Village Living Newspaper by Starnes Media

Village Living

| April 2011 |

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Easter Egg Hunt -pg 25

Byrd wins state title - pg 14

Volume 2 | Issue 1 | April 2011

Renowned performer teaches vocal instrument By Clay Ratcliffe One glance at Amy Murphy’s calendar – color coordinated and organized to the max – would make any normal person’s jaw drop. But not Amy Murphy. She handles her packed schedule with a gleaming smile on her face because she is absolutely in love with what she does. Each day Murphy teaches the “vocal instrument” using her unique technique based on natural “vocal reflexes” that can be put in a certain order to enhance singing. “The vocal instrument is my passion,” Murphy said. “It’s an instrument everyone can play, and no two instruments are the same.” Originally from New York, Murphy has performed all over the world in esteemed New York venues such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and the Dicapo Opera Theater, yet she has also always taught those who want to learn how to perfect their own voices. As a student at Julliard and The New England Conservatory of Music, one teacher laughed at her when she announced that she aspired to teach voice. Now, Murphy’s students and their vocal instruments are her life’s work, and for the past 10 years she

April Features • Editor’s Note

• Restaurant Showcase

• Business Spotlight

• Tuberous Sclerosis Fight

• City Council

• Spring Design Tips

• Summer Camps

• Village Sports

• Kari Kampakis

• School House

• Calendar of Events

• Around the Villages

Amy Murphy instructs Jane Morgan Sauls in voice warm-up exercises in her Mountain Brook Village studio. Photo by Madoline Markham.

has put down roots pursuing this passion right here in Mountain Brook. The Amy Murphy Studio, located in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, provides students with lessons straight from the “vocal mechanic” herself. Aspiring singers come from all over the

See AMY MURPHY, PAGE 12

Zoo party, Bo style Fundraiser in memory of Bo Johnson set for April 28

www.VillageLivingOnline.com Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

state just to learn vocal technique from Murphy, and she somehow finds time to fit everyone in. It was clear to Murphy upon moving to this community that there was a great appreciation for all walks of art. She fits in perfectly among the passion for the arts she sees in everyday life in Mountain

Brook. “I love the boutique culture of Mountain Brook,” she said. “There’s a real quest for artistic and academic excellence. It’s a true gem of culture. Internationally, there are small cities that have a pocket of the arts, and Birmingham is one of them.” Murphy will not hesitate to tell anyone that her absolute favorite thing about living in this community is directing the Junior League Choral Group. She describes her experience directing the dynamic women’s chorus as being with sixty of her best friends on a mission to bring “gourmet music” to those who are not always fortunate enough to have that beauty in their daily lives. Just talking about the group’s various vocal performances all over the Greater Birmingham area makes Murphy beam, and it should seeing as how she has brought the choral group to new heights, even getting them to a performance at Carnegie Hall under the direction of the world renown composer John Rutter. Just as Murphy has been good to the community of Mountain Brook, Mountain Brook has been good to Murphy. When Murphy hosted a college-intensive program for students to perfect their voices before

Bo Johnson. Photo by Kent Oztekin.

By Madoline Markham On the last Thursday of April you’ll find quite the party at the Birmingham Zoo. Kids (and adults) taking advantage

of unlimited access to the petting zoo and riding the carousel for hours at a time. Old friends catching up over a beer. Children dancing with their grandparents. Girls squealing at exotic animals. All festivities at the annual Bo Johnson Memorial Zoo Party, affectionately known as “BoBo Fest,” are in keeping with the memory of lifelong Mountain Brook resident and avid golfer Bo Johnson, who passed away from esophageal cancer in 2006. “Bo loved to have a good time, loved Alabama football and loved his friends,” said Lauren Crow, a friend of Johnson’s since high school. The only thing missing from the party is the football. Although he had no children of his own, Johnson wasn’t just friends with adults. “Bo knew all the kids in Crestline and would go to their basketball games,” said Arlen Carpenter, Johnson’s best friend. Those kids come to the party, along with parents, grandparents, and anyone who wants to have a good time. There’s dinner from Full Moon Bar-B-Que, as well as beer and wine. Jimmy and Laine,

lifelong friends of Johnson, play acoustic rock. Johnson would go to hear them wherever they played around Birmingham in the mid to late 1980s. “It’s the kind of party where people can come by after soccer practice and eat burgers and ride the carousel,” Crow said. The festivities also raise funds and awareness for esophageal cancer. Johnson was diagnosed with the disease in September 2005 and passed away just three months later at age 45. On his birthday of that first year, May 9, 2006, his friends and family pulled together what would become the First Annual Bo Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament in his memory. Although he grew to love golf, Johnson didn’t develop his interest in the game as a kid. “He just wanted to fish and catch snakes,” said his father, Sam Johnson. Johnson started playing in his mid-20s and got hooked. He was a member at Old Overton and then at Birmingham Country Club. The festivities the first year of the golf tournament included a party the night

See BO JOHNSON, PAGE 18 Call now to receive a free, no-obligation estimate

YOU’RE THINKING SPRING CLEAN. We think that AT EVERY CLEAN.

871-9338 www.maids.com

No wonder we’re so highly recommended.

Referred for a reason.

| April 2011 |

Village Living

Village Dermatology is “heating” things up... Introducing the Exilis

Non-invasive deep thermal heating for skin tightening and fat melting

$200 OFF any package price Facial area package - normally $800 Body area package - normally $1000 * Package must be purchased before April 30th, 2011

Before

After

2901 Cahaba Road • www.villagedermatology.net • 877-9773 BRING THIS AD IN FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR PURCHASES UNTIL APRIL 8TH.

Welcome Spring at

Phoebe Couture

2724 Cahaba Rd. in the Center of the Village ph. 871-9696 www.luliesoncahaba.com

Elene Cassis

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

EAST

ER SUNDAY, APRI

| April 2011 |

L 24

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH BRUNCH AT DYRON’S LOWCOUNTRY RESTAURANT bring the whole family and join us for a very special holiday brunch. our new executive chef randall baldwin is preparing a one-of-a-kind easter brunch. from housemade chicken and biscuits to traditional shrimp and grits, we have plenty for everyone. reservations are recommended. please call 834-8257 so we can hold a table just for you.

121 oak street

mountain brook

205.834.8257

dyronslowcountry.com

enhancing lif e with plants

Spring plant Sale n early 100,000

205.414.3950 www.bbg ardens.org

plantS

N E W LOC ATION: Former Food World at Vestavia Hills Plaza Shopping Center

public plant Sale Friday, April 15 | 9 - 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16 | 9 - 5 p.m. Sunday, April 17 | 11 - 3 p.m.

1052 Montgomery Highway • Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 • Located behind Red Lobster on Hwy 31

| April 2011 |

Welcome Friends

Village Living

School House Contributors Alison Gault -Cherokee Bend Lauren Fowler - Crestline Bama Hager -Brookwood Forest Sherrie Futch- Mountain Brook High School Hilary Ross - Mountain Brook Elem. & Mountain Brook Jr High

Contributing Photographers Image Arts | Alison Gault | Kari Kampakis

Publisher

Published by

Dan Starnes

Village Living LLC

Editor

Sales and Distribution

Jennifer Gray

Creative Director

Dan Starnes Angela Morris Catherine Cooper Loveman

Keith McCoy

Contact Information: Village Living #4 Office Park Circle, Suite 206 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@VillageLivingOnline.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: Jennifer@VillageLivingOnline.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Village Living is designed to inform the Mountain Brook community of area school, faith, family and community events. Information in Village Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Village Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 370-0732 or by email.

Editor’s Note

One thing I love about the people in our community is the diversity of interests and talents. I would challenge anyone to try and find another place that boasts the kind of talent we have here. One such interesting story is that of Amy Murphy. Murphy is a Julliard-trained singer who shares her craft both here in Birmingham and in New York. She has performed all over the world but also trains adults and children alike on how to best use their vocal instrument. I hope you enjoy reading about this fascinating craft. Also this month, we have so many wonderful events going on in our area. You won’t want to miss any of them. The library is celebrating their 10-year anniversary in their current building. Many fun activities are planned for all ages. You won’t want to miss author Carl Haisson’s visit to Mountain Brook. If you are an art lover, the popular Mountain Brook Art Association’s annual spring art show is also in April. Everyone loves enjoying the day out at Crestline field browsing the wonderful

local art and catching up with friends. A new piece of art may be just the thing to freshen up a space in your home. Speaking of homes, this month we are pleased to have Beth McMillan writing a special article on how to reinvigorate your home for spring. Beth loves Mountain Brook, she grew up here, and many of her design clients are right here too. Many of you are already aware of her talents, but if not, enjoy reading her recommendations and the resources she uses right here in our community to create her one of a kind spaces. Other noteworthy events this month are on our calendar of events. You will want to be sure and save the calendar so you don’t miss out on any of the fun. Enjoy this beautiful time of year. I have to take a moment to tell you all thank you for a great first year. April marks the one-year anniversary of Village Living. It has been so much fun learning more about what our wonderful city has to offer, the amazing people who live here, and the exciting changes taking place. We look forward to many more years with you celebrating our community.

Thank you! Without the contributions of so many people, this first year of Village Living would not be possible. We would like to thank the following people for their contributions over the past year. Kathryn Acree Shay Allen Allie Black Erica Breen Barbara Brewster Laura Canterbury Lauren Fowler Abby Frazer Sherrie Futch Alison Gault Trippe Gray Karen Green Alison Grizzle Bama Hager

Will Hightower Kari Kampakis Fred Kapp Leadership Mountain Brook Students Catherine Loveman Susan Mathews Jenifer McCormick Keith McCoy Chantal McManus Beth McMillan Angela Morris Lauren Nix Jim Noles

Julia Peterson Gates Porter Sandy Porter Andy Portera Clay Ratcliffe Hilary Ross Christiana Roussel Michael Seale Rick Watson Rev. Rich Webster Holley Wesley Brooke Wilkerson Hank Spencer

Meet our writers Beth McMillan, born and raised in Mountain Brook, will forever be dedicated and committed to helping this city grow and prosper. Keeping her treasured memories of her own Mountain Brook childhood close to her heart, she and her husband, Murphy, are grateful and proud to be raising their children El, 12, and John John, 7, here as well. McMillan Interiors, Inc, an established interior decorating and consulting business, keeps Beth on the move and “jet –setting” all over Mountain Brook. www.mcmillaninteriors.com beth@mcmillaninteriors.com

Please Support Our Sponsors Alabama Allergy and Asthma (17) A’mano (9) Another Broken Egg (27) Antiquities (12) Atchison Gallery (11) Backyard Adventures (8) Bagatelle (12) Beverly Ruff (5) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (3) Brookwood Medical Center (22) Canterbury Gardens (16) Clark Antiques (7) Cummings Jewelers (19) Dorm Suite Dorm (8) Dyron’s Lowcountry (2) Four Corners Gallery (17) Henhouse Antiques (11) Hufham Orthodontics (20) Isbell Jewelers (22) Issis & Sons (6, 7) King’s House (16)

Leaf & Petal (20) Leslie Ann Condominium (16) Little Hardware (10) Longworth Collection (12) Lulie’s On Cahaba (2) Mountain Brook Art Assn. (22) Mountain Brook Presbyterian (23) Mudtown Eat & Drink (19) Once Upon a Time (12) Otey’s (9) Paige Albright Orientals (10) RealtySouth (28) Snoozy’s Kids (21) St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (19) Table Matters (10) The Super Deal (18) Trinity Medical Center (25) Tutoring Club (21) Village Dermatology (2) Village Fireﬂy (11)

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

City Council and Board of Education recaps By Barbara Brewster

Mountain Brook City Council Meeting, February 28 Mountain Brook’s City Council continues to meet in various community locations during construction of its new City Hall. The Monday, February 28, meeting was held in the auditorium of the Mountain Brook Board of Education. Mayor Terry Oden introduced Mountain Brook’s new Police Chief Ted Cook to the City Council and Mountain Brook community members. Chief Cook comes to Mountain Brook after serving as Chief of Police in Leeds, Ala. Also included in the Mayor and Council’s warm welcome were Chief Cook’s wife and teenage son. Chief Cook will begin his service in March. Mayor Oden read a proclamation declaring the week of February 28-March 6 as Arbor Week. During this annual event, the city celebrates the beginning of Arbor

Week by giving away free tree seedlings at various locations in the villages. Before the close of the meeting, President Virginia Smith recognized a group of students from Mountain Brook Elementary (MBE). These students were members of the MBE’s newly formed Student Council who wanted to observe a City Council meeting. Students in attendance represented fourth, fifth and sixth grades. The next City Council meeting has been was scheduled for March 28 due to Spring Break beginning on March 14. Premeeting information is always available at the City’s web site (www.mtnbrook.org) or by calling the City Council offices at (205)870-3532.

