Village Living Newspaper July 2011 by Starnes Media

Village Living

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

July 2011 |

neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Mr. Glenn Rice -pg 6

Tornado Fundraiser - pg 14

Singing heart to heart By MARY NOBLES HANCOCK While most high school students are still figuring out what they want to do with their lives, rising Mountain Brook High School senior Catherine Smith knows what she wants to do and is doing it already. Smith has been singing ever since she was four in the choir at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and recently released her first album, Heart to Heart, available on iTunes. Heart to Heart consists of five original songs. “It’s definitely country,” she said of her music, “but with its own little twist. It has a down-to-earth feel with a touch of pop.” Smith has worked with Mason Music Studios to produce her album and collaborated with Sarah Mason on writing the songs. “The ideas for my songs come mostly from personal experiences,” Smith said, “but they are also inspired by stories I have been told and events I have watched unfold.” The album took a little over three months to complete, and now that it is out, she plans to send it to contacts in the music industry, while still writing and singing new songs.

July Features • Editor’s Note

• City Council

• S.T.O.R.M. Relief

• Vacation Bible School

• Village Sports

• Kari Kampakis

• Community Garden

• School House

• Business Spotlight

• Restaurant Showcase

• Calendar of Events

• Around the Villages

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Volume 2 | Issue 4 | July 2011

Tenth annual Market Day has French roots By MADOLINE MARKHAM

with her audience on a personal level.” Smith also credits her mom for being her biggest supporter. “She constantly encourages me to write music and go

There’s a reason people start calling Mountain Brook Village stores in the spring to find out the date of Market Day. When the white tents go up, they know it’s time to brave the heat for the European-style sidewalk and tent sale. The sales, up to 75 percent off or more, draw in shoppers from surrounding states as well as regular customers looking for a deal. The event will be held Saturday, July 23, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. this year. “There are lots of new faces in the village and people browsing around,” Frank Davies of Little Hardware said. “For us it’s as big if not bigger than Christmas,” said Patricia Murray of Table Matters. “We try to keep it fun and exciting. What we do will be a surprise this year.” The Lingerie Shoppe has an alley sale with bras up to 75 percent off in a back room accessible down the alley next to the store. Little Hardware hosts a cooking demonstration and serves refreshments and

See SINGING | page 12

See MARKET DAY | page 22

High school rising senior Catherine Smith released her first album this year. Photo courtesy of Wesley Shaw.

Among her varied musical influences is country singer Leann Rimes. “[She] began her musical career when she was a young teenager and is my inspiration,” Smith said. “She is a strong woman whose music expresses her emotions and connects

Potential Montclair Walmart grocery opposed in Crestline

A Walmart Neighborhood Market, like the one in Homewood on Palisades Blvd., is under discussion to be built on Montclair Road near Crestline. Photo by Keith McCoy.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Walmart has discussed developing a Walmart Neighborhood Market grocery store on the five acres adjacent to Beech Circle, and Crestline residents are concerned about the prospect. The city of Birmingham property is located across from Trinity Medical Center on Montclair Road. “There is no agreement in place now,” said Sonny Culp, real estate broker for the property and Senior Vice President of Graham & Company. Culp, a Crestline resident, said he could not confirm who the party interested in development is, but he acknowledged that it has leaked out from other sources that it is Walmart. “The neighborhood wishes to maintain the character of this area as it is and not to allow the kind of development that exists east of this area on Montclair Road to move

into this area,” said Crestline Neighborhood Association President Sandra Storm. Emails have circulated raising awareness of the issue among residents and asking neighbors to voice their opinions. A “No Wal-Mart in my Crestline Area” Facebook group had 239 members as of mid-June. “We would consider buying [the five acres], I but don’t think Birmingham would consider selling,” Mayor Terry Oden said. “It’s an income producer for them.” The property was previously athletic fields for the old John Carroll Catholic High School campus and is currently zoned for medical and office use. The five acres, along with the 16 next to it, have been for sale for almost three years. Arlington Properties, the developer

of Hallman Hill in Homewood, has an agreement to purchase the other 16 acres to build more than 200 high-end apartments. The proposal has been met with favor by the surrounding neighborhood associations, Culp said, and is pending to be rezoned for residential use. Regardless of the five acres’ buyer, Arlington Properties is concerned about who their neighbor will be. They have negotiated for and received complete approval of restrictions on the five acres. The property will never be able to be used for a variety of things including a secondhand store, liquor store, bowling alley, skating rinks, flee markets, arcades and any development that sells of pornographic materials or creates

See WALMART | page 22

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July 2011 |

Village Living

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Village Living |

July 2011 |

Steeple Arts Thanks Mountain Brook for 75 Years! The Dance Center of Mountain Brook since 1935

Picture by Image Arts. First row: Gracie Evans, Mary Jane Bussian, Ella Cook and Lucy Evans. Second row: Sally Bussian, Breese Tierney, Clark Stewart and Addison Tierney. Third row: Adelaide Matte, Parker Evans, Emily Schreiber, Salley Rose Wilkerson and Allison Silzle.

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Welcome Friends

July 2011 |

Village Living

Lily Pate, Sibley Cotton, Stella Pate and Piper Pate keep cool this summer at the LJCC. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

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

Editor’s Note With summer in full swing what better way to enjoy it than to grab a cool drink, your Village Living, and see what’s going on in Mountain Brook? Just because most folks are in and out of town this time of year, it doesn’t mean that things have slowed down. You won’t want to miss the 10th anniversary of Market Day on July 23. This is Mountain Brook Village’s weekend of street sales, special deals and a great place to meet friends and visit. With Trinity Hospital departing Montclair Road, they are in the process of selling some property adjacent to Mountain Brook. Read our cover story to find out what might be coming and how it could affect our community. Lately I have heard of many residents who have decided to try their hand at growing vegetables at home. Well, Mountain Brook Presbyterian has taken growing vegetables to a whole new level in their community garden, and they invite you to participate. Learn how to garden and be a part of a crucial outreach service that their garden provides. Everything grown goes to the Magic City Harvest, which provides food to 20 different shelters. We have continuing coverage of how our community has responded to the

Editor’s Top 5 for July 1. Attend Mountain Brook Village’s Market Day July 23. What a great way to support our local merchants and grab some bargains too! 2. Cool off with a limeade from Gilchrist. Let’s face it, it’s a classic. You can’t make it through the hot days of summer without one. 3. Take advantage of our library. Emmet O’Neal is a great indoor place to visit on really hot days with the kids, and they have something for every age.

Image Arts | Alison Gault | Kari Kampakis

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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

4. Take the family and catch one of the free Friday movies being offered at Crestline Elementary this summer. You could even walk over to 32 degrees for a cool treat afterwards. 5. Enjoy driving through Mountain Brook Village without having to make a detour. The bridge work is completed, and you can now travel down Montevallo Road without zigzagging your way through the village intersection.

A larger culvert, a specific type of tunnel, under the Montevallo Road bridge now carries water downstream. This will decrease likelihood of ﬂooding in the village during heavy rains in the future, according to City Manager Sam Gaston. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Contributing Photographers Mia Bass

victims of April’s tornados. It is amazing to see how some of our youngest residents have really taken this opportunity to give back. Churches in our community have also formed a joint effort to organize volunteers and resources. Think about how you might get involved. The end of May saw some amazing teachers and staff retire from our school system. Some of these individuals have spent their entire career impacting our children. We have highlighted one special teacher, Mr. Glenn Rice, from Cherokee Bend and pay tribute to all those who have made a difference in the lives of our children and our community. We also have the end-of-the-year wrap up for the schools and some great sports stories from a high school award winner to little league teams. Village Living hopes you have a fun and festive Fourth of July. We would love to see your pictures from your celebrations. Please send them to jennifer@ villagelivingonline.com.

Meet our staff

Mia Bass Intern Mia Bass grew up in Homewood, graduated from Homewood High School in 2008 and is happy to be back for the summer. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing from the University of Alabama and will graduate in December 2011. Mia works as editor of the literary journal DewPoint and as copyeditor at The Crimson White in Tuscaloosa. Working for Alabama Heritage magazine and Slash Pine Press fostered her love for publishing, and she’ll always be a poet at heart. She enjoys cheering on the Tide and singing with the Trinity United Methodist Church choir. Mia can be reached at mia@280living.com.

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Mountain Brook’s City Council met on Monday, May 23, at the Board of Education Building. The pre-meeting began at 6 p.m. and the Council meeting followed at 7 p.m. The Council ratified the execution of the storm debris removal contract with Jefferson County Commission concerning the damages resulting from the April 27 tornados. The Council approved the conditional use of parking spaces between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a new Greek restaurant that will be located at 2911-2913 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village. The restaurant will open in four to five

months with the name still undecided. It will be a full-service, dine-in restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Also approved by the Council was the authorization of the payment of $4,818.67 to Citizens to Save 280. This sum is the first payment of the $10,000 payment approved earlier this year. Working with Citizens to Save 280, Walter M. Kulash, Walter Schoel Engineering and Nimrod Long and Associates are working to find an alternative solution for the traffic congestion on Highway 280 to counter the proposal suggested by state officials.

June 13 Mountain Brook City Council Meeting By MIA BASS In the pre-meeting starting at 5:30 p.m., Barry Copeland with the Birmingham Business Alliance gave a presentation and requested Mountain Brook’s participation in the Blueprint Birmingham Initiative, a growth strategy for the seven-county region. The council committed $5000 to the cause this year. The executive director of The Literacy Council, Beth Wilder, explained the various budget cuts for the program across the state. This year, the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County have no funding to give to the Council. Wilder explained that there were many functionally illiterate people in central Alabama and this program works to match them with tutors so they will be able to help their children in school. The Council explained that they need to see evidence of prior contracts the program has had with other councils, but agreed to consider it in the summer budget overview. The Liberty Tree Society approached the City of Mountain Brook and offered a Liberty Tree Memorial. The tree must be placed in a prominent location in the community and must have a ceremony to mark its planting. It will be free to the City, but the Council decided to look at specific locations and the details of the plaque offered with the tree before discussing it at the next meeting. The Mountain Brook High School Athletic Complex Improvement Project is moving into Phase Five. According to the original plans, they would be $328,000 short of completing the project. Chris Eckroate suggested using only $100,000 to make the absolutely necessary changes—including expansion of the remaining building in order to stop paying $60,000 in rent for a facility in Cahaba Heights. This would also provide about 50 additional parking spaces. The Board of Education would like to defer Phase Six. John Soule of Brasfield & Gorrie provided an update on the Montevallo Road bridge project. The team is beginning sewer line work and plans to repave on Saturday. Bricks and the sidewalk will begin to be laid on Thursday and the sidewalk will open early next week. September 2 is the firm deadline for the remainder of the

project. The delays have cost the City, but Soule will continue working with AT&T in order to come to a compromise. Jim Lehe said the FEMA funds from Hurricane Ivan will be used for the Watkins Branch Flood Mitigation project. The latest deadline for this project is September 16. The City Council Meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. began with approval of the May 23 minutes. The Council approved a resolution authorizing Marcus Cable of Alabama, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and successor to Marcus Cable of Alabama, L.P. (d.b.a. Charter Communications), to continue operating said cable system under the same terms and conditions of Ordinance No. 1302 until December 15. The Council passed a resolution that ratified a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jefferson County Commission and the City of Mountain Brook regarding storm debris removal. Consight Services will be used for debris removal. A new nail salon will be located at 3150 Overton Road. The addition of this business calls for more parking, and the salon owners suggested an off-site location that would be used as employee parking, adding 24 spaces. The Council gave its consent. The Council gave its unanimous consent for an ordinance to rezone a property located along Brook Manor Drive from Residence D District to Planned United Development District. The Council also gave its unanimous consent to rezone two partial lots, located at 2600 and 2604 Cherokee Road, from City Residence A District to Mountain Brook. A new “Recreational-2” zoning district was created by unanimous consent. This ordinance amends Chapter 129 of the Mountain Brook City Code and the Council anticipates the Mountain Brook Club applying for this. The next meeting of the Mountain Brook City Council will be held on Monday, June 27 at the temporary Mountain Brook City Hall located at 3928 Montclair Road, Suite 232, Mountain Brook, Ala. 35213.

