14 • Thursday, February 9, 2012
Social
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Acoustic Soup committee members included, from left: VSA Alabama executive director Patti Hendrix Lovoy, Jaclynn Maxwell, Paige Vandiver, Wakisha Hazzard and Meagan Vucovich. Photos special to the Journal
VSA Serves Up Soup, Fun
Acoustic Soup Raises More Than $20K, Draws 350
T
he Junior Patrons of VSA Alabama hosted the sixth annual Acoustic Soup Jan. 26 at Workplay. The event, sponsored by Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, included music by the Big Tasties, soups and desserts provided by 19 area restaurants. Guests had the opportunity to purchase ceramic bowls painted by VSA Alabama artists with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The event raised more than $20,000; nearly 350 attended. Centerpieces with hand-painted jars filled with forsythia were created by Junior Patrons Carrie Montgomery and Shannon Taylor. As guests arrived, they were given a guitar pick to vote for their favorite soup. Bistro V won the People’s Choice award for its Tuscan Chard and Cannellini Bean Soup. Celebrity judges Jan Walsh, Alison Lewis and Food Scoop Birmingham awarded Veranda on Highland the Golden Spoon Award and gave Rogue Tavern the Tablescape Award. The event planning committee included Paige Vandiver, Junior Patron event chairman; Wakisha Hazzard, Junior Patron event cochairman; Tom Sheffer, Acoustic Soup ambassador; Katie Suttle Weinert, Junior Patron president; Meagan Vucovich, Junior Patron liaison and VSA Alabama Development and Communications coordinator; and Patti Hendrix Lovoy, VSA Alabama executive director. All proceeds benefit VSA Alabama and its programs serving children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses though the arts. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Phagan, Carol Misner and Ann Huckstep, Dr. Kathe Nelson, Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman, Whitney Yarborough, Nicole and Mark Mussafer, Wyona and Tom Hamby, Bettina Boateng, VSA Alabama board president Suzanne Respess, Katie Beth and Brandon Owens, Jerry and Diddy Vucovich and Jim and Linda Henry. Participating restaurants were Ashley Mac's, Avo, B&A Warehouse, Bistro Provare, Bistro V, Chef Bob.com, Chef U, Dram, Jackson's Bar and Bistro, Kem's Restaurant-- Holiday Inn Hoover, Little Savannah Restaurant and Bar, Lucy's Coffee and Tea, Makarios Kabob and Grill, Max's Delicatessen, Michael's Steaks and Seafood, Taziki's Mediterranean Café, Veranda on Highland, Vino and Rogue Tavern. ❖
Above: Presenting the Golden Spoon Award to Veranda on Highlands were from left: Meagan Vucovich, De Laurence Burnes, Veranda’s Brandon Williamson and Alison Lewis. Below: Renee Steeley and Larry Joe, left, and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Phagan were among VSA Alabama supporters who turned out for Acoustic Soup.