Valley Baptist Church Website: gvbc.org What: Check out McWane Science Center as they present egg demonstrations that are all they are cracked up to be. Then use your creativity to create a contraption to protect an egg from a 45-foot drop. When: TBA, Check the website for event time Where: McWane Science Center Website: mcwane.org
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Mary Ferguson, center, recently celebrated her 100th birthday at Town Village, with, from left, Wes, Trott, Casey and Hayes Quattlebaum.
Vestavia’s Mary Ferguson Celebrates 100th Birthday Family and friends of Town Village Vestavia Hills resident Mary Ferguson gathered recently to celebrate her centennial. Mary was born March 22, 1919, to Patrick and Theresa DeJames of Buffalo, New York. She was the fifth of 12 children – five boys and seven girls, according to a statement from the family. Mary was a spirited child, highachieving and determined to succeed, which her family attributes to her having been a child of the Great Depression and daughter of an Italian
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 17
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immigrant, according to the statement. During her adolescence in the 1930s, Mary pursued a career with the major aircraft manufacturer Bell Aircraft Corp., builder of several fighter aircrafts used in World War II. It was there that she met the love of her life, Ralph Ferguson, in 1941, the family said in the statement. World War II broke out early in their marriage, and Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was hit multiple times in a heavy artillery battle while serving in France and sustained
severe injuries that left him permanently disabled. He returned home to Mary and was presented with a Purple Heart. The couple moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where Ralph enrolled in college at St. Louis University. The couple moved to Birmingham in 1955 and later to Vestavia Hills, where Mary has been an active member of the community for 64 years, especially in the city’s baseball program. Ferguson’s children remained close to home as well. Her first-born child, Mary Catherine Ferguson Gustin of Sylacauga, lost a battle with cancer in 2015, a loss she and her family continue to mourn. Her five surviving children are Patricia Ann Ferguson Echols of Birmingham, Ralph Alton “Sonny” Ferguson of Birmingham, Deborah Ann Ferguson Quattlebaum of Fairhope, Craig Robert Ferguson of Mobile and Randall Anthony Ferguson of Alabaster. According to the family, Mary’s love of God, family, country and Auburn University has always been an important part of who she is and remains evident in her daily life today. She is a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, remains active in Vestavia Forest Home and Garden Club and stays busy keeping up with her 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. —Emily Williams
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18 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
DOLLARS AND SENSE Cornerstone Junior Board Rocks the House With Annual Fundraiser
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
T
he junior board for Cornerstone Schools of Alabama celebrated the 14th annual Schoolhouse Rock fundraiser March 8 at Regions Field. An evening of rock music and auction items, the event generated proceeds to provide a private, Christian education for students in K4-12th grade. As cocktails were poured and hors d’oeuvres passed, the band Just a Few Cats provided music for dancing. A silent auction offered opportunities to win a variety of artwork items, ticket and restaurant packages, a trip to Saint Lucia and a vacation in Antigua. Members of the junior board who helped coordinate the event include Jeff Jantz, president; Justin Hays, vice president; Walter Kelley, past president; Matthew McGough, treasurer; Caryn Wheeler, membership chairwoman; Farra Alford; Sequoya Bean; Madelyn Beatty; Holton Bell; Mary Coston Bell; Julia Blackerby; Ashley Brigham; Andrew Castrichini; Haleigh Davis; Molly Davis; R.T. Davis; Jenna Dorlon; Chandler Dunn; McKinley Dunn; Allie Elliott; Leaveil Flowers; Lauren Gaines; John Hanson; Logan Heim; Eve Hennessy; John Hennessy; Katie Jean Henry; Madison Imbusch; Marcus Kennedy; Clint Kirby; Davis Looney; Kim McGuire; Mary Claire McDougald; Candace O’Neil; Shelby Pickett; John Rust; Ky Sevier; Ki Shin; Parker Simpson; Julia Vines; and Mary Beth Walker. ❖
Claire Drummond and Maggie Kelley.
Caroline Braswell, Robbie Calk, Winston Durbin with Tyler and Kathryn Gay.
Allison Little and Katelyn Lane.
Sally and Dustin Dew with Eve and John Hennessy.
Brice and Anna Bishop.
Trent Weaver, Andrew Pierce and Dow Walker.
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Go Fly a Kite
Kites hung from the ceiling of Mountain Brook Club and decorated tables for the Ballerinas Dance Club’s recent winter dance. Ball chairmen Julie Crocker and Beth Elliott welcomed guests and thanked their committee members: Ginger Ballard, Carmen Morrow, Glenda Sparacio and Elise Warren. President Carmen Morrow thanked the ball chairman and the ball committee, as well as Elouise Williams for hosting everyone. Spring floral arrangements decorated the center of each table for the meal and music for dancing was provided by O.Z. Hall and the Expandables. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Ken Alderman, Mr. and Mrs. David Ballard, Connie Bishop, Mr. and
We're Back!!
Photos special to the Journal
Ballerinas Dance Club Hosts Winter Dance
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 19
Catherine and Andy Meehan, Mary Beth Wood and Maggie Somerall.
Connie Bishop with Scott and Susan Williams. Tween to Trend Accessories In Snoozy's Kids
CRESTLINE VILLAGE 871.2662
Mike and Susan Yarbro.
Ginny and Mike Halter.
Vestavia VestaviaHills HillsDogwood DogwoodLuncheon Luncheon Carmen Morrow, Julie Crocker and Beth Elliott.
Celebrating 40th Anniversary of THE VESTAVIA BELLES Thursday, April 25, 2018 11 am, Vestavia Country Club
Mrs. David Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. Cal Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Crocker, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Crockett, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Culp, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dobbs and Dr. and Mrs. Dale Elliott. Also attending were Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Ezell, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Futch, Dr. and Mrs. John Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Grayson, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Halter, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Harvey, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Holder, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Howell, Lou Lanier, Mr. and Mrs. Tom LeCroy, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Lewis. Also attending were Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Liles, Mr. and Mrs. David Long, Mr. and Mrs. David Lyon, Mr.
Featured speaker ASHLEY LOWE NANCE
Ashley is a former Belle who will take us on a journey of Belle fashions, a little history, and memorable moments. Roland and Marquita Self with Susan and Steve Dobbs.
and Mrs. Ross Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Meehan, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Miller, Carmen Morrow, Mr. and Mrs. Mac Motes, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Posey, Kathie Ramsey, Mr. and Mrs. Mallory Reeves, Mr. and Mrs. James Ruzic, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Self, Jean Shanks and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Smith. Others at the event included Dr. Maggie Somerall, Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Sporacio, Dr. and Mrs. Bill Stetler, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Straka, Mr. and Mrs. Preston Trammel, Dr. and Mrs. Scott Tully, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Waguespack, Mr. and Mrs. Davis Warnock, Elise Warren, Anna Williams, Elouise Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Williams, Mary Beth Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Yarbro and Janice Zeanah ❖
Door prizes will be offered. Tickets: $25 each by April 15th. To purchase tickets, please contact Gina Henley at ghenley401@charter.net or (205)910-4837. Please join the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board in our annual Dogwood Festival celebration.
20 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
Luck of the Irish
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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Kicking off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the Homewood Rotary Club hosted its annual holiday fundraiser March 14 at Soho Social in Homewood. In addition to Irish and Scottish music from the band Hooley, a silent auction offered up a trip to Ireland, lake and beach house rentals, football tickets and more. Proceeds from the fundraiser support the club’s scholarship fund for Homewood High School students. ❖
Front, from left, Rachel Reynolds and Gina Falletta. Back, John Krontiras, Merrick Wilson, Robert Sprain, Carol Chesnutt, Sarah Anne Elliot, Rhett McCreight, Peggy Bales and Glenn Ellis.
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Homewood Rotary’s St. Patty’s Day Party Raises Funds for Local Scholarships
Bryan and Katie Poole with Mike Hathorne.
Mary Alice Kline and Al Murray.
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens Doors open at 11am; Program 11:30am - 1pm Register at mtnbrookchamber.org Sponsored by
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Lucky Shamrocks
Kappa Delta Alums Raise Money at Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party The Mountain Brook Kappa Delta Alumnae Association gathered in the home of Robert and Martha Haley on March 16 for its annual Shamrock party. The casino-themed fundraiser was planned by Leah Abele, Kerri Windle and Susanne McMillan to benefit The Exceptional Foundation. Dish’n It Out provided dinner, and Girl Scout cookies were served to support the Kappa Delta national philanthropy. Attending the party were Kerri and John Windle, Amy and Sid Knight, Nancy and Bill Stetler, Melissa and Jeff Seton, Laura and Andy Sink, Rachel Hellums, Gwen Blackwell, Ivey and Jeff Brown, Isabelle and Hank Lawson, Beaty and John Coleman, Leah and Chris Abele,
Roman BRantley aRt, antiques Gifts & DecoR
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Photos special to the Journal
Mountain Brook Chamber Luncheon
James Catron and Kelly Moore.