Mountain Brook Board of Education Meeting, March 21 The Mountain Brook Board of Education met at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21 in the District’s Central Office Building. Superintendent Dicky Barlow recognized students from Mountain Brook High School’s Visual Arts Department who had been selected by the Alabama State Council of the Arts. Out of the 120 submissions to the State Council, 50 entries were chosen. From the 50 entries selected for district and state consideration, Mountain Brook had 16 students winning awards at the district level and four at the state level. Auditors Geoff Bryant and Steve Moore presented the Fiscal Year 2010 audit report. The team of auditors reported that Mountain Brook Schools have continued to receive audits that are “as clear and clean as it can get.” Assistant to the Superintendent Jackie Simons presented a survey done by the District for the past 13 years that compares the top high schools in the nation. The format is similar to surveys published by national magazines; however, Mountain Brook’s survey is designed to select schools with criteria more closely matching Mountain Brook High School (MBHS). The survey was sent to 84 high schools across the country, with 57 responding. An additional 10 schools were included following the original search. After analysis, Mrs. Simons showed the Board

how MBHS continues to rate as a top high school in the United States. Superintendent Barlow announced the retirement of three long time employees: Jackie Simons, Assistant to the Superintendent; Yvette Faught, Brookwood Forest Elementary Principal; and Jo Ann Marler, Administrative Assistant at the Central Office. Mr. Barlow thanked them for their invaluable service and contribution to the success of Mountain Brook Schools. Board Chairman Gary London thanked them for their contributions and commitment to ensure that “our schools have been able to continue to do the good work that we do with students.” Director of Instruction Dr. Lisa Beckham along with math coaches Sherry Parrish and Sharon Garrett presented information about the proposed elementary math curriculum recently recommended by the Math Textbook Committee. Mr. Barlow asked that the Board table recommendation of the new curriculum for a month so that the community has time to review the materials and give input. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Central Office Professional Learning Center (PLC) located at 3 Vine Street. Board of Education meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month. More information can be found at www. mtnbrook.k12.al.us

MBE Student Council representatives Champ Lyons, Emma Brown, Jackson Sharman, Margaret Shufflebarger,Sarah Yates, Gracie Carmichael and Price Pewitt pictured with Mayor Terry Oden.

| April 2011 |

Antiques & Linens BR

Beverly Ruff

Come see our new collection of linens and christening dresses! - Coco

2417 Canterbury Rd. Mountain Brook Village

Mon - Fri 10 - 4, Sat 11 - 4

871-7872

www.beverlyruffantiques.com

Join the library to celebrate 10 years By Holley Wesley It’s hard to believe ten years have gone by since we moved into the new Emmet O’Neal Library. I was a brand new employee at the library ten years ago, and in the intervening years it has been my pleasure to watch new generations embrace the Library as an integral part of the landscape in Mountain Brook. It seems like only yesterday the other staff (some still here, others moved on) and I stared at the thousands of boxes of books, VCR tapes and cassette tapes (remember those?!) and wondered how we would ever get it all unpacked. Eventually we did get it all unpacked, and in April 2001 the new Emmet O’Neal Library building opened to the public with much fanfare and excitement. That excitement has never really faded, but we are about to build it up to new heights. April 2011 will be filled with events for all ages and YOU’RE invited! We are excited to present, on Thursday evening April 7 at 6:30pm, an Evening with the Author featuring Carl Hiaasen, “New York Times” best-selling author of the novels “Skinny Dip,” “Hoot,” “Star Island,” and many more. Mr. Hiaasen will join us first for a talk and book signing, followed by a wine and

| April 2011 |

Village Living

Annual spring art show April 9

Charlotte Kelley, Mary Mellen, Jackis Pierce, Lynn Briggs, Janet Sanders (kneeling), Carolyn Mitchell. Photo by John Shadrick.

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Mountain Brook Artist Association’s (MBAA) Annual Spring Art Show. It will be held Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Crestline Elementary Athletic Field. Since its beginning in 1980, this event has grown to become one of the finest art shows in the region. More than 100 MBAA members will display their original artwork for sale in an outdoor setting near quaint Crestline Village in Mountain Brook. Many of those participating are regionally recognized and award-winning fine artists. Artwork available will range in size from miniature to extra large, will suit a variety of collector’s budgets and encompass the following media: oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, pastels and drawings. There is something for everyone, from classic old-world to contemporary abstract and non-objective. Also, for your convenience, there will be food vendors on site as well as the convenience and charm of the Crestline Village shops nearby and within walking distance. Flat level area and plenty of parking. Helping to organize this year’s show are Amy Peterson, Show Chair, Gayle Hurley,Assistant Show Chair, Lucy Mason, Hospitality/Information Booth Coordinator, Linda Dunn, Tax Coordinator, John Shadrick, Publicity, and Janet Sanders, MBAA President. Artists participating in this year’s show are: Wendy Allison, Yvonne Andrews, Marissa Levine Apolinsky, Margaret Ann Berry, Jene Black, Adelaide Booth,

Julieanna Brandino, Lynn Briggs, Patrice Brunet, Christi Bunn, Carol Carmichael, Pat Carroll, Suzanne Chenoweth, Sam Chiarella, Amy P. Collins, Denise Corbin, Amy Crews, Sara Crook, Laura Cunningham, Joan Curtis, Michael Davis, Vicki Denaburg, Linda Dunn, Gene Engle, Dee Falls, Barbara “Tootie” Fash, Shea Fulgram, Darcy Glenn, Bonnie Godfrey, Jan Grant, Sue D. Graphos, Barclay B. Gresham, Maggie Greer, Irva Hayward, Mary Jean Henke, W. J. Herman, Martee Hewitt, Denise Hornbuckle, Gayle Hurley, Mary liz Ingram, Ellen Justice, Kelly Kahn, Charlotte Kelley, Sue Key, Sue Key, Toby Klein, Waltrud Lawaczeck, Gayle Leitman, Esther Levy, Ron Lewis, Hazel Marlar, Margare’ Mason, Matthew Mayes, Charlotte McDavid, Glen McWaters, Mary Mellen, Carolyn Mitchell, Bob Moody, Elizabeth Nettles, Diane Gibson Newsome, David Nichols, Rollina Oglesbay, Vicki Overstreet, Libby Pantasis, Patricia Papapietro, Amy R. Peterson, Jackie Pierce, Kathleen Pilleteri, Sally Powell, Anne Proctor, Mary Lynne Robbins, Bruce Robertson, Katie McElroy Robinson, Tricia Robinson, Mary Margaret Roll, Richard Russell, Janet Sanders, John Shadrick, She She, Pam Till, Bethany Tompkins, Pam Truitt, Linda Vann, Sue Taylor White, Lynne Whittington, Etta Yeary. Visa, Master Card and Discover will be accepted. Admission is free. The event is outdoors, family-oriented and handicapped accessible. Rain date is Sunday, April 10, 12 to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.mbartassociation. org.

Flags ﬂy in honor of Beaux Arts Krewe Ball Did you wonder why those red flags were flying on some Mountain Brook homes the week of March 4? The flags heralded the 44th Annual Ball of the Beaux Arts Krewe held on Friday, March 4. The flags were a new addition to the festivities this year bearing the crest of the Krewe. Some members flew the flags at their home the week of the ball as part of the celebration. The Beaux Arts Krewe is a men’s organization for the purpose of supporting the Birmingham Museum of Art with an annual debutante ball. The 250 active members transformed Boutwell Auditorium into a Mardi Gras style type ball. This year’s theme was Aladdin’s Magic Night complete with King Allen Baker, Queen Bess Ager, two ladies in waiting and 24 princesses, intrepid young men, genies, pages, Aladdin, members in capes, a villain, dukes, guards, music, singing and dancing. With minarets and golden onion domes in the background 24 princesses, escorted by Krewe members were presented to the adulation of their friends and family.

Beaux Arts Krewe member Jay Skinner with his wife, Cathy, and one of their children, Henry. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

Village Living

| April 2011 |

Local families share same ﬁght: Tuberous Sclerosis By Jennifer Gray Carole Pitard is excited. She has recently returned to Mountain Brook from Washington DC, where she was lobbying for funding for a cause that she is not only passionate about but is also very personal. Carole works tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for a disorder known as Tuberous Sclerosis (TS). Tuberous Sclerosis causes tumors to form in your body such as your brain, eyes, kidneys, liver, lungs and skin. It causes seizures in 90 percent of TS patients, is the second leading genetic cause of autism and can cause learning and behavioral disorders. It is estimated that TS occurs in 1 out of 6,000 live births. Some people have it so mild that they do not realize that they have TS, and some people are affected so severely that they require 24/7 care. Pitard’s two youngest children have TS. But her family is one of the lucky ones. “You would never pick my children out of a crowd for something being wrong with them,” she said. “Even though we deal with brain tumors and seizures, Stuart, Thomas, Anna Lauren, Forrest, and Chris Summers. Photo by the Summers family. they are thankfully under control due to Stuart Summers said. Ultimately, Thomas using his right arm a bit and crawling a little medications.” underwent a radical procedure called a and sitting up, so it is very encouraging. As scary as this disorder is, families hemispherectomy. We hope he has had his one event and from living in Birmingham are incredibly lucky. “Doctors partially removed the left here on out it is smooth sailing, but we UAB has one of the few TS clinics in the side of his brain and disconnected what don’t know.” country. Opened in April of 2007, the clinic was left so that it no longer worked,” Another blessing in the fight to find a is truly a lifeline for families struggling Summers said. Although Thomas initially cure for TS is the FDA approval of a new with TS. lost much use of the right side of his body, drug called Afinitor that is shown to reduce Stuart and Chris Summers, who live he is expected to get a portion of that back brain tumors by 50 percent and shows that near English Village, also have childperfect through therapy. Over the top picture, put aGifts forphysical weddings. Over the second no additional tumors form while on the with Tuberous Sclerosis. The Summers’ During all of this, a physician drug. Seizures also ceased while patients sonpicture, Thomas put was Featuring born MarchEllis-Barker 2010. At silver suggested to the Summers that Thomas were on the drug. “This is the first drug five weeks, Thomas started exhibiting might have TS, and he was diagnosed. approved for Tuberous Sclerosis,” Pitard seizures, and the family’s pediatrician “The more we learned about TS, the more said. “It will help unlock mysteries of sent them to Children’s Hospital for more we found out it would be a lifelong battle,” cancer and epilepsy and advance autism tests. Thomas was immediately admitted Summers said. They were fortunate to find research.” to Children’s. “Thomas had to be put on the TS Clinic at UAB and also to find that The Summers are also very thankful heavier and heavier medication to try and no one else in their family has TS. for the efforts of the Tuberous Sclerosis control the extreme seizures that he was “Their efforts were very “Thomas gives us so much joy and is Alliance. experiencing on the left side of his brain,” doing very well,” Summers said. “He is instrumental in getting this drug brought

to market,” Summers said. “We are pleased this has happened before Thomas even needs it. We hope it is just the beginning of many more breakthroughs.” On April 16, the Greater Alabama TS Community Alliance will be having their fourth annual Step Forward to Cure Tuberous Sclerosis Walk on the field in front of the Emmet O’Neal Library. They have raised almost $200,000 for TS research thus far. “It is a fun filled morning with a 5K walk through the scenic neighborhoods, silent auction, Kid’s Korner and refreshments,” Pitard said. “We average over 200 participants. TS families from all over Alabama (and Mississippi) and our Mountain Brook community come for this event.” To learn more about this event, visit www.stepforwardtocuretsc.org.

Gifts perfect for weddings

featuring Ellis-Barker silver

Clark Antiques Gallery

3205 2nd Ave. So.(Three blocks east of Pepper Place) 325-1999 • Monday - Saturday 10-5 www.clarkantiquesgallery.com

| April 2011 |

Village Spotlight

Michelle’s

| By Gates Porter Business Spotlight

81 Church Street 205-870-1122 Forced to flee the Gulf in the wake of the recent BP oil spill, Michelle Lee certainly knows what it is like to abruptly leave a place she loves. “Following the oil spill, the beach was desolate,” she said, “and after years of bracing myself for flight in the face of the periodic threat of hurricanes, this was basically the last straw.” But she likewise understands the joy of homecoming, as the departure from her retail location in Florida brought her back to her original home and place of business, Mountain Brook, and along with it the citizenry whose patronage she had cherished for many years. Anyone who has lived in Mountain Brook throughout the last few decades will now familiarly glimpse the establishment back from its 13year absence, situated in its former location in the small shopping center on the corner of Euclid and Church Street. Michelle has always been heavily involved in the business of retail in Birmingham, working at Village Sportswear in Mountain Brook Village before establishing Michelle’s. However after years of working for someone in retail, she wished to pursue her dream of owning her own store. “I really enjoyed the idea of owning my own store, ordering the particular products with which to stock my shop, and personally creating a unique atmosphere that people would associate with my establishment,” Lee said. And create a memorable atmosphere she has; Michelle’s, floored with wallto-wall cobblestone and gravel and with bright pink decorations, certainly possess a unique feel to it. Indeed, according to Lee, “People who enter the store are always commenting on its ‘peaceful’ feel”.

Michelle’s in Crestline is ready for Easter.

While the recent economic recession yielded a deleterious impact on many small businesses in Mountain Brook, Michelle’s managed to heartily survive the pressures of the poor fiscal climate. Lee attributes this primarily to the particularity of her store’s wares, to her perpetually loyal customer base that she herself considers “family“ and to the natural forces that drive the spending habits of the average customer in a tight-wallet economy. During the months of the recession, Lee judged that the customers who entered her store to browse her regular selection of luxury wares longingly perused out of their own personal yearning for a “pick-me-up” item to crave their stifled needs. Recent uplifts in the economic condition have began to bolster the confidences of previously wary consumers, which, coming to full fruition in the past

few months, caused this recent holiday season to be one of the store’s most successful periods in terms of items sold and money made. “I believe that people are tired of not spending money,” she said. She actively observed an increase in both the number of customers browsing her shop and the amount of money spent on her items in the wake of the recession. Additionally, throughout the recession Michelle’s continued to steadfastly make annual charitable contributions to women in South Africa and the Philippines, who at the end of every year receive the store’s unsold items. Michelle’s caters primarily to a crowd looking to purchase bath and beauty luxury items. However, Lee also toils to fill her store with products that provide the highest comfort for the consumer. “Michelle’s is all

about comfort,” she said. “People come in here to buy PJs that feel good, candles that smell good.” According to Lee herself, the item in the shop that has in highest demand since its introduction into her wares twenty years ago continues to be the bubble bath product. Its popularity is heavily predicated upon its range of price, from $3 to $50 for a single bubble bath. Lee also makes it a priority to continuously update the wares in her store with new items being introduced monthly. Indeed, new items displayed in the shop this month include specialized treats for Easter baskets and Easter-themed bath salts. Lee has also begun to make preparations for Mother’s Day, planning to introduce a new type of soap to her merchandise just in time for the holiday. For more information on Michelle’s, visit www.michellesincrestline.com.