Engraved brick sale Engraved bricks to be placed in front of the new city hall will be sold starting in August. All proceeds from the sale will benefit tornado relief and help fund future city projects started by Leadership Mountain Brook students. The bricks are

$75. The project was started by the first class of Leadership Mountain Brook students this past school year. For more information on how to purchase the bricks, visit www. welcometomountainbrook.com.

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July 2011 |

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City Council and Board of Education recaps

July 2011 |

Village Living

Teaching Tremont

Mr. Rice smiles with two fifth grade students and their Tremont gear. Photo courtesy of Lori Allen.

By MIA BASS

Annual Spring & Summer Clearance Sale Going On Now!

Cherokee Bend School won’t be the same without Mr. Glenn Rice. Generations of students can tell you stories they heard from him that have stuck with them decades later. Like the one he tells at The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont about the little girl who died in a forest fire and was buried there. An iconic storyteller and a stickler for the “ancient” form of cursive writing, the retiring teacher leaves a great legacy of small moments that have touched his students. Rice has served as a fifth grade teacher at Cherokee Bend School since 1972. In his 39-year career, Rice has taught more than 1,000 students in his homeroom class alone. “When you think Cherokee Bend School, you think Mr. Rice,” said Beth Shea, a former student of Rice’s and current CBS Librarian. “He’s devoted his life to these kids,” Kathryn Reaves said. Reaves had Rice in the fifth grade and is now the proud parent of one of Rice’s last class of fifth graders. Rice never had children of his own and instead made his life’s work teaching his students. Rice was a teacher who believed in the mission of Cherokee Bend School. He was heavily influential in teaching the Fair Oaks Adventure Curriculum. No other school works with this curriculum, which includes a yearly trip Rice led to Tremont. This weeklong trip is something Rice’s past students remember long into adulthood. Rice captivates his students by talking about a colonial settlement in Tremont as well as its forest. “If you were stuck on a bus in an ice age, Mr. Rice would make you laugh,” fellow teacher Meredith Attar recalled one of her fifth grade students saying.

One of Rice’s favorite parts about the Tremont trip is the pictures. Last year, his 1000 pictures had to be whittled down to 300 for the slideshow presentation documenting the trip. A graduate of Shades Valley High School, Rice attended the University of Montevallo, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Samford University. His storytelling tendencies are just one of the things he’s known for. “You know, if he could write a book, he’d write encyclopedias,” Reaves said with a laugh. Younger siblings of Rice’s current students hate they won’t be able to hear all the stories that inspired their older siblings. As a resident of Cahaba Heights, Rice lost many of the trees in his front yard in the April 27 storms. Knowing how much Rice cares for nature, parents and students began taking up donations to replant trees. It was a small way of showing what Rice meant to each of them. Since Rice announced his retirement, many former students have come forward to thank him for the impact he made on their lives from an early age. Rice is also an active member at Canterbury United Methodist Church, serves as a Sunday school teacher and volunteers at Children’s Hospital. With more free time, he looks forward to spending his retirement with more time at the Tremont Institute he cares for so much. Rice leaves a legacy in the Mountain Brook community that will continue to ripple for many years to come. More than 1,000 students. Countless stories and laughs. And maybe some nightmares about the little girl who died in the forest fire at Tremont.

Retiring faculty and staff Village Living thanks each of you for your dedication to our schools for so many years!

Treasures for Living and Giving

70 Church St. • 802-5700 Crestline

Connie Allman- Math, High School- 20 years Wren Bretz- 5th grade Crestline- 38 years Dwight Brown- Choral, High School- 30 years Patricia Bryant- Speech Therapist, Junior High and High School- 31 years Edith Chandler- CNP Worker, High School- 21 years Margaret Clark- Career Tech, High School32 years Yvette Faught- Principal, Brookwood Forest- 41 years Nelda Glaser- Math, Junior High- 38 years Beverly Guerdat- Preschool, Mountain Brook- 30 years Debra Hamilton- 3rd grade, Crestline- 30 years Jeannie Harrison- Media Specialist, Junior High- 35 years Kay Howell- Academic Support, Crestline30 years Roger Hunter- Maintenance, Central Office- 36 years

Mary Jackson- 4th grade, Brookwood Forest- 20 years Donna Jones- Special Education Aide, High School- 13 years Jane Jones- 6th grade, Crestline- 35 years David Key- Assistant Principal, Crestline40 years Vicki Lewis- 4th grade, Crestline- 41 years JoAnn Marler- Administrative Assistant, Central Office- 28 years Kathy Peerson- Secretary, Brookwood Forest- 18 years Diane Reese- Spanish, Junior High- 18.5 years Glenn Rice- 5th grade, Cherokee Bend- 46 years Connie Shaw- Math, High School- 29 years Jackie Simons- Assistant Superintendent40 years Jane Smith- 6th grade, Crestline- 38.5 years Melinda Storey- Gifted Teacher, Mountain Brook- 35 years Kay Wilks- Administrative Assistant Central Office- 19 years Peggy (Margaret) Young- 6th grade, Cherokee Bend- 26 years

Village Living

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Updated parking spaces, time limits in villages By MADOLINE MARKHAM The city has been working with its parking committee to address parking concerns in the villages, said City Planner Dana Hazen. In December the time limit on parking in Mountain Brook Village extended from two hours to four hours. There has been positive feedback since the change was implemented. The city is currently considering extending the parking limit to four hours in Crestline Village as well. The two-hour limit originally encouraged shop owners and employees to park on the perimeter of the village, and even with the changes the city still encourages them to park there. The change was implemented to encourage visitors to stay longer in the villages to shop and dine. Hazen surveyed each merchant in Mountain Brook Village to find the maximum number of employees working at a peak time of day and determined that there were a sufficient number of all-

day parking spaces to accommodate their needs. In a similar survey of merchant employees in Crestline Village, Hazen found a deficit of parking spaces at a peak hour. She said when things settle down with city hall construction, she will be able to better determine the number of spaces needed. Some parking spaces will be added to Crestline in the near future. Five new all day spaces will be available at the Euclid and Memory Court intersection across from Piggly Wiggly where an Iberia Bank will be built. There will be about 50 new public parking spaces, most likely for short-term parking, when the new city hall opens in spring 2012. City employees will park in a new underground parking structure starting then. Parking issues are also being studied in English Village.

S.T.O.R.M. relief continues for summer

Rising ninth grader Andrew Frese and rising eighth grader Drew White work in Coalburg north of Birmingham on a S.T.O.R.M. outing. Photo courtesy of Zach Skipper.

By WILL HIGHTOWER S.T.O.R.M. Ministry, a group led by several youth ministers in the area, is continuing relief efforts for victims of the April 27 tornadoes. “S.T.O.R.M. started out of a group of youth ministers coming together after we saw the need for helping hands all around the state,” Brookwood Baptist youth minister Caleb Yoder said. “We had all been involved in different places doing different things, and we just felt as though we could unite and come together and not only get more done but bring our groups together.” Scattered relief efforts began immediately after the tornados struck at several Mountain Brook churches, but youth ministers realized the best way to help was under one unified ministry. “Cameron Cole had the idea to get us all together, to get us to work together,” said Zach Skipper, leader of Bigtime Ministries. “Another local minister and I had taken some guys into Pleasant Grove in the early days right after the storm. Cameron understands that God calls churches to work together, and so we all joined forces and said, ‘Let’s do this every Wednesday as a community.” The group is going to areas affected by the tornado each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to try to restore a sense of normalcy to the people who lost so much. Cole, who is the youth minister at Cathedral Church of the Advent, said previous relief work spurred his idea for S.T.O.R.M.

“We had experience with serving in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and we saw that the media attention died down even though they still needed help,” Cole said. “So with that experience, once we saw the tornados come through, we immediately started thinking long-term. We wanted to be loyal and follow through to the end. We chose the summer because students in our ministries have time to serve and also because the media crowds would dissipate.” Yoder re-emphasized the long-term goal of the ministry. “The relief effort will not end in a summer or a year,” Yoder said. “What will help is a group of people who will be consistent throughout the years. We want to be that.” The churches and ministries involved are Brookwood Baptist, Cathedral Church of the Advent, Bigtime Ministries, Covenant Presbyterian, St. Luke’s and St. Peter’s. “We are seeking to invest in a specific area and be consistent in that area so that we can build relationships and, above all, model how Christ loved us,” Cole said. “Christ is constantly seeking us and loving us and it is our goal to model him.” S.T.O.R.M.’s leaders are getting the word out about their trips online. The group’s Facebook page has 247 members that receive updates on the efforts. To get involved, find the “S.T.O.R.M. Ministry” group on Facebook or contact any of the leaders of the churches involved.