Anne Liles, Kerri Windle, Mary Catherine Ferguson and Leah Abele.
Susanne and Tom McMillan, Adelaide and Russell Vandevelde, Anne and Jeffrey Liles, Mary Catherine and Gil Ferguson, Emily and Marc Beaumont, Emily Burwell, Francie Deaton, Martha and John DeBuys, Emily and Walter Dunn, Lisa and Jared Flake, Cameron and Jeff Hicks, Amy and Harold Hudson, Shelley and Sam Hunt, Julie Kehl, Nancy and Jack Kimberly, Dot Nall, Marianna Odom, Kathy and George O’Rear, Katie and Ben Patrick, Mary Dee Patrick, Tracy and Stephen Simmons, Louise Skelton and Beth and Copeland Wood. ❖
Lisa Flake and Nancy Stetler.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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Follow the Rainbow
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 21
Above, Jayne and David Manush with Gray Manly, Katherine Baker and Emily Morton. Below, Landon Cartwright, Elaine Boone and Geoffrey Lein.
Members of the Cha Cha Dance Club gathered recently for a bi-annual meeting highlighting food and friendship. The group of 60 women met at Birmingham Breadworks, where they caught up with each other over a meal of pizza and salads and planned a meeting for the fall.
Love for Literacy Celebrates Better Basics 25th Anniversary
On Feb. 16, Better Basics hosted its annual Love for Literacy gala at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook, supporting the organization’s 10 educational programs. The gala celebrated the organization’s 25th year in service, with festivities including live entertainment, a night of dancing and a silent auction. Established in 1993, Better Basics took on the mission of making a positive difference in the lives of children throughout Alabama by advancing literacy through enrichment and intervention programs. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a United Way agency, the organization provides services to about 40 schools, reaching more than 25,000 underserved children, birth through eighth grade. Co-chairs of the event were Knox Richardson and Matt Dennis, supported by fellow board members Theresa Harper Bruno, Ragan Cain, Patty Cobb, Milton A. Davis, Kit Deason, Krystal Drummond, Amoi S. Geter, Scott Gewant, Lynn Kirkland, Delane Myers, Wilson Nash, Andrew Nix, Valerie Ramsbacher, Jason Rhodes, Amanda Saint, Brittney R. Smith, Mary Steadman, Nate Todd and Allison Westlake. ❖
A Piece of the Pie Cha Chas Share a Slice and a Salad
Reaching Children
Unloading Vintage Hickory Furniture Beds, Lamps, Linens & Lake Furniture
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Matthew Taylor and Meredith Smith with Alissa and Will Sanford.
Photos special to the Journal
Luck was in the air March 13 at the Arc of Central Alabama Junior Board’s annual Shamrock Shindig, hosted at Iron City Birmingham. Throughout the evening, hors d’oeuvres and drinks were served as guests decked out in green danced to music by The Divines. Toward the end of the evening, the event’s signature balloon drop gave guests an opportunity to snag balloons in the hopes of winning prizes including gift cards, Barons tickets, a weekend getaway to Orange Beach and a $1,000 Pot o’Gold grand prize. Members of the junior board coordinating the evening included Michael Jordan, chair; Chris Martin, past chair; Melody Jordan, administrative chair; Cameron Bice; John Canfield; Torie Cunningham; Kelly Hochstetter; Madelaine Julbert; Liana Kingston; India Moore; Kelsey Pope; Sherri Radney; Ashton Sartin; Dr. Justin Schwartz; Emily Sottilare; and Sean Vibert. Proceeds from the event support The Arc of Central Alabama’s efforts to provide programming and resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ❖
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Prizes Abound at Arc of Central Alabama’s Annual Shamrock Shindig
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22 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
2019 GBAHB PARADE OF HOMES By Emily Williams
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
W
hen it comes to high-end homebuying, Jason Kessler and the Kadco team are proving that bigger isn’t always better. Kadco is completing the 2019 Ideal Home, which will be featured on the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders’ Spring Parade of Homes, April 26-28 and May 3-5. The 5-bedroom, 4-bath Vestavia Hills home is 3,571 square feet and located at 3183 Overton Cove in The Cove at Overton, a gated community in Cahaba Heights off of Poe Drive. “This home was smartly designed to eliminate wasted space and is high on amenities and high-tech features while low on maintenance,” Kessler said. “We feel it is the ‘ideal’ home for what high-end home buyers are looking for in 2019.” Kessler isn’t new to the process of building homes that showcase the latest in style and features. His father, Charles Kessler, founded CRE Realty more than 35 years ago and subsequently formed Kadco Homes, building subdivisions throughout the greater Birmingham area. Kessler joined in 2005 as a builder and Realtor and has, over the years, led multiple builds for homes that represent the “ideals” that buyers are looking for. “We’ve worked with Birmingham Home & Garden a few times on the Inspiration Home,” Kessler said. They also consistently showcase new homes on the Fall and Spring Parade of Homes. “We’re members of the GBAHB, and many of our vendors are also. So, opportunities like this are a great way to showcase our vendors and a great way to get our homes out there.” Featured projects such as the Ideal Home and the Inspiration Home are more involved than the regular home showcase. They require Kessler and his crew to pull out all the stops in terms of added features and high-end finishings. “It’s a nice way to get more creative with the build and also start trying new things,” he said. According to Kessler, 2019 is all about meeting and exceeding efficiency standards, whether that be smart floorplans or smart technology. “High-end buyers aren’t so much looking for that 4,500- to 5,000-square-footage,” Kessler said. Instead of creating a sprawling mansion, the job has been in producing a home that lives big enough for a family without incurring the high energy bills of a larger home. The home will also incorporate an encapsulated crawl space, which Kessler noted does wonders in terms of keeping the crawl space protected and dry. “It will also include a ‘smart home’ system
According to Jason Kessler, 2019 is all about meeting and exceeding efficiency standards, whether that be smart floorplans or smart technology.
INSIDE OUT
Kadco’s 2019 Ideal Home Showcases High-End Design That Embraces the Outdoors that will give the homeowners the ability to control their security system, thermostats and select lights with their phones,” he said. In previous years, smart home technology was something new and exciting. Now it is something that Kessler has found a buyer expects when they are purchasing a new, highend home.
Bringing the Outdoors In
The exterior of the home offers an Old World, European look with a modern twist. On the inside, it’s all about creating a modern, open feel that embraces the outdoors. “It was important for us to design the home in such a way that we married the indoor with the outdoor living spaces,” Kessler said. The main living space covers a large portion
of the first floor and includes kitchen, dining and living. To avoid a cavernous feel, Kessler said, the design sought to embrace the views of the outdoor living area and backyard, bringing life into the space even when it is empty. Sleek, modern finishings and features have been used to keep the interior from competing with the exterior. The simplicity gave Kessler and his team the opportunity to bring in cutting-edge designs that are growing in popularity. For example, they chose a waterfall-style island to separate the kitchen and living space. “We’ve used them in a few homes and people love them,” he said. “The counter top runs down the sides of the island and creates really clean lines.”
Kadco’s Ideal Home design also comes fully stocked with amenities inside and out. In the backyard, a pool is built in a vanishing edge design surrounded by travertine decking for a sleeker look. Multi-functional, it incorporates a tanning ledge for in-pool lounging and an attached hot tub. “There is also an outdoor kitchen by the pool that will feature a gas grill, under-counter refrigerator, room for seating and high-tech features like built-in speakers and USB ports,” Kessler said. Throughout the home, custom trims, accent walls and reclaimed wood ceilings keep the build from feeling plain or stagnant. In the kitchen, a Cobalt blue Viking range, courtesy of Southern Bath and Kitchen, makes a statement and brings a pop of color. The home also comes equipped with a home theater on the second floor, outfitted with a 4K projector and system installed by Champion Technologies. “The home theater will also offer separate wine and beverage fridges,” Kessler said. Beyond the amenities the home offers, the community includes a neighborhood lawn that features a gazebo with an outdoor fireplace, charcoal grills, a gas fire pit, a TV, audio system and a fish pond. “The Cove is unique,” Kessler said. “There are some buyers who wanted to down-size but still have those high-end amenities, but there are also a decent amount of younger families moving into the neighborhood.” The Ideal Home seems to be one that would work for a larger family, Kessler noted, as the backyard is spacious enough for kids and pets to run around and play.
