11.17.16

Otmj over the mountain journal u otmj.com

social

spor ts

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Journal photo by Emily Williams

Gather Round the Table

Thank s for givin g: Vestavia Hills resident Hill Carmichael is executive director for Urban Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that focuses much of its ministry in west Birmingham.

Urban Ministries Welcomes Community to Break Bread in West End

By Emily Williams Lunch is served and everyone is invited to the Urban

Ministries’ WE Community Cafe in Birmingham’s West End community.

On any given Wednesday, patrons from all walks of life go to the cafe and share the same healthy and hearty meal. That blending of communities is as much the point of the cafe as is raising money, said Hill Carmichael, executive director for

Urban Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that focuses much of its ministry in west Birmingham.

Carmichael, a Vestavia Hills resident, often brings his 5and 2-year-old sons to the cafe to expose them to the world outside of their hometown.

“It’s good for them to develop relationships here,” he said.

“I think it’s something that anyone can benefit from. It shows you that there is a whole other world outside of that area over the mountain that exists. I invite people to come here and get

out of their comfort zone. When you come here to eat, sit down with someone that looks completely different than you and have a real relationship.”

Carmichael recalls having such an experience with one of his junior staff members during a conversation about fairness.

The boy opened up to Carmichael about the first time he felt his life was unfair. He got an Xbox video game system for his birthday and spent his school day telling all of his classmates

See Table , page 18

Hands On: Community Service Organization Hosts Family Volunteer Day PAGE 19 /// Turkey Twist: Local Chefs Share Their Tips For a Successful Thanksgiving PAGE 16 inside

Dan ces with Dogs New book celebrates local dancers and dogs.

People page 10 Shinin g ou t of Dar kness Story painter offers hope and happiness through art.

About Town Page 4

Toy Talk s OTM stores preview the season’s best bets.

Holiday gift guide page 28

2 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Sending Christmas Around the Globe

Samaritan’s Purse Is Collecting Shoebox Gifts Through Nov. 21

Samaritan’s Purse

Birmingham-area residents who want to provide gifts to children in poorer countries may take part in the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child.

Through the project, donors pack shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys such as dolls or soccer balls, according to a statement from Samaritan’s Purse.

For an optional $7 donation, Samaritan’s Purse will provide donors with a tracking label and notify them to which country the box was delivered. The shoeboxes can be dropped off at several locations in the area by Nov. 21.

Samaritan’s Purse is hoping residents of the Birmingham area will contribute more than 56,000 shoebox gifts this year, and the global goal is to reach 12 million children.

“The shoebox gifts donated by Birmingham-area volunteers … will shine a light of hope to children living in poverty overseas,” said Birmingham-area volunteer Stephanie Gates, who has participated in Franklin Graham in Ecuador Operation Christmas Child for 14 years.

“Anyone is welcome to pack a shoebox and help a child facing difficult circumstances to feel loved and not forgotten.”

Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham.

For more information on what to include in the boxes and how to pack them, call 908-2067 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Boxes also can be purchased and packed online for $25.

Over the Mountain locations where shoeboxes can be dropped off are: Homewood, Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church, 309 Raleigh Avenue; Hoover, Green Valley Baptist Church, 1815 Patton Chapel Road; and Mountain Brook, Mountain Brook Community Church, 3001 U.S. 280 E. ❖

in this issue About Town 4 people 10 news 12 life 16 social 20

gift guide 28 Business 42 schools 44 sports 48

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.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

J O U R N A L November 17, 2016 Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writers: Sarah Kuper, 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, Jordan Wald, Lynn Grisard Fullman Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Vol. 27, No. 7

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2016 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Journal is not responsible for return of photos, copy and other unsolicited materials submitted. To have materials returned, please specify when submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification.

Opinion/Contents

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

murphy’s law

Thank You ... Much Later

S

damage inflicted on the family heirupermarket magazine displays loom tablecloth the day your nephew create a gauntlet of anxiety. I’m flung strained peas from his high chair. not talking about dodging the Then there is the puzzle of where gory details of the Branjelina breakto position all that made-ahead food up. I mean negotiating the dueling in your refrigerator. Chopped celery covers of Harmonious Household and takes up less space than celery still in Perfect Life Monthly that showcase stalk. Diced onions can be bagged and the picture-perfect Thanksgiving. You shoved in the crisper if you double know what I’m talking about. The up on the baking soda deodorizers. table is set with quaintly mismatched The thawed turkey will emerge and china and stunning place cards fashgive its space to the 13-by-9 pan of ioned from free-range pinecones. You candied yams. The ambrosia salad will can almost hear the heartwarming remain in Tupperware until show time hush as the stylish guests set aside because the butter dish and cranberry their goat cheese appetizers to await sauce are balancing on the lid. Sadly, the blessing that will be offered by Sue Murphy if Cousin Clara surprises you with a James Earl Jones. gallon of her homemade ice cream, It’s all wonderful, of course, it will have to be eaten on the spot. but just once, I’d like a magazine stove has only four burners to show the scene backstage in the You’ll spend two weeks and,Your no matter how you look at it, kitchen where, at that very same locating a wine glass to this will be a five-burner affair. The moment, the person in charge of preparing the feast is sweating in replace the one broken mashed potatoes (the most forgivof your vegetables) will have her cranberry-stained oven mitts, last Thanksgiving when ing to vacate early and wait on a trivet. holding her breath as she preit collided mid-air during The turkey has a three-hour reservapares to raise the curtain on her umpteenth holiday production. If an unauthorized gravy tion in the oven at 350, but it must share space with the yams for the there is a hush in the air, it is only transfer. last 45 minutes. At that point, you because said cook is using her will wave the oven door wildly until inhaler. it cools down to 325 for the brown For every picture-perfect and serve rolls. moment at the table, there are a The last 15 minutes will be a frenzy of mashing and hundred moments of strained preparation. It wouldn’t slurrying and gathering up sufficient serving spoons. be Thanksgiving without Aunt Mae’s pecan pie and Finally, you and the feast will come to the table (perGrandma’s chestnut stuffing, and woe be unto the haps not simultaneously), and there will be a great person who cannot reproduce these wonders and the clanking of silverware and raucous laughter and more expected accompanying holiday happiness to the satisthan one, “That’s OK. It will come out in the wash,” faction of those assembled. even if it won’t.

This is not easy. You’ll make lists on top of lists, The hush won’t come until later, when you’re back schedules on top of schedules. You’ll spend two weeks in the kitchen, dishes done, the refrigerator filled with locating a wine glass to replace the one broken last leftovers. Then, and only then, will you close your Thanksgiving when it collided mid-air during an unaueyes, listening to your guests who have carried their thorized gravy transfer. After a week of pre-treating laughter into the living room, and realize how truly and post-treating, you’ll simply give up and add extrablessed you are. ❖ long greenery to the centerpiece to camouflage the

over the Mountain Views We asked students packing meals at Vestavia Hills UMC on Veterans Day:

What are you thankful for this year?

“I’m thankful for my community, because we get to go out and do things like this.”

Allison Lipford Vestavia Hills

“I’m thankful for this church and the opportunity to come here with my friends and have a good time.”

Hudson Agger Vestavia Hills

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to help others, because we have been blessed with so much.”

Laura Hatten Rell Vestavia Hills

“I’m thankful for the people in my life and for what God has given me.”

Glen Porter Vestavia Hills

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Colorful, fun and very comfy.

Assorted designs and colors, $48, pair.

Christine’s on Canterbury, 871-8297.

About Town

LoveBright Collection Diamond Dangle Earrings in Pear, Round, Oval, Princess, and Marquis Shapes. 0.75 - 3.00 carats of diamonds. Starting at $1,500.

Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers, 982-4888.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 3

For him, leather luggage tags, card cases and cardholder/money clips. Perfect stocking stuffers, $18 - $29.

Antiquities, 870-1030.

the shops of

Sea Salt caramel shortbread cookie straws, $22. One word... DELICIOUS!!

Perfect gift for everyone on your list!

Marguerite’s Conceits, 870-2730.

Canterbury

Road

Hospitality and unique gifts found in the local shops of Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook Village.

Malala Tassel Candle. Not only a fabulous scented candle, but an object of decoration. $125.

Patina, 802-9805.

The Travel Essentials Set: Gold Lust shampoo, Gold Lust conditioner, Dry Texture spray, Balmessence Lip Treatment and Cote d’ Azur fragrance. The Dry Texture Holiday Set includes both sizes of Oribe’s #1 selling Dry Texture. Salon 2412, 414-7854.

Cuff bracelets made in Alabama.

Custom engraving, velvet travel bag, complimentary gift wrap and shipping. Blessing Cuff, $58, Gothic Cuff, $69 (engraving included).

Ex Voto Vintage Jewelry, 538-7301.

Australian Designer Vash Uys shoulder/clutch handbag, $154.

The Village Poodle, 423-5443.

Soft Knit Cardigan with Scallop Edge.

Available in light pink, light blue, white and Ivory, Sizes 3m - 18m.

Christine’s Across the Street, 871-6611.

MPower Pilates + Cycle Studio, 518-5676.

4 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

About Town

Shining out of Darkness

By June Mathews

Story Painter Offers Hope and Happiness Through Art

Comes In” so they could maintain control over the project. To pay for producing the book, they sold the originals of the paintings created for it at a publishing party.

“It’s been a real adventure,” said Grimes, admitting to some initial unease about publishing a book of her paintings. “But if you feel like you have to succeed with everything you try, you’d be afraid to try anything.

And it’s always worth trying to do something beautiful.”

Grimes will have copies of “And

‘What I want my paintings to be are an encouragement – to everybody, really – but especially to anyone going through difficult times. My paintings are hopeful paintings.’

Amy Grimes

Photos special to the Journal

As a youngster, Amy Grimes would look at picture books for hours, soaking in the artistry of the illustrations and dreaming of the day when she, too, might share stories through art.

Now that she’s a grownup and her dreams have become reality, she uses those very same books as sources of inspiration.

“I still have them,” she said, “and I keep them open to my favorite pictures.”

An artist who creates “story paintings,” Grimes often writes stories and uses them as springboards for creating free-spirited, whimsical paintings that appeal to the light-hearted side of young and old alike. Her goal is not just to tell a story, but to use her art to set her observers on a path to creating their own stories, if only in their imaginations.

An encourager by nature, Grimes also hopes to produce art with the potential to be a shining light for anyone experiencing dark times. In fact, “light shining out of darkness” is a favorite and most recurring theme in her work.

“What I want my paintings to be are an encouragement – to everybody, really – but especially to anyone going through difficult times. My paintings are hopeful paintings,” she said. “I believe that artwork reflecting goodness and truth can bring light into people’s lives.”

With the conviction of that belief as motivation, Grimes created an enchanting picture book called “And the Light Comes In,” published last year. Rich in color and filled with charming illustrations of its theme, the book not only serves to encourage and inspire, but to put smiles on faces and happiness in hearts.

Each illustration is accompanied by a brief story and related questions designed to awaken curiosity and

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Ar t inspir ation: Amy Grimes will have copies of “And the Light Comes In,” as well as some of her prints, notecards and small originals available at the Mountain Brook Association’s Holiday Art Show at Brookwood Village, Dec. 2-17.

spark the imagination. While some people buy the book for the artwork, others want it for the stories, Grimes said, and its appeal isn’t limited by

age.

“I wanted to do a book because a lot of people can’t afford to buy a big painting,” she said. “This makes the

paintings available to everybody.”

Grimes and husband Russ, a graphic designer, chose the selfpublishing route for “And the Light

the Light Comes In,” as well as some of her prints, notecards and small originals available at the Mountain Brook Association’s Holiday Art Show at Brookwood Village, Dec. 2-17. A big reason she enjoys being a part of this event is the element of encouragement she finds among its participants.

“The older artists in the show are very encouraging to the younger artists,” she said.

For early shoppers, Grime’s books and paintings are available online at www.storypaintings.net/store.

“Voyage to the Star Kingdom,” a book on which Grimes collaborated with her cousin, writer Anne Riley, is available on amazon.com.

Grimes is working on two other books. ❖

Nov. 17 - Dec. 1 Dailey and Vincent

Warehouse from 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and include food, wine and beer, music and a large gift basket drawing and live auction. All event proceeds go to The Firehouse Shelter. For more information, visit firehouseshelter.com.

HOMEWOOD

Nov. 17-18

Star Spangled Salute Homewood Public Library The library will host a free patriotic celebration at 6:30 p.m. Festivities will include swing dancing, musical

performances, meet and greets with a real-life Rosie the Riveter and Homewood High School’s Star Spangled Girls. For more information visit, homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Homewood

Finish the Fight The Club The Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation uses the annual Iron Bowl match up to raise money at this casino-themed fundraiser.

There will be celebrity dealers, a silent

and live auction plus fireworks, weather permitting. For more information, visit reedgifoundation.com.

information, visit samford.edu.

HOMEWOOD

BIRMINGHAM

Leon Fleisher and Katherine Jacobson Brock Recital Hall Samford’s Davis Architects series continues with a 7:30 p.m. performance

by Leon Fleisher, accompanied by his wife Katherine Jacobson, an acclaimed pianist. Tickets are $30 with student discounts available. For more

HOOVER

Dailey and Vincent Hoover Library Theater The Grammy Award-winning duo will perform bluegrass, traditional country and gospel music at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit hooverlibrary.org.

Thurs., Nov. 17 BIRMINGHAM

The Blue Jean & Baskets Bash B&A Warehouse The Firehouse Shelter will celebrate their 33rd anniversary at B&A

Mountain Brook

40th Annual Sam Lapidus Montclair Run LJCC Start Thanksgiving Day by getting exercise and helping to raise funds and awareness for a great cause. This community event celebrates the life of Sam Lapidus who lost his battle with cancer in November 2008, just a few days before his fifteenth birthday.

Proceeds benefit the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama and the LJCC Fitness Program. 10k and 5k start at 8:30 a.m. followed by a one mile fun run at 10 a.m. For more information, visit samlapidus.org. ❖

Nov. 17-Dec.16 A Christmas Carol Birmingham Children’s Theatre The theatre will perform a familyfriendly version of the classic Charles Dickens Christmas tale on the main stage. Public performances are Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sat. Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. General admission begins at $20 and child tickets are $15. For more information, visit bct123.org.

Fri., Nov. 18 VESTAVIA HILLS

Magical Marketplace Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church This free holiday bazaar from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. features over 60 vendors showcasing art, jewelry, baked goods, stationery, clothing, baby gifts, holiday goodies, and more. Boxed lunches are available for $7. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Mitchell’s Place Scholarship Fund. For more

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 5

About Town

Fireballs the modern alternative

Tues., Nov. 29 VESTAVIA HILLS

Holiday in the Hills Vestavia City Hall The annual tree lighting festival will begin at 6 p.m.

Guests are invited to gather at City Hall, where Santa will arrive on a firetruck. Enjoy entertainment, merchant giveaways and the lighting of the tree. For more information, visit vestaviahills.org. ❖

information, visit Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church’s Magical Marketplace Facebook page.

D EN Y D OUB T.

HOMEWOOD/Mountain Brook

Singing Santa’s Arrival Celebration Brookwood Village The village will celebrate the return of Birmingham’s Singing Santa with a musical celebration and photo ops beginning at 6:30 p.m. Singing Santa’s arrival will include an array of holiday performances, including the Dawson Family of Faith church handbell choir.

BIRMINGHAM

Lights Up The Summit Shopping Center The Summit Shopping Center will hold its annual holiday parade and fireworks display at 6 p.m. with the arrival of Santa on a firetruck and the lighting of the entire center.

Sat., Nov. 19 NORTH SHELBY

Hilltop on the Green Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club This annual gala will begin at 6 p.m. and celebrate the school’s 20th anniversary. The event will include a seated dinner, cocktails and a silent auction. Jack Granger of Granger, Thagard and Associates will serve as auctioneer for a live auction. Proceeds will benefit the school. For more information, visit hilltopmontessori.com or call 437-9343.

To: From: Date:

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if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Nov. 19- Dec 31 BIRMINGHAM

Winter Wonderland McWane Science Center The Magic of Model Trains and Winter Wonderland will begin on Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. and end Dec. 31 at 5 p.m.. Coast down the Ice Slide and take a whirl across the room on the extended zip line. Climb aboard the McWane Train and go for a ride before checking out the Magic of Model Trains exhibit. For more information, visit mcwane.org.

Sun, Nov. 20 BIRMINGHAM

2016 Magic City Half Marathon & 5K Regions Field This USATF certified course kicks off at 8 a.m. and features music, craft beer, entertainment and a $3,000 cash prize purse for the top five male and female finishers. Pricing is $100 for walk up registration. For more information, visit magiccityrun.com.

Go to AndrewsSportsMedicine.com to start making your comeback.

6 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

About Town

Photos special to the Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Store owners and shop keepers in English Village are beginning the holiday season with special deals refreshments, live music, trunk shows and classic cars from the Barber Motor Sports Classic. For more information, visit welcometomountainbrook.com. ❖

Wed., nov. 30 MOUNTAIN BROOK

English Village Classic Holiday Open House English Village, 5-8 p.m.

Nov. 21-22 Mountain Brook

Artist Reception Grand Bohemian Gallery The gallery will host an open reception for artist Jean Claude Roy Nov. 21 from 5-7 p.m. A champagne reception and dinner will be held the following evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 plus tax. To make a reservation, email katherine.miller@ kesslercollection.com.

