OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM
Fancy Footwork
Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.
SOCIAL
SPORTS
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018
From left, Bart Yancey, Melanie Layne, John Lytle Wilson and Danielle Yancey with artists Willie, Sweet Pea and Trooper “Lucky.”
By Emily Williams ON A HOT SUMMER MORNING, local artist
John Lytle Wilson visited the Mountain Brook home of Bart and Danielle Yancey to create an
Picasso Pets Chairwoman Plans Pop Art Event With Pet-Inspired Paintings
original work of art with three special helpers: the Yancey’s three dogs, Sweet Pea, Willie and Trooper “Lucky.” The finished product will be on display alongSee PICASSO PETS, page 13
INSIDE
L’CHAIM! Joel Rotenstreich devotes his life to Holocaust education PAGE 6
ROOM TO GROW Bell Center in Homewood breaks ground on new facility on old property PAGE 10
THE ENVELOPE PLEASE Vestavia teacher surprised by notice she’s up for Grammy consideration PAGE 22
OFF-THE-FIELD BATTLES Hoover’s Avery Hoven overcomes eating disorder. PAGE 26
2 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
Inside
Murphy’s Law
Preschool Prep
P NIFTY OVER 50 Positivity Maturity to recognize 2018 class of Top 50 Over 50 PAGE 12
BEDZZZ SUCCESS Mattress company becomes a dream come true for local lawyer PAGE 20
ABOUT TOWN PEOPLE NEWS LIFE SOCIAL
4 8 10 12 14
WEDDINGS BUSINESS SCHOOLS SPORTS
19 20 22 28
otmj.com
There’s so much happening in the Over the Mountain area, we can’t fit it all in the paper! Visit www.otmj.com for more stories and photos.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
JOU RNAL
Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Sarah Kuper, Ingrid Schnader, 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 Jr., Bryan Bunch, Reed Strength Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Laura Lane, Tommy Wald, Suzanne Wald Intern: Ben Fu
Vol. 27, No. 24
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
OPINION/CONTENTS
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 2018 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.
ference where you can plot your post-newsletter arents with college-bound students, I feel strategy. That way you can buy a package of your pain. Right now, you’re in frantic tube socks and baby socks and split the bill. shopping mode so Baby Dumpling will Maybe one family eats tuna and another loves have everything he needs in the dorm. You’ve bottled Frappucinos and you can make a trade. purchased a laptop and a bedspread and the cutPerhaps you saved all of your baby shoes and est little throw pillows, shampoo and soap and your daughter’s BFF mom has a backlog of ties. copy paper, a crockpot and a semester’s supply If you maintain this coalition, at the end of the of healthy snacks, most of which you know he year when it’s requested that each student bring will ignore, but you’re a parent and it’s your job one flower for a teacher appreciation bouquet, to at least try. whoever is on deck can buy a single bundle and Preschool parents, you are just getting started pass them out at the door. Job done. Everyone on your off-to-school journey. You have a has everything they need. matching backpack and lunch box and are While you’re at it, determine who in the poised to run out and get the crayons and safety group is craft-capable. Who loves to bake? Who scissors once the list is officially posted. I’d like Sue Murphy gets a discount at Costco? Otherwise, you will to tell you that you are all set, but you’re not be on your own when the party sign-up list is because occasionally (every week), the teacher posted. This past year, my daughter had to will send home a note asking for additional single-handedly make a stick hobbyhorse, a supplies. I’d like to tell you paper towel roll rocket and 25 Jello Jiggler This past year, my 4-year-old granddaughthat you are all teddy bears. ter was asked to bring (I am not making this It’s all worth it, of course. The teachers up.) one tube sock, one baby sock, three colset, but you’re not lead them in wonderfully creative activities ored buttons and one baby shoe that they could paint gold. Later, the list included one because occasionally and the kids have a ball. But why make it harder than it has to be? I mean, this is prerock, one Frappucino bottle and one man’s (every week), the school. You have many years ahead of you. tie. Just before Christmas, the newsletter There will be Pilgrim hats and cowboy stew asked for a tuna can (empty) and 32 2-inch teacher will send shoebox dioramas, popcorn sales, soccer cinnamon sticks. When she read that the class home a note asking and banquets, corsages to figure out for was crafting a Christmas gift, my daughter Homecoming. SAT prep, college scholarship muttered, “It had better be fabulous,” because for additional applications, people to write recommendathe cinnamon sticks alone set her back eight supplies. tions for rush; you’re going to need help, my dollars. dears. And someone will need your help, too. I know what you’re saying. It would make So, keep your parent coalition close at hand, more sense for the teacher to just ask for $50 because all too soon you will be sending Baby Dumpling off to up front and make all the purchases herself, but that figure probcollege and someone in your group will know exactly how to ably wouldn’t seem like a bargain until the end of the year, and score extra football tickets for Parents’ Weekend. so you have the drip, drip, drip of requests. My advice is to get It’s all in the prep. ❖ to know the other parents early on, set up a weekly coffee con-
Over the Mountain Views
What are you looking forward to most about the new school year?
“I’m starting third grade so I will start doing my homework on a Chromebook.”
“The huge gym at my new school.”
“Meeting new kids and making new friends.”
“Looking forward to all the children!”
Cara Reedy Hoover
Everlee with sister Ella Slaton McKinney Mountain Brook
Lisa Smythe, VHEE Vestavia Hills
Cailyn Reedy Hoover
Next Issue: August 9 Home Improvement Special Section
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
OPINION/CONTENTS
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 3
4 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run Golf Tournament
What: The 10th annual tournament to benefit Special Olympics is a four person best shot (scramble). When: Tee off is at 10:30 a.m., doors open at 8:30 a.m. Where: Robert Trent Jones, Oxmoor Valley Website: “Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run Golf Tournament” Facebook page
Hope in the Ham
What: The second annual party, hosted by the American Cancer Society, will feature live music, an open bar and food from around the city. Proceeds from this event will benefit the organization’s Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, a free place for cancer patients and their caregivers to stay while receiving treatments. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Leaf and Petal in Cahaba Heights Website: hopebirmingham.com
Fri. July 27
6th Grade Social
What: Mingle with 6th graders at an event that is exclusively for students who will be starting middle school (no matter which school you go to!). Online registration is required. When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Public Library Website: homewood.libnet.info
Art on the Rocks
What: The second installment of the Birmingham Museum of Art’s summer series presented by Dale’s Seasoning features musical guests The Seratones and brings a night of entertainment with artist collaborations, interactive performances, food cocktails and more. When: 7-11 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art Website: artsbma.org
July 27-29
SciFi/Fantasy Fest
What: Hoover Library hosts a three-day festival celebrating all things science fiction, fantasy and nerd-related including cosplay, discussion panels and more. When: Fri. from 7-11 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun. from 1-6 p.m. Where: Hoover Public Library Website: hooverlibrary.org
Sat., July 28
Downtown Homewood Sidewalk Sale
What: Join the merchants of Downtown Homewood for the seventh annual Sidewalk Sale. Lasting throughout the entirety of
Secret Stages
What: This two-day walking festival features over 60 bands filled with up-and-coming or underthe-radar acts drawn from the nation, the region and our own back yard performing on stages within a variety of neighborhood establishments. When: Check the website for artists schedules and event spaces Where: Avondale Website: secretstages.net
A Night of Big Stars
What: Summer Classics presents an event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham as “Littles” take the stage and perform a one-of-a-kind-show. Guests will enjoy auction packages a dinner and a cocktail reception as well as dancing to the band Shimmer. Every dollar raised helps the organization continue its mission of matching children facing adversity with caring and supportive mentors. When: 6 p.m. Where: The Club Website: anightofbigstars.com
KultureBALL
What: KultureCity’s annual startstudded fundraising event features entertainment, a seated dinner, a one-of-a-kind live auction and a chance to rub shoulders with local and national celebrities. Proceeds benefit children and families living with autism. When: 6:30-11 p.m. Where: Southern Sky Aviation Hangar Website: kullturecity.org
Trak Shak Twilight Retro Run
What: Dig out your polyester shortshorts, tube socks, aviators, afro wigs and whatever else you can come up with for this year’s run,. featuring a costume contest, beer, cold non-alcoholic beverages and music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: The race begins and ends on 18th Street in Homewood Website: “The Trak Shak Twilight Retro Run 5K” Facebook page
Tues., July 31
Zombie Scavenger Hunt
What: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest presents its sixth annual scavenger hunt. You’ll need quick wits to survive a zombie
Sat., Aug. 4
Art Alive Sat., July 28
Otey’s Fest
What: Enjoy great bands, family fun and Rodney’s famous burgers, chicken sandwiches and hot dogs.The event will include live music with the Rebirth Brass Band. When: 5-11 p.m. Where: parking lot in front of Otey’s Tavern, Crestline Village Website: oteysfest.com apocalypse. Guest will race other contestants and search for the survival items hidden around the library. Pizza served. Door prizes won. For teens grade 6-12. When: 5:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Website: vestavialibrary.org
Thurs., Aug 2
Fri., Aug. 3
Enchanting Ethiopian Eating
Chirps and Chips
What: Raptor Force, the Junior Board of the Alabama Wildlife Center hosts its annual fundraiser featuring casino-style gaming, beer and wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, a silent auction and prize drawings. Proceeds benefit Alabama Wildlife Center. When: 7-10 p.m. Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Website: awrc.org
What: Taste and learn how to make Injera (Ethiopian flatbread), as well as an appetizer, an entree, a side, dessert and tea led by Gini Mohammad of Red Sea Ethiopian and Mediterranean Restaurant. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens Website: aldridgegardens.com
Footprints on the Sky, Voices from Chandler Mountain
Mon., July 30
Tues., July 31
Teen Mad Hatter’s Ball
What: Be part of the mystery and help solve the crime. Just like a game of Clue, every character is important. Closer to the event, you will be assigned a character, so only register if you are sure you can attend. Costumes and props are encouraged. When: 6-7:15 p.m. Where: Homewood Public Library Large Auditorium Website: homewood.libnet.info
From left, Emmy, Anne Floyd and Billy Hartsfield at last year’s Otey’s Fest in Crestline.
What: Renowned storyteller, Dolores Hydock, reminisces about Alabama’s Chandler Mountain community in this free Alabama Bicentennial presentation. When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Public Library Large Auditorium Website: homewood.libnet.info
Mad Hatter’s Fairy Garden Tea Party
Fotolia
Thurs., July 26
Aug. 3-4
the day, merchants will line the sidewalks in front of their shops with merchandise discounted up to 75 percent. When: All day Where: Downtown Homewood Website: homewoodchamber.org
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
JULY 26 - AUG. 9
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
ABOUT TOWN
What: Parents and grandparents, bring your child/grandchild to a Tea Party presented by Aldridge Gardens. Guests are invited to decorate and plant a small fairy garden together and eat finger sandwiches with tea and cookies while enjoying an Alice in Aldridge Gardens theme. Hats welcome. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens Website: aldridgegardens.com
What: Watch local artists create unique, original artwork during this fundraiser to support the many programs and services that AIDS Alabama provides. Enjoy food, drinks and live music by the Stephen McCullough band. Works created during the event will be available through a silent auction, and other completed pieces of work from the artists will be available for purchase. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Roots & Revelry Website: aidsalabama.org
An Arc Affair:The Next Chapter 2018
What: The Arc’s annual gala supports the Arc and its mission to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live the most independent life possible. This years project will be a literacy center at their Crestwood Center. Support for this project helps fund books, shelves, training tablets and a part-time instructor dedicated to teaching all people served by The Arc who want to enrich their knowledge and abilities. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Check the website for updates Website: arcofcentralalabama.org
Journey of Hope
What: Medical Properties Trust, Inc. presents Journey of Hope, which supports the advancement of medicine, technology and therapies for people living with disabilities. The event will benefit United Ability and honor the dedication of Dr. Mark Cohen, United Ability’s first medical director, and include a performance by singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey. A dessert reception will follow. When: Doors open at 7 p.m., program begins at 7:30 p.m. Where: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center Jemison Concert Hall Website: unitedability.org
Aug. 4-5
Repticon
What: Repticon brings the amazing world of reptiles and animals to Birmingham featuring a fun and educational exposition suitable for all ages and personalities. Breedervendors are willing to teach, and
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
throughout the event there will be seminars on animal-related topics by experts in the field of herpetology. Free-entry raffles will be held frequently during both days. When: Sat. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Zamora Shrine Temple Website: Repticon.com
National Night Out
What: This free national event hosted annually by the Hoover Police Department features Hoover Police and Fire Department displays, local business exhibits, food truck options, a car show and giveaways. The event brings the community together with local law enforcement and public safety agencies to promote a safer environment. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: The Super Target parking lot located at The Grove Website: natw.org
Website: bhamrestaurantweek.com
and a number of special events. Participants can choose from fine dining to down-home cooking with a special lunch or dinner prixfixe menus ranging from $10-$40 per person, making it easy and affordable for everyone to enjoy a taste of Birmingham’s diverse dishes. When: Check the website for updates Where: Check the website for participating restaurants
Sat., Aug. 11
Just A Call Away 5k & Fun Run
What: Crisis Center, Inc. presents its fourth annual run in support of their mission to provide 24-hour support services for individuals experiencing personal crisis or mental health issues. Runners of all ages and abilities, strollers and
pets are welcome. Chip timing is optional. When: 6:30-9:15 a.m. Where: Sloss Furnaces Website: crisiscenterbham.org
Crestline Tent Sale
What: The merchants of Crestline Village present their annual tent sale complete with awesome deals, trunk shows and more. Stop by the Village to stock up for the new school year.