‘Ideal’ Location
“Cahaba Heights is a great neighborhood,” Kessler said. “It has improved immensely over the past few years and it’s walkable.” Walkability from the home only stands to improve. Kadco and the city of Vestavia Hills recently began a partnership to create sidewalks along Poe Drive, which is one of the connections between Overton Road and The Cove at Overton. The neighborhood is also growing in terms of businesses and restaurants available, Kessler said, specifically noting the new Martin’s BarB-Que Joint on Pump House Road. Construction is entering the final phases as the Parade of Homes tour nears, according to Kessler, at which point it will be outfitted with furnishings by the Vestavia Hills-based staging and interior design company Set to Sell. Once it is open for touring, the home also will be put on the market. For more information, contact Jason Kessler at 369-5187 or jason@kadcohomes.com.
ALSO IN THIS SECTION Working Women PAGE 25
Home Advantage PAGE 24
ShowHouse Countdown PAGE 27
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 23
HOME
2019 Parade of Homes
GBAHB Showing More than 70 Homes Throughout the Area
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or interested in remodeling, upgrading, downsizing or building, the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builder’s 2019 Spring Parade of Homes has many items of interest to show you, with more than 70 homes and 26 builders. The annual event will be held over two weekends, April 26-28 and May 3-5, and the houses will be open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Featured on the tour will be houses scattered throughout the Greater Birmingham area that are currently on the market, ranging from 1,300 to 5,700 square feet. A highlight of the parade will be the eighth annual GBAHB Ideal Home, featuring cutting-edge technology and the latest in-home design trends. The house was built by Kadco Homes and is located in The Cove at Overton in Vestavia Hills. In addition to individual homes, the parade route guides you through 18 communities in Over the Mountain area communities, including: ABINGDON AT LAKE WILBORN
Abingdon is Hoover’s first communi-
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
By Kennedy McJunkin
Above, Wedgeworth Construction Co. Inc.’s home The Amberly at 3582 Altadena Park Lane in Vestavia Hills is one of more than 70 homes featured on the GBAHB’s upcoming 2019 Spring Parade of Homes tour.
ty specifically for active adults ages 55+ community, featuring resort-style amenities. A part of the Wilborn resort community, Abington offers a 300acre park along the Cahaba River with canoe launches, 73 acres of outdoor hiking and biking trails, a 21-acre lake, wellness center with zero entry pool, an AstroTurf wiffle ball field, pickle ball court and residents-only clubhouse. BLACKRIDGE
Blackridge is a gated waterfront community in Hoover. Custom-built
homes, both waterfront- and neighborhood-style, have access to the private 100-acre lake, the Cahaba River and the Craftsman-style clubhouse with swimming pool. Unlike any other Signature Homes community, one can bring their own builder to craft a custom lakefront or riverside getaway. BROCK POINT
A Signature Homes community set on a hilltop in Hoover, Brock Point showcases homes with 20-foot ceilSee PARADE, page 27
Thirteen Distinctive New Homes in Vestavia Hills On the crest of Shades Mountain overlooking Oxmoor Valley, Walnut Hill epitomizes a Wedgworth community: beautiful homes, great views, and energysmart construction. Minutes from I-65 and downtown Birmingham, these thirteen home sites surround a central park. With lots starting at $200,000, Walnut Hill provides a unique opportunity for you to create a custom home in one of Birmingham’s most desirable areas.
www.wedgworth.net
Mike Wedgworth (205) 365-4344
24 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
HOME By Ingrid Howard
Like many other small businesses, Alabama Gaslight & Grill has felt the effects of online shopping. But, according to owner Mike Barnett and his son, Anderson, there are advantages to shopping at local stores that customers can’t get on the internet. “There’s not anything in here that you can’t purchase on the internet,” Mike said. “(But) I personally can’t imagine buying a $1,000 grill or more by just looking at it on the internet.” Shopping for a grill is like a matchmaker’s process, and the Barnetts help guide their customers in HANNA the right direction. ANTIQUES MALL 2424 7th Ave. So. • (205) 323-6036 • MON-SAT 10:00-5:00 “Before you ever look at a grill, I’m gonna say, ‘Do you want to do natural gas or propane? Is this on a deck or a patio?’” Mike said. “We’re gonna try to bring you to what we think you’re looking for.” H O M E W O O D The store, which was opened in 1967 by a man named George Glen, also sells gas and electric lighting, gas logs and grilling accessories. Mike was working at Alabama Gas Corp., now Spire Inc., when the company decided to buy Alabama Gaslight & Grill. When Alagasco decided to get out of merchandising, Mike and his wife, Linda, bought the company. The Barnetts have been the owners of Alabama Gaslight & Grill since 2004. Back then, Anderson was in in 2018 third grade. Mike and Linda’s daughTo: Hanna Antique ter, Blakely, was a teenager and 205.879.8580 · PHONE: LAHRealEstate.com From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 worked at the store some. Date: March “One of the memories I have of (Anderson) is … we had gotten this This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for and the I think there was a huge box, April 4th issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. lamp or something in it,” Mike said. “But there were these packing peaPlease make sure all information is correct, nuts, and (he) would climb up on the and jump into the box of including address and phone number!shelves stuff.” Anderson also has memories of Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. baking cookies at home and taking we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, them into the store to sell. Now, in his As a life-long IfOver-the-Mountain resident and a third your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. mid-20s, he’s learning the tricks of generation working at Guin, greatprompt pride and Thank youI feel for your attention. the trade from his father. “I’m 62, and I don’t have any responsibility in carrying on the intentions of retiring real soon, but this company is more complex than legacy of honesty and hard work people would think,” Mike said. “It that my grandfather began 60 takes time to learn the business. So the plan would be if he has an interest years ago. Family is very important in it, we’ll just continue letting him operate it as a family-owned business to us, and we treat our customers into the long term.” with the same care and respect Anderson studied business management at Alabama and recently as members of our own family. It moved back to Birmingham after livJoseph Braswell would be a privilege to serve you. ing in Austin, Texas, with his wife. Mike received his marketing degree from Samford but said a lot has changed in retail and marketing since he graduated. Anderson brings a fresh outlook to the business — for example, he runs the company’s social media accounts. Serving Birmingham since 1958
Journal photo by Ingrid Howard
Beautiful Pieces for Your Home and Your Garden
Alabama Gaslight & Grill owner Mike Barnett and his son, Anderson say it’s important for them to be experts on the products they sell.
Home Advantage Alabama Gaslight & Grill Competes With Internet and Big Box Stores
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“I think it’s important to just get our name out to younger people … just to get the message out that we sell high-quality grills instead of the lower quality grills you might find at (big box stores),” Anderson said. “We have a lot of older customers that
Photos courtesy Alabama Gaslight & Grill
IN UNITS AND VOLUME
The store, located in downtown Homewood, has the largest gaslight showroom in the state.
AL L G SHO
works.” Unlike many big box stores, Anderson said, Alabama Gaslight & Grill can install their products and connect them to a gas line. 282 “So we really try to push customer service and the quality of our grills,” he said. “A lot of the grills nowadays need to be replaced after a few years. www.alab These (MHP grills) are a lifetime warranty, so all of the major parts would be covered under a warranty for life.” No matter how competitive internet stores and big box stores are, small businesses depend on their loyal customer bases. To draw attention to them, March 29 has been named National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. “A lot of people are looking for small community shops,” Anderson said. “We’re known for our service. Mike To: People know they can come in here in Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 The Mounta From: know our store becauseOver it’s been and look for grills,” he said. “We 205-82 around for a long time.FAX: But trying to 4-1246 know we’re losing sales to internet May 2017 get our nameDate: out to younger people providers. But at the same time, I that live in town is important.” think that we will have a base of cusF from the OVER THE MOUN PROO is your AD Anderson has a passionThis for cooktomer that still wants to shop locally fax approval or cha Please 2017 ing, and he said he enjoys tryingJune out 1,and get issue. good service and informaall of the different grills. tion.” “It’s important for us to be experts on the product,” he said. “It’s imporFor more information and to shop tant to have cooked on these products online, visit alabamagaslightandgrill. so that we know exactly how it com. Alabama Gaslight & Grill recently began selling Alfa refractory woodfired ovens, above, ideal for pizzas, bread, roasts, mixed grills (meat, fish, vegetables), dishes cooked in earthenware vessels, cakes and whatever you might bake in a conventional oven. Below, Rasmussen Vent-free Fireballs, which continue to be a popular choice for area homeowners.
Please make sure all informatio including address and phone
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If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday be your ad will run as is. We print the paper M
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 25
HOME
Habitat for Humanity Launches First Women-Led Birmingham Build We create the landscapes... ...You create the memories!
Photos courtesy Habitat for Humanity
A team of 30 women from Protective Life and Momentum gathered March 7 at a new Habitat for Humanity build site to begin work on the organization’s first women-led home build. The project is being sponsored by the two companies and is a part of Habitat for Humanity International’s National Women Build Week. Heading up the project is April Benetollo, CEO of Momentum, and Eva Robertson, executive director of Protective Life Foundation. Together with their team, they will be building a home in East Lake for Tanquenekia Dunning and her two children. They plan to finish the project and deliver the keys to Dunning just before Mother’s Day. —Emily Williams
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Above, Protective Life Foundation Executive Director Eva Robertson with Momentum’s April Benetollo, CEO, and Andrea McCaskey, director of programs.