July 2011 |

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The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama recently honored Alice Williams at its annual meeting for 45 years of volunteer service. In her 45 years as a volunteer, a board member and president of the former Cahaba Council Girl Scouts, Williams provided timely and historical leadership in shaping public policy and support for legislation issues centered on positive changes and quality standards, including desegregation. To advocate for these issues the Girl Scouts Council across the state employed a lobbyist and closely coordinated to lobby for legislation in Montgomery. Starting in the 1970s, Williams was instrumental in the acquisition, design and development of Kanawahala Program Center (KPC) every step of the way, both during her board presidency of Girl Scouts (1974-78) and after. At a time when the resources of the organization were

limited, Williams had the foresight and the willingness to put tremendous personal effort into advocating and supporting the Girl Scouts to acquire properties and build quality facilities, all with the purpose to serve children in meaningful ways. To complete the construction of the lake at KPC, Williams sent out surveys to troops and girls asking them what water activities interested them in order to ensure the project fit the girls’ dreams and needs, and would be large enough to be adequate for years. KPC has served an estimated over 150,000 children in the last 30 years. Additionally, as an advocate and chair of the Capital Campaign for the Girl Scouts, Williams planned and ran the campaign (1992-1996), raising three times more funds than the forecast made by a professional fundraising firm. Williams is a long time resident of Mountain Brook and has also served as a City Councilwoman.

Crestline’s Fourth of July Parade By MIA BASS Crestline neighbors gather for a parade of decorated bikes, wagons and a few boxcars each Fourth of July. Four or five streets in the Mountain Lane and Mountain Park Drive area come together with between 25 and 50 kids to kick off the patriotic holiday with a bang. “People here definitely make the most of the Fourth,” said Betsy Burkhart, a mom of two who has lived in the area for nine years. An older woman in the neighborhood used to coordinate the festivities, bringing in police escorts and asking the kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before beginning the parade. Although some of those traditions have faded, the parade still

Philip Cook pulls his son to the starting line of the parade.

continues. The parade begins at 9 a.m. Afterward, the kids snack on muffins, graham crackers with different colored frosting and other breakfast snacks.

Betsy Burkhart poses with her two boys, Ben and Will, before the Fourth of July parade.

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Children visit the Big Apple at St. Luke’s VBS

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Allen Baker, Henry Tabb and Tatum Traywick Seen enjoying some of the snacks in “Battery Park.” Photo by Sandy Porter.

By GATES PORTER More than 150 children filled the halls of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church during the week of June 6 for Vacation Bible School (VBS). This annual weekly event for 3K to sixth grade children focused on Christian ethics. The theme was New York City, The Big Apple, “Where Faith and Life Connect.” While “touring,” the halls of Saint Luke’s were decorated to appear like a kid-friendly version of New York. The children learned songs and dance at “Music Backstage,“ constructed Statue of Liberty crowns and other projects in the “Crafts District,“ learned Bible stories at “Battery Park,“ played outdoor games and enjoyed quintessentially Midtown snacks of hot dogs, apples and pizza. More than 100 Saint Luke’s volunteers, youth and adults helped with this year’s VBS. Even some of the priests joined in the fun with the Rev. Rebecca DeBow playing the character of “DJ Becca” and the Rev. Christopher Girata becoming the character of “Cabbie Chris.” It was fun to see our priests step out of their collars and dress as various New

York characters,” said Ashley Monachelli, director of children’s ministries. Encouraged to dress in their “best” tacky tourist attire, parents and church members also had an opportunity to join in the fun on Wednesday evening for supper and entertainment from the children. Hear it! Believe it! Connect it! was the mantra throughout the week --- relating nicely with the vision Rector Richmond Webster has for his “village church,” a term he coined to describe Saint Luke’s. He tells his parishioners that a village church does not simply practice faith within its own walls; it connects with its neighbors in the wider city of Birmingham. During the week, the older VBS attendees, rising third, fourth and fifth graders, lived out this theme as they prepared individual care packages filled with desserts and encouraging notes and delivered them to tornado survivors and volunteers at Scott School in Pratt City. While there, they helped unload and stock much needed supplies. To see more photos from VBS week, go to www.saint-lukes.com.

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Churches host VBS fun By MIA BASS Juice boxes, cheese puffs and story times abound at Vacation Bible School. Each summer, children gather at local churches for fun games, crafts and music. Canterbury United Methodist Church hosted VBS on June 13-17. “This year’s theme is the Shake it Up Café,” said Director of Children’s Ministries Susan Wilborn. More than 250 children, ages 3 through completed second grade, attended the week of fun; there were 50 youth volunteers and 60 adults who worked with recreation, snacks, crafts and music. VBS took place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and allowed busy parents to have a free morning while their children had a blast at the church. Mountain Brook Baptist Church will be holding VBS on July 11-15 for a Big Apple Adventure. “It’s combining six months of Sunday School in one week,” said Director of Children’s Ministries Sharon Howard. The key verse of this week will be from Romans 10:17 and will be shortened to “Hear. Believe. Connect.” Howard believes in these key words especially because “connect” has such a different meaning for each person. She wants each child to connect the stories, verses and songs in the way that works for them. Mountain Brook Baptist Church is expecting 350 children and the help of 100 volunteers. VBS will include worship time that builds around

the theme of the day as well as craft, recreation and music time. Children must be 4 by September through completed fifth grade in order to participate. It’s never too late to sign up for Vacation Bible School at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, and registration forms can be found online at www.mbbc.org. Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church will host the second year of Diggin’ in the Dirt July 25-28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The children will focus on the community garden that is grown for Magic City Harvest (see page 15) and learn about growing food for the hungry. There will be a dinner for children and families on Wednesday night at 6 p.m., and the children will also participate in a food drive. They will go out in their neighborhoods to collect canned foods for the needy. For more information on registration, contact the church at 967-5037. St. Peter’s Anglican Church will not have a traditional Vacation Bible School this year. In order to include more children, St. Peter’s is holding a Tuesday activity for kids. Following the theme of worship, children learn about the biblical history of worship and why we worship. This will continue each week through the first week of August, though times vary. Please visit their website at www.mbpcusa.org for a schedule.

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July 2011 | Village Sports

Village Sports Diehl Wins Gatorade Award again By WILL HIGHTOWER Nathan Diehl has been named the Alabama Soccer Player of the Year, a prestigious honor that is awarded by Gatorade. But the announcement shouldn’t have been much of a surprise to the 18 year old. After all, he did the same thing last year. The recent graduate of Mountain Brook High School became the third twotime winner of the Gatorade Alabama Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year, which has been given out since 1986. “I had a feeling I would be in the running for the award again,” Diehl said. Diehl, who played as a midfielder and defender for the Spartans, recorded eight goals and four assists this past season. The team finished with a record of 15-9-3. The two Gatorade awards take a featured spot in a full trophy case for Diehl. He was also the 2010 Birmingham News Player of the Year and is a two-time First Team All-State selection. Many of his awards came before his senior year, but Diehl said he kept a level head all season. “Honestly, I wasn’t feeling much pressure this year after winning the award last year,” he said. “True, I felt obligated to put in 100% effort every game, but that was inevitable whether or not I had won the award.” Now that his illustrious high school

Nathan Diehl. Photo courtesy of Image Arts.

career has ended, Diehl is preparing to go to Chapel Hill, N.C., to play for the Tar Heels. North Carolina is a prestigious

soccer school that competes in the ACC. Diehl said it is unclear whether he will get playing time as a freshman.

The Mountain Brook High School soccer team will have some big cleats to fill next year now that Diehl is gone.

Market Day 10th Anniversary Mountain Brook Village

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July 2011 |

MBJH cheerleaders win at clinics By HILARY ROSS

The upcoming 2011-2012 MBJH freshman cheerleading squad recently returned from Cheerleading Camp at Mississippi State University. Over four days 900 girls competed in various cheerleading categories. Helen Pruet is the MBJH faculty member who coaches the ninth grade squad, and Gail Magnus oversees all the MBJH cheerleader squads. The ninth grade squad won first in home pom, which is a routine with pom poms that is brought from your home community, and third in cheer, which is a cheer learned in camp with added stunts. Four MBJH cheerleaders were named All American at the camp, which is an award presented to the most talented cheerleaders at camp in dance, cheer and sideline categories: Mary Farley Stevens, Virginia White, Katherine Moore and Emmie Stutts. Five MBJH cheerleaders were awarded the “pin it forward,” which is given to cheerleaders who are recognized for what a cheerleader exemplifies. Winning this award were Kara Gravlee, Mary Farley Stevens, Lilly Wilbanks, Mimi Waggoner and Paley Smith. The team won the Leadership Award, which is voted on by all the participants at the camp. The most

coveted prize was the “top banana,” which the girls won for having the most spirit the first night and then won an unprecedented second time, which enabled them to take home the “top banana,” an inflatable yellow banana. Seventh and eighth grade squads stayed locally for clinics and also performed well. Winners for seventh grade clinics included first place for the cheer and extreme routine, which includes gymnastic students, and second for home pom routine. Abigail Barlow came in first place for the seevnth grade jump off, and Ellie Wolter won second out of all the squads participating. Lee Lewis, Frances Gaut and Emily Barber were named All American, which is awarded to some of the best cheerleaders at the camp. Their sponsor is Jennie Bodenhamer. The eigth grade squad won first in cheer and extreme routine and second in home pom. Lucy Long won the eighth grade jump off, and Meme Marshall came in second. Ashley Niketas and Frances Conner were named All American. Their sponsor is Louise Price.

MBJH Seventh Grade Squad: Lee Lewis, Emily Barber, Janie Branch, Maggie Mcpherson, Emma Brown, Peyton Billingsley, Lealis Schilleci, Abigail Barlow, Gunter Crommelin, El Mcmillan, Frances Gaut, Kathryne Letzer, Alice Jordan Pulliam and Ellie Wolter.

MBJH Freshmen Cheerleaders with the top banana prize: Virginia White, Emmie Stutts, Paley Smith, Mary Katherine Monson, Mary Katherine Moore, Mary Farley Stevens, Lilly Wilbanks, Kimberly Bermudez, MiMi Waggoner, Caroline Kennedy, Chaise Belt, Helen Pruet (JV Coach), Ellison Gray, Lucy Wolter, Mary Seldon Andrews and Kara Gravlee.

MBJH Eighth Grade Cheerleaders: Meme Marshall, Cary Elizabeth Krumdieck, Ellen Coleman Edwards, Catherine Fruin, Frances Conner, Ashley Niketas, Lucy Long, Anna Jackson Cooper, Logan Sanderson, Madeline DeBuys, Madeline Barron, Lulu Marks and Alli Walters. Not Pictured: Elizabeth Hamn.