Nov. 21, 28 and Dec. 6 Homewood/Mountain Brook

Claus and Paws Brookwood Village Furry family friends may be photographed with Santa during special pet photo nights at Brookwood Village from 6-8pm. This invitation is for cats and dogs only. Pets should be leashed or in a carrier for the safety of all.

Thur., Nov. 24 Happy Thanksgiving Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 BIRMINGHAM

Market Noel BJCC North Hall The Junior League of Birmingham’s annual holiday market will kick off with a preview party Nov. 30 from 7-10 p.m., featuring a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a beer and bourbon tasting and live entertainment. Tickets are $48.

The market will be open to the public Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Dec. 2 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $12. For more information, visit marketnoel.net.

Thurs., Dec.1 HOOVER

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Hoover City Hall The annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. with a Hoover City School Choir performance and the lighting of the tree by a Hoover City School student. Santa will make his grand entrance on a fire truck and take pictures with all of the children. For

more information, visit hooveral.org.

MOUNTAIN BROOK

Mountain Brook Village Open House Mountain Brook Village Mountain Brook Village will ring in the holiday season from 5-7 p.m. with their annual open house. Many stores in the village will run specials all day and stay open late.

HOMEWOOD

Hanging of the Green Samford University’s Reid Chapel Samford University’s annual Hanging of the Green is a campus tradition based on an old English custom. The night begins with a holiday service at Reid Chapel at 6 p.m., followed by the Lighting of the Way procession to Centennial Walk, the reading of the Christmas story and the lighting of the Samford Christmas tree.

Save The date Fri., Dec 2 BIRMINGHAM

Winter Wonderland at the Alabama Alabama Theater Local artist, Kristi Tingle Higginbotham, will join conductor Christopher Confessor for holiday favorites and a showing of AcademyAward nominated film “The Snowman” backed by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Tickets range from $22$46. For more information, visit alabamasympnony.org.

Dec. 2-3 HOOVER

Rhythmic Circus, Red and Green Hoover Public Library Rhythmic Circus presents a holiday show featuring rapid- re tap to familiar tunes. The show has won numerous awards, including two SAGE Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Performance, a Spirit of the Fringe Award and two Upper Midwest Emmys.

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit hooverlibrary.org.

Sun., Dec. 4 MOUNTAIN BROOK

Holiday Parade Mountain Brook Village The annual holiday parade will take place at 3 p.m. and includes holiday floats, a marching band, music, elves, and photos with the Mayor. There will be entertainment from the center stage as Santa and the parade make their way through the Village on Cahaba Road, Culver Road and Petticoat Lane.

For more information, call the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce at 8713779.

Thurs., Dec. 8 MOUNTAIN BROOK

Crestline Village Open House Crestline Village The merchants will introduce the holiday season with their annual open house from 5-7 p.m. Various stores in the village will be running specials all day.

Tues., Dec. 6 HOMEWOOD

Lighting of the Star Downtown Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer will light the historic Homewood Star at the top of 18th Street at 6:30 p.m as the official beginning of the Downtown Homewood Christmas Parade. The Lighting of the Christmas Tree will immediately follow the parade at City Hall. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

About Town

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 7

em

es g

about town

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

In the Best Hands Receiving the Best Care At Rittenhouse Village At Hoover, our program is designed to rebuild and preserve that which their affliction has taken from them. From quality meals to personalized care and attention, you can rest easy knowing your family members are in the best hands, receiving the best care. You have our word on it.

From left: Kate Newton of Landscape Services; Mary Evelyn McKee, president of Red Mountain Garden Club; Ruth Jones, Greenery Sale co-chairman; Amy Ager, Greenery Sale chairman; Pratt Brown of Pratt Brown Landscapes; and Antonio RobeiroHoward, WE Community Gardens at Urban Ministry.

Schedule your PRIVATE TOUR TODAY! 205.823.2393

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The Red Mountain Garden Club will host its annual greenery sale Nov. 30 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the club’s primary project, the Memorial Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art, as well as the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The design, installation and maintenance of the memorial garden has been the club’s largest mission since 1955.

Funding for the project came through fairs, sales and a lecture series.

In 2010, the American Planning Association named the garden one of the top 10 Great Public Spaces in America.

Dec. 9-11, 16-18 HOMEWOOD

DISCOVER THE MANY REASONS HOMEOWNERS ARE GIVING THANKS THIS

holiday season.

Proudly keeping homes cleaner and healthier since 1987

205-871-9338 www.MAIDS.com

AV

Referred for a reason.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center The Alabama Ballet’s annual production will show Dec. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m., Sun., Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m., Fri., Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit samford.edu.

This year’s greenery sale has been organized by Amy Ager and Ruth Jones and will offer fresh greenery for holiday home decorating. Items for sale will include wreaths, mailbox decorations, kissing balls, boxwood trees and a selection of gifts and arrangements curated by the club.

For the avid gardener, the Urban Ministry’s WE Community Garden will be selling compost.

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Greenery and wreaths can be pre-ordered until Nov. 15.

For more information, visit redmountaingardenclub. com. ❖

Dec. 9-31 BIRMINGHAM

ZooLight Safari Birmingham Zoo The zoo will host 17 nights of its annual holiday light festival from 5-9 p.m. New this year, adults can enjoy beer, wine and specialty cocktails. The event will include over one million lights, holiday music, snowfalls, a Candy Cane Train, a Yuletide Slide and more. This year’s dates include Dec. 9-11, 16-23 and 26-31. For more information visit birminghamzoo.com.

Sat., Dec. 10 BIRMINGHAM

Jingle Bell Breakfast McWane Science Center Mr. and Mrs. Claus will host a holiday breakfast at 8 a.m. Activities include holiday crafts, building snowmen, an Ice Slide and an IMAX Dome showing of Santa vs. the Snowman. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for kids. Reservations are required. For more information, call 714-8414. ❖

Photo special to the Journal

8 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Viral Award

UAB’s Dr. David Kimberlin has been recognized with the 2016 Medical Award of Excellence from Ronald McDonald House Charities for his work in the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children.

The award comes with a $100,000 grant, which will be given to Camp McDowell, according to a press release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Kimberlin, a professor in the department of pediatrics, was given the award during an annual event in Illinois.

“The impact of Kimberlin’s leadership in this field is truly significant and helps expand reliable and comprehensive care to critically ill children and their families,” said Sheila Musolino, RMHC president and chief executive officer.

Kimberlin holds the Sergio Stagno Endowed Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UAB and Children’s of Alabama, where he is vice chair for clinical and translational research and co-director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He is the principal investigator for the Collaborative Antiviral Study Group, a network of pediatric academic medical centers that evaluates antiviral therapeutics in rare diseases.

Kimberlin is editor of the 2018

wonderful organization is very humbling.”

Camp McDowell, an affiliate of the Episcopal Church, is the beneficiary of the grant award. The camp, which is adjacent to the Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama, for almost seven decades has given children from across the Southeast a place where they can learn about nature, support one another and gain confidence in themselves.

RMHC supports programs that directly improve the health and well-

being of children and families around the world. It has a global network of more than 290 chapters in more than 63 countries and regions and supplies millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs. Through its three core programs — the Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile — RMHC provides care and resources to children and families being served by leading hospitals worldwide.

—Virginia Martin

OUR 118 YEAR TH

BIRMINGHAM TRUNK

Luggage Business Cases Leather goods gifts

Mon.-Sat. 10-5 2712 19th Street South, hoMewood 870-0971

Photo courtesy UAB

UAB Doctor Recognized for Work in Childhood Infectious Diseases

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 9

people

Dr. David Kimberlin.

American Academy of Pediatrics’ Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (Red Book), of which he also was editor for the 2015 edition and associate editor for the 2009 and 2012 editions. He was a member of the committee from 2005 to 2011 and since 2006 has been the AAP Red Book liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

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people

Dances with Dogs

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

New Book Celebrates Local Dancers and Dogs

The new book “Sit. Stay. Plie.,” released the week of Oct. 31, is bringing together local canines and Alabama Ballet company members.

The book was produced by Kay Simon and Asha Gagolli, a member of the company, with photos by Connie Collum. The 112 pages of the 10-by10 hardcover coffee table book feature quotes and photos of ballerinas and local shelter and rescue dogs.

According to a press release, the book celebrates the intensity and beauty of Alabama Ballet dancers as well as the joy of their adopted canines.

Simon said her original concept was for a calendar. “Once we started taking photos, we realized its potential as a book,” she said.

Proceeds from book sales will be split among the Alabama Ballet and Birmingham-area animal rescue organizations.

“The discipline and grace of dancers paired with the uncontrollable giddiness of rescued dogs” was not to be ignored, Simon said.

Simon added that, in addition to generating donations for the ballet and local shelters, the team is hoping to educate the community about the inner workings of the ballet.

“The images, and much of the book’s content, give the reader a glimpse at what it takes and what it means, to be a ballet dancer,” Simon said. “Our community has a jewel in the Alabama Ballet company, and we want more people to know about these amazing athletes.

She said they also want to underscore the hard work of those dedicated to animal rescue and the ways they can reducing the number of unwanted animals.

“Sit. Stay. Plie.” is available for order online at sitstayplie.net.

—Emily Williams

Photo special to the Journal

10 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Clockwise from above: Kelly Prather and Pax. Asha Gagolli and Lexie Lou. Jenna McCoy and Jenny.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 11

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Glitter for a Good Cause

When Callie Chapman was 6 years old, she took part in Crestline Elementary’s Expressions Art Contest, creating a story book about a unicorn named Glitter.

A year later, “Glitter the Unicorn” is a published children’s book with illustrations by her mother, Bronwyne Chapman, that she plans to share with the community.

The book tells the story of a unicorn named Glitter who goes on an adventure with her best friend, Ellie, to Cotton Candy Land to meet the queen, who, in turn, sends them on a journey to find a magical candy bar.

According to the author’s mother, it was entirely Callie’s idea to donate proceeds from the book to Children’s of Alabama so the facility can buy more art supplies for patients.

Through a partnership with Once Upon a Time, she has hosted book signings at both the Homewood and Mountain Brook store locations. So far, she has raised more than $2,400 for the hospital.

The book is available for purchase at both locations of Once Upon a Time.

—Emily Williams

Photo special to the Journal

Crestline Student Publishes Children’s Book

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12 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Getting a Head Start New Hoover Mayor Brocato Turns His Attention to Schools, Development Plans

By William C. Singleton III

‘We really never had a master plan in Hoover. We’ve always been a city that has developed more along the lines of, whoever got here first built it. We have a beautiful city, but there are some things that we can do better.’

Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

New Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato had his eye on the top spot in city government even while he served as the city’s operations fire chief and fire marshal.

“I always knew I wanted to run for the mayor of Hoover,” he said. “I felt like I was an ambassador for Hoover, but I was in the Fire Department. I love telling people about our city and all the great things about it.”

Brocato, 64, who has retired from the city’s Fire Department, now gets to tell all the great things about Hoover on a full-time basis. But he also gets to work on the things that aren’t so great.

Brocato and five newly elected council members were sworn into office Nov. 7.

Brocato said he’s ready to hit the ground running.

Already, he has reached out to Hoover school Superintendent Kathy Murphy to let her know that the new administration is committed to helping the school system solve its funding problem. With increasing enrollment, growing operational costs and projected budget deficits, the school system finds itself trimming personnel and pulling from reserves to make revenue match expenditures. Ultimately, the school system will have to come up with more money – and that’s where Brocato and the City Council come in.

Brocato defeated former Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey partly based on the resentment citizens had about the previous mayor and council not doing enough to fund city schools. Brocato made supporting the city school system one of his most important issues as mayor.

“I’ve made a commitment to support the school but so have the individuals that ran for City Council, not just financially supporting the schools but being a champion for the schools, being a cheerleader for our schools,” he said.

That doesn’t necessarily mean increasing taxes for schools, Brocato said.

“We really never had a master plan in Hoover,” Brocato said. “We’ve always been a city that has developed more along the lines of, whoever got here first built it. We have a beautiful city, but there are some things that we can do better. We’re not looking to stifle our growth but we’re looking to manage our growth.” The mayor and council have already started talking to professionals to help them develop a master plan, he said.

The new mayor said he would like to see

New Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, above, has reached out to Hoover school Superintendent Kathy Murphy, left, to let her know that the new administration is committed to helping the school system solve its funding problem. With them is Brocato’s granddaughter, Izzy. Brocato and five newly elected council members were sworn into office Nov. 7.

“We’re not interested in raising taxes or doing things like that. We’re more interested in running good government, making sure that we are efficient, making sure we’re not reduplicating services out there and seeing if we can do some cost-sharing things with the school system,” he said. “We want to look at everything across the board to see where we have funds that we can shift over to the school system without compromising city services. And I believe we have those funds to do that.”

Murphy said she appreciates the new

mayor’s attitude about schools and looks forward to working with him and the new council.

“We look forward to collaborating with them and supporting them. It’s about the city of Hoover and the Hoover City Schools. We’ll just find ways to support each other, and I’m just excited about that,” said the city school superintendent.

Brocato and the new council already have begun to tackle the issue of sprawling growth with the city. They have begun setting the stage for a master development plan for the city.

more science and technology firms and businesses to counterbalance the retail segment.

“We’ve got a great retail economy, and we certainly appreciate all our retailers,” he said, “But we also want to start moving quickly toward diversifying our economy.”

As the first order of business aside from filling appointments to vacant and expiring seats on boards and positions, the council and mayor need to adopt the city’s 2016-2017 operating budget.

“The previous council and mayor, they were gracious enough to not pass the budget while they were in office so that’s something we’re focusing on right now is getting a new budget together,” he said. The mayor said he anticipates the budget being completed in the next 30 to 45 days.

Aside from the daily grind of government, Brocato said he expects to spend time “in the field” meeting residents and businesses and being the ambassador he envisioned himself being before he became mayor.

“I want to be the type mayor in the field going to visit our businesses, our citizens – just spending time learning about the city and learning each and every day how we can make improvements.” ❖

New Mountain Brook Mayor to Deliver State of the City Address Nov. 18 is running smoothly. My job will be not to mess it up.”

Welch, who was reared in

Mountain Brook, said he remembered living in the “country,” where his family rode horses through the woods

for miles without running across another development.

Since then, a lot has changed –

Photo special to the Journal

Mountain Brook’s new mayor, Stewart Welch III, will lay out his view of the city in his first State of the City address during a leadership forum hosted by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 18.

The event, which also will include members of the City Council, will be held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Welch was unopposed in the race to replace Terry Oden, who retired after serving as Mountain Brook’s mayor for 20 years. Welch has praised the previous administration and said he intends to continue the work begun under Oden.

“The city is hitting on all cylinders,” Welch said during a campaign interview. “Mountain Brook is debt free, which is remarkable. Education, police and fire, libraries – everything

New Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch III, third from left, and city council members, from left: Billy Pritchard, Alice Womack, Virginia Smith, Phillip Black and Lloyd Shelton are scheduled to attend a leadership forum Nov. 18.

for Welch and for Mountain Brook.

Welch has founded two Mountain Brook businesses, including The Welch Group – a fee-only wealth management service. And Mountain Brook is not so much in the country anymore.

Welch said he believes his finance management and entrepreneurial background are things that make him well suited for the mayor’s position.

“I’m most excited to interact with the business community. I love meeting people who want to start something new, create jobs and grow the area,” Welch said.

The chamber’s event also will be the Birmingham kickoff of the Shop Alabama for the Holidays campaign.

The Alabama Retail Association will have a press conference about the shopping initiative before the chamber meeting.

—Virginia Martin

Meet Me at The Met New Sports Complex Retains The Met Name, Adds a Nod to Former Berry Coach

By William C. Singleton III

The planned $80 million sports complex has a new name. In fact, it has two.

The overall facility will be called the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. The 155,000-square-foot indoor multiple-purpose center will

The 155,000-square-foot indoor multiple-purpose center will be called The Finley Center, after the late Bob Finley, a Berry High School football coach. be called The Finley Center, after the late Bob Finley, a Berry High School football coach.

The complex will include the indoor center and NCAA regulationsize fields for soccer, football and lacrosse; NCAA regulation-size baseball fields that also can be used for softball; tennis courts, a walking track; and a pro shop.

The new names replace the one recommended by the Florida firm hired to manage the sports com-

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 13

news

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

plex. The firm, Sports Facilities Management, recommended the name The Alabama Sports and Events Center and The BAM as a nickname. But residents complained that the name didn’t reflect the community and wasn’t identified enough with the city of Hoover.

City Councilman Casey Middlebrooks said the new names capture the essence of Hoover.

“I think it absolutely fits,” he said. “The public had a chance to have its say. Now the public owns the name and now this sports development can start being a positive thing for the city and we can be proud of it.”

City officials asked residents to recommend names, and The Hoover Metplex was the top recommendation. However, the web domain for that name already had been claimed, so the city went with the second choice offered by residents, Middlebrooks said.

“They wanted Hoover to be represented in the name and promote our city nationwide,” he said.

The new council approved the names at its Nov. 7 meeting.

The indoor facility is scheduled to be completed by May 2017 and the fields by February 2018. ❖

Vestavia Hills Breaks Ground on Sicard Hollow Park Expansion The Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 10 at the site of the Sicard Hollow Park expansion behind Liberty Park.

The groundbreaking marks the beginning of phase two of the city’s plans for the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex.

To complete the $1.3 million project, the foundation is contributing $700,000 of privately raised

funds, with the city contributing $600,000.