When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Crestline Village Website: mtnbrookchamber.org
Autism Shines Gala
What: The Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Alabama hosts its 21st annual fundraiser benefitting the mission and projects of the Autism Society of Alabama. Guests will enjoy live music, door prizes, food bars, beer, wine,complimentary cocktails by
Free Arthritis
Joint Pain SEMINAR
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 5
ABOUT TOWN
Christina and Maggie Cate Hixson at Back 2 School in the Hills in 2017.
Hosted by
Jeffrey C. Davis, MD
Fri., Aug. 10
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Back 2 School in the Hills What: This free event features fun freebies from sponsors, rides and inflatables for kids, tweens and teens, music and a family movie. No pets allowed. Rain date Aug. 17. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Cahaba Heights Athletic Fields Website: vestaviahills.org
Thursday, August 2 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM St. Vincent’s One Nineteen 7191 Cahaba Valley Road • Hoover, AL 35242
Aug. 10-11
Magic City Brewfest
What: Free the Hops presents a weekend dedicated to learning about craft beer and sampling the best that Alabama has to offer. There will be 150+ individual beers available including many rare specialty and cask ales, which have never been seen before in Alabama and may never be seen again. No pets. When: Fri. from 7-11 p.m. and Sat. from 5-9 p.m. Where: Avondale Park Website: magiccitybrewfest.com Aug. 10-19 Birmingham Restaurant Week What: This ten-day culinary affair features more than 70 restaurants
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6 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
ABOUT TOWN
L’Chaim!
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Photo courtesy Birmingham Holocaust Education Center
Rotenstreich Devotes His Life to Holocaust Education, BHEC Devotes Annual Event to his Honor By Deborah Layman Being Joel Rotenstreich’s friend can be an expensive proposition, he says in an only half-jokingly manner. That’s because Rotenstreich is passionate about Holocaust education and tireless in his efforts to raise money for the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, attending countless lunches and meetings with friends and associates to raise money for the cause. “Fundraising is my niche,” Rotenstreich said, “and I’ve learned that, with fundraising, family and business, you accomplish more face-to-face.” Rotenstreich’s approach makes it hard to say, “No,” to him, but it made it easy for BHEC to name him as honoree of its annual L’Chaim event, being held Aug. 19 at the Alys Stephens Center. “The work of the BHEC is very close to my heart,” said Rotenstreich, “We need more teachers teaching kids what it means to be courageous and to speak up
‘Fundraising is my niche, and I’ve learned that, with fundraising, family and business, you accomplish more face-to-face.’ JOEL ROTENSTREICH
when they see something that’s not right.” Rotenstreich, a BHEC board member, co-chaired the group’s annual fundraising efforts in 2016 and 2017, but that isn’t the extent of his community involvement. Education, social justice and interfaith unity have been driving forces in his life for years, according to a statement issued by BHEC. He has served on the boards of numerous organizations over the years; conceived and led the Anne
BHEC’s L’Chaim Celebration What: L’Chaim entertainment, education and recognition event caps the BHEC’s annual fundraising campaign. When: Aug. 19, 2:30-4 p.m., with dessert reception following the program Where: Alys Stephens Center’s Jemison Concert Hall Entertainment: Steel City Men’s Chorus and entertainment arranged by Keith Cromwell of Red Mountain Theatre Company, including vocalists Caleb Clark, Abijah Cunningham, cantor Jessica Roskin and student performers from RMTC’s Conservatory. Tickets: $50, on sale at bhecinfo.org More information: Call the BHEC at 795-4176
Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest 2018
Tito’s and Luke Lea Beverage, a photo booth and live and silent auctions. Cocktail attire. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Birmingham Marriott on 280 Website: autismshinesgala.com
What: Relive your best ‘80s memories at this family-friendly fundraiser for the conservation, education and animal welfare efforts of the Birmingham Zoo. Tease your hair and break out the neon clothing, stonewashed jeans, jelly bracelets and more for the Rewind costume contest. Enjoy a cash bar, made-to-order food, live entertainment, a video gaming truck, train rides, photo booths and more. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. When: 7-11 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo Website: birminghamzoo.com
Sat., Aug. 18
Pancakes and Princesses
What: Adorn your crown or tiara for a special meet and greet between your little prince and princess and a court of princesses at this royal breakfast followed by Fairytales and Frogs Day. Tickets include a pancake breakfast, zoo admission, unlimited ride wristbands and a craft project. Special appearances will be made by everyone’s favorite princesses. Each child will receive a gift upon arrival and costumes are encouraged. When: 8-9:30 a.m.
What: The Junior Board of The Literacy Council of Central Alabama presents a wing cook off hosted by Ghost Train Brewing Co. Tickets include all the chicken wings you can eat, while supplies last, live music and a kid’s zone. Proceeds benefit the Literacy Council’s programs on adult literacy, family literacy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and GED preparation. When: 1-5 p.m. Where: Ghost Train Brewing Co. Website: litchicken.org
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Rewind at the Zoo - ‘80s Fest
Frank Tree project; was campaign chair and president of the Birmingham Jewish Federation; and served three five-year terms on the Mountain Brook Board of Education, including being president from 2000 to 2002. He and his wife, Bunny, have led 22 group trips to Israel, including seven interfaith/interracial study missions. In all, more than 600 local clergy, educators, city and county officials, community leaders, friends and neighbors have
Sat., Aug. 11
Fifth Annual Block Party
What: The Homewood Library Foundation’s annual fundraiser includes cold beverages, food samples from local restaurants, corn hole, live music, bounce houses, a climbing wall, prize drawings, face paintings and more. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Homewood Library parking lot Website: homewood.libnet.info
Where: Birmingham Zoo, The Trails of Africa Website: birminghamzoo.com
Fairytales and Frogs Day
What: Join this third annual celebration where fairytales come alive. All royal subjects attending will receive a crown (while supplies last) and have a chance to get their face painted. Photo opportunities will be plentiful as
From left, Ben and George Buchanan with artist Elizabeth Vander Kamp at last year’s Homewood Library Foundation Block Party.
several costumed characters will entertain attendees. The event will also feature keeper chats and animal demonstrations, arts and crafts and a sampling booth provided by Coca-Cola. Costumes are encouraged. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: The Birmingham Zoo, behind the Wildlife Stage Website: birminghamzoo.com
Beer Bands & Bullies
What: Join Bama Bully Rescue for its eighth annual music festival. The event will feature some of Birmingham’s best bands, raffles and beer. Tickets are $10. VIP tickets are available for $25 and include a Bama Bully Rescue Swag Bag, hors d’oeuvre, non-alcoholic beverages, special small batch samples of beer (with ID), brewery tours and more. When: 4-11 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Company Website: bamabully.org
Boiling N’ Bragging
What: For the 10th straight year, the 53 clubs of Rotary International District 6860 is partnering with Children’s of Alabama, Otey’s Tavern, Spectrum Business and Waste management in hosting a football kick-off party and low country boil. Guests will enjoy live music, $1 drink specials and
experienced Israel through the interfaith study missions led by the Rotenstreichs. Rotenstreich is quick to say that none of the community work he has done could have been accomplished without his wife of 57 years. “I’ve never accomplished anything alone,” he said. That includes surviving two lifethreatening illnesses. “Bunny and I have overcome some pretty unusual challenges that, together, have made me who I am, and I love life,” Rotenstreich said. The couple has two children, Mark and Beth, and twin 8-year-old grandsons. “Asher and Noah are my future,” Rotenstreich said. “I try to teach them what my parents and mentors taught me: be nice, do the right thing, and tell the truth. Be the best you can be and do the best you can do.” Deborah Layman is vice president of the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center. kids’ activities. Entertainment will be provided by Lance Taylor and Rockstar from WJOX’s Roundtable. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite college football team colors. When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village Website: boilingnbragging.org
Hope Gala
What: Break out your bright colors and bold patterns for the American Cancer Society’s 2018 “Palms and Pucci” themed gala. The event will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing to music by the Schmohawks and a live and silent auction. When: 6:30 p.m. cocktail hour, silent auction and dinner, 8:30 p.m. speaker and live auction, 9:15 music and dancing Where: A private club in Birmingham Website: acsbirm.ejoinme.org
Aug. 20-26
Sidewalk Film Festival
What: The 20th annual film festival will include screenings of movies from filmmakers across the country and around the world. Film screenings will be held in 11 venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District, including the Alabama Theatre and the Lyric Theatre. When: Check the website for times and venues Where: Birmingham’s Theatre District Website: sidewalkfest.com ❖
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
ABOUT TOWN
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 7
8 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
PEOPLE
Photo special to the Journal
Hoover’s Baldwin Receives UM Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Award
Callie Chapman, 8, of Mountain Brook, center, with child life specialists at Children’s of Alabama. Callie donated proceeds from her books to the hospital’s Child Life Department.
“Glitter the Unicorn” Author Donates Book Proceeds for Art Supplies at Children’s of Alabama
Hoover resident Margaret Baldwin was one of 10 freshmen to receive a University of Mississippi Omicron Delta Kappa Freshman Leadership Award. According to university officials, the annual awards identify outstanding freshman leaders and community servants. The awards were presented during a ceremony in April. “We created this award in 2010 to recognize the future leaders on our campus and to encourage their continued engagement in campus and community activities,” said Ryan Upshaw, ODK adviser and assistant dean for student services in the School of Engineering. “Each year, the selection process becomes more difficult as the university attracts student leaders from all over the country.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
“Our society is excited to be able to recognize their outstanding contributions during their first year on campus. We also look forward to their potential membership in our society later in their college career.” Baldwin, a chemistry major, is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, where she received Margaret Baldwin the Parker Memorial Scholarship. After graduating from Spain Park High School, she attended the MPower Leadership Conference. She is a member of the Student Activities Association, Ole Miss Running Club and Baptist Student Union. ODK is a 104-year-old leadership honor society that has initiated more than 300,000 members and has more than 285 active chapters at U.S. colleges and universities.
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Photo special to the Journal
Eight-year-old Callie Chapman of Mountain Brook recently donated proceeds from her “Glitter the Unicorn” book series to Children’s of Alabama’s Child Life Department, to be used to buy art supplies for patients. Chapman visited the hospital on July 17 to present a check for $6,500, adding to a $3,500 donation in 2017 for a total of $10,000. “Callie is a talented author with a big heart,” said Kelly Baker, coordinator of community engagement at Children’s of Alabama. “Her generous donation will provide hours of fun for our patients who use art supplies for therapeutic activities. Each week, we use approximately 4,000 crayons and 75 art canvases. Callie’s donation will bring smiles to the faces of many of our patients.” Chapman will soon be entering fourth grade at Crestline Elementary School and has written three books; “Glitter the Unicorn,” “Glitter the Unicorn Goes to the Beach” and “Glitter the Unicorn Goes to the Moon.”
Boy Scouts and Knights of Columbus Retire Record Number of U.S. Flags at OLS
About a week before the June 14 commemoration of Flag Day, more than 140 tattered and faded United States flags were properly retired at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. The flags were collected and retired by members of the Monsignor Frank J. Wade Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly and Boy Scouts of America Troop 237. For six hours on June 9 at the church, Knights collected flags from the public and had replacement flags available for purchase. The assembly’s Faithful Navigator Bill Lang said there was a need for this community service. “People kept bringing them in,” said Lang,
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a member of the Knights of Columbus. “There were a lot of parishioners from OLS and from other parishes around the area but also a lot of non-Catholics. It was an opportunity for them to come on a Catholic campus and interact with us and kind of help us promote patriotism as we’re leading into Flag Day … and then the Fourth of July and the whole summer season.” The retirement ceremony was held that evening following the Pledge of Allegiance and a presentation by Lang and Boy Scouts Aidan Lange and Hugh Tighe. The scouts and members of the Knights, including Rick Lange, Mike Bonamy, George Bartle and Bill Mills, placed the flags into the fire as members of the public watched. The preferred way to retire U.S. flags is burning. They should not be buried or discarded.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Mountain Brook’s Barnes Cuts Ribbon on Eagle Project at Red Mountain Park
After a delay of more than a year, Arthur Barnes of Mountain Brook recently cut the ribbon on the project that earned him the rank of Eagle Scout in May 2017. Barnes constructed two information kiosks for trail visitors at Red Mountain Park – one at Mine No. 15 and one in the Adventure Area. He finished the project before graduating Arthur Barnes from Mountain Brook High School, but the ribbon cutting was delayed by staff changes at the park. Barnes earned his rank with Troop 53, chartered at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, under troop leader George Elliott. The Mountain Brook High School graduate is a rising sophomore at the University of Alabama, where he is pursuing an engineering major. Barnes is the son of Shawn and Sylvia Barnes of Mountain Brook.
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 9
PEOPLE Hoover Councilman Leads Young Political Professionals on New Zealand Trip
Hoover City Councilman John Lyda is taking a delegation of young political leaders to New Zealand next month as part of a program to introduce rising political and policy professionals to international affairs and to each other. As part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, the group will arrive in New Zealand Aug. 9 and spend 11 days touring major cities in the country and meeting with leaders in the public and private sectors. The trip will focus on exposing the delegation to the culture, political process, judicial and corrections system, education system and business environment of the country. Before going to New Zealand, the group will visit Washington, D.C. where members will be briefed at the U.S. State Department and visit the New Zealand Embassy. Lyda is an alumnus of ACYPL and visited Brazil in 2014. Since then, he has hosted delegations from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and China that visited Alabama. “The opportunity to build relationships with political and business leaders of foreign countries and to gain an understanding and appreciation for different cultures and political systems is invaluable,” Lyda said.