Second grade All Stars MB Nationals sees compete in tournament success on the field

The American and National teams. Front Row: Miles Waldrop, Robert Grubbs, Charles Crommelin, Jack Lukens, Garner Wilkerson, Paulson Wright, Grant Cole, Blake Pugh, Jack Cole, Richard Crommelin (bat boy), Caldwell McCraney, Graham Matthews. Second Row: T-bone Sargent (bat boy), Ryan Kampakis, Sims Brown, Braxton Wexler, Rob Gunn, Mac Swoger, James Hufman, Gordan Sargent, Matt Holloway, Stro Gibbs, Henry Phillips, John Wilson Miller, Charles Law Schilleci. Photo courtesy of Dawn Holloway

Mountain Brook second graders played baseball to win, place and show in Pell City on Saturday, June 4. Mountain Brook Gold, coached by Brannon Bruno, lost to the Green Machine, coached by Ed Holloway, in the semifinals. The Green Machine went on to play Mountain Brook National, coached by Al Gibbs,

and the National team walked away as the winners. Coaches for the National team are head coach Al Gibbs, Bubba Pugh and Jason Grubbs, and coaches for the American team are head coach Ed Holloway, Michael Schilleci, Bill Cole, Lee Wilkerson and Charles Crommelin.

Bottom row: Cooper Cashio, Caldwell Flake, Blair Clanton, Evelyn King, Hollis Clay, Margie Cashio. Back row Anne Ross Bethea, Kate Amberson, Leah Mancuso, Celie Fields, Sara Frances Berte, Abby Murphree top row: Jimmy King, Greg Cashio, Lee Clanton, Jared Flake, Carter Clay. Photo by Meredith Cashio

The Mountain Brook National team won the “Mountain Brook 8U Invitational” Saturday, May 21. They will be playing games in Trussville, Hoover, and Liberty

Park this summer with the goal of qualifying for the State tournament. Most of these girls played on the team last year and took home 4th place in the state.

July 2011 |

Village Living

Celebrate Freedom! Happy 4th of July. We hope you and your family have a safe and relaxing holiday. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Aquarius Dance Club enjoys spring party After a hiatus of almost 10 years, members of Aquarius Dance Club have restarted their group and celebrated in May with a spring party at King’s House Antiques at Pepper Place. Members enjoyed wine and appetizers as they mingled among fine antiques and

rugs and heard about future club plans from President Marion Wilson. Wilson singled out party planners Susan Hoke, JoAnne Pounds and Patti Summerford and thanked them for the fun gathering that attracted almost fifty members.

Amy M Smith, Agent 3900 Montclair Road Ste 350 Mountain Brook, AL 35213 Bus: 205-870-8820 Fax: 205-870-8810 amy@amysmithinsurance.com www.amysmithinsurance.com

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Aquarius Dance Club members Virginia Davis, Presdint Marion Wilson, Drucilla Rochester, Janette Beaumont and Sharon Pardue. Photos courtesy of Jane Johnson.

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Cool Sale Inside! July 23rd

Gordon Lanier and Susan Kidd, owner of King’s House Antiques at Pepper Place. Back Row: Janette Beaumont, Evie Vare and Pat Kilpatrick.

Girl scouts raise money for The Bell Center Brookwood Forest Troop 786 held several fundraisers during the year from selling coffee to Girl Scout Cookie sales. Some of the money raised was donated to The Bell Center. Pictured are Elle Worthen, Catie Pitard and Kat Smith from Troop 786 with Kelly Peoples, fund development coordinator at The Bell Center. Photo courtesy of Yvette Weaver.

SINGING

Book Signing July 23rd

Ginny McCormack is a cooking instructor, speaker, food columnist, author of Sunday in the South, host of GinnyMcCormackCooks.com and editor of the online food magazine, Food Lover.

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CONTINUED from page 1 after my dream,” commented Smith, “she has been right beside me every step of the way.” Smith wasn’t the only high school student involved in the creation of her album; fellow rising senior Wesley Shaw was the photographer for the picture on the cover of her album. Shaw runs her own photography business, Wesley Shaw Photography, and has been taking pictures for over two years. When Smith isn’t singing, she also enjoys running cross country, playing guitar and piano, teaching a Bible study

and going to Lake Martin with her friends and family. While she is still unsure of where she wants to go to college, she plans to study music and hopes to become an accomplished music artist. But for now Smith plans to continue to sing and write songs. “It’s the perfect escape,” she said. “Whenever I sing, the atmosphere around me fades away, and I can get lost in a song that has its own unique story. I like to make people feel the same things I do by painting a picture with music and lyrics.”

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Village Living

July 2011 |

LifeActually

fr esh ing loca est r l in edien to wn ts !

By Kari Kampakis

Sea & Suds

I’ve always been a beach girl, an avid fan of flip-flops, tank tops, shorts and shades. When my feet hit the sand, I become a different person—a person I’d like to bottle up and bring home. What is it about the beach that transforms me, draws me in like gravity? I sat down recently to ponder my love for the world’s best vacation hole. Here are some reasons that came to mind. The colors: I find it great fun to drive down the road and see rows of houses painted like Easter eggs. Happy hues are everywhere, from funky art in gift stores to hot pink Adirondack chairs outside every gas station. Living in suburbia, I’m used to monochromatic palettes, and it’s a refreshing break to see people getting gutsy with color. The consistency: The beach looks the same now as it did when I was young. Unlike most things, it doesn’t age. There’s comfort in that because it makes it feel like home. An easygoing attitude: Technology is out, Jimmy Buffet is in. Anyone working a BlackBerry or planning a conference call is likely to endure ridicule. Cocktails are in vogue any time of day, justified by the saying, “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” Unconditional acceptance: The beach welcomes everyone, regardless of circumstance or appearance. Whether I shave my legs, paint my toenails or pack on a few pounds is irrelevant. I can go with a party or alone, comfortable either way in the hospitable environment. Unlimited resources: An endless supply of water, shells and sand can entertain my kids for hours. Buckets and shovels—combined with imagination— create a pleasant batch of memories. Watching my kids look for sand dollars, build forts under the pier and bury each other in the sand is like reliving my childhood, only this time I’m wise enough to cherish it.

The space: There are no walls at the beach, and that makes it impossible to keep a guard up. The mix of fresh air, sunshine and ocean breeze tears down defenses, creating a confessional of sorts. Sometimes the conversation is internal, an inner monologue held on a long walk down the seashore. Other times the conversation includes loved ones, people who care about the particulars of my life. However my thoughts unleash, the result is always therapeutic. The restoration: The beach recharges my battery by unplugging me from the world. Disconnecting from reality calms my nerves, clears my head and zaps my worries all at once. Free of responsibility and distractions, I can enjoy my family, focus on simple blessings. One of my favorite writing holes is under a beach umbrella, listening to the waves crash and scribbling on a notepad I keep in my beach bag. What about you? Is there anything you’d add to this list? Perhaps your happy place isn’t as much the beach as it is the lake, the mountains or another nook of nature. Whatever the case, the reasons are probably similar. We all have an escape of choice, a place we go to relieve stress and catch a much-needed breath. Wherever you vacation this summer, I hope you embrace the social code. I hope you walk around barefoot, catnap on a hammock, eat lunch at two o’clock and dinner at eight. Most of all, I hope you let the change of scenery work its magic on you. Summer’s the perfect excuse to break rules, and whatever peace you find away from home, try and bring some back. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mtn. Brook mom of four with a background in PR, writing and photography. Learn about her blog and ﬁction writing at www.karikampakis.com or ﬁnd her on Facebook and Twitter. Email her at kari@karikampakis.com.

M THE FARM TO FRO DYRON’S TABLE at dyron’s we’re on a first name basis with our local farmers.

this month: • fresh gulf seafood • from fishermen like greg and lee • tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers • from bonnie in clanton • okra, squash and collard greens • from rod at owls hollow • organic tomatoes, and eggplant • from michael at terra preta • blackberries, blueberries, and figs • from jason at petals from the past • fresh peaches • from danny at durbin farms don’t forget, lowcountry happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 (t-f) all summer long.

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Local author visit, more library events for adults By HOLLEY WESLEY July ushers in the end of this year’s Adult Summer Reading program, but not before offering two exciting events. On Saturday, July 16, 1-4pm, I’ll be hosting one of our popular potluck movie programs, so bring a dish to share and we’ll travel along with Elizabeth Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts) as she searches Italy, India, and Indonesia for that elusive prey, happiness. On Saturday, July 23, 2-3:30 p.m., the library is pleased to present local author T.K. Thorne, whose novel, Noah’s Wife: 5500 BCE, was the winner of Foreword Magazine’s 2009 Book of the Year for Historical Fiction. Thorne’s fascinating novel explores the story of a young shepherdess, Na’amah, whose journey takes her from her beloved hills in Turkey to stand at the side of a man battling to save humanity from a looming disaster. Visit the author’s website at www.tkthorne.com and make plans to join us in welcoming Ms. Thorne to the library on July 23. Attending these two programs will earn more entries for you in the drawing for the Nook Color, so be sure to put them on your calendar. Also, you still have time to get those last few bingos in before the July 29, 5p.m. deadline. Each bingo you make earns another entry in the drawing for the iPad 2 3G, so make haste! We will not be slowing down much here at the Library going in to the fall. Look

for news and updates about the library’s exciting new investor education program to begin soon. Emmet O’Neal Library was among only 19 libraries nationwide to receive a generous grant from the American Library Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation for the purpose of educating Library users on a variety of financial topics. Money Talks: Create YOUR Story is a series of investing and personal finance programs for people of all ages. Events kick off on September 8 with a visit from acclaimed storyteller Dolores Hydock. On the first Thursday of each month after the kickoff, the library will be your place to find great programming and information about family finances, saving for college, planning for retirement, decoding the stock market and more. Dr. Andreas Rauterkus, assistant professor of finance at UAB, will lead discussions and seminars designed just for you. For more information about these or any of our other regularly scheduled programming, you may find us online at www.eolib.org, blogging at www.eolib. blogspot.com, by phone at 879-0459, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ emmetoneallibrary and on Twitter at @eolib! Emmet O’Neal Library is located at 50 Oak Street in Crestline.

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July 2011 |

Village Living

Summer is COOL at the J! Thursday Family Fun Nights All Summer Long!

Kindergartners hold lemonade stand in Crestline Crestline kindergarteners Mary Hollins Black, Clark Stewart and Maggie Robinson joined in relief efforts for tornado victims. By selling lemonade and cookies, they raised more than $95 to buy supplies for neighboring families in need. Held on Spring Street in Crestline, neighbors came out just to donate for the four hours the girls pounded the pavement with homemade signs and loud call outs for donations. As the organizer, Mary Hollins took all the money when the sale was over and bought supplies such as food, clothing, toothbrushes and ‘little happies’ for all the kids who are without homes. She hopes to have many more sales in efforts to give back in her community.

Levite Jewish Community Center We’re in your neighborhood at: 3960 Montclair Road 205-879-0411 www.bhamjcc.org We’re open to everyone!

BWF students raise money for storm victims

Mary Hollins Black and Clark Stewart sell lemonade and cookies for tornado relief. Photo courtesy of Allie Black.