“It was all about recognizing the foundation and City Council for everything they have done to make this a reality,” said Jordy Henson.

During the event, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield and Buffalo Rock, which have sponsored two trails, were recognized with a ceremonial groundbreaking. Sicard Hollow’s concession stand will be named for

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The foundation also is kicking off a new fundraising campaign, Finish Strong, to raise money to start updating the city’s other recreational facilities. The initial fundraising goal is set at $700,000.

The Sicard Hollow expansion will provide room for new amenities such as a splash pad, walking trails, a pavilion, playground area and exercise equipment. —Emily Williams

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14 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

veterans day

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Aldridge Gardens Unveils Veterans Memorial Arbor

By Emily Williams

process.

As guests approach the structure, they are met on one side of the bridge by two bronze busts, one of the late Thomas Rivers and one of the late Ryan Winslow. Both Hoover residents and Marines, Rivers was killed in action in Afghanistan at the age of 22 and Winslow lost his life at 19 in Iraq.

Rivers’ bust was sculpted by Mountain Brook’s Bryce Martinez, a UAB art student, and Winslow’s was crafted by Tennessee artist Sam Patterson.

Beyond the bridge are six flagpoles. During the ceremony, the flags that represent each branch of the armed forces were raised by veterans who served in each of the respective branches or their relatives.

Davis said that, about the first of the year, once the ground has had some good rain, the gardens will plant around the structure and the vines that blanket the top of the arbor will showcase blue wisteria come spring. ❖

Journal photo by Emily Williams

Aldridge Gardens introduced its long-awaited Veterans Memorial Arbor on Nov. 7, though the structure will not bloom into its full form until the drought ends.

The steel structure rests over a bridge built on the lake’s dam.

Sixteen columns support the roof of the arbor, each dedicated to a Hoover veteran.

“This morning I felt like a kid at Christmas. I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and I couldn’t go back to sleep,” said Mark Davis, a veteran of the U.S. Navy who headed up the arbor’s planning committee.

Davis and the committee began their work on the arbor more than two years ago, with original plans showcasing a wooden structure.

The final product was created by Robinson Iron, the company charged with the restoration of Birmingham’s Vulcan statue in 2001.

According to Davis, though the final product is beautiful, the columns arrived in pieces, making the task of constructing the columns one of the most difficult tasks of the entire

Front, from left: Joe Rives, John Greene, Frank Brocato and Jack Natter. Back: Casey Middlebrooks, Jack Wright, Derrick Murphy, David Carrington and John Lyda.

Saluting Those Who Have Served Their Country Photo special to the Journal

69th Annual Veterans Day Parade Highlights Events Honoring Military Service

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan Winslow, was killed in action in 2006 while he was serving a tour in Iraq.

POP Knights of Columbus Donate for Wreaths on Vets’ Graves From left: This year’s recipient of the National Veterans Award is retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins, a veteran of the Vietnam War who holds a Medal of Honor. He is pictured with Charles Dillbeck at a reception held at the BJCC on Nov. 10. The 69th annual Veterans Day Parade through downtown Birmingham featured current and former members of the military and marching bands from around the state, including Spain Park High School.

Veterans Thanked in Hoover Ceremony

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

The Hoover Library hosted a Thank a Vet kick-off event Nov. 6 in honor of Veterans Day. The event included a program led by retired Capt. Robert A. Beaty, a concert by the Alabama Youth Symphony and closing remarks by Brig. Gen. Paul Poccopani.

This year’s Freedom Award winner, Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Davis, was recognized during the ceremony.

The event was organized and hosted by Hoover Veterans Committee and concluded with a flag-lowering ceremony by the library’s flagpole. ❖ Brig. Gen. Paul Cocopanni, Lori Schommer, Capt. Robert A. Beaty.

Vietnam veteran Arthur Kelley attended the event in Hoover with his daughter, Charlotte Stanley.

Prince of Peace Knights of Columbus Council 11537 recently presented a check to George and Marynell Winslow of Hoover, which will be put toward the Wreaths Across America program in the Birmingham area.

The Winslows lost their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan Winslow, in 2006 while he was serving a tour in Iraq. In his honor, they are coordinating the placement of nearly 700 Christmas wreaths on the graves of veterans at cemeteries in the greater Birmingham area. National Wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 17.

The POP Knight’s donation will pay for 20 wreaths. The Winslow family has also received donations from the Fourth Degree Knights of Prince of Peace and St. Peter’s churches in Hoover.

Last year, more than 900,000 memorial wreaths were laid through the Wreaths Across America program at about 1,100 burial locations in the United States and beyond. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

veterans day

Behind Logan’s Road House on Hwy 280 Mon - Sat 10 - 7, Sun 12 - 6 (205) 408-9378

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 15

life

16 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

New Take on a Traditional Feast

By Lynn Grisard Fullman

allows them to absorb the meat’s flavors and juices as they become tender with crispy tops.

And, for dessert in the Krontiras home on Thanksgiving Day? “Oh, it will be ice cream from Publix, for the children,” laughed Krontiras, who bought the restaurant in 1993, about 20 years after its opening.

Focused on serving customers “the food we would serve in our home to family and friends,” Nabeel’s Cafe has a trio of dining rooms plus sidewalk tables and a side courtyard that offers al fresco dining.

Details: Nabeel’s Café and Market, 1706 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, 879-9292, www.nabeels. com.

Day after day chefs, cooks and restaurant owners scurry about preparing delightful meals for their customers.

When it comes time to feast, what do these experts feed their families?

A trio of Over the Mountain restaurant folks recently shared holiday thoughts and recipes for their favorite Thanksgiving food.

This year, leg of lamb, squash dressing and cornbread will top their tables. Since these restaurateurs graciously have divulged their recipes, you may want to add these options to your family’s celebration.

No matter what you cook, where you dine or what you eat this Thanksgiving, take time to reflect on your countless reasons to be thankful, remembering, too, that sometimes the greatest blessings are small blessings.

David Horn, owner/operator of The Ridge Eat & Drink and Mudtown Eat & Drink, favors non-traditional items on his Thanksgiving menu.

DAVID HORN’S SQUASH DRESSING

Squash Casserole is a Newcomer to Horn Feast

Photo courtesy of Nabeel’s Cafe

Turkey Gets a Reprieve in Krontiras Household “In Greece, we didn’t have Indians and Pilgrims,” John Krontiras, general manager of Nabeel’s Cafe, mused when considering past Thanksgivings with his family.

Although Krontiras arrived in the U.S. decades ago, it wasn’t until several years ago that he and his family began celebrating the November day of thanks.

“Although we didn’t have the traditional Thanksgiving when I was growing up, we, like those in many other countries, each year set aside a time for feasting and counting blessings,” he said.

For Krontiras, his Italian wife, Ottavia, mother-in-law, three children and half-dozen grandchildren, the day’s feast revolves around leg of lamb, which his family prefers above turkey.

“We’ll begin the meal with a traditional Greek soup, avgolemono, an egg yolk-lemon juice consommé made with orzo pasta and chicken broth,” reported Krontiras, whose Homewood eatery is known for Greek, Italian and Mediterranean dishes made from family recipes.

After the soup, it will be onto the leg of lamb and heaping helpings of his mother-in-law’s lasagna. At 95, she’s still stirring things up in the kitchen.

Leg of lamb, he explained, “is a very traditional Greek dish that is flavored with garlic, oregano and extra

Photo courtesy David Horn

Local Chefs Share Their Tips For a Successful Thanksgiving

John Krontiras, general manager of Nabeel’s Cafe, shows roasted leg of lamb, which his family will enjoy when they gather on Thanksgiving Day.

Nabeel’s Cafe Roast Leg of Lamb with Potatoes

(Serves 10 to 12)

7 to 10 pounds bone-in leg of lamb 1/2 pound Kasseri (or Parmesan cheese) cut in small cubes 14 garlic cloves, cut in half Salt and pepper to taste 8 tablespoons oregano 6 to 8 potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise 4 to 5 lemons 1 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 cups water 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Make about 15 slits with a sharp knife all over lamb and insert in sequence: cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, pinch of oregano. Repeat for each slit.

Cut peeled potatoes in half then

virgin olive oil and basted with fresh lemon juice, which complements the

cut the half potatoes in long slices and place in pan.

Squeeze 2 to 3 lemons over lamb and potatoes. Sprinkle oregano over lamb and potatoes. Pour olive oil over lamb and potatoes.

Pour water around base of lamb and potatoes. (Do not pour water over lamb.)

Separate sprigs of rosemary and place over lamb and potatoes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place lamb in oven in uncovered pan.

Cook for 1 to 2 hours. Periodically check lamb and baste with the juices.

With either a meat thermometer or a sharp knife, check to see if meat is done. When meat is done, turn oven to broil at 450 degrees, for about 5 minutes or until surface is deep brown and crackling; continue basting with juices. Remove from oven; carve lamb and serve with the potatoes.

flavor of the lamb meat.”

Cooking potatoes with the lamb

Although David Horn has savored traditional foods during previous Thanksgivings, in recent years a new option has become a favorite.

“Usually, my mother, grandmother or aunt do most of the cooking, but I always try to pitch in and make one dish,” said Horn, owner/operator of Mudtown Eat & Drink and The Ridge Eat & Drink.

“In years past I’ve tried to make classics but go over the top with some of the elements,” he recalled, mentioning some of his previous contributions such as sweet potato casserole with candied pecans and marshmallow fluff. He also has concocted jalapeno cheddar sausage cornbread, he reported, admitting an affinity for “something traditional but with a special, semi-extravagant twist.”

A few years ago, his aunt outpaced his efforts when she introduced a new twist on a traditional favorite.

“For the past few years, my aunt, Claire Miller of Prattville, has been making squash dressing that’s really good,” he said. “She usually uses less cheese than it calls for,” he explained.

“Everybody makes the same things for Thanksgiving,” he observed, explaining why the dressing quickly became one of his favorites.

“I like adding a topping of either more cheese, or seasoned cracker crumbs, or a combination of the two,” said Horn, who these days has more than Thanksgiving on his mind.

“I’ve just recently signed a lease on a new restaurant,” he reported, announcing plans to open a new eat-

(Serves 8 to 10)

3 14.5 ounce cans squash with onions, drained, mashed 4 cups crumbled cornbread 1 small yellow onion, diced 5 eggs 2 10-ounce cans cream of chicken soup (you may substitute cream of mushroom for a vegetarian option, but it does change the flavor a bit).

2 sticks melted butter 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and pour into a greased 13x9 baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

ery with partner Taylor Hughes.

Hughes, who for the past few years has been overseeing the kitchens at both Mudtown and The Ridge, will head the project as majority owner at the Soho location that formerly housed PT’s.

“Called Soho Social, our new concept will be sort of a community bar and grill/gathering place focused on the neighborhoods of Homewood,” he noted, explaining that the eatery will have “a comfortable but eclectic menu that will probably change several times a year.”

“We’re in the early stages of remodeling and getting started, but we are hoping to open by January,” he said.

Details: The Ridge Eat & Drink, 3325 Suite 201 Rocky Ridge Plaza, Vestavia Hills, 917-5080, www.theridgealabama.com; and Mudtown Eat & Drink, 3144 Green Valley Road, 967-3300 or 908-5628/catering, www. mudtownalabama.com.

Nothing Corny About It: This Cornbread is a Favorite

MOE’S ORIGINAL bar b Que CORNBREAD

this thanksgiving

6 eggs 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup yellow onions, fine dice 1/4 cup jalapenos, filet and fine dice 3 7-ounce packages Martha White Sweet Yellow Cornbread Mix

Photo courtesy of Moe’s Original Bar B Que

Playing football in the front yard and watching gridiron clashes on television are part of the festivities when members of the Witherington family gather for Thanksgiving.

On tap throughout the year at Moe’s Original Bar B Que, cornbread is a favorite at Thanksgiving, according to Kevin Witherington, who with his brother Eric, owns four Birmingham-area locations of the popular barbecue restaurants.

During a typical week, diners scoff down 20 to 30 pans of the cornbread at each restaurant. Each pan serves 48, Kevin explains, adding, “You do the math.”

While most platters include an option of cornbread, some diners simply select the cornbread as a side, he said when sharing the recipe for cornbread that has become a regular option at family gatherings that include Witherington’s mother, four brothers, one sister, spouses and children.

“Eric and I got our love of cooking from our grandmother (who) made great dishes,” he added.

What makes the cornbread special, he observed, is being buttered and griddled after being baked.

While the brothers’ eateries will

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 17

Life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Brothers Kevin and Eric Witherington, right, owners of four Birmingham-area Moe’s Original Bar B Que restaurants, tackle a tailgate event.

be closed on Thanksgiving Day, diners may pre-order such choices as: smoked turkey ($48 for 10 to14 pounds); smoked turkey breast ($13 per pound); pans of sides ($28.50, serves 20 to 25) with such options as mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, collard greens and corn pudding. Mississippi Mud and banana pudding, staples on the menu, are dessert possibilities.

Orders should be placed by Nov. 21.

On Thanksgiving, the Witherington family also enjoys mac and cheese, which is the restaurants’ leading side dish, according to Witherington, who explains that the

Beat eggs, add jalapenos and onions.

Add milk and then mix in 3 packages of cornbread mix.

Spray with Pam heavily (if old pan, add parchment paper) onto large 4x10 loaf pan.

Preheat to 325. Bake 1 hour.

When done, it should be firm to press. Do not overcook.

Use rubber spatula, slice into 12 slices at 3 quarters of inch each.

It’s easier to cut cold, otherwise the bread will crumble.

Brush one side with margarine or butter. Place buttered side down on griddle.

day is a time when his family stops to count its blessings and appreciate good health and business successes.

It’s also a chance, he continued, to take a long, deep breath before the holidays, which are hectic in the restaurant business.

Details: Moe’s Original Bar B Que, Patton Creek, Lakeview, Trussville and Vestavia Hills, www. moesoriginalbbq.com. ❖

keep your eyes on the pies

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18 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

table,

From page 1

Journal photo by Emily Williams

about it. Excited to test out his present, he ran home to find that his parents had sold the gift to buy drugs.

Carmichael said that story shook him to his core.

“Besides that experience being a part of his story and the pain that must have caused him and still causes him, he comes in here every day and chooses goodness and responsibility and respect and spends his time here learning everything he can possibly learn,” Carmichael said.

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When Carmichael took the position with Urban Ministries, he saw opportunity where nobody had before.

He looked at an empty lot less than a block away from the ministry and saw a community garden.

As he and his team got to work creating the garden, Carmichael said, everyone from his board members to the neighboring homeowners told him he was crazy. Who would build an unfenced, unprotected garden in one of the most crime-ridden areas of the city?

As if to illustrate the phrase “have a little faith,” the garden has thrived.

“It has become a point of pride for the community,” he said. “The neighbors keep an eye on it because they take ownership in it and also because they benefit from it. They get food from this garden. They’ll sit out on their porches and call us, the police, anyone if they see anything that seems even a little bit suspicious.”

Though the garden and the cafe are separate projects, their paths often cross as both missions seek to get people in the community thinking about food in a healthier way.

“When Urban Ministries decided to move years ago, one of the things they did was look at places in Birmingham that were considered food deserts,” Carmichael said. “The idea is to bring in ideas about healthy eating in a place where that hasn’t ever really been an option.”

Before the previous executive director retired, the space that is now the WE Community Cafe was a soup kitchen, which in Carmichael’s opinion is an outdated form of charity.

“When we were trying to decide what to do with the space, one of the main questions we asked ourselves was, ‘Is a soup kitchen really the best way to help someone?’” Carmichael said. “I’m not saying that it doesn’t do a lot of good. It just doesn’t do very much to move the community in a better direction.”

When someone enters a soup kitchen, Carmichael said, he or she may feel a bit of guilt because they

Guests donate what they can for the meal, with suggested donations of $5 for the meal, $10 for the meal and the staff’s labor, or $15 for the meal, the staff’s labor and someone else’s meal.

can’t afford to feed themselves. At the cafe, a payment plan acts as an equalizer for all who enter. Guests donate what they can for the meal, with suggested donations of $5 for the meal, $10 for the meal and the staff’s labor, or $15 for the meal, the staff’s labor and someone else’s meal.

Vetting the culinary excellence of the meals is Urban Ministries’ Director of Wellness Ama Shambulia, a chef and holistic health coach who oversees both the cafe and the garden.

“We certainly aren’t going to turn anyone away if they can’t pay for their food, but giving them the option to give what they can gives them a sense of dignity,” he said.

Funds generated by the cafe are then dumped back into the community through the ministry’s various projects. When the cafe first opened March 9, more than 250 came in to eat.

Carmichael remembers one community member saying, “For so long we have wanted something nice and we have deserved something nice and now we finally have something nice.”

Since it’s opening, the cafe has brought in $30,000.

Carmichael reached out to invite members of the Police Department to the opening, and officers have been a cafe staple ever since.

“We actually reached out to them after the Dallas shooting as a means to come together and have a discussion in a non-threatening way, at the table, breaking bread together,” he said. “Even now, right after the country experienced one of the most polarizing elections in our nation’s history, you don’t feel that tension here.”

Not only are the garden and cafe places for members of the community to come together, they both provide opportunities for ministry interns to learn skills that are marketable for future career opportunities.

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“We like to hire from within the West End community and hire those people that are otherwise unhirable because those are the people that are at risk,” Carmichael said.