We now carry rubber mulch

Your Graduation Gift Headquarters Custom Dorm Décor, Bedding & Accessories

PLAY HOUSE • PLAY SETS • BASKETBALL GOALS • TRAMPOLINES

Create The Room of Your Dreams Come in & Register Today Monogramming

2832 Culver Rd • 879.8278 Mon. - Sat

7023 Meadowlark Dr (Turn Between Lloyds and Dairy Queen) 408-4FUN (4386) • wwwbackyardal.com

Bring in this ad for

Backyard Adventures

$100 OFF installation

excluding Expedition Series

HWY 280

Village Flavor

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

Otey’s Tavern

Rodney Davis with a wrap and cheeseburger. Photo by Keith McCoy.

and bring their own kids back on their Razors. Rodney, now part owner of the Tavern, has been cooking Otey’s favorites for more than 20 years. He knows all the regulars by name and can even tell you who is out front by the orders he gets in the back: “If it’s a chicken finger basket with sides of Ranch, Honey Mustard and 1000 Island dressing, I know Rebecca is waiting for her lunch.” One of those kids who grew up going to Otey’s was Will Haver, who is now part owner of the restaurant and bar. I sat down with Will and Rodney one afternoon in between the lunchtime and evening rush. The two have known each other so long they finish each other’s sentences; it is a joy to watch. I asked what changes needed to be made when Haver bought the restaurant (with his stepbrother Jay Wilson) three and a half years ago. “The thing about a place like this,

By Christiana Roussel

is that folks don’t want a lot of change,” Haver said. “We made improvements like adding large flat-screen TVs, a few new tables and some outside picnic benches, but other than that it’s the same Otey’s.” The menu hasn’t changed much either. Some of the specialties you can expect to find at Otey’s are out-of-this-world hamburgers and cheeseburgers, great nachos, chicken fingers, and all kinds of yummy sandwiches and wraps. Many Otey’s patrons remember Tight, the bartender who helped make the place a local institution. Tight passed away suddenly a couple of years ago, but I ask how his legend lives on. Haver and Davis are both quick to point out that Tight — whose given name was Richard Cheaney — knew how to do things right. Everyone who now works at Otey’s was trained under Tight. If he knew your regular drink was bourbon & Coke, he had it waiting on

the bar when you walked in. That level of customer service lives on and is his legacy. And Cacky’s legacy lives on too: many of the photos that cover the walls were taken by her husband, Kent. He traveled the world with various rock legends and has the negatives to prove it. Will Haver shared another story from when the Tavern was Cacky’s: he recalls attending a birthday party there when he was about 11 or 12 years old. It was December and Cacky had a Christmas wreath hanging where he now has the daily specials board. Cacky had glued small liquor bottles to the greenery — a festive touch only appropriate in a bar. Will and his friend had managed to sneak a few of the bottles off the wreath and into their pockets. His mother found the unopened bottles in his pants the next time she was doing laundry. Heaven knows he was in a world of hurt when she did. So, what’s next for Otey’s Tavern? Well, there’s the Funky Fish Fry on April 9. This is an annual event that used to be held at the Open Door Café. More than 2,000 attendees are expected to have a ball in the parking lot. And of course, OteysFest will be back in July. The musical lineup is still being nailed down, but like always a big crowd is expected and all of the proceeds go to charity. It is this kind of community exchange that makes Otey’s Tavern such a welcomed fixture in Crestline Village. I may not have been here when Cacky opened the doors in 1989, but I got here as quick as I could. Christiana Roussel lives in Crestline and is a lover of all things food-related. You can follow her culinary musings on-line at ChristianasKitchen.com or on Facebook (ChristianasKitchen) or Twitter (Christiana40).

Crestline Village

Making People Happy For 22 Years, It’s An Institution! • Rodney’s salads, wraps, wings and famous cheeseburgers Live music made with the freshest every ingredients daily • Come enjoy Otey’s famous cocktails and ice cold beer on our awesome patio where we have �lat screen TV’s

Fri. and Sat. night starting @ 9pm.

224 Country Club Park 871-8435

Restaurant Showcase

224 Country Club Park 871-8435 www.oteystavern.com You’ve all seen the bumper stickers that say something like, “I wasn’t born in the South, but I got here as quick as I could.” I feel that way about Mountain Brook. I grew up just down the road, in a little place called Atlanta, Ga. As an adult, I’ve lived in Madrid and Nashville, Richmond and Houston. But when it came time to finally CHOOSE where I wanted to put down roots and raise a family, my husband and I picked Mountain Brook. It’s a decision we have never once regretted. So, what does all this have to do with a restaurant profile of Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village? I am getting there. My twelve-year-old daughter started lacrosse this spring with practices twice a week at Rathmell Fields just behind the Summit. Looking to lessen the amount of time spent in the car, I sent out an email to other parents wanting to carpool. One of moms who responded was Anne Layton’s mom, Catherine Oztekin, who signs her emails “Cacky.” Now that’s a memorable name. Those of you who had the good fortune to grow up here are already one step ahead of me. See, to me, Cacky Oztekin is the minivan-driving mom who safely delivers my daughter to lacrosse practice each Monday. But to longtime Mountain Brook residents, she’s the woman who founded what is now Otey’s Tavern. Started in 1989 as Cacky’s, the Tavern has always been the kind of neighborhood place people love to visit. As the man behind the grill, Rodney Davis can attest folks have been coming here for generations. He has seen kids come in on skateboards, only to grow up

| April 2011 |

205-871-9093 2707 CulverCulver Road Road 871-9093 • 2707 amanogifts.com amanogifts.com

| April 2011 |

Village Living

Spring into change and stylish design By Beth McMillan The true essence of style and home fashion is constant change. Without it, rooms become stale, dated, lifeless and a daily bore. Change is what creates that exciting emotional rush, taking you out of a style rut or stale routine into something new, fresh and daring. I tell my clients to embrace the newness of the season and feel the mood and atmosphere it brings with it. Small changes are as easy as big changes to help reinvent and take your home to new levels of beauty and style. Living in Mountain Brook, and for those of you who know me, I literally live in Mountain Brook Village, we are so lucky to have an abundance of fabulous boutiques, shops and resources right at our fingers tips. I always shop Mountain Brook first to help create and bring my visions and interior designs to life. Spring brings a visual desire for lightness, sunny reflection, new color palettes, paired down layers, light textures, fashionable patterns and fun accessory trends. To begin carrying out these spring looks into your home, start by packing away and storing some of your existing items. If you pack correctly and in an orderly fashion, the items will be ready for the next season of change, when it’s time. Remember, just because you own something does not mean it has to be used all the time.

Frank Davies of Little Hardware.

Decorating for Spring Before you start transforming your space, start by packing up thick textured and visually heavy, dark items, such as decorative pillows, cashmere throws, and wool blankets. Remove cluttered accessories and those off- seasons or lingering holiday looks.

Patricia Murray of Table Matters.

LITTLE HARDWARE Trim Size: # of Pages: # of Colors: Bleed:

4.25 x 5.5 6 4C Process 0.0

Flawless finish. Lasting results. Accolade Interior Self-Priming Paint 00 and Accolade Exterior Paint ®

Self

Priming

Whether you’re painting inside or outside, you can count on Accolade® from Pratt & Lambert for superior quality and a stunning palette of designer colors. And our exclusive Interior Self-Priming formula can even save you valuable time by allowing you to paint and prime in one easy step.

LITTLE HARDWARE 2703 Culver Rd Mountain Brook, AL 871-4616

www.prattandlambert.com

Spring Tip 1: Use accessories inspired by nature indoors Use clear or colored glass lamps and accessories, washed wood items, zinc planters, white limestone vessels, seasonal serving pieces and place settings. Spring Tip 2: Less is more. Take away or redistribute the overpowering groupings of tabletop picture frames. Change to trendier, lighter frames and update pictures. Spring Tip 3: Small changes to your lighting. Use higher watt bulbs for brighter light. Try round Edison bulbs for a playful European, industrial feel. Remove chandelier shades and use light colored paper or linen lampshades for a lighter brighter effect. Spring Tip 4: Re-arrange what you already have. Rearrange furniture groupings or art placement for a fresh look. Store some of your existing furniture pieces for a more minimal feel. Try using smaller teak and garden items indoors or replace traditional dinning chairs with a heavy gauge lucite for an edgy mix. Reframe artwork with straight edge metals or light washed wood frames. Changing the mats to white gloss or linen will create a an entirely different feel and breath new life into collections and groupings. Another fun trick of the trade is to frame beautiful European wallpapers and use as artwork. Spring Tip 5: Add a special piece to your collection. Purchase a new antique to rotate out

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

| April 2011 |

Village Firefly Specializing in

2814 Petticoat Lane Mountain Brook Village

Phone: (205) 877-3232 • Fax: (205) 877-3231 an existing dark heavier piece. Spring Tip 6: Swap or remove floor coverings. Roll up dark-colored area rugs. Spring is a great time to allow the buffed surface of hardwood floors to show or to use grass rugs (natural or colored grass) to establish an earthy feel. Scattering small area rugs, decorative runners and/or multiple cowhides creates a sense of un-contrived casualness. Try experimenting with a fashionable ikat, Moroccan-inspired or Marrakech floor covering. Spring Tip 7: Paint can do amazing things to a room. A bold change in paint color can give you a fabulous new look instantly and one that is not permanent. If an entire room is too much, try painting an accent wall or an unexpected interior of an open case good. Spring Must-Haves: Style in the Village Village Firefly: Fabulous assortment of any style, shape or color lampshade; custom available. Wonderful blend of old and new lighting and European antiques and accessories. This shop has a great Parisian flea market feel. 2826 Culver Road, (205) 870-4560 Village Framers/ Larry Atchison: An endless pick of top of the line frames and high quality colored mats. Large selection of stylish picture frames next to gallery walls of paintings and artwork supporting local and non-local artists. 2847 Culver Road, (205) 871-6221 Paige Albright Orientals: A foreverchanging inventory of gorgeous antique rugs mixed with a variety of new rug options. Frequent New York buying trips and established relationships with reputable vendors is what keeps this shop filled with the highest quality antique rugs and fashion-forward choices for her clients, dedicated designers, and architects. 2814 Petticoat Lane, (205) 877-3232

Lamp shades & Pendants

UNIQUE COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE ORIENTAL RUGS HAND SELECTED ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

Vintage & Antique Lighting

Large Selection of Chandeliers, Sconces, Lamps Furniture & Accessories

2816 Culver Rd 870-4560

Little Hardware: Ane of the most surprising designer must-haves, but this “mom and pop” hardware shop carries a top-of-the-line paint company, Pratt and Lambert. The palette is a sophisticated European color base that seems to have an aged quality to it. Clean and beautiful. Also offered, an environmentally friendly and odorless paint, Mystic Paint. The colors will energize your creative side. You can also find Edison bulbs for your chandeliers and candles galore for your spring parties. 2703 Culver Road, (205) 871-4616 Henhouse Antiques: Never pass through English Village without at least a walkthrough of The Henhouse. This antique shop will send you on a European excursion through the French and Italian countryside. Leaving you inspired from the beautiful vignettes of fine antiques, high-end accessories, lamps and small sprinkling of estate jewelry. A shopping spree at Christmas time is a must- mark your calendar. 1900 Cahaba Road, (205)918-0505

Betty Franklin of Village Firefly.

Table Matters: Though known for their tablescapes, this shop has cool industrialchic furniture and the best heavy-gauge lucite dinning chairs. Displays of hip accessories, pressed flower art, cocktail table books, and glass lamps create an incredible shopping experience and a must for spring interiors. 2402 Montevallo Road, (205)879-0125 Leaf and Petal at The Botanical Gardens: A hidden gem in the village. Not only filled with the latest and greatest for the garden, but also for the home. Eclectic accessories, architecturally inspired lamps and jewelry that will not allow you to leave empty handed. 2612 Lane Park Road, (205) 877-3030 Antiquities: A beautiful addition as a newcomer to the Village. It will delight your senses with the scent of lavender and

See DECORATING, PAGE 12

Just Arrived

Larry Atchison of Village Framers.

THE ATCHISON GALLERY

Village Framers

European Shipment Antiques & Accessories Vintage Jewelry Ashford Hill Henhouse Antiques 1900 Cahaba Road 205-918-0505

www.shophenhouseantiques.com

2847 Culver Rd • Mountain Brook Village • 871.6233

| April 2011 | Village Living DECORATING, from pg 11 lovely vignettes of French antiques and accessories. The back wall displays an enticing and very handsome collection of gorgeous antique wood boxes. 2421 Canterbury Road, (205) 870-1030 Beverly Ruff Antiques: Greeted at the door by at least one perfectly manicured poodle, this ultra feminine boutique is full of French and vintage treasures. A vast assortment of antique frames, mirrors, linens, small furniture pieces, and chandeliers sit snuggly next to exquisite vintage purses, estate jewelry, and fine silver collectables. A delightful shopping experience for the European boutique shopper. 2417 Canterbury Road (205)871-7872 Constance Longworth Collection: Housing wonderful reproduction pieces and traditional yet fashionable accessories and chandeliers, this smaller in size shop boasts a very large resource library. The list of top of the line furniture and lighting vendors is endless and available to help complete any of your interior needs.

Always a pleasure to visit and shop. 2408 Canterbury Road, (205) 803-4040 Bagatelle: A small boutique bedding and bath shop that pulls you in for a moment of restful calm. Each bed vignette is made up of the most exquisite linens, bedding assembles, and beautiful cashmere or cotton throws. The colors of the European vendor lines are soft and sophisticated in their groupings. With the smell of lavender and lovely French milled soaps in the air, enjoy walking into the back room to see the plush fine bath towels and the Italian linen hand towels. The bedroom furniture scattered lightly throughout the displays and the French chandeliers hanging from an exposed old wood rafter are simply beautiful. 2415 Montevallo Road, (205) 414-6001 Beth McMillan is a life long Mountain Brook resident and the owner of McMillan Interiors, a decorating and consulting business. You can contact Beth at beth@mcmillaninteriors.com or visit her website www.mcmillaninteriors.com.