Softball team holds fundraiser for tornado vicitim The 8U Girls National Mountain Brook softball team held a lemonade stand Sunday, June 12. The purpose of their fundraiser was to raise funds for their coach, Jared Flake’s, friend, Greg Trawick.

Trawick lost his home and his wife in the tornado. The lemonade stand fundraiser also featured a slip n’ slide. The team raised $1,913. It was held at the Flake home on Dexter Avenue.

Enjoying the slip n’ slide are Leah Mancuso, Caldwell Flake, Abby Murphree. Photo by Heather Clay.

Brookwood Forest students Kathryn Davis and Lena Bluestein create jewelry made of duct tape for a fundraiser.

By DRU JONES A group of first grade students and fifth grade students decided to find a way to raise money for the tornado victims after seeing how successful the BWF drive to collect supplies for Christian Service Mission was. The students wanted to create their own approaches to storm recovery efforts. The first graders created a lemonade stand to raise money one afternoon in late May. Money raised went to Bama Rising and the Christian Service Mission. The stand was very successful and created lines

of cars waiting to make a contribution. Two fifth grade students, Lena Bluestein and Kathryn Davis, have created a business (Katalena) making jewelry from duct tape and raised close to $1000 in threedays for the tornado victims. “I am sharing these stories and pictures so everyone can see what enterprising young children we are lucky enough to have at BWF!” Assistant Principal Dru Jones said. “If these students are representative of what we have to look forward to in future generations, we are in very good hands!”

The girls not only raised a lot of money, they also had fun. Celie Field, Abby Murphree, Margie Cashio, Anne Ross Bethea, Cooper Cashio. Back row: Kate Amberson. Photo by Heather Clay.

Village Living

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July 2011 |

A harvest for the hungry By MADOLINE MARKHAM The community garden at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Garden isn’t just a church project. It’s feeding the Birmingham community. “We’re sending good vegetables to people who might not otherwise get fresh vegetables” church member Danny Evans said. “It’s easier when you think someone is going to get to eat today because of this.” They harvested more than 5,000 pounds of vegetables last year for the hungry in Birmingham and anticipate even more this year. Evans and his wife, Alexandria Parrish, were instrumental in starting the garden three years ago. Volunteers at the garden will be harvesting tomatoes, beans and other produce most of July. Laura Dooley, the new master gardener, is on-site four days a week, and is available to help those who don’t have much experience. “Picking is fairly easy for everyone,” Dooley said. “Children can help if a parent will do it with them, and we’ll show you what to pick and how. It’s educational for young people to learn where their food comes from.” “Come one time and give it a try,” Dooley said, “You might get bit by the gardening bug and find you love it.” The garden grows mostly vegetables like sweet potatoes, beans, peas, tomatoes, squash that most people know how to cook. One day three years ago Evans and Pastor Cary Speaker were standing in the church’s Fellowship Hall looking out the back window on the church’s 10-acre campus on Brookwood Road. “We ought to do something with all that land,” Speaker said. “We should start a garden,” Evans said. And that’s just what they did. “Danny is a ‘let’s do it now’ kind of guy,” Speaker said. He used his a tractor to plow the land and ended up finding good soil ripe for planting. All it needed was for someone to just put seeds in the ground. Edwin Marty, Director of Jones Valley Urban Farms, and Paulette Van Matra, director of Magic City Harvest, helped them get started gardening. Van Matra now picks up their produce two to three times a week. Her organization redistributes food from grocery stores, conventions and wedding receptions that would otherwise be wasted to 20

shelters a day. “It is a great opportunity to team up with Magic City Harvest to feed hungry people,” Speaker said. The church got behind the area and helped plot off a fenced-in area. People, many who had never gardened, started coming out to plant and harvest. “Those weeds don’t get pulled by themselves,” Speaker said. “You get dirty and sweaty, but it’s rewarding,” Evans said. “You can plant beans on Saturday, and by Tuesday they are coming out of the ground.” “I had never taken the time to do it until we did it at the church,” Speaker said. “The experience of planting, watching something grow and harvesting has been on the parallel and seeing the things I’ve read in the Bible my whole life.” They traditionally plant the first seeds on Good Friday and harvest until first frost in the fall. Concern for the hungry has become integral to the church’s mission. They brought in speakers from hungerrelated organizations at a recent church picnic and showed a movie on dumpster diving called Dive to raise awareness. Evans and Speaker both encourage anyone in the community—regardless of their faith affiliation or gardening experience—to come out to help garden. They are always looking for more manpower to plant and harvest. “It’s hard to mess up,” Evans said. “You should give it a try even if you don’t think you have a green thumb.” For questions about gardening, call Dooley at 563-6145 or email ldtd80@gmail.com. She is at the garden Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dooley has gardening tools and sunscreen for volunteers and recommends they wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, hats and, if you like, gardening gloves. Larger groups interested in helping can contact Danny Evans at 382-0094. If Dooley isn’t there, you can bring your own tools and work any time. Look for the task sheet on the bulletin board at any time and write down name and what you complete. For more information on the garden, visit http:// www.mbpcusa.org/garden.html or the Moutnain Brook Presbyterian Community Garden Facebook page.

THE TOBACCO LEAF

Like two peas in a onpod, Danny and Alexandria Evans came up with the idea for the community garden in 2009 after sharing their own home-grown fruits and veggies with friends and neighbors in Mountain Brook. Photo by Elizbeth Little.

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July 2011 |

Village Living

Band members recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program

Join us for lunch every month...

THIRD THURSDAYS "Christmas in July"

Meet, shop and have lunch with Alabama artists and craftsmen including Laura Beers Art, Shades of Grey textile design, custom furniture designers, JJ Pottery Nine members of the Mountain Brook High School Band were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Front Row: Scott Godchaux, Mason Johnson, Julia Adams, Skipper Stradtman. Back Row: Pete Thomas, Paul Adkison, Bruce Eckert, Jay Johnstone. Not Pictured: Laura Wagner. Photo courtesy of Frances Quarles.

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MBSC raises $60,000 for athletic programs Mountain Brook Sports Corporation (MBSC), a charitable organization formed to help fund the boys and girls athletic programs at Mountain Brook High School (MBHS) and Mountain Brook Junior High School (MBJH), raised $60,000 at its Thirteenth Annual Golf Tournament at Highland Park Golf Course in May. More 140 golfers, including coaches, administrators, former players, parents and avid golfers, participated. Congratulations are extended to Mike Morrison, Thomas Twitty, Hunter Twitty and Tom Twitty for winning the tournament. The proceeds for the tournament will be used by MBSC to purchase equipment, build facilities and otherwise support the boys and girls athletic programs at MBHS and MBJH. In the past, MBSC funded the construction of the football field house, the expansion and resurfacing of the track and

the baseball field house. More recently, MBSC purchased equipment for the volleyball, football, basketball, wrestling, track, baseball, soccer, golf and tennis programs at MBHS and MBJH. Since it was formed, MBSC has spent approximately $3 million on facilities and equipment at MBHS and MBJH. In addition to the annual fundraisers, MBSC accepts charitable contributions from the public. MBSC also has started an endowment fund to provide long-term financial stability to the athletic programs, similar in purpose to the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation. MBSC allows the donor to designate the boys or girls sport that will benefit from the contribution. If you would like further information about MBSC, please contact Mike Morrison at 870-3257 or Doug Centeno at 278-8000.

Summer family movies in Crestline and more In addition to some of the regular venues offering family friendly movies, this summer South East Church in Crestline will be hosting a free Friday night series. Tom McLure, his family and the church have an interest in championing all families and want to give local families a convenient way to spend time and have some fun together that doesn’t cost anything. They are renting the auditorium at Crestline Elementary for Friday nights this summer to host a weekly movie night. Each week the movie begins promptly at 7 p.m. and is over by 9 p.m. The church will serve bottled water and air-popped popcorn with flavored toppings. While there is no charge for anything, there is a donation jar out for anyone who wants to help offset expenses involved. Check the church’s facebook page, facebook.com/ sechurch, for more details on the movie to be shown each week. More summer movies Other popular summer movies series include the Homewood Park Free Friday Flicks. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets out to enjoy free summer films outdoors. Movies are for the entire family and begin around sundown, which is approximately 8:15 p.m. Come and enjoy shaved ice, pizza and much more.

July 1—Despicable Me July 8—SpongeBob SquarePants July 15—Over the Hedge July 22—Chicken Run July 29—Rango August 5—Tangled Probably one of the best-known summer movie series takes place at the Alabama Theatre. A mix of movie classics and family favorites run on the weekends with a kids move matinee on Saturdays and classic films on Saturday night and as a Sunday matinee. Admission is charged. July 9— 2 p.m. Space Jam; 7 p.m. Grease July 10— 2 p.m. Monkey Business July 16— 2 p.m. Aquamarine; 7 p.m. Rope/ To Catch a Thief (double feature) July 17—2 p.m. Three Little Words July 23—2 p.m. Aliens in the Attic; 7 p.m. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid July 24-- 2 p.m. The Long, Long Trailer July 30—2 p.m. The Tooth Fairy; 7 p.m. Ghost Busters 2 July 31— 2 p.m. Roman Holiday August 6—2 p.m. E.T.; 7 p.m. The Shining August 7— 2 p.m. The Sound of Music August 13— 2 p.m. National Velvet; 7 p.m. Bonnie and Clyde August 14-- 2 p.m. Viva Las Vegas August 20—2 p.m. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore; 7 p.m. Rebel Without a Cause August 21— 2 p.m. Gone With the Wind

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Village Living

July 2011 |

MBJH boys compete in triathlon

Ryan Kirk, Jack Martin and William Bloodworth at the triathlon.

By HILARY ROSS Three rising seventh graders at MBJH competed in the 2nd Annual Sterne Agee Memorial Day Triathlon on May 30. The event was held at the Levite Jewish Community Center and consisted of a 200yard swim, 8-mile bike and a 2-mile run. Jack Martin, William Bloodworth

and Ryan Kirk swim year round with the Magic City Aquatics League, coached by Cal Elder, and he encouraged them to participate in the event. The three 12 year olds competed in the 13-15 year old age group and all finished in the top 10.