Interns range from the ages of 18 to 30 and work either in the cafe learning culinary skills or in the garden.

“Obviously, we aren’t planting anything right now,” Carmichael said. “In fact, we just finished pulling everything up, so right now our interns are working on maintaining the soil and then we’ll start replanting once we get some rain.”

Produce from the farm is used in the cafe or sold to the community and local restaurants.

“Some of the neighbors have even started their own gardens and we help them maintain those,” Carmichael said. “So it goes beyond giving them food, we are also teaching them how to grow their own.”

The garden has generated more than $140,000 in revenue through sales.

“The more funds we generate, the more opportunities we can offer these people and the more sustainable their lives become,” Carmichael said.

“Real change comes from helping people help themselves and showing them that their lives are just as important as anybody else’s. This cafe is here to say, ‘You are worth it and you deserve the best and this is your cafe.’”

Urban Ministries hopes that, with continued success, the cafe will be able to serve lunch a few more days a week. But until then, the interns are always busy. People can hire the culinary team to cater parties and events, which is just another opportunity to fill those staff members’ time with educational experiences.

In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, Carmichael charges people to do something active in service to others.

“Come be a part of this and help build a better community,” he said.

“A single act of compassion today can lead to wholeness and a healthier tomorrow.”

The WE Community Cafe will be hosting a holiday lunch Dec. 7, and Carmichael said that everyone is invited.

For more information on Urban Ministries, visit urban-ministry.org. ❖

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 19

Life

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Hands On

Rehab Reality

Community Service Organization Hosts Family Volunteer Day

by Jeff Butler

Journal photos by Emily Williams

By Emily Williams

Day of Service in Vestavia Area high school and middle school students gathered in the fellowship hall of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church on Nov. 11 to pack 500 lunches and deliver them throughout Birmingham. Students assembled sandwiches and packed them in bags with side items, a Veterans Day tradition at the church, then hopped on buses, which took high schoolers to the Highlands UMC neighborhood and middle school students to The Church of the Reconciler.

By connecting individuals with volunteer groups, Hands On Birmingham tries to make community service as simple as possible.

This Thanksgiving season, it is offering an opportunity for entire families to lend a helping hand with its annual Family Volunteer Day. On Nov. 19, Hands On will send families to volunteer at six facilities.

Ashley Goodwin, public relations and development manager for Hands On, said each project is designed to showcase the strength that families have when they choose to give back to the community together.

“Volunteering as a family provides quality time for busy families and strengthens communication and family bonds that positively impact local communities across the nation,” Goodwin said.

Whether it’s creating birdfeeders at Alabama Wildlife Reserve or spending time with someone at a local nursing home, the volunteer opportunities span a wide range.

“We want to encourage families to work together to make positive social change and help our neighbors in need,” said Goodwin.

Though some of the volunteering slots fill up before November, Goodwin said there are still three projects that are open for families to volunteer.

At Moss Rock, families can remove piles of privet as well as cutting away live privet in one of the preserve’s rare plant habitats. Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to noon.

Smithfield Estates also is seeking more families to plant trees to replace those lost in the 2011 storms. Volunteers will be planting in the area from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At South Hampton Elementary, volunteers are needed to shape trees in the courtyard, plant flowers and pressure wash sidewalks. Volunteers will be working there from 8 a.m. to noon.

Hands On provides opportunities like Family Volunteer Day throughout the calendar year, the next being the 16th annual MLK Day of Service.

To volunteer or for more information, visit handsonbirmingham.org. ❖

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Finally, Bayshore Retreat isn’t your typical drug and alcohol treatment center.

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Untitled-1 1

11/14/2016 8:36:30 AM

20 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

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Proudly Introducing…

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Above, Jeff Dugas, Pink Man of the Year and his campaign team. Below left, Julia Meyers, Michael Choy and Libba Hardwick. Below right, Andrew Collins, Chris and Leslie Lane.

T

o close out the annual Real Men Wear Pink campaign, the American Cancer Society hosted a wrap-up party at the Grand Bohemian Hotel on Oct. 26.

The organization closed out the campaign with a total of more than $139,000 for breast cancer research and awareness, setting a record and beating last year’s total by $33,000. Campaign participants decked in rose colored outfits attended along with local survivors and organization officials to hear who would be crowned Pink Man of the Year.

Dr. Jeff Dugas of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedics was crowned.

He raised $23,968 toward the campaign. ❖

Photos special to the Journal

ACS Announces Pink Man of the Year

Play Ball

Mothers of Vestavia Hills High School baseball team members and supporters of the team gathered Oct. 24 for a luncheon during the annual Sammy Dunn Memorial Golf Tournament.

The tournament is named in honor of the late Vestavia Hills Baseball Coach whose legacy includes 647 wins, nine state championship titles, a national championship title and two-time National Coach of the Year.

The event was coordinated by Mary Rembert for her seventh and final year, with help from fellow VHHS baseball team moms Anita Cusimano and Missy Lemons.

As players continued to play on the course, guests gathered at Vestavia Country Club for a silent auction featuring art, retail packages, dining experiences, VHHS baseball fan gear and more. During lunch, mothers of baseball players donned

Journal photos by Emily Williams

Baseball Moms Gather To Raise Funds for VHHS and UAB

clothing provided by Southern Wanderers and gave a fashion show of game-day attire.

A program began with words from VHHS baseball’s current head coach, Jamie Harris, who played for Dunn.

“Coach Dunn was hard to play for … . And that’s exactly how I want to be as a coach,” Harris said. “He taught us that if something is easy, then it’s not worth it. So, he worked us hard and made us all grow up and for that I will forever be grateful.”

Linda Dunn, Dunn’s wife,

Clockwise from above, from left, Mary Rembert, Missy Lemmons and Anita Cusimano; Gina Jackson, Kathryn Lott, Keri Murphy and Leigh Johnston; and Charlie Dickinson, Linda Dunn and Jamie Harris, center, with mothers of current Vestavia Hills High School baseball players.

thanked the guests for their continued support of the event and noted how proud she was to have the proceeds benefit not just the baseball team, but UAB’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Dunn was treated before he passed. She added that she always thanks God and UAB’s cancer center for the extra time they gave her with her late husband. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Scholarly Pursuit

Photos special to the Journal

Parkinson Association Hosts Annual Fall Dinner

From left: Dan Thomasson, Albert and Laura Finch and Carey Thomasson.

Below, Lloyd Wilson, Jamie Laney and Robert Coker.

social Board members of the Parkinson Association of Alabama gathered Nov. 2 at the home of Will and Maggie Brooke of Birmingham for the organization’s annual cocktail dinner.

The dinner was hosted by the Brookes, Mary Katherine and Gerry Cabaniss, Alice and Wam Major, Carol and Rusty Stewart, Carey and Dan Thomasson and Sherry and Lloyd Wilson.

In its second year, the dinner raises funds for the association’s predoctoral scholar.

As guests dined on a dinner by Black Sheep Kitchen, Dr. David Standaert, chairman of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s neurology department, introduced the 2016 association scholar, who is working with Dr. Andrew West to develop new drug treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

The association’s scholars for 2016 and 2015 also gave updates on their work.

Guests in attendance included Mallie Ireland, Anna and Jason Comer, Mary and Lex Williamson, Stephanie Robinson, Sybil and George Newton, Joan and Jim Rein, John Beard, George Lynn, Nancy and Murray Smith, Janet Standaert, Susan Brouillette, Lindsay Stoyka, Laura VolpicelliDaley, Jamie Laney, Mary T. Miller, Karen and Michael Luce, Stacy Corbett, Stewart Dansby, Alice Bowsher, Dr. William and Barbara Viar, Chrissy and Walter Lydick, Albert Thomasson and Laura and Albert Finch. ❖

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 21

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22 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

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Antique Map Prints

Arceneaux Gallery

Toto Too?

802-5800 • Tues. - Sat. 10-5 SoHo Square Homewood

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

From left: Jamie Wilson, Christy York, Leah Smith, Traci Owens, Allison Litton, Brooke Gillis and Brooke Edmiston.

Homewood Witches Take Flight to Fight Cancer More than 450 witches took to their “magical” bicycles and sped through the streets of downtown Homewood tossing treats to children for the annual Homewood Witches Ride on Oct. 30.

The event raised $16,500 for the American Cancer Society’s efforts to find a cure for lung cancer in honor of the late Paula Stringfellow Ford.

After catching candy at various sites along the route, kids and adults were treated to food served up by a variety of local food trucks as well as fun kids activities.

Awards were handed out to witches who proved the

Southern Tide

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Above: Dianna Ingram, Michelle Sloan Daley King and Mollie Buck. Left: Liz Bolen, Kimee Duck and Meredith Husnik.

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if weSmathers have not heard&from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the pressSouthern date, Branson Peter Millar Tide your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

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he Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 05-824-1246 r Southern Point

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best of the best. Chris Newell won a Red Hills Brewing Company gift card and two T-shirts for hosting the best pre-ride party.

Julie Brandrup won best dressed, and coordinating her Steampunk Witch costume with a group led to the creation of the Best Themed Group category. The team won a basket filled with goodies, including a bottle of Prosecco, themed cups and napkins organized by Swoozie’s.

Tying for first in the best broom category were Rachael Swatek and Gabrielle Fuller, both receiving a gift from Scoops in Homewood. ❖

The SummiT • 123 SummiT boulevard 977-5512 • remonsclothier.com

Smathers & Branson

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Southern Tide

Carrie Wyatt, Anna Vanderbleek, Amber Kessler and Katherine Phillips.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 23

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Journal photos by Emily Williams

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Katie Hilyer and Shiloh, above. Below, Kaleigh Robinson and Remi.

Sarah Hicks and Maverick.

Gone to the Dogs

Hand in Paw Hosts Costume Party for Pups The junior board of Hand in Paw hosted its annual Barktoberfest event at Cahaba Brewing Company on Oct. 13, calling local pets to turn out in their Halloween best.

The event was coordinated by members of the junior board, and proceeds will benefit the organization’s mission to provide animal-assisted therapy programs to the greater Birmingham area.

Guests enjoyed sampling treats for both humans and dogs from local food trucks, including Shindigs and Fetch.

A highlight of the evening, the costume contest encouraged owners and their pets to dress up in their best Halloween getups. The winning pair was Katie Hilyer and her dog Shadow, who went as Paula Deen and her favorite ingredient, butter. ❖

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We are Thankful for You To: From: Date:

During this holiday season, we reflect on all we are thankful for.

Jessica Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Nov. 9

This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the nov. 17, 2016 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible t your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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24 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

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Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 25

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Halloween Meets Mardi Gras

On All Hallow’s Eve, Mountain Brook residents kicked off the evening’s festivities before the sun set as the Mystics of Mountain Brook put on its annual Halloween parade, coordinated by siblings Trent Wright and Casey Wright Horn.

People on Mardi Gras-style floats that were decorated, organized and manned by local organizations and businesses threw things such as foam footballs and stuffed animals to a crowd filled with costumed kids and adults.

Awards were given to floats with the best decor. Steve Shea’s “Thriller” float took the grand champion prize. Between floats were performances by the Mountain Brook High School

cheerleaders, a local roller derby team and Mayor Terry Oden in his antique fire truck.

In the large float category, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church won first prize for a Noah’s Ark-themed float, the Beach Street team took second for a float it dubbed “Beach Boogie,” and Antoinette Flowers won for “LAH Sold.”

Holly Stiles’ Haunted Ride won first place for small floats.

Winners for the best decorated cars were Caldwell Marks in first for “American Sniper,” Virginie Upton in second for “Queen of Hearts,” and Holly Williams in third for “Big Red Dog.” ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Mystics of Mountain Brook Hosts Parade with Floats and Trinkets

Clockwise from above, from left: Christina Hogan, William Hogan, Kera Foster and Wylder Foster; Layton Osborn, Brady Osborn, Garrett Osborn and Nathaniel Thomas; Sam Martin (Ghost), Tracey Martin (Robin), Lindsey Joens (Batwoman) and Ty Jones (Superman); Allyson and Lewis Mouron holding Tyson and Annie Mouron; Melise Harris, Lilia Harris, Abby Grace Harris and Charlotte Harris; and the Mountain Brook High School marching band.

5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 111 980-9030 southeasternjewelers.net (1/4 mile off 280)

J U N I O R J U N I O R

o: rom:

Date:

L E A G U To:E

L E A G U E

Renee Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax November

Date:

October

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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B I R M I N G MH A M This is your aD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTaiN JOurNal for the November 3rd, 2016 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

This is your ad proof from the over the mountain Journal for the november 17, 2016 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

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featuring special events

p r e s e n t e d by

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26 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Founder’s Day

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Mountain Brook Kappa Delta Alumnae Association gathered at the home of Laura Sink on Oct. 19 to recognize Kappa Delta Founders’ Day. The group met for lunch, provided by Melissa Seton and Lori Barber, and celebrated the 119th anniversary of the organization. In addition, President Betsy Henley announced upcoming events for the year.

Kappa Deltas enjoying the day included Amy Hudson, Elizabeth Outland, Dorothy Smith, Libby House, Mary Dee Patrick, Mary Laslie Balogh, Melissa Kenan, Wendy Morris, Patty Ringland, Tracy Simmons, Michelle Rosemore and Alice Womack.

Others in attendance were Torrey DeKeyser, Susan Davies, Nancy McCollum, Katie Patrick, Isabelle Lawson, Amy Knight, Suzanne Hughes, Marlea Foster, Kathy O’Rear, Lane DeWine, Janet Forbes, Betsy Harmon and Teresa Pulliam. ❖

Photos special to the Journal

Kappa Delta Alums Celebrate 119 Years of Sisterhood

Clockwise from above, from left: Virginia McDonald, Libby House, Mary Laslie Balogh, Michelle Rosemore and Amy Hudson; Amy Hudson, Torrey DeKeyser and Patty Ringland; and Laura Rue, Alice Womack and Suzanne Hughes.

Back and Better than Ever!

Photo special to the Journal

Briarwood Christmas Shop

Thursday, December 1st from noon-6pm Friday, December 2nd from 9am-4pm Free Admission

Great Gifts and Keepsakes • Many Talented Merchants • Door Prizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church • Fellowship Hall 2200 Briarwood Way at I-459 and Acton Road

To: From: Date:

Angie Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax October

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please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

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The Delta Zeta Birmingham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority hosted its annual Founder’s Day Tea on Oct. 23 celebrating the chapter and membership milestones.

Members Gwen Sanderson and Jane Graham were honored as Golden Rose recipients for 50 years

of membership in Delta Zeta.

Membership in the Birmingham chapter is open to any Delta Zeta alumnae in good standing with the National Panhellenic Conference Sorority. For more information, visit dzbirminghamalumnae.org.❖

Founding Festivities Birmingham DZ Alums Celebrate Founder’s Day

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Enchanté

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 27

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Attic Antiques

Ballerinas Celebrate 18 New Members Now in its 70th year, the Ballerina Club honored 18 new members with a dinner at the Country Club of Birmingham on Oct. 19.

More than 75 members and guests enjoyed a gala evening featuring a cocktail hour, roasted shrimp dinner and entertainment by Ray Reach.

A talented Birmingham vocalist and pianist, Reach performed old favorites from Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Ted Van Heusen, Irving Berlin and other icons of popular music. As the music played, guests dined at tables dressed in hunter green overlays and centered by mirror mats reflecting Oriental cloisonné vases filled with chrysanthemums and elaeagnus branches lit by votive candles.

Decorations were executed by Jean Liles, Anne Lamkin, Nancy Walburn and Jean Shanks.

Ballerina President Anne Lamkin welcomed attendees and introduced the new members. She also recognized dinner chairwoman Nancy Walburn and her committee, which included Jean Liles and Connie Bishop and membership chairwoman Lou Lanier.

Carmen Morrow won kudos as the member who recruited the largest number of prospective members.

New Ballerinas include Ginger Ballard, Sally Bluhm, Nancy Bush, Bonnie Cicio, Leigh Collins, Julie Crocker, Mitzi Davis, Marlea Foster, Pat Grant, Vera Kee, Vickie Kirkpatrick, Rebecca Mason, Susan Peddy, Kathy Ramsey, Donna Sanford, Melinda Smith, Vicki Smith and Susan Williams.

At the evening’s finale, Olivia Alison and Renee Blalock, co-chairs of Ballerina’s upcoming 71st ball in March, sang a few bars of “Some Enchanted Evening” to announce the theme of the annual event.

Members and guests enjoying the dinner were Joanne and Art

McConnell, Margaret and Bill Howell, Rusty and Don Kirkpatrick, Dot Crook and Bill Demeray, Janis Zeanah, Fay Hart, Nancy and Bill Stetler, Patsy and Bob Straka, Nancy and Arnold Bush, Vicki Lukens, Renee Blalock, Olivia Alison, Carolyn Waguespack, Susan and Scott Williams, Mitzi and Richard Davis, Vickie and Ricky Kirkpatrick, Ginger and David Ballard, Susan and Jody Peddy, Anne and Tom Lamkin, Connie Bishop and Charlie Bearden, Claudia and Ray Reach, Nancy Walburn and Jean Shanks.