Sara Frese of Mountain Brook Among Medical Students Awarded BCBS Scholarships
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Mountain Brook resident Sara Frese is one of 10 UAB School of Medicine students who have received scholarships funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Blue Cross announced recently. Scholarship recipients must agree to practice as primary care or behavioral health physicians in underserved areas of Alabama after graduation. “These Sara Frese students recognize the demand for more primary care physicians in our state, and we are proud they are committed to making a difference in providing Alabamians access to the quality healthcare they need,” Tim Vines, president and CEO of BCBS of Alabama, said in a statement. To address the statewide need for more primary care and behavioral health physicians, Blue Cross is investing in the future of its Primary Care Physician Network by making $3.6 million in scholarships available over five years to the UAB School of
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NEWS
10 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
The building that used to house The Bell Center for Early Intervention has been reduced to a pile of earth and rubble, and a new center will rise from the dust in the next year. Officials with The Bell Center and Brasfield & Gorrie, center volunteers and community supporters were to gather July 25 on a nowempty lot in Homewood to break ground on a bigger and better facility. For about a month, the center has been operating out of the Trinity United Methodist-Oakmont campus, which the church offered for its use during the build. According to Bell Center Executive Director Jeannie Colquett, working out of the church is almost like experiencing the center’s past. When the Service Guild and the center’s founder, Betty Bell, first decided to create The Bell Center, their first classes were held in a Sunday school classroom at Trinity UMC’s Oxmoor campus. With space to continue their programming, work is about to begin to construct the nearly 18,000-square-foot new facility on the center’s existing property. The project is projected to be completed by May 2019, allow the number of participants to increase from 100 to 150 and be The Bell Center’s first ADA-compliant space. “The halls will be wide enough for participants who have tricycles, wheelchairs or walkers to walk two-by-two down the hallways,” Colquett said. On the main level, the building will separate spaces for the two main age groups. The left side of the building will be a wing devoted to toddlers and the right side will be devoted to infants. Each will have three rooms, one more than they had in their previous space. The building also will have classroom and support technology and a therapeutic equipment lending library. Colquett recalls discussions about creating a new facility beginning in the mid-2000s, but the plan was hampered by the recession. The topic had been shelved until about three years ago, when the board and advisers decided it was time to take on some more space. Marketing and Development Coordinator Stacey Morales noted that new locations were considered for the project, but none seemed to beat their current location. “Knocking down a building and then rebuilding on our existing foundation was a pretty risky idea,” Colquett said. “It wasn’t until we were able to purchase the land next door that it really seemed possible.” The result has been all for the best, Colquett and Morales said, as their location on 29th Court South
Room to Grow
Bell Center Breaks Ground on New Facility on Old Property in Homewood is easily accessible for most of their volunteers and participants. “We’re close to all of the main highways and interstates,” Morales said. “Plus, we are close to the hospitals.” She said that many of the participants frequently visit hospitals and their doctors because of their disabilities.
Capital Fundraiser
Alongside the groundbreaking, the center is announcing a capital campaign to fund the $8.6 million project, with Morales serving as campaign manager and Benny M. LaRussa and Jill V. Deer, former Service Guild president and vice president of development and administration, serving as cochairs. LIVE Design Group and Brasfield & Gorrie have signed on as architects and builders for the project, and Lee Perry of Perry Design, a former member of the Service Guild, will take over interior design. “We also have a steering committee with 32 members who have really hit the ground running,” Morales said. Throughout the process, Colquett said, she has been surprised by the people connected to the center who have volunteered their help. “When members of the campaign come into the building, they’ll say things like, ‘Oh, I already know what you guys do.’ Then they really see it and leave saying, ‘I had no idea,’” Morales said. Colquett calls it the “ah-hah” moment, when a donor spends time in the facility and sees the true extent of the Bell Center’s programming. She said the center has seven programs and participants who visit from 14 counties. For Colquett, this process has allowed her to see what is in store for The Bell Center in the future. She has been a member of the Service Guild, but she most fondly recalls when her daughter began participating in the programs in 1995 at 16 months old. “I remember spending time in the Bright Beginnings baby room in one of the rocking chairs with a cup of coffee in the mornings,” she said. Even though the chairs were uncomfortable and old, she said it was always a comfort to sit there. Having experienced the building from all three sides – volunteer, parent and administrator – Colquett said, “I’ve always known what the
Photos courtesy The Bell Center
By Emily Williams
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Officials with The Bell Center & Brasfield & Gorrie, center volunteers and community supporters were to gather July 25 on a now-empty lot in Homewood to break ground on a bigger and better facility. The toddler wing will include a multipurpose room for meetings and gross motor activities, as well as three large toddler rooms.
“If you’ve been to our old facility, you would have noticed parents lining the hallways because we didn’t have enough space for them,” Colquett said. “In these viewing rooms, they’ll be able to watch their kids and they’ll also have space to talk and interact with each other.” Along the left wall of the building will be a row of smaller rooms, including an office for the Service Guild of Birmingham, rooms for family consultations and small group instruction and a sensory room – one of Colquett’s favorite new features. “The space will be a calming environment with variable lighting, weighted vests – anything you need for a toddler with sensory challenges,” she said. Between the two wings there will be outdoor space, with a memory garden leading out to an open playground. The garden will provide the innermost rooms of the facility with natural light. “The thing I love about this design is all of the windows,” Colquett said. “In our old building there were hardly any windows and it always felt so dark.” The garden will then open up the playground space, which will be outfitted with astroturf, giving toddlers the sensory feeling of grass on their feet without having to deal with the upkeep of sod. “We thought about putting in real grass, but our landscapers told us it just wouldn’t work. And there is astroturf that looks like real grass now,” Colquett said. The second floor of the building will be much smaller than the main level and will house staff offices and workrooms. There will also be an open office space for the center’s staff of teachers, therapists and medical professionals. “We are a trans-disciplinary facility,” Colquett noted. “So, having that space for everyone to collaborate while they work was important.”
Tailgate Challenge
center is, but through this new facility, I can see now what it can be.”
What’s New
According to Colquette, one of the most exciting aspects of the increased space is the room it has given the center to spread out its infant age groups, particularly providing space for high-risk infant patients. “More infants are surviving due to medical advances, which is amazing; but that also means that we are seeing infants with more and more significant medical challenges and we want to make sure we are meeting the needs of those higher-risk infants,” Morales said.
Keeping in mind that high-risk infants have much weaker immune systems, the corridor to the infant wing is steps away from the front entrance and leads right toward the high-risk room. Next door will be a room for Bright Beginnings, a program for infants up to 10 months, which adjoins to a third room for the Little Leapers, participants ages 18 to 20 months old who are transitioning into toddler age programs. The toddler wing will include a multipurpose room for meetings and gross motor activities, as well as three large toddler rooms. Each toddler room will have access to a smaller viewing room so parents have space to watch the classes.
The campaign to raise money for the building will operate outside of the center’s regular fundraisers, but Morales and Colquette are finding opportunities to introduce the new facility to everyone. On Aug. 25, the junior board will host the 10th annual Tailgate Challenge – a fundraiser that celebrates the upcoming football season – which has always been held on the Bell Center’s property. “We’re going to block off 29th Court South and have it right next to the property,” Morales said. “We were going to move to a different location, but decided to keep it there so that everyone can see what’s going on.” For more information and updates, visit thebellcenter.org.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Response Center Provides Mental Health Education and Treatment Options for Children, Teens Children’s of Alabama has partnered with the Anne B. LaRussa Foundation of Hope to establish a Psychiatric Intake Response Center for children and teens. The center, located in the Children’s Emergency Department, is one of only three such centers in the country and has averaged 75 calls per month since it was rolled out in March. According to hospital officials, the telephone-based response center has been established to help patients, families and providers better navigate the mental health care system. “There is a nationwide trend of increased volume of pediatric
psychiatric visits to emergency rooms. Our program’s mission is to help guide patients and their families to the most appropriate level of care,” center Medical Director Dr. Tobias Martinez said. The center is not a suicide or crisis hotline, but it serves adult callers with mental health questions or concerns regarding children or teens. The center can be reached at 638-7472 every day of the week from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., and calls are received by licensed mental health professionals. Services include assessing potential risk factors, answering questions about mental health and helping create safety plans for
Vestavia to Host Seminar on Crimes Against the Elderly
topics such as IRS scams, relativein-distress scams, romantic website scams and reverse mortgage scams. Agencies participating in the program will include the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Birmingham division, the Alabama Office of Senior Services and the Vestavia Hills Police Department. The event will be held at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., with registration at 1:30 p.m.
The City of Vestavia Hills will be hosting a “Crimes Against the Elderly” seminar, moderated by lawyer Paul DeMarco, on Aug. 7. The free seminar will address crimes that target the elderly, focusing mainly on financial crimes. Included in the discussion will be
Pride and responsibility drive us to be the best in everything we do.
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 11
NEWS future crises. Therapists can help match patients and families to the appropriate services in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for Children’s of Alabama to offer an innovative and much-needed mental health service to those in the community,” said center Director Cindy Jones, who, with Children’s Behavioral Health Administrative Director Stacy
White, spent a year and a half planning the service. “We provide access to a mental health professional that will guide and support them along the way.” For high-risk children and teens who may need services in Children’s Emergency Department, the center can provide crisis evaluations on a firstcome, first-served basis, considering urgency and treatment room availability. The center does not
provide diagnoses or psychiatric evaluations over the phone. The hotline is a resource for mental health information. Anyone experiencing a crisis should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, and anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call the 24-hour, sevenday-a-week National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number at 800-273-8255. —Emily Williams
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LIFE
12 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
By Emily Williams According to the officials behind the annual Birmingham Top 50 Over 50, Positive Maturity, growing older is inevitable, but growing up is optional. Through its annual Top 50 Over 50, Positive Maturity recognizes 50 members of the Greater Birmingham community who have “grown up” by finding opportunities to give back as much as they have accomplished. The newest class of 50 folks who exemplify the idea of growing up while staying young will be recognized July 26 at The Club. Among those being recognized will be Dr. Patricia Naro of Mountain Brook, associate professor and director of experiential education at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. “I am extremely honored to be selected as one of Positive Maturity’s Top 50 over 50 and to represent Samford University in this illustrious group of professionals and community leaders,” Naro said. Naro has been a part of Samford’s faculty since 2000 and took on her current position in 2010. Since then, she has helped create the McWhorter School’s experiential education opportunities. By making clinical affiliations with educators throughout the world, her students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in Asia, South America and Europe. Her work has earned her much recognition, including being named Faculty Member of the Year by the Alabama Pharmacy Association in 2017. “Dr. Naro has represented herself, the profession of pharmacy and the school well throughout her career,” said Michael Crouch, McWhorter School of Pharmacy dean. “Her selfless service to our students and the community has made a lasting impact, and this recognition is well-deserved.” Passion for the job stems from passion for her students, with whom she strives to create lasting relationships as they progress in their pharmaceutical careers. With many of her students studying abroad during the summers, she has even found time to travel with them, most recently going to Spain earlier this month. Three generations of Naro’s family have attended Samford, with her daughter, Elizabeth Ann, and son, Michael, attending during her 13-year tenure at the university. Along with her work at Samford, Naro gives back to the community as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Birmingham and an active member of Samford University’s Legacy League. She often can be seen sporting pink at local breast cancer
At left are several members of the Greater Birmingham community who have “grown up” by finding opportunities to give back as much as they have accomplished.
Dr. Patricia Naro
Lt. Andrea Knight
Dr. Dale Wisely
Dr. Leon C. Hamrick
Fran Gilroy
Jeanette Smith
Joan Broerman
John Krontiras
Joyce T. Spielberger
Nifty Over 50
Positivity Maturity to Recognize 2018 Class of Top 50 Over 50
Katherine N. Barr
Ken Hubbard
Lois “Mama” Coleman
Judge Locke Donaldson
pastor T.L. Lewis
Alan Kaufman
Jack “Pat” Patrick
Patricia M. Smith
Paul S. Carruthers
Rick Burgess
Roy S. Johnson
Dr. Stephen Steinmetz
awareness events. A breast cancer survivor, she recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of her journey beating cancer. Naro also finds ways to create opportunities for her students to give back to the community through her own service, including her membership in the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red. The idea is to teach her students to go beyond the job of dispensing medications to give back to the communities they serve, just as she strives to do in her own career.