Mountain Brook Junior High Honors Day By HILARY ROSS Mountain Brook Junior High recently held Honors Day to present special awards to deserving students in grades 7, 8 and 9. Parents of students honored were invited to attend, and all students were present to see their peers awarded. Major award winners for MBJH Honor’s Day 2011 were: Top Scholars, who have the highest grade point average through 9th Grade, were Daniel Bolus, Olivia Burton and Claire Gorman. For 8th grade, the top scholars were Mac Harris, Andrew Autrey and Ellie Naff. Top Scholars for 7th grade were Angela Fu, Helen Catherine Darby and Duncan Manley. The recipient of the Spartan Award is selected by nomination of teachers and is awarded to the boy and girl who demonstrate the highest level of character, leadership, and service to MBJH. Winners of the award for 2011 are Everette Dawkins and Forrester Debuys. The Marissa Feigleson Community Service Award, which recognizes the MBJH 9th graders with unrivaled community service, was awarded to Riva Cullinan and Catherine Kinney. The Outstanding Scholar Musician Award, presented to a member of the band who has the highest grade point average, was awarded to 9th grade student Daniel Bolus. John Walden Trigg IV Award is selected by the coaching staff and is awarded to the male student who displays sportsmanship, scholarship and spirit. This year’s recipient is 9th grade student Patrick Keim.

Your Dorm Decorating Headquarters Custom Dorm Décor, Bedding & Accessories Create The Room of Your Dreams Forrester Debuys and Everette display their Spartan Awards.

Dawkins

The Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award is presented to a boy and girl two-sport athlete who have the highest maintained grade point average through 9th grade. This year’s winners are Sarah Cain and Austin Garrett. The Outstanding Athlete Award is selected by the coaches and is presented to those athletes the coaches feel best represent MBJH and compete at the highest levels. Winners for 2011 are Courtney Shea, Collier Ogilvie and Will Brewster. Congratulations to all the winners and their families!

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2832 Culver Rd • 879.8278 Mon. - Sat

July 2011 |

School House

Career Tech Course Offerings Mountain Brook High School offers six courses in the areas of business administration and finance: Business Technology I and II, Accounting, Business Law, Management Principles, and Business Finance. Mountain Brook Junior High offers Career Explorations as a semester elective for eighth and ninth grade students. No student will be denied admission to these courses or discriminated against based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability or age.

Mountain Brook Elementary presents Aladdin

CBS students visit the Botanical Gardens

MBE sixth grade actors with Mrs. Elmore: Delia Vandevelde, Caroline Crafton, Grant Little, Jackson Lightfoot, Peyton Billingsley, Mason Dillard, Jack Martin, Annie Phillips, Ellie Wolter, Kathryne Letzer, Virginia Leak, Will Toranto, Kate Bumgarner, Parker Cobbs and Chandler Pulliam.

By HILARY ROSS Front row, Andrew Hawkins, Kathryn Huddleston, Margaret Nichols, Richard Brock and James Gregory. Back row: Teddy Kent and teacher Ashley Paulk.

By ALISON GAULT The first graders of Cherokee Bend Elementary School went on a field trip to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The students toured the vast gardens and attended a hands-on lecture about

Alabama’s woodlands. In particular, the children became familiar with the types of animals, insects and foliage indigenous to Alabama.

N.E. Miles Jewish Day School hires new head Following a national search, Debra Abolafia has been selected as the new head of school at the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School. Previously principal of the Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School’s Lower School in North Miami, Fla., Abolafia worked to mentor and guide her staff and students. Abolafia’s successes at Hillel are wide-ranging, speaking to the diverse interests and skills of today’s students. Her successes include the introduction of a literacy program through the Readers and Writers Workshop of Columbia

University’s Teachers College, the development of a thriving athletics program and the foundation of a performing arts program. “N.E. Miles offers so much to Birmingham families,” Ms. Abolafia said. “I look forward to becoming part of this school community. Together we will identify opportunities for new projects and enhanced approaches to ensure the school’s mission and foster excellence.” Abolafia said she is committed to creating learning opportunities that inspire students to reach their potential and excel.

During graduation week, the sixth grade at Mountain Brook Elementary presented Aladdin, a musical directed by music teacher Louisa Elmore and based on the 1992 Disney film Aladdin. Musical songs included “Arabian Nights,” “Prince Ali” and the memorable “A Whole New World.” Jafar, Mason Dillard, attempts to retrieve the magical oil lamp containing Genie, portrayed by Grant Little. Jafar and his talking parrot, Iago, Delia Vandevelde, learn that only a “diamond in the rough” can enter the Cave of Wonders to retrieve the lamp. Meanwhile, Jasmine, played by Peyton Billingsley, escapes the palace and goes to Agrabah’s marketplace in disguise. There she meets Aladdin, Jackson Lightfoot, and his pet monkey, Abu, Will Toranto. Through a chain of events, Aladdin is imprisoned by Head Guard, Johnny Lavette, and then released by Jafar, who wishes to use him to obtain the lamp. Aladdin enters the cave and encounters a Magic Carpet, Chandler Pulliam, who guides him to the lamp. Aladdin unleashes Genie who grants

Aladdin three wishes. Aladdin promises to free the Genie for his last wish. He then tells Genie about Jasmine, and knows that the only way to be noticed by her is if he is a prince. For his first wish, Aladdin asks to become a prince so he can woo Jasmine, but must use his second wish to be saved from peril. In the end, Aladdin realizes that he cannot keep pretending to be something he is not and keeps his promise to use his last wish for Genie’s freedom. Seeing Jasmine’s love for Aladdin, the Sultan, Jack Martin, changes the law so Jasmine can marry Aladdin. The newly free Genie leaves to explore the world while Aladdin and Jasmine celebrate their engagement. Adding a special touch to the play was the Junior Djinn (magic girls), played by Kathryne Letzer, Virginia Leak, Parker Cobbs, Kate Bumgarner and Ellie Wolter, and the Tiger Goddess, portrayed by Caroline Crafton. The narrator for the play was Annie Phillips. The remainder of the sixth grade was stage crew, villagers, prison guards, skeletons or dancing girls.

MBE Spring Fling supports tornado victims By HILARY ROSS Mountain Brook Elementary recently hosted its Spring Fling, which is a family picnic held on the front lawn of the school each year. Students and their families enjoyed good food and cool drinks while listening to upbeat tunes played by a DJ. MBE hosts this annual event to celebrate an end to another successful school year. New this year was an MBE Talent Showcase that was performed by students during the event. Twenty-one acts of singers, dancers and musicians entertained the crowd as they relaxed on blankets and quilts on the front lawn of the school. Also, in an effort to assist the victims

of the tragic April tornadoes, students had two organized events to participate in at Spring Fling. The first sought donations of canned goods, toiletries and cleaning products. The second offered “Come Together” bracelets, supplied by Soca Clothing for sale. Two hundred bracelets were sold during Spring Fling at $2 each with Soca Clothing graciously matching the proceeds. Not only was MBE able to donate a truck load of food, toiletries and cleaning products to Christian Service Mission, but it also helped contribute, through bracelet sales, half of an $800 check presented by Soca Clothing.

MBE Students collecting items for tornado victims: Peyton Billingsley, Emma Taylor, Ansley Gross, Alice Jordan Pulliam, Virginia Finney and Charlotte Winn.

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School House

July 2011 |

BWF hold drive for tornado victims TOYS • DOLLS • PARTIES Custom Parties Available!

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Front Row: Ethan Fasking, Bradley Jenkins, Philamon Hemstreet, Evan Harper, James Chandler, Trip Winston. Back Row: Bradford Turner and Assistant Principal Dru Jones.

May 4-11 Brookwood Forest Elementary School had a drive to collect diapers, books and other items. More

than two truckloads of items to help the victims of the tornados were donated to the Christian Service Mission

Crestline Student Council sells art for tornado victims

2834 Culver Road • Mountain Brook Village

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Emmet O’Neal Library Children’s Events

Members of the Student Council. Front Row: Stewart Anne Murdock, Crawford Poynor, Claire Kimberlin, Virginia French. Back Row: Jack Kennedy, Hughes Thomas.

By LAUREN FOWLER Crestline Elementary Student Council responded to the tornado disaster with a community service project. The students created whimsical “house“ pins and magnets and sold them at the school’s annual open house. The sale of the students’ art netted $500, which will be contributed to

the American Red Cross. Crestline students showed their creativity and determination to help by staying after school to make the pins and magnets. We are very proud of how Crestline students are so willing to donate their time and creativity to help the surrounding communities in need.

BWF holds sixth grade graduation By BAMA HAGER Brookwood Forest Elementary School held its sixth grade graduation on Friday, May 27 at the school. Parents, grandparents, friends and teachers attended the graduation ceremony for 81 graduating students. Yvette Faught, principal of Brookwood Forest Elementary, delivered her last graduation address to graduates and families. She is retiring after 36 years of service to Brookwood Forest. Students were presented with graduation certificates and graduation gifts including a summer towel, a class slideshow DVD and a picture of the school. Students enjoyed a post graduation celebration at Pine Tree Country Club with dancing, food and swimming. Graduation PTO chairpersons were Maria Alexander, Cheryl Collat, Dawn Holloway and Carolyn Freemen.

July 4-9 7/5- WORLD of Tricks Comic Juggling All ages, 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. 7/5- World of Books, * Vespers, Rising Grade 5, 6-7 p.m. 7/6- Mother Goose,* “Tweets Around the WORLD,” 12-24 mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m 7/6- Chess Club, Ages 7 and up, 3:30-5 p.m. 7/7- Patty Cake,* 0-12mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. 7/7- Popcorn and a Movie, Harry Potter I (PG), Grades 2-6, 10:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. 7/7- Quidditch,* WORLD Cup Practice, Grades 2-6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 7/9- Family Storytime with Mr. Mac, All ages, 10:30-11:15 a.m. July 11-16 7/11 Toddler Tales,*“Hands Around the WORLD,” 24-36 mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. 7/12 WORLD of Magic with Arthur Atsma, All ages, 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. 7/12 6:00-7:00 WORLD of Books* The Throne Of Fire Entering Grade 6. 7/13- Mother Goose,* “Bonjour,” 12-24 mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. 7/13- Chess Club, Ages 7 and up, 3:30-5 p.m. 7/14- Patty Cake,* 0-12mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. 7/14- Popcorn and a Movie, Despicable Me (PG), Grades 2-6, 10:30 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

7/14- WORLD of Magic Glaub Camp Presentation, Grades 2-6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 7/16- Family Storytime with Mr. Mac, All ages, 10:30-11:15 a.m. July 18-23 7/18- Toddler Tales,*“Hands Around the WORLD,” 24-36 mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. 7/19- WORLD Tales with Hobey Ford Puppets, All ages, 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. 7/19- WORLD of Books,* The Harry Potter Series, Entering Grades 3-6, 6-7 p.m. 7/20- Mother Goose,* “Bonjour,” 12-24 mo. with caregiver, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. 7/20- Chess Club, Ages 7 and up, 3:30-5 p.m. 7/21-Popcorn and a Movie, How to Train Your Dragon (PG), Grades 2-6, 10:30 a.m.12:05 p.m. 7/21- WORLD of Wizarding Potions Class, Grades 2-6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 7/23- Family Storytime with Mr. Mac, All ages, 10:30-11:15 a.m. 7/23- World Champion Chess Tournament, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Special Event 7/26- Summer Reading Finale with Roger Day, Dinner 5:30 p.m., Show 6 p.m. *Space is limited. Youust reserve seat at www.eolib.org or by calling 879-0497.