Others attending were Kathy and Ted Miller, Jean and Curtis Liles, Leigh and Kevin Collins, Rebecca and Ross Mason, Marquita and Roland Self, Donna and John Sanford, Carmen and Randall Morrow, Sue and Preston Trammel, Ginny and Mike Halter, Lou Lanier, Kathie Ramsey, Marlea and John Foster, Melinda and Steve Smith, Vera and Jim Kee, Vicki and Don Smith, Pat and Perry Grant, Ann and Fletcher Harvey, Cheree and Eric Carlton, Martha and Mallory Reeves, Sahra and Roland Lee, and Elizabeth and Merrill Compton. ❖

Come See Us For Great Gifts!

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To: From:

Babara Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Nov.

Date:

This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTA Nov. 19, 2015 issue. Please fax approval or chan

Please make sure all information is correct, includin

Please initial and fax back within 2

From left: Rebecca Mason, Kathie Ramsey, Donna Sanford and Leigh Collins.

if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad Small Business Saturday November 26th Thank you for your prompt atte

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Journal photo by Emily Williams

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Page 28 • Toy Story • OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal • November 17, 2016

Season s Best: George Jones owner of Snoozy’s Kids in Crestline Village with a few of his favorite toys.

familiar favor ite: Mary Anne Glazner, owner of Smith’s Variety in Crestline Village, says you can’t go wrong with a classic like Lincoln Logs, invented by John Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright around 1916.

Toy Talks OTM Stores preview the Season’s best bets

By Emily Williams At a toy store, one thing is always certain, things are going to be fun.

Over the Mountain toy stores Homewood Toy and Hobby, Smith’s Variety and Snoozy’s Kids are in the business of fun, and this year that business will please both parents and kids alike.

“I wouldn’t say we are selling educational toys, but that the toys themselves get your brain and body working in some way,” said Snoozy’s Kids owner George Jones.

Mom and Dad may find their favorite toys in the Apple Store, but there are popular toys this year that are sure to draw the kids away from the screen.

“I’ve been in the toy industry for years, and you always see things make a comeback in one way or another,” said Smith’s Variety buyer Steve Saddath.

Games are making a huge resurgence with new variations on old classics such as Yeti in my Spaghetti, which essentially is a comical twist on pick-up sticks, for $19.99 at Smith’s.

The game also be found at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s Kids.

“We had a game like this years ago where you tried to keep a little man from falling as you pulled out the sticks,” Saddath added. “It’s the same game, they have just added a new character.”

There are not one but two new spins on the classic Rubik’s cube.

For the mastermind who has tired of the old square, there’s the Star Cube. It starts out looking much like the older model, until you pull it apart to reveal an even more complex interior puzzle.

“People absolutely love the Rubik’s cube and this is just another variation,” Jones said. “We also have a game version that you can play with a friend that looks a bit like Battleship.”

The Rubik’s Cube Game is $19.99 and can be found at Snoozy’s. The Star Cube is $14.99 and can be found at all three stories.

One of Homewood Toy and Hobby manager and buyer Julie Marix’ favorite spins on a clas-

Homewood Toy and Hobby with three options ranging from $14.99 to $19.99.

“It’s all about getting kids off of devices and talking,” said Homewood Toy and Hobby owner Tricia McCain.

panies only sell to small-business stores like mine.”

All three stores have selections that have been personally curated by the stores owners and buyers to suit the local demographic.

High Tech

Br illiant c hoice: Tricia McCain, with Homewood Toy and Hobby likes the smart board game Dr. Eureka for fun with science you can play competitively or all by yourself.

sic is the revamped pogo stick.

“A lot of younger kids don’t weigh enough to use a regular pogo stick, so this smaller one is perfect for their size,” she said. “It counts your jumps and gets you really moving. Also, it comes in a unicorn shape, which has been very popular. Unicorns are the big things right now.”

The Kidoozie Pogo Jumper is available at

Though the Christmas rush can safely be deemed “begun” – Homewood Toy already is open seven days a week – the preparations for toy store owners began well in advance.

“I’d say we started as soon as February,” Jones said. “I like to try and find a balance between those things you can find at any big store, but I also go to conventions where com-

From Play Doh to Silly Putty, toy companies love to give kids the latest moldable mess. Mad Mattr is different in that it is virtually mess free.

You can rub it into the carpet without leaving a stain and sit it in the hot sun without it drying out. Available at Snoozy’s for $13.99 in assorted colors. Also available at Smith’s and Homewood Toy for $12.99.

Everyone loves to play make-believe, and with the new Disney Princess Electronic Magical Tiara Adventures Game, girls simply turn on the crown, place it on their head and await instructions. Available at Snoozy’s for $34.99. Also available at Homewood Toy. Boys and Girls ages 5-6 and up can become one with a game with the Immerse Plus VR Goggles. Simply download free apps to your phone and hook it up to the goggles for a virtual reality gaming experience. Available at Homewood Toy for $39.99.

For the more tech-savvy kids, the Blade Inductrix drone is available. “Drones are still popular and, though it’s in our hobby section, I’d call it a toy,” Marix said. With guards protecting kids from its propellers, the Inductrix is good for ages 12 and up. Available at Homewood Toy for $69.99. There also is an FPV option that includes a video camera for $199.99.

Get Active

Get your kids out of the house and in the yard with the Slackers Ninjaline’s spin on the American Ninja Warrior stunts. “All you need is two good strong trees in the yard and you have

toy story

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Classic Spin

The newest thing in baby dolls, the Madame Alexander Babblebaby adapts to the speech of its owner and gives appropriate responses – in baby talk. “There is a way to turn it off so it doesn’t talk all night,” Jones assured customers.

This doll is $44.99 and is available at Snoozy’s.

Homewood Toy and Hobby also has a selection of Babblebabies beginning at $44.99.

Sick of worrying about youngsters turning your home into their newest art installations?

With the Scribble n’ Play, children use an inkless stylus to create drawings that stay on the toy’s surface. Available for $34.99 at Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy. A play on the old race car, Max Traxx Race incorporates lights and glow-in-the-dark pieces.

Available for $99.99 at all stores.

Lux is an interesting construction tool, said Sudduth. “If you go on YouTube, you will find a bunch of videos that teach kids how to use these pieces to create things like molecules or a strand of DNA,” he said. Available at Smith’s from $29.99 & up.

Magformers have been around for a couple of years, but they are still as popular as ever.

Kids can construct with magnetic pieces that are similar to Lego. Available at Smith’s and Homewood Toy for $12.99 and up.

Revisiting a popular toy from last year, Light Stax lets kids create their own nightlight with Lego-esque pieces that light up. Sets can be found for $19.99 and up at Smith’s as well as Homewood Toy. The ever-popular frisbee gets a new twist with slots for glow sticks to be inserted to light up nighttime play. Available for $19.99 at Snoozy’s. Also available at Homewood Toy and Smith’s Variety.

Another play on an old favorite, Snoozy’s has a selection of light-up Slinkies for $9.99.

Kor is a play on the Rubik’s Cube, asking kids to use various magnetic pieces attached to a metal core to create an egg shape and then follow directions to create other shapes. Available at Smith’s and Homewood for $39.99.

For kids who like to get crafty, crafting kits are always popular. Marix swears by the Ann Williams Group Craft-tastic Bird House Kit, in which kids use colored string to decorate a plastic birdhouse. Available at Homewood Toy for $14.99.

SpiceBox sets are one of Sudduth’s favorite craft-based toys at Smith’s. Available from $9.99 to $29.99, each box includes every

For Your Consideration

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

your own Ninja Warrior in your yard,” Jones said. The Slackers Ninjaline kit can be found for $99.99 at Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy. If you don’t have the trees or yard to accommodate a Ninjaline, the Gorilla Jump is an alternative for the indoors. Much like a pull up bar, all you need is a sturdy doorway. “When I saw it at market, I swung on this thing as hard as I could and it didn’t fall down,” Jones said. For $159.99, this product is available at Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy. Snoozy’s is offering the newest thing in swing sets with the Slackers platform swing, available in a variety of shapes and one in color at $74.99 and up.

Replacing those plastic basketball sets, the Kong Air Sports basketball goal is inflatable and can be taken down after play and stored away for another day. Available at Homewood Toy and Snoozy’s for $39.99.

Disc Slam is the new corn hole, according to Marix, but instead of tossing sacks into holes, players must try to get a disc into a slot.

Available at Homewood Toy for $34.99.

Sudduth described the Passback as “a play on the football. One side is flat so you can throw it against a wall and play catch with yourself.” The Passback can be found at Smith’s and Snoozy’s in various style options from $19.99$35.99.

item the child needs to complete the project.

Sudduth’s bestseller is the rock painting set.

Also available at Homewood Toy.

Retro Rewind

For kids who want an instrument and parents who appreciate a bit of quiet, the Rock and Roll It allows kids to play their own music on a plastic mat surface with the option of plugging in headphones. The toy also has the capability to record the child’s musical creation and play it back. Available in piano or drums, this product can be found at all three stores for $49.99.

Lego never goes out of style. “This year, we are only offering the 2016 (Lego) sets. That way you don’t have to worry about buying someone something that they already have,” Jones said. You can find a variety of Lego sets at various price points at both Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy. “Sky Scrapers have been around for probably more than a decade,” said Sudduth. Kids can launch discs two stories in the air or higher with this ever-popular toy. Available at Smith’s for $9.99.

The Airzooka has been scaring customers at Smith’s for many years. Simply pull and release a band and the contraption launches a gust of air at an object (or person) all the way across the room. Available at Smith’s for $19.99.

“I finally found the real Lincoln Logs,” Sudduth said. After sifting through copycat brands, Sudduth was proud to bring the classic construction toy set back to Smith’s shelves, ranging from $29.99 to $149.99.

Who needs boring old badminton when you can have Jazzminton, with feathered shuttlecocks that fly at a variety of speeds?

Available at Smith’s for $14.99. Also available at Homewood Toy. “I’m always surprised by how popular our trains are,” Marix said. Classic electric trains come in a variety of themes from Polar Express to real-life railways. Available at Homewood toy for $279.99.

“Rody Horses have been around for probably 50 years,” said Marix. These plastic inflatable horses can be customized with additional rocking or rolling attachments. Available in a variety of colors for $54.99.

“Puppet theaters are something we sell a lot during Christmas-time,” Marix said. “They are a classic that never gets old and they make a big statement.” Puppet theaters are available at

Homewood Toy for $89.99 with a wide selection of puppets at various prices.

Etch A Sketch is a staple around the holidays. “It says it’s suitable for most ages, but I’d put it at ages 6 or 7 and up,” said Marix.

Available at Homewood Toy for $17.99.

“Electric Football is something that any dad or their grandfather will remember playing with when they were young,” Marix said. The classic hasn’t changed at all over the years, available at Smith’s and Homewood Toy for $59.99.

If we ever get a real cold front, Homewood Toy is prepared. Its selection of Flexible Flyer sleds range from $16.99 for plastic sleds and $199 or more for those classic red wooden and metal sleds.

Who doesn’t recognize a Jack in the Box? “We sell a ton of these around Christmas because they remind parents of their own childhood,” Marix said. Homewood Toy is offering up this classic toy for $24.99.

For teeny-tiny tots, Smith’s favors the wooden toy brand Haba. They hold up for much longer than plastic blocks, according to Sudduth. Available in a variety of options from $9.99 and up.

Not-So-Board Games

Tenzi’s newest game, Slapzi, is both fun and educational. Holding double-sided picture cards, players turn over a card that reads something like, “Has legs,” and then slaps down one of their cards that has that attribute. “Whenever I see this company’s name on a game, I’m excited,” Jones said. “They don’t mess around.”

Slapzi is available at Snoozy’s for $19.99 Remember Simon? His high-tech cousin The Wave asks the same of its players. Just watch the pattern and recreate it. Instead of pushing buttons, the Wave asks you to wave a hand over sensors to make patterns and includes five different game options. You can find this at Snoozy’s for $34.99.

Available at all three stores, Mastermind Toys’ newest game, Bumper Bots, doesn’t need any batteries. Suited for two to four players, the wooden game requires kids to launch discs from their side of the board. Seems easy, according to Sudduth, until you have three other players’ pieces blocking your way. Available at all three stores for $39.99.

Dr. Eureka is the newest matching game, according to Marix. Players must match a color pattern to one displayed on a card by moving colored balls between test tubes without

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 29

touching them with their hands. Available at Homewood Toy for $19.99.

Mad Libs is the perfect stocking stuffer for kids about 8 and up, said Marix. The word game is available at Homewood Toy for $3.99 a book The Mouthguard Challenge is a hilarious new game, said Sudduth. One player puts a mouthguard in his or her mouth and other players try to guess what word they are saying.

Available at Smith’s and Homewood Toy for $19.99 A new version of the Would You Rather? board game is out and available at Smith’s for $19.99.

State Smarts is an educational card game that tests kids’ knowledge of the United States.

Available at Smith’s for $12.99.

Stinky Pig is the new hot potato, according to Sudduth. Kids pass around a toy pig until the music stops and the losing kid gets a smelly surprise. Available at Smith’s for $11.99. Also available at Snoozy’s.

Wet Head is the new Pie in the Face Game, Sudduth said. A player wears a hat filled with water and spins the hat for a certain amount of time, they pass it on to the next player until someone spins it and gets a head covered in water. Available at Smith’s for $19.99

New and Improved

It’s all about the sense of smell this season with everything from scented markers to pillows that offer up such scents as cotton candy and sweet tarts. You can find pillows at Snoozy’s for $29.99 and up and purses and wristlets from $11 to $34.99. Homewood Toy also has a selection of pillows and purses for $25 and up.

Corolle “Bebe Calin Bisou” is the hottest new Corolle doll. “Every doll from this brand smells like vanilla,” Sudduth said, which is a big draw for kids. Available at Smith’s and Snoozy’s for $39.99 and up.

Sudduth calls Dreamland Fairy the everyday version of Elf on a Shelf. Kids have a little wooden house they can decorate for their fairy.

“We used to keep the fairies that go with the homes in stock as well, but I, to be honest, they were kind of terrifying,” Sudduth laughed. Kids can have their own fairy home, sans scary fairy, at Smith’s for $25.99. Available at Homewood Toy. One of Jones’ favorite items in the store is the Blankie Tails. Kids slip into these “blankets” like they would sleeping bags, and their legs are transformed into shark and mermaid tails.

Available at Snoozy’s for $35.99.

Though adults may not know much about it, Shopkins is the hottest thing for young girls.

Think Polly Pocket if she lived in a store or kitchen and was a cute piece of toast or an apple. “We have series six in, which had to be ordered six months ago,” Jones said. Available at Snoozy’s and Homewood for $4.99 and up.

Infants can’t quite write their own Christmas list, but according to Marix, the Oombee Cube is perfect for little ones. Babies can fit shapes into the cube’s holes with ease as each piece is connected to the cube by string. “It’s also soft and silicone so you don’t have to worry about letting your baby gum on it,” Maris said.

Available at Homewood Toy for $16.99.

Wee Baby Stella is the perfect doll for smaller babies, said Marix. It’s made of cloth with all attached pieces sewn on so that kids can gum or chew on the baby without hurting themselves.

Available at Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy for $19.99.

Whimsical and fun, according to Jones, the Living Royal Socks are a novelty that he can’t keep on his shelves. They are great stocking stuffers at $7.99 apiece and are available in a variety of holiday themes.

Pillow Pets are still popular among kids, combining the cuteness of a stuffed animal with the comfort of a pillow. Available at Smith’s for $29.99. Also available at Homewood Toy. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal • November 17, 2016 • Page 30

Holiday Gift Guide Beginning to shop a lot like it’s Christmas, everywhere you go? We strongly recommend you consult our Holiday Gift Guide for everyone on your list!

Great gifts, from local merchants (Santa’s helpers), is a Holiday wish come true!

Marla Aaron 14-k yellow gold baby lock with multicolored gemstone harlequin turn on a 14-k yellow gold fine square link chain, $1525. More combinations available at different price points. Etc., 871-6747.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer with fine brushed steel bracelet and blue “sunray” dial, $1500.

Bromberg’s, Mountain Brook Village, 871-3276 The Summit, 969-1776.

Radko ornaments, featuring “Bejeweled Balancer”, $63, and “Promise to Please”, $66.

Black Jack Gardens, 836-2933.

White glazed terra cotta vase with reindeer handles, 12.5 inches tall, $145.

Wallace-Burke, 874-1044.

Black merino wool women’s cape, $248. vineyard vines, 970-9758.

Ceramic ornaments from Prodigal Pottery, made by women at King’s Home.

Prices range from $8-10.

Town & Country Clothes, 871-7909.

Deep blue opal earrings set in 14-k yellow gold with a diamond halo, $365. Levy’s Fine Jewelry, 251-3381.

Lifetime Candle: refillable, clean burning, smokeless, odorless, color that lasts a lifetime.

Hand-crafted in Arkansas.

Prices range from $30-80.

Blue Willow Gifts, 968-0909.

The 2017 Acura MDX has the power to move you with bold new styling.

KingAcura.com.

King Acura, Hoover, 979-8888.

Red Mountain Park honey is pure and produced on site along by the same bees that pollinate the park’s wildflowers. One lb. bottle for $10.

Red Mountain Park, 913-7899.

Mercer copper heavyweight cocktail shaker, $38.

Table Matters, 879-0125

Made in the USA “Handsome Man Grooming Can” by Duke Cannon Supply Co. Contains shaving cream, face wash, hand repair balm, soap and lip balm, $75.00.

Fancy Goods Variety, 978-1451

Nelson Studio pottery Salt Cellar. The “tongue” is actually a spoon, $40.

Alabama Goods, 803-3900.

