Village Living December 2014

Village Living Volume 5 | Issue 9 | December 2014

Holiday event guide

neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Piggly possibilities

Find a schedule of your favorite December events in this issue.

Holiday page A14

150-plaque record

Plans being finalized for proposed Vine Street store

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Three letters have incited great controversy in Crestline over the past year and a half: P, I and G. After 30 years of business in the village, Piggly Wiggly closed its doors in November 2013. A year later, plans have been made to open a new Pig in the

The cross-country team won MBHS’s 150th state title. Read more about its significance inside.

Sports page B18

INSIDE Sponsors ........A4 City ..................A6 Business ........A10 Community ... B2

School House...B9 Sports ..............B12 Faith .................B21 Calendar ........ B22

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area, but not all residents are in favor of its current form.

The new urban-model store would sit on Vine Street with 18,000 feet of retail space across from the field at Crestline Elementary School.

See PIGGLY WIGGLY | page A28

Get the latest on the Pig Read a full report from the Nov. 24 City Council meeting.

Visit villagelivingonline.com.

Hanging up memories A tree of remembrance

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Glistening ornaments transport Katie Houser back to Russia.

Seeing them hang on a tree outside her three daughters’ bedrooms, she remembers the first time they caught her eye. She had come to Rostov, one of the poorest places in Russia, alone amid negative-degree temperatures, her first international trip besides a vacation in Aruba.

She was resolute in her mission — to meet her daughter. The one she and her husband, Jody, had planned to adopt. The one for whom she’d longed through years of infertility treatments as she attended everyone else’s baby showers. The one she’d named Anna Lauren months before, whose nursery had held pillows monogrammed with her name for months.

Anna Lauren’s presents had lain unopened on Christmas Day 2001, the date

See MEMORIES | page A29

Emilie and Anna Lauren Houser hang ornaments on a tree that commemorates their adoptions from Russia. Each Christmas the girls, their parents, Katie and Jody, and their sister Addison set up the tree and the ornaments that were brought back from their adoption journeys. Photo

by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

A2 • December 2014

Village Living

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December 2014 • A3

A4 • December 2014

Village Living

About Us Please Support our Community Partners

Photo of the month

Residents look through the new Images of America: Mountain Brook book at its launch Nov. 7 at Gallery 1930.

Catherine Pittman Smith authored the book of historical photographs. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to jennifer@villagelivingonline.com

Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray It’s hard to believe it’s December and 2014 is drawing to a close. But honestly, I don’t know about you, but the last three months have felt so rushed! Halloween had not even come and gone and Christmas tunes were already playing on the radio. Bitterly cold weather hit in mid-November, and Christmas fever hit too — even before Thanksgiving. The stores seemed a bit more crowded, and I even saw Christmas decorations going up on some homes mid-November.

Now I have to admit I love the Christmas season. There is something about the smells and sounds that conjure up such wonderful memories. Spending time with my husband and children, family, and friends is full of special moments and opportunities to connect.

And that’s what I am challenging myself to do. Connect. Be present. Don’t

miss the gifts that are right in front of me. The world’s pace at Christmas can be frantic, hectic, and, let’s face it, stressful. But is that what it’s really all about? Do the lights have to be strung perfectly on the tree with the wires strategically hidden to enjoy the beauty? Isn’t its glow on the ornaments that tell the history of your life and that of your family’s perfectly? And what about the family Christmas card?

The one with the seemingly perfect picture of the kids? Never mind all of the begging, persuading, bribing, fussing and even yelling that was going on as those photos were taken.

This year, I am making a conscious effort to forgo the pursuit of perfection and the measure of my success by the number of items on my to-do list that are checked off. In fact, some items aren’t even going to make it to my to-do list this year. I’ve decided to see if their

absence is even noticed, and I am willing to bet not.

Instead, I am going to try and spend more of my time with those I love.

Making new memories and remembering ones from years past, and those we would give anything to have with us for one more Christmas. I am going to try putting down that list, that phone, the computer and my calendar, and working on a puzzle with my kids while we drink hot chocolate or enjoying Zoo Light Safari, movies at the Alabama Theatre or some of the festivities in our villages. Maybe it will mean finding a way that we can, as a family, do something for one of the amazing non-profit organizations that we have highlighted this month.

Will you join me? Slow down, be still and count your blessings.

Village Living Publisher: Creative Director: Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Editorial Assistant: Graphic Designer: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:

Contributing Photographer: Contributing Writer: Published by:

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Jennifer Gray Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Jessa Pease Sydney Cromwell Madison Miller Emily VanderMey Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Morgan Robinson Nathan Pearman Karim Shamsi-Basha Kari Kampakis Village Living LLC

School House Contributors: Catherine Gasque - Cherokee Bend, Collins Clegg - Crestline, Kathleen Woodry - Brookwood Forest, Elizabeth Farrar - Mountain Brook High School, Hilary Ross- Mountain Brook Elementary, Dena Berte - Mountain Brook Junior High Contributing Photographer: Image Arts Contact Information: Village Living #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 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

For advertising contact: Dan@VillageLivingOnline.com

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.

Please recycle this paper

A Little Something (A22) A’mano (B2) Alabama Gaslight & Grill (B19) Alabama Outdoors (A28) Alabama Power (A31) America’s Thrift Store (B1) Amy Smith (A12) Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers (A24) Batts’ Chimney Services (A6) Bedzzz Express (B24) Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club (B8) Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates (A8) Bloom (B9) Brandino Brass (A29) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (B15) Brookwood Village (A9) Cahaba Cycles (B19) Canterbury Gardens (A8) Canterbury UMC (A21) Children’s of Alabama (B16) Delicio’s Pizza (A20) Dish’n It Out (B21) Ecoview (A26) Etc. (A11, B18) Ex Voto Vintage (B15) Eye Do (B17) Family Share Massage (A11) Fred Smith Group (B4) Frontera (A20) Granite Transformations (A21) Hanna’s Garden Shop (A25) Hufham Orthodontics (B9) Iz Cafe (B14) Jacqueline DeMarco (A12) John-William Jeweller (A29) Jordan Alexander Jewelry (A23) King’s House Oriental Rugs (B12) Kirkwood by the River (A25) Kitchen Magic (A13) Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. (B13) Lane Parke - Evson Inc. (B111) Leaf & Petal (A15) Levy’s Fine Jewelry (A1) Little Hardware, Inc. (A10) Magnolia Creek Treatment Center (B13) Marguerite’s Conceits (A15) Mobley & Sons (A19) Monkee’s of Mountain Brook (B15) Morningside at Riverchase (B10) Mountain Brook Art Association (B12) Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (B23) Mountain Brook Merchants Association (A5) Mountain Brook Trading on Dexter (B8) On Time Service (A13) Otey’s (A12) RealtySouth (A32) Red Wing Shoes (B4) Red Wing Shoes (A14) Renasant Bank (A3) Sew Sheri Designs (A6) St. Peter’s Anglican Church (B23) Stephanie Steinmetz DDS (B5) Sweat and Gears (B5) Swoop (B5) Taco Mama (B8) The Blue Willow (A26) The Cook Store (A15) The Fitness Center (A17) The Highlands School (A24) The Maids (A22) The White Room Bridal Salon (B15) TherapySouth Crestline (A2) Total Fitness Consultants (B6) Village Dermatology (A7, B3) Village Sportswear (A16) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A27, B12) Wallace-Burke (A14, B7) Weigh To Wellness (B20)

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A5

A6 • December 2014

Village Living

City Mountain Brook No. 4 suburb in national rankings Business Insider has named Mountain Brook as the No. 4 best suburb in America.

The business and technology news website released a list of the 50 best suburbs on Oct. 24.

The site examined data on nearly 300 suburbs, considering populations between 5,000 and 100,000 within 40 kilometers of the nearest metropolitan area. It also factored in average commute times, median household income, poverty and crime rates,

public school ratings from GreatSchools. org, and a measure of housing affordability.

The site noted Mountain Brook’s distinct shopping villages, school system and design

by New York Central Park’s landscape planner Warren Manning. The evaluation added that the city boasts a median household income of $135,833.

Neighboring suburb Vestavia Hills ranked No. 32 on the list.

City council updates City Manager Sam Gaston, City Treasurer Billy Angell and City Clerk Steven Boone take oaths of office for a new term. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Council members, city officials begin term

By MADOLINE MARKHAM A new city council term officially began on Nov. 3. New city council members Alice Womack and Lloyd Shelton were sworn into office at an organizational meeting, and Billy Pritchard was sworn in for a new term and as the council’s new president pro tempore.

Virginia Smith remains the council president, and Smith, Jack Carl and Mayor Terry Oden’s terms all end in 2016.

Womack and Shelton are taking the place Amy Carter and Jesse Vogtle, who stepped down from the council to pursue other commitments.

Also at the meeting, Sam Gaston was appointed city manager, Steven Boone city clerk, and Billy Angell city treasurer. The city attorneys were also appointed; these are Bishop, Colvin, Johnson & Kent and Starnes, Davis & Florie LLP.

At its recent meetings, the city council: }} Discussed the possibility of Mountain Brook hosting a Legends of Motorsports event in conjunction with Barber Motorsports’ antique race car event.

The event would be held Friday, May 15 from 5-7 p.m. and invite local car clubs. Hannon Davidson of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce is working with Mountain Brook Village merchants on event details and will confer with the police and fire chiefs before moving forward, but the council overall expressed interest in the event, which was held in the village in 2010 and 2011. }} Discussed a proposal reviewing modifying a traffic signal on Cahaba Road at the exit of the new Little Hardware building in English Village. The exit now comes out into the south side, not the middle, of the intersection, with no

traffic signal to coordinate with it. This review, conducted by Richard Caudle of Skipper Consulting, would count traffic.

The council decided to wait to see how the traffic patterns evolve before deciding on the need for a study. }} Approved a resolution expressing gratitude to Amy Carter for her service on the Mountain Brook City Council for the past for years and for serving as president pro tempore for the past two years. }} Reappointed Sally Legg to the Tree Commission to serve without compensation through Nov. 28, 2017. }} Reappointed Charles E. Carper IV to the Parks and Recreation Board through Oct. 25, 2019. }} Reappointed William T. “Bill” Warren to the Tree Commission through Oct. 29, 2017.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Sew Sheri

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VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A7

Traffic safety improvements requested on Overhill

Residents are concerned about traffic at the triangle intersections on Overhill Road. Photo by Madoline Markham.

A few of the triangular intersections near Mountain Brook Elementary could be improved with traffic signage in the future.

Residents on Overhill Road near Laurel Lane and on Hastings Road requested the city look at adding stops signs to improve safety at triangle intersections around their homes at the Nov. 10 city council meeting.

Resident Allison Ingram said the number of children living in the area has increased over the past five years since traffic in the area has been studied. She and her

neighbors said that they are concerned about pedestrian safety and requested the city look at adding signage to improve this.

The study from five years ago showed low traffic volume, speeds under the speed limit and lack of documented accidents in the area.

The council discussed Skipper Consulting forming a proposal for a traffic study of the area to present at its next meeting.

CRIME REPORT Week of Oct. 23-30 Theft A theft occurred on Oct. 28 in the 100 block of Office Park Drive. Unknown suspect(s) stole a wallet and credit cards.

Burglary / Residential On Oct. 31, a burglary occurred in the 3200 block of Salisbury Road. Unknown suspect(s) entered the home and stole a purse, iPhone, currency and credit cards.

Criminal Mischief On Oct. 26, unknown person(s) damaged a vehicle in the 2300 block of Woodridge Road.

Criminal Mischief On Oct. 31, there were three cases of criminal mischief in the 3800 block of Arundel Drive.

Unknown suspects damaged the windows of several vehicles. The damage appears to have been done with a pellet gun.

Week of Oct. 31-Nov. 6 Theft of Property A theft occurred on Nov. 4 in the 2800 block of Cahaba Village Plaza. Two ladies jackets were stolen from the business. Prior to the theft, two black females entered the business and looked at merchandise for a few minutes. At the time, they were the only customers in the business. When they left, store personnel discovered that the jackets were missing from a display rack. A possible suspect vehicle was an older blue Cadillac.

On Nov. 3, a theft occurred in the 3100 block of Cahaba Village Plaza. Two suspects stole a large amount of beer and champagne.

Detectives have several leads they are working in this case.

Robbery On Oct. 31 at 10 p.m., a robbery occurred in the 2700 block of U.S. 280 West. Two black males armed with handguns entered the business and demanded money from store personnel. Both subjects were dressed in hooded jackets and armed with semi-automatic handguns.

Week of Nov. 7-13 Criminal Mischief On Nov. 11, unknown suspect(s) damaged a vehicle that was parked at 1 Country Club Road.

Robbery On Nov. 9 at approximately 10:50 p.m., two black males entered Continental Bakery 1909 Cahaba Road and demanded money. The suspects were dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks. At least one suspect was armed with a handgun. The suspects left in an unknown direction of travel.

Burglary / Residential On Nov. 3, a burglary occurred in the 3600 block of Spring Valley Road. Unknown suspect(s) kicked in a door of the residence. Checks, a firearm and tools were stolen from the residence.

-Submitted by Mountain Brook Police Department

A8 • December 2014

Village Living

Faulkner sworn in to serve as house representative

Cahaba River Park scheduled for completion this month

By MADOLINE MARKHAM The new Cahaba River Park is on schedule to be complete by the end of December.

The 4.7-acre property is located at Overton Road and River Run Road.

Its first phase of amenities includes a parking area for 20 cars, a loop walkway and a walkway down to a natural stone beach on the river. Native plants will be placed in disturbed areas to create a bioswale to filter water that flows from the parking lot to the river.

Another trail will go under the bridge

Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock speaks to David Faulkner and his wife, Nancy, before swearing him into office. Photo by Madoline Markham.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Mountain Brook resident David Faulkner was sworn into office on Nov. 5 to serve as the District 46 State House representative for the upcoming term. The district covers Homewood, Hoover and Mountain Brook.

“I intend to keep seeking God’s wisdom as I serve you in Montgomery,” he said following his oath of office. “I don’t intend to change who I am. If anyone ever has trouble getting into contact with me, I want to know about it.”

Outgoing District 46 representative Paul DeMarco, a longtime friend of Faulkner’s, spoke as well.

“He will do an excellent job as representative, and I am proud he will be my state representative,” DeMarco said.

DeMarco and Faulkner graduated from Mountain Brook High School together and have supported one another in previous campaigns. Faulkner said he remembers the conversation he had with DeMarco about whether to run for the District 46 seat, and the night a few years later when DeMarco told him that

if anything ever happened to him, he wanted Faulkner to take his place.

Earlier this year, DeMarco ran against Gary Palmer in the Republican primary to fill the 6th District U.S. House seat that was previously held by Spencer Bachus.

