ConduCting with Culture
Izcaray Begins His First Season as ASO Music Director
Story by Emily Williams • Photos by Lee Walls Jr.
Carlos Izcaray didn’t set out to become a conductor. When he was 16 or so, he dreamed of being a hotelier in the Caribbean. Then he heard a recording of Yo-Yo Ma performing the “Elgar Concerto.”
“There was something there that clicked,” he said. That’s when he knew he wanted not just to play music, but to create musical experiences by conducting full orchestras.
He’s planned a series of such experiences that will unfold beginning Sept.18 and 19, when Izcaray takes the podium as the newly appointed music director for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
The ASO’s 2015-2016 season kicks off with Izcaray conducting his first EBSCO Masterworks performance at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The Venezuela-born musician did not take a direct path on his journey to find a passion for music, but he said that growing up in a musically inclined family helped.
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Children’s Theatre has new artistic director 15
The Czernobil sisters sauté into a new saison 14
gallery 1930 owner plans expansion, second studio 14
fall arts calendar 18
“My dad is a professional musician and educator, with a very good batting average when it comes to his pupils ending up in the music business both as see izCaray, page 16
EvEry MilE Counts Camp SAM goes to NYC Marathon. people pAge 10
Carlos izcaray will celebrate his first season as music director with the Alabama Symphony orchestra by conducting the first eBSCo Masterworks performance of the 2015-16 ASo season Sept. 18-19.
new look online
We’re excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website. With help from our friends at Walls Media, we are creating a more interactive and informative internet experience for our readers. We’re also developing a new site dedicated to bringing you more coverage of high school sports from our team of award-winning photographers. Look for more details coming soon.
murphy’s law
Big Good Wolf TV
It seems I owe you an apology. Apparently, there are times when I have been feeding the wrong wolf. I knew I was feeding the birds (and inadvertently the squirrels and chipmunks), but I didn’t know about the wolf until I went to see “Tomorrowland.” I didn’t go seeking such wisdom. I just wanted to see George Clooney, who, as far as I can tell, is a good wolf.
The movie revolves around a parable: “There are two wolves who are always fighting. One is darkness and despair. The other is light and hope. The question is which wolf wins? THE ONE YOU FEED.”
Now, I have never been one for denying food to any creature, but I agree with the premise that, if we fill our minds with fearful, disparaging thoughts, it makes it difficult to bring forth kindness and caring.
I was still thinking about the wolves when I turned on the TV that night. Out of the 857 choices available to me at 7 p.m. (Harold has opted for the Premium Ultra Deluxe Second-Mortgage Cable Package), most were movies about serial killers and police dramas where people just get killed one at a time.
on otMj.coM
There’s so much happening in the Over the Mountain area, we can’t fit it all in the paper! Visit www.otmj.com for more stories and photos.
Farmer’s Market Finds
The fruits and veggies at farmers markets look so appealing that it seems positively churlish not to go home loaded down with bags of fresh stuff. But what to do with all the goodies after you plop them down on your kitchen counter?
Vestavia Hills native Ashley Tarver wields a deft spatula when it comes to recipes using seasonal produce. Check out “Farmers Market Finds,” her new column, on our website, www.otmj.com.
Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald
Features Writer & Copy Editor Donna Cornelius
Staff Writers: Kaitlin Candelaria, Emily Williams
Editorial Assistant: Stacie Galbraith
Sports: Lee Davis
Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, William C. Singleton III, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls Jr., Bryan Bunch, Liz Ellaby
Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald
Intern: Tyler Waldrep
submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification.
Sue Murphy
We say we want to be happy. We included that in the Declaration of Independence for goodness sakes, and yet we feed ourselves all this schlocky fear. Why?
The Food Channel, my safety standard, was airing a soufflé challenge where the contestants had to use three ingredients and one of them was squid. Not only that, but one poor guy apparently had lost last week’s challenge (cream puffs with mackerel) and had to whip up his creation while straddling a tank of piranha. Maybe I’m getting my shows mixed up, (I click over to Animal Planet from time to time) but it doesn’t matter if you’re cooking or singing or going through an obstacle course on an island with a bunch of ill-groomed strangers, mean-spirited is mean-spirited.
over the Mountain views
Where to turn…literally? The political talk shows always disintegrate into shouting matches, the Golf Channel follows Tiger Woods primarily to see him disintegrate, and in the last Mickey Mouse cartoon I saw, a retro Mickey was hitting someone over the head with a mallet.
These are not good wolves.
We say we want to be happy. We included that in the Declaration of Independence for goodness sakes, and yet we feed ourselves all this schlocky fear. Why?
Again, I’m not one to withhold food from any animal, but it’s only a metaphoric wolf and I think Big Bad has had enough already. We need to feed our “you can do it” wolf, the one who at least sets out to make the world a better place. I was encouraged to see that the new fall TV lineup is bringing back the Muppets, so things may be improving already, but if the show gets cancelled or if Fozzie starts hitting Kermit over the head with a mallet, I’m striking out on my own: Big Good Wolf TV. Doesn’t that sound, I don’t know, encouraging? It wouldn’t have to be sappy. I’m not talking about 24 hours of puppies licking the faces of laughing children, although a little of that would be good, just stuff about real people trying to do good things.
We could talk politics, sure, but how about we channel Will Rogers and spend our time gently pointing out the absurdities on both sides of the ball? (We’re going to need a really big ball this year.)
So, stay tuned. If Oprah can have her own network, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t. My accountant might have a few concerns, but deep down, he’s a good wolf, too, and he’ll come around. Big Good Wolf TV. Thanks, George Clooney. ❖
In honor of Grandparent’s Day on Sept. 13, we asked what’s your favorite part about being a grandmother?
“We love to cook. We make bread and morning glory muffins in the kitchen. We also like fashion designing with their dolls.”
Beth Clarke Hoover
“My grandchildren are older, so my favorite thing is to hear from them -- a text or a call makes my day!”
June Pryor Cahaba Heights
“I love picking them up from school -- they think it’s so much fun. We’ll go order a little hamburger and coke.”
Jackie Imbush North Shelby
“I’ve waited a long time for grandbabies. I love everything -- reading with them, seeing them, sitting with them, everything they do. I love every minute I get with them. They both have beautiful smiles.”
Sharon Bromberg Mountain Brook
By Emily Williams
PreSchool Partners will pump up the volume in Crestline Village on Sept. 26 for the third annual Crestline Rocks concert, presented by Regions Bank.
“It’s an event unlike any I’ve ever seen in Crestline,” said PreSchool Partners Director of Development Allene Neighbors. “There’s something for every age.”
Neighbors said that the first Crestline Rocks, three years ago, was a product of her collaboration with Will Haver of Otey’s and Taco Mama.
“A couple of years ago, (Haver) and I started talking about doing an event that’s unique to Crestline,” Neighbors said.
The collaboration resulted in an event that brought together 850 people for a concert in the middle of Church Street. Neighbors said it was an amazing night, but the cost to block off the street for an afternoon and night, along with concerns from Church Street’s small businesses, caused them to reconsider their plans for the next year.
“We had to tweak the model for the next year, just in relation to raising money for PreSchool Partners,” Neighbors said.
Last year, the event was moved to the grassy lawn in front of Emmet O’Neal Library, where it will be held this year. PreSchool Partners also added another fundraising element to the model, the vote-by-donation competition. Video submissions were posted online and the public could vote on their favorite band for $1. The number of votes – or donations – decided where each band would be placed in the concert line-up.
“We raised $14,000 just in the vote-by-donations category,” Neighbors said.
This year, the vote-by-donation took place from Sept. 1 to Sept. 8, and the lineup will be
Schoolhouse Rock
Crestline Rocks Returns for Sept. 26 Benefit
‘It’s an event unlike any I’ve ever seen in Crestline. There’s something for every age.’
Sept. 10-11
VESTAVIA HILLS
Whale of a Sale
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church
This children’s consignment sale will take place in the Lighthouse gym from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 10 and 9 a.m.2 p.m. Sept. 11. Most items will be half-priced from 1-2 p.m. Sept. 11. For more information, visit the Whale of a Sale Facebook page, www. whaleofasale.blogspot.com or email thewhaleofasale@gmail.com.
Sept. 10-12
BIRMINGHAM
Oktoberfest 2015 Das Haus
FDSK German Culture Club will present the 39th annual event celebrating authentic German cuisine, beer tastings, a dachshund parade and more. Admission is $10 for the live music events on Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Das Haus Facebook page, visit www. dashausbham.com or call 907-9499.
Fri., Sept. 11
HOMEWOOD
Getting Out of the Sedentary Homewood Library
Certified group exercise instructor Lisa Eaker presents a program to
announced Sept. 10. Two bands will have the opportunity to participate in the concert.
“This year, we had a hard time finding a date because of football season, so we chose a Sunday,” Neighbors said. “Not many bands want to go on stage on Sunday afternoon. Not many people want to stay out late on a Sunday night.”
To please the masses, Neighbors said, they happily shortened the event to five hours, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and picked the new Sept. 26 date.
Along with the two vote-by-donation winners, the line-up includes a performance by last year’s second-place winner, Hugh Row Thomas. Sarah Simmons of Mountain Brook and season four contestant on The Voice will wrap up the night.
Guests are invited to bring their blankets and coolers to the event, and hamburgers and hot dogs will be flipped on the grill courtesy of Otey’s. For the kids, there will be a variety of activities, including face painting and balloon twisting.
“Also, we’ve lowered the ticket price,” Neighbors said. “Tickets will now be $10 for ages 12 and up and $5 for 11 and under.”
Tickets can be purchased at The Pants Store in Crestline Village or online at www.preschoolpartners.org. Proceeds from ticket sales and voteby-donations benefit PreSchool Partners early learning programs. PreSchool Partners is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing innercity pre-schoolers and parents for Kindergarten. “Ultimately it’s coming straight back to PreSchool Partners, which helps our entire program, which expands into other communities,” Neighbors said. “The reach is far greater than one event.”