Large Big Green Egg, $859.00.

Other Big Green Eggs styles available, starting at $399.00.

Allsouth Appliance, 942-0408.

“Trophy Husband” PJ pants, 100% cotton with button fly, drawstring and enclosed elastic waist and pockets.

Sizes available from XS-XL, $29. a.k.a. Girl Stuff, 802-7735.

Pitt Mitt, a glove that withstands extreme heat up to 475 F, $19.95.

Alabama Gaslight & Grill, 870-4060.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 31

holiday gift guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Magic City Christmas candle with a 60+ hour burn time, $28.

At Home Furnishings, 879-3510.

Leather valet tray, made in the USA. Price includes a laser engraving monogram.

Pictured in saddle brown.

ExVoto Vintage Jewelry, 538-7301.

Signed Elizabeth Gage Intaglio bracelet and ring.

Price upon request.

AMW, Inc., 870-3588.

Alabama Wild Collection

by Earthborn Pottery Exclusively at Alabama Goods A cleaner and healthier home. Ten percent off for OTMJ readers.

The Maids, 871-9338.

2933 18th Street South Homewood, AL 35209 www.alabamagoods.com Facebook.com/alabamagoods Instagram.com/alabamagoods

Antique Herberiums, $145 each.

Arcenaux Art Gallery, 802-5800.

Handmade nativity ornaments, made by women at King’s Home, $10 each. Prodigal Pottery, 807-0943.

Holiday seed cylinders in assorted festive shapes bring holiday cheer to your garden, $18.99-19.99.

Wild Bird’s Unlimited, 823-6500.

Tween to Trend Accessories In Snoozy's Kids

Pearl with leather necklaces, bracelets and earrings, hand-made by a jewelry designer in Apalachicola, $25-30.

Architectural Heritage, 322-3538.

Assorted Studio by the Tracks Ornaments, $30 each.

Grand Bohemian Gallery, 203-4714.

Louis Sherry New York, Est. 1881, truffle collection available in boxes of two or 12, $8.50 and $36.

Christine’s on Canterbury, 871-8297.

Family memberships to the Birmingham Zoo, $99, regularly $120. Family Plus membership, $299, regularly, $350.

Birmingham Zoo, 879-0409.

Crestline Village 871.2662

Black Friday Snoozy Doozies! from 8am - 10am, NoV. 25th!

32 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Gift box of three Ugg Socks, one size, $60.

The Lingerie Shoppe, 871-8994.

holiday gift guide

Pillows designed from original artwork by local artist Ruth Penton Polson.

M & S Interiors, 582-9393.

Large selection of vintage Christmas ornaments, $1.00 and up.

Hanna Antiques, 323-6036.

Ceramic nativity, $45. Leaf & Petal, Botanical Gardens, 877-3030, Mountain Brook, 871-3832, The Summit- 967-3232.

Yellow gold and diamond stackable rings.

Southeastern Jewelers, 980-9030.

The Big Kat Buggy makes recreation hassle-free. Load it up with all your camping, beach or fishing supplies, attach it to your tow hitch and head out, $399.

Little Hardware, 871-4616.

Montblanc Pix collection in your favorite colors. Ballpoint, $225; rollerball, $250.

Barton-Clay, 871-7060.

Stackable bands with diamonds and gemstones, set in rose, white and yellow gold. Mix and match. Prices range from $200-2,000. Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers, 9824888.

Galileo Thermometers, 17”, $15.99 and 13”, $9.99.

Birmingham TrunkRosenberger’s, 870-0971.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

3D Mexican star light fixture, $185.

Frontera Iron, 320-1900.

New 2017 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pickup, starting at $39,995 after rebates.

Plus tax and title.

Edwards Chevrolet, 716-3330.

Holiday candles by Nest start at, $20.

Mantooth Interiors, 879-5474.

Handmade Hannukah apron by a local seamstress, $25.

The Cook Store, $25 The Cook Store, 879-5277.

Freaker bottle covers, insulates and stops bottle sweat. One size fits all bottles and cans. Available in Baberaham Lincoln, Superman and Bear Hugs. Made in the USA, $10$12. Lucky Duck Gifts, 238-5056.

Ciara Williams Michel rose quartz necklace featuring a yellow gold signature clasp, $1,500 and it’s paired with a mixed tourmaline centerpiece, with a mother of pearl backing, $4,700.

Both pieces are limited edition.

Estate Jewelers of Mountain Brook, 414-8071.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 33

holiday gift guide

Please Join Us

Thursday December 1st from 11:30 - 2:30 for

Made in Alabama Shopping Day Magnolia Home “Tool Caddy” 10”L x 6”W x 4”H was $56, now for the holidays, $40.

Issis & Sons Furniture Galleries, Pelham, 663-2310, Vestavia 874-9586.

Half Moon Cookie Tins are made from scratch daily, delivered straight to your doorstep, $21.99.

Online at FullMoonBBQ.com.

Interchangeable magnetic pendants and chains.

Pendants start at $49.50 and chains are $44.50.

Jewels by Rose, 979-5611.

Buy directly from our guest artisans: unique, Alabama-made gifts.

Clothing Jewelry Kitchen Towels Picture Frames Glass Art Treats and Gifts for Pets Fruit Butters Fine Art Light refreshments will be served.

Reclaimed wood and lucite party bucket and tray.

Trouvé, 490-1533.

Vintage Murano Glass art pieces, starting at $28.

Tricia’s Treasure, 871-9779.

Splattered Beanies by artist Thomas Andrew, $20, includes shipping. Each is made by the artist, and with each one sold, one is donated to a local charity. Order at ThomasAndrewArt.com

978-1451

facebook.com/Fancy Goods Variety 2512 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 102, Vestavia Hills

BEST

The

Christmas

Flour sack kitchen hand towels, 2 in a pack, $19.

Attic Antiques, 991-6887.

Ever

Gift

Vulcan socks, available in four colors, $10.99 plus tax.

The Anvil at Vulcan Park & Museum, 933-1409.

Just $60 can provide food, shelter & support for a mom and two kids for a day.

Skin Wellness Center VIP card, $299. VIP membership entitles you to over $2,000 in savings and free services including complimentary facial, microdermabrasion and chemical peel. Skin Wellness Center, 871-7332.

Please Give Today

JimmieHaleMission.com (205) 323-5878 PO Box 10472 • Birmingham, AL 35202

34 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

holiday gift guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Savages treats, cookies, petit-fours and cake bombs.

Savages Bakery & Deli, 871-4901.

SkinCeuticals Refirm A.G.E. INTERRUPTER + C E FERULIC® correction kit, $181.00.

Total Skin & Beauty, 933-0987.

Julie Alyward, Boston Ma. gemstone in vermeil earrings, $125 each pair.

John-William Jeweller, 870-4367.

Spongelle sponge infused with refreshing shower gel, $14.

Marguerite’s Conceits, 879-2730.

Handcrafted locally jeweled necklace by Loopy Lady, $15.

Roots at Aldridge Gardens, 682-8019.

Vintage bronze vegetables by Frank Fleming, starting at $150.

Roman Brantley Art & Antiques, 460-1224.

“Wisdom Life Great Treasure”

by Richard Simmons, $22. wisdomlifegreattreasure.com.

Magnetic bracelets by Jolie can be worn alone or stacked, $15.

The Dress Shop on Linden, 739-2152.

Smoke x mirrors sunglasses, $325, Say-Oh, $330, and Theo, $545. iiis. an optical shop, 930-9394.

Fuzzy footies, one size fits most, $9.99. Flip Flops & What Nots, 967-7429.

Hand-made nativity blocks by local artist Laurel Browning.

Prices start at $25.

Interiors by Kathy Harris, 970-4161.

Smathers and Branson leather cozys, $29.50.

Remon’s Clothier, 977-5512.

Stihl battery powered leaf blower, BGA 85, $229.95.

Talledega Tractor, 256-362-6113.

Sterling Silver DIAMOND cross necklaces - diamonds set in sparkling sterling silver cross pendants on silver chains, starting at $139.00.

Shay’s Jewelers, 978-5880.

1930’s Shirley Temple wicker doll buggy by Heywood & Wakefield.

Mary Charles Doll House, 870-5544.

Hand made serving bowls, noodle bowls and dinnerware, in various glazes.

Earthborn Studios, 702-7055.

New racquets from Wilson: Blade, Pro-staff and Pro-staff autograph. Starting at $219.

Player’s Choice Tennis, 985-4989.

Range Rover Evoque, a true Range Rover in compact form.

Land Rover Birmingham, 984-2305.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

MOuntain Brook

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 35

English Village Classic Holiday Open House Wednesday, Nov. 30th, 5 - 8 p.m.

signature nd cocktails a es r horsdoeuv

live music, special dea ls and trunk show s

Featuring Classic Cars from the Barber Motor Sports Classic Car Club

more holiday fun To: From: Date:

Jennifer Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Nov. 2016

In the Villages of Mountain Brook!

This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the Nov. 17, 2016 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

Please make sure all information is correct, including addressbrook and phone mountain Village number!

Open House Thursday, Dec. 1st Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Holiday Parade Sun., Dec. 4th at 3 p.m.

Parade activities begin with live entertainment from the center stage in Mountain Brook Village as Santa and the parade make their way through Mountain Brook, sponsored by Swoop.

creSTline Village Open House Thurs., Dec. 8th

36 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers

At Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers, custom design, certified expertise, exceptional quality and customer service combine to offer the perfect place to create and buy jewelry for the most special occasions.

“Our passion is designing one-of-a-kind jewelry to make those special moments in your life unforgettable,” says Avani Patel, pictured above with her mother and co-owner, Rupa Patel.

Rupa Patel, has always had a flair for fashion and jewelry and decided to make the leap and start her own business in 2005. Soon Avani began taking interest in her mother’s new business, and they became a mother-daughter jewelry designing team.

“It all goes back to sharing my designs with friends, family and clients,” Rupa said. “I have always enjoyed having clients over for a cup of tea and delicious home-made snacks as they perused

Mountain Brook

through our collections of jewelry ranging from traditional Indian designs to innovative, modern pieces.”

As they continued to work with clients, Avani attended Birmingham Southern College and graduated with a degree in accounting. She went on to receive her graduate gemology and jewelry design diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America in California.

This combination of experience, education, passion and customer service means there is no doubt you’re in good hands with Avani and Rupa.

Today, at their new location in Mountain Brook Village, Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers offers jewelry and design for all occasions, private bridal appointments, as well as on site appraisals.

Come in today and see their new 18-karat engagement ring collection. One of a kind pieces perfect for your proposal.

Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers is located at 2408 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook, 982-4888.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

B. Prince

Though the name is new, B. Prince has been in business for 35 years.

Just last year, Bezshan Dolatabadi bought Betsy Prince and renamed the popular women’s boutique.

Along with the new name came a great new location in October as B. Prince moved from Brookwood Mall to the new Lane Parke development in Mountain Brook Village.

“Our store is new to Mountain Brook Village and has introduced a new vibe not formerly experienced by Village shoppers - much the same as The Grand Bohemian has done for hotels in the area,” Bezshan said.

“B. Prince is an upscale apparel, shoe and accessory boutique and is for the woman who enjoys the art of style.

“Items come from New York, California and Paris and many are unique to Birmingham,” he

Join us Thursday, December 1st for our Skif sweater trunk show, and...

271 Rele Street

•

Lane Parke • 871-1965

added. “We have the largest collection of shoes in Mountain Brook Village, and we are known for our wonderful customer service, beautiful clothes and our unique and gorgeous collection of shoes.

“Our style has always been creative dressing,” Bezshan said. “We interpret trends to fit our clients and tailor their wardrobe to complement their lifestyle and fashion tastes.

“During this season, we’re looking forward to Ladies’ Night on Thursday, December 1 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. We’ll also be open on Sunday, December 4, 11 and 18 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. for extra shopping.

“Galatea Designs will be having a jewelry show in the store on Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16.”

“This season will be exciting not only because we are in our beautiful new store, but also because I am getting married!” says Bezshan.

B. Prince is located at 271 Rele Street Lane Parke, 871-1965.

...from 5pm-7pm for Ladies Night with wine and hors d’oeuvres.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Bromberg’s

Bromberg’s is a name that has been synonymous with quality in Alabama for 180 years.

From its diamonds and fine jewelry to its selection of the finest gifts, china and crystal available anywhere in the south, Bromberg’s is an Alabama tradition.

“We have thrived all these years because our customers are our friends and our neighbors,” says Ricky Bromberg, pictured above. “The Bromberg’s experience has always been about family and community, trust, quality and loyalty.”

Bromberg & Company was founded in 1836 and has the distinction of being the longest standing family-owned retail store in the US. The company opened it’s first Birmingham location in 1900. The Mountain Brook store opened in 1959 and has become a landmark in the community.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 37

MOuntain Brook

The Summit location opened in 2002.

“I have worked at the store as long as I can remember, literally beginning at age 6 operating the elevator at the downtown store. When I was a child, our family life and the store’s operations were so interwoven that I always knew this was what I wanted to do as my career,” Bromberg said.

“I view my role with a great sense of responsibility. Our business was built by six generations of my family and we owe it to them and of course, to all our customers, to maintain our company’s mission to provide and unforgettable and enjoyable luxury shopping experience.”

To find out about the many special events happening at Bromberg’s this holiday season, like Bromberg’s on Facebook and go to brombergs.com to join the email newsletter list.

Bromberg’s is located at 2800 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, 871-3276 and 131 Summit Blvd., The Summit, 969-1776.

Christine’s on Canterbury

Christine’s on Canterbury, nestled just behind Gilchrist on Canterbury Road, is filled with new gift selections, as well as some of the familiar items always in stock.

A large selection of paper products from Caspari is available, including gift wrap, cards, bridge sets, napkins, and ribbon.

Always popular are the fragrances, but Jean Clayton, owner, pictured above, said that additions have been made with all-natural and ecofriendly lines.

Beeswax candles, both natural and festive, and frames are increasingly popular. Christine’s carries one of the largest selections of frames in the Birmingham area. Price ranges are moderate to expensive.

And yes, the umbrellas that change colors

are back.

“Our most popular item from last Christmas is much in demand again!”

MacKenzie-Childs continues to grow as new designs are introduced throughout the year. Bed, bath, and kitchen linens from Yves Delorme, Le Jacquard Francais, plus new deigns from Belgium.

It is a small European-style shopping experience. Color is abundant with options for all price ranges. Gift wrap is a specialty.

“We have always felt that the wrap is as important as the gift. Caspari designs are carefully selected for each season.

“As many of our customers say, ‘It isn’t Christmas without a gift from Christine’s,’” Clayton said.

Christine’s offers free wrapping. Mastecard, Visa, Discover and AmEx are accepted.

Christine’s is located at 2404 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook, 871-8297.

Candle fragrances available in Fraser Fir, Cypress, and Winter Wonderland Pillows available in Joy, Noel, and 'Tis the Season

Christine’s Canterbury

on

{ returnsRoad to retail } • 205-871-8297 2404 Canterbury

38 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Lucky Duck

Lucky Duck is a fun and quirky gift shop that offers an amazing selection of gifts, cards, balloons and party supplies.

“We opened our doors, September 2016. The response has been amazing and we are so grateful for the support from our customers,” said owner Brooke Maluff, pictured above, far right.

“I believe laughter is the best gift and we sell some really funny products! Laughter is contagious and we enjoy hearing our customers laugh when they shop with us. We want to continue building our relationships with our customers by providing great products and excellent customer service with a smile on our face.

“We are so excited to kickoff the holiday season with our neighbors,” Maluff said.

At Mountain Brook’s Holiday Open House Dec. 1, the store has planned to offer giveaways, goodies and refreshments from 5-8 p.m.

Mountain Brook

“We also have a few other surprises up our sleeves,” she said. “We are hosting a pop-up shop for Prodigal Pottery. The pottery is made by the women of King’s Ranch who are fleeing domestic abuse. Please stop by and support these talented and strong women. These are gifts that give back.

“Holiday shopping shouldn’t be a struggle and we provide you with a concierge level of customer service. We will navigate you through the store and find the perfect gifts for those on your list. The shop is stocked with great gifts especially for those ‘hard-to-buy-for’ on your list. We also wrap, not rap, well sometimes we bust a rhyme! Gift wrap service is always complimentary.

“We have party supplies for the hostess with the mostest. Need to sparkle for a holiday party? We have beautiful jewelry to complete your look,” Maluff said. “Duck in the shop and duck out with your list checked and gifts wrapped.

Lucky Duck Gifts is located at 2828 Culver Road, 238-5056.

Little Hardware

In 1946, Lewis Little opened the doors of Little Hardware on Avenue F in Ensley. In 1959 after operating there for 13 years, an opportunity presented itself to move to the newly built Mountain Brook Shopping Center adjacent to Mountain Brook Village.

Prospective businessman Frank Davies Jr. bought Little Hardware in 1965 from Mr. Little.

In addition to being a devoted businessman, Mr. Davies was dedicated to his family. He and his wife had three children, all of whom worked in the store at some point in their lives.

Mr. Davies’s son Frank Wesley Davies III permanently joined the team in 1982, which made Little Hardware the family business Mr. Davies Jr. had dreamed about.

In 2013 the decision was made to relocate to Enlish Village in the former Park Lane grocery store location.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

“We are a family owned and operated business built on service and selection,” said owner, Frank Davies, pictured above with his son Wesley who also works at the store.