Faulkner won the Republican primary for state District 46 this summer and was unopposed on the Nov. 4 ballot.

During the Nov. 5 event, Faulkner thanked everyone who had supporting him in his campaign, including Connor Herfuth, Lee Rollins and Hannon Davidson; his family; and his law firm, Christian and Small.

Those present for the ceremony at Homewood City Hall included Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer; Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden; Homewood City Council members Peter Wright, Fred Hawkins and Heather Reid; Hoover City Council member John Lyda; and Mountain Brook City Council member Alice Womack. Also present were judges Bill Thompson, Teresa Pulliam and Bill Cole, as well as Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock, who conducted the oath of office.

and possibly one day connect to the Carraway-Davie House and Conference Center, which was recently purchased

by Cahaba Park Church.

An additional nature path similar to ones on Jemison Trail will be added as an Eagle Scout project in the next few months, and a pavilion should be compete in January or February.

The city is currently working with Skipper Consulting to determine the best way to improve pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Overton Road and Oakdale Drive/River Run Drive.

Schools Foundation searching for director Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation is looking for candidates for its executive director position.

Current Executive Director Anne Womack announced in November that she would be leaving by March 31, 2015. Womack is engaged to be married, and her fiancé lives and owns a business in another city.

The foundation is a nonprofit corporation that supports Mountain Brook schools with technological advancements and staff professional development.

For more information about the foundation or the position, call 4140042 or visit mtnbrookschoolsfoundation.com.

Prescription drug drop box now available A drop box is available to collect unwanted, unused and expired medications. It is located in the lobby of the Mountain Brook Police Department.

In the past few years, MBPD has participated in the National Prescription Drug Collection events sponsored by the Alabama AG’s Office and the

DEA, and now the department has decided to offer this service on a permanent basis.

Citizens can bring their medications to the police department and deposit them into the collection box at any time. There will be no report required to turn in the medication.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A9

Chamber Upcoming luncheon January 15, 2015 Featuring Luther Strange, Alabama attorney general The Club Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Tony Cooper of luncheon sponsor The Jimmie Hale Mission talks about the mission’s programs.

Council member Jack Carl speaks to those who attended the luncheon. Photos by Madison Miller.

The latest on Mountain Brook city business Council members speak at chamber luncheon

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Rep. Paul DeMarco moderated a discussion about city matters at the Chamber of Commerce’s Nov. 13 luncheon. City council members, including new members Lloyd Shelton and Alice Womack, along with Mayor Terry Oden all spoke.

Lane Parke development The hotel is scheduled to open in July, and the apartment buildings are done or close to done. Leasing on the first retail phase is almost complete, and dirt is scheduled to move for it shortly after the first of the year, Billy Pritchard said. Village Design Review has approved the first phase of the retail development.

Cahaba River Park The park should be complete by January and will feature trails leading to the river, Virginia Smith said.

“Ideally the river walk will extend up the river to the Carraway-Davie House and back into Liberty Park one day,” she said.

City finances “We are fortunate under Steve Boone’s leadership to be one of the top fiscally performing cities in the nation,” Lloyd Shelton said. “There are challenges, but the city’s view has always been if we don’t need revenue, we are not going to grab it from [residents’] hands.”

Shelton pointed out that in 2006 the city got rid of the garbage collection

fee and occupational tax, and that the new municipal complex was completed without the city incurring any new debt.

Challenges facing the city Pritchard said the city employees’ retirement plans are an issue because they are through the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA).

“Right now the city has underfunded pension liabilities in huge numbers, and Mountain Brook is not alone in that,” Pritchard said.

Outlook for city’s future Land has been a guiding principal in recent city developments.

“Being landlocked, there is not a whole lot we can do other than what we have been doing, which is improving

infrastructure,” Mayor Terry Oden said. “I liken Mountain Brook to being a Mercedes versus an American-made car. American-made cars keep changing every year, but Mercedes keep improving their internal workings.”

Billy Pritchard emphasized how development within the city’s limited properties has been key in recent years though.

“With so little commercial property, what has been critical the past 14 years has been some opportunities for development that have generated sales tax revenue,” Pritchard said, citing the Publix at Overton, Cahaba Village and the Piggly Wiggly at River Run as examples. “Without that, we would be in a different state. The last thing we

want is to ask the citizens to raise taxes.”

Any development would likely involve existing city property.

“There is not a bit of land that is undeveloped, yet somehow something always surfaces,” Smith said. “One day I’d like to see something happen at Office Park.”

Community involvement Members of the Planning Commission are appointed by the mayor, but residents can apply to become a member of other city bodies, including the Tree Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Village Design Review Committee and Board of Zoning Adjustment. Alice Womack encouraged those interested to apply by contacting City Manager Sam Gaston.

A10 • December 2014

Village Living

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Now Open La Catrina, a Mexican restaurant, has opened in the former Salvatore’s location in English Village at 2031 Cahaba Road by the end of October. The restaurant also has locations in Homewood, Vestavia and Trussville.

290-5270. lacatrinarestaurant.com.

1

December 2014 • A11 Spears and Tom King as Realtors.

879-6330. realtysouth.com.

AC Financial Partners, 201 Office Park Drive, Suite 300, has hired John M. Bullard as a financial advisor. Bullard’s previous experience includes stints at Edward D. Jones and Cadence Bank.

278-8210. acfinancialpartners.com.

4

Business news

to share?

Business news to share?

News and Accomplishments

Allstate agency owner Eyal Ron received the Allstate Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others and community service, as well as a $1,000 grant to the Friendship Circle of Alabama, where he volunteers. The Ron Agency is located at 3900 Montclair Road.

870-0115. allstate.com.

2

Anniversaries

Oli.O Specialty Oils & Balsamics celebrated its one-year anniversary in November.

802-5756. oliooilsandbalsamics.com.

5

Coming Soon

Mountain Brook Trading is opening drop-off and pick-up location for users of its site at 2 Dexter Ave. The space is scheduled to open by early December. varagesale.com.

6

Coming Soon

Hirings and Promotions 3

Coming Soon

Expansion Business news Expansion RealtySouth’s Crestline office, 105 Euclid Ave., has hired Chace

to share?

If you are in a brick and mortar business in Mountain Brook and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

If you are in a brick and mortar business in Mountain Brook and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Village Living

Email dan@villagelivingonline.com

Coming Soon Village Living Email dan@villagelivingonline.com

Expansion If you are in a brick and mortar business in Mountain Brook and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Village Living Email dan@villagelivingonline.com

A12 • December 2014

Village Living

Reaching outside Facebook Mountain Brook Trading adds a location in Crestline Village benefiting Alabama Forever

By MADISON MILLER Cyd Ruffino was looking for new ideas as fundraising season for Alabama Forever began. The organization raises academic and athletic funding for low-income schools across the state, and as a nonprofit, relies on donations to meet their needs.

One day, Ruffino agreed to sell some pieces of furniture online for a percentage of the sales to be donated to Alabama Forever. That’s when her idea struck.

With Internet resources and websites such as Facebook on the rise, Ruffino thought about the possibility of a new fundraising opportunity with trading sites. This led her to meet with Laura Silsbee, the creator of the popular trading platform Mountain Brook Trading.

Originally launched on Facebook, Mountain Brook Trading allows users to post photos and information about items they would like to sell. Since its start in 2012, the page has grown to over 55,000 members. Silsbee recently moved the site to varagesale.com, where it is now up to 18,000 users.

Unsure of where the site would go next, Silsbee was approached by Ruffino with the idea of creating a safe trading location. Many users of the site have had concerns with privacy in the past. By creating a safe location, Ruffino and Silsbee hope to be able to provide the anonymity that some users prefer while also raising funds for Alabama Forever.

“She said, ‘I have this machine, and I don’t know what the next level

Cyd Ruffino and Laura Silsbee stand outside the new location, which will become MBT on Dexter. Photo by Madison Miller.

should be,’” Ruffino said. “I said, ‘Well I have this idea, and I can’t do it without you.’”

Their business model is a unique one, but Ruffino and Silsbee are confident that they will be providing an asset to the community. Located next to Alabama Forever’s office space in Crestline Village, MBT on Dexter will act

as a drop-off and pickup location and will accept select premium home good items worth $50 and above. Delivery and pickup services will also be available for an additional fee, they said.

“If you’re looking for an armoire or a bed or a desk and you don’t want to go buy one new and spend $600 on it, [you can find] one that’s almost like

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new,” Silsbee said.

A showroom will display certain items while they are on sale, and a warehouse space will keep the rest of their items in storage. While being stored at the location, Ruffino and Silsbee will attempt to sell the items through the Mountain Brook Trading platform on varagesale.com.

Mountain Brook Trading will also be adding Facebook back into use, but only Ruffino and Silsbee will be allowed to post items on the page.

MBT on Dexter will set asking prices, which will change as needed, but the price will never go below the seller’s set bottom-line price. Sales are expected to be made in about one month, with the service charging a 40 percent commission. The location will offer optional memberships for $10 per month, which will make the sale of member items priority, allow members to shop in the show room and allow the use of the location for drop-off and pickup whether members are using MBT on Dexter’s services or not.

Items that cannot be sold can either be taken back by the seller or donated to Alabama Forever. Donated items will be tax-deductible for the seller.

Once donated, Alabama Forever will sell items for what they can and donate 100 percent of the profit to its charity.

Rather than a store, Ruffino and Silsbee explain that their idea is more of a concierge service. They realize that many members of the community may want to make a profit by selling unwanted items, but do not have time or would rather not use an online platform themselves.

“This will give them their schedule back, so they can do whatever it is they need to do,” Ruffino said.

Mountain Brook Trading is now accepting pieces for its location. It will be located at 2 Dexter Ave. For more information, visit varagesale.com.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A13

Holiday Parade safety to be enhanced with barricades, request for parents’ help

By MADOLINE MARKHAM When kids hear “parade,” they think “fun.” When the Mountain Brook Police Department thinks “parade,” they think “safety.”

To ensure kids’ fun isn’t ruined with injury during the Holiday Parade on Dec. 7, the police department is stepping up safety regulations, particularly for children.

Cook said that historically people on floats have thrown candy that lands in the roadway instead of the crowd, and so children run into the roadway to get it and don’t look out for floats in the process.

The city has tried various methods including enlisting volunteers to hang ropes along the route to regulate safety in the past that have not worked well.

This year, however, was the exception.

During the Mystics Parade in October, the Public Works Department put out metal barricades along the parade route to restrict people from getting into the roadway.

“Where they were solid, they were mostly effective, although some adults would put a small child over the barricade to go get candy,” Police Chief Ted Cook said. “Now we have a system for putting them out and getting them picked up after the route, so we’ll probably be lining as much of the parade route in the future for parades.”

Holiday Parade Sunday, Dec. 7 3 p.m.

Mountain Brook Village Grand Marshals: MBHS Volleyball and Girls Cross Country Teams

Photos with Santa will follow the parade.

The 2014 state champion Mountain Brook High School volleyball team and cross-country team will be the grand marshals for this year’s parade. Photocourtesy of Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.

For the upcoming Christmas Parade, they plan to line both sides of the route with barricades and monitor to make sure people stay behind them.

Cook also said his department along with the fire department are also working to communicate the city’s regulations for parades as outlined in the parade permit application. These are:

}} Candy, footballs, beads, and other items should not be thrown from any floats or vehicles in the parade.

Likewise, similar items should not be thrown from parade-goers toward floats and participants along the parade route. These give away items may be handed to parade-goers by participants walking along

the edge of the parade route. }} Drivers of floats and other vehicles within the parade must be properly licensed and should be mature drivers. }} All floats and vehicles in the parade must be so designed that drivers have an adequate line of vision to properly drive and maintain safe distances.

}} Floats or parade participants should not turn out of the designated parade route without police approval or direction.

Safety regulations don’t end with city involvement though. Cook said parents still play an important role.

“We need parents to watch the children as much as possible because with any parade float there are parts of it that are difficult for the driver to see if someone comes running in from the side,” Cook said. “Candy is not a worth a single child getting injured.”

Fire Chief Robert Ezekiel had a similar request.

“We ask that parents please keep close watch on your young children,” Ezekiel said. “It has been noted that older children sometimes through the excitement of the parade bump in to younger children and they fall in to harms way.”

*Get details at estimate. May not combine with other to prior purchases. Expires 1/09/15. Promo code: NP-237

A14 • December 2014

Village Living

12 Days of Christmas ’Tis the season for your favorite traditions

1

See the Living Nativity

2

The Birmingham Boys Choir is presenting its 37th Annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Canterbury United Methodist Church.

The choir is composed of boys ages 7-17 from the Birmingham area.

The Birmingham Boys Choir was

3 Live sheep, donkeys and camels will return for the 51st annual Living Nativity at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

The event began in 1963 and has become a tradition for many Mountain Brook residents. The participants act out the second chapter of Luke while a recorded narration is

Hear angelic voices

playing. Dotson Nelson, a preacher at MBBC in the 1970s, performed the narration that is still used today.

This year’s Living Nativity will take place on Dec. 21, 22 and 23 at 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

incorporated in 1973, and Ken Berg has served as choirmaster since 1978. Its purpose is to allow talented young men in the Birmingham area to express themselves while learning more about the discipline of music. They hold auditions year round and host enrollment in January and July.

For more, visit birminghamboyschoir.com.

Find the twinkle of the Bromberg’s Tree

Every year since 2006, Ricky Bromberg begins negotiations in July to guarantee that a 25-foot Christmas tree is delivered to the front of Bromberg’s in Mountain Brook Village by Thanksgiving.

The tree is so large that a crane has to be used to install it, and it is lit as soon afterward as possible.

The tree stands out from the other white

lights Mountain Brook Village. Not only are they mostly colored lights, but there are also approximately 30,000 of them.

“I think most people assume we’ve been doing it for a longer time than we have just because it’s such a natural fit for the village,” Bromberg said. “You wouldn’t believe the number of conversations I’ve had over the years about trying to get it just right.”

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VillageLivingOnline.com

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December 2014 • A15

See The Nutcracker

The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Birmingham Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is often played by a professional dancer, but this month it will be a high school junior, Mountain Brook’s Elizabeth Lindsey.

When she played Clara in 2010 and 2011, Elizabeth’s favorite part of the role was dancing with the Nutcracker prince, and this year she is looking forward to performing with him again in a more skilled partner dance.

“It’s been stressful but a good kind of stressful,” she said of her new role. “There are a lot of people looking up to you and watching your every move.”

To prepare for Sugar Plum, Elizabeth often rehearses one-on-one with her ballet director and is learning to focus more on artistry and her upper body, as she also did this summer while studying at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow.

She also said she is working to develop a

5

character and build up a regal aura.