AMY MURPHY, cover story

bagatelle Mountain Brook

2415 Montevallo Road • 414-6001

their college vocal auditions, Mountain Brook Village businesses chipped in, providing use of their storefront space and filling swag bags with goods to help the studio out with the hoards of students. It is this community spirit, the give and take to help each other out, that reminds Murphy that she chose the right home for her studio. “I love being in the Village and supporting the Village,” she said. Murphy’s goal for all of her pupils is to know that they can sing, to grow confident in that fact and to carry that confidence into their everyday life. Those who come to her never leave disappointed; she repairs and perfects her students’ vocal instruments just as a trainer perfects every muscle in an athlete’s body. Murphy has never had a student not get into one of the ivies of college music programs, including the

Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Julliard and New York University. Two of her students have been presidential scholars in the prestigious Young Arts Scholarship competition from the National Foundation for the Advancements of the Arts. Murphy and her staff are very focused on what they do, organized and excited about their everyday work—all because they are so passionate about the art of voice and want nothing more than to instill that same passion in their students. “I would recommend her to anyone who has a passion for singing,” said Carolyn Wahlheim, who began taking voice lessons from her last year. “She’s fun but serious at the same time. She’s really gotten to know me personally and is open to what I like to sing.”

Mountain Brook’s Newest Antiques Shop

a gS

r Sp

Longworth Collection Fine Furniture New and Antique Lighting • Linens • Candles Florals • Accessories • Rugs

Bridal Registry Hours Tue-Sat 10-4

2421 CANTERBURY ROAD NEXT TO MULBERRY HEIGHTS ANTIQUES 205-870-1030

2408 Canterbury Rd. Mountain Brook Village

803.4040

Summer camps | April 2011 |

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

Summer sizzles with fun camps By Jennifer Gray Summer days are quickly approaching. Many of us have fond memories of summer camp — going off somewhere fun, making new friends, trying new activities like horseback riding or sailing. Today many children don’t even have to leave Mountain Brook to have these unique experiences. Week-long camps have become very popular. It seems like almost every organization offers them. Whatever your interests, there is a camp for you. We have put together information on some of the most popular camps in our area to help you make your plans. Zoo Camp The Birmingham Zoo offers camps throughout the summer for children ages 4K through eighth grade. Camps are either half day or whole day and offer children opportunities for special behind-the-scenes tours, up-close animal encounters, arts and crafts and other fun. With the new Trails of Africa opening this spring, this is sure to be a popular camp! For more information and to register online, visit www.birminghamzoo.com/education/ camps/summer-camps. McWane Science Center Camps McWane Science Center Camps make learning an unforgettable adventure that you just can’t experience anywhere else. In one week of camp, the budding scientist can discover a dinosaur, travel into outer space or explore the ocean floor. Various themes and activities allow children to experience something new each day. Blast off in Cosmo Camp or get creative in Smarty Arty Pants Camp. Dive in to marine biology or dig paleontology. The flexible programs allow you to choose as many programs as you want for your child, from just one afternoon of exploration to full weeks of fun and learning! Camps are offered to children ages 4K to sixth grade. Full day and half day programs are available, and there are preferred rates for members of McWane Science Center. For more information and to register online visit http://www. mcwane.org/camps_and_more/camps/ summercamp Summer Show-Offs Do you have a born performer at your house? This camp may be just what you are looking for. This popular camp is for girls and boys ages 5K through twelveth grade. Morning or afternoon sessions are offered at Birmingham Metro Church. Summer Show-Offs, at its heart, teaches confidence and character. Children learn confidence, stage presence, singing and dancing. Each child is given a solo and shown that everyone can perform on stage. Campers are allowed to experiment and develop their talents without feeling insecure or intimidated. Every day campers will rehearse group singing, choreography, solos and the correct way to speak and use the microphone. On Friday there will be a grand performance for friends. For more information and to register visit www.summershowoffs.com. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Camps Choose from a variety of favorite topics including nature and the outdoors, plants and our environment, cooking, art and more! Programs are designed to actively promote your child’s natural sense of creativity and discovery with fun learning experiences in the unmatched setting at Birmingham Botanical Gardens! New this summer are camps for 4 and 5 year olds entering fall preschool programs. Camps are offered through sixth grade but varies by program. All sessions are taught by certified or otherwise qualified teachers. Bring your own lunch and water bottle; a light is snack provided. Registration begins March 1 for members and March 15 for all others.

Pre-registration is required. Register early! Limited spaces fill quickly. T-shirts will be available for purchase on the first day of camp. One of their most popular camps is Garden Adventure with American Girls. Campers explore the gardens through the eyes of their American Girl dolls with arts and crafts, stories, songs, and recipes. Other camps include Exploring the Gardens with Winnie the Pooh, Painting and Pastels in the Gardens, Nature Explorers, Southern Summer Chefs, and Monet’s Garden. For more information or to register by phone, contact Education Program Coordinator Ellen Hardy at (205)414-3953 or ehardy@bbgardens.org. Mountain Brook Gymnastics Camp Tunzafun will begin the week of June 6 and offers ten weeks of day camp to choose from. Camp is open for boys and girls ages 3 and up (preschoolers must be 3 and must be potty trained). You do not need to have any previous gymnastics experience. Each day at camp, campers will have at least an hour of gymnastics time, waterslide time, games, crafts and snack time and will spend time both inside and outside. Each camper receives a camp T-shirt as well. 3 and 4 year olds are allowed to come to a half day camp (8 a.m.-12p.m.), while 5 and up may choose to either come half day (8 a.m.12p.m.) or full day (8a.m.-4p.m.). Spots are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Once a camp is full, you may have to choose another week! For more information visit www.mountainbrookgymnastics.com. Trail Rides with Mr. Dan Brookwood Forest Special Education teacher Dan Gilliland is offering a fun morning of horseback riding for children age fifth grade and up. Rides are offered by reservation and are for two people. Riders can be two children, an adult and child or even two adults. Rides are offered Monday through Friday. Riders need not be experience. Mr. Dan uses his 25 plus years experience of working with children and horses to provide a memorable morning. Riders arrive at Mr. Dan’s farm in St. Clair County at 9 a.m. for a quick orientation. Then they are off to a nearby 4000-acre farm with mountain top views, Indian fish traps, Indian arrowhead hunts and teaching on the habitats and ecosystems of area. You may bring a sack lunch. Riders will return around 12:30 p.m. Call Mr. Dan at 305-1629 (cell) or 672-7855 (home) for reservations or more information.

Study Organization Skills With Knox Bricken Check out web site for registration information, www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/ MBCE. Babysitting Clinic Learn to become a qualified babysitter and be certified through the American Red Cross. Our course directs basic child care, diapering, feeding, emergency situations, toy selection and first aid. Student should be 11 years old to be certified. Payment must be made at time of registration. Classes are offered Saturday, March 26, June 18 and August 13 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Community Education Classroom. Fee is $50 per student. Students need to bring sack lunch and drink. Call 969-0109 for more information. Tennis Camp Instructor Leslie Bashinsky and staff will lead this camp Monday through Thursday, June 6-9 at Mountain Brook Junior High School. Kindergarten through fourth grade session is 9- 10:30 a.m. for a fee of $70. The fourth through ninth grade session is 9 a.m. - noon for a $140 fee. For more information call 907-4258. Rushbiddies Spring Workshop Mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon, April 17, 3-5 p.m. and Monday evening, April 18, 6-8 p.m.. Rushbiddies will be presenting this two-part intensive workshop in an effort to better prepare our young “chicks” for the hatching of their best ideas and efforts toward a successful Greek Recruitment Experience. On day one we will focus on all of the early work, preparation and paper necessary to help

you equip your credentials for the big week. Day two is all about the party. This is your chance to learn how to feel at ease with the flock, and how to keep from getting your feathers ruffle. Think you know how to make party conversation? Just you wait! There is much to learn! You can’t be too prepared at rush parties! Two days for mother and daughter cost $100, either day for mother and daughter $75, and either day for one person $50. For more information, visit www.rushbiddies. com or email to rushbiddies@aol.com. SHIP A Mountain Brook tradition, Summer Happiness in Play (SHIP) provides a wonderful summer program for children who are age 4 by September 1, 2011 through students who will enter 2nd grade in the fall of 2011. Sarah Creveling directs this highly successful program at Mountain Brook Elementary. Cost is $135 per student per session. All sessions are 9 a.m. till noon. Registration begins Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. at the Charles Mason Building (Board of Education). For more information call 969-0109. Session 1A: Mon.-Wed., June 13–29 Session 1B: Tues.-Thurs., June 14– June 30 Session 2A: Mon.-Wed., July 11– July 27 Session 2B: Tues.-Thurs., July 12– 28 All Star Sports Camp Join coaches Kyle Ritter and Kirk McClendon for another great summer of sports. The week will include basketball, scooter hockey, volleyball, scooters, puttputt golf, bowling, wiffleball, track and field, soccer and lots of fun. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and snacks provided. Drop

See Camps, PAGE 18

Mountain Brook Camps

Our own Mountain Brook Community Education also offers a great range of classes and camps for the summer. These are held in Mountain Brook and in many cases are taught by teachers from our schools. Below is a listing of programs offered this summer that may be a great fit for someone in your family. For more information, you may contact Mountain Brook Community Education at (205)969-0109 or visit www. mtnbrook.k12.al.us/MBCE. MBE Summer Day Camp Mrs. Jayne Euwer, Crestline kindergarten teacher, is planning another fun-filled summer of new activities and more. This program is for Mountain Brook students who are entering grades 1-6. The Summer Day Program runs from June 6 through July 29. Hours daily are 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Registration fee is $50 per student and is required to participate. Weekly fee is $160 per student. To register, complete the Summer Day Program Registration form on our web site at www. mtnbrook.k12.al.us/mbce and mail with registration fee to the address listed on the form. If you have questions, call 969-0109.

Look who’s coming! April 2nd from 11- 2 at Once Upon a Time

201 Country Club Park 870-7772 • Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

| April 2011 |

Village Sports

Village Sports William Byrd wins wrestling state title By Will Hightower At the beginning of his hit song “Lose Yourself,” Eminem says, “If you had one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it? Or just let it slip?” It’s safe to say William Byrd captured his moment. The Mountain Brook wrestler knew his one opportunity to seize everything he ever wanted was at the 6A State Championship. So when he won, emotion poured out. “The second the clock ran out I just broke down,” Byrd said, “I just started bawling like a baby. I broke down to my knees on the mat and screamed as loud as I could! It was like an involuntary roar. And then I bowed my head to the mat and thanked God for what he had allowed me to do.” Byrd continued, the words pouring out faster now: “After the ref rose my hand, I ran as fast as I could to my coach and jumped into his arms. I still kind of want to cry just thinking about that moment; I have a great coach and I don’t know if I’ll ever have a moment like that with someone else ever again. It was extreme happiness.” The moment stopped time in its tracks, pictures capturing the joy on the senior’s face while in a bear hug with coach Chaz Tillman. Byrd later described his victory as “tremendous joy, unbelievable accomplishment and great relief.” The energetic senior had poured his heart and soul into achieving his championship in what is considered the most difficult individual sport. His Most Outstanding Wrestler Award to go along with his Championship didn’t come easily. Mountain Brook High School wrestling practice is a ridiculous rotation of extreme exercise. As Byrd puts it, “You have to be pretty crazy to be a successful wrestler. Our coach has preached to us that you can’t be completely right in the head and still want to wrestle.” A quick jog and stretching start practice. Then, intense drilling on takedowns begins. “You go full speed the

William Byrd seized the moment at the 6A State Championship

entire time during drills,” Byrd said. “You never help your partner up, but rather you start pushing him until he gets up. Then you take him down again. “If he isn’t working, you shove his face into the mat. I never stop moving and never give myself a break during drills.” The madness continues. After drills the team moves into live wrestling, with ferocious games like stud club, bull in the ring or iron man. “The live wrestling is basically designed for you to break your opponents mentally and physically so that you’re stronger in every aspect,” Byrd said. The general focus? No breaks, constant wrestling. Sprints are interspersed here and there. Even the wrestlers not in the games have to jump up and down. When the practice ends, each wrestler has to do 45 pull-ups before leaving the room. And this routine happens daily.

“You have to be willing to take a break from almost all other activities,” said Byrd. “You have to be willing to put your body through tormenting pain and grueling exercise every single day. There are no days off, no taking it easy.” “No person can help you during a match,” said Byrd. “There are no substitutions, no timeouts – just you and youe opponent. Preparation is the only thing that can help you.” Besides strenuous practicing, Byrd and his fellow wrestlers cut weight in a variety of ways to be in the smallest weight class possible. He eats four to five tiny meals a day to keep his metabolism active, along with sleeping in sweats and extra covers to make him sweat in his sleep. If necessary, Byrd will exercise in sweats to lose those crucial few pounds. Byrd confesses that he cannot practice

and cut weight on his own strength: “As far as my intensity, I pray before every practice and every match that I will have more stamina, endurance, and desire than everyone else. So far God has blessed me.” Byrd was praying, practicing and cutting weight all year in preparation for his championship match last month in the 152-lb. weight class. His 9-3 victory over Rush Hall of Hoover finished a 57-2 season, sealing his moment for a lifetime. “Next to accepting God into my life, it is by far the greatest thing that has ever happened to me,” the state champion said. “It still doesn’t even seem real to me. I know I put in more than enough work to achieve my goal, but it just seems to good to be true.” At the end of “Lose Yourself,” Eminem says, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” William Byrd has proven this to himself and us.

First grade girls’ basketball This year, first grade girls playing basketball through the Mountain Brook Athletics’ league play had their own teams for their age group. Approximately 33 first grade girls from across all of the Mountain Brook elementary schools participated. There were enough players to form four teams. Coaches for the newly formed teams were Scott Berte, Chris Doucet, Brad Hart, Ed Welden, and Ann Holman. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to compete against the same age group and considered the season a huge success.

Year end party for all the teams: Pink Dolphins, Aqua Dolphins, Blue Marlins and Golden Fireballs. Photo by Brit Redden.