For more information, visit the PreSchool Partners website or call 951-5151. ❖
motivate guests towards an active lifestyle. This event is free and will take place from 12:30-1 p.m. in Room 101. For more information, visit www. homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call Leslie West at 332-6620.
BIRMINGHAM
2015 Maestro’s Ball
UAB’s Alys Stephens Center Kelley and C.T. Fitzpatrick host the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s annual ball benefiting the ASO’s artistic, educational and outreach programs. A champagne reception will begin in the lobby at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. concert conducted by ASO Music Director Carlos Izcaray and an 8 p.m. dinner. For more information, contact Ashley Blomeyer at 314-6917.
Sept. 11-12
NORTH SHELBY
Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale
Asbury United Methodist Church
Gently used children’s clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby furniture and more will be available for purchase Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Asbury UMC’s children’s programs and various mission groups. For more information, visit www.asburygigglesandgrace.com.
HOMEWOOD
Lil’ Lambs Fall Sale
Trinity United Methodist Church
This consignment sale will feature gently worn clothes, toys and furniture
Photo by Mary Margaret Rogoff
from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 11 and from 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 12. Volunteers can shop early at the Preview Sale Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.trinitybirmingham.com or call 8791737.
MOUNTAIN BROOK
50th Birthday Celebration
Emmet O’Neal Library
The library will celebrate it’s golden anniversary beginning Sept. 11 with a Funikijam concert at 6 p.m. on the grassy lawn. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12, cupcakes and lemonade will be available to all library guests. Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library will host fine arts broker John Jones at 9:30 a.m. To complete the day, Pulitzer prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will hold a reception and book-signing at 6 p.m. The Goodwin event is sold out. For more information, visit www.eolib.org or call 879-0459.
Sun., Sept. 13
MOUNTAIN BROOK
ScreamFree Marriage
Canterbury UMC
New York Times
best-seller Hal Runkel will give a presentation on strengthening the bond between couples at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Canterbury Center. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 per couple and can be purchased at www.canterburyumc. org or by calling 871-4695. To reserve childcare, contact Amanda Fuller at
Amanda.Fuller@canterburyumc.org.
hOOveR
Rosh haShanah
Beth hallel
The congregation of Beth Hallel will recognize Rosh HaShanah beginning with a playground re-opening dedication at 5:30 p.m. prior to a special service at 6 p.m. featuring guest cantor Greg Silverman. On Sept. 14, the synagogue will hold a special day service at 11:30 a.m. No tickets are required and child care will be provided for children ages 0-5. For more information, visit www. shalombirmingham.com or call 8222510.
Tues., Sept. 15
BIRMINGhAM
Harvest of Hope Luncheon
Cahaba Grand Conference Center
The ninth annual luncheon, benefitting Oak Mountain Missions Ministries will begin at 10 a.m. with a silent auction. The keynote speaker will be Pelham Mayor Gary W. Waters and Fox 6’s Janet Hall will be mistress of ceremonies. Music will be provided by the Wilson Hill Band. For more information, contact Dianne Cesario at 685-5757 or email oakmtnmissions@ yahoo.com.
hOMeWOOD
Job Search Tips
present a program which tackles topics such as resume building, interview skills, networking and more. The program is free. Reservations are encouraged. To register, visit www.homewoodlibrary.org or call 332-6600.
Wed., Sept. 16
VESTAVIA HILLS
Coastermania
Library in the Forest
This month’s Studio 1221 DIY participants will take ceramic tiles and turn them into coasters with comics and images printed on them. Snacks will be served. This event is free and takes place in the Treehouse from 4-5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. vestavialibrary.org or call 978-0155.
Thurs., Sept. 17
BIRMINGhAM
Birmingham Signature Chefs Auction Iron City
www.signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org or call 588-0509.
Fri., Sept. 19
BIRMINGhAM ZooGala
Homewood Public Library Career counselor Jack Norris will
The annual auction, presented by the March of Dimes Alabama Chapter, will showcase culinary masterpieces, wine samplings and an auction featuring one-of-a-kind packages from 6-9 p.m. Participating restaurants include Ashley Mac’s, FoodBar, GianMarco’s, Primeaux and more. Tickets are $250 per person. For more information, visit
If the skin on your face, neck, or hands is not telling the story you would like, you have the power to change your message. Fraxel® is a laser treatment that utilizes fractional laser technology to treat specific areas of the skin. It is a suitable treatment for scarring, stretch marks, melasma, acne, sun spots, and other signs of aging. Through a few treatment sessions, after which there is no downtime, the appearance of skin discolorations and scars is greatly reduced.
The Birmingham Zoo The Zoo will host their annual fundraiser, sponsored by Iberia Bank, at 8 p.m. The event will include a dinner by Kathy G. and Company and music by Compozitionz. Tickets begin at $250 per couple. Guests must be 21 years
See, about town, page 6
To: 987-3516
From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax
Date: September 10th
This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the September 10th 2015 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.
Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! please
attention. James harwell performing at Moonlight on the Mountain Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 pm MoonlightOnTheMtn.com • 585 Shades Crest Rd
Thank you for your
Chef George McMillan Foodbar
Zeal for Teal
Christine’s Canterbury
Sixth Annual Head Over Teal Race to Include New 10K Feature
Laura crandall brown lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2009.
about town, From page 5
or older to attend. Tickets are available at www.birminghamzoo.com. For more information, contact Casey Blighton at cblighton@birminghamzoo.com or call 397-3861.
Sept. 18-19
MOUNTAIN BROOK
Sweet Repeats
Mountain Brook Community Church
This consignment sale will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 18 and 9 a.m.noon Sept. 19. Strollers are not allowed from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 18. Most items will be half-priced Sept. 19. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the church’s shortterm mission trips. For more information, visit the Sweet Repeats Facebook page, www.mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot.com or email mbcc.sweetrepeats@gmail. com.
Sept. 18-20
BIRMINGHAM
Orchid Show and Sale
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Alabama Orchid Society will hold its thirty-first show and sale in the auditorium of the BBG from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20. Sales are open every day and the show begins at noon Sept. 19
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Laura Crandall Brown inspired more people in 25 years than many people do in a lifetime.
When Brown passed away in 2009 of ovarian cancer, her family and friends were so inspired by her journey that they founded the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation with the mission of providing funding for early detection research of ovarian cancer while raising awareness of the disease. Brown’s cancer was discovered in 2008, while she was in the midst of planning her wedding. What at first seemed to be a minor inconvenience – a small surgery to remove what Brown thought was a common mass on her ovary –turned out to be a very serious and ultimately fatal form of cancer. However, Laura’s friends and family say she was brave and composed throughout her entire journey and consistently expressed the desire to help others in the same situation. Thus, the foundation was born.
According to the foundation’s website, there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer. Treatment for the disease can be very successful, with a 90 percent cure rate, but that’s only if it’s caught in time.
“Most patients are diagnosed in the later stages when the disease is more difficult to treat,” the website said.
“Through this foundation, we hope to successfully carry out Laura’s legacy by raising awareness and funding research, specifically in the area of early detection.”
The foundation has raised more than $100,000 for ovarian cancer research since 2010.
This year, the foundation will host its sixth annual Head Over Teal 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Sept. 12 at The Preserve in Hoover. A 10K also has been added for those seeking a more difficult challenge. At the event, people can enjoy beer, Little Caesars pizza and music along with inflatables, face painting and crafts. Parking is available at Prince of Peace Catholic School with a shuttle beginning at 6:45 a.m.
For more information or to register, vista www.thinkoflaura.org. ❖
and continues through Sept. 20. This event is free. For more information, visit the Alabama Orchid Society’s Facebook page or call 447-5285.
Sat., Sept. 19
HOMewOOd
Monkey C Monkey 5K and Fun Run Homewood Park
The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the fun run as well as other familyfriendly activities. This is a certified 5K and will include chip timing for $2.50 extra. For more information or to register, contact Savannah Lanier at savannah.lanier@campsam.org.
HOMewOOd
The Neverland Pirates
Homewood Public Library
The library will celebrate “Talk Like a Pirate Day” with Tinkerbell and her pirate friends from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This event is free. For more information, visit www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6691.
HOOVeR
Sebastian’s Annual Run/Walk Veteran’s Park
This annual advocacy and fundraising event honors Sebestain Lemos, who lost his fight to a pediatric brain tumor in 2008 at the age of seven. This year’s theme is “Camo for a Cure” and there will be a prize for best dressed. A DJ will also be onsite as well as a photobooth. For more information or to register, visit
www.sebastiansrunwalk.org.
Mon., Sept. 21
HOMewOOd
Alabama Humanities Awards
The Club
This annual luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and features keynote speaker Andrew Freear, director of Rural Studio at Auburn University. Award winners include Pulitzer prize-winner Cynthia Tucker, Birmingham attorney James Noles Jr. and the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, visit www.alabamahumanities.org or call 558-3992.
Thurs., Sept. 24
VeSTAVIA HILLS
Peter Kirchikov
New Merkle Senior Citizens Center
Peter Kirchikov will present an educational program regarding his current book project “Consensus May Be Good, But You Need to Have a Common Sense” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This event is free and will be followed by a reception. For more information, visit www.peterkirchikov.com or call 2535543. ❖
Photo special to the Journal
Fundraising Full-Throttle
Angels Luncheon to Raise Money for Cancer Awareness
By Emily Williams
In recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the Charlie’s Angels luncheon Sept. 25 will raise awareness for all cancers while raising funds for the creation of the Brittany Waldrep Endowed Lectureship for Gynecologic Cancer at UAB.
“A dear friend of mine named Charlie lost a precious daughter to ovarian cancer when she was a recent Auburn graduate,” said event co-chair Dr. Anne Bishop. “This loss epitomizes to me why we must support cancer research – research in all kinds.”