Elizabeth went to see The Nutcracker every year growing up and wanted to play Clara since she was 3, but her sport of choice until age 10 was soccer. Six years ago she decided to turn in her soccer balls for ballet shoes.

The years Elizabeth played Clara another student was Sugar Plum, and Elizabeth remembers really looking up to her.

“I hope I can do what she did,” she said.

Birmingham Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at the BJCC. The Mutt-cracker, a version of The Nutcracker that incorporates dog performances, will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the BJCC and benefits the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. For tickets or more information, visit birminghamballet.com.

-Written by Madoline Markham

Watch A Christmas Carol

Canterbury United Methodist is putting on its version of this Charles Dickens classic on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m.

The show tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation following visits by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.

The Canterbury production is by Dr.

Bill Bugg, a Birmingham native and founding director of Samford Operaworks. Bugg’s vocal performances have included Vienna, London, and three appearances at Carnegie Hall. The show is recommended for ages third grade and up with parents.

For more, visit canterburyumc.org.

6

Elizabeth Lindsey is playing the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Birmingham Ballet production.

Take a nighttime safari

The Birmingham Zoo’s annual Zoolight Safari will run each weekend through the month of December from 5-9 p.m.

The event will feature Candy Cane Train rides, a Jingle Bell Carousel, a Holiday Hayride and other festivities. A 30-foot tree is lit with a ceremony each night at 5 p.m.

Photos with Santa will also be available through Dec. 23.

The zoo is also offering a new Yuletide Slide on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The inner tube ride spans more than 100 feet. Children must be 36 inches to ride, and it costs $2.50 per ride or $6 for an unlimited wristband.

Zoolight entry fees are $8 for nonmembers and free for members. Ride tickets are $3.50 each or $10 for an unlimited attraction wristband.

For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com.

A16 • December 2014

7

Village Living

Send a letter to Santa

8

Shop during an open house

Check items off your holiday shopping list during of the villages’ open houses hosted by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.

Merchants will offer specials during the day and will extend their normal business hours into the evening. Each village will put on festivities that are unique to its shops.

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Director Suzan Doidge encourages

9 Children can send their wish lists straight from Mountain Brook Village to the North Pole this year. Santa Mailboxes will be set up throughout the village starting the week of Thanksgiving.

The letters will be delivered to Santa, who then responds to every child — as long as they aren’t on the naughty list.

Mailboxes are located outside RealtySouth, outside Gilchrist, at the post office near Western Supermarket and at the intersection of Canterbury Road and Petticoat Lane.

These mailboxes are an annual Mountain Brook tradition provided through a special collaboration between Mountain Brook Public Works employees and Santa Claus.

residents to congregate with friends from the community and keep tax dollars in Mountain Brook.

Crestline held its open house Nov. 20, and the others are scheduled for December. }} Wednesday, Dec. 3: English Village }} Thursday, Dec. 4: Mountain Brook Village }} Tuesday, Dec. 9: Cahaba Village

Buy greenery at the gardens

The Red Mountain Garden Club will host its annual Greenery Sale on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Museum of Art and other civic endeavors throughout the city.

Fresh-cut greenery such as hemlock, pine, Fraser fir and magnolia can be purchased as well as wreaths in different sizes. Members also construct handmade

kissing balls, topiary trees and table arrangements that will be sold.

For a special treat, club members create arrangements for mailboxes. Unusual ribbons, bows and unique gift items are available to complete holiday decorating and gift-giving orders.

Presale order forms for some of the items can be found on the Red Mountain Garden Club website, redmountaingardenclub.com.

VillageLivingOnline.com

10

Take a home tour

In its 65th year, the Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) Holiday House Tour has long been part of Birmingham’s holiday festivities. This year, three homes in Mountain Brook along with two in Forest Park will be featured.

Tickets include access to all five tour homes and also help fund the Summer Learning Program (SLP) at the Children’s Fresh Air Farm, a mission for IPC since its inception in 1923.

The Summer Learning Program costs $150,000 and uses the funds to address challenges faced by disadvantaged children, including summer learning loss and nutritional deficiencies. The program nurtures approximately 80 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders with a mixture of academics, enrichment, physical education and spiritual development.

2014 tour chairmen are Margaret

11

December 2014 • A17

Shuttlesworth and Sarah Duggan.

Homes featured this year are: }} Jason Turner and Robert Listerman, 3924 10th Ave. S. }} Melissa Singleton, 4001 10th Ave. S. }} Joey Pierson, 3242 Salisbury Road }} Ragan and Brad Cain, 3031 Canterbury Road }} Stewart Perry (Construction), 4855 Overton Road Tickets are $25 presale and $30 at the door.

They go on sale beginning Dec. 1 and can be purchased by calling the church at 933-1830, visiting ipc-usa.org or stopping by the church reception desk during business hours. Tickets may also be purchased at the homes and at the church during the tour. Shuttle parking for the homes in the English Village area will be available at the Junior League of Birmingham building located at 2212 20th Ave. S.

Visit Santa on the Circle

Santa, complete with his sleigh and reindeer, returns to the Circle on Clarendon Road each year.

Two years ago, the 80-foot pine tree that held the sleigh and reindeer was removed, and a pole was put up in its place.

The spot has been a favorite for photos for years.

The Cain home on Canterbury Road.

12

Eat breakfast with Santa

Santa will visit the Birmingham Zoo on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

Scrambled eggs and sausage are served at the Kudzoo Café followed by a visit from Saint Nick. Children will also receive a treat on their arrival.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, and dates fill up. For tickets, visit birminghamzoo.com/events/.

A18 • December 2014

Village Living

Haute for the holidays

By MADISON MILLER Before this season’s get-togethers and parties sneak up on you, check out these looks from area stores for inspiration for your party dress.

Festive and edgy Why stick to green and red?

Try an edgy little black leather dress with matching booties for an original yet chic look. Accessorize with a vintage Chanel necklace and hoop earrings to add some holiday sparkle. Get the look at Monkee’s of Mountain Brook.

Elegance with an attitude Spice up your look in a nude dress with lace accents and cut out back by Alexis and suede black booties

by Cordani. Gold details on the boots and belt give the ensemble extra shine.

Get the look at elle.

Where to find these looks

Dressed to impress Look sharp at holiday parties in a navy sport coat. Suede chukka boots

by Alden Shoe Company add a warmth to the polished ensemble. Get the look at Harrison Limited.

Monkee’s of Mountain Brook 2006 Cahaba Road 783-1240 elle 61 Church St. 870-5683 Town and Country Clothes 74 Church St. 871-7909 Mobley & Sons 112 Euclid Ave. 870-7929 Harrison Limited 2801 Cahaba Road 870-3882

Cool and comfy Stay warm in a powder blue sweater and scarf by Parkhurst paired with black pants and knee-high boots for a classic winter feel. Get the look at Town and Country Clothes.

Ready for the cold Enjoy the outdoors in style with a quilted coat

by Peter Millar. Add a hat, scarf and gloves to complete the look for extra warmth. Get the look at Mobley & Sons.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A19

A20 • December 2014

Village Living

O Holy Night Area church Christmas event listings St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Canterbury Methodist Church

3775 Crosshaven Drive, 967-8786

250 Overbrook Road, 871-4695

Sunday, Dec. 14

10:10 p.m. Christmas Carol Sing-

Wednesday, Dec. 3:

Tuesday, Dec. 23

a-long

6 p.m. Charles Dickens’ A

6-7:30 p.m. Best Loved Music

10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist with

Christmas Carol. Recommended by children third grade and older.

of the Season for the Community

9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Service of Lessons and Carols

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24

Choir

4 p.m. Holy Eucharist and

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Christmas Pageant 6 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Musical Accompaniment

the Parish Hall

11 a.m. Holy Eucharist Noon Covered Dish Luncheon in

Mountain Brook Baptist Church 3631 Montevallo Road, 871-0331 Sunday, Dec. 7 9 a.m.. Rejoice, Rejoice Beholder

Brookwood Baptist Church 3449 Overton Road, 967-0441 Sunday, Dec. 7

Sunday, Dec. 14

11 a.m. Preschool Nativity and

6 p.m. Music by Sanctuary

Children-Led Worship 6 p.m. Children’s Ministry’s Musical, An Out-of the- Box Christmas. A fellowship will follow afterwards.

Choir, Praise Group and Youth Ensemble 6 p.m.

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Christmas Eve and Candlelight Services

Sunday, Dec. 21

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service

11 a.m.. Glorious

Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church 3726 Montrose Road, 871-3583 Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 3 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with Communion.

Nursery provided.

5 p.m. Contemporary Service.

Nursery provided.

7:30 p.m. Festival Eucharist Rite II 10:30 p.m. Festival Eucharist Rite II

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A21

Celebrating tradition

Students share the holiday moments they most anticipate “My favorite holiday tradition is traveling to visit with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I enjoy getting to spend time with them since most of my family lives out of town.”

Will Carothers, ninth grade, MBJH

“My favorite Christmas tradition is when my Dad reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to us.”

Allen Hobbs, fourth grade, Brookwood Forest Elementary

“My favorite tradition is getting to be with all my family over the holiday.”

Lizzy Mundy, first grade, Brookwood Forest Elementary

“We decorate our house and tree for Christmas time. We listen to holiday music and drink hot chocolate. Then, we turn off all the lights and sit on the sofa and enjoy the lights! “ Alice LeJeune, kindergarten, Mountain Brook Elementary

Christmas Eve Eve December 23 • 6-7 pm • Canterbury Center

Best Loved

for the community

An All-Music Gift to Everyone Come as you are for coffee, hot chocolate and sing-along music with Patti Williams, Lester Seigel, and more. Take a break for just a few minutes and start your own “New Family Tradition”…

CHRISTMAS EVE EVE AT CANTERBURY.

Refreshments will be served

“I love the Christmas Eve service and having all of my family together after that. I really just love everything about Christmas.”

Parker Redden, second grade, Crestline Elementary

“My favorite holiday tradition is purchasing gifts for a child in a needy family. Each year, my family rotates choosing a girl or boy to help, and we buy toys and clothes that he/she wants. This is fun for me because Christmas isn’t just about receiving, and I love to shop.”

Addison Tierney, seventh grade, MBHJ

“My favorite Christmas thing to do is go to my grandmother’s house and build gingerbread houses. She puts out lots of candy and helps me build one. Then I get to take it home and keep it all through Christmas. My brothers go too! “ Henry Crommelin, kindergarten, Mountain Brook Elementary

Childcare will be provided

“My favorite Christmas tradition is when we are all together by the fire to give and receive presents” Libby Clegg, fourth grade, Crestline Elementary

350 Overbrook Road

A22 • December 2014

Village Living

Light guide

Where to find the best holiday yard displays in Mountain Brook Compiled by Leadership Mountain Brook

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Overton Rd

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VillageLivingOnline.com

1

December 2014 • A23

An orange and blue Christmas 214 Beech Street Home of Craig and Meg Krawcyzks This house displays the Krawcyzks’ pride for the Auburn Tigers. Along with festive lights and inflatables, there are many items from the movie

2

A Christmas Story. The house is also well known for its many lighted trees.

-Written by Katie Littleton, Lucy Gardner and Sophie Bluestein

Holiday in the pines 929 Beech Lane Home of Neal Andrews III and Lesia Morris This house always brings its A game with both white and colored lights, but what makes it most memorable is the inflatables hung high in

3

the pine trees. They make great usage of all the space they can get!

-Written by Ben Rosenthal, Charlie Lewis and Wells Thomas

Wrapped up 4248 Stone River Road Home of Dennis and Patti Pappas Every winter, Dennis and Patti Pappas wrap their house in a massive crimson bow, which delights children and inspires countless smiles of surprise. This unique gift to the community is one of the most cheery

4

Elf on the street Antietam Drive Every year the residents of Antietam Drive in Cherokee Bend exhibit their Christmas spirit by displaying customized elf cutouts in their front yards. These festive decorations unite

5

and bright Christmas features in all of Mountain Brook.

-Written by Mary Lee Livingston, Katherine Grace Moore and Sophie Brint

the homeowners on the street and add a little cheer to the Christmas season.

-Written by Courtney Niemann, Julia Bell Pope and Maggie Hightower

Pumped up 3505 Bethune Drive Home of Paul and Theresa Bolus The neighbors on Bethune Drive and all the cars headed to or from the high school know it’s the holidays when they see they see the Bolus’ yard come to life. In it you will find a huge

6

Clarendon Christmas Clarendon Road Every house on this street in the Colonial Hills neighborhood proudly displays its own outdoor Christmas tree covered with twinkling lights.

Halfway down the street, a life-size

7

inflatable snow globe, nativity scene, Santa and reindeer on a seesaw, and a multitude of lights glowing from afar.

-Written by Robert Waudby, Jim Crosswhite and George Keller

sleigh, complete with reindeer, is open to all who wish to come and meet Santa.

-Written by Carter Hancock, Annie Leonelli and Anna Matthews

All is calm, all is bright Lake Drive The iconic nativity scene and Santa with his sleigh light up around the small lake on this street and create a breathtaking reflection across the water. Lake Drive has kept this decorative tradition

alive for over 60 years, and residents hope it will become a part of your family’s holiday season.

-Written by Tara Henderson, Adele Bird and Hailey Smith

A24 • December 2014

Giving guide

Village Living

Consider a gift to a local organization supported by Mountain Brook residents this holiday season

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

March of Dimes

The Birmingham Zoo

Jill Everette

Wally Nall

In the state of Alabama, one in six babies is born prematurely.

In Jefferson County, one in five babies is born prematurely.

March of Dimes is all about healthy babies, and as a part of that, I work as a family support specialist at UAB for people with children in the neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU).

Some babies are there for weeks or months, so my role on a daily basis is to help it be the best situation it can be.

Programs during the week provide educational information and activities, such as scrapbooking, to get the families out of their rooms a little bit.

I grew up going to the zoo, like so many in our area, and have always thought of the zoo as a wonderful attraction for all ages and a great asset for Birmingham. I have served on the board of the zoo for almost eight years and have enjoyed working with the staff and getting to know more about the animals. Giving to the zoo benefits the animals, educates us about our world and helps our community by supporting this attraction that we all can enjoy.

How You Can Give March of Dimes welcomes gifts to support its NICU Family Support Program at UAB. Gifts can be made in memory of or in honor of loved ones. To give or get involved, call 824-0103 or visit marchofdimes.org/alabama/.

During the holidays, the organization also hosts a Thanksgiving lunch and “Cookies with Santa” for the NICU families, and volunteers are welcome to participate. Some people make blankets or hats to donate to the babies in the NICU as well.

The Birmingham March for Babies will be held April 25, 2015, in downtown Birmingham, and other fundraising events are held throughout the year.