Village Sports

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

Tennis anyone?

| April 2011 |

By Hilary Ross Mountain Brook Junior High tennis teams are comprised of seventh and eigth grade boys and girls who are selected through a tryout process in February. MBJH teacher Bruce Henricks coaches the teams. MBJH tennis teams compete against other area metro teams by playing individual and doubles matches. A contest consists of six singles matches and three doubles matches. A team has to win at least five of the nine matches to win the team event. Clay, Homewood, Liberty Park, Pizitz, Thompson and Berry are a few of the area teams MBJH has faced this season. Most of the home matches are played at MBHS with a couple matches scheduled at Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis. At press time, both MBJH tennis teams remain undefeated! The boys’ team has won the Metro South championship for three consecutive years, while the girls team has won titles three of the last four years with a third place finish last year. Come support the tennis teams in the remaining home match of the season against Oak Mountain Middle School. The match will be held at Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Monday, April 4 at 3:30 p.m. The metro tournament will be held at Spain Park and Berry over the weekend of April 8 and 9.

Members of the boys’ team: Richmond Adams, Reid Carter, Charlie Cope, Yates Jackson, Will Hargrove, Hunter Lucas, Mac Hereford, Connor Morgan, Sam Lidikay, and Warren Lightfoot. Photo by Belmont Studios.

Members of the girls’ team: Anna Jackson Cooper, Anna Ingram, Katie Jackson, Helen Catherine Darby, Elinor Anthony, Laura Wason, Kaki Oberman, Lil Kilgore, and Mallie Given. Photo by Belmont Studios.

5th Grade Girls Over the Jingle Bell Jam Champions Mountain Basketball 2011 Regular Season and Tournament Champions

Front: Robert Reed, Joe Saia, Collin Bussman, and John Marks. Back Row: Colton Yeager, Coach John London, James Burkett, Park Mendelsohn, and Champ Lyons. Photo by Bebe Burkett.

A big congratulations to the Mountain Brook Titans. They are the 2010 Jingle Bell Jam Champions. The Jingle Bell Jam is a

Hannah Bartels, Kathleen Beall, Kay Kay Benck, Whitton Bumgarner, Lucy Holman, Sarah Kate Horsley, Lacey Jeffcoat, Caroline Keller, Mary Rose Rutledge, Anna Windle, and Natalie Womack. The team is coached by Lizzie Jeffcoat and Collier Ogilvie.

Seventh grade cheerleaders selected Congratulations to the girls who were recently selected as seventh grade cheerleaders for the 2011-12 school year. Emily Barber, Abigail Barlow, Peyton Billingsley, Janie Branch, Emma

Brown, Gunter Crommelin, Frances Gaut, Kathryne Letzer, Leigh Lewis, El McMillan, Maggie McPherson, Alice Jordan Pulliam, Lealis Schileci and Ellie Wolter.

Regional Youth Basketball Tournament hosted by Mountain Brook.

WE’RE HIRING!!!

Lulie’s on Cahaba, an upscale ladies’ apparel

boutique in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, is looking for one full-time and several part-time employees to work as sales associates in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Days and hours are negotiable, but the full-time person should be a self-motivated individual able to take charge of the shop when the owner is out. Part-time positions are great for moms who need a few days out of the house and employee discounts on fabulous clothes. Inquire in person at 2724 Cahaba Rd. or email resume to luliesoncahaba@att.net. www.luliescahaba.com

and

| April 2011 | Village Living

LifeActually By Kari Kampakis

The way you make me feel

The best selection of antique and decorative oriental rugs

oriental rug cleaning & appraisals Join us for cocktails and seminars beginning this month Visit our website for details on Third Thursdays " tips from the trade" The King’s House Oriental Rugs 2807 2nd Avenue S. The Pepper Place • 244-1933 kingshouseorientalrugs.com

Come home to ...

Water Included Gas, self-cleaning oven Frost- free refrigerator Dishwasher & garbage disposal Washer & Dryer furnished Central, gas heat & air

My daughter Ella has a new morning routine. Instead of waking up and heading straight to the den, she now stops at her sister’s nursery. If Camille is awake, Ella takes her from the crib and carries her into the den with her. If Camille is asleep, Ella rustles around until her eyes open. Then she rescues her baby sister from behind the iron bars. It’s very sweet, and for a while I thought Ella was trying to be helpful. She calls herself Camille’s “second mommy” and takes the job very seriously. At eight years old, Ella loves babies. She even dreams of having an orphanage one day. I didn’t realize how important this morning ritual was to Ella until the day I interrupted it. I heard Camille crying in her crib, and as Ella lay sound-asleep in a nearby bedroom, I took the baby and fed her breakfast. Soon after, Ella woke up. I heard her pitter-patter to the nursery, pause, and then rush to the den. When she saw Camille in the highchair, happily eating Cheerios, her face fell. “Mommy! Why’d you get Camille out of the crib? I like to do that.” Ella was upset—and on the verge on tears. I tried to reason with her, explain that she’d have many more mornings to play hero, but she wouldn’t hear it. The way she saw it, her day was ruined. I’d stolen her thunder. I asked Ella a few days later why, exactly, she liked to get the baby. She thought a moment and then said, “Well, when I walk in her room, Camille looks sad. But as soon as she sees me, she’s happy. She gets all smiley and bounces up and down. It makes me feel good.” I told Ella I could relate to that. I’ve always loved the rush of walking into a nursery and seeing my baby light up at the sight of me. What struck me about her answer was not the observation but her awareness of it. Even at a young age, Ella understands the powerful draw of someone who makes her feel good. It makes her gravitate toward Camille’s nursery every morning. It induces tears on the days she doesn’t get her “fix.”

I learn a lot about human nature through my kids. In this case, I realized that what I thought was a lesson I’d tapped into over time—to seek the company of uplifting people—is actually intuitive wisdom. In other words, we’re all wired to find love. When we meet someone who radiates it, we naturally crave their company. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” After coming across this quote recently, I thought about people I hadn’t seen in 10 to 20 years. I immediately realized how true the statement is. Despite the time gap, I can remember who made me laugh, who made me cringe, who built me up, who dragged me down. Imagining some people brought a smile to my face. Imagining others put a pit in my stomach. People do, indeed, remember how you made them feel. Of course, it only seemed fair for me to consider the flip side, too: How have I made other people feel? Whose feelings have I hurt, inadvertently or not? Just because I’m not a bully or cold-hearted person doesn’t mean I’ve never deflated someone’s spirit. Maybe I ignored someone in a time of need. Maybe I shot down someone’s self-esteem. Maybe I mistreated someone providing me a service. Whatever the case, I’m not naïve enough to believe that I’ve evoked nothing but happiness in others. There’s a reason why Ella longs to see her youngest sister each morning. It’s the same reason we all flock to babies: Because they’re heavenly, as pure and innocent as a person gets. They see our beauty through a magnifying glass, listen without judging, warm our hearts by their presence. In essence, babies are love. The way we feel as a result of that is something we can all take to heart. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four with a background in PR, writin, and photography. Visit her website at www.karikampakis.com, ﬁnd her on Facebook and Twitter, or e-mail her at kari@karikampakis. com.

Trails of Africa zoo exhibit to open Easter weekend Visitors to the Birmingham Zoo will be among the first in the world to see a herd of all-male elephants outside of Africa. The 14-acre Trails of Africa exhibit will host a herd of African bull elephants. The grand opening is scheduled for opening April 2224. Elephants Bulwagi, the 30-year-old patriarch of the tribe, and Callee will be roaming their new natural habitat. Soon, Ajani from Indianapolis Zoo and PhaboUmasai from the Dresden Zoo in Germany will join the herd. With a preference for moderate to subtropical climates, the animals will no doubt be at home in Birmingham. Their new open-space habitat features two watering holes, a muddy area for wallowing, a garden of trees and shrubs for munching, and plenty of room to roam. After the elephants become accustomed to one another, the zoo will transition hippos, rhinos, red river hogs and other species into the main yard. The exhibit, located between current giraffes and the current rhino and hippo exhibits, will constantly change as the other species rotate in and out of the yard.

Children and adults can learn about African species as well as global wildlife conservation. A play yard will house a larger-than-life ant mound, African drums and other interactive aspects for children. The new Safari Café in the exhibit offers sandwiches, salads and snack foods that appeal to both children and adults; the offerings are different than the existing Kudzu Café. The open-air, thatched Safari Peak area can be rented for events and catering in evenings. The $12.5 million exhibit also focuses on the care, conservation and breeding of threatened elephants. The Large Animal Isolation & Research Facility (LAIR) will set course for future revitalization of zoo and future elephant exhibit. The research facility is not open to the public but is available for VIP and special tours. The zoo will continue to complete improvements to the Trails of Africa exhibit as well as other updates to its facilities. For more information on visiting the Birmingham Zoo, visit www. birminghamzoo.com.

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

| April 2011 |

Junior League’s Bargain Carousel celebrates 30 years

Bargain Carousel Steering Committee. Back Row: Megan McGarity, Leigh Haver, Meredith McMillan, Lindsey Brayon. Front Row: Shannon Stewart, Valerie Ramsbacher and Sara Hood.

The Junior League of Birmingham’s largest fundraiser, Bargain Carousel, will be held Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. This year marks the thirtieth year of this special fundraiser. This enormous community garage sale, along with the Preview Party, is essential to carrying out the projects and missions of the League. Money raised helps to fund the League’s 30 community projects with organizations such as Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, YWCA, Children’s Hospital and the Crisis Center. Last year, over 6000 people walked through the doors of Bargain Carousel. Many of these shoppers wait all year for this event. The sale enables them to furnish their homes, clothe their childrenor replace old appliances. There are several opportunities for people to attend Bargain Carousel and shop for all sorts of great finds. The Preview Party will be held Thursday, April 28 at the Riverchase Galleria. This is the best casual party around! The Patron’s Party begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and include pre-party shopping privileges from 6 to 7 p.m. and first dibs on cash and carry auction items and the “All New Shop.” Also enjoy specialty appetizers by Maki Fresh, local beer from Good People Brewing and margaritas from Cantina while they last! Dinner, beer, wine and music are also included in this ticket price.

Others wishing to attend the Preview Party (7 p.m. entry) may purchase a ticket for $30 per person. Thisincludes presale shopping privileges from 7 to 10 p.m., dinner provided by Cantina, beer and wine, cash and carry items, silent auction and music provided by Jamm Entertainment. Some of this year’s silent auction highlights are trips such as The Ritz Carlton, Disney, St. Simons Island, The Grand Hotel, The Biltmore, Watercolor, and The Grove Park Inn. Experiences such as concert tickets, a dinner party for 8 at danielgeorge, a private party for 10 AVX, and a private Rush Wines wine tasting are available for bidding. If you enjoy dining, you won’t want to miss the gift certificates for over 40 restaurants and eateries including Avo/ Dram, Bottega, Flemming’s, Satterfield’s and Sol Y Luna. Art is always a popular bidding category, and donations by amazing local, regional and national artists like Eleanor Rushing, Jene Black, Barbara Harbin, Van Matino, Mary Margaret Binkley and Patricia Brunet among others will be available. Tickets are available for purchase beginning April 1 at www.jlbonline.com for the Preview Party. Tickets for entry into Bargain Carousel on Saturday, April 30, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, 1–5 p.m. are $5. On Sunday, all items will be 50 percent off.

10 YEARS, from pg 5 cheese reception. Books will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Little Professor Book Center. Tickets for the event are $25 each and are available at Emmet O’Neal Library. The whole library is in on the party! In the Children’s Department, all regularly scheduled storytimes will have cupcakes and sing “Happy Anniversary!” Kids will be able to create anniversary cards for the library that will be displayed in the Storytelling Room. Daily games earn the kids chances to win one of ten fabulous giveaway boxes. What’s in the boxes? Only the winners will find out for sure. Family Night on April 12 brings magician Tommy Johns to help kids celebrate the magic of reading at the library, and then you and your family can let down your hair on April15 at the library’s Movie on the Lawn, featuring a strong-willed young lady in a tangled predicament. This is also the evening on which the drawings will be held to select the winners of the ten giveaway boxes. Play those daily games to maximize your chances of winning!

The library will host a 10th Anniversary Chess Tournament on April 16. Registration for the event ends April 13, so drop by and sign up today. The management and staff of the Emmet O’Neal Library would like to thank you for your continuing support of the library. We love to see you here and appreciate how much you value and take pleasure in the programming and resources available to you. Recently, library customers were invited to share the top 10 reasons they love us in return. Visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ emmetoneallibrary to see these wonderful testimonials of library love. For information about the events mentioned here or any of the library’s other regularly scheduled programs, call (205)445-1121. Visit our website at www. eolib.org, read our blog at www.eolib. blogspot.com, Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/emmetoneallibrary, and follow us on Twitter @eolib!

Weily Soong, MD Kay Knight, MD Maxcie Sikora, MD

3 Convenient Locations

Homewood • Hoover Highway 280 @ The Narrows For Appointments or Information Call

871-9661 Find allergy relief now -Let us help. alabamaallergy.com

| April 2011 |

Village Living

Camps, from pg 13 off and pick up will be in the gym. Adult must sign student in and out. Designed for boys and girls in 4K through sixth grades. Camp fee is $175 per child per session and $150 for each additional child in the family. Cost for Session 5 is $140 due to short week. Each session at Brookwood Forest Elementary runs 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Session 1: June 6-10 Session 2: June 13-17 Session 3: June 20-24 Session 4: June 27-July 1 Session 5: July 5-8 Session 6: July 11-15 Carolina Shag Dance Lessons Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Begins April 20. Shag is the dance of carefree days at the beach. It’s a little like swing and jitterbug but slower, smoother and strictly Southern. Instructors are John Harper and Susan Green of the Beach Shaggers of Birmingham. Partners are not required for the lessons. One-hour lessons will begin Wednesday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m and continue for four consecutive Wednesday evenings, concluding May 11. Cost for instruction is $40 per person for all sessions. For information, call John Harper at 879-1531. To register, call 969-0109. Driving Lessons Need to know the basics? Individual driving instruction is available. Learn important driving instruction for both city and highway. Larry Wilson is a state certified driving instructor. His general recommendation for teenagers learning to drive is six hours of instruction, which he usually provides in three 2-hour lessons. Cost is $60 per hour or $360 for three 2-hour lessons. Dates are arranged by the instructor. Call Community Education at 969-0109 for information on how to contact instructor and about the forms that are required.