The event will begin at 11 a.m. at The Club. Edie Hand will be the featured speaker, followed by a fashion show featuring clothing from Belk at The Summit and models from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Each individual who purchases a table or donates funds will become one of Charlie’s Angels. Those who purchase tables have the opportunity to honor loved ones whose lives have been altered or ended due to cancer or to thank a physician.
For more information about the event,visit www.nlovca.org/events/ charlies-angels-luncheon.
A few “Angels” talk about why they’ve joined Charlie’s cause:
“I imagine cancer touches everyone in some fashion, some more directly than others. Out of respect for family, friends and society, we must contribute any resource available – time, energy and money – to support a cure. I am grateful for those with the skill and knowledge to solve and assist those who are diagnosed with cancer, and that is why I am supporting this event.”
Shelby County Commission President Lindsey Allison lives in Indian Springs. She is helping to sponsor a table for Alabama Supreme Court Justice Patti Smith, whose mother, Norma Mungenast, passed away with cancer last year.
Charlie’s Angels planning committee members (front, from left) Ranae Breen, Lynn Yeager and Lynn Samson. Back: Isa Dorsky, Susan Greene, Sarah Moseley and Anne Bishop.
touched me and I want to help. Some are survivors because of research. Research is the key to improved treatment of cancer. At the Charlie’s Angels event, my husband, Tim, and I will honor my sister Kelly, who is a survivor. She has had thyroid and cervical cancer. We have also bought our table in memory of my mother-inlaw, who passed away in 1995 due to lung cancer.”
Ranae and Tim Breen live in Greystone. He is president and CEO of Motion Industries and she supports local charities and sings in her church choir. ❖
“Last year when I lost my brother Mike to lung cancer, I not only lost my brother, but I lost one of my best friends. He will be missed as long as I live, but I appreciate the care he received at UAB. Research, paid for by others before me, is the reason for the improvements in techniques and drugs he received in the treatment of a difficult cancer. I support research for future gains that will benefit the next generation. As someone I respect said, ‘We sit in the shade of trees planted by others.’ Charlie has been my friend for more than 40 years and I am honored to contribute to an endowed project for cancer research at UAB that will honor his daughter, who died with cancer shortly after graduating from Auburn.”
Brad Bishop is the municipal judge of Hoover and professor of law at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
“As a stage 4 ovarian cancer survivor for 11½ years, I know firsthand the value of supporting cancer research to extend lives. Every dollar that I donate to research may be the dollar that secures a future world without the devastating effects of cancer for my children and grandchildren. This endowment is a unique opportunity for me to honor friends touched by cancer while funding a think-tank of national and international luminaries to share worldwide advances in cancer research right here in our community. Charlie’s Angels are friends, all touched by cancer, who are raising money for cancer research right here in our community and raising awareness of what those monies will be doing. We want to make a difference – in our lifetime, in our community, in our state.”
Sarah Moseley is a resident of Hoover and an ardent supporter of causes that help people in the Birmingham community.
“I am seeing more and more people having cancer. It’s not just family, but also friends. Their battles to overcome cancer have really
Call to Duty
Mountain Brook’s Tanner Fought Terror on Two Fronts
By Lee Davis
Christopher Tanner didn’t grow up wanting to be a soldier. The call to serve found him.
The Mountain Brook native was attending the prestigious Lawrenceville School in Princeton, New Jersey, where he excelled in track and field. Tanner wanted to find a college where he could compete in track at the NCAA Division I level and pursue a degree in engineering. The right place just happened to be in a neighboring state: The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
“I’d love to say that my father was a soldier and his father was a soldier and I was following the family tradition,” said Tanner, who happens to be a quadruplet. “In reality, West Point checked off all the boxes. I could run in a competitive track program and major in engineering. Having the opportunity to serve my country was a good part of it, too.”
Tanner said the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, changed the mindset of West Point cadets. “Before 9/11, they trained for IF they went to war,” he said. “After 9/11, it was a matter of WHEN they went to war.”
While he may not have had a military lineage, Tanner’s decision to
attend West Point proved to be a good one.
As a second lieutenant right after graduation in 2006, Tanner was deployed to Iraq, where he worked in several aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a company executive officer, coordinating support for a 145-soldier unit and maintenance of $30 million worth of military equipment. In 2008, Tanner was promoted to first lieutenant and became an infantry platoon leader on the ground at the height of the military surge ordered by then-President George W. Bush. He led more than 400 combat patrols and played an important role in developing the Iraqi army and police, while also helping to build and renovate public schools.
In 2010, Tanner – by then promoted to captain – was transferred to the Afghanistan theater of operations, where he fought in the AfghanPakistani border area leading counterinsurgency operations.
Tanner said the dynamic of the War on Terror in the two countries was very different.
Afghanistan, with its vast mountainous territory, is more of a conventional conflict, according to Tanner.
“It was a dream combat environment for a textbook style of fighting,” he said. “That war entailed mountain combat against an enemy that was willing to stand and fight. We were able to use aircraft for support. It was the perfect environment for the resources we have.”
There are also vast differences in the natives of the two countries. “In Iraq, large portions of the population are educated to at least be able to read and write and are connected with the outside world,” he said. They want their kids to get a good education. When we could convince them that we could help them, it would win them over to our side.”
Afghanistan, by contrast, is far less developed. “Outside the most traveled areas, there are villages in Afghanistan that are so isolated that they haven’t changed since Biblical times,” he said. “For the people who live there, each day is a struggle for survival.”
Attitudes toward their respective countries are far different as well. “In Iraq, there are basically three types of people – the Sunnis, the Shias,
“The war in Iraq was in more of an urban environment with house-tohouse fighting and the heavy use of improvised explosive devices to kill soldiers and to destroy equipment,” he explained. “Once I had 29 vehicles blown up in one month. It was very much a hit-and-run kind of war.”
Captain Christopher H. Tanner, U.S. Army Infantry and Mountain Brook resident will speak at the annual Over the Mountain Patriot Day ceremony this year in SoHo Square. Captain Tanner has been recognized for leading one of the most successful tactical campaigns to destroy and shut down large information movements of enemy fighters during the bloodiest time period of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Photo
A Day of Remembrance
Homewood will host the annual Over the Mountain Patriot Day ceremony this year in SoHo Square. This annual event is a joint effort between Mountain Brook, Homewood and Vestavia Hills to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to honor first responders and those who are serving or have served in the U.S. military. This year, Captain Christopher H. Tanner, U.S. Army Infantry and Mountain Brook resident will speak at 9 a.m. Captain Tanner has been recognized for leading one of the most successful tactical campaigns to destroy and shut down large information movements of enemy fighters during the bloodiest time period of Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition, the Homewood High School Show Choir will perform along with fifth grade students from all three of Homewood’s elementary schools.
Hoover will host its own ceremony at Fire Station 2 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Former representative Spencer Bachus will speak and a reception will follow. ❖
and the Kurds,” Tanner said. “In Afghanistan you have two different languages and at least 20 different ethnic tribes that are often in disagreement. It makes it hard to unify under a central government when there is that much diversity.”
While both countries still face great challenges, Tanner credits the troop surge directed by General David Petraeus in 2007-2008 for turning the war in Iraq in America’s favor. “We were able to flood the areas with more troops and work with the Iraqi people to secure their neighborhoods,” he said. “It worked much like a neighborhood watch program. Unemployment was a big problem in Iraq. We would pay citizens to report terrorist activity or to tell us if they knew where an IED
was planted. It was very successful.”
Tanner said Iraq and Afghanistan – contrary to the beliefs of many – have quality commanders and troops. The key to their success as America withdraws its presence is the development of long-term logistic support.
“One reason the American military is so successful is because the guys in the field know that someone has their back,” said Tanner. “If a soldier is wounded in Afghanistan, he can be in a military hospital in Europe or the United States in a matter of hours. Soldiers will fight if they know someone will take care of them and their buddies if they go down.”
Tanner said the top priority for the future of the Middle East is the
defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “I don’t think most Americans understand the danger ISIS can be not only to the Middle East, but to America,” he said. “They are well funded and subscribe to a specific ideology. It’s the purest form of Islam – convert or die or be enslaved. We must take this threat very seriously.”
While in combat, Tanner earned the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and many other awards and decorations.
In 2013, Tanner came back to Birmingham to be with his wife, Lauren, who is an attending surgeon at UAB. He became an executive officer and assistant professor of military science at UAB for the ROTC program. Although he is also the father of a young son, Tanner said he misses serving overseas.
“I think about the men and women that I served with every day,” he said. “When you are in combat, doing your job is the only thing you are focused on. There are no distractions. You are given every resource needed to succeed.”
Tanner is transitioning into the private sector, soon to become vice president and director of business development at Xtreme Concepts Inc., a worldwide security and technology firm headquartered in Birmingham. The company acted as technical advisor for the highly successful film “American Sniper.”
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to offer help where needed,” he said. ❖
Spencer Bachus
Every Mile Counts
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Five Birmingham runners are taking Camp Smile-a-Mile’s mission to New York City.
Savannah Lanier, development director for Camp SAM, said this won’t be the first time the organization has been represented in the TCS New York City Marathon, but this year’s team is different.
“We’ve had a marathon team in the past, but it wasn’t really a group that was close together,” Lanier said. “Last year, I got the idea for Camp SAM’s 30th anniversary to put together a team of people who loved the camp and who had a very personal tie to the organization to take the mission to New York City.”
Lanier reached out to fellow Mountain Brook resident Richard Brown, Homewood residents Alison Henninger and Britney Cowart, and
Birmingham-based supporter Adam Quarles.
Each member of the team has a very different connection to Camp SAM.
Quarles was diagnosed with cancer in 1984, at two years old. He attended the first camp session in 1985 and has been an active volunteer with the organization ever since.
Brown began volunteering with the organization in 1991.
