August 7, 2014 by Over the Mountain Journal

The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

inside

JOU RNAL otmj.com

ursd ay, August 7, 2014

V ol . 23 #15 Book signing for Birmingham author Lou Anders’ new novel “Firstborn”

about town page 4

Spreading the message of tolerance: Birmingham Holocaust Center honors Jeffrey Bayer

Stock image

people page 10

‘we’ve got a Problem and we know it’ By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

OTM Families, Communities Deal with Youth Drug Abuse

Funky Monkey draws a crowd to Regions Field for Camp SAM

social page 16

hen friends from her Sunday School class knocked on the

door of her Vestavia Hills home in the middle of the day last spring, Beverly Mims said she knew something was wrong. “I had felt uneasy that morning, like something was off. My heart skipped a beat when I heard them at the door,” Mims said. “They had my husband, Ronnie on the phone and told me he needed to talk to me. But I never dreamed that what he would say was that our son was dead.”

See drug abuse, page 12

Homewood

Hoover

Mountain Brook

Vestavia Hills

Shelby County

For information on A Safe and Healthy Homewood Coalition, visit www.facebook.com/ SafeandHealthyHomewood.

For information on community outreach meetings coordinated by the Hoover City Schools Student Services division, visit hoovercityschools.net.

For information on the Mountain Brook Anti-Drug Coalition, visit sites.google. com/site/coalition1site/.

For information on the Help in Hills initiative and programs, visit leadershipvestaviahills. com or email helpthehills@ charter.net.

For information on the antidrug programs offered in Shelby County Schools, visit www.shelbyed.k12.al.us. For information on the Shelby County Drug Task Force, visit dtf.shelbyal.com.

Best bets: Casino party raises money for library

social page 17

preschool parent trap p. 2•homewood goes whole hog p. 4•boiling n’ bragging p. 8•bama baseball in hoover? p. 14•back to school p. 22

2 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

Opinion/Contents

Coming Aug. 21

murphy’s law

Football, Fashion and Food

Ready for some high school football? Get the details on players, coaches, schedules and more in our annual High School Football special section! We’ll also preview the latest fashions for fall and offer some great tailgating ideas in our Food section. Don’t miss it!

On otmj.com

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

in this issue About Town 4 People 10 news 14 Social 16

schools 22 weddings 26 Business 28 Sports 32

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

August 7, 2014

Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Keysha Drexel Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith Sports: Lee Davis Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Interns: Emily Williams, Jacob Fuqua Vol. 23, No. 15

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at ads@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2014 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.

Preschool Parent Trap

he dog days of summer that Stetson and steed. And be prepared. are giving way to school Cowboy Day is just the beginning. days, school days, dear old Before you hit preschool graduagolden rule days. Actually, here in tion (another gala event), there will be Alabama, they’re the same things Circus Day, Luau Day, Outer Space for a few blistering weeks, but Day and Come-Dressed-As-Yourstill, the alarm will soon go off Favorite-Cruciferous-Vegetable Day. As a little earlier and you’ll have to a preschool parent, you will discover roust your little ones and get them talents you never knew you had and out the door on time. become close personal friends with the For some of you, this will be your checkers at Michael’s and Joanne’s. first time in the paper plate carpool You’ll cut, you’ll glue, you’ll staple. line. It will also be your first time dealYou’ll also cook. Oh yes, these speing with the rigors of preschool parentcial days will require not only costumes ing. All I can say is…get ready. but special snacks. The sign-up list Preschool used to be easy. You’d will include theme-related cookies and Sue Murphy drop your little darling off for a few drinks and favors and paper products, hours of nursery rhymes and blocks coordinated by the class room As a preschool par- all and then bundle them home for a mother. Get to know this woman. nap. No more. Preschool is now a ent, you will discover She can make your life easy or cause place of formulated learning, ABC’s you to be up until the wee hours of talents you never and 123’s and the names of all 50 the morning gluing sequins on multistates and their capitals. The kids knew you had and colored wristbands (see Circus Day). are expected to know their addresses Some room mothers have calling and phone numbers and their middle become close personlists, others simply post the special names, which up until now have al friends with the snack components in an email that only been used in situations where checkers at Michael’s goes out…whenever she wants it they were in deep, deep trouble. to. By the end of my grandson’s PK Most preschool curriculums are and Joanne’s. stint, my daughter had figured out theme-based, meaning that all of that the room mother was a night owl, learning will be slipped in amongst a sometimes posting the list after 10 slew of high-octane fun. The kicker is that this fun does p.m., but it was worth it to wait her out because it meant not just happen. It requires the team efforts of the teachthe difference between simply having to send in a jug of er, the parents and your neighborhood arts and crafts Hi-C and assembling a fleet of toilet paper-roll rockets emporium–and you may not be given your role until a filled with Froot Loops. few days beforehand via the classroom newsletter. Now, she’s not a slacker, my daughter. She happily Here’s a typical entry: “Yeeehah! Tuesday will be assembled 24 teddy bear marshmallow fluff sandwiches Cowboy Day here in PK-1. Your little buckaroo may (Teddy Bear picnic day), but acing out the other mothcome dressed in Wild West attire. Also, here is a paters to simply send in a stack of sports-themed plates and tern for making a stick horse. Let’s saddle up for a great cups on Field Day was a matter of survival. day!” Preschool parenting–it’s a jungle out there. But that’s A few helpful hints: The word “may” here is purely Zoo Day. Tiger tail fruit kabobs and orangutan cupcakes. decorative. Unless you want your little darling to be the saddest little cowpoke in PK-1, you need to get going on Get ready. ❖

over the Mountain Views

What are you most looking forward to in the new school year?

“I’m looking forward to the football games and dancing in the halftime show.” Leeann Huynh Homewood

“I am looking forward to being able to see all of my old friends and making new ones.” Anthony Waller Homewood

“I’m excited to get back into the routine of school and to experience what it’s like to be a senior.” Avery Greer Hoover

“I’m looking forward to having a good year, making good grades and graduating.” Heather Howard Homewood

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 3

About Town

You want the best for your family. e best hospital and the best care. Only one hospital is consistently rated best in the Birmingham region and the state for heart failure, heart attack, pneumonia, surgical care and overall care. Only one hospital in the area consistently ranks in the top 1% of hospitals nationwide. And only one has the highest percentage of highly satisfied

Number One. Trinity currently achieves the highest ratings among all hospitals in the Birmingham area in all five major process of care categories reviewed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Trinity is the only hospital in the state to achieve 100% scores in its overall performance, and one of only 21 hospitals nationwide.

patients among hospitals in the Birmingham region. So when you choose a hospital, choose the best. Trinity Medical Center.

trinitymedicalonline.com * Information reflects data and rankings provided by HospitalCompare.com, the Oﬃcial U.S. Government Site for Medicare, and WhyNoteBest.org.

4 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

Going Whole Hog

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Homewood Library Plans Block Party, Pig Roast By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

The Homewood Library Foundation is going for the whole hog in its efforts to make sure the programs at the library continue to serve Homewood residents. The foundation is hosting a block party and pig roast fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 16 in the parking lot of the Homewood Public Library on Oxmoor Road. “One of our board members suggested a pig roast as a fundraiser, and we thought it was a novel idea that would likely attract a lot of people,” said Fran Jones, a member of the foundation’s board of directors. “In our area, we’ve had chili cook-off fundraisers and wing festivals, but no one has really done a pig roast as a fundraiser.” The event next weekend will include live music from a local band and fun activities for all ages. But the centerpiece, Jones said, will be the pig roast. “The pig roast meal is being done by Little Donkey restaurant,” Jones said. “I’ve been to a smaller scale pig roast they did, and the food is just fantastic.” If party-goers are hungry for more after the pig roast, they can sample fare from several local food trucks that will be on hand for the block party.

Jones said the idea of having a block party with the pig roast came about because of the foundation’s mission to include the entire community in the missions and programs of the Homewood Public Library. “We wanted an event that would include the whole community, all of the ages that we serve at the library every day,” she said. “The block party is going to have something cool for every-

Block Party and PIg Roast

When: Aug. 16, 4-7 p.m.. Where: Homewood Library What: Pig roast with live music, fun activities and food trucks For more information: homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 3326600. one to enjoy.” Jones said it is fitting that the community will come together for the event at the library. “The library is the heart of the community in many ways, and we want it to continue to function as the cultural center of our community,” she said. “That’s why fundraisers like the block party and pig roast are so important.” The fundraiser will help the library continue to grow and offer more services to its patrons, Jones said. To better serve the Homewood community, Jones said, plans are in the works to expand the

Organizers are making plans for a block party in pig roast in Homewood to raise money for the library. Front, from left: Paul Scholl, Deborah Fout and Ann Chapman. Back: Rhetta Wright, John Krontiras, George Elliott, Fran Jones, Julee Potter, Hunter Payne and Paul Doran. Photo special to the Journal

library’s offerings to students. “We want to grow in that direction and accommodate the students with study rooms and computers on the main floor,” she said. Not only does the Homewood Public Library offer patrons thousands of books, e-books, CDs and movies, it also provides a place for different organizations to meet, Jones said. “Our meeting facilities are constantly

booked, and the library also offers space for live music performances and dinner theater and that kind of thing,” Jones said. “What the library does for the community goes far beyond checking out books.” Tickets to the block party and pig roast are $20 and must be bought in advance at the library. For more information, visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6600. ❖

Save the Date Birmingham

William Thomas Exhibit Aug. 7-31 Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Library Art Gallery at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is featuring the paintings of William Thomas in an exhibit through Aug. 31. The botanical realism-style paintings are on exhibit in the Garden Center area. The exhibit is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. There is no admission charge. For more information, visit www.bbgardens. org or call 414-3950. Birmingham

Japanese Film Festival Aug. 7-10 Birmingham Museum of Art The Birmingham Museum of Art will host a Japanese film festival Aug. 7-10 as part of its Lethal Beauty exhibit. Professors Matt Levey, Dave Resha and Bob Shelton of BirminghamSouthern College and Cathleen Cummings, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will introduce each film and then lead a Q&A session after each screening. “Harakiri” will be shown at 7 p.m. Aug. 7. “Ronin” will be screened at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8. At 10:30 a.m. Aug. 9, “From Up on Poppy Hill” will be shown. The film festival will conclude with a screening of “Seven Samurai” at 1 p.m. Aug. 10. For more information, visit www.artsbma.org or call 254-2571.

Homewood

Radio Hero Aug. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Homewood Public Library Bob Friedman will present Radio Hero: The Story of Paul “Tall Paul” White at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Homewood Public Library. Friedman’s presentation will include an imaginative mix of sound, visuals and commentary to tell how DJs and radio stations contributed to the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. This event is free. For more information, visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6625. Birmingham

Fenders and Fireflies Fundraiser Aug. 7, 5:30-10 p.m. Old Car Heaven Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area will host the third annual Fenders and Fireflies event Aug. 7 at Old Car Heaven in downtown Birmingham. Presented by Merrill Lynch, the event will feature live and silent auctions, catering by Cocina Superior, music by Rollin’ in the Hay and the event’s signature Firefly cocktails. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 for a couple. Corporate sponsorships packages are also available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The silent auction will end at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.eastersealsbham.org or call 313-2187. Hoover

Lard Bucket Bluegrass Band Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. Hoover Public Library The Lard Bucket Bluegrass Band will perform at the Hoover Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7. The band is known for its lightning-fast picking and sense of humor. The band has played at venues

ranging from the Station Inn in Nashville to Birmingham’s WorkPlay. The event is free. For more information, visit hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821. Birmingham

“Can You Repeat That?” Knowledge Challenge Aug. 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre Watch Birmingham history entertainingly repeat itself in a 90-minute live game show on stage at the Virginia Samford Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7. “Can You Repeat That?,” the Birmingham History Center quiz show, will challenge four teams of Birmingham’s most knowledgeable pundits on facts and fancy of the Magic City’s past and present. Borrowed from “To Tell the Truth,” “Taboo” and “Family Feud,” the show’s format is produced by the Birmingham History Center with content donated by bhamwiki.com and its publisher, John Morse. Tickets are $25. A limited number of tickets will be available from the Birmingham History Center office. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www. birminghamhistorycenter.org or call 2024146. Birmingham

Southern Summer Night Aug. 8, 6-11 p.m. Regions Field The Junior Board of Hands On Birmingham will host the Southern Summer Night fundraiser from 6-11 p.m. Aug. 8 at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. The event will be held in the banquet hall and will feature food, live music, an auction and a Barons game. Proceeds will support Hands On Birmingham volunteer programs. Tickets

fantasy fun Birmingham

Author Event Aug. 9, 4-6 p.m. The Summit Birmingham author Lou Anders, below, will celebrate the debut of his novel “Frostborn” with a reading and book signing at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at The Summit from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 9. The novel is the first in Anders’ Thrones and Bones series from Random House’s Crown Books for Young Readers. The Norseflavored fantasy novel is for children ages 8-12. For more information, visit www.thronesandbones.com. ❖

are $40. For more information, visit www.handsonbirmingham.org or call 458-8933. McCalla

Baby Steps Memorial Run Aug. 9, 8 a.m.-noon Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park The Baby Steps Memorial Run to benefit the Amelia Center at Children’s of Alabama will be Aug. 9 at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. The event allows grieving families and their friends to come together to remember their loved ones in a supportive, caring environment. The Amelia Center offers a place for hope for grieving children, parents and families. On race day, registration is $30 for the 5K and $20 for the one-mile run. Groups participating in the 5K must register before Aug. 7. Race day registration and packet pickup is at 7 a.m. followed by the 5K and one-mile run at 8 a.m. Children 5 and younger can participate for free with the paid registration of a parent. There will be refreshments and door prizes given away after the race. The park is at 12632 Confederate Parkway in McCalla. For more information, call 603-6049. Birmingham

Sloss Furnaces Celebrity Ghost Hunt Aug. 9, 5-9:30 p.m. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark Join Amy Bruni and Adam Berry from the Syfy Channel for the Celebrity Ghost Hunt at Sloss

Furnaces National Historical Landmark from 5-9:30 p.m. Aug. 9. The event will include a ghost hunt, photos, autographs and a meet and greet with the stars and the staff at Sloss. Tickets are $39. For more information, email bookings@ghosthuntweekends.com or call 800-604-9101. Birmingham

Nighttime on the Cahaba Aug. 9, 6-10 p.m. Cahaba River The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host a nighttime canoe trip on the Cahaba River from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 9. The event will offer participants a

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 5

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

moonlight paddle on the flat portion of the river where they will see plants, animals and hundreds of glowing firefly larvae. The majority of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Cahaba River Society. The cost is $45 for Gardens members and $55 for nonmembers and includes a canoe and all associated equipment. For more information, visit www.bbgardens.org or call 414-3950. Mountain Brook

LOVE Carnival Aug. 10, 4-8 p.m. Knesseth Israel Congregation Knesseth Israel Congregation will host the inaugural LOVE Carnival from

4-8 p.m. Aug. 10 at 3100 Overton Road in Mountain Brook. The familyfriendly event will include rides, food and games. The cost is $25 for an all-inclusive ride bracelet. For more information, visit www.kicong.org, email office at kicong.org or call 969-5913. Hoover

begin with a dinner at 6 p.m. The cost for the dinner is $8, and reservations are required. Bentley’s free program will begin at 7 p.m. Child care will be provided. The church is at 733 Valley St. in Hoover. To make dinner reservations, contact Sylvia Symners at ssumners@ bellsouth.net or 824-9902. To register

online, visit BluffParkUMC.org/umwdianne-bentley-2014. Homewood

Professional Networking Meeting Aug. 13, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Drury Inn and Suites The Return on Investment or ROI

Domestic Violence Program with Dianne Bentley Aug. 11, 7 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley will speak on domestic violence at a program Aug. 11 at Bluff Park United Methodist Church. The event will

now, think of the happiest things

Birmingham

Disney’s “Peter Pan” Aug. 7-17 Levite Jewish Community Center The Levite Jewish Community Center on Montclair Road will present Disney’s “Peter Pan” Aug. 7-17. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, 8 p.m. on Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 10 and Aug. 17. For more information, visit www.bhamjcc.org, email mcohen@bhamjcc.org or call 879-0411. ❖ Cast members of the Levite Jewish Community Center’s production of Disney’s “Peter Pan.” Photo special to the Journal

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THE PARTY SHOULD BE THE ONLY SURPRISE THAT COMES WITH RETIREMENT. James Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., Th o u g h t f u l l y p l a n n i n g f o r w h a 205-824-1246, t l i e s a h e a dfax . Date: July

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s uThis r p risi syour e ad t a xproof e s a from n d the over the mountain Journal for the aug. healthcare 7, 2014 issue.expenses Please contact don’tyour sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246. quite have the same effect.

sur pr i s e i s s t r a t eg i c a l l y sound in the world of party

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fax back within 24 hours. t h o u g h t please f u l p r o cinitial e s s t and o If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, carefully plan your for even ad willthe run as is. We print the paper Monday.

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6 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Professional Networking Group will hold a meeting from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Aug. 13 at Drury Inn and Suites in Homewood. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month. No membership or reservations are required. Bring a name tag, brochures and business cards. For more information, visit the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce website or www.fb.com/ROINetworkGroup. Birmingham

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hoMewood

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All locations: M-F: 9-9, SAT: 9-6, SUN: 11-5

2902 18th St. S. • 874-3529

KidS hAirCUT

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UA Alumni Kickoff Party Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m. Regions Field The University of Alabama Jefferson County Alumni Association will host its football season kickoff party at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. Phil Savage of the Crimson Tide Radio Network will be the guest speaker. There will be a cash bar and Dreamland ribs. Kids can meet Big Al at the event. Valet parking is available. The event is free to association members, $25 for individuals and $40 for couples.

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8-29-14

Hoover

Meet the Artist Reception Aug. 14, 6-8 p.m. Aldridge Gardens Aldridge Gardens will hold a Meet the Artist reception with Larry K. Martin from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 14. After a career in tropical medicine, Martin combined his life experience and love of the natural world to become a renowned wildlife artist. For more information, visit aldridgegardens.com or call 682-8019. Hoover

Coach Devon Hind Book Signing

Aug. 14, 7 p.m. Hoover Public Library Hoover High School coach Devon Hind will share life lessons and stories of leadership during an event at the Hoover Devon Hind Public Library Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. Hind will speak and then sign copies of his book “Run for Your Life!” on the Library Plaza. Hind has coached cross-country and track at Hoover High for more than 21 years. The book is a compilation of inspirational letters Hind has written to his students over the years. For more information, visit www.hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7840. Homewood

The History of Coffee & Free Coffee Tasting with Floyd Brown August 15, noon Homewood Public Library The Homewood Library will present a program on coffee at noon Aug. 15. Floyd Brown will give a history of coffee, talk about how it is grown and consumed worldwide and give participants a chance to sample coffee at the free event in the library’s large auditorium. For more information, visit homewoodlibrary.org. Birmingham

Beer, Bands and Bullies Aug. 16, 4-10 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company

Announcing!

John Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 August This is your AD prOOF from the Over The MOunTAin JOurnAl for the August 7, 2014 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

The fourth annual Beer, Bands and Bullies fundraiser for the Bama Bulky Rescue organization will be from 4-10 p.m. Aug. 16 at Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St. South, Birmingham. Bands lined up for the event so far include Outshine, Atticus Avenue, Powr Jackson and the Matt Herren Band. DJ LeeJ will provide entertainment between band performances. Tickets are $10. Avondale Brewing Company will serve Bully Brew at the event with a portion of the night’s sales going to benefit the rescue organization. For more information, visit the Beer, Bands and Bullies Facebook page, email events@ bamabully.org or call 568-2660. Homewood

CDF Community Fest Aug. 17, 2-5 p.m. Children’s Dance Foundation The Children’s Dance Foundation will host Community Fest from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 17 at the CDF Community Arts Center in downtown Homewood. The free event will include a kids’ craft zone where children can make a musical shaker, a beach ball room for toddlers, dancing, performances by local groups, drumming, live music, a bounce house, photo booth, silent auction and contests and prizes. For more information, visit www.childrensdancefoundation.org or call 870-0073. Birmingham

Summer Soiree Aug. 21, 6:30-9 p.m. Jemison Art Gallery The Magic City Choral Society will present its Summer Soiree, a

Open Community Auditions

The Nutcracker

Auditions - Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Birmingham Ballet Performing Arts Centre 2198 Columbiana Road - Vestavia, 35216 5 Years Old - Boys & Girls (5K): 6 - 9 Years Old - Boys & Girls: 10 - 12 Years Old - Boys & Girls: 13 years old thru Adult Dancers :

9:30 - 10:15 2:00 - 3:30 10:30 - 12:00 12:15 - 1:45

Community Cast Auditions are open to all dancers (male & female) in Birmingham and surrounding areas. Roles are available for beginner thru advanced dancers. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition time to register. The audition will consist of classwork as well as choreography from the production. Students that currently dance en pointe should bring their pointe shoes. Audition Fee: $20

Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker December 13 - 14, 2014 and The Muttcracker will appear December 12, 2014 at the BJCC Concert Hall. Community

Birmingham Ballet Academy Ofcial School of Birmingham Ballet

Enroll Now! Join Birmingham Ballet Academy for the 2014-15 School Year. Classes available for ages 3 - Adult. Our award winning academy provides world class training in classical ballet, pre-ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, acrobatics, and boys classes. Visit us at www.birminghamballet.com or call (205) 979-9492

Cast rehearsals are primarily on Saturdays at Birmingham Ballet Academy.

The Mutt-cracker Dog Auditions

Open Community Auditions - for Dogs! Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Mutt-cracker, beneting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, will appear at the BJCC Concert Hall on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30. Rehearsals for The Mutt-cracker will begin in November and be primarily once a week in the evening or on Saturdays. Auditions are open to dogs from Birmingham and surrounding areas. Rolls are available for dogs with and without special skills or behaviors. Rescue dogs are encouraged to attend. Dogs must be vaccinated, well mannered, socialized, and non-aggressive.

Visit www.birminghamballet.com for details.

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 7

reading rally Birmingham

Ready to rally are, from left: Kristin Swindle, Mary Duncan Waters, Amber Long, Susan Shields, Muhammad Abdullah, Virginia Beale, Blake Ells and Laura Prewitt. Photo special to the Journal

celebration of the arts in the community, from 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Jemison Art Gallery, 1814 First Ave. North, Birmingham. The casual cocktail party will feature entertainment by choir members and live and silent auctions. Also included are light refreshments and a selection of wine, beer and cocktails. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. For more information, visit www. facebook.com/MagicCityChoralSociety. Birmingham

50th High School Reunion Aug. 22-23 Hilton Hotel The Woodlawn High School Class of 1964 will celebrate its 50th reunion Aug. 22-23 at the Hilton Hotel on U.S. 280. The Aug. 22 event will begin with a meet and greet social reception featuring music and a look back at grammar school photos. A tour of the school will be held the next morning. On the evening of Aug. 23, class photos will be taken, and DJ Phillip Calma will provide music. Registration is available at www.woodlawnhigh.org. For more information, contact Ronnie Allen at rwpilot@gmail.com or at P.O. Box 64, Springville, AL 35146. Birmingham

Sips for CF Aug. 22, 7 p.m. Harbert Plaza The junior board of the Laps for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host the sixth annual Sips for CF wine tasting competition at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 on the 15th floor of the Harbert Plaza building, 1901 Sixth Ave. North, Birmingham. Teams of one to three people will compete in the tasting competition, with each team bringing three bottles of the same wine. Participants will vote on their favorite wines, and the three teams with the top-voted wines will split the multi-bottle prize. The event also

includes food and drinks, live music by Morgan Copes and a silent auction. Parking is available in the deck beneath the building or on the street. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Registration and hors d’oeuvres begin at 7 p.m. The tasting competition starts at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.LapsForCF.org or call 871-9140. Birmingham

Chirps and Chips Aug. 22, 7-10 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Junior Raptor Force, the junior board of the Alabama Wildlife Center, will host its third annual casino-themed Chirps and Chips fundraiser from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The event will include casinothemed games, a silent auction, drawing and live entertainment featuring local artist Susan Shoemaker as well as complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer. All proceeds will benefit the Alabama Wildlife Center. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit www. awrc.org, email wildlife@awrc.org or call 663-7930, extension 8. Homewood

Rock ‘n’ Run 5K Aug. 23, 8 a.m.-noon Homewood Central Park The Young Professionals of Impact Family Counseling will host the third annual Rock ‘n’ Run 5K from 8 a.m.noon Aug. 23 at Homewood Central Park, 1604 Oxmoor Road. The exercise and entertainment-filled family event will raise money for Impact, a faith-based United Way nonprofit. The event is open to runners and walkers of all levels. Age categories for the 5K are 12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older. Registration for adults is $25 through Aug. 7 and $30 on race day and $15 for ages 10-15 through Aug.

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Rally for Reading Aug. 21, 5-9 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company The Junior Board of the Literacy Council will hosts its fourth annual Rally for Reading from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 21 at Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St. South, Birmingham. The event will help kick off the college football season with live music, a raffle and food and drinks. Money raised at the event will help support the Literacy Council’s efforts to change lives through its adult literacy and English as a Second Language programs. Donations are encouraged but not required for admission. For more information, visit alliteracycouncil.wordpress.com or call 326-1925. ❖

8 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

Season Opener

About Town

Save the Date Cont. 7 and $20 on race day. Children 9 and younger can participate for free if they register by Aug. 7 or for $5 on race day. For more information or to register, visit www.impactal.org or call 916-0123.

Boiling N’ Bragging Combines Football, Fundraising

Homewood

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

Take heart, Over the Mountain football fans–a new season is looming on the horizon and an annual event to kick it all off is just around the corner. Football fans can show their team spirit for a good cause while they chow down on seafood at the sixth annual Boiling N’ Bragging fundraiser Aug. 16 at Otey’s Tavern in Mountain Brook. Hosted by the Rotary District 6860, the event to benefit the Critical Care Transport program at Children’s of Alabama provides the ultimate football season kickoff party for football fans and seafood lovers, said Jason Peterson, a nurse and director of the program. “We are thrilled about this partnership and couldn’t be more excited about this event,” Peterson said. Not only does Boiling N’ Bragging give football fans a chance to gear up for the new season, the event also brings the community together for a good cause, Peterson said “It’s a great opportunity for people in the community to not only come together to celebrate the start of the football season but also make a great impact on our program and the children we serve,” he said. The Critical Care Transport Team is available 24 hours a day to provide specialized, state-of-the-art care to newborns, infants and children. The team

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Rotary District 6860 will host the sixth annual Boiling N’ Bragging event to benefit the Critical Care Transport program at Children’s of Alabama Aug. 16 in Mountain Brook. From left: Phillip Williams, Kristen Woods, Mary Jean Sanspree, Theresa Gehrett, Dan Gehrett and Jason Peterson. Journal file photo

members include highly-trained registered nurses and respiratory therapists with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to provide ageappropriate care. The team is called to rural hospitals throughout the region to transport patients to Children’s of Alabama, where they can get the care they need. Ambulances, a jet and helicopters staffed with a registered nurse and respiratory therapists are used to transport the patients. The program started in 1983, and the team transports about 1,000 patients a year, Peterson said. While insurance covers the cost of transporting sick children, Peterson said it usually doesn’t cover the full costs of specialized medical care. That’s where events like Boiling N’ Bragging can make a real difference, said Rachel Olis with Children’s of Alabama. More than $65,000 was raised at last year’s Boiling N’ Bragging event, she said. Olis said as the event has grown over the last few years, so has the space needed to accommodate the football fans and supporters of the Critical Care

Transport program. The event now encompasses all of the Crestline shopping center, where Otey’s is located, she said. Those attending are encouraged to wear their team colors and gather with other fans in the team tents at the event. Mascots from the University of Alabama, Auburn University, Samford University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham will be on hand for the event, which will also feature live music. Boiling N’ Bragging includes an all-you-can-eat cookout and low country boil. There will be $1 beer specials as well as sports trivia, kids’ activities and a special appearance by WJOX’s Lance Taylor. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Children 10 or younger enter free. Otey’s Tavern is at 224 Country Club Park. Street parking will be available. For more information, visit www.childrensal. org. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Mindy Wald at mindy.wald@childrensal.org or at 6389956. ❖

Saturday, August 16th! 8am - 5pm Crestline Village www.welcometomountainbrook.com • 871-3779

Self-defense Class Aug. 23, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Homewood Public Library Detective Juan Rodriquez with the Homewood Police Department will teach a free self-defense class for women from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Homewood Public Library. The comprehensive class will teach participants how to size up situations and decide what they should do to protect themselves. Participation in the workshop is free, but reservations are required because space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Leslie West at lwest@ bham.lib.al.ur or 332-6620 or visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org. Hoover

Author Book Signing Aug. 23, 2-3:30 p.m. Hoover Public Library Alabama author and Southern food blogger Stacey Little will talk about and sign copies of his book “The Southern Bite Cookbook” at the Hoover Public Library from 2-3:30 p.m. Aug. 23. The cookbook features recipes from Little’s family and those submitted by his blog readers. The event is free. For more information, visit hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7840.

Mountain Brook

Back to School Party Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. Emmet O’Neal Library The Emmet O’Neal Library will host a back to school party at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 with popcorn and a movie on the lawn. For more information, visit www.eolib.org or call 879-0459. Hoover

Autism Shines Gala Aug. 23, 6-10 p.m. Ross Bridge Resort The Autism Society of Alabama will host its signature fundraising event, the Autism Shines Gala, from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 23 at Ross Bridge Resort. The gala will support the mission of the organization to improve services to individuals with ASD through education and advocacy. The event includes complimentary drinks, a seated dinner and live and silent auctions. Emcees will be representatives from the WJOX Roundtable. Tickets are $65. Ross Bridge Resort is at 4000 Grand Ave. in Hoover. For more information, visit www. autismshinesgala.com, email contact@ autism-alabama.org or call 951-1364. Birmingham

Taste of Fourth Avenue Jazz Festival Aug. 23-24 Downtown The annual Taste of Fourth Avenue Jazz Festival will be Aug. 23-24 in downtown Birmingham on Fourth Avenue between 16th, 17th and 18th streets. The free community event will include entertainment, food vendors, a children’s village and an art exhibit. Entertainment begins at 2 p.m. on both days. Headliners are Kim Waters on Aug. 23 and Ben Tankard on Aug. 24. Also slated to perform are Sean Michael Ray, Gabbie McGee, Foxxy Fatts & Company, Unknown Lyric and On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Allstars under the direction of Ray Reach. For more information, visit www.4thAvenueJazz.org or call 8209314.

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 9

About Town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

fairy land activities and a silent auction. A family ticket for four is $175. Adult tickets are $80 each, and tickets for children 12 and younger are $15 each. Children 2 and younger get in free. The event is presented by the Junior Board of Childcare Resources. Jim Hansen, regional president of PNC, is the honorary chairman. For tickets or more information, visit www.ccr-bham.org or call 945-0018, extension 306. ❖

tailgating time

Enjoying last year’s Tailgate Challenge are, from left: Ted Colquett, Mary Coston Colquett, Sarah Haag and UAB mascot Blaze. Photo special to the Journal

Birmingham

The Bell Center’s Tailgate Challenge Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Summit The Bell Center’s annual Tailgate Challenge on Aug. 23 will give football fans a chance to celebrate the upcoming season while local cook teams show off their skills. Event-goers can taste tailgating food at team tents, and celebrity judges will judge each team on spirit, best-tasting food and best all around. The event will also feature children’s activities and music. The Tailgate Challenge is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Summit in front of Carmike Cinemas. To host a team tent or purchase a sponsorship for the event, which benefits the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, contact Kelly Peoples at kpeoples@ thebellcenter.org or at 879-3417. ❖

IS YOUR HEART STRONG ENOUGH FOR FOOTBALL SEASON?

Get free screenings at our Heart Healthy Tailgate Party.

Birmingham

ACS Hope Gala August 23, 6 p.m. Private club The American Cancer Society will host the 34th annual Hope Gala Aug. 23. The gala will honor the late Toni Tully. The wife, mother, grandmother and prominent local contemporary artist lost her battle to cancer in 2010. The gala will begin at 6 p.m. with a silent auction followed by dinner and a live auction. The evening will conclude with an after party featuring the Maleman Showcase Band. For more information, visit hopegalabirmingham.org or call 930-8883. Birmingham

Fairy Tale Ball Aug. 23 6-9 p.m. Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom The eighth annual Fairy Tale Ball to benefit Childcare Resources will be held from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Sheraton Birmingham, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. The event will feature a live dance band, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, adult and children’s beverages, a candy bar and interactive entertainment by fairy tale and popular movie characters, costumed stilt walkers, magicians and jugglers. The event will also include

Don’t let the big game be your first stress test. Ladies and gentlemen, please join the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic team for our Heart Healthy Tailgate Party. We’re offering free blood pressure, EKG, blood sugar, oxygen saturation, waist circumference, and body mass index screenings, along with smoking cessation and risk assessment consultations. Meet UAB Cardiologist, Alan Gertler, MD and Nurse Practitioner, Jody Gilchrist. We’ll have door prizes, giveaways, and lots of heart healthy snacks. Pre-register online to be entered for a chance to win a tailgate grill! Keep your heart in winning condition—register today!

HEART HEALTHY TAILGATE PARTY Free screenings, giveaways and consultations FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 • 11 AM - 2 PM The Kirklin Clinic at Acton Road 2145 Bonner Way, just off I-459 To pre-register:

uabmedicine.org/heartacton Walk-ins also welcome

To schedule an appointment:

800-822-8816

10 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Spreading the Message of Tolerance Birmingham Holocaust Center Honors Jeffrey Bayer

By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

hances are that if you have lived, worked or shopped in the Birmingham metro area in the last 30 years, you have spent some time in one of the buildings in Bayer Properties’ 11 million square-foot mixed-use asset portfolio. But the business acumen of Jeffrey Bayer is not the reason the Bayer Properties founder, president and chief executive officer is being recognized later this month. Bayer will be honored Aug. 24 for giving the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center a home for the last decade and for supporting its efforts to make sure a new generation understands the lessons of the Holocaust.

‘We have to do a better job of being tolerant of each other in this world and realizing that for the most part, we’re all the same and we all want the same thing.’ Jeffrey Bayer “Jeffrey has provided a home for the BHEC in the Bayer Properties Building at 2222 Arlington Avenue for the last 10 years,” Phyllis Weinstein, director of the center, said. “His generosity has made it possible for us to concentrate on our mission, which is to help keep the history and lessons of the Holocaust alive.” Bayer will be honored at the center’s fourth annual L’Chaim fundraiser at Temple Emanu-El on Highland Avenue. “L’Chaim means ‘to life’ in Hebrew, and it’s often used as a toast and at times of celebration,” said Deborah Layman, producer of the

Throughout his life, event. “The event is a Bayer said, his goal has mix of entertainment, been to show that no education and acknowlmatter their religion, edgement of the contrirace or creed, people are bution of a member of mostly the same. the community.” “Just look at the And that acknowlheadlines, at the things edgement of his contrigoing on not just in bution to the community Israel but also in Syria is something that makes and Ukraine–it all boils the 65-year-old Bayer down to intolerance,” he squirm in his seat a bit. said. “We have to do a “I think it embarrassbetter job of being toleres me a little bit because ant of each other in this there are so many other world and realizing that people who have done for the most part, we’re so much for this organiall the same and we all zation,” Bayer said. “I want the same thing. also have two partners That’s why the work the (David Silverstein and center does is so imporJon Rotenstreich) who tant.” own this building and Bayer said he saw who have supported the power of the cenhaving the center here. ter’s work recently at I’m just happy to do Jeffrey Bayer will be honored by the a reception for recipianything I can to help Birmingham Holocaust Education Center at its ents of the Brenda and educate people about fourth annual L’Chaim fundraising event Aug. Fred Friedman Teacher the importance of toler- 24 at Temple Emanu-El. Photo special to the Journal Scholarships, which ance.” pays for Birmingham area teachers to attend The importance of tolerance is something workshops on how to teach their students about Bayer said he learned growing up as a minority the Holocaust. in Birmingham. “Most of the teachers who receive the schol“I grew up here in Birmingham and went to arships are not Jewish, but they are committed Ramsay High School,” he said. “I was one of to teaching their students about the Holocaust two or three Jewish kids in the whole school, and more broadly, about the dangers of hate,” and most of the kids had no idea what Jewish he said. people were like other than the caricatures they Bayer said he thinks the key to breaking saw in the movies or on TV. When people don’t down barriers between Jewish people and others understand something, they are afraid. That fear is pretty simple. of something different can turn into hate.”