Chess Camp The Knight School is Birmingham’s premiere intensive chess program, specializing in imparting true chess mastery to Mountain Brook’s sharpest minds in an environment that is addictively fun, laughter-driven and powerfully organized. State Champion Chess Coach David Brooks, B.A., B.A., M.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. continues to unleash an arsenal of world-class teaching, complete with remote control clickers; mandatory chess clocks, highly-competitive color, fully-bracketed tournaments, chess movies, driving music and prizes. Crestline Elementary School will host two sessions of chess camp. Choose the week of June 6 or July 18. Each camp is Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. till noon. To register, contact David Brooks at (205) 823-5715 or dbrooksphd@ hotmail.com. Summer Safari Fine Arts Camp The caravan goes to art for an hour and a half. We’ll be making paper mache African masks and other fun projects. Supplies included. The fun moves to music for an hour and a half exploring a jungle beat. Leslie Wingo and Debbie Rakes, both Brookwood Forest Elementary teachers, direct this program at the school. Three sessions to choose from: June 13-17, June 27-July 1, or July 11-15. Cost is $225 per student. Sessions are 9 a.m. till noon daily. Drop off and pick up will be at the back carport. For more information or to register, call 969-0109. Summer on Broadway The UAB Children’s Creative Learning Center and Mountain Brook Schools present this program at Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Monday-Thursdays, June 13 - July 22 (Closed July 4), 8 a.m. – noon. This program is for children ages 3 through 12. There will be Enrichment Workshop Choices (Dance, Drama, Math, Reading, Science, Technology, Music, Art, etc.). The Enrichment Program is $150.00

per week, and both the Enrichment Program iwth Reading and Enrichment Program with Math are $175 per week. For more information contact Jennifer Summerlin, Instructional Coordinator, at summerlinj@mtnbrook. k12.al.us or Abbey Hankins at akirk@uab.edu. Summer SMART Camp Spanish, Music and Art...Now that’s SMART! Sara-Kathryn Bates (MBE Spanish teacher), Shari Dorsett (MBE music teacher) and Kendra Haddock (MBE art teacher) have teamed up to host a summer camp available to all incoming kindergarten students through third grade students, June 20-24. Artistic creations, musical productions, Spanish crafts, a trip to Davenport’s for lunch on Thursday and much, much more will encompass our week of pizzazz, which is our 2011 S-MART camp theme. Our fun-filled week will conclude on Friday with an artistic, musical and Spanish presentation for parents. The $255 fee includes tie-dye S-MART camp t-shirt, daily snacks and bottled water, one lunch at Davenport’s, and all supplies. Children should bring a sack lunch each day except Thursday when we will go to Davenport’s for lunch. Camp held June 20–24 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Mountain Brook Elementary. For more information, contact: SaraKathryn Bates (batess@mtnbrook.k12. al.us), Shari Dorsett (dorsetts@mtnbrook. k12.al.us), Kendra Haddock (haddockk@ mtnbrook.k12.al.us) or call Mountain Brook Community Ed at 969-0109. Summer Art Class Summer Art Class for students in grades 1-6 will be held at the Crestline Elementary School art room. The sessions will be Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. Session 1 is June 20-24 and Session 2 June 27-July 1. Cost is $225 per student per session. Supplies included. Instructor is Vista Nelson. For more information and to register, please contact Vista Nelson at nelsonv@mtnbrook.k12.al.us or 205- 8355857. Become a Writing Wizard This camp is designed to expand your

rising fourth or fifth grader’s knowledge in the area of writing. We have created an action-packed mini -camp to develop vivid language in their writing, create a rock solid foundation for three modes of writing (narrative, descriptiveand expository), write with sensory details, teach them how to expand story lines that flow using dialogue, supportive reasons, and transition words, as well as much more. The total cost of the mini camp will be $200. This includes a daily snack, educational materials and supplies. Students will need to bring a sack lunch with a drink each day. Camp teachers will be Karen Scott and Donna Breland. Mrs. Scott is a fifth grade teacher with 17 years of teaching experience, and Donna Breland is a reading coach with 22 years of experience in education. Together, they will unleash the writer inside of your child. Camp sessions will be held at Crestline Elementary School June 13-16 or July 11-14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily Reading Round Up Rising first and second graders, Brookwood Forest Elementary, July 1115, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Camp is designed to continue growth and progress over the summer months. We have created an action-packed week to review phonics skills, boost comprehension, encourage reading, build basic vocabulary and incorporate daily writing so you can enjoy all the other activities that summer has to offer. Cost is $250. Snacks and supplies are included. Bring sack lunch and drink. Rising KindergartnersReading Readiness July 11-15, 9 a.m. until noon. Program will develop phonemic awareness, increase letter recognition, and solidify alphabetic knowledge. Hands-on activities will improve their pre-reading and vocabulary skills. Through whole group lessons, students will be challenged to answer questions about the daily read aloud. Skills will prepare student for upcoming school year in fun and engaging ways. Cost is $150. Snack and supplies included. Camps are run by National Board-certified teachers with more than 13 years experience. To register call Community Ed at 969-0109.

BO JOHNSON, cover story before at Margaret Camp’s house. This year there will not be a golf tournament or silent auction like in the past, but the foundation hopes to hire an event planner and bring them back next year. The Bo Johnson Charitable Foundation board hopes to fund research to help decrease diagnoses and the high mortality rate for esophageal cancer. In 2010 the National Cancer Institute estimated there were 16,640 new cases of esophageal cancer and 14,500 deaths in the United States. The foundation has raised more than $250,000 for esophageal cancer research from the golf tournament and party over the past five years. Last year they established a $50,000 grant for esophageal cancer research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. The foundation plans to continue to give toward local research. They also have contributed to the American Cancer Society in the past. Johnson’s friends and family also hope to raise awareness of esophageal cancer and encourage people to see a doctor about subtle symptoms such as heartburn and sore throats. Johnson complained about a sore throat hurting for at least six weeks before he saw a doctor. Early esophageal cancer may not cause symptoms, but symptoms include pain when swallowing, chest or back pain, weight loss, heartburn,

chronic cough or hoarse voice. Johnson’s legacy lives on in the fight against esophageal cancer, but it is his fun-loving spirit that those who knew him speak about most enthusiastically. You can find Bo’s Nachos on the menu at Otey’s Tavern in Crestline. You can hear stories from his friends about how his arguing and debating drove them crazy but how his loyal friendship trumped all. You can catch his enthusiasm for the game of golf on Birmingham courses. And you can find his spirit more than alive at the zoo on April 28. Bo’s family and friends have all shared the work of planning the events and a few have taken turns as head party planner. Johnson’s cousin Isabelle Silko ran it one year. Margaret Camp did it other years. Lauren Crow helps with publicity and gathering items for the silent auction. Arlen Carpenter’s company, Stickland Paper, handles paper products. Many Mountain Brook businesses have sponsored the event. Other family and friends on the Bo Johnson Memorial Foundation Board and Committee are Sam Johnson, Cal Bailey, Elizabeth Jernigan, Tom Jernigan, Larry Moore, Chris Silko, Catherine Pittman Smith and Callen Sparrow.

The Sixth Annual Bo Johnson Memorial Zoo Party will be held Thursday, April 28, 5-9 p.m. at the Birmingham Children’s Zoo. To purchase tickets, make a check payable to: The Bo Johnson Charitable Foundation, 3219 Karl Daly Rd., Birmingham, Ala. 35201. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door; children 17 and under are free. Tickets and donations are tax deductable.

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

MBJH participates in Alabama Youth Legislature

| April 2011 |

Cummings JEWELRY DESIGN

EXPERT JEWELER SERVICES

CUSTOM DESIGNS ~ LASER WELDING ~ REMOUNTS ~ APPRAISALS ~ REPAIRS

We purchase gold, platinum, silver, flatware, diamonds and coins

$25 OFF a purchase of $100 or more Expires 4/30/11

298-9144 • 3166 HEIGHTS VILLAGE MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM - 5:30PM

Alabama Youth Legislature participants.

By Hilary Ross Sixteen MBJH ninth graders joined eight MBHS sophomores to attend the Alabama Youth Legislature in Montgomery. The overall purpose of the Alabama Youth Legislature is to prepare a select group of young people for moral and political leadership by providing guidance, training and experience in the theory and practice of determining public policy. The Alabama Youth Legislature is fully supported by the Alabama Legislature as the premier youth program in the state, specifically tailored for learning and experiencing the legislative process. There were 27 groups represented at the Alabama Youth Legislature. Out of the 11 outstanding delegates in the first year chamber (ninth grade), MBJH had five: Jack Royer, Wayne Ingram, Rebecca Fleisig, Murray Manley and Ben Jackson. The outstanding statesman in the First Year Chamber was MBJH ninth grader Ben

Jackson. Ben was also selected as a delegate to the 2011 National Affairs conference in North Carolina this summer. The following students presented bills that were passed in the chamber and signed into law by the Youth Legislature Governor: Olivia Burton, Tillman Drew, Murray Manley and Frank Phillips. Frank Phillip’s bill was an anti-price gouging act for the prices of food and medicine during a state of emergency. Olivia Burton’s bill was an Alabama State Sales Tax Balancing Act, which was to get rid of sales tax on food. Officers in the First Year Chamber run at the district meeting in December for the positions. Freshman serving as officers in the First Year Chamber in 2011 were: Pro Tem Jack Royer, Assistant Clerk Hannah Mouyal and Sergeant at Arms Wayne Ingram.

MBJH students participate in Medieval Day

MBJH 8th graders during Medieval Day: Will Hartley, Hill Kirkland, Clayton Sharp, George Keller, Jack Ferguson, Gene Thagard, Jake Bice, Gray Robertson, Jack Carvalho, Julia Leonard, Carlin Pittman, Sarah Hayden Logan, Raﬁ Goldsmith, Margaret Heath, Avi Goldsmith, Erin Luks, Lucy Gardner, Leigh Hampton Gorham and Madelyn Rosenthal.

By Hilary Ross History students at MBJH recently participated in two annual events: Medieval Day for eigth grade Advanced History Students and the Alabama Youth Legislature. Medieval Day is the compilation of the unit of study on the Dark Ages and High Middle Ages in Western Europe in eighth grade Advanced History, which is taught by Helen Pruet. Students choose a historical person studied in class, dress and present research on that person, and enjoy some typical food items of the era. Attendees at Medieval Day could include members of the ruling class: William the Conqueror, Charlemagne, Queen Eleanor, Emperor Justinian, Ivan the Terrible, King John, King Phillip II, Queen Isabella. There are foreigners that

are represented such as Saladin and Leif Erickson. Students might portray men and women of learning including Procopius, Thomas Aquinas, John Wycliffe, Anna Comnena and Dante. Additionally, some students choose to dress as members of the clergy: Pope Urban II, Pope Gregory VII, Pope Innocent III, Benedict, St. Francis, St. Patrick, or Hildegard of Bingen, just to name a few. Students review social order and how individuals would have been seated and served at a feast. The class discusses how people would have eaten without silverware or with just a spoon. As students present their research on the historical figures, the class gets involved in a lively discussion.

mudtown eat & drink 205.967.3300

3144 Green Valley Road

Cahaba Heights

www.mudtownalabama.com for Daily Specials & Find us on Weekly Events

| April 2011 |

School House

Hop on in...

BWF students write to soldiers

We’ll Set You Straight!

Brookwood Forest students Jack Alexander and Harry Evans joined classmates in writing letters to soldiers.

By Bama Hager

Your i nitial is alw exam ays COMP LIMEN TARY!

The second graders at Brookwood Forest Elementary took time out of their busy schedules before the winter holidays to make cards and write letters to our United States soldiers. Everyone wanted to recognize the important job that they are doing for us and to remember them in a special way. BWF Teaching Assistant Ms. Hedrick who has a son in Afghanistan, was contacted to see if she would get mailing addresses for the classes. All of the students at BWF were invited to make cards and write letters to the soldiers. The students were very creative. They wrote very special words to the soldiers to say thank you for a job well done. There were enough letters to fill an entire box. It was addressed and sent

through the mail in time for the holidays. The letters were given to many of the soldiers on the list. Everyone was happy that they had an opportunity to say thank you in a special way to these great Americans who were unable to be home with their families during the holidays. As a second grade computer project, the BWF second graders worked to put together a photo story that was presented on the weekly BWF broadcast program. Ms. Hedrick’s son sent pictures of the soldiers receiving and reading the letters. Some were even posted so that all could read. Second Grade teachers at Brookwood Forest Elementary who helped to coordinate this project are Cindy Holt, Dana Mason, Ashley Scott and Katie Wigton

Crestline chemist visits students Crestline Village

Shannon Riley assists students with their experiments. By Lauren Fowler Shannon Riley, a chemist and owner of OneStop Environmental, spent the day performing experiments with fifth grade students at Crestline School. Students learned how to recognize a chemical change and to test substances to determine if they were an acid or a base. Household substances such as lemon juice, orange juice, detergent and baking soda were tested, and the students learned to

recognize which color change indicated whether the substance was an acid or a base. The highlight of the lesson was adding dry ice to the substances, which brought a lot of oohs and ahs from the students when the substances bubbled and oozed. Many students were inspired to try this at home—with parent supervision of course.

Family Night at BWF By Bama Hager

Spring Flowers & Gifts

Hanging Baskets • Bedding Plants • Bonsai Topiaries • Centerpieces and more Mountain Brook Village- 871-3832 Botanical Gardens - 877-3030 • Summit - 967-3232

www. leafnpetal.com

Brookwood Forest Elementary celebrated a Family Night Dinner at the school on March 3. Parents and students visited the school during the evening and enjoyed Dreamland Barbecue while touring the school and visiting classrooms. Parents were able to view recent student work and speak with teachers about upcoming academic events. Josh from the Boosterthon Fun Run Team served as the DJ for the evening and students enjoyed dancing and playing games to music. Flowers and decorations adorned the school and the cafeteria. PTO Chairs Kathleen Davis and Heather Kelly, along with their committee, planned and conducted the evening’s events. This was the first year the Family Night Dinner was conducted without other activities incorporated into the evening. Principal Yvette Faught reported

Janet and Billy Krueger and sons Will and Nathan enjoyed Brookwood Forest Elementary’s recent Family Night Dinner.

that the Family Night Dinner held alone was a nice evening where parents could take their time visiting with each other and with teachers.