“I graduated from college and really didn’t have a lot of direction,”
Brown said. “I got the opportunity to volunteer (with Camp SAM) and it totally molded my career path.”
Brown went on to become a certified registered nurse practitioner and now also serves as the medical director for Camp SAM.
Camp SAM also inspired Henninger to become a nurse after she began volunteering there in high
school. She and Brown both work at Children’s of Alabama on the hematology/oncology unit.
Cowart said she began volunteering with Camp SAM while attending school in Auburn. However, it wasn’t until her running buddy, Henninger, began talking up the organization and all the wonderful things it did for children with cancer that Cowart took on a deeper commitment to the camp.
The group applied for a TCS New York City Marathon team early in the year and received their approval in February. Now, they’re training three to five days a week to complete the 26-mile race on Nov. 1. They will join more than 20,000 other people who are also participating.
“We’re all so busy with different schedules and our children and family, so sometimes it can be hard to coordinate our training for all five of us to run together, but one good thing
about training as a group is that it keeps us accountable,” Brown said. “Even when we were at camp this summer, we would wake up and run together.”
The group registered as a charity team, so they are also charged with fundraising. Some members have birthdays coming up for which they plan to ask for donations in lieu of gifts.
“It’s been pretty moving,” Quarles said. “One of my golf buddies recently did a crab boil for me and as a result of that, we raised over $1,000 towards my total. It’s been really amazing to see people step up like that and get behind me. People are excited about what we’re doing even if their only connection to camp is me.”
Henninger agrees that the support has been amazing.
“It’s a story you can’t unhear,” she said. “You can’t help but to want to be a part of it and help.”
Camp SAM is dedicated to providing year-round challenging, unforgettable recreational and educational experiences for young cancer patients, their families and young adult survivors in Alabama at no cost. Its signature program is seven camp sessions hosted throughout the summer for childhood cancer patients in different stages of treatment.
“To do 26 miles, you have to have an inspiration,” Henninger said. “When we want to quit, we think of the children.”
During the marathon, the team will dedicate each mile to a childhood cancer patient who has touched their lives. The last mile will be run in memory of all the children lost to childhood cancer.
“I always think about a patient or a family or coworkers or someone that I want to run in honor of each day we train,” Brown said. “When I’m cramping, sore or overheated or don’t want to run, I remember that everything I’m putting myself through, I can control. The kids and their families cannot.”
The team members all agree that it isn’t hard to stay motivated when running for such a worthy cause.
“When we’re running, we have these healthy bodies that we’re able to use for a good cause and I’ve learned not to take that for granted,” Cowart said. “There’s people who can’t do that. For them, every day is a struggle.”
Quarles said, for him, he realizes that everything is temporary.
“I always fall back on realizing any pain or discomfort is temporary,” he said. “I’ve always had that outlook on life and I see this as a great example of that.” ❖
Hill Showcases Her Garden in New Journal
Lida Inge Hill of Mountain Brook combined her love of Southern foliage and watercolor painting to create “Journal of a Cottage Garden.”
In the book, Hill adds her own personal commentary as she identifies and describes 30 kinds of plants that fill the garden surrounding her cottage.
“There is a difference in what the native plants do for our environment,” Hill said.
She has taken various courses on native plants through the Audubon Mountain Workshop and the Botanical Gardens, honing her knowledge of the plants. With the help of BBG Director of Education Henry Hughes, Hill was able to correctly
identify each of the plants. Hughes, in turn, composed a forward for the Journal.
Hill said the original plan was to write the Journal and simply show it to people and gauge their interest in native plants and converse about the native environment. When she did not receive the result she hoped for, she took a few friends’ advice and had the book published – on recyclable paper.
“I’ve been interested in environmental concerns for a very long time,” Hill said. “I am a fanatical recycler. I even recycle the papers that hold the coffee grinds.”
As a means of promoting her book and public knowledge of native plant life, Hill has made herself available to give talks regarding her book at smaller venues, such as garden clubs, churches and homeowners’ associations.
“I would like for people to just kind of stop and see something that they think is lovely,” Hill said. “And then, as they look further and read –especially what Henry Hughes has said – then they would like for other people to start to think about what they should do and how we all can help a little bit.”
Hill plans to present her book with a celebration at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Following refreshments, Hill will give a presentation titled “Passion for Native Plants – a Journey and a Journal,” during which she will discuss her experiences with plants that led her to publish her first book. Books will be sold at the event.
Signed copies of “Journal of a Cottage Garden” can be purchased at
Lida Hill signs books to fill an order for The Dandelion in Montain Brook Village.
Richard Brown, Savannah Lanier, Alison Henninger, Britney Cowart and Adam Quarles will be running the TCS New York City Marathon for Camp Smile-a-Mile.
Journal photo by Kaitlin
The Dandelion, Crestline Pharmacy, Leaf and Petal at the BBG, Little Professor, Little Hardware and the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Hoover’s Kelli Lane Named to AETA’s Executive Board
Kelli Lane, technology integration coordinator for Hoover City Schools, has been named to the executive board of the Alabama Educational Technology Association as vice president of professional development.
In this newly created role, Lane will collaborate with board colleagues and AETA members to help further define what it means to be a school technology coordinator through specialized training and a credentialing process.
“We as an organization have realized that with roles such as mine, everyone comes in with different knowledge levels and different perspectives,” Lane said. “Some may be classroom teachers and then placed in (a technology coordinator role) the next day. We want to work with these professionals and help them identify areas for growth.”
Lane will oversee development of the AETA credentialing process and present the final plan to the Alabama State Department of Education for approval.
Lane, now in her second year with Hoover schools, works under the direction of Chief Technology Officer Bryan Phillips to help teachers to innovate in the classroom through technology. Before working in Hoover, she worked as both a tech-
nology supervisor and a classroom teacher in Jefferson County schools.
Harwell Releases New Album “Holding Out”
James Harwell has released a new album “Holding Out: The Duggar Mountain Sessions.”
The album was produced and mastered by Rick Goodwin and Ben Haskell. Goodwin created all arrangements and Haskell engineered and mixed the music.
The album is composed of 10 tracks, all written by Harwell except for track 10, “Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” which was written by Robert Frost.
Wil Thomas contributed to the lyrics on track eight, “Filled Up with All Alone,” and Les Gordon co-wrote track nine, “Lost Myself.”
Harwell began his musical career in college, touring with his band the Undertow until 1991. He continues to perform when he isn’t in the office. He recently performed in the Moonlight on the Mountain Concert Series in Bluff Park May 1.
When he isn’t creating and performing his music, Harwell serves as president of the Birmingham Association of Realtors and finds himself in the top 2 percent of RealtySouth. Harwell is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Bluff Park WindoW Works
To: Jim From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646
FAX: 205-824-1246
Date:
That Brooke Wahl would succeed as a Realtor doesn’t surprise anyone in her family. “I took her to
with me when she was a little girl,” says Charlotte Donald, Brooke’s grandmother, a second generation Birmingham Realtor, the daughter of Nelson Weaver, an industry pioneer in the 1950s. “At the age of seven, Brooke was answering the phone in our office and transferring calls, riding around town with me and unlocking homes for Open Houses,” says Charlotte. “But her tenacity was most apparent when she grilled me with questions: ‘Why hasn’t this house sold? Why this sales price? Why does this agent have more listings than you?’”
Brooke’s mother Keke Donald, also a successful Birmingham Realtor, sees her daughter’s genuine interest in helping others as the key to her growing business. “Brooke’s husband is a UAB surgical resident and so she’s plugged into that community,” says Keke, who supports Brooke with behind-the-scenes details, managing technology and staging homes. “She loves helping new residents discover fun things about our hometown, acting as an ambassador and a concierge.”
Clients looking to sell a home throughout the city have also discovered Brooke’s track record. Sold signs go up almost as quickly as for-sale signs. Brooke realizes she’s benefitted from great role models. “My grandparents and my mother have demonstrated how serving others, helping people find a home, is a rewarding career.” Brooke, along with her grandmother and mother, recently joined ARC Realty. Founder and Chairman Tommy Brigham is enthusiastic about what they bring to his company. “In Brooke, I see the best of a new generation of Realtors.”
“What else would you do in our family?” asks Charlotte. “This is a new season for us: Brooke is the out-front agent, a natural people-person. Her mother and I get to play supporting roles, which means I have time to play with my great-granddaughter. She’ll probably be answering the phone in our office in a few years, too.”
Harwell lives in Hoover with his wife, Kim, and his children, Eleanor Jo and Brandon.
Kelli Lane
Brooke Wahl (far left) with her grandmother Charlotte Donald (seated) and mother Keke Donald, three generations of Realtors now part of the ARC Realty family.
By Emily Williams
Just like the Beach Boys sang, the freeways –or better yet, streets – here are jammed with all kinds of folks on their bikes.
In early June, the Alabama Legislature passed a law requiring motorists to maintain a threefoot distance from cyclists while passing on the road, which became effective this month. With new legislation and an increase in cyclists taking advantage of the Over the Mountain area’s mountainous terrain, tension between motorists and cyclists is as high as the temperature outside.
In July, Amy Jackson of Mountain Brook created a post on the Facebook page What’s Happening Mountain Brook calling attention to a specific cyclist who held up a long line of traffic just before 8 o’clock one morning. The post held a respectable position toward the top of the page’s feed for more than a week as it gathered more than 200 comments.
“I simply asked that cyclist consider riding during ‘off’ hours,” Jackson said. “I am still amazed by the comments to that post. It really hit me then just how bad this issue is for the cyclists and the motorists.”
Cyclists are not a habitual nuisance for Jackson. She said the only times she as a motorist becomes annoyed are when a cyclist is holding up more than five vehicles, riding during peak hours – morning, evening and school-related rush hours – and refusing to pull over to allow traffic to pass.
“Every day that I drive I come into contact with cyclists on Old Leeds Road, Cherokee Road and Overhill Road,” Jackson said.