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WWW.CLASSICGARDENS.COM
26 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
HOME
Journal photo by Ingrid Howard
Tried & True
Antiques and Accessories 2700 19th Place South Homewood • 871-9779 Tue.-Fri. 10:30-5:30 & Sat. 11:00-4:30
The 2018 RealtySouth Top Producers decided that, instead of spending money on trophies or other prizes this year, they would use that money to adopt an apartment for Red Mountain Grace. Below Stacey Booth, left, became a supporter of Red Mountain Grace after benefiting from a similar organization when her husband was battling cancer at MD Anderson and Jeanie Mckay, right, currently lives in housing provided by Red Mountain Grace.
Giving Grace
Birmingham Realtors Fund Apartment for Out-of-Town Patients By Ingrid Howard
Stacey Booth, a nurse at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, had a plan for her life: go to college, get a job, get married, have kids and live happily ever after. But when her husband, Brad, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, she realized that cancer didn’t care about her hopes and dreams. “So, cancer entered our lives three years into our marriage, and our world stopped,” she said. “Our only hope became that Brad would live.” Stacey worked part time at Children’s so she could help take care cia of Brad. Brad went on disability at his law firm, Carr Allison. The medier The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 cal bills began piling up. 1831 29th Ave. S., Homewood • 871-9880 • Kathy Owens, CKD, President ch “These things were just life,” she This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the said. “Life kept rolling, even though April 4, 2019 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.our world had stopped.” Brad’s cancer was a rare, incurable pediatric sarcoma. At the time, there were only 250 other known cases. The family moved to Houston, Celebrating 50 Years Texas, so Brad could be treated at the ESTABLISHED 1967 University of Texas MD Anderson 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, Cancer Center. your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. The Booths recognized that they could not do this alone, and they Thank you for your prompt attention. received support from a ministry that provided them housing. Birmingham has a similar ministry called Red Mountain Grace. Red Mountain Grace has 21 apartments in the Birmingham area, a number that is about to become 22. The 2018 RealtySouth Top Producers decided that, instead of spending money on trophies or other prizes this year, they would use that money to adopt an apartment for Red Mountain Grace that will be sustainable for a year. This was revealed during an event at Haven on March 5. “It’s such an honor to be able to participate with Red Mountain Grace here in Birmingham,” said Fine Fabrics For Living RealtySouth CEO Richard Grimes. “We’re in the housing business, and 1820 Greensprings Highway 322-5878 to be able to provide housing for a www.kingcottonfabrics.com family who’s got someone with can-
Kathy’s Designer Kitchens, Inc.
Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!
share our story. … It gives me purpose,” she said. “You’re not alone. It just gives you more hope for the day.”
Partnering With RealtySouth
cer or another need or transplant at UAB is just something that we’re all proud to participate in. And to be able to have a charity that all of our Top Producers can have a part in is pretty special.”
All the Difference
For the Booths, having the apartment provided was a gamechanger. “We would have had to spend $3,000 a month on an apartment, and they gave us free housing right beside MD Anderson that would shuttle us,” she said. “We had our own place to stay. We had a kitchen. It relieved so much of those simple burdens that we don’t even think about.” The ministry also provided emotional support. “Having somebody alongside me, just being a friend, because we were away from our home; we were away from our children; we were away from our friends and our family; and everything felt very out of our norm,” she said. “So that ministry made all of the difference for us.” Brad went into a three-year remission, and the Booths had a “break from the battle.” During this time, they discovered Red Mountain Grace in their hometown. They started working together, and Stacey began speaking at engagements for the organization. Brad lost his battle with cancer 15 months ago, after 10 years of marriage with Stacey. But Stacey continues to share their story. “It just gives me so much joy to
Red Mountain Grace has served more than 350 patients with stories like the Booths’ since its founding in 2013. In the past year alone, it has opened nine new apartments to its clients. The new apartment being funded by the RealtySouth Top Producers will be a one-bedroom, one-bathroom in Jemison Flats, at First Avenue North in Birmingham. It has a secure parking deck, onsite gym and Wi-Fi cafe and is walking distance to other amenities. When the Top Producers contribution was revealed at the March 5 RealtySouth event, they had the opportunity to meet representatives from Red Mountain Grace and those affected by their services. Jeanie McKay, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, currently lives in housing provided by Red Mountain Grace. McKay was a cancer nurse at UAB for 25 years but had been living in Columbus, Florida, when she was diagnosed. She decided to return to UAB because of the quality of care there. “I wanted to be able to stay so we didn’t have to make the drive back and forth,” she said. “That’s an exhausting trip after treatments.” A social worker at UAB connected her with Red Mountain Grace, and she moved into her apartment with her husband in January. “It’s safe, it’s comfortable, and it’s easy because I don’t feel like I have to be cleaning my own house all of the time,” she said. “When you’re here, you’re able to relax.” To donate, request an apartment or learn more about the organization, visit redmountaingrace.com.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
PARADE
Hilltop Montessori School.
From page 23
RIVERWOODS
GREEN TRAILS AT LAKE WILBORN
SOUTHBEND
ings and 90-degree sliding glass doors. This enclave of homes surrounds a 13-acre private lake equipped with canoe launches. Amenities also include private pools and private wooded area.
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 27
HOME
UPDATE: 2019 Decorators’ ShowHouse
True to the Signature Homes way, Riverwoods features large homesites, designer finishes and a welcoming community. This community in Helena is built along the Cahaba River. Riverwoods includes a private lake and two green spaces.
GRIFFIN PARK
the houses will be open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
Griffin Park at Eagle Point is a new home community at the site of the former Eagle Point Golf Course in Shelby County. Amenities include walking paths, fishing lakes, sidewalks, a swimming pool and clubhouse. Harris Doyle Homes will be constructing their award-winning home designs on 182 homesites. HIGHLAND LAKES
The gated, retreat-like Eddleman Community near Chelsea sits on 1,700 acres spread out and down from the Appalachian ridges of Oak Mountain. Streets flow through the woods and around four private lakes stocked with fish. LAKE WILBORN
Signature Homes’ lakeside community in Hoover offers amenities such as canoe launches on the 21-acre lake, outdoor fitness trails, a hammock lounge, wellness center, zero-entry pool and 60-acre park along the Cahaba River. LONGMEADOW
Located in Trussville, Longmeadow is situated just off of Interstate 59 and features a community swimming pool and clubhouse. It is minutes from shopping, dining and entertainment, as well as being an easy commute to downtown Birmingham. MT LAUREL
This North Shelby County community features walkable neighborhoods, a fishing lake and green spaces. It incorporates a town center with restaurants and shops, a public library, Mt Laurel Elementary School and
THE PRESERVE
A Hoover community known for its festivals and art shows, the 300-acre neighborhood backs up to Moss Rock Preserve and features houses built in classic American architectural styles. Amenities include a town center with restaurants and shops, walking trails and a town hall.
THE VILLAGE
Located just across the road from Mt Laurel, this North Shelby County community features walkable streets, parks, trails, a pool, cabanas and access to Mt Laurel Elementary School. WATER’S RIDGE AT LAKE WILBORN
This planned community offers Hoover-area amenities that include a canoe and kayak launch, 20-acre lake, fitness center, community garden, a grand lawn, wiffle ball park and more than 15 miles of hiking and biking trails. WILLOW BRANCH
Willow Branch is a subdivision in Chelsea. There are a variety of floor plans to meet individual family’s needs, including 2- and 3-car garages. Willow Branch offers sidewalks, a clubhouse and a swimming pool. OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
Additional neighborhoods that will be included in the Parade of Homes route are Grey Oaks, Creekview Estates and Flagstone. For more information, visit birminghamparadeofhomes.com or download the app.
Bluff Park WindoW Works f f f f
Journal photos by Ingrid Howard
In the heart of Hoover, this Signature This Vestavia Hills community is on Homes community gives access to the corner of Rocky Ridge Road and Lake Wilborn and nearby parks. Well- Wisteria Drive and offers 45 customknown among young probuilt homes. In addition to fessionals, Green Trails homes built by Taylor The annual event Burton Company, offers a fitness center, will be held over Southbend includes the e-lounge, poolside Wi-Fi, two weekends, 15 miles of biking trails, 2018 Ideal Home, by AGH April 26-28 and community garden and resiHomes Inc. May 3-5, and dents-only club.
Wood window restoration and repair Sash replacement, rot repair Replace broken and fogged glass Wood insulated, putty glazed, and composite vinyl replacement sashes
Call 205-542-6094
LocaLLy owned and operated
Lynn Coker of Lynn Coker Interiors is redesigning the 2019 Decorators’ ShowHouse living room.