Norwood Resource Center Betsy Smith We work together with the residents of Norwood to build community through gardens, fitness and other initiatives. Recently we held the Boulevard Blast 5K to be active and have fun with Norwood residents and the greater Birmingham community.

In our effort to address the food desert in Norwood and to help in education, the Norwood Resource Center has four gardens throughout the neighborhood where residents can grow fresh vegetables. One of the gardens is at Norwood Elementary School, and we sponsor and plan a summer program for the children where they can learn to become a junior master gardener as well as work on summer retention in other subjects.

How You Can Give The price per day for this summer gardening program for each student is $52. We would love for people to provide a day of learning for the students at the Norwood Learning Garden. Of course, any donation would be very much appreciated, and volunteer opportunities are also available. To learn more or to donate, visit norwoodresourcecenter.org or call 322-7361.

How You Can Give You can donate to specific programs at the zoo, such as a new North American black bear exhibit coming soon. To donate, you can visit birminghamzoo.com.

Gifts can be given in memory or honor of a particular person, and through the Adopt-An-Animal program you can support one animal at the zoo for a year.

You can also make any regular Amazon.com purchase through Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com), and 0.5 percent of eligible purchases go to the zoo at no cost to you. For more information, contact Karen Carroll at the development office of the zoo at 397-3856.

PLEASE JOIN US

OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 2:00 P.M. RSVP: jmcdonald@highlandsschool.org

VillageLivingOnline.com

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama

December 2014 • A25

Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Tyler O’Connor

Rae Wade Timmier

I’ve been fortunate to watch some of our area kids progress in their school level reading, get productive summer jobs, and proudly enter colleges around the country through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama. Folks may not realize that the BGCCA’s work in our community dates back to 1901, making it the oldest Boys & Girls Club in the Southeast and the third oldest in the nation.

Youth who attend the Clubs have a 100 percent graduation rate from high school, compared to the national average of 66 percent and the state average of 62 percent. Last year the BGCCA was able to serve and support over 9,000 children across its nine Clubs.

Last year, the new Tom & Gean Cleckler Teen Center opened in Hueytown, and membership and programs experienced explosive growth. With more than 27 percent of Jefferson County teens living in poverty and knowing that over 25 percent of area 18-24-yearolds have no high school degree, I cannot think of a better place to address these troubling issues than the BGCCA.

I had a 1-year old baby when my husband and I moved here from Tuscaloosa, and I joined the orchestra’s then-Junior Women’s Committee in 1969. Lifelong friendships were formed through my volunteer work. Additionally, there was an opportunity to watch, from a very close personal view, the orchestra’s growth by serving on its executive committee off and on over the years.

We are now a stronger organization, and our orchestra members and board members have the best relationship that I have known. Sitting in the audience with hundreds of other Birminghamians at the orchestra’s 2012 performance at Carnegie Hall was a great validation of the hard work of so many in the community who have come together to support this wonderful institution.

How You Can Give Contributions to the BGCCA — either personal or corporate — go directly to furthering academic, athletic and community service programs that develop healthy habits and young people of character. For more information, visit bgcca.org or call Kim Turner at 744-3070.

How You Can Give Donations can be made specifically to support ASO education programs, including field trip concerts and in-school programs. At the holidays, a tribute gift in memory or honor of a loved one can honor music lovers. Many people take advantage of tax deductions by giving year-end gifts of stock.

Giving tickets as gifts is another option.

For those who want to be hands-on, two volunteer groups, the Symphony Volunteer Council and Symphony 30, work year-round to support the ASO. Information on these groups, as well as details on how to make a donation and purchase tickets, can be found on alabamasymphony.org or by calling 314-6977.

Camp Smile-A-Mile Fred Elliott I had several friends over the years who had been involved with Camp Smile-A-Mile and thought it was a great cause. However, I really had no idea until my niece, Rollins Wilkerson, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. (She is now cancer free and doing great!)

Being around Rollins and the other kids at Children’s Hospital, I was amazed at the courage and positive attitude they all had.

When I was approached about becoming involved in Camp SAM by serving on the board, I immediately jumped at the chance and thought this would be a great way to help bring a smile to all these little heroes. No matter what they are facing, it is truly inspiring to see how they handle everything with a smile. Being able to be involved with a group that gives them time to forget about being a patient and just concentrate on being a kid has been a true highlight.

How You Can Give Arts and crafts are a large part of the camp’s programming, so Camp Smile-A-Mile welcomes donations of new, unused art supplies, canvases, scrapbook materials and gift cards to art supply stores, Walmart or Target. You can also donate directly to Camp Smile-A-Mile’s year-round programming online at campsam.org or by mail at P.O. Box 550155, Birmingham, AL 35255. For more information on getting involved at Camp Smile-A-Mile, call 323-8427.

A26 • December 2014

Village Living

Special advertising section

Holiday Gift Guide For the entertainer Bamboo Alabama Cutting Board and Cutlery $20 cutting board, $10 cheese knife, $8 spreader A perfect gift at a great price, this cutting board is all about Alabama.

The Cook Store 2841 Cahaba Road 879-5277

For the golfer or hunter Fine English Pewter Flask $98 These flasks come with a depiction of The Old Course at St. Andrews or a ten-point deer.

ANTIQUITIES 2421 Canterbury Road 870-1030

For the fitness guru Gift Cards for Fitness Packages $35-50/session Total Fitness Consultants offers personal training packages that are charged monthly or charged per session.

Total Fitness Consultants 204 Country Club Park 871-7744

For fans of bling Signet Ring $475 gold, $89 sterling silver This exclusive piece was cast from an original antique ring and can be stacked together with other rings for a layered look.

Ex Voto Vintage 2402 Canterbury Road 538-7301

For man’s best friend Gift Certificate Any amount Gift Certificates are available for daycare, boarding, grooming and training.

Just Happy Hounds 2222 5th Ave. S. 419-3300

For the colorful dresser Elizabeth Showers Silver Turquoise Earrings $430 These earrings will add pizazz to any outfit.

John-William Jeweller 81 Church St., Suite 101 870-4367

For the wintry chic dresser Jack Fleece Vest $79 This walnut brown faux suede vest is fully lined with soft fleece. elle 61 Church Street 870-5683

For the busy homeowner The Maids Gift Certificate Any amount Give friends or family the gift of a clean home, worry-free.

The Maids 871-9338

For the nature-lover Bird Seed Ornaments $5 This affordable gift is perfect for backyard enthusiasts.

Leaf & Petal 2817 Cahaba Road 871-3832

VillageLivingOnline.com For the charitable giver Christopher Radko Children’s Hospital Guardian Angel Ornament $50 A portion of the proceeds from these exclusive ornaments benefits Children’s of Alabama.

Bromberg & Co. 2800 Cahaba Road 871-3276

Special advertising section For handbag lovers Gigi’s New York Embossed Handbag Collection $105-475 Thess leather bags come in a variety of colors and sizes, including an uber clutch that can hold a tablet ($145, not pictured).

Monkee’s of Mountain Brook 2006 Cahaba Road 783-1240

For the stylish student Booger Lunch Sack $18, $20 Designer Lisa Lowe creates strand-out waterproof, stain resistant and washable bags inspired by kids.

Swoop 2721 Cahaba Road 803-0886

For the collector Custom Designs by Patrick Conway $12,250 Patrick Conway crafted this image of a mother and child giraffe from leopard skin jasper and surrounded it with 18K yellow gold, diamonds, Ethiopian opal and blue sapphires.

Barton Clay Fine Jewellers 2701 Cahaba Road 871-7060

December 2014 • A27

For the fashionista La Fee Verte Moto Leather Jacket $594 A rose gold zipper detail at the cuff completes this beige textured piece for a perfect pairing with jeans or a chocolate brown sheath dress.

Marella 2415 Montevallo Road 879-3999

For the grill enthusiast Kamodo Joe $449-1,499 This ceramic grill smokes and sears.

Little Hardware 2117 Cahaba Road 871-4616

For the impossible to buy for Village Gold Certificates Any amount Village Gold Certificates are redeemable at almost every business in Mountain Brook and can currently be purchased at Mountain Brook City Hall during normal business hours and at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce office.

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce 101 Hoyt Lane 871-3779

For the creative cook Assorted Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars $12.99-29.99 Oli.O offers a selection of ore than 70 olive oil and balsamic vinegar varieties in multiple sizes and gift sets.

Oli.O 2411 Montevallo Road 802-5756 For the fragrance connoisseur Tocca Travel Fragrance Sprays $38 These 20-mL fragrance bottles are TSA approved and custom made in Italy.

Marguerite’s Conceits 2406 Canterbury Road 879-2730

A28 • December 2014

Village Living

PIGGLY WIGGLY

CONTINUED from page A1 Among the concerns voiced about the plan are the safety of children from Crestline Elementary and athletic events on its field, trucks entering the area, traffic increasing on Vine Street and adding a commercial development in an area that was designated in the city’s master plan to be for transitional development between residential and commercial areas.

“I want a Pig as much as the next person,” planning commission member Susan Swagler said just before voting against rezoning lots to allow the plan to move forward, “but I have a hard time putting it in a buffer zone.”

Commission Vice President Fred Murray, who ultimately voted in favor of the plan, said

that it was not an easy decision and that he struggled with both sides of the issue.

“Either way I vote, there will be a thousand people who hate me,” he said. “A grocery store is an anchor for the village. The site is unfortunate, but it is the only solution if we want a grocery store.”

The development team looked at multiple sites for the Pig, architect Jeffrey Brewer of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood said, but found only one viable location. Since selecting the site, they have worked with the city’s planning commission and police and fire departments regarding safety, as well as the school board, Crestline Elementary Principal Laurie King and Superintendent Dicky Barlow to satisfy their concerns about the store.

“The site plan has been a constant moving design,” Brewer said.

The City Council chambers overflowed capacity for a controversial discussion when the issue came before the planning commission on Nov. 3. Neighbors and Crestline Elementary parents spoke out for and against the plan with passion following presentations by the store’s architect, traffic engineers and residents opposing the plans.

After more than two hours, the planning commission voted 4-3 to recommend plans for the store to the City Council. The issue went before the City Council on Nov. 24 after this issue went to press. Council president Virginia Smith said she anticipated the council would vote on the rezoning for the Pig at the meeting. For a full report from this meeting and the planning commission’s, visit villagelivingonline.com.

New Pig vs. old Pig size Retail Space*

Storage space*

Total*

Parking Spaces

New Store Plans

18,000

10,000

28,000

90

Former Crestline Pig

11,400

3,600

15,000

45

*Amounts are in square feet. Typical suburban grocery stores are 40,000-50,000 square feet.

Pig’s plans for parking and traffic

Traffic study recommendations

}} Main grocery store entrance on Church Street coming through the current Regions parking lot }} A possible access point to the store on Vine Street would be closed with a barricade during school pick-up and drop-off times }} New sidewalk and additional parking spaces on Vine Street next to the Crestline Field }} Attendants would help with parking and safety in the lot }} An internal loop within the parking lot would make it so that cars do not have to turn around on Vine Street }} All truck deliveries would be before 6:30 a.m. or after 6 p.m. }} Two new pedestrian crossings across Vine Street }} A decorative wrought iron fence and hedge on the east side of Vine Street along the field to act as a buffer }} Gate to conceal the service entrance }} Eight of 10 Board of Education requests have been accommodated for the plan

}} Install traffic light at Dexter Avenue and Church Street }} Remove stop signs on Vine Street at Dexter Avenue and place them on Dexter Avenue instead }} Limit nonschool traffic by posting “school traffic only” signs for 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for those entering West Jackson Boulevard }} West Jackson and the first section of Vine Street in front of the Board of Education be one-way 24/7 }} Remainder of Vine Street be one-way 7:20 a.m.-4 p.m. on days when school is in session }} Trucks never enter West Jackson in front of the school The traffic study was conducted by Skipper Consulting as commissioned by the developer, and then a second study by Sain Associates commissioned by the city mostly agreed with Skipper’s findings.

Residents’ points of concern }} Previous city planning documents have called for the proposed area to be transitional spaces between commercial buildings and residential areas. }} A White Paper commissioned by the city in 2006 and the Master Plan adopted in 2007 state that Crestline already has a lack of adequate parking. }} The Vine Street Transitional District ordinance the city adopted in November 2013 provides for compact, appropriately scaled buildings for single-family dwellings or professional and office use to transition from village commercial in the area on Vine Street. }} The 2007 Master Plan specifically says that the lots under question on Vine Street warrant special planning policies because they are close to the school and residences. }} The original traffic study was commissioned by the developer and could be biased. }} Skipper’s report showed that traffic patterns at Church Street and West Jackson, at Church Street and Regions Bank, and at Church Street and the potential Pig entrance are failing and that there was no reasonable improvement to mitigate it. }} The safety of children at Crestline Elementary and its field could be compromised from the close proximity to grocery store traffic. }} The sweep of trucks and trailers could interfere with village traffic, and the noise from larger deliveries at night could disturb area residents.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A29

Addison Houser, second from left, was born less than a year after her sister Emilie was adopted. Here Katie, Addison, Anna Lauren, Emilie and Jody spend time together in their Crestline home. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

MEMORIES

CONTINUED from page A1 Katie, a natural worrier, had set as a deadline to bring her daughter home after a year of waiting.

A week later Katie and Jody received her picture in the mail, and within two months they brought home an eight-month-old who looked more like a newborn due to malnourishment.

“By the time the adoption actually happened, we were so invested in their journey that her homecoming felt miraculous,” said Kari Kampakis, a family friend who walked through the journey with the Housers. “My favorite memory is all of us waiting at the Birmingham airport with Katie and Jody’s families, holding signs and feeling giddy over this child we were about to meet. And when we saw them walking toward us, cradling a little girl with black hair and porcelain skin, we lost it.”

In her time south of Moscow meeting Anna Lauren, Katie found allure in handcrafted ornaments amid the darkness and poverty of her

surroundings.

Pieces were hand-painted with fastidious care, just as women working at the orphanage painted intricate designs on mirrors for the children at Christmas. In the ornamentation, Katie saw the same care and kindness the women showed when they cried as the Housers left the orphanage for the last time, their daughter in tow.

Katie can’t remember seeing the sun on any day of her trip, but the people didn’t reflect it.

“No one is going to smile at you, but they will do anything for you,” Katie said. “You talk to them for one second, and they will invite you into their home for tea.”

Today, mementos from adoption journeys are in no short supply at the Housers’ home in Crestline. Both Anna Lauren, now a seventh-grader at Mountain Brook Junior High, and Emilie, a fourth-grader at Crestline, have a poster with their baby picture that friends signed and held up to greet them at the airport. Both girls lay claim to a stuffed giraffe with a photo holder that Anna Lauren and then Emilie had clung to in the weeks between meeting their parents at the

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orphanage and their adoption court date.