Both Cherokee Road and Overhill Road are hilly, curvy and heavily driven, while Old Leeds Road is particularly busy during the school year due to traffic from both Shades Valley High School and Mountain Brook High School.
“I may not always drive slowly, but I know to be extra cautious as cyclists are always on these roads,” Jackson said. “I worry about people who aren’t familiar with the biking population.”
“I will not be surprised when a cyclist is hit taking a left turn onto Cherokee Road from Old Leeds Road,” Jackson said.
The regular route of a large riding group passes through the intersection on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and during the weekend, taking a left in front of a blind curve.
“I always hold my breath until they all get safely through that intersection,” Jackson said.
Another cause for concern is the problem of passing a cyclist on hilly roads.
“Most cyclists are respectful of drivers; however, I feel they become agitated when drivers
u oVer the mountAin
Bicycle Buzz
The Fued Between Motorists and Cyclists
don’t follow their lead,” Jackson said. “I would never pass if I didn’t feel it was safe.”
A recent survey issued by the Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation Department to gather public opinion before organizing future developments included multiple questions regarding the addition of bike lanes in the community. Jackson, who previously served as president of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, said she did not believe the addition of bike lanes would end the feud between motorists and cyclists.
“Bike lanes would have to be extremely expensive for our city,” Jackson said. “There is a growing population of cyclists. However, I’m not sure if there are enough to justify spending that amount of money on bike lanes.”
In addition, Jackson said that, if bike lanes were added to streets, motorists’ animosity toward cyclists might increase toward large groups that don’t stay in the lane.
“Many people think I don’t like cyclists, which is not true,” she said. “I love seeing people walk, run and ride through our community, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask that those slowing down traffic wait until motorists get out of the way. It’s a win-win.”
A View From the Side
When he lived in Washington in the late 1980s, Danny Feldman of Homewood honed a love for cycling while beginning his career as a lawyer. After he moved back to Alabama and his knees forced him to quit running, he found that cycling was a good sport for exercise and has been riding ever since.
“When I started cycling, you didn’t see groups of 20 or 40 riders,” Feldman said. “It’s much, much larger now and it’s much more socially acceptable.”
He said that, within the community, there are different kinds of cyclists. There are those who ride competitively and race, those who ride long distances, those who commute and even those who carry their children on board with them.
“There are some pretty well-established routes that people have been riding for years,” Feldman said. “There is a route through what are called the neighborhoods, which goes through Mountain Brook and into Crestwood. Old Leeds Road is
Cycling Deaths Rise Among Adults, Study Says
The fatality rate of bicyclists aged 35 to 54 almost tripled between 1975 and 2012, according to the CDC.
In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report issued Aug.13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted a report that showed that, overall, bicycling-related deaths declined by 44 percent during the study period. The greatest decline in deaths was among cyclists aged 15 or younger.
Fatalities of adults ages 35-54, on the other hand, rose from a rate of 0.11 to 0.31 per 100,000 population.
Despite improvements made in bicycle safety and the use of helmets, overall, cyclists on U.S. roads still die at a rate double that of vehicle occupants, according to the study.
Though many cases of cycling fatalities can be found across the country, some cases hit closer to home.
William Robertson Jr. of Birmingham was fatally injured on Aug. 29 when he was struck by a vehicle on Highway 75 in Blount County while cycling with Demetrius White and his wife, Tracey. The couple also sustained injuries and were airlifted to UAB Hospital.
On Labor Day, community members joined in on a bike ride in remembrance of Robertson and in honor of the White family. ❖
a popular road because there aren’t any traffic lights or stop signs and it connects Homewood with Leeds.”
Feldman, who has incurred a few injuries during his years of cycling, said he and his peers are always on the lookout for danger while cycling. The causes for concern aren’t limited to motorists, but include dogs and even other cyclists.
“When I get done with a ride – number one, you feel good,” Feldman said. “There is also a little part of me that says, ‘Good I didn’t get run over.’”
Though Feldman racks up more than 5,000 miles on his bike in a year, he said he drives more
Rep. Palmer Talks About Iran, Budgets in VH Town Hall
By William C. singlEton iii
During a recent town hall meeting, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama, shared his outlook on various national issues, including his concerns about the Iran nuclear deal, his outlook on repealing the Affordable Care Act and his efforts to reduce government waste.
The freshman congressman has been holding town hall meetings throughout his Sixth
than 30,000 miles in his car and always considers himself a motorist before being a cyclist. Feldman said that, while nearly all cyclists do or did at some time identify as motorists, the reverse is not true.
“I think most cyclists will appreciate a motorist’s point of view, unfortunately I don’t think most motorists appreciate a cyclist’s point of view,” he said. “The only time they do appreciate it is if a loved one is out their cycling.”
Feldman said he has driven enough to know that cyclists can be aggravating. He recalled one instance from his time serving on the Homewood City Council when he drove home after a meeting, during which there had been a discussion about cycling. He encountered a group riding three-cyclists abreast; the law states that cyclists may ride only two abreast.
“The polite thing to do is get single file to make it easier for someone to go around you,” he said. “But they just kept on peddling at 15 miles an hour. I remember thinking, it’s that kind of behavior – which is just rude and inconsiderate –that drives motorists crazy.”
That being said, Feldman sees the same unkind behavior from motorists who pass cyclists on a narrow, double-yellow line or a blind curve and who “buzz” cyclists – passing as close to the cyclist as possible without causing injury.
“It’s like the motorists becomes judge, jury and executioner,” Feldman said.
He said that there is no comparison in the damage that is done when a 4,000-pound vehicle collides with a cyclist on a 20-pound bike, versus a bike hitting a car.
As for the unappreciated traffic cyclists cause for motorists, Feldman said that this is one of the prices we pay to live in a civilized society.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been caught in church traffic when I haven’t gone to church,” he said. “I’ve been caught in football traffic when I haven’t been to that game and it’s the price you pay for living in a civilized society. I don’t know why people are so unforgiving of a cyclist when they don’t whine and complain in other traffic.”
Much like Jackson, Feldman shares the opinion that bike lanes would not do much to ease the tension between motorists and cyclists.
“(Bike lanes are) more suited for people who are actually trying to commute than exercise,” he said. Cycling groups of 20 people would find it difficult to ride for miles in a single-file line.
Feldman said he believes that, as the cycling community grows, so, too, will motorists’ tolerance towards cyclists. “People will understand, there goes my daughter, brother or sister and they won’t be so hot headed on the road,” he said. ❖
Congressional District, which encompasses the southwestern portions of Jefferson County and all of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Coosa and Shelby counties.
The one held at the Vestavia Hills City Hall was his first in the city. About 30 people attended the Vestavia town hall meeting to hear an update on pending issues in Congress and Palmer’s strategy on long-term change on Capitol Hill.
Palmer expressed concerns about the Iran nuclear deal that would make available to Iran nearly $150 billion in frozen assets. The agreement, which is designed to discourage Iran from pursuing a nuclear bomb, would do the opposite, Palmer said.
“By giving them the whole $150 billion, it gives them the ability to circumvent anything we try to do later on down the road,” he said. “It will allow them to buy and sell arms.”
Palmer said he spoke with a foreign official who believes Iran accessing a nuclear bomb
would have a domino effect.
“He made it quite clear, if Iran gets a bomb, the Saudis will get one; Egypt will get one; I believe Turkey will get one; The United Arab Emirates will get one, and we’re going to have a nuclear arms race in the Middle East we cannot contain,” he said. Palmer said he will push for national town halls to explain the issue “so the American public knows where this is heading.”
Palmer said the appropriation process has gotten “derailed,” and he expects the House to pass a series of continuing resolutions to fund government at current levels until the end of the year.
The Republican congressman also said he plans to introduce legislation that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing any new regulations until at least five years after the last regulation had been put in place. Palmer expressed concern about overregulation that burdens the economy.
u VeStAViA hillS
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, above, speaking at a Vestavia Hills town hall meeting last week. The freshman congressman gave an update on pending issues in Congress and his strategy on long-term change on Capitol Hill.
From previous page
Palmer also said he and other likeminded congressmen would like to work on tax reform but he doesn’t know whether they will get to it by the end of the year. He said there’s a move to address regulatory reforms, but that too is a long-term issue. Palmer said 180 federal agencies have been identified as being duplications or having inherent inefficiencies.
“We’re not in there to slash and burn,” he said. “We’re in there to reduce the scope and size of government and the cost of government and starting this long process of getting our budget under control.”
An audience member who identified himself as a retired Army officer asked Palmer about his opinion on the use of medical marijuana and how to handle crowding of state prisons. Palmer said both are state issues, but he said he doesn’t support the use of medical marijuana, although he does support the use of cannabis oil.
He also said the think-tank he helped found, the Alabama Policy Institute, recommends policy to educate and prepare non-violent prisoners for the workforce and provide a path for early parole.
Responding to another question,
Palmer said failure of Republican leadership to act on meaningful legislation and counteract some of President Obama’s initiatives has been a “huge frustration.”
He said that frustration is leading many to support non-establishment candidates such as Donald Trump and Ben Carson, Republican presidential candidates.
“That’s why Trump and Carson and these others are drawing these big crowds,” he said.
Palmer also said he believes that, if a Republican is elected president, there would be enough impetus to address Obamacare, “but it’s not going to go away immediately. You can’t just stop cold turkey. You have to phase … that out. And there are going to be some parts that stay. ”
He said the bigger issue is dealing with Medicare and changing the way Americans look at healthcare.
Jim Thomas, 73, said he has attended town hall meetings held by other congressional officer holders. But he likes the format of Palmer’s town hall meeting.
“In some of them I’ve been to, they (the representatives) shield themselves from certain questions or they will give you a non-answer and move on,” he said. “With Mr. Palmer, he gives you the straight answer whether you’re for him or not. That’s what you’ve got to admire about him.” ❖
u
vestavia
Hills School System Pursues New Mascot Despite Suit
The Vestavia Hills school system is moving ahead with plans to select a new high school mascot despite a lawsuit challenging its decision to ditch the “Rebel Man.”