April 27 – May 12 Decorators’ ShowHouse
WHAT: The Decorators’ ShowHouse, benefiting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, gives guests an opportunity to see the work of decorators and interior designers. This year’s participants are Lynne Coker Interiors, Deeply Southern Home, The White House Interiors, Issis & Sons, Christine’s, Umphrey Interiors, Bumper Nets, Arhaus, Pottery Barn Kids, Bridget McCart Interiors, Griffith Art Gallery, Town & Country Clothes and Mobley & Sons. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. WHEN: The ShowHouse is open Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.–5 p.m.; and closed Mondays. Decorator seminars will be held at 1 p.m. on April 30-May 3, May 7-8 and May 10. WHERE: The LeMak Estate. Park at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, 3405 Brookwood Road, and take the shuttle to the house on Cherokee Road WEBSITE: svcalabama.com/decorators-show-house/
FOOD
28 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Clean Your Plate Brick & Tin’s Chef Aims for Vegetables Adults Will Eat
Brick & Tin head chef Bradley Jennings at the recently remodeled downtown location.
Brick & Tin’s Spring Fish is served with farro and a crunchy spring vegetable salad made up of sugar snap peas, asparagus, sun-dried strawberries, pistachios, parsley, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon.
creation and say they often get the best inspiration from their families. “From time to time we will get stumped on
what to put on the menu and will ask Mauricio’s wife,” Jennings said. “She has great ideas because she is a mother of three children and knows what people will eat.” The menu rotates seasonally based on what the farmers produce and what the season warrants. “In the winter, people want warm and soulful meals; in the spring, people want light vegetables and colors; and in the summer, well that’s another ball game.” The Mountain Brook location alone uses 800 pounds of tomatoes a week during the summer. Jennings explained their most popular summer menu item is the Tomato Salad. “Our farmer in Coleman, Trent Woods, has started planting more tomatoes to satisfy what we need,” Jennings said. Jennings thinks a great vegetable can be found in every season. “Our role is to create something you can eat every day and feel OK about. There are a lot of restaurants (where) you get a rich indulgent meal and it’s wonderful, but more people are eating out and need to know there are better options.”
CORKS & CHEFS
Festival Serves up Food, Wine and Cocktails With a Side of Art By Kennedy McJunkin The 22nd Annual Corks & Chefs food-tasting event will take place over the weekend of April 27-28, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day at Linn Park. Corks & Chefs, held in concert with the Magic City Art Connection Festival, will showcase more than 15 local restaurants, four cocktail bars and numerous local wineries and breweries, all of which are offering opportunities for special tastings.
CAHABAQUE BBQ COOK-OFF: TASTE BARBECUE FROM 15 TEAMS
Cahaba Brewery and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama will host the CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off on April 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company to raise money for breast cancer research. About 15 cook teams will compete for the best barbecue, with trophies and cash prizes awarded to the top teams. There will be all you can eat samples from each team’s barbecue offerings, craft beer and live music. General admission tickets are $15 for ages 11 and up; kids ages 10 and younger are free. There also is a $75 VIP experience that includes Cahaba swag gift, access to VIP lounge presented by CommerceOne Bank, and drink specials. VIP guests get crowd-free access to the event at noon, before the gates open to the public, a tour of Cahaba Brewing Co and vegetarian snacks provided by Tropicaleo. For more information, visit cahababrewing.com/ cahabaque.
LEARN TO COOK THE ITALIAN WAY: BARE NAKED NOODLES OFFERS CLASSES ON COOKING PASTA AND SAUCES
Photos courtesy Brick & Tin
Brick & Tin’s head chef, Bradley Jennings, thinks grown-ups should be eating their vegetables, and he has found a better way to serve them. “A lot of people grew up having to eat vegetables that they were less than enthusiastic about eating,” Jennings said. “We are all grown-ups now, so we should start eating vegetables.” Brick & Tin will showcase one of its vegetarian dishes at the 22nd annual Corks and Chefs tasting event, April 27-28. Brick & Tin is one of more than 15 restaurants highlighted in this year’s event, which is sponsored by Magic City Art Connection (see story nearby). Last year was Brick & Tin’s first year in the event. It served an asparagus salad with large pieces of asparagus, sugar-snap peas and carrots. Jennings described the salad as a nice mixture of spring vegetables with no lettuce. “People were really excited about it even though it was just a pile of vegetables,” Jennings said. “It was done in such a cool and simple way, people knew what they were eating.” This year, Brick & Tin will feature a vegan pea salad with English peas, crisp vegetables and a bright curry dressing. “I’m not vegan,” Jennings said, “but my sister is, and I try to include better options for everyone.” Jennings, who is from Nashville, is the only boy of three sisters and has wanted to be a chef since he was 14 years old. He moved to Birmingham eight years ago and started working at Highlands, then Bottega Cafe. Jennings worked through all the stations, starting as a dessert plater under Frank Stitt. “I didn’t get the right skill set until I started working for Stitt,” Jennings said. “It was a lot of rigorous studying and honing in on my skills.” Jennings started working for Brick & Tin in 2014, the same year the Mountain Brook location opened. Owner Mauricio Papapietro opened the first Brick & Tin downtown in 2010. “Since working with Mauricio, I have grown a lot as a chef,” said Jennings. “We have a good rapport on the direction of the restaurant, and we both have the sense of where we want to get ingredients and the technique involved in preparing the food.” Jennings and Papapietro collaborate on menu
Journal photo by Kennedy McJunkin
By Kennedy McJunkin
FOODIE NEWS
Event Director Alex Kunzman, MCAC festival co-director and director of marketing, has been involved with Corks & Chefs since the first event in 1998, but he has stepped into the more active role for the past three years. “The tasting has evolved so much since those early days when six area restaurants were featured,” he said. Corks & Chefs was the first food and wine event of its kind in Birmingham, which Kunzman said is quickly becoming the next hot food city.
MCAC representatives wanted to elevate the culinary arts along with the visual arts during the art festival. “The festival started exploring an opportunity to integrate a tasting event at MCAC that would spotlight talented Birmingham chefs alongside delectable wines and more,” Kunzman said. Not only does Corks & Chefs highlight Birmingham’s culinary world, the festival also helps raise money for the Arts Educational Program, serving more than 1,000 school kids
See CORKS & CHEFS, page 30
Bare Naked Noodles, a pasta and sauce shop in Greystone, will offer monthly cooking classes this spring. A Pasta 101 cooking class will be held April 18 and May 9. Participants can learn how to make their favorite pastas, such as spaghetti, ravioli, fettuccine and more. On April 25 and May 14, participants can attend a Sauce 101 cooking class and learn how to make five Italian sauces: Alfredo, pesto, ragu, sage butter and brown butter. Each class is $50 per person and includes a tasting of each pasta or sauce. For more information, visit barenakednoodles.com.
TASTY SIPS: MAGIC CITY COCKTAIL CHALLENGE LETS YOU PICK THE BEST
The Birmingham-Area Junior Executive Board of the American Cancer Society will host the first-ever Magic City Cocktail Challenge on April 25 at B&A Warehouse in downtown Birmingham. In addition to some of Birmingham’s best cocktails, there will be live entertainment, a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with some of Birmingham’s mixologists and cast their votes for the city’s best cocktail. The list of current participants includes Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar, The Louis, Lumbar, The Lab, Roots & Revelry, Paper Doll, Iron City, The Atomic and EastWest. More information can be found at magiccitycocktailchallenge.com.
ST. ELIAS: CHURCH FOOD FESTIVAL COMING UP THIS MONTH
The 21st annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 26 and 27 at St. Elias Maronite Church. There will be food, dancing, church tours, a 5K run to benefit the Exceptional Foundation and a silent auction. Admission and parking are free, and food prices start at $3 for a la carte items and $12 for a plate of food. Since the festival’s beginning, more than $509,000 has been given to local and national charities. For more information, visit stelias.org.
See FOODIE NEWS, page 30
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 29
FOOD
Mexican Food With a Flair
Bluff Park Resident to Open New Restaurant Concept in Downtown Homewood
in the restaurant business. “It’s a high-risk, high-reward opportunity,” he said. “It has a bad perception sometimes, people owning restaurants. But I just love it. You know, on a Friday night at 7 o’clock, it’s controlled chaos. That’s fun to me.
As long as you can make sure all of the guests are having a good time, and the food’s coming out right, and the atmosphere is right. It’s almost like a big puzzle.” The menu will have tostadas –
See TOSTADAS, page 30
Photos courtesy Hal Craig
Hal Craig and his wife Maghan, left, are renovating the former Jackson’s Bar and Bistro space in Homewod with plans to open Tostadas Mexican restaurant. Above, Pomegranite guacamole at Tostadas.