Rounding Out the List
Joining Naro in the Top 50 Over 50 Class of 2018 is Kim Rafferty Abbott, retired Col. Robert L. Barefield Sr., Katherine N. Barr, Dr. Jack Bradford, Joan Broerman, Rick Burgess, Johnny Carcioppolo, Paul S. Carruthers, Lois “Mama” Coleman, Judge Locke Donaldson, Gwen DeRu, Casi Ferguson, Sue Ellen Gerrells, Fran Gilroy, pastor Steve Green, Dr. Leon C. Hamrick, Gregory Harber, Evander Holyfield, Ken Hubbard, Robyn James, Roy S. Johnson, Susan Johnston, L.G. “Brother Bud” Jones, Alan Kaufman, Lt. Andrea Knight, Joe Knight, John Krontiras, Don Leo, pastor T.L. Lewis, Andrea Lindenberg, Dr. Suzanne Martin, Linda and Evan Major, Jack “Pat” Patrick, Dick Pigford, Dr. John Plump, Dr. David Rowland, Bobby Joe Seales, Jeanette Smith, Patricia M. Smith, Joyce T. Spielberger, Dr. Stephen Steinmetz, Letha Stuckey, Dr. Wayne Vickers, Chris D. Walker, Donna Whitlock, Amanda Wilson, Jim Windsor, Dr. Dale Wisely and Mike Vest. The group will be celebrated at the July 26 event, held from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with a program led by Masters of Ceremonies Brenda Ladun of ABC 33/40 and speaker and author Tina Savas. The evening will be held in honor of the late Maxine Horowitz, who worked with Positive Maturity from 2006 until her retirement in December 2016. During that time, she succeeded to the role of director of the organization’s senior center, Shepherd Center East, in 2010 and served as a committee volunteer at each Top 50 Over 50 event since its inception in 2014. Tickets for the event are $150 and can be obtained by visiting top50over50.com.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
From page 1
side five other artist and canine collaborative works at Hand in Paw’s annual Picasso Pets fundraiser Aug. 11. “We moved a year ago into a more modern, Palm Springs ‘60s-inspired home on Pump House Road,” Yancey said. “The artist has used a lot of color that will be fun in our bar or our family room.” Yancey, a member of the animalassisted therapy organization’s board of directors and chairwoman of this year’s Picasso Pets, has participated in the painting process previously with her two Weimaraners, Sweet Pea and Willie, and once with her newest family member, Trooper. “I wanted to get a painting with all three together this year since my oldest (Sweet Pea) is almost 15,” she said. Though her love for each of her fur babies emulates her deep love for animals and animal welfare, her rescue dog Trooper has become her partner in advocating for animal welfare organizations, including Hand in Paw. While in Yancey’s hometown of Dothan for her sister’s wedding a few years ago, a pink dog standing in the middle of a wooded road crossed the path of the couple’s car headlights. The car stopped, Yancey got out and knelt down on the road to hopefully keep the emaciated and mangeriddled dog at ease. With a little patience, he approached and she led him toward the back of her car until she found a moment to quickly scoop him up and place him in her car. He was hers from that night on as she slept beside him in the garage. Trooper has now grown a short white coat with black spots and stands alongside Yancey all around town at the organization’s events sporting a yellow Hand in Paw handkerchief. In Yancey’s opinion, Trooper is the perfect example of the resilience of dogs and shows that even those suffering on the side of the road have love to give, and all three of her dogs provide a therepeutic presence in her life. At the Picasso Pets event, Wilson’s colorful work of art will be on display and works cohesively with this year’s theme, Pop Art. Also debuting will be works by Bob McKenna, with Cameron and Scott Vowell’s pet Elsa; Kristi Oelschlaeger, with Kim and Corbin Day’s pets Callie and Fhearguis; Thomas Andrew, with Kathryn and Cody Ryder’s Murphy; and Linda Ellen Price, with Cathy and Jack Stephenson’s Sadie and Braxton. “There is also a mini horse named Pogo that is 3 years old,” Yancey added. “The owners are having Pogo paint and then the painting will go up for auction to the crowd versus the owners keeping the painting.” Guests are invited to wear their most colorful cocktail attire for the
event, which includes live and silent auctions, a seated dinner and live music. For more information, visit handinpaw.org.
Journal photos by Lee Walls Jr.
PICASSO PETS
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 13
LIFE
Near right, Danielle and Bart Yancey with Sweet Pea, Willie and Trooper “Lucky.” Far right, treats for the artists on a job well done.
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
14 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
From left, Stan White with Sam and Gene Weingarten.
Down, Set, Hut A
Stephen, Sophia, Elise, Angela and Vivian Meacham.
Auburn Club Celebrates SEC Champs Past and Incoming Freshmen to Kick-Off New School Year
sea of orange and blue filled the Wynfrey Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham on July 16 for an evening celebrating all things Auburn Athletics. Hosted by the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club, the annual Auburn Athletics Kick-Off included Aubie, the Auburn University pep band, cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen and Nova the eagle, War Eagle VII. This year’s program was held in honor of the 1983 and 1993 SEC champions, with featured speakers including Auburn President Steven Leath, offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and basketball head coach Bruce Pearl. The evening included the annual Freshmen Send-Off and Presentation, celebrating soon-to-be freshmen.
Elli Bradley, Joy Boldt and Carley Bivin.
Mike Garner, former Auburn head coach Pat Dye and Franklin Moore. Theresa and Ann Dominick Hardin.
Lane Smith, Mary Lane and Lynn Graham.
Debbie and Rusty Nichols.
Tabatha and Claire Greenwood with Lisa Lacy.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
PARTY SCIENCE
TRADING Co
McWane Hosts 20th Birthday Party with Experiments and Activities
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Journal photos by Jordan Wald
On July 11, McWane Science Center turned 20 years old, and center officials hosted events and experiences the following weekend to celebrate the birthday. On July 14 and July 15, guests could watch explosive scientific demonstrations and participate in interactive activities, challenges and trivia games. Some of the events offered included performances of “The Three Musketeers” by Red Mountain Theatre, a dissection conducted by UAB’s Neuroscience Department, virtual reality and kinetic stations by GameStop and more. Attending the event were characters from Vulcan Park and Museum, Babe Ruff from the Birmingham Barons and McWane’s mascot, Vocabby. On the plaza, celebratory offerings included a Mountain High Outfitters rock wall, inflatables, music and an exploding birthday balloon display. ❖
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 15
SOCIAL
Above, Aaron, Lauren, Louisa and Helen Torczynski. Below, Tyler, Rhett, Graham and Emily Roberts.
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2100 16th Ave. South • Ste. 202 | Ash Place • Birmingham, AL 35205
16 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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Proudly Present
The Poinsettia Men’s Club Debutante Reception formally introduced 18 of this year’s 32 Poinsettia Debutantes during a recent party held at the Historic Randle House and Gardens on June 24. The reception marked the first party of the season before the young women are presented at Vestavia Country Club on Dec. 27 at the 51st annual Poinsettia Debutante Ball. Clint Beasley, the Poinsettia Men’s Club president, welcomed the girls and their families. After an afternoon of food and camaraderie, the girls were presented with a Poinsettia Yeti Tumbler by
Photo special to the Journal
2018 Poinsettia Ball Debutantes Introduced at Annual Men’s Club Summer Reception
The Poinsettia Men’s Club Debutante Reception formally introduced 18 of this year’s 32 Poinsettia Debutantes during a recent party, held at the Historic Randle House and Gardens on June 24.
the Men’s Club. The 2018 Poinsettia Debutantes are Laine Brock, Morgan Brown, Katherine Buchanan, Andrea Burris, Mary Elizabeth Carlton, Anna Crawford, Taylor Creamer, Margaret Farris, Kendall Gause, Caroline Gentle,
Mary Kate Gorham, Susannah Harvey, Maddie Henkey, Katherine Henley, Emma Hudson, Annie Hughes, Bailey Johnson, Elizabeth King, Frances Abbott Knox, Anna Kate Lucas, Morgan Maddox, Leighton Martin, Emily
McLean, Elizabeth Morrissette, Rachel Nesbitt, Hannah Pahos, Alex Savage, Lindsay Spivey, Gabby Turnbough, Lillie Grace Veazey, Alli Walters and Hope Ward. Mrs. John W. Gustafson proposed the establishment of the
Poinsettia Debutante ball in 1968, and the Birmingham Ballet board of trustees approved enthusiastically. Gustafson and Mrs. Louis A. Prosch Jr. served as the first ball chairmen. Since that time, all proceeds from the ball have gone to support the Alabama Ballet. ❖
Decade Dash
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Costumed Run and Block Party Raises Funds to Fight Cancer
Above, from left, Lauren Walsh and Brenda Ladun. Below, left, Kirstie Hill and Merita Scott. Below, right, Kelly and Jeremy Farris.
Runners took a trip back in time, donning the clothes of their favorite past decades for Brenda Ladun’s Decade Dash & Block Party to Conquer Cancer. The event, hosted by the American Cancer Society – Birmingham’s junior executive board, was held June 23 at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen and chaired by Amanda Ford. As the race came to a close, the fun continued with a Block Party, complete with a barbecue dinner, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides and more. ❖
Above, Tai as Captain Kirk and Ngar Deighton as Minnie Mouse. Below, Tracey Key, Karen Gabel and Megan Wiggins.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
BackToSchool_OTMJ.pdf
SOCIAL
Photo special to the Journal
From left, Carolyn LaGroue, Karen Nelson, Mary Ellen Parker, Barbara Huffman, Suzanne Hoye and Doris Davis.
C
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Clipped Wings
Former Flight Attendants Gather for Summer Soirée The Greystone Legacy Clubhouse was the backdrop for a summer luncheon for members of Birmingham’s Clipped Wings club, held June 26. Arrangements of Star Hydrangeas and colorful summer flowers created a garden party atmosphere, and guests were greeted with mimosas and champagne.
CM
Clipped Wings members are all former flight attendants representing many different airlines. Seven charter members are still active. The club honored charter member Marjie Collins, who is retiring as treasurer after 36 years of service, and presented her with a plaque and gift. Collins then presented the club’s ledger to newly elected treasurer Doris Davis. Members of the hostess committee were Chair Barbara Huffman, Suzanne Hoye, Doris Davis, Karen Nelson and Mary Ellen Parker. Also attending were Leslie Appleton, Ginny Beck, Marjie Collins, Pat Fontaine, Gay Fowler and guest Debra Gooch, Jane Franey, Carol Godsey, Carolyn
LaGroue, Karen Lloyd, Marna McGahan, Donna Rankin, Betty Ratliff, Diane Stover, new member Luna Hollett and prospective members Candace Rosenwald and Cynthia Zanaty. This year is the 50th anniversary for the Clipped Wings, and the group will celebrate with a special event later this year. Members have been compiling experiences and anecdotes from their airline careers and are preparing a book. Clipped Wings hosts four events each year; the next will be a fall luncheon. Former flight attendants interested in Clipped Wings may contact Carol Godsey at 223-1448 or by email at whmmacmillan@hotmail. com. ❖ MY
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3:06 PM
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SOCIAL
ALIMONY &
Thanks for the Memories Senior Hoover Belles Say Farewell at Summer Luncheon
DIVORCE Memories of the past and anticipa-
tion of the future were topics of Author :conversation at the recent Senior Mother-Daughter Luncheon. Kathryn Belle Crawford Gentle Author: The event honored graduating Kathryn Crawford Gentle Hoover Belles for their terms of Under the new tax bill signed into law service as ambassadors for the city & by Trump, alimony paid by one spouse of Hoover. to the other will not be tax deductible, Together, the senior members and the spouse receiving thecompleted alimony1,283 hours of commuAuthornity : service during their two-year is no longer required to Kathryn pay terms. taxes onGentle The senior Hoover Belle Crawford Divorce is most common in the recognized for the most hours alimony. first fewUnder months the of a new newyear. taxIf bill signed intowas lawRachel Lebo, who served your marriage is coming to an end , received a personalized gift. by Trump, alimony paid by one spouse takeInsome simple stepssystem, to prepare it works Also recognized was Kate the current the to the otheriswill not be taxWinchester, deductible,who accepted a first. Getting a divorce a huge opposite withfinances the payer deductdecision that the willway, affect your and spouse receiving the alimonyAward. She was Scholarship anding emotions, so you should make the full amount and the recipient selected as the winner of the inaunoready longer sure youisare to filerequired and start to pay taxes on gural Hoover Belle Essay competipaying taxes fresh. Here areincome some things that on the alimony alimony. tion, which was on the topic of may improve both the process and received. past community service and plans From left, Mae Lynn Hardy, Grace Waters and Katherine Winchester, Kate Winchester, Anna the outcome. for future Jennifer McCombs. Douglass and Tina Douglass. In the current system, it works the community service. Each Belle received a certifi1. Save money - The costs of a di- say the current Some Divorce lawyers opposite way,Start withputthe payer deductvorce can pile up quickly. State University include Amelia being going to Auburn University cate commemorating her term of luncheon with Leah, heading to tends preserve money ingextra themoney fulltoamount theservice, recipient tingsetup some away nowandmore Abernathy, who was joined by include Jordan Beam with which was signed by the University of South Alabama; so you can cover your expenses. her sister Emily, who was a 2012 Michele, Anna Douglass with Mayor Frank Brocato and Grayson Bartlett with Pam, overall to income allocate between spouses, paying taxes on the alimony According to a USA Today report, Hoover Belle, her mother, Janet, Tina, Connelley Erwin with Jill, Hoover Belle committee chairgoing to Union University; Anna afford living separately. received. onehelping of the bestthem things you should Ava Rose Indovina with Jennifer, and her grandmother Jan Delaney. Gilstrap with Allyson, entering woman Jennifer Cotney. Cotney do Others is create a argue budget and to government thatstickthe will chair Kim Milling Kathryn King with Melinda, and scholarship the University of Georgia; Emma Also going to Mississippi State it. Reducing unnecessary spending Some Divorce lawyers say the current Macy McClinton with Stephanie, also presented an engraved keepRose Hill with Cheryl, attending were Ashlynne Wallis, who uphandle with any more of a divorcing pair’s willend help you financial Olivia Slocum with Julie, sakemoney box to each Belle. attended with her mother, Rebecca Harding University; Rachel Lebo setup tends to preserve more hurdles of divorce. combined income. Kathryn Stubblefield with As she accepted her gifts, each with Lisa, heading to the Garcia, and grandmother Debbie overall to allocate betweensenior spouses, Jacken, and Kate Winchester with Wathen; and Grace Waters, who shared her favorite memory University of Tennessee; Piper 2. Let yourself grieve - Instead them afford living anyone separately. Katherine. from her time as a Hoover Belle attended with her mother, Jennifer Latham with Lisa, going to of trying to bottle up your emotions, Thehelping new rules won’t affect Belles entering the University and her plans Baylor University; and Slaton McCombs, and grandmother Mae you should allow argue yourself that to feelthe the government Others will beyond high school. divorces or signs painwho of your marriage ending. Evena separation The young women mentioned spe- of Alabama and their mothers Schneider with Renee, attending Lynn Hardy. endit up more of a divorcing pair’s and camps at if you think is forwith the best, it 2019. will were Olivia Bishop with Donna, cial occasions Wofford College. Mia Gage who attended with agreement before be a difficult thing to income. go through. combined Grace Heglas with Lori, Senna Aldridge Garden, Christmas Others in attendance included Michelle, and Madison Todd with Grieve healthily to let yourself heal. House with Shannon, Katherine parades, Easter egg hunts, the Hoover Belle Committee members Jonna, will attend the University If you do notfear face the sadness of Critics that without the deduction, Jackson with Gwenea, Maddie Center grand opening and Cathy Head and Kay Witt, who of Mississippi. The new rules won’t affectFinley anyone your divorce, you may become Lee with Stephanie, and Mattie philanthropic events. chaired the event, Jennie Alley, Hoover Belles attending other higher-earning spouses won’t pay as To: Kathryn, Cameron and Hank more angry vengeful or andsigns that a separation whoand divorces McDonald with Karla. Belles who attended the lunCathy Fuller, Becky Walker and colleges and universities include willmuch only prolong the divorce to their exes.andEven though From: Over The MountainThose Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., heading to Mississippi cheon with their mothers and will Kay Witt. ❖ Anna Marie Auchmuty, at the agreement before 2019. make things worse.