“It’s all about people spending time together and learning about each other and realizing that we are not so different after all,” he said. “That’s why my wife and I sponsored a trip to Israel back in November for seven (U.S.) Congress members who are evangelical Christians, including Michele Bachmann.” Bachmann, a Republican representative from Minnesota, has made headlines several times for her controversial comments about American Jews. “People asked me why in the world I would want to have anything to do with bringing Michele Bachmann to Israel, but the point was for people like Bachmann to actually spend some time around Jewish people,” he said. The lack of personal contact with Jews frequently opens the door to stereotyping, misconceptions and suspicion, Bayer said. “At the end of that trip, I had a couple come up to me and tell me how great it was to spend time with me and my wife, Gail. What they were really saying is that they didn’t have a lot of experience with or knowledge of Jewish people and that they learned we are not the stereotype you see everywhere.” Bayer, who has been married to Dallas native Gail Bayer for 37 years, said being a father and grandfather has strengthened his desire to spread the message of tolerance. “I have two daughters–Annie and her husband, Scott, live here and they have two little girls, and my other daughter, Lindsay, lives in Dallas,” he said. “And they are one reason that the work the center is doing is so important to me. I believe we should do everything we can to make sure the world is a good place for the next generation.” ❖

People Notes Four Troop 1 Members Are Eagle Scouts Four Vestavia Hills residents were recently honored for achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Dalton Adair, Gibson Garner, Reynolds Sorrell and Harrison Winter, all members of Boy Scout Troop 1 chartered by Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills, were recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony in March. Adair is the son of Traci and Riley Adair of Vestavia Hills. He joined Troop 1 in 2007 after earning his Arrow of Light and crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 1. He served in several leadership positions in the troop, including assistant patrol leader. Adair is an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow and Dalton Adair was a member of the troop’s contingent to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2011. He earned 22 merit badges and completed his Eagle rank Aug. 8. Adair’s Eagle leadership project was to build a playground at Antioch

Baptist Church in Pratt City. The church and the surrounding neighborhood were devastated by the April 2011 tornadoes. He worked with the Christian Service Mission to raise money for the playground equipment and other materials and led a team of out-of-town volunteers and troop members over several work days to clear and level the area and assemble and install the playground equipment. Adair is a 2014 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and was active in the school’s band programs. He will attend Troy University this fall. Garner is the son of Holli and Mark Garner of Vestavia Hills. He joined Troop 1 in 2007 after earning his God and Me religious emblem and Arrow of Light award in Cub Scout Pack 1. He served in several positions of responsibility Gibson Garner within the troop, including senior patrol leader. Garner is an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow and completed the Triple Crown of High Adventure by going to Philmont in 2011, Northern Tier in 2012 and Seabase in

2013. He earned 27 merit badges and completed his Eagle rank Aug. 8. Garner’s project was to build a trail at the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley’s Living River retreat in Shelby and Bibb counties. The Marty and Leland Keller Railroad Trail runs onehalf mile from the retreat entrance to the Cahaba River. Garner raised money for supplies and materials and led a team of troop members, church members and school friends to clear the trail and construct and install three benches and 24 plant identification signs along the trail. Garner is a 2014 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and was active in the school’s band programs. He will attend Auburn University this fall. Sorrell is the son of Kelly and Walker Sorrell Reynolds Sorrell of Vestavia Hills and joined Troop 1 in 2007. He served in several positions of responsibility within the troop, including senior patrol leader. Sorrell is an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow and was a member

of the troop’s Philmont contingent in 2011. Sorrell earned 22 merit badges and the God and Life religious emblem. He completed his Eagle rank Nov. 14. Sorrell’s Eagle leadership project was to build a reading patio at Cahaba Heights Elementary School. The project involved leveling the site, building forms, pouring concrete and installing landscaping and benches. The work took several weekends and weekdays to complete. Sorrell is a rising senior at Vestavia Hills High School and was a member of the varsity track team. Winter is the son of Wynde and Derrell Winter of Vestavia Hills. He joined Troop 1 in 2007 after earning his God and Me religious emblem and the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scout Pack 1. Winter served Harrison Winter in several positions of responsibility, including senior patrol leader. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and was a member of the troop’s Seabase crew in 2010.

Winter earned 23 merit badges and completed his Eagle rank Feb. 13. Winter’s project was to restore both the interior and exterior of a cabin at Camp Tranquility in Oak Mountain State Park. Winter led a group of workers over many weekends for four consecutive months and overcame many difficulties to complete the project. Winter is a 2014 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and was active with the Birmingham Swim League. He will attend Mississippi College this fall.

Scouts Help Dedicate Flagpole at The Preserve Members of Bluff Park Boy Scout Troop 21 conducted a flag-raising ceremony at the dedication of a new flagpole at The Preserve last month. Residents of The Preserve hosted the dedication ceremony at Preserve Town Hall in Hoover June 15. The flagpole was a community project headed by Preserve resident Bruce Evans. U.S. Steel, developer of the planned community, assisted by engaging the service of the Town Architect to specify the pole and other miscellaneous items, but the entire project–from fundraising to installation– was performed by Evans and residents of The Preserve. “We were blessed,” Evans said. “We only sent two e-mails out to residents

asking for pledges. The response was fast and enthusiastic. It only took three months from start to finish, from the first e-mail to the flagpole being put in the ground.” The 40-foot white flagpole with a gold ball on top was a special order and now flies a 6-foot by 10-foot American flag daily. “The flagpole is for the American flag only,” Evans said. If residents of The Preserve have a special American flag, such as one that was draped over a coffin or sent from active military serving on deployment, they may have it flown for a day from the new flagpole. The first flag flown was dedicated to Preserve resident Retired U. S Army Colonel Ed Delk to represent veterans within The Preserve and to honor veterans throughout the United States. After the ceremony, the flag was taken down, folded per protocol and presented to Delk.

Snyder Named Man of the Year in Contest

more than $204,000, a record for the LLS Alabama/Gulf Coast Chapter. The chapter also gave more than $760,000 in co-pay assistance to patients throughout fiscal year 2013. Prior to joining Burr & Forman, Snyder clerked for the Hon. Judge C. Lynwood Smith Jr. in Huntsville. Prior received a bachelor’s degree in general business from Excelsior College. He received his juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he was an editor of the Alabama Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

Olsson Achieves Eagle Scout Rank with Troop 76 A Vestavia Hills resident recently achieved the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Lars Olsson, a member of Troop 76 at Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church, recently made the rank Lars Olsson of Eagle Scout. Troop 76 is under the leadership of Chris Morhard. For his Eagle Scout project, Ollson and his fellow troop members and friends built six benches that were installed on the prayer trail at Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church.

Olsson has held various Troop 76 leadership positions, including quarter master. He earned 24 merit badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Troop 704 Earns Bronze Award for Toy Drive Members of Girl Scout Troop 704, below, in Hoover recently won the highest honor Girl Scout Juniors can earn. Troop 704 members Anna Claypoole, Olivia Curle, Katie Heglas, Emma Hendrix, Olivia Hontzas, Grace Lazarre, Ilissa McGowin, Rosario Perez, Kaelin Pettit, Haley Pickett, Anna Popinski, Priscilla Scattola, Abbey Smith, Cinthia Toral, Emily Watson and Madison Williams earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for a project they initiated to help the Hispanic Outreach Center. Since they were in kindergarten, the students have been collecting toys for the Hispanic Outreach Center. This year, they threw a posada, or Christmas party, to hand out the toys to the children at the center. The students collected more than 600 toys and 2,000 books for the project. They also created bookmarks, made more than 700 cookies and cupcakes and handed out 600 candy bags to the children attending the party. The Girl Scout Bronze Award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community. ❖

Fall is in the air & Football is on the big screen!

Join us August 21st for a preseason tailgate

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Food, fun, games and pregame shopping! 3930 Crosshaven Dr. - 1/2 mile behind The Summit 968-0909 • www.thebluewillow.com • follow us on:

AUBURN

ALABAMA

Birmingham attorney Daniel Snyder was recently named the 2014 Birmingham Man of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Snyder campaigned to raise more than $31,000 in memory of his late brother, David, who passed away when he was 10 years old just Daniel Snyder six months after being diagnosed with leukemia. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition in communities across the U.S. The titles are awarded to the man and woman in each community who raise the most funds during the 10-week campaign. The nine candidates participating in this year’s Birmingham Man and Woman of the Year campaign raised

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 11

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Even though their judgment isn’t always amazing,

their healthcare is. Healthcare as amazing as their potential

1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

12 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

drug abuse, From page one

In the year and a half since her 20-year-old son, Baker, died of a heroin overdose, Mims said she’s come to view that knock on the door in March 2013 as the moment that her life changed forever—and a wake-up call to the Over the Mountain community. “Baker was a good kid from a good family in a good neighborhood, but he made a bad choice and he paid for it with his life,” she said. “If it can happen to my son, it can happen to anyone’s child.” In an effort to spread the message that good kids like Baker Mims can make fatally bad choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol, Leadership Vestavia Hills is partnering with the city and the Vestavia Hills Board of Education for Help the Hills, a series of meetings aimed at fostering an open dialogue about drug and alcohol abuse with parents, educators and community leaders. The first meeting in the Help the Hills series will be a Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. “Educating the whole child goes beyond the classroom. We all play a part in the health and well-being of our youth,” Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Sheila Phillips said. “Our children need to know that we’re in this together—for their protection.” Sgt. Joel Gaston with the Vestavia Hills Police Department said the city has had four drug-related deaths in 2014. “We’ve got a problem and we know it,” Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza said earlier this year. Vestavia Hills is not the only Over the Mountain city adopting community-wide initiatives to cope with the increase in drug and alcohol abuse in teens and young adults. And it is not the only city to lose young people to overdoses. Capt. Gregg Rector of the Hoover Police Department said there have been six drug-related deaths in Hoover so far this year. “That’s six too many,” he said. “If we keep up at this pace, we’ll have even more drug deaths this year than we did last year.” Rector said there were four drug-related deaths in Hoover in 2013, five in 2012 and five in 2011. In the past, the Hoover Coalition Promoting a Safe and Healthy Community also worked with city and school officials to offer forums on drugs and alcohol. The Hoover City Schools Student Services division hosts panel discussions and presentations on synthetic marijuana, underage drinking, bullying, social media safety and other topics. The school system will hold a panel discussions and presentations on social media by police officers for parents of middle and high school students on Aug. 17 and Aug. 19 at Spain Park High School and Aug. 24 and Aug. 26 at Hoover High School. The Hoover school system, like other Over the Mountain school systems, also conducts drug and alcohol use surveys with students each year. The Homewood community started a youth drug prevention coalition a little over 18 months ago, said Carissa Anthony, prevention and development coordinator for Homewood City Schools. “The school district had been doing drug and alcohol awareness initiatives before, but we wanted to take that a step further and embrace the whole community,” Anthony said. “I think in order to effectively change perceptions and behaviors so that our kids are making healthy choices, we need to make sure they hear consistent messages from every direction–from home, at school, from their friends, from their faith communities, from their athletic leagues. That

cover story

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

That’s something Susan Thomas of Vestavia Hills said she had to learn the hard way. Thomas, her husband and her three sons– now 22, 19 and 17–have lived just doors down from the Mims family for 18 years. “Our families have always had so much in common, but I never imagined that drug addiction would affect either family,” Thomas said. Thomas’ oldest son and Baker Mims were childhood friends and later attended Vestavia Hills High School together. “My oldest son and Baker were one month and two days apart in age. Beverly and I were both stay-at-home moms. Our husbands were both involved in coaching the sports teams and in Boy Scouts, and we’re all active in church,”

message to our kids is this: We love you, we care about you and we have high expectations of you, and here’s how we want to help you make healthy choices.” That community-wide approach is also at work in the Mountain Brook Anti-Drug Coalition, said Dale Wisely, director of student services at Mountain Brook City Schools. “We actually have plans to broaden the mission of that organization, to make it even more broadly community-based, and we will rename it All In Mountain Brook,” said Wisely, who will speak at the Vestavia Hills Town Hall Meeting Aug. 16. “This is a partnership between the school system, city government, the Mountain Brook business community and wor-

‘My oldest son and Baker were one month and two days apart in age. Beverly and I were both stay-at-home moms. Our husbands were both involved in coaching the sports teams and in Boy Scouts, and we’re all active in church. We thought we were doing all we could to make sure our children knew to stay away from drugs.’

Beverly Mims, left, and Susan Thomas have been neighbors in Vestavia Hills for 18 years. The women said they always knew their families had a lot in common but never dreamed they would both be affected by drug abuse. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

—Susan Thomas

ship communities.” Lt. Jay Williams with the Mountain Brook Police Department said there has been one drugrelated death in Mountain Brook since July 1, 2013. In Shelby County, the department of student services at Shelby County Schools offers drug abuse prevention programs, conducts drug and alcohol use surveys with students and offers peer helper and family intervention programs. As of June 30, Shelby County had 16 drugrelated deaths, said Lt. Kevin Turner with the Shelby County Drug Task Force. Shelby County had 52 drug-related deaths in 2013. In addition to investigating complaints of illegal narcotics activity and arresting offenders and aiding in their prosecution, the Shelby County Drug Task Force also presents educational programs to civic organizations and schools. “Drug abuse has no boundaries. It affects all economic levels and social groups,” Turner said.

Thomas said. “We thought we were doing all we could to make sure our children knew to stay away from drugs.” But in January 2010, a friend of her son’s dropped a bombshell on Thomas when she asked him if he knew why her son had been moody. “I thought my son was just a little down, maybe a little depressed, and so his best friend was over at the house and I asked him if he knew what was going on,” Thomas said. “His friend just looked at me and said, ‘I think he needs to go to rehab,’ and I was just in shock, just stunned.” That night, Thomas learned that her son had started taking prescription pain pills and smoking marijuana the summer before and that he’d been trying to wean himself off the painkillers. Months later, she learned heroin was among the many drugs her son had tried while he was in high school. “This was a sweet, respectful child who

Vestavia Hills

Town Hall Meeting Aug. 18, 6 p.m. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Leadership Vestavia Hills is partnering with the city of Vestavia Hills and the Vestavia Hills Board of Education to present a Help the Hills Town Hall meeting focused on the growing use of drugs and alcohol in the community. The event will start at 6 p.m. on Aug. 18 in Tyson Hall at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Avenue. Featured speakers will include Dale Wisely, David Howard and Rick Norris. The Help the Hills: Parent Strong and Parent Together initiative will include a series of home-based meetings throughout the 2014-2015 school year. For more information, visit leadershipvestaviahills. com or email helpthehills@charter.net.

had never been in trouble, who never had bad grades. This is a child who came home at curfew every night and who, when he came in to tell me goodnight, I would smell his hair and his breath and look at his eyes, not because I had any idea he was on drugs but because I thought that’s what parents were supposed to do,” she said. “I did all the things I thought I was supposed to do, but I still missed it.” Thomas said while she had talked to her children about the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana, she said she doesn’t remember prescription pills or heroin being on her radar. “I remember seeing something on the news before I knew that my son had tried heroin about how it was making a comeback and that more kids were using heroin, and I remember thinking, ‘Thank heavens we don’t have that problem here in Vestavia.’ I think a lot parents think that.” That’s what Mims said she thought. “After he (Baker) graduated from high school (in 2011), we found out that he had tried pot, so we cut off his access to money, took his car away from him and gave him drug tests, but I had no idea he had even tried heroin until after he died,” she said. In the weeks before his death, Mims said Baker, who was attending UA on a full academic scholarship, seemed excited about his classes and the future. “He had plans, and I thought we were over the hump with the marijuana. A few days before he passed, he called me and told me that he had gotten his hair cut short again,” she said. “I never got to see his new haircut until his funeral.” Mims said she plans to attend the Help the Hills Town Hall meeting Aug. 18, and even though it’s difficult to talk about, she wants to share her story with other parents. “During his life, Baker touched so many people. He was a volunteer with the special needs kids at school, and they just loved him. He really enjoyed giving back in any way he could,” she said. “And I feel like he’s still doing that and that God is still using Baker to make an impact on people and to show the dangers of even experimenting with drugs. My son never got the chance to learn from his mistakes.” Thomas said she also plans to attend the meeting but that her son is not ready to talk about his addiction struggles, even though he has been clean for more than four and half years now. “He has a lot of shame, and it’s a daily struggle,” she said. “That’s what our kids have to realize, what our parents have to really think about, too–even if you don’t die from a drug overdose and you’re lucky enough to get help in time, drug addiction is something you will deal with for the rest of your life, one way or another.” Information on drug-related deaths this year in Homewood was not available at press time.❖

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 13

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Service Club Honors Volunteer, Students

Members of Boy Scout Troop 63 went on a two-week backpacking trek in June. Front, from left: Jack Ferguson, Ford McInnis, Jacob Warthen, William Wade and Clay Higginbotham. Back: Crawford McInnis, Ricky Feig, Connor Hart, Louis Wade, John Corley and Phillip Corley. Photo special to the Journal

Troop 63 Scouts Trek to Philmont Scout Ranch A crew from Boy Scout Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook went on a twoweek backpacking trek in June. The group hiked more than 75 miles through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Those successfully completing the trek included crew leader Louis Wade, William Wade, Ford McInnis, Clay Higginbotham, Connor Hart, Jack Ferguson, Ricky Feig and John Corley. Adult leaders were Crawford McInnis and Phillip Corley. The group of scouts and their advisors carried everything they

needed to survive during the trek on their backs while hiking from camp to camp. The group endured tough challenges, including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs and inclement weather. By completing the Philmont trek, Eagle Scouts Louis Wade and Ferguson both earned the Triple Crown award for their participation in the High Adventure programs at three National High Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Scouts of America–Philmont, Northern Tier and Florida Sea Base. Philmont covers 214 square miles of wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 to 12,441 feet in elevation and is the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high adventure camp.

The Hoover Service Club recently recognized an outstanding civic volunteer and Hoover high school students who excelled in the classroom and community. The club’s annual scholarship luncheon, held at the Hoover Country Club, featured the presentation of scholarships to seniors at Hoover and Spain Park high schools. The scholarships were based on academic achievements, community service and financial need. The club also recognized Hoover middle school students with scholarship and citizenship certificates. Jamie Coston was chairman of the scholarship committee, and Pam Edwards was co-chairman. Other committee members were Roberta Atkinson, Rhonda Boyd, Pam Crider, Elaine Thompson, Suzanne Wright and Carol Yurkovic. The Hoover Service Club also presented the 2014 Flora Mae Pike Community Service Award to Sara Perry. The award honored Perry, a Hoover resident, for her outstanding volunteer service to the community. She is a founding member of the Bluff Park Art Association, charter member of the Hoover Arts Alliance, member of the Hoover Beautification Board and active in Bluff Park Methodist Church. The award is named in memory of the founder of the service organization, Flora Mae Pike. Serving on the selection committee were Mary Sue Ludwig, Geona McPhatter and Pat Bendall.