“We offer bar-b-cue grills, pet food, lawn “We are a family owned and operated business built on service and selection.”

and garden power equipment, bird feed and feeders. We are a full-line hardware store.”

“We will be open for the Open House in English Village on Nov. 30. Refreshments and snacks will be served. We have lots of great and practical gifts for everyone. We are open from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Come visit and you may be surprised at all of the things we carry.”

Little Hardware is located at 2117 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, 871-4616.

Forget Santa, We already have what you want.

2828 Culver Rd. Mountain Brook, Alabama 205-238-5056 facebook.com/LuckyDuckGifts LuckyDuck-Ad-holiday-fnl-B.indd 1

11/7/16 2:28 PM

2117 cahaba road • english village • 871-4616

The Cook Store

The Cook Store is a kitchen specialty shop featuring functional pottery, pots, pans and gadgets for cooking and entertaining.

“The Cook Store has been a fixture in Mountain Brook since 1975,” said owner Wesley Lassen, pictured above.

The Cook Store exclusively carries pottery skillets and sauce pans from The Pottery Works that are stovetop safe on both gas or electric cooktops. The store also offers kitchen linens, bakeware, cookware and more.

“You can choose from All Clad stainless steel cookware, Doughmakers bakeware, Wusthof knives and pottery from local potters like Tena Payne of Earthborn Studios, Stephanie Dikis and Gidge Black Pottery,” she said.

“We are looking forward to a crazy holiday season of selling, selling, selling and wrapping, wrapping and more wrapping. We have lots of great gift ideas for the person who has everything and the person who doesn’t have enough.

Come check out our pottery, cheese vault, moscow mule copper mugs, melamine serving pieces and dishes and lots more gift items. Our Holiday Open House is Dec. 1 and we will be open for the Christmas Parade on Dec. 4.”

The Cook Store is located at 2841 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village, 879-5277.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 39

MOuntain Brook

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Lingerie Shoppe

The Lingerie Shoppe is a full service shop for sleepwear, bridal wear, foundations, bras, panties, Spanx and almost any “accessory” to help with problem issues in lingerie. “We specialize in bra fitting and customer service,” said Brenda Meadows, owner, above.

“We’re excited to be celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Lingerie Shoppe this year. It has been my honor to serve our wonderful customers since 1988 - 28 years!

“We have planned for the holidays by having an array of beautiful and fun gowns, robes and PJs. We have a great selection of stocking stuffers, such as initialed lingerie/bathing suit bags, fuzzy socks, satin pillow cases, beautiful shoe bags, satin shoe forms and, of course, Hanky Panky thongs.

“We are fully stocked with all the Spanx you can think of for all of your holiday dressing.

“You can’t have a Christmas tree without one (or more) of our beautifully-wrapped gifts! It is written as a law, somewhere.”

Store hours are Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Visit our website lingerieshoppeinc.com to browse our collection online.

The Lingerie Shoppe is located at 2403 Montevallo Road, 871-8996.

Marguerite’s Conceits

Marguerite’s Conceits is a specialty boutique featuring fine linens, pajamas, robes and lounge wear, bath and body products, candles, diffusers and aromatherapy products.

“We also carry Cinda b luggage and PurseN travel accessories for gals on the go,” “We will have a trunk showing of inspirational plaques by Kay Sasser Jacoby...”

owner, Marguerite Ray, pictured above, said.

“Holiday Open House is Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m. We will have a trunk showing of inspirational plaques by Kay Sasser Jacoby and will offer refreshments and door prizes.

“For the holidays, we have a new collection of outerwear apparel, scarves, gloves, ponchos and wraps which are perfect for our mild winters and also for gift giving. Our customer service can’t be beat and of course we offer beautiful complimentary gift wrapping. Many small gift items are pre-wrapped and read to go - perfect for teachers, friend or hostess gifts.”

Marguerites Conceits is located at 2406 Canterbury Road, 879-2730.

TROUVE’

Opened in November of 2012, Trouvé features a variety of beautiful home furnishings, jewelry, and clever gifts. “I’ve been really fortunate to work alongside some great women, who have great taste, and who are also my friends,” says owner Trisha Tomlinson, above center with, from left, Ashley Elliott and Frances Mulkin.

“I’d like to say that we really make extra efforts to be one of the most welcoming places around, but because everyone here is so genuinely friendly, it just kind of happens naturally.

“We really don’t look at this as work. We’re having fun, and we think our customers are, too.”

Many of Trouvé’s customers often take advantage of the availability of beautiful artwork by local and regional artists. With pieces available by Emily Ozier, Carol Sneed, Katherine Trammell, Lacey Russell and Ginny Weaver, patrons have the opportunity to acquire truly unique artwork for their home or as a gift.

“And we love being in Mountain Brook.

There’s a vibe and energy in the villages, and it’s fun to be a part of that. For the English Village Open House on Nov. 30 we will have some great specials and refreshments to enjoy.”

Trouvé is located at 2004 Cahaba Road and their phone number is 490-1533.

Give what you love...

Love what you give!

Have A Picture Perfect Holiday

Earthborn Studios Pottery by Tena Payne of Birmingham

2841 Cahaba Road Mtn. Brook Village • 879-5277 M-F 10-5 • Sat 10-4 www.thecookstoremtnbrook.com

BlackFriday

BraSale

To: thecookstore@msn.com From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 FAX: 205-824-1246 Date: Nov. 2013

2406 Canterbury road Mtn. brook Village 879.2730

{Nov. 30th}

Holiday

open house

Mark Edge Jewelry Trunk Show 1-8pm.

To: From:

Marguerite Over the Mountain Journal 823-9646 ph, 824-1246 fax Date: Nov 2016 This is your AD PrOOF from the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for the art • antiques • home 11-14-13., 2013 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

This is your ad proof for the OTMJ for the November 17 2016 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as

AT T H E L I N G E R I E S H O P P E Seventy Years in Mountain Brook Village!

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

English Village possible to approve your ad or make changes.

You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

2004 isCahaba Rd. • 490.1533 Please make sure all information correct, including address and phone number!

Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday before the press date, your ad will run as is.

40 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Wild Birds Unlimited

Wild Birds Unlimited is a unique specialty shop that ‘brings people and nature together’ for the purpose of enjoying the hobby of backyard bird feeding. The store has been in Hoover since 1991.

“We offer bird feeders, bird baths, nature products and other unique gifts for giving to and sharing with friends and family,” says owner Joe Perez, above.

“Our Certified Bird Feeding Specialists, Davina, Lisa, Lyn, Sharon and Tracy, are experienced, customer focused and eager to help you and your family and friends enjoy nature! Our German Shephard mascot, Neesha, will also greet you with enthusiasm. We stock the best and the freshest bird food in Birmingham. We have seed blends that are specifically formulated for the local Birmingham area birds.

HOlidays in the Hills

“Be sure to visit us during the Christmas/ holiday season when we feature our Christmas seed blends, suet, cylinders and seed wreaths!

Tracy, has been to the market and has found some extraordinary items for us to offer.

“We have many sizes and colors of handtuned Corinthian Bells wind chimes, decorative bird feeders and bird houses, our WBU exclusive Advanced Pole System, our WBU privately branded and fully guaranteed tube feeders, hopper feeders, hummingbird feeders and platform feeders. Our Eliminator Squirrel Proof feeder is the best squirrel proof feeder available, period!

“We offer complimentary gift wrapping for the gifts you purchase for your bird loving enthusiasts,” said Perez.

Merry Christmas from Joe Perez and the staff at Wild Birds Unlimited!

Wild Birds Unlimited 1580 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35216 205-823-6500

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

The Wald Group

Mike and Hayden Wald, above, from right, are a father and son team who specialize in helping over the mountain families purchase and sell their homes. They have been the number one agents in Vestavia for years, and last year they sold more homes than any other Realty South agents in Alabama.

“The most exciting thing about the Vestavia market right now, is that there are more opportunities for clients to buy a new home than we’ve seen in years,” said Mike.

“There are several new neighborhoods under development or in the planning stages with well over a hundred homes to be built. Prices start in the low $400,000’s.

These new neighborhoods are being developed by some of Birmingham’s best builders.

They build quality homes and offer beauti-

FIND THE

ful designs. And just as important, they offer streamlined systems to help make the process easier for homebuyers.

“Hayden and I assist our clients from the lot selection to final walkthrough. With years of experience in new construction, we’re uniquely qualified to help insure our client’s have a successful building experience,” said Mike “We have several clients who are currently building new homes in Vestavia and they’re actually enjoying it!”

For the inside scoop on all the new construction opportunities in Vestavia, prospective homebuyers can visit our website, VestaviaNewHomes.com. Or they can call Mike Wald at 541-0940 and Hayden Wald at 919-5535.

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Wild Birds Unlimited

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2042 COUNTRY RIDGE PLACE UNDER CONTRACT

2425 MOUNTAIN VISTA DRIVE

Birdfood • feeders garden accents • unique gifts 1580 Montgomery Hwy Birmingham • 823-6500 www.wbu.com/birmingham Joe Perez • Owner/Operator

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LOTS FOR SALE 3 ADJACENT LOTS IN VESTAVIA - NEXT TO STEELEMONT SUBDIVISION 2813 CROSS BRIDGE DRIVE

Holidays in the Hills

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 41

Calendar of Events

Tree Lighting Festival November 29

Vestavia Hills City Hall, 6:00 pm 1032 Montgomery Highway Enjoy entertainment, merchant give-aways and the lighting of the tree. Visit with Santa and play in the snow!

Breakfast with Santa December 10 Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 7:30-10:00 am 1975 Merryvale Road Bring the whole family for a pancake breakfast with Santa!

Vestavia Hills Christmas Parade & Celebration December 11 Liberty Park Sports Complex to Alston Meadows, 2:00-4:00 pm

Enjoy the city’s official parade followed by the Liberty Park Christmas Celebration with children’s activities, refreshments, music, pictures with Santa and more!

Visit www.vestaviahills.org for an extended list of events Presented by the City of Vestavia Hills & the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

Participating Merchants AC Financial Partners America’s First Federal Credit Union Artists Incorporated Gallery Ascend Web Development Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Butler Snow LLP Cahaba Heights Pediatric Dentistry Cellular Sales of Verizon Wireless First Partners Bank Hilton Garden Inn-Liberty Park Jackson, Howard & Whatley, CPAs Jimmie Hale Mission Jimmy John’s John Henley State Farm Insurance Lakeside Hospice Liberty Park Joint Venture Mary Kay Cosmetics-Susie Serio MassMutual Financial Group OnTime Service

PT Orthodontics Pure Fitness Regions Bank RE/MAX Advantage South-Ashley Bryan RE/MAX Southern Homes-Becky Hicks Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Generators Spectrum Reach Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Stein Mart Summit Express Urgent Care Town Village Vestavia Hills Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Vestavia Reserve Apartment Homes Vestavia Voice Vintage Barber Shop Vulcan Solar Power 89.9/106.3 WAY-FM

42 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Business

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Fair Trade

Journal photo by Emily Williams

hidden treasur es: Scott and Jamie Laslo established a storefront for their fair-trade brand Kanzi, a for-profit venture that provides artisans an opportunity to earn a sustainable income to help them care for their families and their communities.

The Laslos hope to not only deliver great products to the community, but share their message.

Resting in one corner of the store is an easel with a painting of the African orphanage in which the Laslos have invested much of their work.

By Emily Williams Africa awaits, and it isn’t as far away as you might think. In fact, it’s in downtown Homewood.

That’s where Scott and Jamie Laslo established a storefront for their fair-trade brand Kanzi, which means “hidden treasures” in Swahili. The store embodies the next phase of their work with East Africa. It is a for-profit venture that provides artisans an opportunity to earn a sustainable income to help them care for their families and their communities.

The Laslos met in college while on a mission trip to Uganda. Finding a passion for “the real Africa,” not the one depicted in infomercials, the couple forged a relationship based on non-profit work.

Their first endeavor was Pearl Ministries, a nonprofit organization that partners charitable people and churches with an orphanage in Uganda.

“We became friends with a Ugandan couple,” Jamie said. “They’re the reason we decided to focus on working with children and we still work closely with them today.”

The Laslos felt their work becoming stale as the years went on, and the non-profit soon became a jumping off point for bigger things. They wanted to take proactive measures to help people and potentially stave off problems.

“We saw a need to prevent problems before they happen,” Jamie said.

The Laslos started Kanzi in 2006, selling their fairtrade products at kiosks at the Riverchase Galleria and hosting jewelry shows before recently opening their store.

The Laslos have kept a close relationship with the people they’ve worked with in Uganda and visit frequently. While Jamie is landlocked by pregnancy, Scott is traveling to Africa more frequently, meeting with the artisans who create the store’s products.

The store offers a variety of jewelry, accessories and traditional products that could be found at an African market. Beyond the Kanzi brand products, the store also offers products from other fair-trade organizations.

“We have a selection of stuffed animals that are made by a group of artisans in Malawi and we just

got these great leather purses from another group in Ethiopia,” Jamie said. “The beauty of the fair-trade industry is that it is more collaborative than it is competitive. It’s very much like a family. We’ve met other couples at trade shows in New York and we’ll go out to eat afterward and remain close friends.”

Regardless of what brand you pick up in the store, all the products have been purchased directly from the artisans, who are paid regardless of whether their product is sold in the states.

A selection of ornaments at the store is part of the Laslos’ Ornaments4Orphans initiative. The ornaments are available for a $10 donation, with all proceeds benefitting Pearl Ministries.

The Laslos hope to not only deliver great products to the community, but share their message. Resting in one corner of the store is an easel with a painting of the African orphanage in which the Laslos have invested much of their work.

“Scott had that made for me a few years ago,” Jamie said. “It doesn’t look anything like that now.

In fact, that part of the facility is used as a vocational school now.”

A portion of Kanzi proceeds benefits Pearl Ministries. While the organization continues to support free education for Ugandan children, the newest push is to get kids out of the orphanage and into homes.

“Most of these orphaned children have a family member who wants them, but they don’t have enough money to take care of them,” Jamie said.

By increasing Kanzi sales, the Laslos will be able to hire more artisans and hope they can provide functional homes for children to grow up in.

“It’s hard to become a successful parent yourself when you haven’t grown up with parents of your own,” Jamie said.

The Laslos plan to incorporate seating areas and children’s play areas in the store for people to relax, converse and learn a little more about “the real Africa.”

“People don’t really know that Africa is the way it is because the outside world made it that way,” Jamie said. “African history isn’t something you learn about in school. I didn’t learn about it until college and even

then I only learned about Africa because I took a class that was required for my history major.”

The poverty in Africa is a product of many years of European colonization, as are the borders of the countries that make up the continent today. Villages where different languages were spoken and different cultures observed suddenly were grouped together, Jamie said, which resulted in the political unrest that has hindered countries’ ability to prosper.

“I’ve spoken with (American) kids who had no idea that there were real cities in Africa,” Jamie said.

She added that African children don’t know much about American culture, either. She has had orphans ask her why no one in America works in manual labor jobs, believing that everyone in the U.S. works a white collar job and sits behind a desk all day.

“This is a way to bring our two worlds together,” she said. “We started this business because we see something better for these kids than what they have now.”

Scott added that the plethora of products available in the store is confirmation to him that there is a transformation happening in Africa. The difference can be seen directly, he said.

One artisan, Buwembo Yekosofati, or “Yeko,” who owns his own small business, crafts Ugandan-style artifacts such as nativities, ornaments and homestead huts. Lame in both legs, Yeko’s odds were against him as he grew up in Uganda, where the disabled are stigmatized. Thanks to a scholarship to study art in Kenya, Yeko was able to create a sustainable income through his art and even serves as the founder and chairman of Uganda Artists with Disabilities.

“You see that there is a lot more dignity and hope and opportunity in the artisans we are working with,” Scott said. “And what we see is confirmation of transformation and the development that will help bring Africa to its full potential.”

Kanzi is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the Laslos plan to post extended hours for the holiday season. It is at 2817 Central Avenue in Homewood, behind Little Donkey and across from Iron Tribe Fitness.

For more information, visit kanzicraft.com or visit the Kanzi Facebook page. ❖

Business

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Full Moon Bar-B-Que has been honored with the 2016 Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award by the Alabama chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Full Moon was nominated by the Birmingham Zoo. “Since 2014, Full Moon has been a generous and dedicated partner to the zoo, making contributions through both direct financial and in-kind donations,” Dr. William Foster, president and CEO of the zoo, said in a press release.

The Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award recognizes a business or company that has provided direct financial, in-kind or volunteer support to non-profit organizations and charitable projects in Alabama and that has encouraged other businesses to become involved.

“It is such an honor for the zoo to have considered us for such a prestigious award,” said David Maluff, co-founder of Full Moon Bar-B-Que. “Partnering with the zoo has allowed us to further expand the outreach of our brand while supporting Birmingham’s largest attraction.”

Winners of the National Philanthropy Day Awards were recognized during a recent luncheon.

Others recognized were: Outstanding Charitable Organization, Suki Foundation; the William S. Roth Outstanding Fundraising Executive, Linda Baker; the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Outstanding Professional Advisor, Elizabeth H. Hutchins; United Way of Central Alabama Outstanding Civic Leader, Hatton C. V. Smith; and the William M. and Virginia B. Spencer

Photo special to the Journal

Association of Fundraising Professionals Recognizes Volunteers

Brothers Joe and David Maluff of Full Moon Bar-B-Que were recognized last week with the the 2016 Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award by the Alabama chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Outstanding Philanthropist, Sheryl and Jon Kimerling.