ALIMONY
alimony is just one of many factors in 3. Find the rightitfear lawyer - Kathryn divorce, is athat highly contentious topic Date: Critics without the deduction, Crawford Gentle, Partner of the thathigher-earning is changing drastically. spouses won’t pay as Domestic Relations and Taxation
Photos special to the Journal
Three Ways You Should Prepare DIVORCE For Divorce
205-824-1246, fax March This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the March 22 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
Birmingham Music Club Installs New Members, New Officers
Birmingham, ALGuests 35243
were greeted with a din-
Lloyd and ing Hogan table laden with refreshments (205) 969-6235
President Laura Bryan commended Membership 2871 Acton Road, #201 Chairman Birmingham, AL 35243 Lesley DeRamus on adding many new members to the (205) 969-6235 Guild. www.lloydhoganlaw.com New members Jocelyn Palmer, Elizabeth Crommelin, Sarah Rich and Gail Ledbetter were present. Pat Grant installed the new officers and committee chairmen of the Guild and presented each one
Attorneys at Law www.lloydhoganlaw.com as incoming
Lloyd and Hogan Attorneys at Law
2871 Acton Road, #201 Birmingham, AL 35243 (205) 969-6235
www.lloydhoganlaw.com
with a long-stemmed red rose. Officers for 2018-2019 are Michelle Rushing, executive vice president; Cheree Carlton and Linda Cooper, vice president of projects; Nancy Canada, vice president of placement; Kim Strickland, vice president of programs and location; Margery Whatley, vice president of scholarship; Roberta Atkinson, recording secretary; Miriam Morris, corresponding secretary; Margaret
Hubbard, treasurer; Jeanne Bradford, historian; and Judy Anderson, parliamentarian. Committee chairmen installed were Powell Anderson, addressing/mailing; Cheree Carlton, Christmas party; Elizabeth Broughton, spring luncheon; Angie Holder, hospitality and publicity; Sherrie Futch, newsletter; and Nancy Morrow, yearbook. The investment trustees for the Guild are Pat Grant, Becky Keyes
and Linda Griggs. The Guild was organized in 1988 to foster appreciation of music and the performing arts by supporting the club’s annual concert series. Since 2004, the Guild has funding and administering a prestigious scholarship program for young musicians in college. The program, established in 1941, is recognized as one of the most important music competitions in the Southeast. ❖
Photo special to the Journal
Coffee and Please make sure all information is correct, Conversation including address and phone number!
divisionmuch of Lloydto & Hogan, P.C., isEven though their exes. dedicated to representing clients in Duefamily to the length of time it takes to in just of many factors divorce,alimony law,isand tax one resolution.finalize Atdivorce, Lloyd & Hogan, we try to a divorce in Alabama and the it is a highly contentious topic take each family and client as the that is changing drastically. new law taking effect January 1, 2019, different entity that they are and Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. lookanyone at their own unique history,a divorce should considering If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, circumstances, and perspective Due to the length of it takes to today antime immediate your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. thatcontact they bringus to the table for Kathryn finalize a divorce in Alabama and the understands the importance of consultation. Thank you for your prompt attention. needingnew not only strong litigator lawa taking effect January 1, 2019, who will guide you step by step anyone considering a divorce should Lloyd andThe Hogan Guild of the Birmingham through the process, but also an us today an immediate Music attorneycontact who will protect your for assets Attorneys at LawClub held its annual and your family. Membership Coffee on May 11 at From left, Pat Grant, Powell Owens, Cheree Carlton, Judy Anderson, Laura Bryan, Roberta Atkinson, consultation. 2871 Acton Road, #201 of Carmen Morrow. the home Lesley DeRamus and Nancy Morrow.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 19
SOCIAL
Fore Life
Rehab Reality... By Judy and Julie Butler
ACS Golf Tournament Honors Pat Sullivan
The American Cancer Society’s Tee It Up Fore Life Golf Tournament was held June 11 at Old Overton Golf Club in Vestavia Hills. This year’s event honored Pat Sullivan, All-American quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame member from Auburn University. A total of 31 teams participated in the event, which raised $115,000 for the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer. The event, presented by Medical Properties Trust, was planned by chairman Patrick Cushman and committee members Frank Anderson, Winston Busby, Matt Condra, Kiley Elmore, Brian Edwards, Chad Goodwin, Kevin Hanna, Michelle Harbison, Lt. Darryl Lane, Richard Meadows, Charlie Norwood, Bill Pitts, Scott Pruitt, Scott Sink, John Thomas and Maury Wald. ❖
Pradat-Bruno
From left, Pat Sullivan with wife, Jean, and Rick Karle.
Bill Pradat, Mike Thompson, Jim Gorrie and John Williams.
Love of Country Vestavia Hills Takes I Love America Night Indoors
After being delayed by rain, the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce’s and Vestavia Hills Public Services’ I Love America Night was moved indoors July 2 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. The Pops in the Park concert was held on the original date, June 28, at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, but a variety of events remained. A children’s area in the Lighthouse Gym was filled with inflatables, games and face painting, while sponsor booths and vendors were stationed throughout the fellowship hall. Finishing off the evening, the family-friendly film “Despicable Me 3” was shown in Tyson Hall, with many viewers setting up their own picnics indoors. ❖
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Philip Moss and John Thomas Clark.
Julia and Larkin Denson.
Roman BRantley aRt, antiques Gifts & DecoR
Open Tues. - Fri. 10:30-5:00 pm Sat. 10:30-2:30 pm 2790 BM Montgomery Street Homewood, AL • 205.460.1224
Mrs. Rebecca Byars Pradat of Tuscaloosa announces the engagement of her daughter, Mary Parker, to Joseph Vincent Bruno, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul B. Bruno of Vestavia Hills. The bride-elect is the daughter of the late Mr. David Gunn Pradat of Tuscaloosa. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mildred Rhodes Byars and the late Mr. Walter Ryland Byars of Montgomery and the late Rev. and Mrs. Ray William Pradat of Tuscaloosa. Miss Pradat is a 2010 graduate of Holy Spirit Catholic High School and a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and was presented at the 2013 Tuscaloosa Holiday Cotillion. Miss Pradat is employed with Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Aline Dorothy Bruno and the late Mr. Ben F. Bruno of Birmingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph John Milazzo of Vestavia Hills. Mr. Bruno is a 2009 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2013 graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Mr. Bruno is employed with APCI in Birmingham. The wedding is planned for Aug. 25 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.
To have our wedding & engagement forms sent to you, call 823-9646.
Come See Our End of Summer Treasures
Here’s a Testimonial We Had To Share We don’t make up testimonials and many times we don’t share them, no matter how good they are. But this is one that had to be shared. This young man went to many rehabs over the years so his experience and perspective is something you should know if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction. “The staff at Bayshore Retreat is the most friendly and caring people I have ever met at a treatment facility. I have been to five previous treatment centers and none of the others ever catered to my needs the way Bayshore has. I have had problems with ADHD and never had the time to go get tested. They scheduled me an appointment with a psychologist and took me to get tested within a day. There was also a time when I needed dental work done. They scheduled an appointment and took me back and forth to the facility. I have not been to one place that would have done that for me. At previous treatment centers I had to mold into their program, but at Bayshore they mold to us, the clients. The time I spent at Bayshore was one of the top life experiences I have ever had. Thank you Bayshore for showing me a new and better way of living.” When we say that we take the “Fear Out of Rehab” this is what we mean. Most places treat everyone the same, as if they are the same. The addiction might be the only thing they really have in common, this why they need individual attention to beat it.
20 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
BUSINESS
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
New Prez Takes The Reins at Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham lawyer Clark Cooper, left, tiring of the legal rat race and seeking a change found a perfect opportunity when he learned Bedzzz Express founder Keith Krininger, right, was ready to sell.
Bedzzz Success
Mattress Company Becomes a Dream Come True for Local Lawyer By June Mathews After 23 years of building up one of the most well-known retail mattress companies in the Southeast, Keith Krininger was ready to sell. Neither health nor finances were a factor; he simply felt the time had come to give up the daily grind and reap the rewards of his hard-won success. Provided, that is, the right buyer came along. You see, Krininger’s company, Bedzzz Express, had been his life’s work for 23 years, and he wasn’t merely an overseer. He was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations, including buying, merchandising and advertising for every store the company opened. So, considering the massive amount of time and effort he’d invested, he naturally didn’t want to sell to just anybody. “From day one, I liked the idea of a good local family buying the business and keeping the name,” he said. Enter Clark Cooper, a Birmingham lawyer tiring of the legal rat race and seeking a change. “I had always dreamed of owning my own business, so I hired a broker and the search began,” said Cooper. “But I had certain requirements: I was not going to leave Birmingham, and I wanted a company with a product that everybody needs.” Long story short, the two men met, a deal ultimately was struck, and neither could be happier with the outcome. Krininger got the kind of buyer he wanted, and Cooper got a local company with a product needed by anybody who owns a bed. And as a bonus, each of them made a new friend.
“Clark and I have had a great relationship since we met,” said Krininger. “I plan to stay on for a while as a consultant and help him with the transition. What he wants to do is expand on what I’ve done, and I’m happy to
‘I’m having so much more fun than I did practicing law. I’m really enjoying this.’ CLARK COOPER
say he’s kept all our employees. I’ve been blessed with a great group of employees and little turnover, and that’s really helped build the company.” As for Cooper, he fully recognizes the value of keeping the prior owner and a host of experienced employees involved in the operations. “After 23 years in the business, Keith has a wealth of knowledge that I can learn from,” he said, “and one of the big reasons I bought the business was I liked him. He’s never steered me wrong. And the employees are all nice people and team players, just a really good group.”
A Company of Friends
Krininger founded Bedzzz Express in 1995 after working for 10 years as a Serta sales representative. “We first opened four stores, which may have been a little ambitious,” he said. “It was tough for the first two years, but we kept plugging away, even opening a fifth
store the second year. We kept doing better every year and by the eighth year, we were the largest mattress retailer in Alabama.” There are now 50 Bedzzz Express stores across the Southeast, 34 of them owned by licensees. “I enjoy working with our licensees,” said Cooper. “We have quickly become friends, and they’re a big part of Bedzzz Express’ success and future growth.” Over the past two decades and longer, the company has built its reputation by offering the best mattresses at the best prices, along with its exclusive Easy as 1-2-3 plan, the best return policy in the industry. Inventory includes top brands such as Serta, i-Comfort, Beautyrest, Sealy, Optimum, Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster and Bedzzz by Orderest. The company also is known for honoring the human factor – customers, as well as individuals in need. “If we make our customers happy, we know they’ll come back,” said Cooper, “so we go overboard to be accommodating. We also are very involved in charitable causes, which is another thing that attracted me to this business. If churches or other charitable organizations request help, we do whatever we can to provide it.” The company slogan, “Where Dreams Begin,” likely means more to Cooper since he started his new job at Bedzzz Express in mid-March. “I’m really enjoying this,” he said, “and I’m looking forward to growing the business even more.” For more information on Bedzzz Express, visit bedzzzexpress.com.
The Birmingham Zoo’s new president and CEO started work July 1, but he already was a familiar face around the zoo. Chris Pfefferkorn stepped up from his role as senior vice president into the zoo’s top slot after working in the industry for more than 25 years. As senior VP, he has managed the zoo’s senior staff, developed strategic short-term and long-term planning and been in charge of conservation and research. Previously he worked as deputy director of living collections at Oregon Zoo, general curator at Oregon Zoo, general curator at Ellen Trout Zoo, zookeeper/ behavior management coordinator at San Antonio Zoo and zooChris Pfefferkorn logical curator and zookeeper/horticulturist at Glen Oak Zoo. Pfefferkorn earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Eureka College in Illinois. He has completed the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ School for Professional Management of Zoos and Aquariums, Studbook School, Elephant Managers School, Populations Management Course and Principles
‘This zoo is a tremendous asset to Birmingham and the surrounding communities, and I look forward to the growth and development ...’ of Elephant Management for Institutional Directors. He also has completed the AZA Executive Leadership Development Program. Pfefferkorn for 15 years has devoted himself to conservation initiatives, including research on the flora and fauna of Zimbabwe, Africa. As the executive director of Chipangali CRI USA, he helped form a nonprofit, worked on grant writing and fundraising, worked on budget formation and oversight, participated in field research activities and was leader of the board of directors. The group provides environmental education to the underserved school children of western Zimbabwe. “On behalf of the board of directors at the zoo, we are thrilled to welcome Chris into his new role,” said Wally Nall III, Birmingham Zoo board chairman. “Chris brings a diverse wealth of knowledge to the zoo, and we are excited to watch him lead the zoo to success in the final stages of the Renew the Zoo campaign and beyond.” Pfefferkorn said, “This zoo is a tremendous asset to Birmingham and the surrounding communities, and I look forward to the growth and development ahead as we work to ‘Inspire Passion to Conserve the Natural World’.” —Virginia Martin
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Photo special to the Journal
where he served as dean of the college of pharmacy for Pyongyang University in North Korea. According to APA officials, the only reason Sands has returned to the U.S. is the country’s current travel ban on U.S. citizens. He remains in high demand as a speaker in health care in North Korea and is a founding member and former president of the Asian
Charlie Sands with wife Betty Kay Sands.