Scholarship winners from Hoover High School were, from left: Micah Smith, Jason McCay and Ashley Colburn. The Spain Park High School scholarship winners were Jenna Huerkamp and Jackson Cotney. Caroline Conrad, Kathryn Hatch, Jacob Kimes and Madison Shore are not pictured. Photo special to the Journal

Outgoing Hoover Service Club President Jennifer Caton introduced the club’s officers for the coming year. Treva Medberry is president, Betty Daigle is first vice president, Carla Kanafani

is second vice president, Susan Ivey is third vice president, Ann Taylor is recording secretary, Vicki Nutter is corresponding secretary and Judy Holcombe is treasurer. ❖

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u Mountain Brook

City Cancels Municipal Election By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

Residents in Mountain Brook have avoided a municipal election for the second time in a row but will still see new faces on the City Council dais this November. Last week, the Mountain Brook City Council declared Alice B. Womack as the new council representative for Place 1 and Lloyd C. Shelton as the council representative for Place 5. The city cancelled the municipal election scheduled for Aug. 26 after Womack and Shelton were the only candidates to qualify for the open city council seats before the July 15 qualifying deadline. The Place 3 city council seat was also open this year, but no one stepped up to challenge incumbent William

S. (Billy) Pritchard III. Pritchard will now serve another four-year term on the Mountain Brook City Council. Womack is vice president of private client groups for First Commercial Bank and has lived in Mountain Brook since 2000. She said she and Shelton, who did not attend the July 28 meeting, have been active in the community and wanted to serve Mountain Brook as council members. “We have both been very involved in the community,” she said. “We’ve both served together with the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. We are both on the finance committee. Lloyd chairs that committee. And we’ve also worked together with the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation. We’ve known the city council and known the staff here. It’s a great group. We’re excited to be involved

and working with them.” Womack is currently on the board of the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation. She and her husband, Lowell Womack Jr., have two children. Shelton also has longstanding ties to the community. A 1980 graduate of Mountain Brook High School, he is the president of the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation and serves alongside Womack on the city’s finance committee. An accountant with Lovoy, Summerville and Shelton LLC, Shelton is the current chairman of the Mountain Brook Sports Corporation. He is also involved with the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and the Sunrise Rotary Club of Birmingham. Mountain Brook City Council representatives are elected at-large and are not compensated for their service.

u Homewood

Alice Womack

Mountain Brook staggers its election cycle every two years so it can maintain experience on the council, city officials said. The terms of Mayor Terry Oden, Place 2 representative Jack Carl and Place 4 representative Virginia Smith will end in 2016. The city also cancelled its municipal election scheduled for 2012 because incumbents Carl, Oden and Smith were uncontested. City officials said avoiding an elec-

Lloyd Shelton

tion saves the city between $25,000 and $27,000. Until they officially take office Nov. 3, Womack said she and Shelton will just try to learn more about their duties as council members. “Up until that point, we’ll just be learning the lay of the land and what the issues are,” she said. “We’ll be learning what’s coming down the pipeline, like the Lane Parke development and the new Piggly Wiggly and other things we need to be aware of.”❖

u hoover

Road Improvement Plans Progressing Met is Now Site for Tag By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

The city of Homewood is moving closer to beginning road improvements on Oxmoor Boulevard. The city and the Alabama Department of Transportation recently held what is likely the last of its public involvement meetings on the proposed improvement project at the Homewood Senior Center. ALDOT has been holding public involvement meetings on the project since May 2012. Residents were given another opportunity to view maps and discuss the project with city officials and ALDOT representatives. The $5 million project involves 1.1 miles of road from Barber Court to Green Springs Highway in the city of Homewood. Proposed improvements include reconfiguring the Y-shaped “turkey foot” intersection that splits traffic between Oxmoor Road and

Proposed improvements include reconfiguring the Y-shaped “turkey foot” intersection that splits traffic between Oxmoor Road and Oxmoor Boulevard, removing traffic signals and modifying Interstate 65 ramps to improve traffic flow and safety. Oxmoor Boulevard, removing traffic signals and modifying Interstate 65 ramps to improve traffic flow and safety. For years, residents have complained that the Y-shaped split has created its share of traffic accidents. The project includes adding left turn lanes at Scott Street, Vulcan Road, Oxmoor Boulevard and Columbiana

Road at Palisades Boulevard. Councilman Fred Hawkins, whose district includes west Oxmoor, said residents have expressed concerns about noise, traffic and right of way being taken from area businesses. “We explained to everybody that by taking some signals out and making the traffic flow a lot better, the noise will get a lot better,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a good project.” The city and ALDOT still have to negotiate for right of way for the project, Hawkins said. Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer said the city and ALDOT have already held about five public involvement meetings. “After this one, we should be able to start on the project,” he said. Homewood is financing $1 million of the project in an 80/20 split with ALDOT. Hawkins said the target date for construction is June 2015.❖

u Vestavia Hills

City to Hire New Employee for Tag Office By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

The city of Vestavia Hills will hire an additional employee to assist with its car tag renewal service. The City Council recently approved hiring an additional employee for a salary not to exceed $41,500 including benefits. City Manager Jeff Downes said the employee will assist in issuing car tag renewal licenses, among other duties. Downes said an employee in the city’s finance department has been

helping with Vestavia’s car tag renewal duties. He said the officer was doing “double duty” handling renewal requests as well as other city functions. “The success of the program and the demand for this service has outstripped his ability to do both jobs, so we’re going to hire a new employee to have that responsibility and to assist in other responsibilities in the finance department as well,” Downes said. Income from the tag renewal process will cover the cost of the new position, the city manager added. Vestavia Hills began issuing car

tag renewals April 1 after the State Legislature earlier this year passed a law allowing Jefferson County municipalities to establish offices to issue tag renewals to their residents. Local lawmakers backed the measure because of long lines Jefferson County residents experience renewing tags at the downtown and Bessemer courthouses. Vestavia Hills and Hoover are the only cities in Jefferson County to offer this service, although Trussville is also looking at offering the service to its residents. ❖

Renewals, Could Host UA Baseball Games in 2015

By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

The city of Hoover opened its car tag renewal office at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium Aug. 4. City officials decided to go ahead and renew car tags for Hoover residents while they continue to work on establishing a full-service vehicle renewal annex. “This ticket office is small. We can’t handle a full-blown annex out there,” said Allen Pate, Hoover’s executive director. “It’s going to take a while to get an annex open, but at least we can get started with this.” Hoover residents can renew vehicle tags at the Met. Residents needing new tags will have to visit the Jefferson County courthouses in Birmingham and Bessemer or the courthouse annex in Center Point. Until the Hoover office opened, Vestavia Hills was the only municipality to act on a law that allows Jefferson County cities to offer car tag renewal services to their residents. Vestavia Hills began its service in April. The Hoover City Council voted in May to offer a similar service but delayed pursuing that option in favor of establishing a full-service annex to issue new tags for cars, motorcycles and boats.

... the Crimson Tide will need a place to play home baseball games next season.

But Hoover officials discovered they are going to need more time locating a site for an annex, Pate said. In other news related to the Hoover Met, the city is negotiating with the University of Alabama to play baseball games at the stadium next year. Hoover city officials recently confirmed they were discussing the possibilities with the University of Alabama but would not provide further details. “It’s currently under negotiations, and I don’t want to speak while we’re under negotiations,” said Council President Jack Wright. The University of Alabama’s Sewell-Thomas Stadium will undergo $35 million in renovations later this year, which means the Crimson Tide will need a place to play home baseball games next season. Wright said there’s no timetable set for negotiations to get done, but hopefully, the issue will conclude sooner rather than later. “I would think Alabama is under a timetable because they’re rebuilding their baseball stadium, and they’ve got to figure out where the visiting teams will be coming to.” If UA decides to play baseball at the Met, it would be a major coup for Hoover and the Met, which hosted the Birmingham Barons for 25 years until the team played its last game in September 2012 and relocated to the new Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. “We’d love to have all the utilization we can at the Met,” Wright said. “We’d welcome anybody playing games there.” ❖

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 15

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u over the Mountain

From left: Assistant Fire Chief Michael A. Bartlett, Fire Lt. Jon Michael Lord and Fire Chief Jon A. Lord. Photo special to the Journal

Seven Promoted at Rocky Ridge Fire Department Seven members of the Rocky Ridge Fire Department in Birmingham have been formally promoted. The Rocky Ridge Fire District held a promotion ceremony at its fire Station #2 on Cahaba River Road in the spring. Assistant Fire Chief Michael A. Bartlett said the ceremony represented the department’s growth.

“This is a monumental moment for our fire district. With diligent planning, our department has now grown to a point that we have a need for a new position of District Commander,” Bartlett said in a news release. “Opening this position has also paved the way for three shift lieutenant positions.” Thomas J. Sizemore, Christopher

B. Prosch and William M. Wright were named District Commanders and Justin L. Baker was promoted to Chief of Training at the ceremony last week. Jon Michael Lord, Kyle L. Roy and

Michael F. Mays were promoted to Fire Lieutenants. Rocky Ridge Fire District, headquartered at 2911 Metropolitan Way, was founded in September 1967 and is

led by Fire Chief Jon A. Lord. The district’s jurisdiction covers a 12-squaremile area in the southeastern corner of Jefferson County. “We service a population of 15,000 residents with an increased daytime work population and many through travelers on Interstate 459 and Highway 280,” Bartlett said. The fire district maintains a fully trained paid staff of paramedics and firefighters who are available 24/7.❖

u hoover

Fire Station Construction Could Start This Month By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

Construction on Hoover’s Fire Station No. 10 is expected to begin this month. The Hoover City Council recently approved Battle-Miller Construction as the lowest bidder to build the fire station in Ross Bridge. Battle-Miller’s bid was $2,079,800. Four other companies submitted bids for the project. City and fire officials have targeted a new fire station in Ross Bridge as a way to reduce response time to the growing community with nearly 1,300 homes and 500 apartment units, said Hoover Fire Chief Chuck Wingate. The fire department’s response

time to Ross Bridge is currently 12 minutes. But with a new fire station, response time should be between four to six minutes, Wingate said. “We’re going to be able to provide advanced life support and coverage in that area, and we hope to have a quicker response to the people of Ross Bridge,” he said. Fire Station No. 6, off Alabama 150 and Ross Bridge Parkway, now serves the Ross Bridge area. When Fire Station No. 10 comes online, Fire Station No. 6 will serve as backup, the fire chief said. Fire Station No. 10 will be located at Greenside Way and the Ross Bridge Village Center. Wingate said it should take 10 months to complete the construction of the new fire station. ❖

u Vestavia Hills

City Chooses Thermal Imaging Camera Vendor By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

BLUFF PARK WINDOW WORKS

The city of Vestavia Hills has selected a vendor to provide the fire department’s new thermal imaging cameras. The City Council recently approved awarding the bid to Argus Cameras Thermal for $38,528 to purchase the cameras and a camera charger. Although Argus wasn’t the lower bidder, the company won the bid because two other companies that submitted bids deviated from the equipment specifications. The city’s fire department has

received a $45,538 grant through the American Fire Act to buy eight thermal imaging cameras. Vestavia must put up $5,059 to satisfy the grant’s matching-funds requirement. Along with the cameras, the grant will also cover the purchase of extra charging bases for reserve vehicles. Thermal imagining cameras help firefighters locate hotspots in a structure fire, identify and detect--by reading body heat--victims ejected in car accidents or lost in the woods and distinguish liquid chemicals during a hazardous material spill. The new cameras will replace older and bulkier cameras the fire department now uses.❖

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Throwing His Support to Camp SAM John Parker Wilson Boosts Fundraising Auction

John Parker Wilson

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From left: Cory Reamer, Betsy Beam and Michael DeJohn.

Holly Evans and Margaret Angelillo.

Tiffany Myers and Sharon and Bill Myers.

Cody Bishop, Mallory McCoy, Jessica Kribbs and Brian Vukovich.

former Hoover High School and University of Alabama quarterback sent bidders into a frenzy at a recent auction to benefit children fighting cancer. John Parker Wilson joined the live auction action at Camp Smile-A-Mile’s eighth annual Funky Monkey fundraiser on July 25. The event was hosted by Camp SAM’s junior board of directors. More than 600 people attended the event at Regions Field to help raise money to support Camp SAM’s year-round programs for pediatric oncology patients, survivors and their families. Before Wilson took the stage to auction off University of Alabama items, John Obert took bids from guests who won prizes ranging from a private dinner for 20 at Saw’s Juke Joint to a week’s stay in Panama City, Fla. The event also included a silent auction and live music performed by Rollin’ in the Hay.

While they browsed the silent auction items, partygoers enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and a cash bar. Regions Field provided the perfect backdrop for the summer event, with guests moving the party from the Regions Field Banquet Hall onto the outdoor porches and the field to enjoy the view. Those attending the 2014 Funky Monkey fundraiser included Margaret and Tommy Angelillo, Betsy Beam, Cody Bishop, Rhett Blackwell, Lea Bone, Andrea and Britt Bowens and Blaine Campbell. Others enjoying the July event included Michael DeJohn, Holly Evans, Adam Grinfield, Christina and Drew Hooper, Beth and Bruce Hooper, Aaron Hux, Jessica Kribbs and Lauren and Adrian Lovell. Also attending were Fran Lowe, John Obert, Neal Owens, Patrick Marshall, Mallory McCoy, Tiffany Myers,

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Lindsey and Butch Roebuck.

Sharon and Bill Myers, Cory Reamer, Lauren and Ian Reid, Lindsey and Butch Roebuck, D’Ann and Bill Somerall, Brian Vukovich, Hillary and Ryan Weiss and Jonas Williams. Camp SAM hosts several fundraisers throughout the year, including its signature event, the Red Nose Ball. The 23rd annual Red Nose Ball will be Feb. 28, 2015 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Camp SAM was established in 1985 to serve children across the state battling cancer while offering a source of support to their families. Camp SAM started as a single, weeklong camp and has grown to include year-round programming and seven camp sessions each summer. Camp SAM is the only pediatric oncology camp in Alabama to offer extensive programming for the entire family. For more information, visit www.campsam.org. ❖

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Best Bets

Casino Party Raises Money for Library When all the bets were down, the funds raised for the Vestavia Hills Library of the Forest at a recent casino night event were up. The People Affecting Library Success, or PALS, Casino Royale fundraiser in April raised $18,367 for the library’s children’s department. Proceeds from the third annual fundraiser and silent auction surpassed the 2013 profits by more than $6,800, organizers said. Professional dealers from Goodfellas Gaming offered guests rounds of blackjack, poker, craps and roulette while they enjoyed live music by Rockstar. Klingler’s served food, and International Wines and Craft Beer served complimentary beverages. Continental Florist decorated the tables, and Serendipity Sweets provided a sweet treats bar. At the end of the night, guests cashed in their chips for raffle tickets to try to win a variety of items. “This year’s Casino Royale was full of energy, excitement and fun,” said Taneisha Young Tucker, library director. “We are thankful to the PALS, program sponsors and attendees for making this annual event a huge success. The PALS enable the library to provide quality programming each year for our youngest patrons. We genuinely appreciate their dedication to our children’s department and their determination to help us succeed.” Money raised by PALS helps fund Summer Reading program activities, including a kickoff, finale, weekly programs, family events, performers, storytellers, prizes, books and equipment. Kim Blackenburg, Stephanie Smith and Virginia Hornbuckle planned Casino Royale. Brandy Schreiner and Annie Bailey organized the silent auction. PALS board members Anna McClendon, Mindy Reed, Madeline Camp, Margaret Powell and June Clark assisted along with Ashley Groves and many PALS members. ❖

Clockwise from above: Guests at the PALS fundraiser tried their luck at the gaming tables; Anna McClendon and June Clark; Lauren Daniel, Kiley Watson, Sara Robicheaux and Beth Martin. Photos special to the Journal

more photos at

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Organizers of the PALS Casino Royale fundraiser included, from left: Brandi Schreiner, Ashley Groves, Annie Bailey, Madeline Camp, Kim Blackenburg, Virginia Hornbuckle, Stephanie Smith, Anna McClendon and Mindy Reed. June Clark and Margaret Powell are not pictured.

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 17

18 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

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Coach’s Commentary

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Sylvester Croom Headlines Firehouse Shelter Luncheon

Tennessee Titans running backs coach and legendary University of Alabama football great Sylvester Croom gave a passionate and inspirational message about overcoming obstacles to a luncheon crowd of 225 people June 27 at the Harbert Center in Birmingham. Croom was the keynote speaker at the fundraiser for the Firehouse Shelter. The event raised nearly $46,000 to benefit Firehouse Shelter’s seven housing programs, which serve more than 215 homeless men every night. Croom encouraged listeners to look for opportunities to do what the

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Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 Crestline Church 605 Hagood Street

Firehouse Shelter does every day—to lift up others and encourage the broken, hurting and lost. Croom spoke of his journey to becoming the first African-American head coach in the SEC and encouraged those at the event to be persistent when crises arise. He also said his time playing under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant taught him to prepare for every possible situation in life. Russell McCay, former Firehouse Shelter guest, gave a touching testimony about how the Firehouse Shelter “forever changed his life” and helped him build a strong foundation that has allowed him to enroll in college, get married and serve others. McCay got a round of applause when he announced to the crowd that he had celebrated six years of sobriety the night before the event. Firehouse Executive Director Anne Wright, Doug Kovash, development director, and Victor Smith, board president, each shared a message on the impact the Firehouse Shelter is having on the lives of the homeless in the seven-county Birmingham metro area. Jeh Jeh Pruitt of Fox 6 Sports was the emcee. Firehouse Shelter board members and staff worked behind the scenes to organize the luncheon. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings served as Fire Chief Sponsor for the second straight year. Todd Hornsby of Filament Artists videotaped the event and will post highlights on the Firehouse Shelter’s YouTube channel. Butch Ogelsby of Blue Moon Studios photographed the event. Others attending included Mimi

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Clockwise from top: From left: Bobby Humphrey, Sylvester Croom and Victor Smith; Kelly Wallace and Angie Sanders; Sylvester Croom and Mimi Chambers; Sylvester Croom and David Wininger.

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Left: From left: Carrie Glover, Danielle Downing, Scott Laney, Jason Eppenger, Niki Harris, Lacey Bacchus and Ginny Willings. below: Kristin Farmer, Teresa Odom and Suzanne Martin. Photos special to the Journal

Cookie Cook-off

Girl Scouts YP Event Includes Food, Fashion Show The Girl Scouts Young Philanthropists Society hosted a soiree July 17 at Rosewood Hall in Homewood’s SoHo Square. More than 100 young professionals joined YP Society members for food and drinks, a silent auction and the Role Model Runway fashion show featuring clothing provided by Belk at Colonial Brookwood Village. Eunice Elliott of Alabama’s 13 was the emcee of the fifth annual event. Chefs from Bellini’s, Dreamcakes, FoodBar and the Silvertron Café competed in the Chef’s Cookie Challenge. During the challenge, chefs created dishes using Girl Scout cookies. Guests tasted the concoctions and chose the Silvertron Café as the people’s choice winner. The restaurant made a Thin Mint Dark Chocolate Mousse out of the bestselling Girl Scout cookie. The Role Models judged the overall winner, which was FoodBar, with its Do-si-dos Crusted Catfish and Finley Avenue Succotash. Guests enjoyed food, wine and beer provided by Good

People Brewing Company. Proceeds from the event help give girls across NorthCentral Alabama the opportunity to participate in Girl Scout programs. Role Model Runway models were Lacey Bacchus, marketing coordinator at Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith; Danielle Downing, marketing manager at Burr & Forman LLP; Jason Eppenger, commercial relationship manager at Wells Fargo; Carrie Glover, business development associate at RX Benefits; Niki Harris, accounting manager at Southern Nuclear; Scott Laney, vice president, senior credit products officer at Cadence Bank; and Ginny Willings, human resources specialist at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Committee members included Chrissy Aubin, Caitlin Covey, Taylor Marie Hardy, Laura Landrum and Olivia Peeden. Others attending the event included Kristin Farmer, Teresa Odom, Suzanne Martin, Nicole Harris, Marisela Mendez, Tiffany Bishop and Melva Tate. ❖

The enhanced curriculum at the YMCA of Greater Birmingham Afterschool Academy 4, 9-week sessions + 2-week holiday sessions includes: READING MATH, SCIENCE WRITING HOMEWORK SUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLNESS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Mission To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Vision We will lead our community to become the healthiest in America. A United Way Partner.