School House

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

Crestline cares

Crestline’s Mrs. Phillip’s and Mrs. Lewis’ fourth grade classes proudly holding their bowls which will be donated to Magic City Harvest.

By Lauren Fowler Crestline’s 4th grade is participating for the third year in a the Magic City Harvest Empty Bowl Event fundraiser, which is a community service project that benefits The Magic City Harvest. The Magic City Harvest is the non-profit prepared and perishable food distribution program of greater Birmingham, which helps to alleviate hunger, malnutrition and food waste through the free distribution of donated excess foods to programs feeding those in need. Our fourth grade students painted bowls to be donated for the event. In art, students studied Southwest Native American pottery and painted bisque ware bowls in that style. The students also

learned about hunger in our community and how their participation in this event will help raise funds to feed hungry people in our community. The bowls are given to lunch attendees—in thanks for supporting the Magic City Harvest through their purchase of a soup and bread lunch. The Empty Soup and Bread Lunch will be taking place on April 28 at the St. Vincent’s Hospital Bruno Conference Center from 11 a.m.-1:30p.m. If you would like any information about the event, email mcharvest@bellsouth.net. We are very proud that our Crestline students are willing to donate their artistic talent as a community service to this worthy cause.

MBE adopts sister school

At the bake sale with teacher Jennifer Wilson are fourth grade students Christopher Thagard, Crawford Outland, Thomas Hunt, Steven Jinnette, Vale Lightfoot, Claire Collier, Emory Alexander, Ann Wolter, Mallie Reed, Rob Jolly, Sam Somerville, Tucker Milteer, David Windsor, Will McDonald, Ella Cobb.

| April 2011 |

! Y E

ou’v Grown Up wIth Us

(we’ve grown up with you!) very imaginative creative ideas for all Shipping services available

Crestline

871-2662

Smart Parent.

Smart Kid.

S K

By Hilary Ross Mountain Brook Elementary recently adopted a new sister school, Albert Turner, Sr. Elementary (ATE) in Perry County after its previous sister school, Tuggle Elementary, closed. Several events were held recently at MBE and in the community to benefit ATE, which educates prekindergarten through sixth grades. Ninetyeight percent of the students who attend ATE are economically disadvantaged. The Share a Book drive was held, where over the course of a week MBE students donated new and gently used children’s books during morning carpool. These books were collected and given to the school library of ATE. Valentine hearts were sold to teachers and students in the Share a Heart campaign, which netted more than $2,000 to purchase school supplies for ATE. The paper hearts were available for purchase and were used them to send valentine wishes to classmates, friends and teachers.

One fourth grade class, taught by Jennifer Wilson, was so inspired by the generosity that when asked what they wanted to do for a class valentine party, they elected to have an additional fundraiser to benefit ATE and use the proceeds to buy the school more much-needed supplies. The class decided the Triangle Park was a perfect venue for the fundraiser. So, on a Friday afternoon after school, Mrs. Wilson’s class hosted an amazing bake sale, hot chocolate and lemonade stand to raise another $305 for school supplies for ATE in less than an hour! The students embraced the opportunity to help their new friends at ATE and did all the work, from decorating donation jars, to making flyers distributed at MBE, hanging sales posters and manning the sale tables. Every student in Mrs. Wilson’s class was there to participate.

Call now for Summer Programs! Reading • Math • Writing • Chemistry • Study Skills SAT/ACT Prep • Algebra I&II • Geometry • Calculus

Cahaba Heights

3118 Cahaba Hts Plaza

968-5151 (near Starbucks)

Inverness

5291 Valleydale Road

981-7155

TutoringClub.com (1/2 mile from 280)

Re S

529

(

| April 2011 | School House

MOUNTAIN BROOK ART ASSOCIATION

30th Annual

Art Show April 9th

Saturday, 9AM - 4PM Crestline Elementary School Field 3785 Jackson Blvd, Mountain Brook AL 35213 Rain Date next day April 10, 12 - 5PM Visa / Discover /Matercard www.mbartassociation.org

First grade news at MBE By Hilary Ross Mountain Brook Elementary has four classes of first grade students taught by Katherine Brown, Julie Cox, Carrie Dobson and Elizabeth Fillebaum. Julie Cox was interviewed for this article and is in her fifteenth year of teaching first grade at MBE. First graders work to build a solid foundation in all academic areas, especially literacy and mathematics. The days are filled with reading and writing including whole class, small group and individual experiences. First graders vary greatly in their abilities and interests and instruction is just as diverse. The mathematics curriculum focuses on building number sense and developing a deep understanding of mathematical principles before working to master skills such as counting patterns and basic addition and subtraction facts. In addition to the traditional academic subjects, students begin to develop more independence as they learn social skills, problem solving strategies and work habits enabling them to learn to handle situations they currently face or will encounter in the future. Lessons incorporate many technological and hands-on resources in order to keep learning active and fun for the children. The study of Alabama history is reinforced by a visit to Alabama Constitution Village in Montevallo. Here the children learned about life in Alabama in the 1800s. Students also learn valuable biology and health lessons from PBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Slim Goodbody during two musical shows at the Alabama Theater. A favorite, annual field trip of MBE first grade is visiting the Jones Valley Urban Farm in downtown Birmingham. Students get to see a working farm, participate in a harvest and prepare a healthy snack. This

Mrs. Cox and students Julianne Alexis Abenoja, Edward Barze, Henry Caldwell, Duncan Chandler, Ted Coltharp, Mary Cooper, Cory Fan, John Gifford Hay, Mason Keller, Laurel Maher, George Martin, Bay Matthews, Carolyn McAlister, Andrew Nielsen, Carlyn Randleman, John White and Augusta Yearout. reinforces the unit of study on nutrition and assists students in learning more about making nutritious food choices. Miss Annie of Miss Annieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Educational Adventures also visits each first grade class monthly to enrich the social studies and science units. So you can see that first grade is busy learning through several educational field trips and presentations. The children have been very engaged with the recent science unit comparing types of living things and what they need to survive. Each student planted seeds and observed and charted the growth of the plants. Each class has built and maintained

an aquarium and a terrarium containing examples of both plants and animals. Imaging the excitement of observing living guppies, snails, rolypolies and millipedes! On a personal note, Mrs. Cox grew up right here in Mountain Brook. She attended Crestline Elementary, Mountain Brook Junior High and Mountain Brook High School. After graduating from Birmingham-Southern College, she worked as an assistant at Cherokee Bend and Mountain Brook Elementary. Since 1996, she has taught first grade at MBE. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Rodney, and their two sons, Bradley and Ryan.

School House

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

| April 2011 |

CBS has famous visitors

Milton Hershey (Blake Pugh) and Ronald Reagan (Garrett Long).

By Alison Gault Cherokee Bend 2nd graders held their annual Famous People program recently. This is always a favorite among both parents and students. Each student selects a famous person to dress as and writes a

biographical theme about that person prior to the musical program. Students learn both biographical writing skills and US history in the process.

Teacher Melinda Curtis with her famous students.

CBS Expression Art winners

Expressions contest organizers Susan Logan and Laura Read watch as Thomas Graham receives his second place ribbon in the Literature category from Principal Betsy Bell. Thomas also received third place for his winning entry at the Mountain Brook district level.

provided by Magic City Harvest

By Alison Gault Cherokee Bend PTO recently recognized the school’s Expressions Art Contest winners at their monthly meeting. The contest called for artistic submissions in the categories of Literature, Visual Arts, Photography, Video Production and Music Composition. This year’s contest theme was, “I

PUBLIC SCREENING

Dream of ... .” The winning entries were selected by local judges talented in each of the artistic fields, and were awarded first, second, third places, and honorable mention. Those winners then went on to compete against the winning entries from the other three Mountain Brook elementary schools.

Sunday, April 10 at 6 pm Mtn. Brook Presbyterian Church 3405 Brookwood Rd

for more information contact Margaret Nichols at mnichols3212@charter.net

Every year in America we throw away 96 BILLION lbs of food. That’s 263 MILLION lbs a day. 11 MILLION lbs an hour. 3,000 LBS A SECOND.

www.divethefilm.com This documentary is approximately 45 minutes long and is appropriate for all ages. Bring your friends and join us for a rare opportunity to view this compelling film.

| April 2011 |

Music & Arts

Village Living Calendar

4/1- 8 p.m. Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Red Diamond Pop Series.

Michael Cavanaugh. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Concert Hall. $24- $72. Call 205-251-7727 or visit www.alabamasymphony.org for more information.

4/1- 8 p.m. Viva Health Starlight Gala presents the Pointer Sisters. The Alys Stephens Center. Admission. 205-975-2787.

4/7- 5:30- 7p.m. Birmingham Revealed! 2011 Winter Series

Bobby Horton: The Stories of Alabama Folk Art. Vulcan Park. $15. Cash bar available. Call 205-9331409 or visit www.visitvulcan.com for more information

4/13-4/16- Southern Conference On Cast Iron Art. Sloss Furnaces National Historic

Landmark is hosting the 6th Biennial Conference on Cast Iron Art. The emphasis here is on student learning and participation; the goal is the production of art. For more information please contact Sloss Furnaces Metal Arts Curator, Paige Wainwright at 205-324-1911 or visit www.slossfurnaces.com/cic.

4/14 - 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Studio By The Tracks Spring Show 301 S. 20th St, Irondale..

Studio By The Tracks, a non-profit art studio which provides free art classes to adults with autism or mental illness, will honor Autism Awareness Month with a show featuring new work by its students. Call 951-3317 or visit studiobythetracks.org for more information.

Family Fun

4/1-4/30- Southern Museum of Flight Colorful Kite Tales Exhibit and Programs.

Colorful Kite Tales Exhibition chronicles the colorful history and science of kites. Special tours available $7 per person. Group reservations required. Southern Museum of Flight. Call 205-833-8226 or visit www.southernmuseumofflight. org for more information.

4/1-4/30- Every day, 9a.m.– 5p.m. Baby Season at the Alabama Wildlife Center.

Visitors can observe the care of Alabama native wild bird patients in the nurseries, solarium and raptor flight cages through one-way glass viewing windows. Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park. Free after state park admission- Adults $3/ Children & senior citizens $1. Call 205-6637930 or visit www.awrc.org for more information.

4/2- 1p.m. and lasts 20-60 minutes. Alabama Wildlife Center Get Wild. Get Wild,

a free, monthly family-oriented program promoting bird conservation and stewardship. Each program is hosted by wild bird educators and will feature a different topic. A visit inside the workings of the unique rehabilitation clinic, or maybe even a hands-on service project for some wild bird patients. Alabama Wildlife Center. Free after paid admission to Oak Mountain State Park. $3 adult/$1 child. 205-663-7930. Visit www.awrc.org for more information

4/23 - Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Crestline.

4/15-16- Widespread Panic with Charlie Daniels Band(15th) and Big Gigantic (16th). Verizon Wireless Music Center. Admission. Visit http://www.livenation.com/ artist/736451 for more information.

4/19- 7 p.m. Southern Circuit at the Alys Stephens Center. Tour of Independent Filmakers & Their Movies. Alys Stephens Center. Admission. Call 205-9752787 or visit www.alysstephens.org for more information.

4/23- 8p.m. Jonny Lang in Concert Alys Stephens Center. Admission. Call 205-97527 87 or visit www.alysstephens.org for more information.

4/23- 7 p.m. Combined choir performance of the Independent Presbyterian Choir

and the Mountain Brook Presbyterian Choir. Held at MBPC located at 3405 Brookwood Road.

4/28-4/30- Amadeus. Dane Peterson Theatre Series. The greatest musical genius

of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Winner of a Tony Award for Best Play and the Academy Award for Best Film. Virginia Samford Theatre. $25/ $15 students. Call 205-251-1206 or visit www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

4/28-4/30- Alabama Ballet presents American Masterpieces. Alabama Ballet

closes its diverse season with three works by two giants of twentieth century choreography- Antony Tudor’s Lilac Garden, Agnes de Mille’s The Other and Three Virgins and a Devil. Added to the mix will be an original piece by Alabama Ballet’s own Roger Van Fleteren. Alys Stephens Center. Admission. Call 205-322-4300 or visit www.alabamaballet.org for more information.

4/29- 8 p.m. One Night of Queen. Alys Stephens Center. Admission. Call 205-9752787 or visit www.alysstephens.org for more information.

Save the date

5/7- 6th Annual Gumbo Gala. Gumbo lovers, do you have the best gumbo in

Special Events/Ministry 4/2- 2011 Race Without Limits. Railroad Park. This is a charity event that benefits

United Cerebral Palsy and is an 8K race and 1 mile fun run. Visit www. racewithoutlimits.com for more information.

4/3- 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. LJCC hosts their spring group fitness launch. Free event,

but please bring a canned good. Come try out all of our different group fitness classes. For more information, visit www.bhamjcc.org.

4/8 & 4/9- 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. both days. Assistance League® of Birmingham’s huge

multi-family garage sale to support their three philanthropic programs: PrimeTime Treasures, Operation School Bell® and Operation Literacy. Furniture, art, clothes, rugs, books and household items will be sold at very low prices. The garage sale will be inside PrimeTime Treasures at 1755 Oxmoor Road in Homewood.

4/9- 7:30 a.m. Check in. 9 a.m. Walk begins. Birmingham Walk MS. Join us for a

walk in the park! Birmingham Walk MS will offer both a one mile and three mile route option for all participants. The celebration will continue in Homewood Central Park with refreshments, announcements, awards, and entertainment. The event is free but we do have teams that raise donations. Call 205-879-8881 or visit http://walkalc.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/ ALCWalkEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=15772 for more information.