The city school board recently agreed to enter a contract with the Birminghambased Knight Eady Sports Group to help it choose a new mascot.
Meanwhile, Vestavia Hills resident Roger Harris has filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court to stop the school board from changing the mascot. The suit claims the board and Superintendent Sheila Phillips were not transparent with their plans to change the mascot, and in fact made the decision to remove the Rebel Man as the high school’s mascot before taking the official vote during a July board meeting.
The suit attempts to stop the school district from spending money on the rebranding effort. The suit was filed on Aug. 31, five days after the Vestavia Hills school board approved the contract with Knight Eady. The school system plans to pay the consulting firm $30,000 over 16 months for communication and branding services.
“The board and superintendent
wanted to ensure that we approached this process carefully and methodically, and Knight Eady agreed with that sentiment,” said Whit McGhee, spokesman for Vestavia Hills City Schools. “Knight Eady works with some of the biggest sports entities in the state, like the Alabama High School Athletic Association, the Birmingham Tip Off Club, and the Lutzie 43 Foundation. So, this is not a new process for them. Their expertise will help them to capture the true brand and culture of Vestavia Hills High School and the community.”
Changing the high school mascot has been a continuous issue in Vestavia Hills but recently came to a head after the June 17 fatal shooting of nine black people attending Wednesday night services at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. The gunman, Dylann Roof, who is white, had been pictured with the Confederate battle flag and confessed his intent was to kill black people.
Since the shooting, several Southern state governments have sought to remove symbols connected with the Confederacy that were perceived as being racially offensive. Alabama and South Carolina have removed the Confederate battle flag from state property as a way to promote unity and racial healing.
The “Rebel Man” mascot has also
been considered racially insensitive because of its depiction of a Confederate soldier and Southern plantation owner. After receiving a request to ditch the Confederate symbol, the Vestavia Hills school board held a public hearing in July to hear both from residents who supported keeping the name and mascot and those who believed it was a relic of the past and wanted it gone.
A week later, the school board called a special meeting at which Phillips recommended the mascot be changed but the “Rebel” name remain. She said the process to rebrand would occur over the 2015-2016 school year and would include community involvement.
According to its contract, Knight Eady will engage the community in the rebranding process through “focus groups, one-on-one interviews, quantitative survey research and additional student/faculty communication to fully understand the VHHS community, culture and Rebel brand.”
Knight Eady also will appoint a committee of “community influencers” and leverage them as ambassadors for the new VHHS brand.
Knight Eady also will develop a plan for merchandise, apparel and other items involving the new brand and craft communication messages for the board regarding the rebranding effort.
—William C. Singleton III
Keeping Up With Keith
Gallery 1930 Owner Plans Expansion, Second Studio
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Meredith Keith never intended to be an artist. In fact, she went to college to become a doctor. Although she describes herself as an “artsy-craftsy” child, her love for creating art is something she almost grew into on accident during her college years.
“I was apprenticing for a man who did interiors and we were painting the walls, floors and ceilings with murals and texturized painting,” Keith said. “One thing I loved about working with him is that we had to learn to communicate with customers. It wasn’t like painting was all about me, it was more of a ‘I’ve got to learn what you want and what’s going to please you.’” Keith said learning to communicate with people who didn’t necessarily know what they wanted became a big asset for her later on as she began working professionally as an artist.
age: 44
to experiment with new subject matter,” Keith said. “I do a lot of requests but I like to keep them noncommittal because it frees us both up. Sometimes, paintings just take a turn and you can’t really predict what’s going to happen and a commission can birth a series of varied paintings.”
residence: Mountain Brook
Occupation: Artist, Co-owner of Gallery 1930
hometown: Mountain Brook
education: University of Alabama, UAB
latest accomplishment: Opening and expanding her white-wall studio to include a wine bar
“My mindset is that I’m painting as a service,” she said. “Starting out with that mindset was helpful because it was a great way to back into painting as a career.”
It’s also a mindset that has helped her make a success with her Gallery 1930. Not only is she planning an expansion of that gallery, which will include a wine bar, she’s also in the process of opening a second studio in Pepper Place.
“She’s such a great bridge between the fine arts and wanting to please the customer,” said Keith’s gallery manager, Amanda Morisette. “It’s decorator art, but it’s still appreciated by critics and collectors.”
Keith has a difficult time describing her style, but she said that she works to keep up with what decorators in the area are doing.
“I like to paint on a large scale and I like
Keith, who’s worked as an artist professionally for about 15 years now, eased into owning a white-wall gallery by renting her current space from restaurantowner Al Raibee in English Village for showings one month at a time back in 2010 before finally sitting down with her mother, Kathryn Keith, and sister, Laura Vogtle to create Gallery 1930. Now, she and Raibee, who owns the popular English Village restaurant Vino, are working together to expand her gallery space and add a wine bar.
The new larger space will feature work from Keith and other artists whom she works with and is set to open in early October. It will also be available for events.
“I would love to have it to where people come from out of town and know that we have consistently great pieces and great taste,” Keith said. “I don’t want our gallery to be sleepy old school traditional. I want it be fashion forward.”
Keith said her style has definitely evolved since she began painting 15 years ago.
“I started off with very folky-type art with lots of polka dots,” Keith said. “I don’t know how I got from that to buildings and structures, but my process has certainly gotten more refined. Each painting has mistakes, but I have gotten better at predicting and correcting
Piqué-ng Interest
The Czernobil Sisters Sauté Into a New Saison
By emily Williams
Everything was beautiful at the ballet, in the words of lyricist Edward Kleban, and those words are still true in Birmingham as the Alabama Ballet looks forward to its 2015-2016 season.
After all, the demands of ballet are rigorous and constant, and that doesn’t change during the summer performance break, which sisters Alana and Ariana Czernobil know all too well. Neither of the sisters, who are in the unusual position of dancing in the same company and will appear together in a performance this fall, slowed down one bit over the summer.
Alana is a faculty member of both the Encore Performance Company and NS Dance Studio and spent her vacation teaching. Ariana spent the summer traveling and studying full-time at UAB, where she is working toward a degree in kinesiology.
The Czernobil sisters grew up in Chicago, honed their skills at a conservatory in North Carolina and each found their way to the state of Alabama to perform with the Alabama Ballet as company dancers.
The duo have shared many things in their dancing careers, including graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts, a boarding school that combines academics and intensive arts training and where a student’s day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m.
“Most people would probably say it’s similar to (the high school in) ‘Fame,’” Alana said. “It was a conservatory for the arts.”
Alana spent all four of her high school years at the conservatory while Ariana spent three.
The love of ballet came to Ariana a bit later than it did to Alana. “I started when I was three and I hated it,” Ariana said. “I hated it, but it kind of grew on me. I didn’t know I really wanted to dance until I was a freshman in high school.”
Even though she did not have a true love of dance, she, like Alana, began the intensive training necessary for success in the field when she was between her sixth- and seventh-grade school years.
“I would go to ballet class from 4:30 to 9 p.m. every night and then travel back home and have to do homework after that,” she said.
Alana’s love for the art of ballet began
age: 28
residence: Cahaba Heights
Occupation: Company dancer, Alabama Ballet
hometown: Lemont, Illinois
education: Bachelor’s in psychology from UAB
latest accomplishment: Beginning her 10th season with the Alabama Ballet and being cast alongside her sister in “Transfigured Night”
age: 22
residence: Birmingham
Occupation: Company dancer, Alabama Ballet
hometown: Lemont, Illinois
education: Studying kinesiology at UAB
latest accomplishment: Latest
Accomplishment: Being cast alongside her sister in “Transfigured Night”
Journal photo by Kaitlin Candelaria
Meredith Keith
Al AnA Czernobil
AriAnA Czernobil
Alana Czernobil
Ariana Czernobil Journal photo by Emily Williams
Meredith Keith
Making it in the Magic City
Hudson is Named Artistic Director of the Birmingham Children’s Theatre
By Kaitlin Candelaria
Roy Hudson is no stranger to the theater scene in Alabama.
He was named teacher of the year in Alabama in 2008 – the first time a fine arts teacher had ever claimed the title.
He founded the now well-known Shades Valley Theatre Academy at Shades Valley High School, where he taught for more than 15 years.
And now he’s added a new entry to his resume; in August, he was named the artistic director of Birmingham Children’s Theatre.
A Texas native, Hudson moved to Alabama after the birth of his first child to teach at UAB. Although his plans originally were to move to L.A. and try to make it big in the film industry, becoming a father altered his course of action.
However, the move to Birmingham proved to be a fruitful one. He worked at Town and Gown Theater before moving on to a larger production company. His production work includes a litany of big-time acronyms – the SEC, the PGA and even NASA.
“It was an exciting time,” he said. “But I also had small children at home and had to figure out the right mix.” It was then that Hudson accepted a teaching position at Shades Valley
High School, which he calls the best move he ever made.
“As much as I love doing everything – and I really love doing everything – I really like working with kids the best,” Hudson said. “There’s something that’s so special about that.
I was very blessed with wonderful kids and great support from other teachers and the administration.”
Hudson said he saw the figurative writing on the wall when the state began making cutbacks to fine arts in education and knew he had to do something to make his theater program viable.
“I started working with kids on the academic side of things,” he said. “I’d have a dozen kids graduate each year with between one and two million dollars in scholarship offers, which was huge. And we were able to send them to school – some in theater, but many in law and medicine and architecture. These kids became people who loved the arts but that are excelling at whatever career they chose to do because they worked with a comfortable, safe group of people who pushed them and made them feel
Education:
good about themselves. And every kid needs to feel good about themselves.”
Hudson hopes to apply that model at the Birmingham Children’s Theatre, as well.