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 19

20 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

social

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Chefs’ Showdown

Bellinis’ Butler Wins Iron City Competition

Clockwise from Above: Judges James E. Robinson, Charles Brammer Jr. and Scott Jones with Joseph Mitchell. From left: Kent Howard, Mitchell, Sean Butler with members of his winning team and Scott Selman. The competion heats up as local chefs prepare meals using chicken. Photos special to the Journal.

Fun, Unique & One of a Kind Finds! A Monthly MArket event Thursday, August 14 - Saturday, August 16 10am - 5pm 1712 28th Avenue South Homewood, AL 35209

www.tablesandcontents.com

Sean Butler of Bellinis Catering Division took the culinary crown in the 2014 Iron City Chef competition fundraiser. The sixth annual Vestavia Hills Rotary Club event was held July 26 at the Culinary and Hospitality Institute at the Shelby-Hoover campus of Jefferson State Community College. This year’s lineup included the 2013 Iron City Chef title holder Haller Magee, the 2012 Iron City Chef winner Jeremy Downey of Bistro V and James Pruitt from Todd English P.U.B. The evening began with Western Supermarket’s wine tasting event, which featured wines from distributors Sundown, International Wines & Craft Beer, Alabama Crown, United Johnson Brothers and Grassroots Wine. Following the wine tasting, guests browsed items in the silent auction. Jerry Tracey of WVTM Alabama’s 13, was master of ceremonies. The chefs prepared their first dishes, and guests voted on their favorites and narrowed the field of competition to Butler and Downey. Chef Joseph Mitchell, executive director of the Culinary and Hospitality Institute, then unveiled the cook-off menu, which included chicken.

From left: Andrea Castleberry and Jennifer Bradley.

Holy Family School Hosts Rey of Hope Club in Homewood May 1. This year’s gala was sponsored by Regions Financial Corporation. The event featured silent and live auctions, jazz music by Bourbon

Wed. Aug. 20 – Sat. Aug.23

our aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnal for the , 2014 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

Nathan and Julie Marcus.

Flash Mob Fun

Almost 300 people turned out to support Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in May. The second annual Rey of Hope Dinner and Auction was held at The

Joyce Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Feb

Butler was declared the 2014 Iron City Chef champion by the judges for his curry-inspired chicken dish, which he served with a salad. Downey won the 2014 People’s Choice Award. Butler was assisted by student sous chef Somnuek Parker, who won a $1,000 scholarship from the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club as part of the event. Proceeds from Iron City Chef support Vestavia Hills High School’s math and debate programs, a scholarship for a Jefferson State culinary student, the local Rotary district’s disaster relief fund and Rotary International charities like End Polio Now and Clean Water for the World. Before it started the Iron City Chef fundraiser, Vestavia Hills Rotary Club held a Rotary Roast to raise money for the programs and charities it helps support. More than 250 people attended this year’s competition fundraiser, according to Kent Howard, event chairman. Those attending the fundraiser included Vicki and Robert Sullivan, Amy and Jamey Braswell, Diane and Scott Selman, Christy and Ted Strong and Linda and Stacey Berthon. ❖

Photos special to the Journal

Sidecar and a flash mob performance by 21 Holy Family Cristo Rey students to Michael Jackson’s “Black or White.” Proceeds from the event will support the school’s primary goal of providing a quality, college-preparatory education in a Christian environment to low-income students with limited educational opportunities. Those attending included Andrea Castleberry, Jennifer Bradley, Beverly Dixon, David Hodges, Lisa Hodges, Jack Granger, Joey Longoria, Bill Crow, Luke Williamson, Gregg Smith, Kelly Todd, Monty Todd, Lynne Nicholson, Joe Nicholson, Nathan Marcus, Julie Marcus, Jacque Shaia, Kent Graeve, Alphonso Patrick, Becky Dunn, Christopher Nicholson, Doris Barren, Adam Piteo, Randi Bourdages, Catherine Hodges, Lisa Hodges and Father Alex Steinmiller. ❖

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 21

social

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Shades Mountain Christian School ▪K3 - 12th Grades Bark & Wine Bash

Fundraiser Supports Shelby Humane Society Animal lovers showed their support for the Shelby Humane Society at a fundraiser for the organization last month. The Shelby Humane Society’s fifth annual Bark and Wine event was held at the Pelham Civic Complex June 28. Scott Register of Reg’s Coffeehouse was the emcee for this year’s Bark and Wine fundraiser, which featured dinner, drinks, a silent auction and a live auction with Ken Jackson. Bidders raised their hands during the live auction for Myrtle Beach and Gulf Coast vacation packages, jewelry from Diamonds Direct, bikes from Regions Bank, outdoor furniture and unique pieces from local artists. Those attending included Alise Clabough, Keith Jinright, Becky Jinright, Charlotte Bruce, Julie Gibbs and Meyillan Fitzsimmons. Officers of the Shelby Humane Society board of directors are Robin Adams, president; Tamela Seymour, vice president; Jim Romaker, treasurer; and Melissa Brown, secretary. Other board members are Bob McArdle, Michelle Armaral, Shae Hicks Register and Jan Griffey. Sara Shirley is the executive director.

ABOVE: Pure Barre Riverchase was one of the sponsors of this year’s Bark and Wine event. From left: Leslie Messick, Jaclyn Decker and instructors Chelsea Norton, Katie Thompkins and Sarah Cait McMillian. left: Emcee Scott Register of Reg’s Coffeehouse. Photos special to the Journal

DivorceD? SeparateD? We can help!

▪Student/Teacher Ratio 12:1 ▪AHSAA Sports ▪Band, Theatre, Choir & Art

smcs.org Call to arrange a tour

205-978-6001

To: From: Date:

The mission of the Shelby Humane Society is to care for homeless, abused, neglected and abandoned animals and to educate the community to instill an increased awareness and commitment to the responsibility of animal ownership and protection. More than 5,000 animals receive care at the shelter each year. For more information, visit www. shelbyhumane.org. ❖

Alisa Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 March This is your AD prOOF from the Over The MOunTAin JOurnAl for the March 14, 2014 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

To: Jan From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Date: July 2014 This is your aD prOOF from the Over The MOunTain JOurnal for the July 26, 2014 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! for more information please Call mike wedgworth: 205.365.4344

please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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

Thank you for your prompt attention.

22 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

back to school

Scholastic Shake-ups

Over the Mountain Schools Have New Administrators, Programs By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

tudents returning to Over the Mountain school systems this month will be greeted by new administrators in central offices and in individual schools. As the 2014-2015 school year begins, schools in Homewood, Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Shelby County’s Oak Mountain area have had shake-ups somewhere in their administrative ranks. Vestavia hills

In Vestavia Hills, a new superintendent will lead the school system. Sheila Phillips takes over for Jamie Blair, who moves into an advisory position and will serve out his contract until he retires Oct. 1, 2015. Before being named the system’s sixth superintendent in May, Phillips had served as the city school system’s assistant superintendent since May 2012. The school system is hosting a community meet and greet event with Phillips from 4-6 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Vestavia Hills Board of Education Building at 1204 Montgomery Highway. The Vestavia Hills school board also has named Meredith Hanson to replace Phillips as the system’s new assistant superintendent. Hanson’s most recent position has been as executive director for human resourcSheila Phillips es at Auburn City Schools. She has an educational specialist degree from Samford University and served as the assistant

principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central from 2006-2012. “I’m extremely humbled by this opportunity and very excited about what I know Mrs. Phillips has in mind for Vestavia Hills,” Hanson said. “I’m looking forward to coming back and working with the kids because they’re great students.” Tim Loveless was named interim principal at Vestavia Hills High School on July 28. Loveless was an administrator with Cullman High School for more than 30 years before he retired in 2013. Loveless takes over for Wes Gordon, who resigned in July to become the director of curriculum and professional development with the Auburn City School System. Gordon was appointed principal in July 2013 following the announcement that former principal Cas McWaters would retire. The Vestavia Tyler Burgess, Pizitz Hills school Middle School, system also Vestavia Hills. named Tyler Burgess to replace David Miles as principal of Pizitz Middle School. Burgess served as an assistant principal for Homewood Middle School. Miles retired after 23 years at Pizitz. Hoover

Hoover has two new assistant principals this school year. Phillip Holley is the new assistant principal at Riverchase Elementary. He replaces Dianne Baggett, who retired. Holley replaces Alice Turney, who became the principal of Riverchase Elementary School. Holley taught biology at Mountain Brook Junior

High for 11 years and science in the Jefferson County school system for eight years. At Rocky Ridge Elementary, Kara Chism steps into her Phillip Holley, new role as Riverchase assistant prinElementary School, Hoover. cipal. Chism replaces Dilhani Uswatte, who became principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary following the retirement of Sonia Carrington. Chism worked in Kara Chism, Rocky the Mountain Ridge Elementary Brook and School, Hoover. Trussville school systems before coming to Hoover. She served as a middle school assistant principal in Trussville. Homewood

Homewood school officials have named Matt Kiser as assistant principal of Homewood Middle School to replace Burgess, who left for Vestavia Hills. Kiser has served as an assistant principal at Homewood High School for two years. “I have enjoyed working with the dedicated faculty and staff at Homewood High School and look forward to this opportunity of continuing the excellent tradition at Homewood Middle School,” Kiser said. Kiser came to Homewood from

A Bittersweet Retirement Miles Says Goodbye to Pizitz Middle after 23 Years

By William C. Singleton III Journal contributor

When Pizitz Middle School students return to class Aug. 11, the gregarious, loquacious principal who greeted them for the past 23 years will be absent. David Miles, 61, retired at the end of June, turning over the reins to Tyler Burgess, whom the Vestavia Hills school board named to replace him. Miles said it was a bittersweet decision for him. “I had been thinking about this for the last two to three years,” he said. “It’s a difficult decision. You build some pretty strong relationships in 23 years. People aren’t just colleagues. They’re people your heart gets knit to in some

pretty strong and powerful ways. They’ve been there for me in good times and difficult times. We’ve celebrated together, cried together and rejoiced together, and it’s hard to walk away from that.” Miles has spent 40 years in education. He started as a teacher and assistant principal in the Mountain Brook school system. In 1991, Pizitz Middle School had an opening for a principal, and Miles was chosen to lead the school. Miles called his tenure as principal “the highlight of my whole professional career.” Miles said his philosophy as an administrator has been to develop relationships with his colleagues and with students. That’s the key to learning, he said. And that’s why Miles patrolled the school’s main lobby greeting students by name or walked the carpool line as children

HewittTrussville High School, where he served as assistant principal. Homewood does not plan to fill the assistant principal position at Homewood High, officials said.

journalism and mass communications from Samford University and a master’s degree in secondary education and educational leadership from the University of Montevallo. Mountain Brook

Matt Kiser, Homewood Middle School, Homewood.

Shelby County

Shelby County’s Oak Mountain High School has new administrators this year. Kristi Sayers is the new principal at the high school. Sayers most recently served as professional development supervisor for Shelby County schools. She has also Kristy Sayers, Oak Mountain High served as an School, North assistant prinShelby. cipal at Pelham High School and acquired the award of a National Board Certified Teacher. Sayers has 25 years of experience in education. Kendall Jackson is the new assistant Kendall Jackson, Oak Mountain principal at Oak Mountain High. High School, North Shelby. She has taught English at Thompson High for nine years and earned a bachelor’s degree in

moved from the care of their parents to his care. “In our faculty meetings, in our administrative team meetings and in meetings with my assistants, I would emphasize, ‘Before we can ever think about teaching content, we’ve got to create relationships that are warm, caring, nurturing, positive and supportive because without that, all the content in the world isn’t going to matter,” Miles said. “So I would hope that the kids and the community and the faculty, that’s what they saw–a man who valued relationships both for their own sake but also as a necessary ingredient for us to do what the community expects us to do, which is to teach their children at the highest level.” Miles said he plans to spend retirement enjoying more time with his wife, Nancy, who retired from the Vestavia Hills school system two years ago. He said he also plans to travel and work more with his church, Moody Church of Christ. Miles isn’t giving up education altogether, though. He’ll be a part-time instructor at Samford University, his alma mater, working

Mountain Brook school officials say while they won’t have any new administrators for the start of the 2014-2015 school year, they will unveil new programs. Mountain Brook Junior High has a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program called Project Lead the Way, officials said. Mountain Brook High will partner with St. Vincent’s and Andrews Sports Medicine for a program that will allow students to shadow doctors for medical rotations and learn more about various medical professions. School officials said the high school will also implement a Mentoring Everyone program which will allow high school students to visit and mentor students at Crestline Elementary. The program is patterned after the high school’s iLearn program in which high school students work as teacher assistants at Brookwood Forest Elementary. “We are excited to be able to offer these programs for the students in our community,” said Lisa Beckham, director of administrative services for the Mountain Brook School System. First Day of School

Students in Hoover City and Shelby County schools head back to class Aug. 7. The first day for students in Vestavia Hills City Schools is Aug. 11, and Homewood City Schools will start Aug. 12. Students in Mountain Brook City Schools start the new school year Aug. 13. For more important dates to remember in the 2014-2015 school year, see the sidebar next page.❖

‘Before we can ever think about teaching content, we’ve got to create relationships that are warm, caring, nurturing, positive and supportive ...’ David Miles

with student teachers and administrative interns, he said. Even though his presence will be missed at Pizitz Middle, Miles leaves a part of himself with the school system. His son, Nathan, teaches at Vestavia Hills High School and coaches at both Liberty Park Elementary and Pizitz Middle. “I’m pleased and proud that I’ve left some of my DNA behind to keep me plugged in,” the elder Miles said, laughing. ❖

BACK TO SCHOOL Important Dates to Remember Homewood City Schools

First Day for Students: Aug. 12 Labor Day: Sept. 1 Parent Teacher Conference Day/No Students: Oct. 17 Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Professional Development/No Students: Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving: Nov. 26-28 Winter Holidays: Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Students Return: Jan. 6 MLK Jr. Holiday: Jan. 19 Spring Break: March 30-April 3 Last Day for Students: May 21 Website: www.homewood.k12.al.us Hoover City Schools

First Day for Students: Aug. 7 Labor Day: Sept. 1 Parent Teacher Conference Day/No Students: Oct. 13 Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Thanksgiving: Nov. 24-28 Winter Holidays: Dec. 22-Jan. 5 Students Return: Jan. 5 MLK Jr. Holiday: Jan. 19

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 23

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Spring Break: March 30-April 3 Last Day for Students: May 21 Website: www.hoovercityschools. net Mountain Brook City Schools

First Day for Students: Aug. 13 Labor Day: Sept. 1 eSchool Day/No Students: Oct. 13 Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Thanksgiving: Nov. 26-28 Winter Holidays: Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Students Return: Jan. 6 MLK Jr. Holiday: Jan. 19 eSchool Day/No Students: Feb. 13 Spring Break: March 30-April 3 Last Day for Students: May 22 Website: www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us

Vestavia Hills City Schools

First Day for Students: Aug. 11 Labor Day: Sept. 1 Professional Development/No Students: Oct. 13 Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Thanksgiving: Nov. 26-28

Winter Holidays: Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Students Return: Jan. 6 MLK Jr. Holiday: Jan. 19 Technology Conference/No Students: Feb. 13 Spring Break: March 30-April 3 Last Day for Students: May 21 Website: www.vestavia.k12.al.us

back(packs) to school :)

Shelby County Schools

First Day for Students: Aug. 7 Labor Day: Sept. 1 Professional Development/No Students: Oct. 13 Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Thanksgiving: Nov. 24-28 Winter Holidays: Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Students Return: Jan. 5 MLK Jr. Holiday: Jan. 19 Presidents’ Day: Feb. 16 Teacher Workday/ No Students: March 9 Spring Break: March 30-April 3 Last Day for Students: May 21 Website: www.shelbyed.k12.al.us

–Emily Williams

Shades Mountain Christian School

the beat goes on The start of another school year brings with it Friday night traditions. The Homewood High School marching band performs at a Patriot game last fall. Journal file photo by Lee Walls Jr

To: George Jones, 933-2229 From: Over the Mountain Journal 823-9646 ph, 824-1246 fax Date: July 2014

This is your ad proof for the Aug. 7 OTMJ Please contact your sales representative as soo make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1

▪K3 - 12th Grades

Please make sure all information is correct, including address a

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours ▪Student/Teacher Ratio 12:1

If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday before the press date, y

Thank you for your prompt attentio

▪AHSAA Sports

▪Band, Theatre, Choir & Art

smcs.org Call to arrange a tour

205-978-6001

24 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Crestline Problem Solvers Win First Place in Contest

August Sale

Students in the Program for Academically Gifted Education at Crestline Elementary School recently won first place in a competition that tested their problem-solving skills. Homewood’s Unique Consignment Shop The fifth-grade PAGE students 2912 Linden Avenue • Homewood • 879-0030 Fall items arriving daily! Open Tues. thru Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. participated in the Future Problem Solvers program during the 2013-2014 school year and won first place in the booklet competition at the Alabama State Bowl at Auburn University Enroll them in Montgomery. Future Problem Solvers is an To: Maury Birmingham-Southern international program that encourages From: Over The Mountain Journal College’s Conservatory critical and creative thinking, problem Date: July 2012 of Fine and finding and problem solving with an eye Performing Arts JOurnal for thetoward the future. This is your aD prOOF for Over The MOunTain aug. 9, 2012 issue. please approve, initial and fax to 824-1246 or contactThroughout the school year, students your sales representative Lessons as soonare asavailable possibleintopiano, make changes. studied topics including social isolation, voice, violin, guitar, band and much surveillance society, desertification and more. Preschool Music Classes are land transportation. for 18-month to 5-year-olds . please initial and faxavailable to 824-1246 within 24 hours. Students participating included Margo Belden, Sally Bussian, Laurel Hand, www.bsc.edu | 205/226-4960 if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday Emma Kao, Betsy Lambert, Nicholas before the press date, your ad must run as is. Miller, Walton Redden, Gordon Sargent, Walker Starling, Isabel Swoger, Mac Thank you for your prompt attention. Swoger and Samantha Torch. The students were divided into three teams for the program. The Birmingham-Southern College team of Belden, Bussian and Lambert consistently ranked first on each practice round ahead of the state competition at AUM, where they won 2011 tenth-page BSC ad_OTMJ.indd 1 7/18/2011 1:26:22 PM first place in the booklet contest. Julia Peterson was the team’s teacher and coach.