On each of their “family days,” the date each was legally adopted, they gather to eat cake and flip through their adoption scrapbooks.

But perhaps no tradition is as special as the Christmas tree. In recent years the girls have been so eager to set it out that it has gone up as early as Halloween.

For Anna Lauren’s first Christmas at home, Katie and Jody set up a small Christmas tree with colorful, intricately designed Russian ornaments they had brought back from their trip.

Their collection grew as friends — including the Ortises, a fellow Crestline family that adopted twin daughters Kati and Elle, now first-graders, from Russia — visited Russia and brought items back.

The assortment of ornaments grew with their family. At age three, Anna Lauren pointed at a globe and asked her parents for a sister.

Just before Christmas in 2004, Katie and Jody returned to Rostov to find Christmas trees, ornate Father Christmases and other ornaments everywhere they looked. When Katie saw

Emilie in the orphanage’s crib room, she didn’t look like the picture she had seen, but she knew it was her daughter.

“Emilie could stand up holding onto her crib and was much more active and aware of her surroundings [than Anna Lauren had been],” Jody recalled.

Mom, Dad and baby sister arrived home two days before Christmas. Marking that holiday, a picture in Emilie’s scrapbook shows Katie’s father, Anna Lauren, Emilie and a cousin in matching pajamas reading a Christmas book.

A week and a half later, Katie discovered she was pregnant with their third daughter, Addison, who would be born 17 months after Emilie.

After Emilie joined their family, the Housers upgraded to a full-size tree surrounded by Russian nesting dolls and other figurines.

Anna Lauren likes the colors of the ornaments, and Addison’s favorite part is the colored lights and candy cane garland that hang around the ornaments.

But Emilie, perhaps the quietest of the three, treasures how “it is really special” to her family.

A30 • December 2014

Village Living

Top photo moments of 2014

Sixth-grade students participate in ballroom dancing lessons at Steeple Arts in Crestline Village. The tradition has lasted for more than 50 years and is now taught by Deanny Coates Hardy, the third-generation owner and director. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Wilmer Poynor III fist bumps with an employee at Brookwood Village, where he has walked daily since recovering from a stroke. Photo by Alec Dixon.

Catherine Pittman Smith, left, spent many hours this year going through photos with Kitty Robinson, right, for her new book, Images of America: Mountain Brook. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Members of the Mountain Brook High School volleyball team gather around Athletic Director Terry Cooper before he retired this fall. Photo

by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow takes a selfie with Sparty on the runway during Fashions for the Foundation, an event that benefited the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

Continental Bakery owner Carole Griffin speaks with MSNBC producer David Foster for a segment on shopping local. The segment aired in November on Your Business. Photo by Dan Starnes.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • A31

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A PUBLIC NOTICE FROM ALABAMA POWER

Tree crews working in city through early 2015 Alabama Power contract crews are working in several Mountain Brook neighborhoods, removing trees and other vegetation that threaten the safety and reliability of our electrical system.

As part of this process, Alabama Power goes to great lengths to talk with individual property owners. Company representatives are going door-to-door, leaving notices at locations where work is needed.

If you have any questions before crews come by your home, please call Alabama Power at 205-257-2155 and ask for someone in the Vegetation Management Group to contact you. Or you can email us at apcvm@southernco.com. Work in Mountain Brook and nearby areas is expected to continue through early 2015.

Also, you can go online to http://alpwr.co/vm where Alabama Power has further information about these safety and reliability measures, as well as resources for property owners who would like recommendations about planting the right tree in the right place.

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your business.

Vegetation Management Group 205-257-2155 apcvm@southernco.com © 2014 Alabama Power Company

POWI-3795 TreeTrimmr14-MB Homewood.indd 1

11/14/14 4:02 PM

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IT TAKES A LOCAL EXPERT.

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Village Living

SECTION B Community B2 School House B9 Sports B12 Calendar B22

Expression from

chaos Art show represents the Tyndal family’s journey together

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Cumbee, Wilson and Charles Tyndal stand in front of Cumbee’s piece, “Beginning 2010,” at their family show at The Joy Gallery in October. Photo courtesy of Cumbee Tyndal.

An elephant emerged at last.

After a couple of years of working on a series of abstract pieces framed on a grid, one canvas had remained chaos to Cumbee Tyndal. As she prepared to place her artwork alongside her sons’ in an upcoming family show, she took a look at a pencil drawing her son Charles had created after a family trip to the Serengeti in Africa three years ago.

When she glanced back at her own canvas, she started to see an elephant in it, too. As she continued to work, an elephant’s eye emerged in its center. As a widow, she said she can identify with the matrilineal elephants they had seen at the Ngorangora Crater.

“It represents the fragility of life, and the state of elephants in this region is fragile,” Cumbee said.

The end result, “Tembo,” the Swahili word for elephant, hung next to Charles’ drawing in The Joy Gallery at Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church last month as part of an exhibit of the Tyndals’ work.

Alongside their work are photographs by Charles’ older brother, Wilson.

“Once we started to get the work together, we could see the repetition of shapes and lots of destructive images from the fire and chaos of our family situation,” Cumbee said.

Some of Wilson’s framed images are of a fire he captured on a trip to Brevard, North Carolina, using a camera his mom gave him on his 16th birthday. Two other photographs are of fire hydrants at his aunt’s house in Birmingham that he edited to stand out in blue from a black background. Not

See ART | page B6

B2 • December 2014

Village Living

Community Maestro’s Ball supports symphony

Village 2 Village run date moving to March The annual Village 2 Village 10K is moving to a warmer weather month.

The event had previously been held in January, but this year is scheduled for March 7. A trail run option will also be added in addition to the traditional route through Mountain Brook

neighborhoods.

Mountain High will be the presenting sponsor for the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce event. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

Thomas performs at Grand Ole Opry

Maestro’s Ball hosts Ruffner and Penny Page with Murray and Jim Priester, the event’s corporate co-chair. Photo courtesy of Arden Photography.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) recently presented the 2014 Maestro’s Ball, hosted

by Mountain Brook residents Penny and Ruffner Page, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. The Maestro’s Ball is the ASO’s largest fundraising event, and its proceeds support the ASO’s artistic, educational and outreach programs.

ASO Resident Conductor Christopher Confessore led this year’s collection of familiar hits from Hollywood. The evening began with hors d’oeuvres and champagne in the ASC lobby with chamber music provided by students from the Alabama School of Fine Arts, followed by a

concert in the Jemison Concert Hall. Immediately following the performance, patrons enjoyed dinner on the ASC grounds catered by Idie and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club with decorations by Sybil Sylvester of Wildflower Designs.

This year’s corporate committee members were chairs Terry Kellogg and Jim Priester, and Dell Brooke, Dixon Brooke, David Brown, Will Goodwyn, Miller Gorrie, Beau Grenier, Jim Hansen, Chris Harmon, Matt Lusco, Fred McCallum, Charles Perry, Jim Richardson, Steve Sanak and Raymond Watts.

Adam Thomas

Mountain Brook High School student Adam Thomas has been named to the 2014 NAfME All-National Jazz Honor Ensemble.

As a part of the ensemble, Adam joined 670 high school students to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville in October.

Adam performed under the direction of Robert Baca, professor of music and director of jazz studies at University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, with

19 other instrumentalists.

“I am thankful to my band directors and my parents for giving me the help and support I needed to have this opportunity,” Adam said. “I am grateful Mountain Brook has such a wonderful band program.”

Thomas said he is also grateful for the instruction he has received as a member of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Student All Star Band.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B3

Porter, Welden inducted into state Academy of Honor Mountain Brook residents Margaret Porter and Edgar Welden were named to the Alabama Academy of Honor on Oct. 27.

Since 1965 the academy has “honored living Alabamians who have made a significant contribution to the life and times of the state and nation.”

The other four inductees this year were University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, Apple CEO Tim Cook, University of Alabama President Judy Bonner, Big Oak Ranch founder John Croyle, biotech leader Jim Hudson Jr. and U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions.

Porter served as the first female mayor of Mountain Brook, taking

office in 1996.

At age 27, she developed the Crestline Tot Lot, and later she served as vice chairman of the steering committee that developed the athletic complex at the high school.

She was a Park Board member for nine years, and as Park Board chairman she advocated for the establishment of the parks and recreation department for the city.

Porter served on the City Council from 1984-1996 and was the council liaison to the Board of Education those years before becoming mayor.

Welden and his brother, Charles, grew their property management, mortgage and real estate business into WeldenField in Birmingham.

Both have retired and left the business in the hands of their sons.

In 1987, Welden volunteered for the Alabama Development office under Gov. Guy Hunt, and in 198889, he was chairman of the Alabama Reunion, a two-year celebration promoting Alabama tourism, heritage and economic development. He is also the former state chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and for 12 years served as one of two state representatives on the Republican National Committee.

Welden has also written books, including Time Out: A Sports Fan’s Dream, which documents the year in which he attended 200 sporting events.

CASA Luncheon supports foster children Emma’s Circle, a network of women committed to supporting the Alabama CASA organization and local children in need, recently hosted its third annual luncheon to raise funds to support abused and neglected foster children Alabama.

Guest speaker Gay Courter, author of I Speak For This Child: True Stories of a Child Advocate, spoke of her 25 years as a child advocate and challenged guests to somehow involve themselves in changing a foster child’s life.

Gay’s book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and she received the Child Advocate of the Year award for her work as a

Guardian Ad Litem (CASA) in Florida.

Gay went on to adopt a child out of the foster care system.

With the funds raised at the luncheon and sponsorships, CASA will be able to implement more county programs, strengthen those already in existence, and provide financial assistance to foster children in extreme and crisis situations where state funds are not available.

Ashley McMahon, Lisa Stone, Gay Courter, Margaret Little and Allison Collier attend the CASA Luncheon. Photo courtesy of Lisa Stone.

Margaret Porter

Edgar Welden

B4 • December 2014

Village Living

Scouts earn Eagle rank William Dodson

William Dodson, a member of Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Troop 63 is under the leadership of Harold Wells Jr., David Dowd and Russ Carothers.

On his way to Eagle Scout rank, Dodson earned 22 merit badges and the God and Country Award. He served in several leadership positions including den liaison to Cub Scout Pack 63 and patrol leader, and he participated in Troop 63’s Leadership Training Weekend at The University of the South.

Dodson also attended the Northern Tier High Adventure Program, where he and members of his troop hiked and canoed more than 125 miles in the boundary lakes area between Minnesota and Canada.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Dodson poured a concrete pad and built an outdoor brick barbecue grill complete with steel stoking and clean-out doors at East Lake United Methodist Church. The grill will be used by the church’s youth group for cookouts and fundraisers. The congregation will also use it to reach out to the surrounding community for gatherings centered around food and fellowship. Dodson raised funds for the project and coordinated volunteer efforts. Remaining funds were donated to the church’s youth group.

A Court of Honor was held at the grill at East Lake United Methodist Church, followed by dinner prepared on the grill. The event was attended by church members, East Lake community members, family and friends.

Dodson is a senior at Mountain Brook High

William Dodson

School where he has been a member of the cross country team and the indoor and outdoor track teams. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, and is an active member of Canterbury United Methodist Church.

He is the son of Jeannie and Cal Dodson. He is the grandson of Jean Hufham and the late Paul Hufham Jr. of Dothan and June Dodson and the late Cecil Dodson Jr. of Birmingham.

Charlie Geiss Charles “Charlie” Joseph Geiss, a member of Troop 320, has earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Geiss was recognized at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church on Sept. 12. Troop 320 is led by Scoutmaster Frank Tynes.

For his Eagle Scout project Geiss improved the Wayside Trail at Camp Winnataska by creating a much-needed trailhead, planting trees along the trail and marking areas for future plantings.

Wayside Trail leads to Camp Winnataska’s outdoor chapel, which is used by campers year round. He has been attending Camp Winnataska since he was six years old. He volunteers as a counselor there during the summers and works with young campers to help them enjoy their outdoor experience and to deepen their faith in God. Geiss began his career in Scouts as a Tiger Cub and completed Cub Scouts, earning the Arrow of Light. While in Troop 320, he held many leadership positions including being elected by his peers into the Order of the Arrow. He was also elected as the troop’s senior patrol leader. Charlie earned 27 merit badges, enough to earn his first Palm in addition to his Eagle.

Geiss is a junior at Mountain Brook High School, where he is a member of the marching and symphonic bands as well as the Theatre Department.

Charlie is the son of Linda Geiss and the late Chuck Geiss, who served as an

Charlie Geiss

assistant scout master for Troop 320 until his untimely passing last year. He is the grandson of Joseph G. Smith and the late Jewelene T. Smith of Atlanta and the late Albert E. and Virginia H. Geiss of Mountain Brook.

Geiss’ grandfather and his cousins Steve Traylor of Clanton and Jimmy Traylor of Chelsea mentored Charlie during his Eagle Scout project and received mentor pins from him at his Court of Honor ceremony.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B5

Church Street Coffee owner releases book on shopping local Carrie Rollwagon has participated in Shop Small Saturday the day after Black Friday for the past three years through Church Street Coffee and Books, but his year she taken that commitment a step further with her new book.

In The Localist: Think Independent, Buy Local and Reclaim the American Dream, Rollwagon writes about her year of buying only from Alabama-owned stores and writing about it on her blog, as well as opening Church Street Coffee and Books in Crestline.

Through the experience she learned to save money, discover how to connect with her community, and learn to love indie business

more than the big box stores she’d bought from all her life.

In her journey Rollwagon embraces slow food, small business, the locavore movement, and many quirky indie shopkeepers and unique independent shops.

Part memoir, part manual on how to shop local, Rollwagon doesn’t attack all big business, but rather writes about what we create with our shopping dollars and unveils new ways of making positive impact on our communities with our spending. She also looks at how to keep the scales balanced between Main Street and Corporate America.

Library to host holiday puppet show Puppeteer Lee Bryan (That Puppet Guy) will bring his holiday show “Trouble in Toyland” to the Emmet O’Neal Library on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m.

The show features Bryan’s handmade puppets in a silly story about a disastrous Christmas Eve at the North Pole. The elves have gone on strike, Rudolph’s nose is running, and Santa’s laugh is nowhere to be found. What will happen to Christmas? Bryan’s website, thatpuppetguy.com, promises “hilarious holiday hijinx and fun for the whole family.”

After the puppet show, the man behind the curtain will step out and give attendees a look at what happens behind the scenes and how each of the puppets work.

All ages are welcome at this After-School Special.

-Submitted by the Emmet O’Neal Library

In addition to co-owning Church Street with Cal Morris, Rollwagen is a copywriter and has previously worked The Birmingham Post-Herald and Southern Progress, where she was a copywriter and social media editor. The Localist is her first book.