“I love working with young people in the field because it’s an opportunity to find kids who may not fit in some place else,” he said. “They come here and they’re able to work and feel positive and confident about themselves.”
His first big project as the artistic director has been to implement a youth education program. The Young Actor’s Theater will allow children and young adults to work as performers at the theater.
“We’re going to start doing the first shows that feature just children,” Hudson said.
“We’re also now offering classes in the fall, meaning that classes are available year-round, which has never been the case before.”
Hudson said one of the biggest challenges will be figuring out ways to reach everybody.
“We live in a digital and mobile world now,” he said. “We’ve got to come up with ways to bring the arts
to children because it’s very critical.”
He also said he wants to make sure that Birmingham Children’s Theatre is focused on bringing relevant material to children.
“Gone are the days when we can
just do fairytales,” he said. “There are so many issues that children and young adults have to live with these days, so we’ve got to reach them with things that are important to them socially and educationally.”
Journal
photo by
Kaitlin Candelaria
Roy Hudson
From page 1
performers or also as educators,” Izcaray said.
Though he and all of his brothers can call themselves musicians, he said his parents’ approach was always laid back – not so laid back that Izcaray didn’t begin playing the violin at the age of four, though.
“That’s when I started to get the goosebumps in certain moments of music,” Izcaray recalled.
“My appreciation came quite early. My love for it as a passion and a career path came much, much later.”
While attending a boarding school in Madison, Wisconsin, Izcaray began playing in a youth symphony orchestra, which nurtured his desire to actively lead the orchestra, rather than just performing.
If he had any doubts about his choice, he said they were laid to rest during his time at the internationally acclaimed Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he participated in a summer-long program before attending the school for a year.
“The feelings are so fresh because I just went back now to conduct the World Youth Symphony Orchestra,” he said.
“Seeing those kids and their enthusiasm, it reminded me of exactly what I went through back then.”
age: 38
“Each concert itself is a timeless experience, especially when it’s done right,” he said. Though the audience’s reception of the performance is important, Izcaray said that the change from day one of rehearsal to the day of the performance is what makes for a great musical experience.
“Some of the concerts I’ve done here in Alabama have been some of the best – there were great expectations coming from everywhere,” he said. “The orchestra was curious. I’m curious about them. They’re curious about me. There are question marks everywhere and the answer to all of those question marks is in the concert.”
ExpEctations for thE sEason
As for this season, Izcaray has created an arc that tells its own story, and the opening performances on Sept. 18 and 19 will set the tone for the year.
residence: Homewood
occupation: Music director of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra
hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Education: Holds degrees from the New World School of the Arts and Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University; distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen
Latest accomplishment: After 20 years, returned to Interlochen Center for the Arts in July and conducted the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
Izcaray has called four countries home –most recently Germany – and has performed around the world.
“It’s like getting that first dance,” he said. “She said yes. There’s this great excitement and you really don’t want to step on that dress.”
Izcaray said audiences can expect the traditional sound of the symphony this season, with a few personal touches from his own repertoire.
“With this season we have struck a good balance between, for example, presenting some of the most well-known master works – such as Beethoven’s Ninth and Fifth,” he said. “Yet we’re also bringing some other works that perhaps don’t get performed as much.”
Audiences will be treated to world premieres as well as staples such as the Classical EDGE series and the Red Diamond SuperPOPS! conducted by resident conductor Christopher Confessore. Guest artists will range from wellseasoned soloists such as Arnaldo Cohen to younger artists and composers.
“I’m challenging myself and really stretching,” Izcaray said. “As if it wasn’t enough conducting a full season, I’m playing as a cellist in one of the works. I think that piece is going to be really well received. It’s a piece for cellists,
orchestra and a movie. It’s a cinematic experience.”
With the first performance as the season’s pacemaker, Izcaray will begin with a bit of the unknown.
“I expect a lot of people will come that know the orchestra, but I like to think there are a few who have never seen this orchestra,” he said. “Usually those are the ones that have the freshest ears to new music.”
The concert will begin with “Tambor” by Joan Tower, a Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy-winning composer who is American but, like Izcaray, grew up in South America.
“This transcultural thing is something that I wanted to keep in mind for the first concert,” Izcaray said.
Second will be a piece by Erich Korngold, a man from the “old world” who became known as father of the Hollywood sound. The sound then shifts with a piece by John Corigliano called “Mannheim Rocket.” It is contemporary and full of humor while highlighting the craftsmanship of its orchestrator.
“Then, at the very end, Strauss with the ‘Der Rosenkavalier Suite,’” Izcaray said. “It is just one of the most amazing orchestral experiences there is and I wanted to finish with a bang.”
It is a love story and acts as the champagne toast to the end of the evening’s music.
As with the first concert, audiences can expect light and entertaining music as well as thoughtprovoking and profound performances from Izcaray this season.
It is Izcaray’s journey into the human spirit and it begins Sept. 18-19 at 8 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
“We’ve already agreed now to embark on a journey together – the orchestra, the community and myself – so the overall feeling is excitement.”
For more information on ASO’s season, visit www.alabamasymphony.org or call 975-2787. ❖
RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
Carlos IzCaray
Izcaray said audiences can expect the traditional sound of the symphony this season, with a few personal touches from his own repertoire.
From page 14
the mistakes. My process is more streamlined, but I still love to experiment.”
Keith is known for her paintings of Birmingham skylines, but she keeps her subject matter varied.
“One of her biggest assets is how versatile her work is,” Morisette said. “She can paint a horse or an abstract or a cityscape.”
Keith, who is a Mountain Brook native, said that, although the Birmingham art community has room to grow, she’s found a place here because of Southern tradition.
“I think people love to entertain in their houses and that’s a Southern thing,” she said. “People put a lot of money, time and energy into their homes, so I think they appreciate art that can really enhance that and make it somewhere you want to be.
That’s what makes art collectors here different from art collectors somewhere like New York. The majority of people that I’ve observed here are people who just want a cool atmosphere in their home.”
For more information on Keith or Gallery 1930, please visit www. meredithkeith.com. ❖
czernobil,
From page 14
when she turned three years old and received her first pair of slippers, but her true passion came a bit later.
“When I was nine, the Joffrey Ballet moved to Chicago and I was (in) their first children’s cast of ‘The Nutcracker,’” Alana said, and that is when she fully committed to the idea of becoming a ballerina.
Though they found their passion for dance at different times, their current love for the job is ever increasing.
Beyond the physical demands, Ariana said that being part of a company and playing roles allows a dancer to challenge themselves mentally as they develop their characters.
“It’s something that, even at 28, you find things you can improve upon,” Alana said. “You never feel like you’re stagnant in any way, you’re just always developing.”
Though Alana and Ariana have a built-in support system as sisters, they said the entire company feels like a family of like-minded individuals.
“With ballet and the arts in general, you benefit from a sense of community,” Alana said. “So, right away, if you’re a new member in the company, people are very accepting and they understand.”
Understanding is a key factor for the ballet community, considering the physical demands that a ballet dancer faces – or what Ariana describes as the “perfection aspect” that many dancers are always trying to achieve.
“You strive for it, but you’re never going to get it,” she said. “Nobody is perfect. You’re never going to have that one perfect performance.”
The sisters’ perfect roles would be ones they could perform together
– as the first and second violins in Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco.”
For now, that goal will have to wait. But as the Alabama Ballet company kicks off its new 2015-16 season, the sisters are looking forward to a performance at the end of October in which they have been cast in two of the leading roles of Frank Staff’s “Transfigured Night.” The one-act ballet will debut as a part of the American Horror Stories performance on Oct. 29, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
“Doing the ‘Transfigured Night’ is something that will be a nice accomplishment together,” Alana said. “It’s about sisters and it’s very rare that two sisters are in the same company together.”
This won’t be the first time the duo has performed alongside each other. In the ballet’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker,” Alana and Ariana have shared roles opposite each other as demi-soloists in the “Waltz of the Flowers.”
As for the upcoming season, the sisters are looking forward to performances that they hope will excite audiences and also looking forward to days filled with rehearsals. ❖
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
Big Fish on the Menu
Familiar Favorites Highlight Arts Offerings
“Clark Gable Slept Here” Sept. 10-Oct. 3
Terrific New Theatre
Terrific New Theatre will hold it’s second show of the season with “Clark Gable Slept Here,” a dark comedy. For more information, visit www.terrificnewtheatre. com or call 328-0868.
Music Under the Stars
Sept. 11, 6 p.m.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
At 6 p.m., St. Mark’s will host an outdoor jazz concert featuring Shaun Pezant, Gary Wheat, Cleve Eaton and the Alabama All-Stars Band. For more information, visit www.stmarks.dioala.org or call 322-8449.
ArtWalk 2015 Sept. 11-12
Downtown Loft District
The Birmingham Art Association will present ArtWalk 2015 in the downtown loft district from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 11 and from noon-6 p.m. Sept. 12. The event is free. For more information, visit www. birminghamartwalk.org. or call 240-0428.
Collaborative Concert Series
Sept. 13, 4 p.m.
Samford University
The Birmingham Boys Choir’s third annual concert series will feature the Jasmine Dance Ensemble at 4 p.m. in Brock Hall. The concert is sponsored by the Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation. For more information, visit www. bimringhamboyschoir.com or call 7679219.
The Stolen Faces
Sept. 16, 6-8 p.m.
Moonlight on the Mountain
Experience the Nashville band, The Stolen Faces at Moonlight on the Mountain in Hoover from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 16. The show will feature covers of songs by the Grateful Dead. For more information, visit www.moonlightonthemtn.com or call 2438851.
Stephen McCullough Band
Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Hoover Library
The Stephen McCullough Band will play their unique blend of southern funk, blues and soul at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Plaza. This event is free. For more information, visit www.hooverlibrary.com or call 4447821.