Just in time for Back to School!

Korduroy Krocodile

Open their world to the Arts!

BSC

SouthWest Water Awards Scholarships to Students

• Specialized Instruction for Dyslexia, ADD and other Learning Disabilities. • Small Class Sizes with a 9:1 Student Ratio. • Lower School Through 12th Grade Carlton Smith, Ed. D. Executive Director 205-423-8660

Several Over the Mountain students were recently awarded scholarships by SouthWest Water Company. The company awarded $1,000 cash scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to make engineering their main course of study in college. Students receiving the scholarships included John Mason IV of Briarwood Christian School, Kalie Danielczyk of Oak Mountain High School and Justin Thai of Spain Park High School. Mason, Danielczyk and Thai will all be studying engineering at the University of Alabama this fall. The students were selected for the scholarships based on their achievements during their high school years and their records of community service. SouthWest Water Company owns and operates water treatment and reclamation facilities throughout Shelby County.

Crestline PAGE students won first place in the Junior Division Booklet Competition at the Alabama Future Problem Solvers State Bowl at Auburn University Montgomery. From left: Betsy Lambert, Margo Belden and Sally Bussian. Photo special to the Journal volleyball teams and boys’ wrestling teams at Pizitz Middle School.

health, was awarded a scholarship underwritten by the UPS Foundation.

Schoeneman Wins Honorary Scholarship

Mountain Brook Grads Earn Merit Scholarships

A 2014 Spain Park High School graduate was announced as a winner of an Honorary Merit Scholarship in June. Stephanie Schoeneman won the award from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Nearly all the Merit Scholar designees were announced in April and May. However, the award Schoeneman received became available after those announcements were made. The Honorary Merit Scholarship signifies that Schoeneman’s educational plans or other awards preclude her from receiving a monetary scholarship. Schoeneman plans to study public policy in college.

Three recent graduates of Mountain Brook High School learned earlier this summer that they have been honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Nearly all 2014 National Merit $2500 scholarship recipients were announced by NMSC in the spring, but the awards won by Margaret L. Pritchard, Claire Gorman and Margaret L. Selesky became available after that announcement. Pritchard, who plans to study design in college, won the National Merit Citizen Eco-Drive Scholarship. Selesky, who plans to study science/ research in college, won a $2,500 scholarship supported by the NMSC’s own funds. Gorman, who plans to study law in college, also won a $2,500 scholarship supported by NMSC funds.

Altamont Grads Honored with Merit Scholarships The Altamont School had five 2014 graduates honored this summer by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Alice Elisabeth M. Bradford, Elizabeth A. Brown, John E. Denton, Jonathan L. Hurowitz and Emily A. Polhill were announced as $2,500 scholarship winners in June. Bradford won an award supported by the NMSC’s own funds, as did Hurowitz, who plans to study astrophysics in college and Polhill, who plans to study medicine. Brown, who plans to study biology in college, won a scholarship underwritten by State Farm Companies Foundation while Denton, who plans to study public

Wright Awarded $2,500 Scholarship in June A 2014 graduate of the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School was honored in June by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Grace K. Wright was one of 2,500 students nationwide to be awarded a $2,500 scholarship by NMSC. Wright’s scholarship is underwritten by the State Farm Companies Foundation. She plans to study international human rights in college.

Pizitz Squad Wins Top Honors at UCA Camp The Pizitz Middle School 2014-2015 volleyball and wrestling cheerleading squad won top honors at a Universal Cheerleading Association Camp in Tuscaloosa the last week of May. The squad members placed first in Cheer in their division, placed third overall in their division and received excellent marks throughout camp. Christa Lind and Ann Martin Richardson were also chosen AllAmericans. The cheerleaders were coached at camp by Kim Hunton, LeeAnn Robertson and Nicole Scozzaro. The squad cheers for the girls’

The Pizitz Middle School volleyball and wrestling cheerleading squad recently brought home the hardware from a competition in Tuscaloosa. Front, from left: Sara Bruno, Allison Benvenuti, Isabella Tolbert, captain Christa Lind, Meghan Morris and Ann Martin Richardson, co-captain. Back: Edie Anthony, Rachel Leong, Claire Christie, Emily LoRe, Annie Dodd and Leigh Ann Dodd, co-captain. Photo special to the Journal

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 25

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

UA Alumni Chapter Presents Scholarships

Brenda Matherne is joined by family members at her retirement celebration at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Homewood. From left: Julie Marix, Chad Cooley, Michele Cooley, Matherne, Greg Matherne and Sara Rossomme with Savannah and Jackson. Photo special to the Journal

OLS Honors Matherne Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Homewood recently honored a sixthgrade teacher on her retirement. Brenda Matherne retired from the school in May after 23 years of service. She began teaching school in Donaldsonville, La., and worked there for 16 years before moving to the Birmingham area in 1986. Since then, Matherne has taught math, science, religion and other courses to hundreds of students at OLS. Matherne said she is looking forward to spending more time with her family during her retirement. But that doesn’t mean she will leave the OLS classroom completely. Matherne said she plans to continue helping students with math a couple days a week in the OLS Resource Room.

Hoover Grads Honored by Merit Scholar Corporation Two 2014 graduates of Hoover High School have been awarded scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Eric D. Kim and Xianming Li both won $2,500 scholarships supported by the NMSC’s own funds. Kim plans to study medicine in college, and Li plans to study business management. Kim and Li were among the finalists in each state judged by NMSC to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

Touloupis Wins State Writing Award in Contest A Highlands School student has won top honors in a statewide writing competition. Mary Catherine Touloupis was awarded first place in the creative nonfiction category of the annual Alabama School of Fine Arts Creative Writing Competition. Fifth-graders from Highlands Mary Catherine School Touloupis

participated in the competition in the categories of poetry, creative nonfiction and short fiction. The fifth-graders were included in an age category that had them competing with students in the fifth through the seventh grades. More than 500 entries were received in this year’s contest. Touloupis won first place for her personal narrative titled “Blankie.” She received $100 for her winning submission. This was Touloupis’ second recent writing accolade. She was awarded an honorable mention certificate in the spring for her entry in the Letters about Literature writing competition. Anna Shelley is Touloupis’ English teacher at Highlands.

Vestavia Graduates Win Merit Scholarships Four recent graduates of Vestavia Hills High School recently won scholarships supported by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s own funds. Kelly S. Chen, Mary C. Cook, Siyin Han and Silin Li, who graduated in May, have been awarded $2,500 scholarships from the NMSC. Chen plans to study surgical medicine in college, and Cook plans to study law. Han plans to study computer science, and Li plans to study medicine in college.

Hoover Grad Wins Berry Alum Group Award A Hoover resident was recently presented with an academic award from a local alumni group. Melissa Bryant was awarded $1,500 from the members of the W.A. Berry High School Class of 1968. The alumni group created the 1968 Alumni Torch Award Committee Scholarship to foster the spirit engendered by the school motto, “Learning is liberty.” The award is open to any graduating senior at Hoover High School whose parents or grandparents graduated from W.A. Berry and who displays a high commitment to academics, character and community involvement. Bryant is the daughter of Geoff and Linda Bryant, both Berry graduates. Bryant will attend Auburn University this fall to study athletic training. She said she wants to continue her community service in college as she works towards a master’s degree in physical therapy.

Several Over the Mountain residents were honored by the University of Alabama Jefferson County Alumni Chapter last month. The chapter held its annual Scholarship Reception June 22 at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Each year, the Jefferson County alumni chapter awards scholarships to freshmen entering UA. The chapter this year awarded 14 scholarships. Scholarship award winners, their parents and their siblings attended the reception. Dr. Robert Hayes, assistant dean of the UA College of Arts and Sciences, spoke to the group about the choices, challenges and changes

the incoming freshmen will encounter. Susan Norton, chapter president, said the scholarship reception is an event the chapter members look forward to each year. “Our fundraising efforts throughout the year are focused on how we can grow our scholarship base so we can assist as many students as possible,” Norton said. “It is great fun to meet the students and parents and to be a small part of their university career.” Over the Mountain residents awarded scholarships at the event included Benjamin Klein, a graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, who was awarded the Louise S. Rice Scholarship; Emily Roberts, a graduate of Hoover High School, who was awarded the Dick Coffee

Family Scholarship; Hannah Brawley, a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School, who was awarded the Phillip Nichols Scholarship; Hannah Kendrick, a graduate of Mountain Brook High School, who was awarded the Jean Alexander Coffee Scholarship; Madeline Brandon, a graduate of Spain Park High School, who was awarded the Sylvester Jones Scholarship; John Paul Saway, a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School, who was awarded the John Forney Scholarship; and Gabrielle Pettway, a Vestavia Hills High School graduate, who was awarded the Erdeal Morre Scholarship. For more information on the scholarship program, visit www. uajeffco.org. ❖

Several OTM residents won scholarships from the University of Alabama Jefferson County Alumni Chapter in June. From left: Samantha Brown, Emily Roberts, Benjamin Klein, Hannah Brawley, Hannah Haygood, Taylor Dean, Madeline Brandon and Markayla Peoples. Photo special to the Journal

Mike A. Keller, DDS, PC Pediatric / Adolescent Dentistry

Alex Abele Helen Abele Julia Abele Patrick Adams Heather Adams Donia Addassi Yousef Addassi Michael Adelberg Sydney Ammons Eliza Angelo Luke Arrington Anna Arrington Aylin Arteaga Alyssa Bailey Kathryn Baker Jacob Baker Kelsey Barber Andrew Bargeron Walter Bargeron Jamison Barnes Matthew Barnes Tyler Barnes Reese Barnett Caroline Barnett Holt Bashinsky Nelle Bashinsky Josiah Batson Donovan Batts Clark Baty Wyatt Baty Mary Carleton Baynes Mason Baynes Maggie Beans Chandler Beason Garrett Beason Summer Beason Trent Beason Carmyn Beason Ben Belden Margo Belden Batch Bennett Sawyer Bennett Scout Bennett Sydney Bennett Lucy Benton Max Benton Gabrielle Berman Adele Bird Joe Bird DiDi Bird Wills Black Mary Hollins Black Bear Black Aiden Black Camden Blackerby Emma Blackerby Kiliegh Blackwell Reilly Blair Cassie Blaire Angela Blakely Joshua Blakely Trent Boehme Garrett Boger Anna Boger Charis Bolden Olivia Bolling Emily Bolvig Will Bond Juliet Boone Sophia Bosarge Meriwether Bowsher Tommy Bradford Frank Bradford John David Bradford Bill Bradford Clemente Brannon Frazer Branyon Maleah Braswell Abby Bridges Anabelle Bridges John William Brouillette Jessica Brouillette Justin Brouillette Jacob Brouillette Malachi Brown Zoe Brown Layne Brown

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Dr. Mike Keller, friends & staff are happy to recognize JulyTrenton members ofMichael theKeith NO SUGAR BUG CLUB Grant Kathryn Dinsmore Adi Schroer Blake Mize Harrison Dobbins Bryson Dobbins Ella Dodd William Dodson Katherine Dodson Margaret Dodson Elliott Douglas Crawford Doyle Dobbs Duell Noah Duell Elle Kate Earley Collin Earley Riley Early Ryan Early Mollie Edwards Avery Edwards Rory Edwards Teague Edwards Jacob Elliott Gracie Elliott Eli Elliott Forsyth Elliott Colledge Elliott Bond Elliott Madelyn Ellis Kathryn Ellis Maercer Grey Ellis Shepherd Ellis Wilson Enslen Nicole Estrada Dylan Etheridge Madison Etheridge EJ Evans Ethan Evans Liam Falconer Addison Faulkner Jonah Faulkner Trey Faulkner Travis Faulkner Logan Ferris Sara Dean Emory Anne Ferris Virginia Finney Hally Finney Jeb Finney John David Fitzgerald Karter Flloyd Brianna Flores Hartwell Forstman Lexie Fowler Ashley Fowler Tommy Frederick Aidan Freeman Trae Frizzle Skylar Gafford David Gamlin William Garcia Emma Garcia Ben Garcia Gibson Garner Mary Frances Garner Brodie Garrett Emma Garrett Ella Grace Gaston Tucker Gaston Frances Gaut Phillip Gaut Daniel Gholson Rosemary Gill Carter Gill Julia Gill Kristin Girkin Noah Girkin Mia Gironda Daniel Given Mary Dawson Gladney Sarah Gladney Maggir Glass Dani Glass Addison Gleason Tyler Glenn Xander Glenn Elana Golding Naomi Gonzalez Marco Gonzalez Ann Royal Goodson

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Brookwood Dental Building • 2045 Medical Center Drive • Birmingham, Alabama • 870-7110

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26 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

McKinney-Newton

Mr. and Mrs. Steven George McKinney of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Grace McKinney, to Neil Parker Newton, son of Ms. Jeanne Parker Newton and the late Mr. Robert Kendrick Newton Sr. of Nashville, Tenn.

Pitts-Austin

Mr. and Mrs. Keith Pitts of Mountain Brook announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Jane Pitts, to Mr. Robert Charles Austin III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Charles Austin Jr. of Vestavia Hills. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seburn Jackson Pitts of Clay and the late Mr. and

Lamb-Millar

Dr. and Mrs. William D. Lamb of Mountain Brook announce the engagement of their daughter, Justyn Elizabeth Lamb, to Craig Daigle Millar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Millar of Charleston, S.C. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. John D. Nall and Ms. Lillian O. Lamb, all of

Weddings & Engagements The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerrel Walker of Memphis, Tenn., and Mr. and Mrs. George McKinney of Zion, Ill. Miss McKinney is a 2008 graduate of Briarwood Christian School and a 2012 graduate of Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in English. Miss McKinney is the media coordinator at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. David Timothy Newton of Fayetteville, N.C., Ms. Lila Kendrick Newton of Nashville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hudson Guthrie Sr. of Beaufort, N.C. Mr. Newton is a 2008 graduate of Brentwood Academy and a 2012 graduate of Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. He is a sales operations specialist at Infiniti USA in Nashville. The wedding will be Sept. 20 at Covenant Presbyterian Church. The couple will live in Nashville. Mrs. James Swift Culverhouse Sr. of Trussville. Miss Pitts is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a 2013 cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and was named to the Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta honors fraternities. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was presented at the 2009 City Lights Ball. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Gladys McNair, the late Mr. Wilmer McNair, Mr. Robert C. Austin Sr. and the late Mrs. Francis Austin, all of Birmingham. Mr. Austin is a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2014 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he received a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. He is employed with Doster Construction. The wedding is planned for early October at Camp Desoto in Mentone. After a honeymoon trip to Paris, the couple will live in Birmingham. Birmingham as well as Mr. and Mrs. Carl Douglas Lamb of Huntsville. Miss Lamb is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and the Medical University of South Carolina, where she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she is also employed. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Millar of North Palm Beach, Fla., and Mr. Jim Daigle and the late Mrs. Audrey Daigle of Pensacola, Fla. Mr. Millar is a graduate of Bishop England High School in Charleston and Auburn University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. He is currently enrolled at the Medical University of South Carolina School of Medicine. The wedding will be in August at Middleton Place Plantation in Charleston.

Sprague-Thomas

Whitney Grace Sprague and Tyler Durham Thomas were married July 19 at Canterbury United Methodist Church. Dr. Bill Morgan officiated

Burr-Edmonds

Jessica Rose Burr and William David Edmonds were married June 7 in a garden wedding at Hiawassee River Retreat in Hiawassee, Ga. The 5:30 p.m. ceremony was officiated by Dr. Jon Jacobs. Dining and dancing followed. The bride is the daughter of Dr.

Stephens-Shepherd

Betsy Ruth Stephens and Christian

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the ceremony. A reception followed at the Country Club of Birmingham. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Winston Sprague of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Harl Thomas of Austin, Texas. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a silk and lace gown by Carolina Herrera and carried a bouquet of porcelain flowers and lace created by Birmingham artist Frank Fleming. She was attended by Megan Adams Brooks of Dallas as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Laura Ashley Birnbaum; Meghan Armitage Derksen; Finley Harbaugh; Ellen Stern Kelsch; Jessica Hubble Hipschen; Taylor Thomas Fry, sister of the groom; Emily Hess Levine; Lauren Kubly Pugliese; Allison Leuszler Robertson; Tara

Blake Sprague; Kathryn Pritchard Shelley; Callen Bair Thistle; Virginia Goodwin Thuston and Lissa Waldo Waller. Vivienne Reeves Fry, niece of the groom, was the flower girl. Stephen Trent Thomas, brother of the groom, was best man. Groomsmen were Brian Richard Bacharach, Benjamin David Bufkin, Hunter Lee Henry, Reeves Lee Holliman, John Palmer Hutcheson, Brian Russell Lent, James Foster Mason Jr., David Keene Mauze, Mark Walter Muecke, Keats Norfleet, Patrick Foster Sprague, Travis Forester Stein, Andrew Thornton, Marshall Hall Wilson and Jay Winetroub. Durham Westley Fry, nephew of the groom, was the ring bearer. After a wedding trip to the Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple will live in Dallas.

and Mrs. Hilty Burr of Hiawassee. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Madeline Hilty Burr and the late Mr. Samuel H. Burr of Birmingham and Mrs. Hilda Barnett Burton and the late Mr. Patrick Vernon Burton of Hueytown. The bride is a 2002 graduate of Rome High School in Rome, Ga., and a 2008 magna cum laude graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in historic preservation. She is an architectural historian with TRC Environmental Corporation. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Robert Camp of Tullahoma, Tenn. He is the grandson of Mrs. Ruth Anne Ridling and the late Lt. Col. James Hulsey Ridling of Tullahoma and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Beverly Edmonds of Memphis, Tenn. Mr. Edmonds is a 2003 graduate of Tullahoma High School and a 2013 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with bachelor’s degree in

education. He will receive his second bachelor’s degree in public health in December. He is a teacher and tutor at the University School in Nashville. The bride was given in marriage by her father. She was attended by matron of honor Elizabeth McDonald McCorkle of Atlanta. Bridesmaids were Lisa Lorang of Mesa Verde, Colo., Ashley Bechtold of Washington, D.C., Megan Kibby of Atlanta and Ann-Marie Kilpatrick, sister of the groom, of Asheville, N.C. Flower girls were Sophie and Elise Rymer of Cleveland, Tenn. Best man was Lex Bearden of Nashville, Tenn. Groomsmen were Michael Davis of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Stewart Copeland, Ryan Millen and Jon Burr, brother of the bride, all of Nashville. Music was performed by violinist Janet Kimmy Edmonds, aunt of the groom. After a honeymoon trip to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, the couple live in Nashville.