The Localist is available at Church Street, as well as online retailers, for $20, or from ebook distributors for $3.99.

Carrie Rollwagon co-owns Church Street Coffee & Books in Crestline Village. Photo courtesy of Cary Norton.

Crestline shops in costume form A group of sixthgraders dressed as the “Shops of Crestline Village” for Halloween.

Pictured are Betsy Lambert as The Pig (Coming Soon), Sally Bussian as Happy Nail Salon, Ebbie Stutts as Snoozy’s, Mary Winston Hendry as Crestline Bagel, Forrest Ann Watson as Sugar, Laurel Hand as Angel Hair, Caroline Savage as the Chevron and Taylor Morris as Once Upon a Time. Photo courtesy of Trish Hand.

B6 • December 2014

Village Living

Mountain Brook Junior High School student Charles Tyndal’s drawing of an elephant (left) helped inspire the final version of his mom Cumbee’s “Tembo” piece (right).

ART

CONTINUED from page B1 represented in the show is Wilson’s new favorite artistic medium, a guitar, also a gift from his mom.

Charles has taken art lessons from Cumbee’s longtime friend Maud Coirier-Belser, who has a studio on Church Street in Crestline, for three years and enjoys drawing with pencils. Many of his pieces in the show were of animals he saw on their safari, but lately his work is becoming

more conceptual and illustrative of his dreams of being an architect, CoirierBelser said. His most recent work, “Somewhere Only We Know-Winter,” depicts an abstract barn and tree; he plans to create a different variation on the same setting for each season.

Cumbee’s work stems out of what she teaches at the Alabama School of Fine Arts — that concepts should be more complex than representations of the physical world.

For the series displayed in the show, she started by embedding a

grid with masking tape on a large canvas, just like a Hindu temple begins its process, as she teaches in her art history class.

From there, she spilled paint on the canvas in colors used in the temple.

A yellow landscape becomes a green field of grass, so she began with yellows and then greens.

Once the paint was there, she sanded off parts of it or splashed mineral paint to take some of the paint away. For Cumbee, sanding was another way to deal with sorrow both

physically and as a metaphor.

One of the end products of this process is a painting she named “The Destroyer.”

“In my recovery from the death of my husband, I saw God as a creator and a destroyer,” Cumbee said. “It makes more sense for me.”

Charles and Wilson grew up crawling in the gallery Cumbee runs at ASFA, and the family would create together when the boys were little.

Both Charles and Wilson won arts awards at Crestline Elementary and

have taken art classes at Mountain Brook Junior High from a former student of Cumbee’s at ASFA. Today her studio is next door to Wilson’s room, and the boys often complain when she is using a sander at 10 p.m. But they understand her work, too.

“I always encourage my kids to use art as a means to get things out that you need to get out,” Cumbee said. “There’s a therapeutic element to it.”

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B7

Holiday art show returns to Brookwood Village

Mountain Brook Art Association member Joan Curtis paints in the store window during the annual show in the lower level of Brookwood Village.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM You can find locally crafted gifts at Brookwood Village for two weeks this month.

The Mountain Brook Art Association will hold its annual Holiday Art Show Dec. 5-19 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily in the lower level of the mall. Around 70 members of the association will exhibit their work, including Ron Lewis, David Nichols, Carol Carmichael, Janet Tillery, Rollina Oglesbay, Barclay Gresham, Amy Grimes and Joan Curtis. All 175 members live within 25 miles of Mountain Brook’s City Hall.

Dec. 5-19 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily Brookwood Village mountainbrookartassociation.com

Rollina Oglesbay creates 20-minute charcoals portraits. She often has a large group watching her and waiting their turn at the Holiday Art Show.

“Unlike most art clubs, we are simply a painting club,” show chairman Janet Sanders said. “We will have all sizes at the show, all styles and all prices.”

In addition to original pieces, some artists will offer prints of their work that come with more affordable price tags. Hand-painted Christmas ornaments and greeting/holiday cards will also be on sale.

Sanders said her favorite part of the show is a featured artist who paints in the store window each day. Shoppers and fellow artists alike watch and ask questions during the process.

“The show is a great way to get to know the

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talented local artists from the entire metropolitan area,” Sanders said.

The show’s space, which was formerly a women’s store, offers a unique venue to showcase art with jazz music playing in the background.

“The store space is huge and very dramatic with curved walls and wonderful lighting,” Sanders said. “The atmosphere is very peaceful. No one is on top of the customer, so I think they are more comfortable left alone to enjoy the work.”

As a result, many customers will browse and come back again and again for holiday gifts or

decor for their house.

Ten percent of proceeds from sales will be donated to Hand in Paw Animal Assisted Therapy. The organization works to improve the health and well-being of children and adults by serving those with physical, emotional, educational or psychological needs through interactions with animal-assisted therapy teams.

An opening reception for the show will be held Friday, Dec. 5, from 6-8 p.m. and will be catered by Brio.

For more information on featured artists and additional events, visit mountainbrookartassociation.com.

B8 • December 2014

Village Living

Parade in costume The Mystics of Mountain Brook Parade descended upon the streets of Crestline Village on the evening of Halloween.

Photos by Madoline Markham.

Voted

BEST OF MOUNTAIN BROOK Village Living 2013 Best Mexican Food

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B9

School House Crestline Cougar Student Council trains for year of service

CES names new mascot

By COLLINS CLEGG Crestline named Isabella Maldia, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Maldia, the new Cougar Mascot for the 2014-2015 year. Tryouts were held in front of the student assembly with students selecting their favorite mascot.

Isabella, along with alternate Claire Buha (daughter of Ashley Morris and Jason Buha), will carry the tradition of representing Crestline at various school functions throughout the school year.

Champ (Isabella Maldia) with Crestline students Annie Lacey, Frederic Maldia and Mary Ganser Lacey.

Cherokee Bend’s celebratory Special Olympics sendoff Crestline Elementary students participate in Camp Cougar.

By COLLINS CLEGG The Crestline Cougar Student Council recently participated in Camp Cougar in preparation to serve as leaders and engaging speakers in the school.

The Student Council is made up of fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders who went through an application and interview process to be selected for their position.

The training, led by Bill Garner and Bonnie Lorino, consisted of a team building game, motivational video clips, and discussion to help students recognize qualities of good speakers and effective leadership skills.

Members of the student council will visit all of the homeroom classes once a month to speak about community service projects and Crestline Cougars High Five, Crestline’s campaign to promote good character.

Students at Cherokee Bend Elementary help send off to the school’s participants in the Special Olympics. Students held up big signs as the Olympians ran through a cheer tunnel on their way to the bus.

Voted

BEST OF MOUNTAIN BROOK Village Living

Best Orthodontist

B10 • December 2014

Village Living

Beede encourages students to meet goals

By MADISON MILLER Author and motivational speaker John Beede spoke to students of Mountain Brook Junior High School and Mountain Brook High School on Tuesday morning, Oct. 28.

Beede is currently on a quest to climb the tallest mountain on each continent. He was asked to speak for Mountain Brook schools after Mountain Brook High School SGA leaders and staff members heard Beede speak at a conference this summer.

Growing up in Henderson, Nevada, Beede enjoyed playing baseball and video games. In his freshman year of high school, a close friend was killed in a car accident, which sent Beede into a depression for a year. He credits a motivational speaker who spoke at his high school with helping him begin to set goals for himself.

Beede chose to start by facing one of his biggest fears: heights. He described rock climbing for the first time and eventually overcame his fear.

“On the edge of this cliff, I told myself, ‘I’m going to be the type of person to forge ahead into new territory,’” Beede said. “I realized [that] I wanted to become something different.”

Beede’s presentation outlined his formula for reaching personal goals. He encouraged students to pick a metaphorical summit or goal and to climb on.

“What I care about is that you find your adventure for your life,” Beede said to MBJH students.

All In Mountain Brook brought Beede to speak to MBJH and MBHS students and parents. The group formed this summer with the purpose of addressing a wide set of issues affecting local youth.

For more information, visit allinmountainbrook. org.

John Beede speaks to Mountain Brook Junior High School students. Photo by Madison Miller.

Chiefs fill barrels to help end hunger

By CATHERINE GASQUE Cherokee Bend’s Chief PTO recently hosted a food drive to collect non-perishable food items for the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. The bank partners with more than 225 other nonprofit agencies throughout the Birmingham

local area.

With a goal to exceed last year’s record of 475 pounds of food, Food Drive Chair Libba Vaughan held a contest for each grade to fill their grade’s barrel. This part of the fundraiser raised awareness and created healthy competition, while promoting participation.

Wallace Vaughan, Mary Jackson Darnall, Tripp Robinson, Mary Florence Lacy, Rushton-Grace Robinson and Drew Bodnar hold items collected in a drive for the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B11

New robotics team formed

Members of the MBE BEST team

Twenty-four students in sixth through 11th grades from Mountain Brook schools formed the inaugural team, Cutting Edge Robotics, for Boosting Engineering Science and Technology (BEST) and competed against a field of 24 teams in the recent BEST event held at UAB Bartow Arena. BEST is a non-profit competition designed to engage, excite and inspire middle and high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The formation of the robotics team has allowed students to make new friends and provided a unique outlet for kids who love science.

Throughout the competition, students learned teamwork, independence and confidence. For their entry, the team constructed a robot that can assemble heavy parts on the course into a wind turbine.

The team’s mentor is MBJH’s new career technology teacher, James Salvant, who earned a B.S. in mathematics from UAB. Students met three to five times a week for the six weeks prior to the competition. Other teams may be formed throughout the year to compete in other robotics competitions.

Interested students should contact Salvant at mtnbrook.k12.al.us/mbjh.

BWF celebrates Veterans Day

By KATHLEEN WOODRY Brookwood Forest Elementary held its annual Veterans Day performance for friends, family and veterans on Nov. 5.

Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades honored those in attendance by singing and paying tribute to the branches of our military under the direction of music teacher Debbie Rakes.

BWF hosted special guests including Superintendent Dicky Barlow, Alabama Rep. Jim Carnes, Chief of Police Ted Cook, Fire Chief Robert Ezekiel, City Manager Sam Gaston, Mountain Brook City Council members Alice Womack and Lloyd Shelton, Board of Education members Brad Sklar and Tom Luckie, and Director of the Mountain

Jana Rome, Olivia Rome, Air Force veteran and grandfather John Luce, Hillary Rome and Kate Rome.

Brook City Schools Foundation Anne Womack.

This program gives teachers an opportunity to teach the students about democracy and

to honor those Americans who have supported our country through their military service and sacrifice.

MBHS students support Pink Out for the Cure

MBHS Interact and Key Clubs support Pink Out and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

By ELIZABETH FARRAR In October, members of the Mountain Brook High School Interact and Key Clubs gathered on the field at Spartan Stadium to form a human pink ribbon in honor of one of their teachers who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The act was planned in support of Pink Out for

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Student Relay for Life director Paul Roth helped the students plan the event, and Gary Weatherly, director of Studio601 Productions, filmed the students while they took their places in the ribbon formation. The video of the creation of the ribbon will be given as a gift to the teacher they honored.

B12 • December 2014

Village Living

Sports

Spartans start strong without TaWarren Grant

By DAVID KNOX Mountain Brook’s boys, the two-time defending champions in Class 6A, are stepping up to 7A. There’s no question that coach Bucky McMillan will get the most out of his team. The question is just who will be on that team when the playoffs roll around.

The Spartans, who started out 3-0, have some talent as well as the hardworking, intense McMillan working the sidelines for a seventh season, but their most talented player, their difference maker, was on the sidelines as the season opened.

TaWarren Grant, the Spartans senior point guard and most valuable player of the 6A tournament, was in limbo as the season tipped off. McMillan said at a media day held at Mountain Brook High in mid-October that Grant was on the team and practicing but wasn’t eligible to play.

McMillan said he was limited in what he could say in order to describe Grant’s current standing with the team. “As of now he is on our team,” McMillan said. “He just is suspended indefinitely from playing in basketball games this season.”

McMillan said there was no specific timeline as to when Grant might return.

“It’s not a team issue,” he said. “It’s not an athletic issue. It is a school discipline issue, I guess. So he is going to practice with us and be a part of our team

in every way. We’ll assume until we hear something different that we will go on without him on game day.

Barring some type of change in an appeals process, then that is the way it will be.”

The Spartans rolled out to wins in their first three games, beating Oxford 73-42, Northridge 63-59 and Shades Valley 97-69.

“TaWarren is obviously a great player and is very athletic and can do a lot of things that some of us can’t on the basketball court,” teammate Jack Kline said. “We are just going to continue to go on without him. Just work hard and get better as a team every day. We’ll be fine without him.”

McMillan said Kline is a key leader.

“Jack’s a junior, but he’s been with me the longest of this group,” McMillan said. “I brought him up to the team as a freshman. He’s been a great leader this year, on and off the court. He’s got to use his experience to lead this team.”

Two transfers helped fill the void. Jared Henderson, a 6-6 senior forward from Mississippi who began his career at Winfield, scored 23 in the win over Shades Valley. Leeds transfer Terrell Guy, a 6-1 guard, scored 16 in the opener.

With or without Grant, McMillan said his team will stick together and battle. “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender,” McMillan said.

“We’ll still be who we are.”

TaWarren Grant dribbles against Carver of Montgomery in last year’s Final 48 Class 6A semifinals at the BJCC. Photo by Hank Spencer/Image Arts.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B13

A

Getting to know

MBHS new AD Benny Eaves

By DAVID KNOX Benny Eaves was named the athletic director for Mountain Brook Schools in November, succeeding the long-serving Terry Cooper, who retired in October.

“I feel so incredibly blessed to fill this position,” Eaves said. “It has been a whirlwind of activity the first few days and will continue to be so for a few more weeks. I am working hard to get around to meeting everyone I can on a personal basis. If I haven’t met you yet, give me a little while. I’m sure you’re on my list!”

Eaves, 45, is a native of Florence, Ala. He received his undergraduate degree in education from the University of North Alabama (1990) and graduate degree from Auburn University (‘92).

Eaves is entering his 22nd year in physical education and athletics. His past experiences include seven years (‘92-’99) at Marion Military Institute, seven years (‘99-’07) in the Hoover High School system, and the last eight years (‘06-present) at Mountain Brook High School. During those years, he has coached football, basketball, baseball and golf, filling roles from head coach to assistant in every sport at all levels.

Currently he serves as Physical Education department head, head varsity

boys/JV boys golf coach, head freshman boys basketball coach and varsity basketball assistant.

His family includes wife, Tonia, a human resource consultant working for Sourcepointe; son, Taylor, a junior at University of North Alabama; and daughter, Ragan, a freshman at Troy University.