By Ingrid Howard When Bluff Park resident Hal Craig learned that Jackson’s Bar and Bistro would be closing its doors, he said he felt led to open his own restaurant in the location. Now, he and his wife are renovating the space in preparation for the opening of Tostadas, a Mexican restaurant concept the Craigs created and are bringing to Homewood. “We prayed about it, and it was
one of those things where we felt very led – which I know sounds funny – but we felt very led to come right here and do this concept,” he said. Craig has spent the past five years working with Sysco as a food distributor. He spent his time helping restaurants get their groceries, come up with menu plans, figure out their costs. He said it was like being a restaurant consultant. “I love to cook, but I’m not a chef,” he said. “My strengths are more
on the marketing, front-of-the-house operations.” Craig’s Sysco territory was in downtown Homewood, and he came to the area often to meet with his clients. He began to realize that there weren’t any walkable restaurants that served Mexican food. So when Tom Sheffer – one of Craig’s clients and owner of Jackson’s – began hinting that Jackson’s would close in March, Craig expressed an interest in taking over the location. Craig also helped open a Momma Goldberg’s franchise on 18th Street a decade ago. He said he loves working
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CORKS From page 28
and families at Imagination Festival. New this year, VIP tickets can be purchased for those wanting access to the newly designed Center Room. The experience includes a cocktail seminar by the 2018 US Bartender of the Year, Laura Newman, owner of the new downtown cocktail bar Queens Park. Chef Ben Vaughn of Root to Tail is creating a tasting face-off with his Pot Stirring Radio show co-host Chase Bennett, and Old Forester is showcasing a Taste Through History of its whiskey bourbons. “We look forward to continuing to spotlight the booming taste landscape in the city and wrap it all up into an award-winning, downtown contemporary arts festival,” Kunzman said. General admission and VIP tickets may be purchased at corksandchefs. instagift.com.
FOODIE NEWS From page 28
GROCERY BREWPUB: NEW BREWERY OPENS IN HOMEWOOD’S OLD A&P
The Grocery Brewpub opened April 2 in downtown Homewood at the former Red Hills Brewing Company location, originally an A&P grocery store. The venue features 24 rotating taps, including craft beers brewed onsite and at other popular Birmingham breweries
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
FOOD to enjoy authentic southern food, along with an unbeatable selection of craft beer.” Visit thegrocerybrewpub.com for more information.
as well as a variety of hard-to-find craft brews from across the country. The Grocery also offers house-made cocktails and premium wines. Owner Rayford Cook is best known for his Off The Hook food truck, which has served Southern street-style food since 2012. “Anyone can start a restaurant or turn a passion for craft beer into a brewery,” Cook said in a release. “I am fortunate that I get to do both and do it in a way that’s totally unique – a place for folks
BABA JAVA: COFFEE SHOP AND CAFÉ OPENS IN HOOVER
A new coffee shop has opened its doors in Hoover. Baba Java Roaster & Café, at 4730 Chace Circle, serves coffees from exotic locales such as Yemen, China, Africa and Central and South America.
TOSTADAS From page 28
Saturday: Brick & Tin, Carrigan’s Public House, Eli’s Jerusalem Cafe, Habitat Feed & Social, Nabeel’s Cafe & Market, Ocean, Roots & Revelry and Tropicaleo. Sunday: Arrington at Pursell Farms, Chez Lulu-Continental Bakery, East West, Root to Tail, The Rougaroux, The Essential and The Southern Kitchen & Bar. Cocktail Bars: Paper Doll, The Atomic Bar & Lounge, The Collins Bar and Queens Park.
Journal photo by Ingrid Howard
CORKS & CHEFS LINE UP
Rayford Cook is probably best known for his “Off The Hook” food truck – which has featured “southern street-style” food since 2012 and enjoys a highly-devoted local following.
which essentially is like a flat taco – with tasty ingredient combinations. For example, the Hoke Poke tostada will have yellowfin tuna, grilled vegetables and wasabi mayo. The Touch Down! tostada combines spicy pimento cheese, Wickles Pickles and Conecuh sausage. Tostadas’ menu also will have small plates and appetizers. Craig said he is excited about having a pomegranate guacamole on the menu. They also will serve quesadillas, fajitas and other typical Mexican restaurant fare. Craig said he envisions Tostadas to be a restaurant that is friendly for groups. He said people can come by after work and get drinks or come with the whole family and feel comfortable
The café also sells food items from local bakeries and restaurants, including Hoover’s Forest Bear Bakery, Pelham’s Highland Gourmet Scones and Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes in Birmingham. “Our goal is to produce excellent coffee that bridges the gap between the farmer and the consumer while fostering relationships that build healthy communities,” co-owner Nathan Parvin said. “At every step – from buying, to roasting, to brewing, to serving – we strive to provide the best coffee experience in our community.” For more information, visit babajavacoffee.com.
with kids. There will be TVs in the upstairs patio, and Craig said the atmosphere will be open and friendly. “I’m hoping to show (people) that we’re going to be a different type of Mexican restaurant,” he said. “Because some people are like, ‘Oh, it’s another Mexican restaurant.’ And I want to show them that we’re going to be different. We will have normal Mexican food, but we want to set a gathering place. Mexican food with a flair.” He said he plans to have Tostadas open this May in time for Cinco de Mayo. “We’re really excited about being in the community,” he said. “We know there’s big shoes to fill, so we’re going to do our best to fill them.” Visit theflattaco.com for updates about the restaurant.
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 31
FOOD
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COLOR RUN
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
COLOR MY WORLD Above, Madeline Turner, Isabella Melendez and Meghan Forbus. Below, Gracie Yates, Margaret Ann Green and Lydia Powell.
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Above, Madeline Fraser, Grayson Moran and Allie Fraser. Below, Mary Morgan Trowbridge and Richard Richardson.
Rebel Run Raises Funds for Cancer Research
Journal photos by Ingrid Howard
On March 16, Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills hosted the annual Rebel Run 5K and fun run in conjunction with its ongoing spring fundraiser, Rise. Students, faculty and community members gathered at Vestavia Hills High School for the run to support the Rise beneficiary, the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. As participants ran toward the finish line, they were doused in colored pigments. The after party included music, a bake sale and doughnuts from the Heavenly Donuts food truck. The fundraiser will culminate April 12 with Rise Day at VHHS from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. —Emily Williams
Colorful Run Raises Money for Special Needs Community
The Color4Friendship 1 Mile Color Run was held at the Levite Jewish Community Center on March 17 to celebrate love and inclusion for the special needs community. The untimed run was for all ages and abilities. Runners started out wearing white T-shirts, but they were plastered in color by the time they finished. After the run, the celebration continued with paint throws, balloons, inflatables and music. The color run is the Friendship Circle of Alabama’s annual fundraiser. Money raised goes toward the free services that the organization offers to those with special needs and their families. —Ingrid Howard
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
The Hoover City Schools Foundation will kick off a new fundraising campaign at its fourth annual Denim and Dining fundraiser April 12 from 6:30-10 p.m. at Noah’s Event Venue. Nearly 14,000 students are enrolled in the Hoover School system. Through the Commit to 36 campaign, the foundation seeks to raise $36 per student – $1 for each week they attend school. “The money that we raise helps to fund enhanced academics in all our Hoover schools, from elementary to high school,” said Janet Turner, foundation executive director. “Denim and Dining also helps us kick off our Commit to 36 campaign.” The campaign goal is $500,000, according to a release, which would help the foundation award more grant money for the system’s teachers. Over the past 27 years, the foundation has awarded more than $750,000 in classroom grants. “We have seen true success stories come out of our classroom grants where a child was positively impacted by what they learned,” Turner said. “We look forward to sharing those stories with our supporters and friends.” Proceeds from the Denim and Dining event will help fund the foundation’s projects, including college and career readiness programs, teacher grants, professional development, STEM needs and SeedLAB. General admission tickets are $65 and VIP tickets are $125. For more information, visit the website at hoovercsf.org.
Taste of the Heights Showcases VHECH Student Artwork and Local Food
Artwork will be on display at the Taste of the Heights on April 16 at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights.
Homewood City Schools and Vestavia Hills City Schools were recognized to be among the best communities in the nation for music education. Homewood High School band, above. Below, Vestavia Hills High School choral group Just Singin’.
BEING ONE OF FIVE SIBLINGS, SHE STILL HOLDS THE RECORD FOR KID WHO CAN PUT A HOLE IN THEIR JEANS FASTEST. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
Photo courtesy Vestavia Hills High School
Hoover’s Denim and Dining Kicks off Fundraising Campaign for Classroom Grants
Journal file photo by Ingrid Howard
Two OTM School Districts Recognized for Music Education
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognized 623 school districts that are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education. On that list were Homewood City Schools and Vestavia Hills City Schools. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. View the entire list at nammfoundation.org/articles/bcme2019-districts.