Emett O’Neal Library Gardening Camp Lucy Chapman, Caroline Clutton and Trey Collat received graduation certificates at the Brookwood Forest Elementary Sixth Grade Graduation.

Join the Oak Street Garden Shop for work in the community garden across from the library. Sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m. Space is limited, and you must register for a session. To register, call 879-0459 or visit www. eolib.org.

7/5 and 7/7- Entering grades 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th 7/12 and 7/14 - Entering grades kindergarten, 1st and 2nd 7/19 and 7/21- Entering grades 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th

20 |

July 2011 |

Business Spotlight

Village Spotlight

Once Upon A Time

By MIA BASS

201 Country Club Park 870-7772 Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

It’s evident from stepping in her store that Flaherty loves providing parents new and experienced with everything they need to care for infants. The Once Upon A Time owner greets parents at the entrance to her sea of pale pink and sky blue by speaking softly to babies in their arms. “Let me have a peek,” she says. From infant and toddler clothes to diaper bags and furniture, Once Upon A Time sells a selection of items to create a nursery escape for baby. “It’s a little bit of everything,” Flaherty said. The shop offers gifts for baby showers including blankets, stuffed toys, diaper bags and baby carriers. For the summer, there is a wide selection of bathing suits with ruffles and seersucker detailing. Although Flaherty and her daughter, Sarah Bailey, are very at home in their location at 201 Country Club Park, they haven’t always been here. She opened Nursery Décor in 1994. At the store, Flaherty brought her love of sewing to the forefront and began designing and making custom nursery linens. The shop officially became Once Upon A Time in 1996 and moved around different locations in Crestline Village as the needs of Flaherty’s shoppers grew. As item variety grew, Bailey came on board with her mother. She worked at the shop while she was in college and jokes that it wasn’t time to have a baby yet so she had to go her own way. “I was ready to be a grandmother, but she wasn’t ready to be a mother,” Flaherty said with a laugh. When Bailey found it was time to have a family of her own, she started at Once

Owners Sarah and Linda in the Crestline location of Once Upon A Time. Photo by Mia Bass.

Upon A Time as store manager and buyer. As the pair entered 2009, they saw an opportunity in the Homewood community and opened a second location in downtown Homewood. This is when Bailey became part-owner with her mother. “It’s great to be able to share this experience with my mom,” said Bailey. Flaherty’s favorite part about her job? “It may be the hardest, but buying,” Flaherty said. The mother-daughter pair select each item found in the shop. They strive for good variety in product and price

point. The two treasure the relationship they have with each of their customers and realize the importance of friendships. “Some people come in and say, ‘I don’t even have a baby, but I had to come in!’” Flaherty said. Mothers on baby number four still find something they need at Once Upon A Time. This duo not only looks to improve their own store but also for ways to get involved in the community. This year was their third to assist in sponsoring

the Crestline Easter Egg Hunt. They also donate to the Junior League. “We like to help organizations that help kids,” Sarah said. Once Upon A Time also served as a drop-off site for tornado relief supplies. Baby items were sometimes overlooked in the aftermath of the April 27 tornadoes, so the store collected diapers and other items for those impacted. So if it’s the once upon a time for you or someone you love, stop by the shop for something to make this special time a little more magical.

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Restaurant Showcase 2805 Cahaba Rd. 871-2181

Gilchrist

Village Flavor

July 2011 |

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Gilchrist is home to many memories. Drinking a limeade or milk shake at the counter. Picking out a candy bar with your grandmother. Getting a snack with friends after school and putting it on your own tab. Stopping by on a visit home from college before you even go to your house. Sitting in the same seat you sat in for a milkshake 60 years ago. Grabbing a table during the lunchtime rush. Established in 1928, the old-fashioned drug store sandwich counter now welcomes a fourth generation of customers. “It’s kind of like going to lunch with your friends every day,” owner Leon Rosato said. He said he loves talking to people while he makes sandwiches at the counter. Around 3 p.m. the after school crowd floods the restaurant, ordering grilled cheeses, bagels, limeades and shakes. There can be up to about 125 kids that come on Fridays. “It’s crazy,” said Tammy Colvert, who has worked at Gilchrist for about 15 years. Although the drug store part of the business has been gone for at least 20 years, the menu has not changed. The pimiento cheese, egg salad and tuna salad are made with the same recipes. They still grind chicken for chicken salad daily. Elizabeth Howard, 73, an employee of more than 40 years, makes her recipe for aspic, a congealed tomato salad. And of course, there are the fresh limeades and hand-dipped shakes. “Things like that you don’t see anymore,” Rosato said. You can also bring the best of Gilchrist home with you. They sell limeade by the gallon and salads in 8 oz. ($6.95) and 16 oz. ($9.95) containers. They also deliver orders in Mountain Brook Village. You won’t find one of their specialties on the menu, but be sure to try the combination of two most popular menu items: Hot Beef All the Way, a hot beef sandwich with pimiento cheese on a wrap. Colvert said they welcome special requests and have made a peanut butter and jelly BLT, grilled cream cheese and olive sandwich and all sorts of combinations. “You

Jody and owner Leon Rosato run Gilchrist in Mountain Brook. Photo by Madoline Markham.

name it, we’ve made it,” Colvert said. “Whatever they want, we can put it together.” Rosato bought Gilchrist from Wyndall and Margaret Payne about 15 years ago. Upon taking over the business, he brought in new equipment, new paint and new tabletops, like customers wanted, but everything else stayed the same. “We wanted to spruce it up, but we didn’t want it to look brand new,” he said. Howard has worked under all four owners of Gilchrist. She remembers the days when Dr. and Mrs. M.E. Gilchrist ran the business, when there was a pharmacy in the back and racks of magazines and the front and glass cases with cosmetics and lotions on the left side of the storefront. She also knows taste of their classic menu items and the sort of family that comes by to eat lunch each day, just as so many Mountain Brook residents who regularly drop by for their favorite sandwich and a limeade do. Gilchrist is closed Fourth of July week for vacation each year but will be back to business as normal afterward.

Gilchrist Trivia The staff shared with us the questions customers ask them frequently. How many do you know the answer to? Where do they get their tomatoes? At the farmers market each week. What’s upstairs? If you’re a kid, it’s ghosts or where they keep all the bad kids. If you’re an adult, it’s vacant retail space. What’s downstairs? Storage. Is everyone that works there related? Everyone except Tammy Colvert and Elizabeth Howard. Rosato owns the store. Jody is his twin brother. Danielle and Drew are their niece and nephew. Honey is Leon and Jody’s mom. How many limes do they go through to make limeade in the summer? About 250 each day.

July 2011 |

Music & Arts

Village Living Calendar

7/1- 8-1- In Focus-- Photography by Birmingham City School students. The

Education Department brought cameras, photography instruction and a passion for photography out into the community. Birmingham Museum of Art. Hours: Monday –Friday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday, noon – 5 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission: donation suggested. More information: 205-2542707.

7/1-7/24- A Stitch in Time: Southern Quilts in the African- American Tradition.

Drawing from the Museum’s permanent collection of American quilts--among the largest in the country-- this exhibition will explore the African- American quilting tradition from vibrant patterns to whimsical pictorials. Birmingham Museum of Art. Hours: Monday –Friday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday, noon – 5 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission: donation suggested. More information: 205-254-2707.

7/4, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31- Jazz in the Park. Bring your picnic basket and lawn

chair for an evening of jazz featuring a diverse group of Birmingham area jazz musicians. 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. Various parks. Admission: free. More information: call 205-616-1735.

7/9- Doo Wop live in Birmingham. Alabama Public Television presents legends

of group vocal harmony in a live concert. 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Admission: $75, $100, $150. More information: www. alysstephens.org.

7/9- Motley Crue with New York Dolls. One of the world’s most iconic rock

bands. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Music Center. Admission: $33- $107.70. More Information: www.livenation.com.

7/10- Jazz in the Park. Features the Neo Jazz Collective, Roland Gresham and

Kenneth Williams. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. W.C. Patton Park, 3969 14th Avenue North. Admission: free. More information: www.magiccitysmoothjazz.com.

7/14- Steve Earle and the Dukes (and Duchesses) featuring Allison Moorer. Earle quickly became a master storyteller in his own right after the 1986 release of his debut record, Guitar Town. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Admission: $29.50 - $49.50, students $20. More information: 205-975-2787.

7/17 -O.A.R. in concert. Hailed as one of the best live bands on the planet, O.A.R. has built a rabid following and a well-deserved reputation as a must-see band when they come to town. 7:30 p.m. Admission: $28.50 and $32.50. Sloss Furnaces. More information: www.ticketmaster.com.

7/17- Jazz in the Park. Features the Neo Jazz Collective, Laser’s Edge and Southpax Saxes. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Ensley Park, 2800 Avenue K. Admission: free. More information: www.magiccitysmoothjazz.com.

7/24- Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band. Of the Idaho-born singer-songwriter,

Paste magazine declares, “Put simply, Ritter is the most gifted interpreter of Americana, as an arranger and a lyricist, working today.” 6:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Admission: $29.50. More information: www. alysstephens.org

7/24- Jazz in the Park. Features the Neo Jazz Collective, T.A.D. of Jazz and Vann

Burchfield. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. East Lake Park, 1st Avenue North and Oporto-Madrid Boulevard. Admission: free. More information: www.magiccitysmoothjazz.com.

7/31- Jazz in the Park. Features the Neo Jazz Collective, Left Field, Shaun Pezant

Trio, N’Fusion and James Crumb, Jr. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Legion Field, 400 Greymont Avenue. More information: www.magiccitysmoothjazz.com.

SPORTS 7/4-7/7- Birmingham Barons vs. Mobile BayBears. Special promotions include

Independence Day fireworks, AAA Wednesday and thirsty Thursday. Game times vary, but generally most evening games begin at 7:05 p.m. Regions Park, Hoover. For tickets and information, go to http://web.minorleaguebaseball. com or call 988-3200.

7/13-7/18- Birmingham Barons vs. Jacksonville Suns. Special promotions include

ladies night, parrot head night, Friday night fireworks, kids jersey giveaway and a team autograph session. Game times vary, but generally most evening games begin at 7:05 p.m. Regions Park, Hoover. For tickets and information, go to http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com or call 988-3200.

7/26- 7/30- Birmingham Barons vs. Huntsville Stars. Special promotions include 90s night, thirsty Thursday, Friday night fireworks and football kickoff night. Game times vary, but generally most evening games begin at 7:05 p.m. Regions Park, Hoover. For tickets and information, go to http://web. minorleaguebaseball.com or call 988-3200.