Q A

What made you consider becoming athletics director?

When contemplating the future path of my career, it was a logical decision considering my background and love of all sports. I was a threesport coach for almost 20 years, and my love of coaching was very similar to my love as a three-sport athlete. Whatever sport was in season, that was my favorite. Three-sport coaches are a dying breed in the higher classifications due to the time requirements for in-season and off-season activities.

I wanted to stay involved in all sports and help programs to improve or maintain a level of excellence. I felt the best way to do that would be in an athletic director’s position. It is invigorating now to know that I can be of service to all sports, male and female, high school and junior high, throughout the remainder of my career. I look forward to working with all our coaches, community and administrations to continue to grow our athletic programs as the

future presents new opportunities for improvement or change.

I will miss the scheming and planning it takes to be a successful coach, but more than anything I know I will miss the personal interaction that goes on between coach and player. I have been very fortunate to develop long-lasting relationships with most of my former players.

Q A

You currently have coaching responsibilities. Will you continue to coach?

In addition to the athletic director’s duties, I will continue to fulfill my teaching and coaching obligations through the holiday break. It’s a plan in progress after the break. We have a plan to meet and discuss what is our best option going forward at that point. It is unlikely that I will be able to continue to coach after this school year.

My first duty is to serve the athletic department as a whole, which would not allow me to be fully invested as a coach of a team. The players would not get my best and that would be unacceptable to me.

Q

The school now has 150 state championships, the most of any school in Alabama. Terry Cooper has set a very high standard. First, is that a daunting act to follow, and secondly, what have you learned

On the

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from him about being an AD? Terry Cooper is the standard. This is a position that he pioneered in the high school ranks. He is the epitome of class and integrity. Terry Cooper’s legacy will forever be intertwined with Mountain Brook’s athletic programs. The experiences and relationships he has shared and developed over almost four decades cannot be replaced.

We have a great relationship, and I know that he will help me in any way he can. My job will to be the best “me” I can be. He and I have talked about the future of athletics and how I should think and embrace new ideas that could help take our programs to another level. The biggest thing Terry stressed to me was developing relationships with the coaches and community and to establish open lines of communications with everyone.

A

Q

What is it about Mountain Brook — the system and the community — that makes it special?

From a system standpoint, I believe it’s the commitment to excellence and the practice of treating the teachers and coaches as professionals. In allowing teachers/coaches to “own” their respective environments, ownership is developed in the system’s successes. It’s exciting to work in a system that is constantly working to improve and stay on the leading edge of positive changes.

As for the community, it’s the people, the community spirit. The support is unparalleled. The community’s commitment to the schools, both academically and athletically, makes this place very special.

While there is a great respect for athletics and what it can provide the student-athlete, student body, and the community, the fact that academics is primary does not waver. So, to put it in perspective, we have a highly competitive academic setting that puts education at the forefront but somehow still competes athletically at the highest level. We have record numbers of National Merit Scholars. We have earned 150 state championships, the most of any school in Alabama. Put those two together, and you have something very rare and extremely special.

Q A

What kinds of goals do you have?

My goal is to continue to enhance and strengthen our bonds between and among all our coaches, athletes, teams and the community. I will have some personal goals, but my main focus will be, after meeting with the different programs to gauge their needs, goals and aspirations, to help them in any way I can to achieve their goals. I look forward to becoming very active within NIAAA and hope to serve as a leader in my field.

B14 • December 2014

Village Living

Saints win fifth-grade Super Bowl The fifth-grade Mountain Brook Saints recently won the Super Bowl Championship at Spartan Stadium. All players received congratulatory, personal texts from MBHS Head Coach Chris Yeager.

Players are Luke Gilbert, Daniel Salter, Luke Hanes, John McMillan, Jackson Ogletree, Evan Shiflet, Woody Fipps, Harrison England, Jack Hanaway, Trey

Lemak, Peyton Foy, Henry Cardwell, Will Monroe and Harrison Sharp. The Saints were coached by Britt Monroe and Pat Sullivan.

-Submitted by Ashley Monroe The Saints celebrate their recent Super Bowl victory. Photo courtesy of Cameron Cardwell.

MBHS wrestling team gives back to community

The MBHS Wrestling Team gathers at a Habitat for Humanity house they helped build.

By ELIZABETH FARRAR On a recent Saturday, members of the Mountain Brook High School’s wrestling team met at the Calera Habitat for Humanity build site to finish putting the siding on the Jackson family’s new home.

Wrestling coach Justin Ransom said this event provided the students a different opportunity to work together as a team while helping others in need. Ransom said that the student athletes were proud of their service and look forward to additional volunteer opportunities.

Dodgers finish season undefeated

The Mountain Brook 8U Dodgers were undefeated for the fall 2014 softball season with victories over multiple teams from Vestavia, Homewood and Mountain Brook. Front row: Sarah Malone, Caroline Kelley, Syla Steinman, Rollins Wilkerson, Ashby Russell. Back row: Lola Salter, Mary Katherine Malone, Kelcie Dowling, Emma Lou Giordano, Anne Tillery Moak, Marlea Drinkard. Head coach: Noel Dowling.

Assistant coaches: David Malone, Lee Wilkerson, Scott Salter. Photo courtesy of Noel Dowling.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B15

Swimmers prepare to take state

By JESSA PEASE It’s a strong year for Mountain Brook High swim team’s girls as they make their way to the sectional and then state meet.

The team already has 10 swimmers who have hit the state qualifying time to compete Dec. 12-13, but coach Brook Gibbons believes another eight will qualify at sectionals.

“We are going to have a lot of kids finish in the top 16 and a good amount finish in the top eight,” Gibbons said.

“All three of our girls relays should finish in the top 16 if not the top eight.”

The team picked up some additional seventh-graders this year who Gibbons said are helping out the relays, and the older swimmers have been working hard to improve their times.

The top two girls are eighth-grader Lauren Crabtree and sophomore Hannah Elliott, and although they have already have already made state cuts, they will have to swim those times again at the sectional meet in order to qualify for state.

Crabtree will be swimming the 100 and 200-yard freestyle. Her 100-yard free time is 55.67, well below the state cut of 59.99, and her 200 free similarly sits at 2:01.99 versus the qualifying time of 2:09.29.

Distance swimming and the butterfly are Elliott’s events. She’ll be swimming the 100-yard butterfly and the 500-yard free. Her 100 fly time sits right under the state qualifying time of 1:05.29 at 1:04.88, and her 500 free sits at 5:41.53 against the 5:43.99 state cut.

Gibbons believes both Crabtree and

2014 Mountain Brook Swim Team Roster

Eighth-grader Lauren Crabtree practices her freestyle. She will compete in the stroke at both the sectional and state meet. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Elliott will be in the top eight at the state meet.

Senior Charles Hoyt is Mountain Brook’s strongest male swimmer. He’s been swimming for a long time, and his brother swims for another team, which creates some sibling competition. Hoyt will be swimming the

100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke.

Hoyt’s 100 free time of 53.86 sits right below the state cut of 54.19, and his 100 back time of 1:00.9 is about one second under the 59.79 state qualifying time. Gibbons believes he will be able to pull out the state time at the

sectional meet.

“He’s a senior, so I think he really wants to finish his senior year out strong,” Gibbons said.

Senior Michael Clark also sits about a second away from a state cut in the 50-yard freestyle. His time is 25.56 versus the 24.79 state qualifying time.

Carolanne Berte Emily Bolvig Mary Frances Bloodworth William Bloodworth Lamar Campbell Courtney Clark Michael Clark Frances Conner Catherine Couch Lauren Crabtree Hannah Elliott Richard Feig Mary Katherine Fowlkes Kathryn Garrison Elizabeth Reid Gray Elizabeth Hamilton Charles Hoyt Ryan Kirk Robert Krauss Billy Krauss Thomas Krauss Jack Martin Katelyn McInerney Gaston Petznick Alexandra Preston Owen Ross Reid Till Sophie Truppner Ann Vandevelde Liz Vandevelde William Wood “I see that we will definitely be one of the top eight schools at the state meet,” Gibbons said. “It always depends on who goes where and who does what, but we have a very strong team. I really feel that this is year they are going to start breaking up and us coming through.”

B16 • December 2014

Village Living

Mountain Brook wins first state volleyball championship

Mountain Brook’s volleyball team reacts to being announced as 7A state champions. Photos by Keith McCoy.

By DAVID KNOX The MBHS volleyball team has been excellent all year. But it’s never played better than it did in the last few weeks of the season.

The Lady Spartans capped an amazing season

with a 3-1 victory over Hoover in the finals of the state volleyball championships at CrossPlex in Birmingham. Mountain Brook won 25-16, 25-20, 18-25, 25-10 over their archrival – which had swept the Lady Spartans at home in the regular season.

It is Mountain Brook’s first state championship in volleyball.

Sara Carr was named the tournament’s most valuable player, and she was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Julia Smith and Sara Chandler Mitchell.

“I know this sounds corny,” said Mountain Brook coach Haven O’Quinn, “but these girls are a family on and off the court. They really like each other. Chemistry and unity are so important.

We knew it was not going to be easy. This is the most special group I’ve ever worked with.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B17

Mountain Brook’s Payton Selman prepares to spike the ball against Hoover.

“They’ve had a common goal, and from the beginning we’ve never had a lull.”

The season seemed to turn with a win over No. 1 Bob Jones in the Margaret Blalock tournament at Homewood. Then the Spartans faced Bob Jones again in the North Super Regionals and won and captured the Super Regional with a win over Hoover.

O’Quinn said beating a team like Bob Jones three times was a monumental task, but not one she burdened her girls with.

“Heading into the Margaret Blalock tournament is when you can get kind of tight – it’s the last big regular season tournament – but that’s when we seemed to accelerate and started playing with so much confidence.

“I’ve heard it from a lot of people: ‘Your team is so loose, they seem to have so much fun.’ And that is created from the very beginning from the very first practice

in the gym. I think you have to set the tone for what it’s going to be. I think by the time we got to the playoffs, we were ready.”

Carr had 16 kills to earn the MVP honors. “We’re doing it for the team,” Carr said. “I think we wanted it so bad for our team and for our community. To see every one of your teammates smiling, that’s the sweetest joy I’ve ever felt.”

Mountain Brook’s Mitchell contributed 38 assists while Emmy Kilgore had eight kills, and Abby Garrett and Peyton Selman had seven kills apiece. Smith added 21 digs.

Hoover coach Chris Camper said his team just didn’t execute when it needed to. The Lady Bucs made a run to win the third game, but they couldn’t keep the momentum.

Camper called Mountain Brook’s Smith, the Lady Spartans’ libero, “the best player in Alabama at any position.” “We tried to keep it away from her. They’ve got some

youth on the back that we’d been able to take advantage of before, but today they passed well. I think that was a big part of the difference.

“Today was about execution,” Camper said. “More than anything else, Mountain Brook passed better. They were better than us today. They executed at a higher level.”

Camper noted that even though he had five seniors, the Lady Bucs were basically a young team that hadn’t been in this position before.

“I’m proud of our girls’ effort and energy, but we just couldn’t execute today.”

Hoover’s Ali Lowe had 13 kills and Kathryn Cather had 13 assists, 11 digs and eight kills.

Lowe and Cather were also on the all-tourney team, along with McGill-Toolen’s Abby Hutchens and Bob Jones’ Haley Hop.

Sara Carr goes high to spike a shot for Mountain Brook.

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B18 • December 2014

Village Living

Mountain Brook girls win 12

th

Mix of veterans and youngsters provides winning combination

By DAVID KNOX Mountain Brook High’s girls cross-country program has had so much success, it’s easy to take it for granted that Greg Echols’ Lady Spartans will win another state championship.

When you’ve won 11 straight, 12 of 13 and 21 overall, it just seems like a foregone conclusion.

The Lady Spartans cross-country team won the Class 7A state championship at Oakville Indian Mounds Park for their 12th straight state championship.

But the route the girls took this year to the title was anything but easy.

“We lost eight of our top 13 girls to injuries or illness. We lost three before the season started,” Echols said. “Mono, stress fractures, you name it. It was just one of those years.”

Still, Mountain Brook finished with 41 points, far ahead of Huntsville (59) and Hoover (79) to win the title.

Mountain Brook junior Frances Patrick (19:01.95) was fourth, and Lily Hulsey (19:07.13) crossed the finish line in seventh place to pace the Lady Spartans. Anna Balzli (19:20.44) was 10th, and also in the top 14 were Cameron Hudson and Tessa Allen, at 13 and 14, respectively. Joy McRae and Natalie Jones were 21st and 34th to round out the scorers.

“Frances just ran great,” Echols said. “She’s a junior, and when we lost our veteran runners, she had to step up and really take a leadership role in workouts as well as emotionally. When you’re

Frances Patrick, left, races toward the finish line.

No. 2 or 3, you work hard, but there’s no real pressure. But when you become No. 1, you have to get it done every day in practice and in races.

“She had a great race and has just been a tremendous leader the past month and I’m really proud of her.”

The injuries meant Echols had to move up girls from the junior high. That’s where the development of the grassroots program paid big

dividends.

“That’s a huge part of (our success),” Echols said. “Part of it is we’ve got great staff there that loves kids and gets the numbers out. Part of it is we’re always that we’re on the same page.

I coached both my high school assistants and three of the junior high coaches when they came through, so it makes it a little easier that we all have same philosophies and ideas of what we’re

trying to accomplish with the kids.”

Although it may seem like cross-country is an individual sport, it really isn’t. At state, the top five scorers count toward the team total. So it’s important to have your top runners do well, but even those back in the pack have to give their best efforts to score highly enough for the team to win — even if they’re having a bad day.

“I’ve had kids write senior essays for me that

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B19

straight state cross-country title

MBHS runners prepare to take off at the starting line at the state meet. Photos courtesy of Joe Hudson.

(say) they never knew what a team was until they got on the cross- country team. They’ve been in team sports their whole lives and had no clue until they got on cross-country.”

The physical demands of the workouts, the lack of a lot of press clippings and attention and, as Echols put it, “some sick man like me” pushing them through difficult workouts mean that runners have to lean on each other for support

and they start to bond.

“Especially if your goal is to be in the top 20 and you see you’re not going to be in the top 20, it’s easy to quit. But if your teammates are counting on you, you can’t quit on your teammates once you’ve got that bond.”

All the difficult times made it special to win this 12th straight title.

“Girls on the varsity kept watching their

teammates go down and keep their focus and work even harder to fill the gap. And they meshed with the younger girls. I watched several of them mature and grow, had to step up and do more than they really wanted to do whether it was leadership or whether it’s just having to work harder to fill the gap.”

The Mountain Brook boys finished third behind Auburn and Hoover. Marshall Smith

paced the Spartans with a 17th-place finish.