APA Inducts Hoover’s Sands Into Hall of Fame, Highlights Work at Samford and Korea At the Alabama Pharmacy Association’s 137th annual convention, Charles Sands of Hoover was inducted into the Alabama Pharmacy Hall of Fame. Sands’ induction, held June 11 in Point Clear at the Grand Hotel Marriott, celebrated his work not only as an educator, but his missionary pharmaceutical work throughout Asia. Born in December 1940, Sands grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, and developed a desire to pursue pharmacy while shadowing a pharmacist in high school. After receiving a scholarship from the Pinellas County Florida Pharmacy Association, he went on to receive a bachelor’s and doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida. After receiving his degree and practicing for a short time, Sands owned and operated the Colonial Pharmacy in St. Petersburg with his wife, Betty Kay, who helped out as clerk and delivery girl. Sands completed one year of theological training at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, in 1970, and he and his wife moved to Asia. During the next 32 years, he worked as a medical missionary through the Southern Baptist Convention in Korea and Northeast China. In Korea, he served as director of the Department of Pharmaceutical Services; director of the Clinical Research Institute; and co-director of the Community Health Program for the Wallace Memorial Baptist
Hospital in Pusan. After a move to Yanji, China in 1992, Sands was professor of clinical research at Yanbian University Medical College, where he is credited with establishing Korea’s first drug information center, the nation’s first poison control center, his hospital’s first unit dose system, the first total parental nutrition service and the first pharmacist supervised hypertension clinic in the country. “Although extensive, Charlie’s service to this profession pales in comparison to his service to his community and the world,” said Louise Jones, APA executive director. “His impact on so many has been astounding, and he’s done it all quietly and without fanfare. APA is pleased to be able to recognize his work through his induction into the Hall of Fame.” On his return to the United States in 2002, Sands accepted a position as chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Samford University, where he had maintained adjunct appointments to the faculty for many years prior. He became the dean of McWhorter School of Pharmacy in 2008. During his time at Samford, he began assisting the Perry County Department of Health in its Sowing Seeds of Hope community outreach organization and traveled 160 miles round-trip each week to hold a cardiovascular risk reduction clinic for patients who had little to no access to such services. Sands stepped down from his role at Samford in 2013 to return to Asia,
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Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 21
BUSINESS
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Conference on Clinical Pharmacy. Over the past few months, he has been an invited speaker to the World Congress on Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, Harvard University, and the Philippine Pharmacist Association National Convention. Among his many successes,
Sands’ honors include the 1964 University of Florida Pharmacology Research Award, 1984 Samford University Dean’s Award, 1992 Jilin Province Research Investigator of the Year Award, 2007 Health Care Hero Award by the Birmingham Business Journal, 2008 AACP Crystal APPLE Award for work in Perry County and the 2013 Bowl of Hygeia Award. —Emily Williams
ARC Realty Property Specialists Sarah Eddy and Tiffany Bittner are coordinating a new phase of homes for The Town of Mt Laurel.
ARC Realty teams with The Town of Mt Laurel ARC Realty is pleased to announce they have teamed with The Town of Mt Laurel to market the next phase of homes and home sites in the nostalgic community just south of Birmingham off Highway 280. “It’s rare to find a neighborhood of new homes with this much style and character,” says ARC CEO Beau Bevis. “There’s a seamless blend of old and new at Mt Laurel; stone walls and shady streets, porches and porch swings. It makes you want to park your car, walk around and explore. When people discover Mt Laurel, it creates a lasting impression.” Sarah Eddy, ARC Realty Property Specialist in the Mt Laurel Sales Center, believes the unique combination of vintage architecture and majestic nature distinguishes Mt Laurel from other communities. “There’s an authentic sense of place here,” says Sarah. “It’s an artistic approach to creating a neighborhood. An effort has been made to preserve trees and to position our charming retail shops and services in a way that respects our common areas and greenspace.” ARC Realty Property Specialist Tiffany Bittner is thrilled about expansion happening thoughtfully around the community. “We have a grocery store opening across the street,” says Tiffany. “We have new home sites and builders joining our team this summer. It’s an exciting time to be a part of what’s happening at Mt Laurel.”
For more information on The Town of Mt Laurel, visit arcrealtyco.com or call Sarah Eddy at (205) 365-6859 or Tiffany Bittner at (205) 253-3155
SCHOOLS
22 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
BACK TO SCHOOL: IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER HOMEWOOD CITY SCHOOLS:
HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS:
MOUNTAIN BROOK CITY SCHOOLS:
SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS:
VESTAVIA HILLS CITY SCHOOLS:
First Day for Students: Aug. 8 Winter Holidays: Dec. 21 - Jan. 3 Spring Break: March 25-29 Last Day for Students: May 23 homewood.k12.al.us
First Day for Students: Aug. 8 Winter Holidays: Dec. 21 - Jan. 3 Spring Break: March 25-29 Last Day for Students: May 24 hoovercityschools.net
First Day for Students: Aug. 14 Winter Holidays: Dec. 19 - Jan. 4 Spring Break: March 25-29 Last Day for Students: May 24 mtnbrook.k12.al.us
First Day for Students: Aug. 7 Winter Holidays: Dec. 17 - Jan. 1 Spring Break: March 25-29 Last Day for Students: May 23 shelbyed.k12.al.us/schools
First Day for Students: Aug. 9 Winter Holidays: Dec. 20 - Jan. 7 Spring Break: March 25-29 Last Day for Students: May 23 vestavia.k12.al.us
Raise Your Voice
Mountain Brook’s Dr. Missy Brooks Strives to Create a StudentTeacher Partnership in the Classroom
Photo courtesy Deanna Bell
By Emily Williams
Deanna Bell
Vestavia Teacher Surprised by Notice She’s up for Grammy Consideration By Reed Strength When Deanna Bell, music education teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary East, saw an unopened email from the Grammys in her inbox, she assumed at first it was a T-shirt ad. When she opened it and read it, she was even more puzzled. According to the email, the Grammys had received a nomination packet entering her into the 2019 Grammy Music Educator Award. A few weeks later, Bell got a follow-up email with an even bigger surprise: she had been named a quarter-finalist for the award. Currently, Bell is only one of two teachers in Alabama chosen to be among the 188 quarterfinalists. “It took me three times to read it before I realized that I was really a finalist,” said Bell. Each year, the organization uses this award to honor the work of music education teachers across the nation. “For every performer who makes it to the Grammy stage, there was a teacher who played a critical role in getting them there,” states the award’s webpage. Out of nearly 2,800 nominations, 10 finalists ultimately will be chosen. The organization will then choose one overall winner, who will be flown to Los Angeles and honored during Grammy week with a
$10,000 honorarium. Joy Smith, Bell’s close friend and a fellow music teacher at Huffman Academy in Birmingham, secretly gathered nomination materials and entered her for the award. A glance at Bell’s resume adds credence to Smith’s motivations. Two years ago, Bell recieved both the Vestavia City Schools Teacher of the Year and Elementary Teacher of the Year Awards for 2016-2017. Each spring, she hosts a free professional development course with grant funding to provide local music teachers with classroom resources. Outside of the elementary school classroom, Bell recently was appointed as the first female conductor of the Birmingham Wind Ensemble. She also teaches music education courses as an adjunct professor at UAB and is a member of several state music education boards and associations. She attributes her passion and drive to her childhood. Bell grew up on a farm in Blount County, with her mother, Sharon Woodard, a teacher, and father, Robert Woodard, a former football coach at Oneonta and Cleveland high schools. While Bell claims her musical talents stem from her mother and aunt, she credits the ironclad support and motivational speeches her father gave to her and his players for her drive to succeed. Bell has taught music education at Vestavia Hills Elementary East for seven years, but she collectively has about 25 years of education experience, having worked in five schools in three states. There are 43 classes of children at Vestavia Hills Elementary East who come to Bell’s music classroom See BELL, page 25
Mountain Brook schools’ mission statement promises that its schools will seek “to provide an effective, challenging and engaging education” for each student. It’s a promise the educators and administrators who work in the system strive to keep. Dr. Missy Brooks, director of curriculum and instruction for the school system, recently was asked to provide a guest post for A+ Alabama Best Practices Center’s website regarding her efforts to coach teachers on ways to better harness student opinion in the classroom. Three years ago, Brooks said, while assessing the mission statement, administrators began evaluating ways to better meet the needs of students. After creating a focus group of students, teachers, parents, administrators, support staff and community members and having discussions on what was and wasn’t working in the schools, Brooks and her colleagues identified one big problem. Adults felt that students had a real part in the way they were educated while students felt that the opinions they presented were never really heard. “Everyone in the room knew this was a big issue that had to be addressed,” she said. The discovery reminded Brooks and her colleagues of a quote by educational thought leader Michael Fullian who, over 25 years ago, said, “Imagine if we treated students as people whose opinion mattered.” While looking for ways to introduce student voice to educators as an educational tactic, Brooks and a team of educators attending a 2017 Learning Forward Conference in
Photo courtesy Dr. Missy Brooks
The Envelope Please
Dr. Missy Brooks
Canada found themselves talking with school officials from Canada and Texas, who were well into their work with student voice. After returning, Brooks said, she and her teammates began brainstorming ways to present what they learned at the conference to the district. Soon, they held a districtwide presentation, conducted by Superintendent Dicky Barlow, to present their findings. Months later, the June 2017 Mountain Brook Learning Conference’s keynote speech was about choice and how, when given a say in the way they are educated, students become more empowered in their learning. Since that time, Brooks has been working through the task, along with her staff development specialist, Holly Martin, to visit each teacher in the district and give advice and steps on how to create more opportunities every day for students to contribute to their learning process. Teachers were coached to take the time during a lesson to pose a question for student opinion, listen, respond in some way and come to a mutual conclusion, Brooks said. She noted that most of the teachers were hesitant at first, fearing that the discussions would cause tension or disruption. The intended result is to see a partnership between teachers and students, allowing students to layer their own thoughts into their lessons, help teachers better display their purpose and allow both parties to constantly learn what works and what doesn’t. In constructing her article, Brooks gathered feedback from teachers regarding their experiences embracing student voice. See VOICE, page 25
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 23
SCHOOLS
Vestavia Hills School Board Approves Rezoning, Announces Dolly Ridge Elementary
By Emily Williams The Vestavia Hills City Board of Education has unanimously approved a school rezoning plan for the system’s elementary schools. The plan was the Option 2 plan Superintendent Todd Freeman presented to the board July 10, with a few tweaks. Beginning with the 2019-20 school year, all elementa-
The board also approved transferring the name Louis Pizitz Middle School to the Berry campus, as the school will relocate to the new building next school year. According to board member Steve Bendall, the board is well aware that not all community members may be happy with their new zone. “But we all get a Vestavia education and I can tell you, with one in college and one soon to be in college, that means a lot out there,” he said.
Long Time Coming
Todd Freeman Vestavia Superintendent
ry schools will be kindergarten through fifth grade. The main difference between the approved plan and the options presented to the public earlier is that Vestavia Hills Elementary in Cahaba Heights will retain its students and take on students from East Elementary and a few from Liberty Park Elementary. Additionally, the board approved the new name for the former Gresham Elementary School campus that was purchased in May. The school now is named Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge and will take on 735 students in its innaugural year.
According to Freeman, though he took on the role of superintendent this past spring, the rezoning process has been on the horizon since 2015, when the school system’s facility renovations plan was conceived address growth in Vestavia Hills. “From 2011 to 2017, the system experienced a growth from 6,000 students to about 7,100,” Freeman noted. “That number has gone to almost 7,200 since.” After beginning rezoning discussions in December 2017 and working towards the purchase of Gresham Elementary, the board began gearing up to release their three options for rezoning in May. Since then, the community has had the opportunity to comment through surveys and three open work sessions, which Freeman said were attended by 75 to 100 parents. “I also had a number of phone calls, emails and meetings with parents, as well, during that time,” he said. He notes that one of the most important aspects of the planning
process for the board was to gather opinions from a wide range of community members. The board put together a group of 65 stakeholders, including parents of students from the different schools, board members, school board employees, Mayor Ashley Curry and city council members. “What we have here is a culmination of the board priorities, which takes into account the proximity to schools for families, keeping that neighborhood concept and utilizing the number of buildings – regarding their capacity,” he said. Freeman also noted that the board has kept in mind future growth of the community. One of the key things they will watch out for is another proposed neighborhood in Liberty Park, which has yet to begin.