Murry Shepherd were married March 15 at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Macon, Ga. The Rev. Dan Stephens, brother of the bride, officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David L. Stephens of Hoover. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Patty Stephens of Isle of Palms, S.C. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Baker of Quitman, Ga., and Mrs. and Mrs. Ray Shepherd Sr. of Eastman, Ga. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless sweetheart ball gown of taffeta with beaded metallic lace and a chapel train. She was attended by Melissa Morris of Albuquerque, N.M., as

maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Renee Ray, Jess Auer, Nicole Worrall, Christina Stephens, Libby Stephens and Kate Stephens. The flower girl was Macyn Murphy. Molly Heisler was the acolyte. Tim Murphy was the best man, and Jenny Murphy was the groom’s lady. Groomsmen were Billy Skinner, Daron Davis, Michael Miller, Bill Searcy, Phillip Mings and Billy Cope. Joe Stephens and Sam Stephens, brothers of the bride, were scripture readers. After a honeymoon trip to Sea Grove, Fla., the couple live in Kennesaw, Ga., where the bride is an attorney in private practice and the groom is a police officer at Kennesaw State University.

Let us help you spread the word of your good news! To have our wedding and engagement forms sent to you, call 8239646 or visit www.otmj.com for more info.

Henry-Gearhart

Morgan Lyle Henry and Andrew Aris Gearhart were married May 16 at the Country Club of Birmingham. Dr. Bill Morgan officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lyle Henry of Mountain Brook. The groom is the son of Dr. Andrew and Dr. Lori

Archer-Vaughn

Dr. Gary Wilson Archer of Birmingham and Ms. Mary Jean Christiansen Archer of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine MacMaster Archer, to Dr. Jordan Frank Vaughn, son of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Severson Vaughn of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William John Christiansen Jr. of Birmingham

Mills-Robinson

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Mills (Gail) of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Leigh Allison Mills, to Christopher Eddie Robinson, son of Ms. Lauree Robinson of Gulf Shores. The bride-elect is the granddaugh-

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 27

Weddings & Engagements

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Gearhart of Monroeville. Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a strapless gown featuring beaded lace with silver accents. The gown had an overlay covering a silk sheath featuring a trumpet skirt with a wide sash at the waist. She was attended by Katie Jean Henry as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Helen McDougald, Catherine Hurley, Caroline Renfroe, Caroline Howard, Natalie King, Marguerite Gray, Lindsey Gearhart, Hannon Doody, Brooking Pritchard and Liz Legg. The father of the groom was the best man. Groomsmen were Gordon Henry, Jono Shaw, James Sanders, Ben Coleman, Parker Kasmer, Gavin Shepherd, Sage Smith, Richmond Collinsworth, Jordan Brooks and Kevin Broday. Ashton Gordon was the ring bearer. After a wedding trip to San Francisco, Napa and Carmel, Calif., the couple live in Mountain Brook. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wilson Archer of Louisville, Ky. Miss Archer is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and a minor in Spanish. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She received a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Auburn University. The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Vaughn of Hoover and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Oliver Johns of Homewood. Dr. Vaughn is a graduate of Briarwood Christian School and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where he earned a degree in chemical and biological engineering. He attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at UAB Hospital. He is in private practice with his father, and together, they own and operate MedHelp Clinics of Birmingham. The wedding will be Sept. 27. ter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Livingston (Virginia) of Cedar Bluff and the late Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mills (Ruth) of Mountain Brook. Miss Mills is a 2009 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2012 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a bachelor’s degree in apparel design and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She is employed with Carter’s Inc. of Atlanta. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Nelms (Diane) of Gulf Shores. Mr. Robinson is a 2007 graduate of Gulf Shores High School and a 2012 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and film broadcast and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He is employed with Spar Medical of Atlanta. The wedding will be Jan. 24.

Margaret Hadley Wharton and

Paul Allen Smith were married April 24 in a private ceremony at the historic Paukea Ranch in North Kohala, Hawaii. Calley O’Neill officiated. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gene Wharton of Birmingham and the granddaughter of Mr. Walter William Ditzler of Tyler, Texas, and the late Mrs. Evelyn Ditzler and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Earl Wharton of Edmond, Okla., as well as the late Mrs. Jane Rudd. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian William Smith of Wallis, Texas, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Talbert Smith and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Max Zurovec of Sealy, Texas. The bride is a 2001 graduate

of the Altamont School. She is a 2005 graduate of the University of Southern California, where she received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, received the Order of Troy award for her distinguished leadership, service and scholarship and was a member and officer of Delta Gamma sorority. She is employed as petroleum engineer with Murphy Oil Corporation in Houston. The groom attended Brazos High School in Wallis and Sam Houston State University. He is employed as a field/production foreman with Energy Corporation of America in Houston. After a honeymoon trip to Hawaii, Maui and Kauai Islands, the couple live in Richmond, Texas.

Taylor-Mincy

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wayne Taylor celebrated the wedding of their daughter, Jamie Nelson Taylor, to Joshua Bryan Mincy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dennis Darling of Mobile, on May 24 at Canterbury United Methodist Church. The Rev. Samuel Williamson officiated the ceremony. A brunch followed at The Club. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Edwards Phillips of Tuscaloosa, Mrs. Paul Wayne Taylor and the late Mr. Paul Wayne Taylor of Birmingham. She is a 2007 graduate of Mountain Brook High School and a 2011 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

The groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Wayne Mincy of Mobile. He is a 2009 graduate of McGill-Toolen High School and a 2013 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Given in marriage by her father, the bride was attended by Kylie Ann Routman of Birmingham as maid of honor. Forrest Edwards Taylor, brother of the bride, served as the best man. Numerous friends of the bride and groom were honorary bridesmaids and groomsmen. The groom’s grandfather read the epistle lesson. After a honeymoon trip to Key West, Fla., the couple live in Mobile.

ried July 12 at Third Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. Dr. Richard Carlton Trucks officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Nicholas Burg Jr. of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Winfield Norton of Loudon, Tenn. The bride was given in marriage by her father. Maid of honor was Kathleen Davis Burg and matron of honor was Allison Burg Scully of Birmingham, both sisters of the bride. Bridesmaids were Alexandra Suzanne Blum, Caroline Elizabeth Crafton, Sarah Kate Crafton, Kimberly Ann Dismukes, Mary Emmalyn Reich and Margaret Loyd Stone, all of Birmingham; Carter Elizabeth Garris of Norfolk, Va.; Mary Katherine Mitchell of Dallas;

and Anna Sara Sandlin of Nashville, Tenn., The flower girls were Lucille Delane Pankey of Birmingham and Claire Howell Sullivan of Jackson, Miss. The groom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen were Cary Gilbreath Beck, William Peary Adnan Cox, Sam Howe Donnell, John Zachary Edwards, James Davidson Grisham, Patrick Mullins Lavette, Rory Hugh O’Shields, Matthew Taylor Scully, Charles Eugene Sharp and William McNeill Terry, all of Birmingham; John Thompson Hill of Fort Worth, Texas; John Andrew Norton of Loudon.; and Samuel Winfield Norton of Washington, D.C. After a honeymoon trip, the couple live in Birmingham.

the bride, officiated the ceremony. Scripture was read by Sara Rene Price, cousin of the bride. A reception followed at Spring House at Russell Crossroads. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Monfort Price III of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Ms. Lisa Samuelson Nelson of Charlottesville, Va. and Mr. Robert Atwood Nelson of Charlottesville. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an Olia Zazovina gown of French Alencon lace with a lace keyhole neckline and a full chapel-length veil trimmed with French Alencon lace. She was attended by Emily Kornegay Price, Stacy Averette Price and Louise Saunders Price, sisters-in-law of the bride, as matrons of honor. Bridesmaids were Kelsey Johnson Barton, Anna Foley Boardman, Katherine Leila Brazeal, Charlotte St. Clair Drennen, Jordan

Harper, Janet Christine Matheson and Amanda Stuart Nelson. Katie Lynn Kallam and Amy Carolynn Leonard were program attendants. Ava-Grace Elizabeth Price, niece of the bride, and Quinn Sinclair Clifford, cousin of the groom, were flower girls. Adam Michael Sylvester was the groom’s best man. Groomsmen were Kyle Scott DeTuncq, Kyle Grimm Dixon, Benjamin Tyler King, Brandon Corey Lamonaca, Tucker Scott MacDonald, John Carver Morgan, John Bradford Price and Oscar Monfort Price IV. Timothy Patrick Good, Ryan Carter Levis, Joseph Ryan Sowell and Eric Robert Veith were ushers. Oscar Monfort Price V, nephew of the bride, and William Rhys Clifford, cousin of the groom, were ring bearers. After a honeymoon trip to Beaver Creek, Colo., the couple live in Charlottesville.

Wharton-Smith

Burg-Norton

Margaret Amberson Burg and Alexander Harris Norton were mar-

Price-Nelson

Elizabeth Barrett Price and Jonathan Lindren Nelson were married July 19 at the Stables at Russell Crossroads, Lake Martin. The Rev. Timothy Hunter Price, brother of

28 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

business

‘High Style with Heart’

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Dr. Stephen McNair, left, of the Alabama Historic Commission presents the Distinguished Service Award to Sandra and Elam Holley. The Holleys also won the Preservation Restoration Award from the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. Photo special to the Journal

Holleys Win Preservation Awards

Except for designer denim, all of the clothing in the fab’rik boutique costs $100 or less.

A Vestavia Hills couple recently accepted two awards for their efforts to preserve history. Elam and Sandra Holley accepted the Distinguished Service Award on behalf of First Partners Bank and Shannon Waltchack at the Alabama Preservation Conference in Florence. The award, presented by Dr. Stephen McNair of the Alabama Historic Commission, honored the total renovation of 2121 Highland Ave. in Birmingham. Elam Holley is the chief executive office of the bank, which has its headquarters in the building. The 1928 Italian Renaissance-style building was designed by Warren, Knight and Davis. Architect Rick Lathan and Hallmark Builders brought the building up to date while retaining the elements of the original design. The Holleys were also awarded the Preservation Restoration Award by Dr. Tina Jones of the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition to their work on the bank building, the couple has spent more than 20 years restoring the barns, family cemetery and 1828 Greek Revivalstyle home built by Elam Holley’s great-greatgrandfather. The restoration has taken place on the Perry County plantation owned by the family since 1818, a year before Alabama became a state. The family home, used as a hunting camp, and the Highland Avenue building were built exactly a century apart.

Photo special to the Journal

State’s First fab’rik Store Opens in Homewood By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

ust five short months after a longtime friend and former colleague floated the idea of opening the state’s very first fab’rik boutique in the Birmingham area, Melissa Mistrot said she is ready to make that idea a reality. Mistrot, of Homewood, and her Atlanta partners, Carmen Herndon and Stacy Falls, will host the grand opening of Alabama’s flagship fab’rik store Aug. 7 at 1817-B 29th Ave. South in Homewood. The grand opening party will be from 5-7 p.m. and will include “bubbles, bites and beer–and a few fun giveaways,” event organizers said. The event will also introduce Over the Mountain residents to the offerings and philosophy behind the Atlanta-based affordable luxury boutique chain, Mistrot said. “Our mission is to deliver high style with heart, no attitude and no sticker shock,” she said. That means that the wide variety of women’s clothing and accessories offered at fab’rik are all priced at $100 or less, except for the store’s extensive designer denim collection, Herndon said. “It’s a high-end boutique without the high-end price,” she said. Herndon, who has lived in Atlanta for almost 20 years, said she first learned about the opportunity to bring the store to Alabama from a friend who owns a fab’rik boutique in Athens, Ga. “I have a full-time job as a buyer with a home furnishings catalog and my friend in Athens also has another full-time job outside of running the fab’rik shop in Athens, so I thought it was something I could probably do– with help–so I instantly thought of Melissa and Stacy,” she said. Herndon, who has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Georgia, and Mistrot, who has a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising and marketing from the University of Alabama, met in the mid-1990s when both were assistant buyers for Parisian. “It’s kind of ironic because we both worked in the junior department, and it’s kind of the same thing we’re doing here with fab’rik–we’re offering what’s hot, what’s trendy, what’s of-the-moment,” Herndon said. “It’s fun to work together again.” Falls, an Alabama native who now lives in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood and has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Auburn University, met Herndon through a friend several years ago. “I have a background in design, sales and marketing and extensive experience in retail. I ran an online retail store for about 10 years, so when Carmen called with the idea about opening fab’rik and asked me if I wanted to partner up, I jumped at the chance,” Falls said. Falls said she wanted to be a part of the business for the same reasons

A new women’s clothing boutique called fab’rik will have its grand opening party Aug. 7 in downtown Homewood. The women behind the boutique’s flagship store in Alabama are, from left: Melissa Mistrot, Carmen Herndon and Stacy Falls. Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

Herndon and Mistrot said they were attracted to the boutique chain. “One thing that we all love about the company is its philosophy on giving back to the community,” Falls said. “It’s something that Dana Spinola, the founder and CEO of fab’rik, is really dedicated to and something that is important to all three of us.” Spinola left corporate America 13 years ago to pursue her dream of owning a clothing boutique. Now, the company has 30 locations throughout the Southeast. From the beginning, Spinola made giving back a priority for fab’rik, Herndon said. “She founded a nonprofit called Free fab’rik that gave free shopping sprees to people in need, and she teamed up with local charities in Atlanta to offer a true boutique shopping experience for women who were going through tough transitions in their lives,” Herndon said. “That’s the philosophy we’re bringing to Homewood with our store.” With the mission of offering “high style with heart,” Mistrot said the store has already partnered with the Junior League of Birmingham to support its programs through events held at fab’rik. “We’re also talking to the Service Guild about hosting a fundraising event for them in December,” Mistrot said. “We want to be true partners in the community.” And while fab’rik is building partnerships in the community, Falls said the store also wants to form real relationships with its customers. “That’s another thing that sets fab’rik apart–the really personal service you are going to get here,” she said. “It’s not just about knowing what See fab’rik, next page

Stoeckley Named New Artistic Director at Dance Foundation The Children’s Dance Foundation in Homewood has a new artistic director. Heidi Stoeckley was named the organization’s new artistic director on July 11. Stoeckley recently moved to Birmingham area after spending a number of years in Asia as a dance teacher, choreographer and performer. She is a former professional dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York City. She received her bachelor’s of fine arts degree in dance Heidi Stoeckley from The Juilliard School and holds an master’s degree in arts administration from Columbia University. Most recently, Stoeckley has worked in Indonesia and Singapore with her own small dance company in Bali and as a modern dance professor at Singapore’s School of the Arts (SOTA). While at SOTA, she managed a choreography and modern dance program for ages 12-18, teaching more than 200 students year round. Stoeckley will provide leadership to more than 25 teaching artists and 600 students in CDF’s Studio and Community Partnership Programs. She will oversee all CDF programs and collaborate

with program leaders including Shellie Chambers, artistic director – Upper School; Mary Foshee, school touring program director; and Blakely Cottle, community partnership program director. “This search was informed by board and staff planning efforts, and parent feedback from surveys and conversations this past year. The search committee selected Heidi as the best fit for CDF and our goals for the future,” said Diane Litsey, CDF executive director. CDF is a nonprofit organization serving students of all ages and abilities at the Community Arts Center in Homewood and at more than 20 social

service agencies, child care centers and schools throughout the Birmingham metro area. CDF’s dance classes and performances inspire all children, including the child who is homeless, very young, disadvantaged or at-risk, and the child who has special needs. CDF provides these children with opportunities to feed their imagination and strengthen their bodies and minds, Litsey said. For more information on CDF, visit www.childrensdancefoundation.org.

fab’rik,

to worry about showing up at a party dressed like 10 other people when you shop at fab’rik,” she said. Mistrot said the trio had to work quickly to get the boutique ready to open in time for the busy back-toschool shopping season. “We really had to hit the ground running, and I think we have all just been so excited about this that we couldn’t wait any longer to open,” she said. “We decided to partner up in late March, signed the lease on this space on June 19 and started the build-out the next day.” The space was home to an antiques store before fab’rik moved in, Mistrot said, and that called for a big re-design. “The windows were tinted, and so we had to get rid of that and have the interior painted white,” she said. “It really opened the space up, and with the white walls and natural light, the space really allows us to show off the clothes.” The store also has plenty of space to host the Rock Star parties the trio has planned in the coming months, Mistrot said. “These will be private parties where you and 20 of your friends can come in, shop, enjoy food and music and get 20 percent off the whole store,” she said. “It will be a great option for a girls’ night out, and we’re even thinking about hosting parties for the guys during the holidays so they can shop for the ladies in their lives.” Mistrot is running the day-to-day operations at the boutique while Falls and Herndon support her as semiabsent owners. “With technology the way it is, we can have a conference call any time we need to, and this is such an easy collaboration because we all know each other and have the same goals,” Mistrot said. “It’s a very exciting time.” For more information on fab’rik in Homewood, call 582-9447. ❖

From previous page

your customers are looking for and giving it to them at a great price, it’s about building a real relationship with them.” To that end, Mistrot said fab’rik’s stylists are challenged with “wowing” customers every day. “Whether that’s running a couple of dresses over to a customer who has a last-minute event or bringing flowers to a customer you know is having a bad day, our goal is to respond to the needs of our customers,” she said. The boutique is also taking a holistic approach to keeping its employees happy and productive, Mistrot said. “Our employees are awesome and we know that retail is hard and it means working a lot of long hours, so we want to give back to our employees, too,” she said. The store has a wellness program for employees that will include yoga sessions during meetings and tips on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, Mistrot said. “Also, after they are employed with us for a certain amount of time, we will pay for our employees to go out and volunteer in the community,” she said. The Homewood store will also carry fab’rik’s exclusive clothing line, Asher, which is tailored to the feedback of customers and the most coveted trends. “We also have a great selection of what I call ‘spirit clothes’–cute clothes in Alabama and Auburn colors, just in time for game day events,” Falls said. “And these are items that you’re not going to see on everyone.” That’s because the store carries a limited quantity of each item, Mistrot said. “We’ll have, let’s say, six of the same blouse, but once those are sold, that’s it,” she said. “You don’t have

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 29

business

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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OTM Chambers Plan Luncheons, Special Events Over the Mountain area chambers of commerce are offering several networking opportunities and special events. Here are some of the upcoming events. Homewood

Main Street President Will Be Guest Speaker

Mary Helmer, president of Main Street Alabama, will be the guest speaker at the Aug. 19 Homewood Chamber of Commerce meeting. The event is from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Club in Homewood. For more information, visit www.homewoodchamber.org or call 871-5631.

It's Time To Grill!