Theatre 7/11 – “Kids on Stage” Summer Drama Camp. SESSION III Disney’s High School

Musical. 9 a.m. Alys Robinson Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Avenue South. Cost for two week camp: $350. More information: www.alysstephens.uab. edu/events.

7/14-8/7 – Hairspray. Get swept away to 1960s Baltimore, where the 50s are out - and change is in the air. Thursday – Saturday 7:30 p.m and Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. Red Mountain Theatre, 1116 26th Street South. Admission: $30$35. More information: 324-2424 or www.redmountaintheatre.org.

7/14 – Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses) featuring Allison Moorer. 7 p.m. Alys Robinson Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Avenue South. Admission: $20-$49.50. More information: www.alysstephens.uab.edu/events.

7/18 – “Discovering the Visual Arts” Summer Camp for ages 8-14. 9 a.m. Alys

Robinson Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Avenue South. Cost: $190. More information: www.alysstephens.uab.edu/events or call 975.4769.

7/24 – Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band – Good Songs Good People Series.

The new series this summer features today’s hottest singers, songwriters, and performers in the beautiful setting of the Sirote Theatre. Alys Robinson Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Avenue South. Admission: $29.50. Cocktail Hour begins at 6:30 p.m. More information: www.alysstephens.uab.edu/ events.

Family Fun

7/1-31- Baby Season. You can observe the care of Alabama native wild bird

patients in raptor flight cages. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park. State park admission: $3 (adults) $1 (children). More information: call 663-7930 or visit www.awrc.org.

7/4- Flag Making & Parade. Come the Campground Pavilion and join us to make

flags or other patriotic crafts, then parade through the campground. 10 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park. State park admission: $3 (adults) $1(children). More information: call 663-7930.

7/4- Thunder on the Mountain. Birmingham’s biggest fireworks show. 9

p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum but can be viewed from surrounding areas. Admission: free. More information: www.visitvulcan.com.

7/4- Celebrate the 4th of July at American Village. Enjoy unique entertainment

and great food all day long. Watch actors filled with the “Spirit of 76” and see George Washington and other patriots. 11 a.m.-fireworks at dusk. American Village, 727 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL. Admission: adults and children over five: $5. All active military and veterans are free. More information: www.americanvillage.org.

7/9- Things That Go Bump in the Night. Come to the campground pavilion and learn about the creatures that are playing while we are sleeping. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain State Park. State park admission: $3 (adults) $1 (children). More information: 663-7930.

7/23- Nature Scavenger Hunt. Visit the Treetop Nature Trail and look for things

in nature on this fun filled nature scavenger hunt. 10 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park. State park admission: $3 (adults) $1 (children). More information: 6637930.

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

WALMART

CONTINUED from page 1 objectionable noise. “Anyone who wants to be opposed to something should make their voice heard,” Culp said. “The good news is there is a system in place to do so.” If a developer were to apply for rezoning for the property, it would first submit an application with the City of Birmingham. From there, it would present its plans to the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood association would vote on the proposal. The Zoning Applications Committee would take into consideration the neighborhood’s wishes among other things and then make a recommendation to the City Council, who will then make the final decision on the rezoning. Culp held a meeting on June 1 with the Crestline Neighborhood Association to address the status of the property. During the meeting, he explained that no decision had been made and how the rezoning procedure would work. Charles Graham, also of Graham & Company, Councilor Valerie Abbott, Mayor Oden and David Ricker for Birmingham Councilor Kim Rafferty also attended the meeting. Residents and Oden argue that the

area already has plenty of grocers within close driving distance. “Winn Dixie, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Aldi and Walmart are all within a mile radius,” Oden said. “We do not need another grocery store. It would be cannibalizing those [existing] stores.” Both the neighborhood association and Oden said that such development would require “spot zoning,” which they believe to be a bad principle. The Crestline Neighborhood Association has already voted to support residential zoning at this location. “We would like to see the property used in a manner appropriate for the area and the zoning,” Storm said. “I’m always a green space person and would love to see a park,” Oden said, “An office building would be acceptable.” Storm said that the proposal impacts Mountain Brook residents and welcomes the interest so many have shown in the proposal. “We are all in this together,” she said. “We are all interested in maintaining the character of our neighborhoods and the property values of our homes.“ What do you think about the potential for a Walmart grocery store on Montclair? Visit www.villagelivingonline.com or our Facebook page or send us an email to let us know.

MARKETDAY

CONTINUED from page 1 snacks. This year Beverly Ruff Antiques is hosting Ginny MacCormick for a signing of her Sunday in the South cookbook. “We have to get our inventory out because it’s taking up space,” said Christine’s Owner Jean Clayton. “We go to market in the summer and get shipments in the fall, so we’re putting everything you can think of on the street to sell.” It was Clayton who was instrumental in starting the event, not as Market Day, but as a Bastille Day festival. For several years she had held a sale at Christine’s on Bastille Day, a French holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille. When she returned from a trip to France in May 2001, Dinah Toro of Charlotte Woodson Antiques had gotten together with Patricia Murray at Table Matters to plan a village-wide sale on Bastille Day to build on the sale at Christine’s. The three gathered help from other merchants and planned the whole French-themed festival in six weeks. Red, white and blue streamers hung from lampposts blowing in the wind. Clayton brought back “Viva La France” buttons and berets from France for merchants to wear. Strolling accordion players provided music during the day, and a Cajun band provided music in the

afternoon. French poodles processed in a parade. There were end-of-summer sales at 12 to 15 stores in the village. Marius Orsini, owner and Chef at Rue du France, a French bakery located in what is now Olexa’s, provided French pastries. The Frenchman suggested a waiter’s race, the only one in Alabama at the time. Waiters from restaurants around Birmingham carried trays with full glasses of wine and a wine bottle in a speed walking race. Other event organizers that first year included Catherine Carmichael of Andrea Carmichael inc., Wesley Lassen of Cook Store, Patricia Murray of Table Matters, Mary Carson LaRussa of A’Mano and Liz Sandner Rich of Barton-Clay Jewelers. After three years with Bastille Day festivities, the event evolved into Market Day, held on the third Saturday in July. The event, now organized by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, dropped the French theme in the fourth year and focused on the growing popularity of the sales. “It grows every year,” Clayton said. “You can’t imagine the number of people.” “It’s festive to us, just the quantity of people that come,” said The Lingerie Shop owner Brenda Meadows.

www.VillageLivingOnline.com

Around the Villages

July 2011 |

Around the Villages

Church Street Coffee and Books Church Street Coffee and Books is set to open by the first of July. Owners Cal Morris and Carrie Rollwagen previously worked at the old Starbuck’s location where their new shop is opening. Morris managed that Starbuck’s and previously worked at Highlands Coffee and O’Henry’s Coffee. Rollwagen brings in the book sense, having previously managed Jonathan Benton, Bookseller in Mountain Brook. “We have lots of experience with the community,” Rollwagen said. She said that she saw a need for a locally owned bookstore in Mountain Brook area. The shop will offer a full line of coffees both hot and cold, plus a cold blended coffee-free drink that similar to a shake but lighter. There will also be tea varieties including a

fresh green tea and an herbal tea. Heather Morris, Cal’s wife, previously baked for Highland Coffee Company and will provide pastries for the new store. As far as the books go, Church Street will offer a little bit of everything. Definite selections will include school reading lists. It will also be a kid-friendly environment with picture books. With Rollwagen’s experience, any title can be ordered and received within a few days. Store hours will be Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For updates on what’s happening in the store, visit www.churchstreetshop.com or follow @81churchstreet on Twitter.

New Ollie Irene restaurant New restaurant Ollie Irene will open in the former Pianeta 3 location in Mountain Brook Village later this summer. Chef Chris Newsome, who grew up in Mountain Brook, co-owns the business with his fiancé, Anna Lakovitch. Named after Chris’ grandmother, a farmer’s wife in lower Alabama, Ollie Irene will continue a tradition of using fresh and

seasonal ingredients to create hospitality for people who gather around the table. They will serve fresh, local and seasonal cuisine for dinner and plan to later open for lunch and Sunday brunch. For more information on the restaurant’s progress, visit http:// ollieirene.blogspot.com.

Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt to open Swank in Mountain Brook Village is closed as of June 30. You can still purchase their merchandise at their Atlanta location

or online at www.swankatlanta.com. Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt is scheduled to open in its place in September.

Wok Express Wok Express opened in mid-June in Overton Village. This new Chinese venue offers eat in, take out and free delivery (for minimum orders of $15). All food is MSG free and cooked in all-natural oils. If you’re in a rush, larger platters are available to bring back to your office or to an event. The lunch menu, served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features favorites like sweet and sour chicken, sesame chicken and General Tso’s chicken and includes specialties like the house fried rice and house lo mein. The

lunch menu runs from $5.95 to $6.95. All dishes come with a side of fried rice and an eggroll. The dinner menu ranges from $8 to $11. Family dinners are available and so are chef specialties like Dragon and Phoenix, Kung Pao Special Dish and Mongolian Delight. Wok Express is open MondayThursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Hollywood Feed Hollywood Feed, a pet food store, will be opening the first week in July in Cahaba Village. It specializes in natural and holistic pet food and offers well known brands such as Eukanuba and Iams to smaller varieties including Holistic Select and Old Mother Hubbard. If you’ve ever checked out the Greystone location, it will be virtually the same. The store also participates in Frequent

Feeder programs from brands includin: Science Diet, Eukanuba, Iams, Orijen and California Naturals. Hollywood Feed will match any competitor’s price and offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. In addition to food, they also offer treats and toys. Hours will be Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Otey’s Fest Otey’s Tavern in Crestline will hold the fourth annual Otey’s Fest on Saturday, July 23. The event will run 5-10:30 p.m. There will be live music from The Hurlers, Rolling in the Hay and Kevn Kinney Band (Drivin’ n’ Cryin’).

Tickets, which will benefit a specified charity, are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Advance tickets can be purchased at Otey’s or online at www. oteystavern.com.

Calling all lake lovers! Second Annual Village Living Lake Lovers Photo Contest It’s lake season, and we want you to capture all the action of tubing, swimming, fishing, skiing, sun bathing, and more. Share your best photos with us, and we will pick winners from each of four categories:

To enter, email your photos in a jpg format to contests@ villagelivingonline.com.

Best action photo

Deadline for entries is August 9, 2011. We will publish the winners in the September issue as well as post them on our Facebook page and our website.

(skis, wakeboard, knee boards, tubes, etc.)

Best kid photo Best pet photo Best fishing photo

Please send high quality jpg images and include a caption and photo credit.

July 2011 |

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