We’ve Got Work to Do
While awaiting the changes that the 2019-20 school year will bring, Freeman said that this year will be a continuation of construction that the schools’ been undergoing. The objective, he said, is making sure that, though students may have to change schools, they will be receiving the same level of education with the same amount and quality of resources. Through the facilities plan, the elementary schools have already been undergoing renovations to prepare for the coming changes, with the East campus gaining a new kitchen and cafeteria addition last fall and Liberty Park adding an expansion for more classrooms and a larger cafeteria. After the completion of a new gym addition last year, work at
Cahaba Heights continues this summer with construction of a new classroom and media center addition nearing completion. Work has also started to create a more efficient carpool drive at the front of the school and expand the school’s parking. In addition, the construction of a new kitchen and cafeteria space at West is in full swing and could be completed in September. During the course of this school year and next summer, the goals will be further developing plans for the Dolly Ridge campus and the new Pizitz campus, Freeman said, “so that the resources will be comfortable to students.” In May the board approved the plans to build a classroom addition to the Dolly Ridge building, as well as improvements to the building’s facade. After completing demolition and sewer renovations this summer at the Berry campus, the board is working on approving renovations that will include a band and choir addition as well as a new gymnasium building. Plans also include extensive renovations to the interior of the building and
creation of a new drive for carpool and parking. Freeman also mentioned that the board will begin revving up its staffing plans as spring approaches and will also be working on plans throughout the year to address traffic that may be caused by the rezoning. “Traffic and transportation is a concern, particularly with the Gresham campus,” he said. Through strong partnerships with the city and Jefferson County, he hopes to find ways to minimize the impact the schools will have on the surrounding roads. This will include analyzing the best times to start and end classes to be the least disruptive to general morning and afternoon traffic flow. “There has been a lot of emotion and passion expended into this project for a lot of good reasons,” Freeman said. “Because parents want the best for their children, and we do too. I believe this option gives us the best chance to do what we think is important; to stay on mission and to make sure we provide all of our students with (an) opportunity to learn without limits.”
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24 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SCHOOLS
Teaching Alabama’s Teachers About the State’s Environment
By Reed Strength
‘It’s my job to foster awe, wonder and discovery of our state’s ecology so that the future generations can pursue careers to discover the unknown, find ways to increase revenue, outshine our sordid history and lead the world in saving ecosystems.’
Photo special to the Journal
Over the summer, 21 teachers embarked on an eight-day journey across Alabama to learn more about the state’s bountiful biodiversity and natural beauty. Of those, eight were from the Over the Mountain area, including four from Deer Valley Elementary, two from Oak Mountain Intermediate and two from Homewood City Schools. Those two Homewood teachers, Lisa Lucas of Shades Cahaba Elementary and Lynn Hardin of Homewood High School, caught up with the Over the Mountain Journal to share their experience on the trip and how it influenced them to allow new lessons about conservation and the environment to take root in their classrooms. The trip was hosted by Legacy, an environmental education nonprofit based in Montgomery, which offers various teacher excursions each summer to provide “factbased environmental education to the educators and citizens of Alabama.” According to Legacy’s website, these workshops “train the participants to integrate environmental topics, such as pollution prevention, ecology, natural resources and waste management into their classroom curriculum.” The annual trip the eight teachers attended was “Mountains to the Gulf: Teachers Making Connections,” which lasted between June 24 and July 1. “The purpose of Legacy’s ‘Mountains to the Gulf’ excursion is to connect Alabama educators, both formal and informal, to their state,” said David Matson, Legacy’s educational programs coordinator. “We want educators that participate in Legacy workshops to come away with a newfound respect and admiration for our highly biodiverse and beautiful state.” The group started at Winston County’s Camp McDowell in the northwestern part of the state. Over the next eight days, a charter bus
Over the summer four teachers from Deer Valley Elementary, two from Oak Mountain Intermediate and two from Homewood City Schools embarked on an eight-day journey across Alabama to learn more about the state’s bountiful biodiversity and natural beauty.
transported the educators down through some of Alabama’s most notable natural wonders. During the course of their journey, they reached Alabama’s highest point in Cheaha State Park, kayaked the Tallapoosa river, examined the lush greenery of Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center and studied acquatic habitats at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab near Mobile. “This teacher training used our state’s best resources and the passionate, highly educated people that love it to not only teach us, but to show us what we should be celebrating and how to get others to celebrate too,” said Lucas. Lucas, who previously had experience teaching special education and first grade before becoming an art teacher, claimed she intially had trouble finding meaningful professional development courses for her art curriciulum before this trip. She even tried getting involved in the Greater Birmingham Math Partnernship to “stretch her abilities and comfort zone” despite math not being her strong suit. When Dr. Patrick Chappell, director of instructional support for
For Information on Packs & Troops in the Over the Mountain Area Contact Will McIntyre District Director Call: 205-541-4292 or Email: william.mcintyre@scouting.org
Homewood City Schools, brought Legacy’s Mountains trip to the Gulf to Lucas’ attention, she was game to try something fresh for her classroom. Already an avid outdoor lover, Lucas said the trip only embolded her passion for the preservation of the great outdoors, and even started her referring to Alabama as “America’s Amazon.” Hardin, who has taught science education for 25 years, said though she had a strong foundation in Earth science, she was looking forward to getting firsthand experiece in geological fieldwork by trained experts. Both spoke on the rare opportunity the trip offered in getting to know and learn with educators of all backgrounds and ages. “The uniqueness and variety of Alabama’s ecosystems mirrored the passion and diversity of the group of teachers,” said Lucas. “We had a retired teacher, a graduate student, early childhood, elementary, high school, special areas, men and women ... even ages 20 to 70 and up.” According to Hardin, it was refreshing to be around educators of several disciplines and areas of study. “It’s easy to get tunnel vision in your content area, particularly at the secondary level,” said Hardin. “Knowledge is about seeing connections – history, art, science. We miss out on complexity of thought when we just focus on one facet.” Of all the excursions the group went on, Hardin picked their stop on Mt. Cheaha as her favorite. While there, the group examined
pure quartz cutting through the rugged sandstone of the mountain. “Mt. Cheaha and the rest of the Appalachians were formed when the large land masses collided to form Pangea,” said Hardin. “To ‘know’ this is one thing, but to see visual evidence in person of the great pressure needed that had to have melted the rock enough for pure quartz to recrystallize was amazing.” Hardin explained she looks forward to implementing more field experiences in her curriculum. She said she may take her students to survey the rocks in Shoal Creek near Homewood High School that, through the natural process of the rock cycle, will one day become the sand on Alabama’s beaches. She even pointed out a geological history lesson that can be observed as Birmingham residents drive down the Red Mountain Expressway. “Notice how all the layers are at an angle – this means that some force was strong enough for mountain building to take place,” explained Hardin. “Each of those layers is like a page in a story – a story of how our hometown was formed. It’s the story of how and why we have iron to make the steel that our city was built upon.” Further, both look forward to highlighting the importance of conservation and ecology in their classroom lessons as well. “It’s my job to foster awe, wonder and discovery of our state’s ecology so that the future generations can pursue careers to discover the unknown, find ways to increase revenue, outshine our sordid history
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LISA LUCAS, SHADES CAHABA ELEMENTARY
and lead the world in saving ecosystems,” said Lucas. Hardin agrees. “This is our home. You don’t trash your home. You take care of it because it is yours. We have a responsibility to future generations to make sure they have a home that is beautiful and as healthy as it can be. Human life depends on our understanding of our planet and being good stewards of this gift that has been given to us,” she said. For those looking to learn more about Alabama’s natural wonders on their own, Legacy offers plenty of free resources and information on their website legacyenved.org.
Vestavia Hills’ a Capella Choir to Perform at National Choral Concert
Vestavia Hills High School’s choral group, Just Singin’, has been invited to perform at the American Choral Directors’ Association’s annual conference in February 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The choir was chosen from a group of 225 auditioning choirs and is the first public school choir from Alabama that has been invited to sing at the conference. “This is an unbelievable achievement for this group,” said Dr. Megan Rudolph, Vestavia Hills High School choral department director. “There are groups that try for years to get invited to sing at this conference. It’s so humbling to be chosen to share the stage with some of the world’s best choirs.” Formed in 2006, Just Singin’ is made up of 10th- through 12th-grade vocalists who perform a cappella pop music. The group performs at events throughout the city each year. In one of their claims to fame, Just Singin’s 2016 video of students singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in a stairwell at a VHHS holiday music show received more than one million views on Facebook and YouTube.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 25
SCHOOLS
Hoover Dad Brigade Set to Cleanup Campuses for New School Year VOICE,
By Emily Williams
Men will fan out over Hoover on July 28, taking on projects to prepare the schools and grounds to welcome a new school year. The annual Hoover Dad Brigade back-to-school cleanup event, in its fourth year, gives not only fathers of students, but all men in the community the opportunity to give back to the school system. According to Hoover City Council member Derrick Murphy, founder of the group, more than 400 men and young men helped out last year; so he is hoping to see at least 500 take part this year. Murphy founded the organiza-
BELL, From page 22
every week. Kindergarten and firstgraders receive 30 minutes of music class, while second- and third-graders get 10 more minutes each week. Rather than simply teach the kids to sing and play with bells and rhythm sticks, Bell makes some unconventional but fresh lesson plans. “I try to go to school and have some fun every day,” said Bell. Part of her strategy to do so is to consistently incorporate new music tools and methods into her curriculum. One of her more innovative tools in recent years are AudioCubes, programmable Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) controllers developed by California-based music tech company Percussa. Each AudioCube features programmable colors and sounds that can be layered atop one another via bluetooth sensing. With 12 cubes in all, Bell’s students can quickly create their own mini-DJ sets, complete with a multicolored light show. These mind-bending instruments are not
tion during his tenure as president of the Hoover Board of Education, inspired by a group of fathers and grandfathers of students attending Deer Valley Elementary School. The Deer Valley group had been a staple at the school for almost a decade, providing a space for men to support the school in a role comparable to the homeroom mother. After seeing the impact it had on his eldest son who attended the school, Murphy said he wanted to find a way to create the same opportunity for fathers on a disctrict-wide level. The brigade has since inspired other school-specific groups for men also have been cre-
ated. On the big day, the group will kick things off at 6:45 a.m. at the Riverchase Galleria Home Depot, where teams and individuals are invited for a free breakfast before they receive their projects for the day. Though it began as a clean-up just for elementary schools, the day has expanded to include all of the campuses and projects such as pressure-washing, picking up litter, minor landscaping and caulking and painting inside the schools. “All of the projects are submitted to us by the schools,” Murphy said, with principals formings lists of things to be done before stu-
dents arrive. Though the idea for the brigade initially was aimed at parents, it has broadened with a number of local organizations organize volunteer teams. Murphy noted that the school is an assett to the entire community, enhancing the quality of life for the entire Hoover community. Murphy said that all are welcome to join, wether they are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors or students; but participants must be in high school or rising eighth grade students. For more information and updates, visit the Hoover City Dad Brigade page on Facebook.
only weird fun, but they also help students combine STEM concepts with the artistic expression of musical composition. “It’s coding, it’s programming a light show, it’s putting sound loops together. This is as STEM as it gets,” said Bell. “I wanted whatever my technology was to be different. Something they probably didn’t have at home.” Outside of the cubes, each of Bell’s students begins learning guitar starting in kindergarten. Gradually, their skills increase with each grade level, ending in third grade, when the kids form their own bands and play original songs, which Bell records for their parents. Each of the four grade levels at Vestavia Hills Elementary East performs at least one concert each year, with every child playing an instrument for up to 10 to 12 songs. These performances aren’t just limited to the school gymnasium. Their venues include the annual Vestavia Hills tree lighting ceremony, local retirement homes, building openings and a few community service projects.
Out of the popular artists of the day, Bell said she draws a lot of inspiration from Adele, the multiplatinum singer-songwriter of “Hello” and “Someone Like You” fame. “The thing about those songs is that each of them tells a story and is about a personal event or connection to something that happened in her life,” said Bell. “That’s something I’ve got to teach my kids. Not every song is going to be a happy song.” In the future, regardless of the Grammy win or not, Bell hopes to leave her mark on not only her students, but the college interns she mentors each semester. “I’m really hoping I’m making a difference with the next generation of music teachers by teaching them what I know,” said Bell. “She is so good to all of her interns, whether it’s prepping us for interviews for jobs, or helping you figure out what you need to get for your classroom. Or, for myself, acting as your biggest supporter,” said Katie Boyd, one of Bell’s former interns. In September, the Grammys will announce the semifinalists for the
Music Education Award, followed by the full announcement of the finalists next year. Along the way, Bell’s fellow educators at Vestavia Hills Elementary East are rooting for her all the way. “I’ve taught across from her now for six years, so just the joy, and the happiness and the sounds that come out of the music room make my heart sing,” said Mary Mason, a second-grade teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary East. “So, Justin Timberlake, Adele, watch out. Because here comes Deanna Bell. She’s our rockstar.”
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From page 22
MBHS math teacher Morgan Chatham shared an example from an open discussion she had with one of her classes that wasn’t producing particularly good results. When one student spoke up and voiced a desire for more discussion in class, he took a moment to look around at his peers. He noticed that a fellow student didn’t seem to be a big fan of class discussion and asked, “What can we do that keeps me interested but won’t overwhelm you?” The tools and work that it took to foster a safe environment in the classroom that led to such a successful discussion is the result of Brooks’ work throughout the district. “We have learned that student voice is not a thing,” Brooks wrote. “It is a culture of true student ownership of learning. It is a partnering of teacher and student. It is pulling back the curtain and allowing students to see why we do the things we do and asking them (when appropriate) if it could be done better for them to learn more.” To read Brooks’ guest post, visit aplusa.org/best-practices-center.
26 • Thursday, July 26, 2018
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SPORTS
OFF-THE-FIELD BATTLES
Hoover’s Avery Hoven Overcomes Eating Disorder, Channeling Experience Into Life’s Work before bed to allow her body to recuperate. Adding to the stressors of keeping her body fueled, Hoven struggled with perceived stress of maintaining a particular body appearance, specifically in a sport where a form-fitting uniform was key to performance and success. “Many athletes experience a comparison complex from a physical and athletic standpoint, as our bodies are assets — our tool for success,” Hoven said. “However, for female athletes, be it in beach volleyball, gymnastics or softball, we have unique added pressures of being judged for our appearance — often above our performance. And that judgment comes from our size to how our uniforms fit.” During her junior year, Hoven recognized the severity of her eating disorder and the control it had over her life. She voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program to seek treatment and support.