Hoover

Golf Tourney Set for Aug. 25

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 19th annual Chamber Golf Tournament Aug. 25 at Riverchase Country Club. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call Bill Powell at the Chamber office at 988-5672 or email him at bill@hooverchamber.org. Mountain Brook

Chamber, Merchants Plan Crestline Tent Sale

The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and merchants in Crestline Village are teaming up for another Crestline Tent Sale on Aug. 16. Chamber officials said the tent sale will be very similar to Mountain Brook Village’s market day earlier this summer. The outdoor tent sale runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Participating merchants will offer specials and discounts throughout the day. For more information, visit www.welcometomountainbrook.com or call 871-3779. Vestavia Hills

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Event Celebrates New School Year

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with JAMM Entertainment to help usher in the new school year with the Back to School in the Hills event Aug. 15. The free event will run from 6:30-8 p.m. at Oliver Square, 3246 Cahaba Heights Road, across from the Vestavia Hills Fire Department. There will be inflatables, a photo booth and a business expo. A 1940 aerobatic biplane from the Southern Museum of Flight will also be on display. At 8 p.m., a family-friendly movie will be shown. For more information, visit www.vestaviahills.org or call 823-5011.

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30 • Thursday, August 7, 2014

Ivey League

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

‘Players can’t be coached properly unless they are taught the fundamentals of the game.’ Bill Ivey

Basketball Academy Teaches Fundamentals Year-round

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

Cut-Throat Basketball is really not as dangerous as it sounds. In fact, it’s a great way for youngsters to learn the skills of the game. And for the Birmingham Basketball Academy, Cut-Throat Basketball is a longtime tradition. The Academy is the brainchild of former UAB women’s basketball coach Bill Ivey, who founded the Academy. The current session, taking place at Spain Park High School, will end Aug. 7. Ivey says the key to success in basketball is an emphasis on fundamentals from the first time a young player walks on a court. “The foundation of our programs

is teaching,” he said. “We are teachers first and coaches second. Players can’t be coached properly unless they are taught the fundamentals of the game.” And one of the most effective tools for teaching fundamentals is Cut-Throat basketball, which despite its colorful name is really just a unique form of four-on-four competition. The game consists of three teams of four players on a goal. One team has possession of the ball, while a second team plays defense and a third team is out of bounds under the basket. If the first team scores, it keeps possession, and the third team comes on the floor to play defense. If the second team stops the first team from scoring, it moves to offense, and

team three comes to the floor to play defense. “Cut-Throat teaches players to think and react quickly,” Ivey said. “Players get more opportunities to touch the ball than in any other basketball-related game. They also learn to move without the ball and play defense with intensity.” The Academy offers year-round programs for players and coaches of all ages. Programs include small group skills training, a developmental

Mountain Brook Wins World Series Tournament

The 8-year-old Vestavia Blue American League team won the METRO Tournament Championship on June 16 at the Trussville Baseball Sports Complex. Head coach was Lloyd Peeples. Assistant coaches were Nathan Dunn, Jason Turner, Brooks Souders and Tyler Hanna.

Team members are, from left, front: Carson Romero, Hunter Keller, Clark Sanderson and Thomas Lambert. Middle: Christopher Yeilding, Luke Schwefler, John Robicheaux, Charlie Elliott, Josh Hart and James Cameron Adams. Back: Charles Lambert, Chris Yeilding, Frank Allen Yeilding and Richard Keller. Photo special to the Journal

From back cover

which station will carry the game, which will be played Thursday, Oct. 2 at Spain Park’s Finley Stadium. The game was previously scheduled for the next evening. “Both teams will be coming off an open date and have an extra week to prepare,” Kellogg said. “This should be a lot of fun.” It should be fun, and it could be one of the best games of the season. Hoover enters 2014 riding a 30-game winning streak as Coach Josh Niblett’s Bucs’ seek their third consecutive state championship. Spain Park finished 8-3 last season under first-year coach Shawn Raney, who previously served as defensive coordinator at Hoover. The Jaguars have never beaten Hoover in 12 meetings. Both schools are encamped in Region 3 of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s newly-sanctioned Class 7A – the closest thing yet to a so-called “super division” among Alabama prep programs. Joining Hoover and Spain Park in Region 3 are Hewitt-Trussville, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County and Vestavia Hills. Most pre-season prognosticators choose Hoover as the heavy favorite to win the new region, with Spain Park picked almost unanimously to finish among the top four, which is required to qualify for the 16-team playoffs. The new realignment ends a bizarre setup

coached in five different countries and worked with the 1992 Brazilian Olympic team. He has written several basketball books that have been translated into Portuguese. Neto also was the national team coach of Bahrain. The Birmingham Basketball Academy has a full schedule planned for the fall, with leagues and clinics scheduled for weeknights and Sunday afternoons. “We are committed to promoting basketball, training young players through a wide range of activities and training basketball coaches,” Ivey said. One of Ivey’s favorite quotes comes from UCLA coaching legend John Wooden: “Don’t measure yourself by what you’ve accomplished, but by what you have accomplished with your ability.” At the Birmingham Basketball Academy, Ivey and his staff put Wooden’s words into practice every day.

Vestavia Blue Claim Metro Baseball Title

Mountain Brook Secondgrade National All Stars defeated Warriors Baseball 14-10 to win the 8U USSSA World Series Warmup Coach Pitch tournament held at West Homewood Park recently.

future

league, team camps, coaching clinics, international programs and coaching certification in addition to the CutThroat League. Ivey brings a long resume of basketball success to the Academy. In addition to coaching the UAB women, he also worked as a part-time assistant to the Blazer men’s team under Gene Bartow. As the Blazers’ women’s coach he was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in 1984. Ivey also coached high school basketball for 13 years. Assisting Ivey are Robert Burdette and Walter Carvalho Neto. Burdette coached high school basketball for 27 years, winning four state titles– including three at Calera–and making 10 final four appearances. He owns 600 career victories. Burdette also coached the Alabama team in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star games in 1996 and 2005. Neto, a native of Brazil, has

in 2012-13, where Spain Park counted battles with far-off Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore as region contests but didn’t play neighborhood foes such as Hoover or Vestavia. Hoover had region clashes with Northridge of Tuscaloosa and Bessemer City but didn’t face Spain Park or Mountain Brook. Some will call the new Region 3 the toughest division this side of the Southeastern Conference West, but at least the teams are in their proper orbit again as far as geography, rivalry and fan interest are concerned. “It’s going to be exciting,” Raney said. “It will truly be a challenge every week–facing great coaches and great players. Our kids, our coaches and the community are excited about it.” Maybe a broader question–assuming the Hoover-Spain Park telecast is a commercial and technical success–is could it portend a time when a big-time high school game is telecast live on a weekly basis? While televising high school games on a tape-delayed basis is nothing new, many coaches have been cold to the idea of live telecasts with the rare exception of a high profile ESPN game on a Saturday in August or the Super Six in December. Their argument goes that somehow televising a high school game live might hurt attendance at the other games being played that night. While the coaches’ concerns are sincere, perhaps their understanding of the audience is wrong. Most people who attend a particular high school football game have a personal interest in one of the teams. For example, is the parent of a start-

Team members are, from left, front: Matthew Ledbetter, Blair Steele, Luke Turner, Chandler Peeples, Woodson Moss and Spence Hanna. Back: Blake Smith, Nate Dunn, Kaleb Hester, Jake Souders, Hill Hughen and Michael Brewer. Photo courtesy Jason Clark Images

ing linebacker at Homewood going to miss the Patriots’ game because the Hoover-Vestavia game happens to be on television? Of course not. Possibly a better way to look at the question is from a marketing standpoint. The people who follow high school football are already going to the games–and will continue to as long as they have a personal involvement. Televising local games on a regular basis showcases high school football to a new audience–and might generate a

Don’t miss the 2014 otm High School Football preview Special section over the mountain journal Aug. 21

base of new fans, who may eventually decide to sample the product in person. There were plenty of pros and cons to Hoover’s controversial MTV-produced reality show, “Two-A-Days,” but whatever its faults, the program certainly gave the Bucs’ program an unprecedented national profile. Maybe the best example of the success of sports marketing via television came in the 1980s, when Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner decided to televise almost all of his team’s baseball games on one of his cable channels, WTBS. Naysayers predicted that the Braves’ attendance figures, already lackluster at the time, would plummet and the team would continue to struggle. What happened instead? The Braves became America’s Team. Attendance soared, and Turner’s franchise became one of the most successful–on the field and off–in all of professional sports. A similar story came when CBS signed a huge contract with the SEC in the early 1990s. The conference at the time was already one of America’s best, but the consistent national exposure brought it to a whole new level. Now Southeastern Conference schools have coast-tocoast followings, which of course carries over to recruiting. Even the SEC’s severest critics admit that it is the finest conference in college football. Obviously, the analogies are not perfect, but the main point is clear: The power of television is enormous, and high school football in Alabama would be making a big mistake to ignore it.

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 31

sports

Beatty Beats Competition at State Baseball Tournament

Sexton ropes a calf at the Alabama High School Rodeo Association’s contest. Along with her state title, the 16-year-old Vestavia Hills student earned a spot on the Alabama National High School Rodeo team with her breakaway roping skills.

Jackson Beatty, age 9, (right) represented Mountain Brook in the USSSA Baseball State Showcase recently. Beatty finished first in the Road Runner skills competition posting the fasted time around the bases out of all the 9, 10, 11 and 12-year-olds.

Photo special to the Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

River Rats Take Vestavia in Swim Meet

sexton,

From back cover

since she was 7 years old and said her enthusiasm for the sport has never waned. “I’ve loved it since the beginning, and I love it more and more every year,” she said. When she was in the fifth grade, Sexton expanded her skill set by learning roping and competing in barrel racing events. “You have to get out there and pay your dues and learn as much as you can and practice as much as you can,” Sexton said. While Sexton has won several contests during her rodeo career, she said the ultimate satisfaction comes from knowing that she has done her best, no matter if that best comes with a title or not. “I think it’s the best sport out there

Finley,

From back cover

great rivalries with Shades Valley, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills and others that filled stadiums on Friday nights and planted the seed for the intense competition that now covers South Jefferson County and spills over to North Shelby County. And unlike some football coaches at the time, Finley was sincerely interested in the development of other sports, including girls’ athletics. When the position of head basketball coach for the fledging girls’ basketball program came open in 1985, Finley–as athletic director–could have assigned someone else the job or hired from outside. Instead, he took the job himself and made the Lady Bucs a regular participant in the state playoffs. It’s a tragic irony that Finley drew his final breath while working at the old school’s football field on a steaming afternoon 20 years ago last week. The coaching staff was just weeks away from completing the transition to the state-of-the-art facilities at the sparkling new Hoover campus. But Finley– who almost certainly could have delegated the hot, dirty duty to others–was working hard to maintain the old field which carried his name when he col-

because it’s not all about winning— it’s more about pushing yourself to reach goals,” she said. “You don’t have a star player to lean on, and you know that everything you accomplish out there, it’s all you and it’s all because of your hard work. It’s just the best feeling.” Sexton said she also enjoys the camaraderie that develops among the young riders in the Alabama High School Rodeo Association. “It’s really like a big family, and we’ve all become close over the years,” Sexton said. Those close bonds helped Sexton out of a potentially tight spot at the national competition in Wyoming last month. “My horse got hurt, so I had to borrow a horse from a friend for nationals,” she said. “That kind of thing happens all the time, and people step up to help each other any way they can.”

Sexton rides different horses depending on what kind of event she is competing in, she said. “My barrel racing horse is Athena, and my rope horse is Zane,” she said. “You have to form a good relationship with your horses, but you also have to be able to jump on a completely different horse if you need to, like I did at nationals.” Sexton said while she’s not sure what she wants to study in college, she is certain that horses and riding will always have a place in her life. “I don’t know what I want to do once I graduate from high school, but I know that I definitely want to compete at the collegiate level,” she said. Having reached her goal of becoming Miss Alabama High School Rodeo, Sexton said she’s setting her sights on an even loftier goal. “I definitely want to go pro at some point,” she said. “Riding is my whole life.”

lapsed and died of a heart attack. Finley gave his life to Berry High School until–literally–he had nothing left to give. My personal memories of Finley stretch back to the years I was a team manager at Mountain Brook in the early 1970s. Coach Finley was the commanding authority figure on the opposite sideline when the Spartans played Berry. A few years later, I met Finley for the first time. I’d just been hired as a sportswriter for a weekly newspaper, and interviewing him was among my first assignments. It didn’t occur to me to call and ask for an appointment; I just showed up at the school. Coach Finley didn’t know me from Adam, but you never would have guessed it from our conversation. Before I could ask one question about Berry’s team, Finley was asking about me–a 22-year-old he’d just met. He offered congratulations for getting the job and wanted to know about my background and family. Coach Finley even expressed sympathy for the man who held the job before me. “He seemed to have about 20 jobs at once,” Finley said. “I’m so glad he hired you to help him. I can tell that you are going to do a great job covering Berry and all the other Over the

Mountain schools.” Finley was a busy man. His team had won the state championship during the previous season. Fall practice had just begun. There were probably a thousand things on his mind, but Finley took the time to make a young (and nervous) young reporter feel special on his first interview. Frankly, I don’t remember much that he said about his team that day, but I’ll never forget our meeting. As the years passed, my respect for Finley grew even greater. In 1980,

Here was Coach Finley–in the immediate aftermath of what was probably the most disappointing loss of the season–making the effort to call a reporter to apologize for something he might have said. Berry suffered an excruciating 24-21 defeat at the hands of Shades Valley at the Mounties’ stadium. I interviewed Finley at the bus as the team was leaving, and it was clear the loss was weighing heavily on him. But as Finley always did after a defeat, he praised the winners and

The Riverchase Country Club River Rats Swim Team defeated the previously unbeaten Vestavia Country Club Swim Team on July 8. The final score was RCC 273 – VCC 174. Coached by former RCC swimmers Madison Luther and Sam Lorino, the River Rats are enjoying a great season with many young swimmers achieving personal bests and nearly half of the team having qualified for the senior county swim meet at season’s end.

From left, front: Audrey Dykes, Jolee Giadrosich and Amelia Batten. Back: Jordyn Corey, Allie Stafford and Harper Poirier. Photo special to the Journal

promised that Berry would work hard and be better the next week. I didn’t think any more about it at the time. When I came to work the following Monday, there was a message for me to call him. When we spoke, Finley apologized if he had sounded harsh toward me in any way on Friday night. “That was a tough loss, but you have a job to do,” he said. “I hope you know that I am always happy to talk to you, win or lose.” I replied that while his call was greatly appreciated, he had said nothing to me after the game that required an apology. After we had hung up, I stared at the telephone, once again in awe of the man’s class. Here was Coach Finley–in the immediate aftermath of what was probably the most disappointing loss of the season–making the effort to call a reporter to apologize for something he might have said. It’s a paradox that when I think of Finley, the old Berry gymnasium comes to mind as much as the football field. That’s because I recall covering basketball games at Berry and seeing the coach diligently sweeping off the floor at halftime. At many schools, that was a job for the team’s student manager. But no task was beneath Finley if it made Berry High School a better place.

Many have wondered how successful Finley would have been at Hoover and whether he could have matched the incredible record that later coaches Rush Propst and Josh Niblett brought to the program. There’s no way to know for sure, but I think he would have done extremely well. Certainly, high school football in Alabama is in a different world compared to 1994, but Finley had that special characteristic of leadership that transcends time and generations: Whether you coached under him, played for him, taped his players’ ankles or even covered his team for the local newspaper, you wanted to please him, not because you feared him, but because you respected him. Nobody wanted to go to bed at night thinking they had disappointed Bob Finley that day. In many ways, Bob Finley is a symbol of another era. It was an era when a high school team was thrilled to have its games broadcast–on local radio–and opposing coaches would meet at a neighborhood pizza restaurant to rehash the game. The times have changed, but the class and dedication that Bob Finley brought are timeless. So as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, let’s also celebrate his legacy that still lives today.

Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Ivey League: Basketball Academy Teaches Fundamentals Year-round P. 30

Knowing the Ropes Vestavia Student Is State Rodeo Queen

By Keysha Drexel

Journal editor

here will be a new royal at Vestavia Hills High School when school starts next

week. Lizzie Sexton will start her sophomore year on Aug. 11 as the new Miss Alabama High School Rodeo. She won the title in June at the Alabama High School Rodeo Association Queen pageant, where she also earned a spot on the Alabama National High School Rodeo team with her breakaway roping skills. At the pageant, Sexton was judged on speech, modeling, personality, horsemanship and personal interviews. “We were also judged on our answers to impromptu questions, and we had to take a written test on the National High School Rodeo Association’s rulebook,” she said. Sexton swept the competition, winning every category, including the

Miss Congeniality title, which was voted on by the other contestants. She also competed in barrel racing, girls’ cutting, breakaway roping and team roping at the state contest. At the National High School Rodeo finals in July in Rock Springs, Wyo., she competed against 44 girls from around the country in the breakaway roping championships. “I placed fourth out of 44, and I placed ninth overall at nationals,” Sexton said. “I was the first girl from Alabama to place in the top 10 at nationals, so it was pretty exciting.” While being a rodeo queen is full of excitement, Sexton said she doesn’t think most people realize how much hard work is involved in the sport. “I train year-round, and if I’m not at school or doing homework, I’m riding and training,” the 16-year-old, who had a 4.0 grade point average in her freshman year at Vestavia Hills High School, said. Sexton has been riding horses See sexton, page 31

Lee Davis

Father Figure

Finley’s Influence Still Carries Today

U Lizzy Sexton, a sophomore at Vestavia Hills High School, was recently crowned Miss Alabama High School Rodeo. Photos special to the Journal

Wave of the Future Journal file photo by Marvin Gentry

Bucs and Jags to Square Off on TV By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

One of the best things about the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s new football realignment is that Hoover and Spain Park will be playing in 2014.

BUTTON-DOWN FOR FALL BIRMINGHAM THE SUMMIT | 209 SUMMIT BLVD. | BIRMINGHAM, AL | P: 205-970-9758

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And now a lot of people will get to watch the game. Jaguar Athletic Director Patrick Kellogg announced last week that the renewal of the Hoover-Spain Park rivalry will be locally televised by the Raycom Media Group. It has not been determined See future, page 30

sually when driving on Columbiana Road, I’m on the way to a meeting at the office of the Over the Mountain Journal. While driving, I might be thinking about the meeting, daydreaming or listening to a song on the radio. All that changes when I drive by the campus. The campus, of course, is where the old Berry High School stood for three decades before moving to Hoover High School in 1994. And when I see the campus, Bob Finley always comes to mind. Finley was the head football coach at Berry from 1968 until his death on July 31, 1994. His on-the-field record was 198-87-5 with two state championships. That’s a fine worksheet, but it doesn’t begin to tell the story of his influence and legacy. In many ways, Finley was the founding father of Over the Mountain high school football–and perhaps Over the Mountain high school athletics as we know it today. Almost as soon as Finley became head coach, he brought Berry’s program to statewide prominence and created the See finley, page 31