“It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues” Sept. 17-Oct. 4
Virginia Samford Theatre
The Virginia Samford Theatre presents the Tony-nominated musical “It Ain’t Nothin But the Blues” directed by Carl Dean. Visit www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org or call 251-1228 for more information
Raisin’ Cane
Sept. 18, 7-10 p.m.
Wright Fine Arts Center
The Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University will present Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Trio in “Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey.” Tickets can be purchased at www.samford. edu/wrightcenter. For more information, call 726-2853.
Blind Boys of Alabama Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Hoover Library
Five-time Grammy award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement award winners the Blind Boys of Alabama will perform in the Library Theatre. For more information, visit www. hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821.
“Big Fish” Sept. 11-Oct. 4
Red Mountain Theatre Company
The Red Mountain Theatre Company will perform Daniel Wallace’s “Big Fish” in the Cabaret Theatre. On opening night, Wallace, above, will be present for a special talkback session following the performance. For more information, visit www. redmountaintheatre.org or call 324-2424.
Vulcan Aftertunes
Sept. 20, 3-6 p.m.
Vulcan Park and Museum
As a part of Vulcan AfterTunes Sunday afternoon concert series, Longhorne Slim and The Law will perform. Gates will open at 1 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. For more information, visit www. visitvulcan.com.
The Indigo Girls
Sept. 23, 7 p.m.
Alys Stephens Center
Folk duet the Indigo Girls will perform at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center’s Jemison Concert Hall at 7 p.m.
The concert will include old favorites like “Closer to Fine” and “Galileo,” as well as new music. For more information, visit www.alysstephens.org or call 975-2787.
Art Play Parlor Series
Sept. 25, 7 p.m.
ArtPlay Pianist Gleb Ivaniov will perform in conjunction with the Patty McDonald
Guest Recital
Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
UAB Hospital
The UAB College of Arts and Sciences music department will host soprano Deborah Popham, above, for a guest artist recital. This recital is free and will take place in UAB’s Hulsey Recital hall. For more information, visit www.uab.edu/ cas/music.
Art Play Parlor Series at 7 p.m. Sept. 25. Tickets are $37.50 and include hors d’oeuvres and beverages. For more information, call 975-4769.
Mid-Day Music
Sept. 25, 12:30 p.m.
Cathedral Church of the Advent
The Cathedral Church of the Advent will kick off its 2015-2016 Mid-Day Music series with Tenor Roderick George and pianist Cynthia MacCrae, will perform a free, 30-minute concert at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. adventbirmingham.org or call 226-3505.
Alabama Ballet at Home
Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4
Alabama Ballet Center for Dance
The Alabama Ballet’s 2015-2016 season will open with the Alabama Ballet at Home performance. Tickets are $20 and include complimentary drinks. For more information, visit www.alabamaballet.org or call 322-4300.
Jigsaw Jamboree
JOX Shines at the Autism Society’s Annual Gala
The Autism Society of Alabama hosted the eighth annual Autism Shines Gala Aug. 22 at the Marriott on 280.
The gala was attended by more than 300 guests, celebrating the children and adults on the autism spectrum. JOX Roundtable personalities Lance Taylor, Jim Dunaway and Ryan Brown emceed the event, called the auction and brought laughter to the crowd with their dry wit and humor.
The live auction was filled with hot-ticket items, including a Disney package, a Viva Las Vegas package and trips to both the Scottsdale Golf Resort and coastal Cancun. One winning bidder is going to an Alabama football game in style, including hotel accommodations and box seats between the 5 and the 0, and another is getting lunch for a year from Ted’s Restaurant.
New to the event was the Moore Nissan 50/50 Corn-Hole Toss raffle, with one lucky winner taking home $400. Events of the evening also included a seated dinner, complimentary wine donated by United Johnson Brothers and craft beer donated by Good People, live music by a Box of Souls and great deals at the silent and live auctions.
Backstage Florist and Design staged the event with large, multicolored puzzle-piece arrangements for the tables accented with brightly-colored table toppers and chair sashes.
Three individuals were honored with the President’s Award by ASA President Jonathan Nelson: Matt Maini of Gadsden, who served six years on the board of directors; David Lamb, a Camp FROG attendee and ASA volunteer; and Susan Spann, a volunteer network support group leader for the organization.
Nelson announced the organization’s signature programs for the year, which include Autism Friendly Alabama, the Respite Program and the Alabama Public Library Resource Collection Initiative.
Members of the fundraising committee who oversaw the event included Chairman Jenny Morris, fundraising manager Lauren Reid, President Jonathan Nelson, Rod Harbin, Nancy
“The increase of supporters at this event indicates just how much the community is embracing autism,” said Executive Director Melanie Jones.
“The event was successful and the proceeds will support our many wonderful programs which the society has provided statewide for over 20 years.”
Barnes, Christy Boyles, Ben Carlisle, Fran Heisner, Matt Moore and Donna Broome.
From left: Paul and Jacqueline DeMarco and Erin and Pete Donohoo.
Photo special to the Journal
Daniela Barber, Chrissy Schubert and Christy Boyles.
Above: Jeff Hager, Rachel and Tony Fargaso and Bama Hager. below: Jim Dunaway, Ryan Brown and Lance Taylor.
A Milestone for Maturity
Birmingham’s Top 50 Over 50 Grace the Cahaba Grand
Community members gathered at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center to celebrate Positive Maturity’s second annual Top 50 Over 50 awards gala July 30.
To kick off the evening, award winners, their guests, Positive Maturity staff members and board members mingled as they enjoyed complimentary beer and wine. As the networking event came to a close, guests were ushered into the banquet hall to take their seats as the presenters and special guests took theirs on the stage.
Executive Director Penny Kakoliris and Brett Shaffer, a member of the board of directors, welcomed guests to the event. Guest emcees for the event were Mike Royer, formerly of NBC’s News Channel 13, and Tina Savas, event chair and vice president of the board of directors. The co-presenters provided light-hearted banter as they officiated the evening’s presentations.
After a brief welcome, Ken Jackson was introduced to auction two quilts that were made by volunteers at Shepherd Center East, Positive Maturity’s senior center. Jackson also was a 2014 Top 50 Over 50 award recipient.
After the auction, the honorees were announced and came forward to receive their awards and have their
photographs taken with Kakoliris. Bart Starr was awarded the William M. Miller award as a Top 50 Over 50 recipient. His son, Bart Starr Jr., received the award on his father’s behalf and gave a wonderful acceptance speech in his father’s honor. The William M. Miller award is bestowed in honor of the late William M. Miller, who is one of the founding members of Positive Maturity Inc. There were more than 360 guests
in attendance, and 47 of the 50 award recipients were in attendance. Award winners included Judy Abroms, the Rev. Sally Allocca, Flora Blackledge, Harry Brown, Jeremiah Castille, John Croyle, Tommie Cummings, Chris Curry, J. Mason Davis Jr., Charles Dean, Theodore Debro Jr., Robert Dobson, Tim Donahue, Dr. Andrew Duxbury, Dr. Gary Edwards, Bill Fleming, Ann Florie, Donna Francavilla, Dr. George French, Joanie Gable,
Stephen Hannum, Ben Herren, Edward Hardin, Bill Hawkins, Everett Holle, David Hornsby, Judge O.L. Johnson, Doug Jones, Jennifer Kilburn, Gen. Charles Krulak, Tim Lewis, Bill Logan, Kathy G. Mezrano, Nell Miller, Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Bonnie Montey, Neal Morrison, Joe Perez, Dudley Reynolds, Dr. Lester Seigel, Clayton Sherrod, Mike Slive, James Spann, Bart Starr, Shirley Witt Taylor, Teresa Thorne, Dr. Gaye
Vance, Linda Verin,
Bart Starr Jr. and Tina Savas.
Thursday, September 17th — Saturday 19th
See Samples of Sympli's New Fall Collection Including Styles & Fabrics that will be Available Through the Trunk Show Only!
Mix and Mask
Museum Closes Its 11th Season of Art on the Rocks
Art on the Rocks, presented by Dale’s Seasoning, packed the Birmingham Museum of Art last month for its final event of the summer. The 2015 Art on the Rocks season marked the 11th year of the summer series. More than 2,000 guests were treated to art, music, food and activities in and around the museum’s galleries.
Among the highlights of the third installment was an edible art installation – a wall of doughnuts – which comprised more than 300 fresh-baked artisan pastries from We Have Doughnuts. BIG Communications presented an animated photo booth where guests could document their evening with a live-action photo series. Southern Living and the Pepper Place Pop-Up Shop collaborated on an accessories buffet, complete with a custom perfume bar and an array of stylish fall fashion must-haves.
In the galleries, things got moving with performances by dancers from DANCEe and AROVA Contemporary Ballet. Opera Birmingham took inspiration from European paintings for moving arias by soprano Jennifer Bryant. Seasick Records provided the music indoors, spinning records for the crowd until the end of the night. Live music kicked off at 9 p.m. in the outdoor plaza, where the instrumental band In Snow opened for the headliner Clear Plastic Masks.
In the VIP section, the junior patrons enjoyed specialty cocktails mixed by Birmingham bartender Eric Bennett and local brews from Cahaba Brewing. Food truck representation was strong at the event with Spoon Fed Grill, Cantina on Wheels, Taste of Nature, World of Wings, Jim ‘N Nick’s and ONO Ice coming out to offer a variety of options. Yellowhammer Creative provided Art on the Rocks 2015 souvenirs in the forms of T-shirts and totes featuring art inspired by BMA’s collection, and artists in the Asian galleries made a lasting impression on guests with intricate Henna tattoos.
The party continued once the museum doors closed at After Rocks, where Art on the Rocks downtown partners Carrigan’s, The Collins Bar and Paramount served up drink specials just for guests of the event. ❖
From left: Mike Stasny, Brittany Wilson, Kristin Olson, Emily Wesson and Erin Vaiskauckas.
Photos special to the Journal
Christen Leach and Carrie Montgomery.
Ginnard Archibald, Logan Shoaf and Leyna Lee.