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 33
SCHOOLS
The fifth annual fundraiser will feature a walkable gallery of student art, with a judge picking winning pieces to be sold in a silent auction. Each student is represented with one piece of art they created during the school year. “The opportunity to involve our whole community in an event that showcases student work is rewarding for all of our students. When we talk about learning, we understand that our students’ greatest motivator is to create for an authentic audience,” Principal Alicia Hunsberger said in a statement to the Journal. The event raises funds for extra projects around the school, which in previous years included buying new classroom library sets, technology and professional learning opportunities. In addition to artwork being showcased, local eateries have been invited to create tastings. The event is free and will be held in the VHECH gym beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Cahaba Heights Elementary PTO Facebook page.
Mountain Brook’s Cole One of 50 Students Chosen to Attend Student Congress
Turner Cole, daughter of Pratt AustinTrucks and Christopher Cole, recently was one of 50 students from around the nation invited to attend the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship’s High School Student Congress. The week-long event will be held June 10-15 in Lexington, Kentucky. Cole will learn the principles of statesmanship and the importance of partisan cooperation as it relates to
conflict resolution. Students will interact with academics, lawmakers and civic leaders; and they will create group projects identifying current domestic issues and presenting common ground across partisan political lines. “The problems we face today can only be solved by leaders who know how to cooperate,” said Rob Givens, executive director of the Henry Clay Center. “These outstanding students are those leaders, and we will spend a week in June teaching and developing in them the skills they will need
Turner Cole was one of 50 students from around the nation invited to attend the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship’s High School Student Congress. for a lifetime of solving tomorrow’s problems.” A junior at Mountain Brook High School, Trucks is the starting catcher for the varsity softball team and was named 2017 and 2018 team offensive MVP. She also is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Spanish Club, Junior Civitan club and Raise MB. Turner is the 2020 YMCA Youth Legislature editor in chief, 2019 YMCA Youth Judicial deputy sheriff and 2020 JUNA technology team chair.
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34 • Thursday, April 4, 2019
SPORTS Trey Allen’s 7-foot clearance earlier this year landed him a full track and field scholarship to Louisville. Allen, left, already had accepted a partial scholarship from the Cardinals, but the coaching staff dangled a full scholarship if he cleared 7 feet.
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
record for the high jump, clearing 6-11 at the Ice Breaker Meet in early January at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Allen came back to the CrossPlex a few weeks later to break his own record by clearing 7 feet during the Martin Luther King event. Allen jumped 6-9 at the state indoor championships on Feb. 1, setting a Class 7A meet record and claiming his first individual state title. He tried to clear 7-1 but grazed the bar on all three of his attempts. This is just Allen’s second year as a track athlete. He had been playing football as a 6-foot, 4-inch wide receiver and basketball as a small forward.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Repeat Performance Mountain Brook’s Trendon Watford Named ASWA’s Mr. Basketball, Again
Mountain Brook High School senior forward Trendon Watford was named Mr. Basketball during the Alabama Sportswriters Association luncheon Tuesday. The 6-foot-9 Watford is just the fourth repeat winner of the award. He also was named the Class 7A Boys’ Player of the Year by the ASWA and was selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-America Game, played on March 27. Pisgah High School senior guard Annie Hughes also was named Miss Basketball during the event. Watford, who is still uncommitted, led the Spartans to three straight Class 7A state basketball championships, earning MVP honors all three years. He averaged 23.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a senior. He finished his career as the AHSAA career rebounding leader with 1,909 and had 3,783 career points. He also had 285 career blocked shots and had 155 career 3-pointers. Emily Westlake accepted for Watford, who was unable to attend Tuesday’s luncheon in Montgomery. The annual awards banquet was presented by ALFA Insurance. Watford led the ASWA Boys’ Super 5 All-State Team with 11 first-place votes and 66 total points.
NATION’S BEST Oak Mountain’s Allen Soars to National High Jump Title
By Rubin E. Grant Trey Allen wasn’t sure how he would perform in a national track and field indoor meet earlier this month. The Oak Mountain senior high jumper was dealing with tibial stress syndrome, a shin splints injury, when he entered the competition in the New Balance Nationals Indoor meet March 8-10 at The Armory in New York City. The injury occurred after he dunked a basketball in the days leading up to the meet. “Going into the meet, I wasn’t thinking I was going to win,” Allen said. “I had an injury and my mind was everywhere.” “I prayed, used some Icy Hot, soaked in the tub, took two Advils and went out and jumped.” The remedies worked better than Allen could have hoped as he soared to win the 2019 National High Jump Championship. He became only the second athlete ever from Alabama to earn that distinction in the history of the event. “It was a good performance, and I’m very grateful to God,” Allen said. “I was surprised I did as well I did on a bad shin. While my goal was to break my 7-0 record – I had three close attempts – I can’t complain about winning the national championship. It’s an honor to bring back to Oak Mountain High and the state of Alabama.” Allen entered the meet as the No. 1 ranked high school high jumper in
the nation for the 2019 indoor season. He had broken the U.S. high school high jump record earlier this year by clearing 7 feet. The national competition began with 21 top high jump finalists from around the country. Opening height
Allen entered the meet as the No. 1 ranked high school high jumper in the nation for the 2019 indoor season. He had broken the U.S. high school high jump record earlier this year by clearing 7 feet.
for the event started at 6-3.25. Then the bar was raised as follows: 6-5, 6-7, 6-9, 6-10.75, 7-00.25. Allen jumped consistently with no scratches until height 6-10.75. The stellar performance earned him the National New Balance Indoor High Jump Champion spot. He also was honored as an All-American for the second consecutive year. More than 3,700 of the country’s best sprinters, hurdlers, runners, jumpers, throwers, walkers and relay crews competed in the national event. Allen set an indoor AHSAA state
The Eagles’ track coach, Riley White, witnessed Allen doing some spectacular dunks in the gym and recognized his jumping potential. He encouraged Allen to go out for track. Allen decided to jump at the opportunity. Last winter, he gave up playing basketball so he could compete during the indoor and outdoor seasons. After finishing his football career last fall, he returned to track. “I really didn’t think about track until coach White asked me,” Allen said. “I loved football and wanted to play in the NFL. But track changed my mind, and now I love track. I want to keep working and become good enough to be an Olympian.” Allen admitted he was awkward at first. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said. “I was just jumping. I didn’t know about twisting my back as I went over the bar.” “I jumped 6-2 and I didn’t know if that was good. Coach White told me it was, so I kept going.” Last summer, Allen earned AllAmerica honors at the New Balance Nationals in North Carolina with an outdoor jump of 6-10.25. He cleared 6-10 in the AHSAA Class 7A outdoor state championships last May and set a new Class 7A state record. Allen’s 7-foot clearance earlier this year landed him a full track and field scholarship to Louisville. He already had accepted a partial scholarship from the Cardinals, but the coaching staff dangled a full scholarship if he cleared 7 feet. “That motivated me,” Allen said. “He’s a natural, and that’s what Louisville sees in him, a kid whose ceiling is significantly higher than 7 feet,” White said. Allen won’t be strictly a jumper in college. “They’re going to use me in some other events, jumps and relays,” Allen said. “They’re going to get their money’s worth out of me.”
Journal file photo by Marvin Gentry
Triple Threat
The 6-foot-9 Watford is just the fourth repeat winner of the award. He also was named the Class 7A Boys’ Player of the Year by the ASWA and was selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-America Game.
SWATEK From page 36
an injury. “I hurt my arm last summer and missed the two big tournaments when all the college recruiters were there,” he said. “I had a stress fracture in my
humerus bone. I thought it was something wrong with my bicep, so I went to (a) doctor and they found a hairline fracture up my arm. I had to miss six weeks. “I am going to Shelton State. I talked to a lot of schools and some small four-year schools, but I thought this was the best school for me.”
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, April 4, 2019 • 35
SPORTS
Undefeated Homewood Boys Soccer Team Chasing Another Title, Not Streak
Journal file photo by Mark Almond
By Rubin E. Grant Homewood boys soccer coach Sean McBride would like for his team to fly under the radar. But that’s nearly impossible, considering the Patriots are the defending Class 6A champions, are ranked No. 1 this season and haven’t lost a game in nearly two years. The Patriots went into spring break last week with an 11-0-3 record. They were also undefeated last season (24-0-2), when they won the Class 6A crown. Their last loss came in the quarterfinals of the 2017 playoffs when they fell 2-1 on penalty kicks (3-2) to eventual champion Pelham. Homewood carried an undefeated streak of 40 games (35-0-5) into its contest Tuesday at Florence, ranked No. 10 in Class 7A. “Coach McBride is a great coach, and he keeps us focused,” senior striker Jackson Wallace said. “We call it ‘The Streak’ and we definitely feel the pressure mounting to keep it going, but that’s not what’s motivating us. “Our ultimate goal is to win the state championship. If that means going undefeated, that’s an added bonus, but it’s not that important for us to go undefeated.” McBride is surprised the Patriots are undefeated so far this season since they graduated five starters off their 2018 championship team.