4/9 -11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cajun Cook-off Fundraiser for Girls Inc.Girls Inc. To be held

at Railroad Park. Teams will register and compete in two different cook-off competitions: a Gumbo and Jambalaya Competition and an Open Cajun/ Creole Competition. Attendees will sample dishes from each team and vote for their favorite. Beer, wine, additional food, music and kids activities. Admission charged. Call (205) 599-5683 for more information.

Birmingham? Gather a team and compete at the 6th Annual Gumbo Gala on May 7, 2011 at Caldwell Park. Benefitting the mission of Episcopal Place. For more information, please go to http://www.facebook.com/l/88d44/www. gumbogala.com or call 939-0085.”

4/9- 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Mountain Brook Art Associations spring show at Crestline field.

5/18- 13th Annual Mountain Brook Sports Corporation Golf Tournament. Shotgun

4/9- 2- 8p.m. Autism Society of Alabama’s Funky Fish Fry. Otey’s Tavern in

Theatre

4/10- 2p.m. LJCC hosts a free beginner’s tennis clinic taught by our tennis pro Dale

starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Highland Golf Course. Proceeds benefit athletic programs at Mountain Brook High School and Mountain Brook Junior High School. Contact Wade Cowden at 807-0335 or evergreenre@msn.com.

4/8-4/10 Broadway in Birmingham presents A Chorus Line. BJCC Concert Hall. $20-$55. www.broadwaybirmingham.com for show times and tickets.

4/13-4/17 7:30pm (2 p.m. Sunday). UAB Theatre presents “Three Sisters.”

Passionate and restless Olga, Masha and Irina Prozorov dream of escaping the isolation and monotony of their provincial garrison town for more cultured, meaningful lives in Moscow. “Three Sisters” is regarded by many critics as the best drama of the 20th century. UAB’s Alys Stephens Center Sirote Theatre. $15 and $18. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.theatre.hum.uab.edu for more information.

SPORTS

4/8-4/10 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Come see all your favorite open

wheel racing superstars! Experience the fan zone, car corral, jumbo-trons, autograph sessions, and team & league merchandise. Barber Motorsports Park. Admission. Call 800-240-2300 or visit www.barbermotorsports.com for more information.

4/15-4/17 Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. This is the first

of two weekends that the legendary track hosts the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Talladega Superspeedway. Admission. Call 1-877-Go2-DEGA or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com for more information.

Gardening/Nature 4/14- 4/17 Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale. Vestavia Hills

Shopping Center beside Red Lobster- Hwy 31. One of the South’s largest plant sales, Spring Plant Sale will have more than 85,000 plants available, many starting at just $2. Spring Plant Sale kicks-off with the Preview Party on Thursday, April 14 from 5-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance (or $50 at the door), giving guests first pick of the plants, while enjoying food and wine. Partygoers will also take home a free signature plant, Angelonia, of their choice. The Members-Only Sale, a complimentary perk for Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens members, follows the Preview Party from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

4/22

Noon. Planting day at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church’s (3405 Brookwood Road) organic garden. Come join in the fun. Help plant this year’s garden. All food grown goes to help feed the hungry through Magic City Harvest.

Do you know of events in our community? We would love to include them. Please email Jennifer@villagelivingonline.com by the 15th of each month for the publication in the next month’s issue.

Local artists show their work. Come stroll and enjoy the day! Free admission.

Crestline. Family friendly event featuring fun events for children, music, and great food. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.funkyfishfry.com or $25 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Each ticket includes admission, one catfish plate from Ezell’s or wrap from Big Blue Bagel, music, and kids area. A bar will be available to purchase alcoholic beverages. Clark. Call 879-0411 to reserve spots (for adults and kids ages 6 and up) or e-mail dclark@bhamjcc.org. This is open to everyone. The Levite Jewish Community Center is at 3960 Montclair Road in Mountain Brook.

4/10- 6 p.m. Screening of the movie “DIVE!” Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church,

3405 Brookwood Road. This movie follows filmmaker Jeremy Seifert and friends as they dumpster dive. This documentary is approximately 45 minutes long and is appropriate for all ages.

4/15- 8 p.m. David Sedaris. Alys Stephens Center. Admission. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.alysstephens.org for more information.

4/16- 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. walk. 4th annual Step Forward to Cure Tuberous Sclerosis 5K Walk on the field in front of the Emmet O’Neal Library. For more information, visit www.stepforwardtocuretsc.org.

4/16- 8 a.m registration. 9 a.m. the walk begins. 4th annual Step Forward to Cure Tuberous Sclerosis Walk. Held on the field in front of the Emmet O’Neal Library. It is a fun filled morning with a 5K walk through the scenic neighborhoods, silent auction, Kid’s Korner and refreshments. Check out www.stepforwardtocuretsc. org for more details.

4/16- 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum’s 2011 Spring Walking Tour

Series: Highland Avenue – Led by Pam King and Linda Nelson. Vulcan Park and Museum’s 2011 Spring Walking Tour Series offers recent and longtime residents alike a fun, invigorating way to experience the history and architectural beauty of Birmingham’s neighborhoods and districts. $12; $10 Vulcan Members. Space is limited. Pre-registration strongly suggested. Call 205-933-1409 or visit info@ visitvulcan.com for more information.

4/28-

6 – 9 p.m. Adaptive Aquatics 3-Hour Tour fundraiser held at the City of Homewood’s Rosewood Hall. Adaptive Aquatic is a nonprofit organization focused on kids, and most recently, war Veterans with spinal cord injuries. The organization contributes to the development and self esteem of wheelchair bound individuals. Tickets are $60 per individual or $100 per couple. To purchase tickets for the 3-Hour Tour Fundraising Event or more information please contact Joe Ray at (205) 807-7519 or visit: www.adaptiveaquatics.org

4/30- Noon until 11 p.m. 2nd Annual Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival. The event

will feature talented award winning blues musicians from local to nationwide playing live music on one stage. The street festival will be a good time to enjoy some great blues music, delicious Bob Sykes BBQ, children and adult activities. Be sure to bring a chair, the family, and set-up your spot for the day on 19th Street North between 3rd and 2nd Avenue North which is located across the street from the Bright Star Restaurant. Call 205-243-9492 or visit www.bobsykes. com for more information.

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

| April 2011 |

Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. Crestline Village Across from Emmet O’Neal Library

#1 George Jones • Linda Flaherty Event Organizers

Meet and greet with the Easter Bunny after the egg hunt. Bring your camera!

for Overall Cardiac Services for Coronary Interventional Procedures Proud to be ranked Alabama’s best choice for heart care. There’s just one hospital in Alabama that has been

rated by HealthGrades® to have both the skills to treat your heart and the scores to prove it. To learn about all our HealthGrades® rankings and to find out more

in Alabama 53129_TRIN_No1_10x7_5c.indd 1

about our highly recognized and comprehensive cardiac program, call 877-TMC-1232 or visit

800 Montclair Road

Your heart. Our life’s work.

heart.trinitymedicalonline.com today.

– All HealthGrades rankings are for 2010-2011

1/13/11 8:37 AM

Village Living

| April 2011 |

neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Thank you Mountain Brook for a great ﬁrst year!

Thanks to all of our sponsors

Alabama Allergy and Asthma Center Alabama Vision Center A’mano Another Broken Egg Cafe Antiquities APS Windows and Gutters Ashley Copeland Inc. Atchison Gallery Avo/Dram Backyard Adventures Baker Lamps & Linens Becky Keyes Beverly Ruff Antiques & Linens Billy Pritchard Birmingham Botanical Gardens Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals Brookwood Hospital Camper O’Neal Canterbury Gardens Canterbury Methodist Church Case Remodeling Christine’s Clark Antiques Gallery Cornelia LaRussa Creative Alliance Crestline Beach Burgers Cummings Jewelers Dana Wolter Interiors

Dance With Lauren Diana’s Organic Greenscapes Distinctive Closets Dixie Window Manufacturing Co. Dwellings Dyron’s Lowcountry Escape Day Spa Evson Inc. Fancy Fur Four Corners Gallery Frontera Geny Mears Gloria Bahakel Grandmother’s Joy Healthy Life and Nutirtion Henhouse Antiques HomeFit Birmingham Huffham Orthondotics iJump Image Arts Individuality Gallery Isbell Jewelers Isis & Sons Jesse Vogtle Johnny Ray’s Kelly Moffatt Portrait Broker Kiki Risa Landscape Cover Solutions Laura Kathryn

Leaf and Petal Little Hardware Longworth Collection Lulie’s on Cahaba Marella MedHelp Michelle’s Mountain Brook Art Association Mountain Brook Chamber Of Commerce Mountain Brook Gym Rats Mountain Brook Presbyterian Mountain Brook Soccer Club Mudtown Norton’s Florist O Advertising Oak Street Garden Shop Once Upon a Time Otey’s Outdoor Living Areas Paige Albright Orientals Past Perfect Please Reply RealtySouth Remon’s Renaissance Consignment Renasant Bank S&S Development Co. Saint Lukes

Scribbler Sew Sheri Snap Kids Snoozy’s Kids St. Luke’s Steve Duncan Table Matters Temple Tutwiler The Cook Store The Diamond Dealer The Junior League of Birmingham The King’s House The Lingerie Shop The Maids The Melting Pot The Painting Co The Primrose School Of Liberty Park The Super Deal Thomas Kinkade Tobacco Leaf Touch of Light Wellness Chiropractic Town and Country Clothes Treadwell Barber Shop Tutoring Club Cahaba Heights Twist Technology Village Dermatology Village Fireﬂy Wild Bird Center

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

| April 2011 |

Around the Villages

Services begin April 3 RealtySouth Mountain for South East Church Brook Awards Breakfast South East Church will begin services April 3 in the auditorium of Crestline Elementary School, 3785 Jackson Boulevard. South East Church is a grassroots movement started by people looking for a local non-denominational church. Pastor Tom McLure describes the church, “The pattern is Christ, the principal is love and the power is the Holy Spirit of God.”

Worship begins at 10 a.m., and Bobby Horton from Three on a String will be providing special worship music on April 3. For more information visit facebook. com/sechurch. South East Church also has a satellite site called the Campus House near UAB with services on Sundays at 6 p.m.

Funky Fish Fry at Otey’s April 9 April is National Autism Awareness Month, and the Junior Board of the Autism Society of Alabama and the Junior Council of Mitchell’s Place are teaming up again to host the second annual Funky Fish Fry on Saturday, April 9, to help raise awareness of autism in Alabama. All proceeds go to fight autism. This family-friendly event is from 2 to 8 p.m. at Otey’s Tavern in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village. The Funky Fish Fry will include a funky fishing booth, fun events for children, live music and mouthwatering food from local restaurants. Guests will have the opportunity to win great items such as gift certificates to local eateries, artwork and much more in our funky fishing booth. Plus, the afternoon’s southern style menu is sure to satisfy appetites with Ezell’s famous

catfish, as well as a variety of other great foods from The Blue Bagel, Otey’s Tavern and Indie Candy. Live music from children’s favorite Tangerine Tambourine, local band Juice, and your favorite funk bands, Earthbound and George Porter Jr. and the Runnin Pardners, will entertain the crowd. Tickets are $20 in advance at www. funkyfishfry.com or $25 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Each ticket includes admission, one catfish plate from Ezell’s or wrap from Big Blue Bagel, music, and entrance to a kids area. A bar will be available to purchase alcoholic beverages. For more information about this event, please visit www.funkyfishfry. com or contact Niki Harris at 205-9602035 or rogers.niki@gmail.com

RealtySouth held their Mountain Brook Office award’s breakfast on March 21. Agents were entertained by the acclaimed storyteller Dolores Hydock, who shared stories about opportunities. The breakfast celebrated the office’s accomplishments and those agents in the Mountain Brook office who have attained membership in the Millennium Club (top 20 percent of the company.) The number one agent in the

company is in the Mountain Brook office, Stephanie Robinson. The Millennium Club members from the Mountain Brook office includeStephanie Robinson, Jacque Bailey, Liz Cleckler, Lee Marks, Carol Waites, Cathy Rogoff, Isabelle Lawson, Bert Siegel, Kerri Culotta, Betty Coe, Susie Denson, Ed Coe, Brian Boehm, Kathy Harris, Carey Hines, Martha Hiden, Mildred Knight, Bunny Rotenstreich, Lynn Bridell, Sue Moody and Kathie Welch.

Happy 36th Anniversary to the Cook Store The Cook Store in Mountain Brook Village is celebrating 36 years in business. The Cook Store features the finest in kitchen accessories, gadgets, unique gifts, baskets, placemats, pottery, and many other

specialty items. The Cook Store is located at 2841 Cahaba Road. For more information or to register for the Bridal Registry visit thecookstoremtnbrook.com.

Easter Egg Hunt in Crestline April 23 Children ages 10 and under are invited to the Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter. Kids should bring their Easter baskets and parents their cameras for a fun morning of hunting for treat-filled eggs and visiting the Easter Bunny. The hunt will take place Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. at Country Club Park across from Emmet O’Neal Library in Crestline Village.

Linda Flaherty, owner of Once upon a time, is organizing the event. “This is a fun family event, “ she said. “You won’t want to miss it.” Flaherty requests that any Crestline merchant wanting to donate or participate in preparations for the hunt contact her at 410-5410. For more information about the Easter egg hunt, email onceuponatimebaby@gmail.com.

| April 2011 |

Our pool is spiffy. Sure, your place is nice. But, is it fantastic ? W hy not tr y a new place ? We’ve got the perfect location. Whether you want to join a team in any of our Birmingham metropolitan offices, up north or even along Alabama’s shoreline, RealtySouth is strategically located throughout the state, positioned to serve the largest buyer and seller pool. More so than the walls, what’s inside matters most. From top-notch training and cutting edge technology to advertising plans and marketing strategies, there is no better place. Come on over and check us out. It isn’t a leap of faith. It’s a leap of assurance.

For more information on how to become one of Alabama’s leading real estate associates, call Mountain Brook Village Office 205.870.5420