‘Passionate About Understanding ...’
Now one year out of treatment, Hoven says experience has helped shift the trajectory of her career. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in communication management at UAB and has begun the process of researching her thesis. “After my experience with an eating disorder, I’m passionate about understanding the prevalence of eating disorders in the collegiate athletic community, the environmental influences for these behaviors, and how athletic departments can help recognize habits and assist these students during really challenging times,” Hoven said. “I want to research the importance of interpersonal communication in terms of how it shapes the relationships between teammates and between a coach and an individual athlete, and how it influences perceptions of
Photo courtesy UAB
When University of Alabama at Birmingham beach volleyball student-athlete Avery Hoven took the court in 2016, her teammates, coaches, family and UAB fans were in awe of her athletic abilities. What they were unaware of was the personal battle she was tackling off the field. A Division I athlete of three years, Hoven was struggling with an unspecified eating disorder. “I was channeling different issues into food management and using that control as a means of avoiding other things in my life,” said Hoven, a Hoover native. “It became apparent that my existing eating disorder was being fueled by the competitive culture of collegiate athletics, the constant emphasis on adequate food consumption and maintaining a specific type of physique to maximize performance.” According to the National Eating Disorder Association, Hoven is not alone in her experience. It is estimated that disordered eating affects 62 percent of female athletes, with 58 percent at risk for developing bulimia nervosa and 35 percent at risk of anorexia nervosa. As part of a school-supported team, Hoven says, ample nutritional resources and access to food were always at her disposal. In fact, that is the case for almost all highly competitive college athletes, and how, when, where and how often athletes consume food always has to be top-of-mind. For Hoven, managing her relationship with food was a constant struggle she could never bring herself to discuss openly with those close to her, be they her teammates, teachers, coaches or family. Hoven recalls stressing about eating before practice to give her body the fuel it needed. She would consume snacks before and after matches, eat again after a workout for extra energy, and eat meals
‘For female athletes, be it in beach volleyball, gymnastics or softball, we have unique added pressures of being judged for our appearance — often above our performance. And that judgment comes from our size to how our uniforms fit.’ AVERY HOVEN
body image.” She credits her ongoing growth and recovery to supportive family, friends and her UAB community, including teammates, coaches and teachers. Now that she has com-
pleted her competitive career, Hoven says, she has better recognized the scope of this issue and how it affects other student athletes. Kelly Morrison, Ph.D., profes-
sor in UAB’s Department of Communication Studies and a mentor of Hoven’s, hopes that Hoven’s research will help inform theory and practice. Morrison also hopes it will have useful communicationrelated applications, including potentially forming new guidelines or programming for how athletes communicate about this issue. “The growth that Avery has had in this last year has been so inspirational to me,” Morrison said. “I have watched her expand her knowledge and dissect theories on a subject that she clearly has a personal connection to, but that perhaps she had not thought about how it related to communication. More broadly, I think Avery is an excellent example for other UAB students who may not have considered graduate education — look what can happen from one conversation with a professor who asks a student, ‘Why don’t you study this?’” Hoven’s long-term sights are set on obtaining her Ph.D. in communication studies, with a goal of teaching younger generations of student-athletes ways to communicate their struggles and seek help if they find themselves in a similar situation. “I think it’s key that people understand that the warning signs for eating disorders aren’t always what they appear to be,” Hoven said. “I want to learn more about how these habits are communicated across campuses to ensure that athletes and coaches alike are supported in helping those in need seek recovery. Collegiate athletics provides such an invaluable and oncein-a-lifetime experience for so many, and I want to be a part of ensuring that all experiences are fulfilled to their maximum potential and not derailed by other issues that athletes can manage with help from a supportive community.” —UAB News Studio
Photo courtesy Magic City Theatre on Ice
Area Skaters Win the Gold at National Championship Games
Team members include, front row, from left: Hallen Neff, Sophia Latham, Maggie Blackstone, Blayne Powers, Adria Liliac, Avery Baker, Harper Breitenfeld and Verania Garcia. Middle: Savannah Worth and Zoey Bair. Back: Anna Blankenship, Emily Sanders, Sarah Jamieson, Halle Brooke Parsons, Katie Beth Berry, Amy Herndon, Rica Hecker, Emily Spradling, Rebecca Zaharko and Anita Saxena.
Magic City Theatre on Ice brought home the national championship in the Open Division from the National Theatre on Ice Championship recently. The team, representing the Birmingham Figure Skating Club and the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, placed first in the choreographic exercise and in the free skate during the competition, held in Geneva, Illinois, at the end of June. Magic City Theatre on Ice came in first in the choreographic exercise with a 5.33 point lead over Minnesota Theatre on Ice of Rochester, the 2017 reigning champions of the open division, according to a statement from the team. The team finished with a 6.86 point lead in the free skate and an overall lead of 15.83 to win gold in the event. It’s Hot of Brazos Valley Figure Skating Club won silver and Minnesota Theatre on Ice of Rochester took bronze. The team is coached and choreographed by Danny Tate, facility director of the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, Emily Sanders, Anita Saxena, Priscilla Fowler and Michelle Badgley Cox locally. Out-of-state coaches Michelle Hunt and Piercyn Hunt, of Harmony Theatre Company, came several times from Michigan to work with the team.
SPORTS and at Life Time Fitness in Vestavia Hills. He also traveled frequently to Oxford, Mississippi, to watch Ole Miss play football and see his girlfriend, Hannah Claire Hamric, a member of the Rebelettes, Ole Miss’ dance team. Perhaps one day Lemons will enroll in college himself, because MLB has fully paid for him to attend, but he said, “Not at the moment.” He’s too busy trying to improve at his craft in hopes of reaching the major leagues in the not too distant future. The Brewers are not rushing Lemons through their minor league system, although he’s ranked as their 16th-best prospect. He was in extended spring training
Photo courtesy Caden Lemons
‘I have met a lot of guys from different places – Australia, Venezuela, China and Cuba – and me and some of the other high school guys have formed a friendship. It’s fun, more fun than a regular job.’
ship. It’s fun, more fun than a regular job.” A lanky, 6-foot-6, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, Lemons was the Brewers’ second-round pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, the 46th player taken overall. He turned down a baseball scholarship to Ole Miss to sign with the Brewers, receiving a $1.45 million signing bonus. “The Brewers just gave me a good enough position to where I couldn’t pass on the opportunity,” Lemons said. Lemons pitched in three games for the Arizona Brewers during the 2017 season and then returned home to Vestavia Hills for the offseason. He spent a lot of time working out, training at Godspeed Elite Sports Academy in Hoover
until July before being assigned to the rookie club in Arizona. He has made two starts for the Arizona Brewers, pitching five innings while allowing only two hits and one run with two walks and four strikeouts. He’s still looking for his first win. “I threw real well,” Lemons said. “I’m feeling good about where I am.” Lemons consistently throws his fastball in the mid-90s and has a slider. He’s developing a curveball and changeup. He hopes that if he continues to progress, he can move up to the Brewers’ lower-level Class A team, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, later this summer. “I’m trying to be the best I can be for when the time comes (to move up),” he said. “When the time comes, it’ll come. I can only control what I can control. I just try to be in the moment. You can get so worried about so many things that it becomes stressful. I want to be in the moment and not worried about all that other stuff. It’s all a matter of playing ball and having fun and trying to stay true to the moment.”
qualified him to be eligible to be chosen for the USA Games. The athletes were pulled at random from a pool because so many athletes per state were able to attend nationals. Lewis coach, Jane Mosakowski, attended the competition in Seattle with Lewis and his family. Mosakowski has been working with Lewis since 2015, and she was
overjoyed to see him run in the USA Games. “Drew ran great and was so proud and happy,” said Mosakowski, who is also a physical education teacher at Mountain Brook Junior High. “He had an amazing experience. He made new friends, built more confidence and had the time of his life.”
Caden Lemons with his mother Missy, his dad Donnie and his younger brother Max at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.
DREAM JOB Vestavia Hills’ Lemons Chasing Major League Baseball Career
By Rubin E. Grant Caden Lemons is living the dream a year after starting his dream job. The 19-year-old from Vestavia Hills High School is playing professional baseball for the Arizona Brewers, the rookie level minor league team of the Milwaukee Brewers. “It’s awesome, honestly,” Lemons said during a phone conversation from Phoenix. “It’s hands down the best job in the world. It’s tough to beat six or seven hours a day at the ball park. “I have met a lot of guys from different places – Australia, Venezuela, China and Cuba – and me and some of the other high school guys have formed a friend-
LEWIS, From page 28
level, where they had to qualify to be considered for nationals. Lewis won gold in both the 100meter and 200-meter at the Special Olympic Alabama Games in May at Troy University. The performance
Team Work
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • 27
Mountain Brook Player Uses the Game to Raise Money for Kids’ Cancer Research
Aidan Hood
By Blake Ells Alex’s Lemonade Stand was founded by Alexandra Scott in 2000. Scott had been diagnosed with pediatric cancer at a young age and wanted a way to help raise money for other kids who were facing the same situation. With the help of her brother Patrick, her first lemonade stand raised $2,000, and by the time she passed away in 2004, she had raised more than $1 million for the cause. It was then that her parents began the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which has grown to the point that people all over the world use the method to support the same cause. After visiting the Kohl’s Southern Showcase in Atlanta, Mountain Brook High School senior placekicker and punter Aidan Hood discovered the foundation and his own path to helping the cause during the upcoming season. “Every point you score or every yard you punt a ball, people can pledge money to the foundation,” Hood said. “It can be as little as $1 for every point I score.” Pediatric cancer has affected the Mountain Brook community in recent years, and students such as Hood were touched and have remained committed to the legacy of peers who have passed and to assistance for peers who still battle the disease. Hood recalls the life of Sid Ortiz, who passed in 2015 at the age of 16, and his close friend Sean Fredella, who has beaten the disease multiple times. “We didn’t go to the same junior high, but we lived close to each other and we would hang out and carpool together. So I learned a lot about everything he had been through,” Hood said. “(Pediatric cancer) has had a hard impact on the Mountain Brook community in the last few years, and I just want to help any way that I can.” Since the foundation began in 2005, more than $150 million has been raised for pediatric cancer research. That money has funded more than 800 research projects at 135 institutions, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It has also created a travel program to help support families of children receiving treatment. It also funds resources such as the SuperSibs! program, which is dedicated to comforting, encouraging and empowering the siblings of pediatric cancer patients during their family’s battle against childhood cancer. When Hood returned from the Kohl’s Southern Showcase, he approached coach Chris Yeager for his support. “Me and my mom immediately thought, ‘Yes, this is something that I definitely need to do with everything that’s happened (in Mountain Brook),’” he said. “So I went to coach Yeager and told him how motivated I was to do this. He said, ‘That’s completely fine. The football community is 100 percent behind you.’” This season, Hood has set a goal of $5,000 to raise for the foundation. To join his journey by donating, fans can visit alexslemonade.org and search for “Kick It! with Aidan Hood” at the top of the page. He’s optimistic about the upcoming Spartans season, so he should have plenty of chances to earn the points on the field to translate to donations. Hood recently received his first collegiate offer from Rhodes College, and he’ll continue to explore his options for 2019 as the season progresses.
Journal file photo by Marvin Gentry
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Dream Job: Vestavia Hills’ Lemons chasing Major League Baseball career. Page 27
SPORTS Thursday, July 26, 2018 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Team Work: Mountain Brook player uses the game to raise money for kids’ cancer research. Page 27
LIFETIME EXPERIENCE Mountain Brook’s Lewis Relishes Running in the Special Olympics USA Games
D
ara Tribble never figured her son would become a runner. But there was Drew Lewis running for Team Alabama in the Special Olympics USA Games July 1-6 in Seattle. Lewis has dyspraxia, which is a developmental coordination disorder. He didn’t start walking until he was almost 2 and needed assistance from his parents to walk around the house. “So, the fact that he’s running track, doing anything with track, is amazing,” Tribble said. After participating in the opening ceremonies July 1, Lewis competed in the 100-meter run the following day and the 200-meter July 3. For Lewis, a junior at Mountain Brook High School, the experience was nearly indescribable as more than 4,000 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed in the games, which come around every four years. Lewis was one of 120 athletes to represent Alabama, with 14 of them competing in track and field. “I got to run,” he said enthusiastically. “I also loved making new friends from Team Alabama’s track team.” His mother was equally ecstatic. “He absolutely had an incredible experience,” Tribble said. “Team Alabama flew on a charter
plane all together and stayed in the dorms at the University of Washington. The opening ceremonies were amazing with all the states represented and the torch being lit at the end. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Drew and such an honor to represent Mountain Brook and the state of Alabama. We are
‘It was a once-in-alifetime experience for Drew and such an honor to represent Mountain Brook and the state of Alabama. We are just so proud of him.’ DARA TRIBBLE
Drew Lewis was one of 120 athletes to represent Alabama, with 14 of them competing in track and field in the Special Olympics USA Games July 1-6 in Seattle.
just so proud of him.” Lewis began running in the first grade, competing in shorter distances such as the 50-meter sprint. A few years later, he began running longer distances and becoming more competitive. The thing he loves most about running, Lewis said, is feeling the wind on his face and in his hair. To compete in the Special Olympics USA Games, runners had to compete locally and win their heat before moving on to the state
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By Rubin E. Grant
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