Village Living neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
Volume 8 | Issue 1 | April 2017
‘THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE’ S
After wave of bomb threats, community rallies around Levite Jewish Community Center Left: Betzy Lynch, executive director of the LJCC, stands in front of a wall of letters of love and encouragement that have been sent to the LJCC from communties across the country. Above: A large blue and white bow from Smith’s Variety hangs on the doors of the LJCC. Photos by Lexi Coon.
By LEXI COON
ince the start of the new year, the Levite Jewish Community Center has received four bomb threats. As far as the community is concerned, that’s four too many. “One of the unique things I think about now as opposed to, let’s say the 1930s during the inception of the Holocaust and so on, is that the world kept quiet,” said Betzy Lynch, executive director of the LJCC. “That’s not happening now. That is not OK with people, and people are speaking out.” Community members — both local and national — are speaking out against recent bomb threats to Jewish community centers. They are speaking out against anti-Semitism. They are speaking out against hatred. They are also speaking out to spread love and support for their local Jewish community.
WAVE OF THREATS
The first bomb threat to the LJCC, both of the new year and in the
See LJCC | page A27
Following father’s footsteps
Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit #54
Coaches and brothers Doug Gann, left, and Lee Gann, right, meet at home plate with a pair of officials before the start of a HomewoodMountain Brook baseball game Feb. 28 in Mountain Brook. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
By KYLE PARMLEY Gerald Gann had one major rule for his teams throughout his career. No matter the sport, year or group of athletes, that priority remained the same: Do the right thing. “He never had a long list of rules of do’s and don’ts,” said Lee Gann, son of Gerald Gann. “As long as you do what’s right, everything else will take care of itself.” Gerald Gann’s coaching career has spanned
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Sponsors .............. A4 News...................... A6
Business ............... A8 Chamber..............A10
Events ..................A15 Community .........A18
more than 40 years. He coached baseball, basketball and football teams at various stops, including Berry, Homewood, Hoover and John Carroll Catholic high schools. In recent years, he could still be found coaching running backs at Birmingham-Southern College. The majority of his days were spent on the gridiron, where he amassed a 159-145-2 record as a football head coach at Homewood (1979-94),
Sports .................A20 School House ...... B4
See GANNS | page A26 Faith ..................... B16 Calendar .............. B18 facebook.com/villageliving
New Protections Mountain Brook Fire Department is incorporating more physical screenings and mental health training for its employees.
See page B1
Spring Home Guide
Find tips and tricks for your spring home projects from area businesses in our Spring Home Guide.
See page C1