“They ran great,” Echols said. “It’s the youngest boys team I’ve ever put on the line. For their age, they absolutely competed super well. They actually went out too fast to see if they could finish higher and ran out of gas a little bit, but I’d rather have a team that has the courage to go out after the teams in front of them. I was just super proud of them.”

B20 • December 2014

Village Living

Spartans’ Jacob Carroll set to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game

By WILL DAVIS Mountain Brook quarterback Jacob Carroll will play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game on Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The game will be televised by Raycom Sports and carried on Fox 6 in Birmingham.

“I was pretty excited,” Carroll said of his initial reaction to being named to the Alabama All-Star team. “There is so much good talent in Alabama, and it was a pretty big honor [to be named to the team].”

The 6-foot-2 senior quarterback completed 62.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,295 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. As a junior in 2013, Carroll threw for just shy of 2,000 yards, completing 66.4 percent of his passes, with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while leading the Spartans to a playoff berth. Carroll also ran for five touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.

The only other quarterback on the roster for the state of Alabama is Foley’s Tyler Cameron. Carroll said that he already has relationships with a few players on the team and anticipates working with them as well as others.

“I’m looking forward to working with Keaton Anderson from Florence and Christian Bell from Hoover,” Carroll said.

Anderson and Bell, both linebackers, have both committed to Alabama.

As for the other side, Carroll is eager to show what he has against his neighbors to the west.

“I know they have a lot of good talent [in Mississippi], and it’s going to be a really good game,” Carroll said.

This is the 28th annual meeting between

Spartans drop final two games, season ends on four-game losing streak

By DAVID KNOX

Mountain Brook quarterback Jacob Carroll hurdles the Hewitt-Trussville line in a game this season. Photo by Hank Spencer/Image Arts.

Mississippi and Alabama. Alabama’s All-Stars extended their winning streak to six games last December with a 21-17 win. The hosts have won all three games played at Cramton Bowl since 2011 and own a 20-7 record in the series, which dates back to 1988.

This is a big opportunity for Carroll to play well in a high-profile game and increase his reputation as a prospect, but his goals remain simple.

“I definitely just want to go down there

and get better, and play well for Alabama and represent our state well,” Carroll said.

Carroll claims a few Division II offers and said he has not decided where he will play college football next year.

He separated his shoulder in the Spartans’ loss to Spain Park and missed the season finale at Huffman, but he insists that he will be ready to go on Dec. 13.

“It’ll be fine for the game,” Carroll said.

The Mountain Brook Spartans were coming off a 7-4 season and a state playoff berth to begin this season. They returned a senior quarterback who was starting his third season as a starter and a returning wide receiver with more than 1,400 yards receiving.

But all the pieces didn’t fall into place, and competing in tough Class 7A, Region 3 got the best of the Spartans as they posted a 3-7 record and missed the playoffs.

Four of those losses were by three points or less, so the Spartans were very close to a 7-3 season with a few lucky breaks.

One unlucky break occurred late in the season when quarterback Jacob Carroll separated his shoulder. He missed the majority of the Spain Park loss and all of the season-ending loss to Huffman.

Spain Park blanked the Spartans 19-0, and Huffman pulled off a 26-24 upset in the season finale.

Against Huffman, sophomore quarterback Connor Adair, filling in for Carroll, gave Spartans fans a glimpse of the future. Although he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, he acquitted himself well. Adair was 21-of34 passing for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Drew Odum for two scores and hit a 38-yard scoring pass to Wilkerson Anthony.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B21

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

Making peace with the holidays One January years ago, I was having coffee with some moms when the conversation turned to Christmas — and how differently women and men handle the holiday.

A story that one mom shared summed up the gender gap that tends to appear this time of year.

It was a busy Saturday, and as she ran circles around the house, her mind racing with things to do (buy a tree! decorate it! decorate the house! bake! buy gifts! wrap gifts! prepare Christmas cards!), her husband was kicked back watching football. Every time she passed him in the den, her irritation rose.

With a drink in hand and a crackling fire, he looked completely and annoyingly at peace.

Her husband was too relaxed to notice how busy she was, much less offer to help.

With her hard work going unappreciated, a fire of another kind started inside her.

Around her fourth or fifth trip, this mom stopped moving. She looked at her husband and, with three simple words, shared her frustration.

“Quit enjoying yourself!” she told him.

Every mom having coffee that day burst into laughter at the story’s punch line and nodded emphatically. It was one of those, “Right on, sister. I know exactly what you’re talking about!” moments we all related to.

Because honestly, that scenario could have played out in any of our homes. What

this mom did was enable us to laugh at ourselves for getting too busy, too stressed out and too worked up over Christmas.

Even when we know better.

Even when we vow to do things differently than we have in the past.

Even when we understand Christmas as a time to worship and welcome Jesus — not get sidetracked by shopping, parties, decorating, entertaining and creating magical memories.

Women always carry a heavy load, but in December, the demands multiply. And while I agree with the often shared advice to scale back, simplify and lower expectations of what Christmas should look like, there are some things we have no control over simplifying (like the costume our child needs for the holiday program, or the gift required for the ornament swap). Add several kids to the mix, and the demands add up.

On top of this, somebody has to pull Christmas together for the family. Somebody has to be the magic fairy who helps prepare the home and hearts inside it for a meaningful celebration.

Nine times out of 10, that somebody is Mom. If Mom doesn’t do it, it probably won’t happen.

And that’s why women have a hard time relaxing this time of year. That’s why we feel the weight of Christmas on our shoulders and get irritated when our husbands can

enjoy themselves and we can’t. Somehow the fear of Christmas not coming together doesn’t bother them. “What needs to get done will get done,” they’ll say, to which we’ll reply, “Of course it will, because I’m working my tail off!”

It’s comical in hindsight, but in moments of stress, the humor gets lost. It’s hard to laugh at ourselves when we’re overwhelmed.

It’s hard to admit we’re overreacting when we’re frustrated yet also envious of how our husbands can take a break and rest.

So how do women make peace with the holidays? How do we delight in welcoming Jesus when December gets demanding? I think one explanation can be found in the Biblical story of Mary and Martha, two sisters whose differences became more readily apparent when Jesus came to visit.

While Martha, the practical and efficient sister, was busy preparing for the Lord, Martha wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet. Martha resented her sister for not working. She asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. That’s when Jesus said: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke 10:38-42) Being productive is a good trait. Our world needs productive people to build God’s kingdom. But when productiveness

interferes with what’s more important — like resting at the feet of Jesus — it stops being good. It hinders our ability to love Him. The message to take away, for me as much as anyone, is to make time at Jesus’ feet. To let Him calm down our anxious souls. To know when to work — and when to stop. To understand that even when we’re strung-out, God loves us. He doesn’t want us carrying the weight of Christmas on our shoulders because the joy of Jesus’ birth is as much for us as it is for the children anxiously counting down the days.

This holiday season, let’s ease up a little.

Let’s give ourselves permission to take breaks and relax on the couch with our husband. Most of all, let’s remember where Christmas began: humbly in a stable, in a manger padded with hay, among animals. It was all about the baby then, and it’s all about the baby now. And in this Prince of Peace we find the peace we need, the calm within the chaos that keeps us centered, sane, and deeply satisfied.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, is now available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.

B22 • December 2014

Village Living

Calendar Emmet O’Neal Library 50 Oak Street 879-0459, eolib.org

Adults

Dec. 15-18: Exam Study Breaks.

All month: Tech Classes. Small, onehour, free classes. Registration required. Call 445-1115.

Children’s

Wednesdays: Brown Bag Lunch Series. 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: Church & Oak Book Group.

6:30 p.m. Church Street Coffee & Books.

Discussing The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell.

Dec. 8: Great Books Book Group.

6:30 p.m. Discussing “Good Country People”

by Flannery O’Connor.

Dec. 9: The Bookies Book Group.

10 a.m. Discussing Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott.

Dec. 16: Documentaries After Dark. 6:30 p.m. Documentary will feature the Kentucky Appalachian mountain people.

Mondays: *Toddler Tales Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Tuesdays: Together Time Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Tuesdays: Evenings at EOL. 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: *Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays: *Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays: SNaP. 3:30 p.m.

Saturdays: Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m.

Mountain Brook Events Dec. 2: Birmingham Boys Choir Christmas Concert. 7:30 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church. Visit birminghamboyschoir.com.

Dec. 6, 13, 20: Breakfast with Santa. 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Birmingham Zoo. Purchase tickets in advance. Visit birminghamzoo. com/events/.

Dec. 3: Red Mountain Garden Club Greenery Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit redmountaingardenclub. org.

Dec. 7: Preschool Nativity and Children-Led Worship. 11 a.m. Brookwood Baptist Church. Call 967-0441.

Dec. 3: English Village Holiday Open House. English Village. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.

Dec. 3: A Christmas Carol. 6 p.m.

Canterbury United Methodist Church. Visit canterburyumc.org.

Dec. 4: Mountain Brook Village Holiday Open House. 5-8 p.m. Mountain Brook Village. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.

Dec. 24-25: Library closed.

Dec. 9: Family Night: Atlantic Coast Theatre’s The Elves and the Shoemaker. 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: ExVoto Vintage Holiday Open House. 4 p.m. ExVoto Vintage, Mountain Brook Village. The Elizabeth Adams Collection will debut.

Visit exvotovintage.com.

Dec. 31-Jan. 1: Library closed for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Dec. 10: After-School Special: That Puppet Guy Lee Bryan’s Trouble in Toyland. 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: Village Dermatology Open House. 6-8:30 p.m. 2900 Cahaba Road. Call 877-9773.

Teens

Dec. 17: Fancy Nancy Holiday Hairdo Hullaballoo. 3-5 p.m.

Dec. 3: TAB. 5-6 p.m. The monthly meeting of the Teen Advisory Board.

Dec. 18: *Bookmania: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. 6 p.m.

Dec. 4: Oli.O Specialty Oils & Balsamics Christmas Open House and One-Year Anniversary. 6-8 p.m.

2411 Montevallo Road. Call 802-5756.

Dec. 6: Game On Tournament. 1-3 p.m.

No programs from Dec. 22 to Jan. 1.

Dec. 12: Cookie Craft. 4-6 p.m.

Baking, decorating and eating.

*Space limited, call 879-0497 or visit eolib. org.

Dec. 5-19: Mountain Brook Art Association Holiday Art Show. 10 a.m.8 p.m. Brookwood Village, lower level. Buy directly from local artists. Call 914-6149.

Dec. 7: Holiday Parade. 3 p.m. Mountain Brook Village. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.

Dec. 7: Children’s Ministry’s Annual Musical. 6 p.m. Brookwood Baptist Church. Call 967-0441.

Dec. 9: Cahaba Village Holiday Open House. Cahaba Village. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.

Dec. 10: Lone Soldier Speaker Izzy Ezagui. 5:30 p.m. Birmingham Levite Jewish Community Center. Izzy Ezagui, an American serving in the Israeli army, lost his arm in Gaza’s Operation in 2008. Visit bhamjcc.org.

Dec. 13-14: Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour. Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 on each tour day. Visit ipc-usa.org.

Dec. 14: Service of Lessons and Carols. 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Call 967-9786.

Dec. 14: Children’s Choir Christmas Concert. 5 p.m. Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Call 871-0331.

Dec. 14: Music by Sanctuary Choir. 6 p.m. Brookwood Baptist Church. Call 967-0441.

VillageLivingOnline.com

December 2014 • B23

Calendar Mountain Brook Events (continued) Dec. 21-23: Living Nativity. 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

Visit mbbc.org.

Dec. 23: Best Loved Music of the Season. 6-7:30 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church. Call 871-4695.

Dec. 25: Pancake Breakfast. 8:30-11 a.m.

Birmingham Levite Jewish Community Center. The LJCC is open on Dec. 25 and serving breakfast.

Area Events Dec. 4-21: Red Mountain Theatre Company Holiday Spectacular.

Wednesdays-Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with a spectacular display of all your favorite music of the season. Visit redmountaintheatre.org.

Dec. 5: So You Think You Can Dance Tour. 10 a.m. Alabama Theatre. Tickets start at $45. Visit ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

Dec. 5-6: Tannehill Christmas Candlelight Tour. 5 p.m. A holiday presentation of historical events based during the Civil War Era. Call 477-5711.

Dec. 5-31: Zoolight Safari. 5 p.m.

Birmingham Zoo. $8 for non-members, free for members. Visit birminghamzoo.com.

Dec. 6-7: Christmas at Arlington.

Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. Visitors are invited to step back in time as local decorators adorn rooms of the museum in period holiday décor.

Call 780-5656.

Dec. 6,13,14: Babes in Toyland. Saturdays 2 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Child $11, adults $13. Call 458-8181.

Dec. 7: Jam4Sam. 5-9 p.m. Workplay, 500 23rd St. S. Enjoy live music and raise money to combat childhood cancer. $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. Dinner included. Visitbhamjcc.org.

Dec. 9-17: A Colonial Christmas.

10:30 a.m. and noon. American Village. $25. Visit americanvillage.org.

Dec. 11: Holiday Hyjinx. Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre.

Lee Ann Brown, Kristi Tingle Higginbotham, Jan D. Hunter and Kristin Staskowski are back and ready to celebrate the holidays with a fun-filled show of comedy sketches and songs. $22. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Dec. 12: The Mutt-cracker. 7:30 p.m.

BJCC. Presented by Birmingham Ballet. Visit birminghamballet.com.

Dec. 12, 13, 14: Holiday Wishes and Dreams Brought to Life on Ice. Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m.

Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. Call 620-6448 or visit pelhamciviccomplex.com.

Dec. 12-21: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 2:30 p.m. Wright Center,

Samford University. Presented by Alabama Ballet. $25-$55. Visit alabamaballet.org.

Dec. 13: Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. 8 a.m. Railroad Park. Be a part of the largest holiday 5K race series aimed to fight arthritis.

Visit jbrbham.kintera.org.

Dec. 13-14: The Nutcracker. Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. BJCC. Presented

by Birmingham Ballet. Visit birminghamballet.com.

Dec. 13, 20: Breakfast in Santa’s Workshop. 8:30-10 a.m. McWane Science Center. Bring your little elves to have breakfast in Santa’s Workshop. $20 for adults, $15 for kids. Visit mcwane.org.

Dec. 14: Kitschy Christmas. 2 p.m.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Create small but interesting vignettes throughout the house using ordinary household objects. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Visit bbgardens.org.

Dec. 18: Blue October. 7 p.m. Iron City. $25.

Visit ironcitybham.com.

Dec. 19: Trampled by Turtles. 7 p.m. Iron City. $20. Visit ironcitybham.com.

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Queen Sets

starting at

$

50

* per

mo.

* Based on up to 48 month financing.

See store for details.

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