Connor Smith
They have had a few close calls against top-notch competition. Their three ties have come at Huntsville, 1-1 in the season-opener; against Ft. Payne, 1-1 while winning the Florence Soccer Challenge during the first weekend of March; and against Mountain Brook, 2-2 in the Birmingham Metro Tournament three weeks ago. Huntsville is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 7A, Ft. Payne No. 4 in Class 6A and Mountain Brook No. 4 in 7A. “We have had a few results go our way,” McBride said. “A couple of draws could’ve ended up in defeats, but the kids held firm. We are entering the business end of the season now so we will see how things end up.” Homewood is scheduled to play at Altamont (No. 4 1A-3A) on Thursday, then play host to Spain Park (No. 11 7A) on Friday. Wallace sounded the take-onegame-at-a-time mantra as the Patriots head down the home stretch of the regular season. “We’re just focused on the next game,” he said. “Before each game and at halftime of each game the senior leaders on the team get everybody together and decide what (they) need to do to win the game and how to get it done.”
Depth Contributes to Wins
For the most part, the formula for winning has been getting contributions throughout a deep, experienced
roster that has 18 seniors. Homewood has recorded eight shutouts and allowed only eight goals in 14 games. “All the players are working hard and having fun,” McBride said. “It is a different team from last year, so they have to put their own stamp on this season. “We have a lot of seniors who want to finish their season and their high school soccer careers on a high.” McBride named a few players who have stood out, including Wallace, senior striker Connor Smith and senior defender-midfielder Collins Keith, who was the MVP in the Florence tournament. “Connor Smith has carried on from last season, and Collins Keith has been a rock in our defense,” McBride said. “Keefer Boone (center back) and Matthew Henderson (midfielder) are consistent and probably don’t get the credit they deserve. Jackson Wallace, like Connor, continues to score important goals.” Smith is headed to Lee University to play college soccer, while teammate Bryan Arteaga, a defender, will play at Birmingham-Southern College. McBride believes the Patriots are capable of a repeat, with a few breaks. “If we can steer clear of injuries and come back with the same focus we had before spring break, then hopefully, yes, we can make a deep run in the postseason,” he said.
VESTAVIA From page 36
Above, Vestavia senior Anna Grace Darty. Left, senior Caroline Causey (11) in action against Mountain Brook on March 21. The Rebels won 5-0.
Journal photo by Lee Walls
“Our belief is we’re going to work harder than anybody else,” Meadow said. “We’re going to study our opponents as much as we can. “We’re working and doing all of this not for ourselves, but for every other person on the team. That’s everybody; not just the starters. The people that are coming off the bench are doing just as much as the starters because when they get called, they’re ready to go.” Meadow also has a large sophomore class that is contributing to the Rebels’ success. Christina Hernandez, Madeline Bunch, Grace Ellis, Kaylee Dressback and Riley Vicinanzo are among the underclassmen who have made an immediate impact in the 2019 season. They’re already starting. The Rebels reached spring break this season undefeated. Before the season is done, they’ll not only have an opportunity to repeat, they’ll have an opportunity to notch Meadow’s 300th career victory. It’s an impressive career that Meadow says she couldn’t have continued without the support of a lot of people; her own family, certainly, but also from school administration and the parents in the community who have made it easy. “The parents make it happen,” she said. “It’s been really nice.”
They plan team meals, pack meals and snacks for road games, stock water on the sidelines and they’re not selfish, Meadow asserts. With the help, she’s received, she has no plans on slowing down any time soon. “If I’m not doing things right and I feel like the girls are suffering because I’m not good enough and I don’t have the time to commit to them, I wouldn’t coach. It’s not always easy to schedule everything, but I have a lot of support.” Personal milestones aren’t the goal for Meadow. Making the playoffs is the goal. And to do that, she’ll push her team to improve every day.
“Our girls keep improving every single game,” she said. “We want to get better daily at practice. I don’t think there’s one individual thing that we need to improve; we focus on what we did in each game and try to get better at that. I look for perfection, and that’s unattainable. You’re not going to make 100 percent of the goals you shoot.” Vestavia Hills returned from spring break to travel to Huntsville on Tuesday. That contest concluded after this issue went to press. Their season continues Thursday, when the Rebels host rival Hoover. On April 6, they’ll travel to Mill Creek, Georgia.
Oak Mountain’s Trey Allen Soars to National High Jump Title PAGE 34
Thursday, April 4, 2019 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
F
or the first time in a few years, Daniel Swatek went to the beach for spring break. “That was nice,” Swatek said. But by midweek, the Hoover senior was back on the baseball diamond, playing the sport he dearly loves as Hoover hosted the Buccaneer Classic. Swatek’s passion for baseball comes from his dad, Dan Swatek, who played for UAB in 1988 and 1989. “I’ve had a bat in my hand just about all my life,” said Daniel Swatek, a left fielder/pitcher/ third baseman for the Bucs. “I can’t get enough of it. My dad is eaten up with it like I am. “He’s always been there for me. Baseball
Vestavia Girls Soccer Coach Closing in on 300 Wins By Blake Ells
Bucs’ Swatek Is ‘Eaten Up’ With Baseball, Like His Dad
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
During the Buc Classic, Swatek had several clutch hits and pitched a complete game as Hoover went 7-1 to win the tournament championship for the second consecutive season. without him would be totally different. I guess that’s why I love it so much.” Daniel Swatek has developed into a solid player for the Bucs. During a six-game stretch two weeks ago, he batted .471 with five runs batted in and three doubles. He also earned pitching wins against Mountain Brook and Buford (Georgia), throwing nine innings with 13 strikeouts and a 0.778 ERA while allowing one walk. During the Buc Classic, Swatek had several clutch hits and pitched a complete game as Hoover went 7-1 to win the tournament championship for the second consecutive season. He had two RBIs in Hoover’s 11-1 victory over Houston (Tennessee) in the championship game. Swatek attributes his monthlong success at the plate to keeping things simple. “I try to have the same approach,” he said. “I try to do the same thing every time and use the middle of the field. I also hit with my dad every day. “My goals coming into the season were to hit for power with a high number of doubles and, not trying to be selfish, get a lot of RBIs. I was hoping to hit in clutch situations, so I can
Meadow Milestone
Daniel Swatek
The Vestavia Hills girls soccer team has built quite a dynasty under coach Brigid Meadow. They’ve won two 7A state championships, including last season’s, and two 6A state championships under her guidance during the past 15 seasons. Meadow credits the leadership of her senior class with the team’s success. That class includes Anna Woodson, Anna Grace Darty, Caroline Causey, Georgia Kamburis and Lizzie Hill. “They’re good,” Meadow said. “They lead well. They reinforce the things that I teach, like having a good attitude and a good work ethic every day. They believe in the things that we do, and they try to give everything they have every day in practice.” Keeping that large group intact has been paramount to her team’s success. “You want to develop a belief and have that belief shared among every player,” she said. See VESTAVIA, page 35
do it when it counts.”
Searching for a Home Run
Thirty games into the season, Swatek is still waiting for his first home run. “I’ve gotten a good amount of doubles, and I’ve stretched a couple into triples,” he said. “I don’t have a home run. We’ve played at the (Hoover) Met field a few times and I hit some that would have gone out at other high school ballparks. I hope to hit one out soon.” On the mound, Swatek has fashioned a 5-1 record, teaming with Cole Baker as the Bucs’ pitching staff aces. In his first start, Swatek, a 6-foot, 200-pound right-hander, tossed a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts against Helena. Swatek was a sophomore on Hoover’s Class
7A state championship team in 2017. In 2018, the Bucs were eliminated by Hewitt-Trussville in the first round. Hoover (22-8) opens Class 7A, Area 5 play this week with three games against Tuscaloosa County. Swatek expects the Bucs to challenge for a title again this spring. “The team is looking better and better,” he said. “Since I’ve been at Hoover, that’s the way it’s been. We’ve gotten better as the season went along. It’s a lot of fun when we do that. I play summer ball, and those are teams with a lot of good players, but you don’t know them as much as you do your high school buddies.” Swatek will get a chance to play college baseball, but his recruitment was hampered by
See SWATEK, page 34
Journal photo byLee Walls
By Rubin E. Grant
SPORTS
Mountain Brook’s Trendon Watford Named ASWA’s Mr. Basketball PAGE 34
Vestavia senior Caroline Causey (11).
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