The association also honored individuals and companies through its list of National Philanthropy Day VIPs. They were: Arjun Lakhanpal,

‘Partnering with the zoo has allowed us to further expand the outreach of our brand while supporting Birmingham’s largest attraction.’

David Maluff, Full Moon Bar-B-Que

honored by The Altamont School; Founders Investment Banking, honored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham; Travis

and Emmy McGowin, honored

by St. Martin’s in the Pines; Matt Hageman, honored by Workshops Inc.; Jennifer H. Parsons, honored by the Jefferson County Education Foundation board of directors; Alice Williams, honored by Children’s Aid Society; Glenn E. Estess Jr., honored

by Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation; Lillian Grace Swiger, honored by Red Mountain Park; Jim Gorrie, honored by YWCA Central Alabama; Jarry Taylor, honored by YMCA of Greater Birmingham; Bruce F. Rogers, honored by Birmingham-Southern College; Lois Mancin, honored by McWane Science Center; Katie Hester, honored by Southeastern Diabetes–Camp Seale Harris; Garry Neil Drummond, honored in remembrance by Glenwood Inc.; Delta Air Lines Inc. BHM FTO, honored by The Arc of Jefferson County. ❖

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 43

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44 • Thursday, November 17, 2016

Never Too Young

Schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

By Emily Williams When the global idea-sharing non-profit TED created an opportunity for schools to form clubs three years ago, Mountain Brook Junior High teachers Andrew Cotten and Suzan Brandt got to work recruiting students.

The clubs were so successful that the organization created an entire youth and education initiative for school clubs called, TED-Ed. Two of the students who started in one of those early clubs, now-Mountain Brook High School freshmen Sean Fredella and Brett Lewis, are among 20 students from across the globe who will present their ideas at the first TED-Ed Weekend in New York on Dec. 3.

Neither Fredella nor Lewis ever thought such recognition was within the realm of possibility when they were approached by Cotten, their eighth-grade advanced English teacher, to join the club.

“I wasn’t even going to do it, but when I told my mom about it she told me I had to and what a great opportunity it would be,” Fredella said.

When the boys figured out what would be asked of them, they were even more skeptical.

Each student in the clubs is asked to come up with an idea that changes the way people think about something. The mission is vague because it can encompass just about anything about which a person is passionate.

Once Fredella and Lewis chose their ideas, they created presentations and shared those ideas on stage at TED-Ed events hosted by MBJH. “They learn a lot about presentation literacy,” Brandt said. “They have to find that subject they are passionate about and then research their idea so that they can present it in a credible way.”

Peer-to-Peer

Lewis’ presentation, “How Being a Peer Helper Helped Me,” addresses the issue of schools not having enough quality special education programs.

While researching for his talk, Lewis found that only 30 percent of schools in the U.S. meet the basic requirements of a special education program. In his opinion, one of the easiest ways for a school to enhance the lives of their special education students is by providing strong peer helper programs.

“Peer helping is something that I’ve done since elementary school,” Lewis said. He started in fourth grade, when his only other club option was chess club.

Through Mountain Brook’s peer helping program, Lewis was paired up with a boy he calls “Hugh” in his presentations to protect his friend’s privacy. Lewis and Hugh spent one afternoon a week outside of school working on social skills and school work and going out to places such as the McWane Science Center.

Lewis continues to work with Hugh at the high school and describes Hugh as one of his closest friends. The high school gives the boys a period each day to hang out and work together.

“We try to make programs like peer helping a part of our culture,” MBHS Principal Amanda Hood said. “Giving a student that has a disability the opportunity to interact with their peers and watch them develop those social skills that can’t really be taught in a class is a beautiful thing to watch.”

Lewis said being a peer helper is far more rewarding than it is difficult. It’s all about spending time with someone and learning together, whether that means spending a period working on homework or just hanging out, he said.

“Earlier today, we were just hanging out on the football field because he likes the way the turf feels,” Lewis said. “At one point he was rubbing his hands in the grass and then rubbing them on his face and laughing hysterically.”

When Lewis asked him what was so funny, Hugh went completely silent and still.

“Those moments are my favorite,” he said.

“When we’re just hanging out.”

While Hugh has benefited from the program by enhancing his social skills, Lewis said he has learned lessons in being patient, interacting with kids who have special needs and being a kind and caring person.

Lewis said peer helping doesn’t require any difficult training, it’s just taking the time to help another student learn something by doing regular, everyday things.

“If a school doesn’t have the ability to meet the basic needs of a special ed program, I believe that responsibility is passed on to the students,” Lewis says in his talk.

Lewis’ talk calls fellow students to take the initiative in their schools and reach out to a special ed student.

“The most exciting thing for me was having a kid come up to me and say, ‘I want to be a peer helper,’” Lewis said. “My speech, it’s just my thoughts, and for some reason that student heard those thoughts and wanted to do something more.”

Photo special to the Journal

MBHS Students Take the Main Stage at Inaugural TED-Ed Event

Brett Lewis and Sean Fredella are among 20 students from across the globe who will present their ideas at the first TED-Ed Weekend in New York on Dec. 3.

Battling Cancer

While Lewis speaks from the perspective of the helper, Fredella speaks as the beneficiary of his idea.

Being a four-time survivor of pediatric cancer, Fredella has lived his issue: “More money needs to be allocated to pediatric cancer.”

“In my talk, I share my story and then I talk about my problem,” Fredella said.

Fredella battled his illnesses for seven and a half years, going through chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, radiation and all of their side effects. He fills the introduction of his talk with anecdotes to take the edge off, most notably about taking prescribed steroids, which didn’t provide excess strength so much as excess appetite.

“I was the size of a medicine ball and I had the temper of 1,000 Donald Trumps,” he jokes in his video.

Beyond his jokes, Fredella notes the friends he made during his treatment and later lost, and how that made him ask why.

Fredella discovered that only 4 percent of money spent on cancer research is allocated for pediatric cancers.

“We need to provide more funds for pediatric cancer because our kids are worth more than 4 percent,” Fredella said.

His solution: sports.

“Every kind of cancer has a color,” he said.

“Everybody knows that breast cancer is pink and you see it all over every sports channel in October. So, I thought, why can’t pediatric cancer have that?”

He found that most people have no idea that

pediatric cancers have a color and that color is gold. By persuading athletes from pee wee to professional to wear something gold, Fredella said, the color could become as synonymous with pediatric cancers as pink is with breast cancer.

“Solving the problem of pediatric cancer is such a big idea, but this is such an easy way to solve the problem and it’s something that anyone can do.”

Fredella’s talk calls on members of his audience to promote the color gold in any way they can and to believe in his idea that such a simple action can save the lives of children like himself.

“One thing that has been really cool about this, Adidas saw the talk and now they are working on having their athletes wear gold during the month of September,” Fredella said.

Surpassing Expectations

“When we started the club, our main goal was to show these kids that their opinion matters and they all have an idea that can make an impact,” Brandt said. “To see them get this kind of global recognition is amazing.”

During the first weekend of December, Fredella, Lewis and Brandt will make their way to TED Headquarters in New York City, where they’ll rehearse before the event and participate in a few surprises that TED has been keeping a secret.

“It’s crazy to think that I almost said no to joining the club,” Fredella said. “It just shows you that one moment, one answer, one decision can change your life.” ❖

Photo special to the Journal

Joe Smith Tells Simmons Students, “Good Things Come to Those Who Work” Joe Smith, of J Smith Hoops and a former Simmons Middle School student, spoke to Simmons’ students at a recent all-school assembly, sharing his story and his philosophy: “Good things come to those who work.”

After attending Simmons, where he played football in seventh and eighth grades, Smith went on to Hoover High School and led his freshman and sophomore teams to undefeated seasons as quarterback.

But as his junior year started, he had not grown much and was told football might not be for him. He began to

focus on basketball.

Though he worked hard, Smith received only one scholarship offer, to the University of Alabama in

After graduating with a business degree, he tried his hand at pro basketball. He played overseas for 14 years in Russia, Italy, Argentina and

‘Don’t accept failure. I was turned down for jobs; I was cut from teams, but I kept working.’

Huntsville, and he could keep that only if he did well on the basketball team. So, he began waking up at 5 a.m. each day to run and improve his game.

Brazil and learned three languages before retiring.

The day before he spoke with students at Simmons, he met with them in the lunchroom and learned that a

number of the kids were content to get Cs and sit on the bench rather than succeed. He charged them all to never settle for average.

“The world needs you,” Smith emphasized. He said one of them could have the potential to cure the next big disease.

“Don’t accept failure,” he said.

“I was turned down for jobs; I was cut from teams, but I kept working.”

Smith, his four younger siblings and his parents make up J Smith Hoops Inc., which offers basketball camps and private lessons. The Smith family has been part of the Hoover community for more than 20 years. All five siblings received basketball scholarships, and four went on to play professional basketball. ❖

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 45

Schools

Photo special to the Journal

Crestline Students Visit Representative in Montgomery

Fourth-grade students from Mountain Brook’s Crestline Elementary School made their way to Montgomery in October to visit the State House.

Students were led on their field trip by Sally Baker

and met with Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook.

“They were a great group and answered all my questions and, no surprise, passed my bill to extend summer!” Faulkner said.

Students experienced how legislation is passed and were quizzed by Faulkner on their knowledge of government processes. ❖

More than 200 guests gathered in the ballroom at Vestavia Country Club Oct. 4 for the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation’s third annual PNC Luncheon, honoring and raising funds for the school system.

The event was coordinated by Sue Willis, PNC Luncheon chairwoman, with help from board President Janet Ball and Executive Director Elaine Yancey.

Keynote speaker for the event was Todd Gerelds, author of “Woodlawn: One Hope, One Dream, One Way,” which was developed into a major motion picture.

Gerelds’ book recounts his view of his father’s career as the head football coach of Woodlawn High School in the early ‘70s. During this time, the school was experiencing a second wave of integration as a bussing mandate resulted in school rezoning.

“Of the white student body at Woodlawn, I’d say about 90 percent were very welcoming, but it doesn’t take 100 percent of anyone to create a disruption,” Gerelds said.

His father broke the boundaries of racism in his role, fighting the prejudice of his team and the surrounding community. As Gerelds recounted his father’s story, he called on the audience to support their city’s school foundation and provide funds to equip teachers with tools and technology to better educate and support each student. ❖

Journal photos by Emily Williams

‘Woodlawn’ Author Headlines VHCSF Luncheon

From left: Shannon Stewart, Emily Phillips and Kristin Tunnell. Below, Sue Willis and Elaine Yancey.

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The program is open to seventhgraders who attain a score in the 95th percentile and above on a national grade-level assessment. According to OLS, the students now have an opportunity to use special resources offered by the program to enhance their academic potential.

Seventh-grade qualifiers were Millie Yerkes, Ruby Thornton, Jack Michaels, Jack Carlisle, Blake Mize, Abigail Pugh, Kathryn Stuart Smith, Madison Le and Ashley Lindsay. ❖

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46 • Thursday, January 12, 2012

Sports

Valley Boys

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Early Mounties Blazed Playoff Trail

stay alive, From page 48

it 15 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, giving the Bucs a 14-0 advantage.

James Clemens finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter, blocking a punt and returning the loose ball for a touchdown.

The Jets repeatedly threatened to score in the final period but were turned away by the Hoover defense, preserving the victory for Coach Josh Niblett.

“You don’t get style points in the playoffs,” Niblett said later. “Winning 2-0 is as good as winning a shootout.”

It’s interesting to note the transformation of the Hoover program in the years since Niblett took over from Rush Propst nearly a decade ago.

Under Propst, the Bucs played solid defense, but often those efforts were overshadowed by a flashy and prolific offense that seemed to score almost at will.

The Niblett era brought more of a blue-collar approach. Certainly Hoover can roll up big point totals, but a 17-9 type of win is more common than a 42-21 win. And nobody

The Shades Valley Mounties were good enough to participate in the first-ever Alabama High School Athletic Association playoff in 1966. Shades Valley’s playoff run foreshadowed the days decades later when as many as a dozen Over the Mountain teams competed in a playoff format that lasts for a month.

from Valley. But many upperclassmen chose to stay with the Mounties, and Shades Valley continued to draw top talent from the rapidly growing Homewood/Cahaba Heights/Irondale communities.

“There was a sense of community back then,” Bresler said. “Shades Valley was like the neighborhood team.

It was a big social event. “The stadium would be filled for all of our games.”

Shades Valley was coached by Bill Legg, who later served as athletic director for Jefferson County schools and as executive director for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. “Coach Legg greatly admired (Alabama) Coach (Bear) Bryant, but he was more like (Auburn) Coach (Shug) Jordan in his coaching style,” Bresler recalled. “He was more low key and was accessible and very much a player’s coach.”

There was one area where Legg wasn’t so low key: He wouldn’t tolerate players who performed poorly in the classroom.

“That was when coaches could give their players a lick with a paddle,” Bobby Boyd, a defensive tackle for in Hoover appears to have a problem with that as long as the Bucs continue to win.

Hoover moves to round three against Gadsden City, which turned some heads by upsetting previously unbeaten Hewitt-Trussville. We can’t predict the future, but it’s hard to see what might stop the Bucs at this point.

Briarwood showed more offensive flash in their 33-13 second-round conquest of Russellville. Lion quarterback William Gray – showing himself again to be one of the best quarterbacks in metro Birmingham – put together another big showing, passing for three touchdowns in the victory.

By moving its overall record to 11-1, Briarwood has vindicated the longtime premise that moving the program back to Class 5A was all that was required to make the Lions a perennial state championship contender again. For years, Briarwood battled in Class 6A and despite competing against schools with significantly larger student bodies, the Lions qualified for the playoffs every season. Now, with Briarwood facing schools with comparable-sized enrollments, the Lions are in the thick of a championship hunt.

The hosts jumped to a 16-0 lead

Shades Valley, said. “Coach Legg would make us show him our report cards. If a boy made a ‘D’, he received one lick, if he made an ‘F’, he got two licks. That was a pretty good incentive to study.”

In a coincidental twist, Legg’s son Murray would play for Bresler when he coached Homewood in the early 1970s.

Assistant coaches on the team were Charlie Smith, Odell Ozley and Jim Tolson. Practice sessions were much different than most modern players would endure, according to Bresler.

“Back then, nobody believed in giving players water breaks during practice,” he said. “The belief was that water made you weak. It was brutal.”

The Mounties also counted on top senior leaders such as Sammy Stutts, Jim McWhorter and Blair Cox. Shades Valley opened its season with a nearby rival, private school power John Carroll Catholic. The Mounties won 31-14, but not before feeling the presence of the Cavaliers’ dynamic junior quarterback.

“John Carroll had Pat Sullivan,” Bresler said. “That game was his com-

ing out party. We didn’t have any idea at the time how good he would be.”

Buoyed by the opening victory, Shades Valley rolled over five consecutive opponents to raise its record to 6-0 and earned points in the playoff rating system. The ride ended in the seventh game, as Ensley ruined the Mounties’ homecoming with a 21-0 upset.

Shades Valley got back on the radar with an impressive 38-6 domination of Bessemer in the next game. Mountie quarterback Don Comer ran for three touchdowns, and Bresler scored twice – off a kickoff return and an interception.

“That was an important win for us,” Stuart Gaines, a center and linebacker on the team, said. “We might have been a little complacent for Ensley, and we were determined to play better against Bessemer.”

The surge continued the next week with a 40-0 rout of Berry. Controversy marred the regular season finale against Vigor, as Shades Valley met the Wolves on a rainy night in Mobile.

The Mounties were trailing 7-6 when a game official collided with Bresler, who was wide-open at the

Journal photo by Bryan Bunch

The next time you’re daydreaming about football, imagine a high school team that had the best players from Homewood, Cahaba Heights, Irondale and, for good measure, add some from Mountain Brook. Do you think there might be a playoff-worthy team coming from that talent pool?

In 1966, you didn’t have to imagine.

The Shades Valley Mounties had that exact mix, and they were good enough to participate in the first-ever Alabama High School Athletic Association playoff.

The format was simple and strikingly similar to today’s college football playoff format. A daily metropolitan newspaper used a formula to determine the state’s top four teams. Then the first place team meets the fourth, while the second plays the third, and the two winners play for the state championship.

“Before that, the state championship was sort of mythical, like it used to be in college football,” said Alvin Bresler, a member of the 1966 Mountie team, who went on to stardom at Auburn University. “It was exciting to be a part of the first high school playoff. I don’t think any of us would have imagined how big the (high school) playoffs would be 50 years later.”

As the 1966 season opened, Shades Valley looked to be a team with a good shot at making the playoffs. Mountain Brook High School opened its doors that fall, which took some students

Photo special to the Journal

By Lee Davis

Hoover’s Ben Abercrombie stops a James Clemens running back. The Bucs held the potent Jet attack to a mere 146 yards of total offense for the night.

Vigor one-yard line.

“Mobile was known for ‘homecooking’ by the officials in those days,” Bresler said. “Scott Hunter (former Vigor quarterback who later played at Alabama) warned Coach Legg not to play that game down there.”

Shades Valley finished with a strong 8-2 record but didn’t really expect to see the season extended. “We had already turned in our equipment and uniforms and a week later found out we were in the playoffs,” Bresler said. “So we were off for a week, and I think that hurt us.”

As the state’s fourth-ranked team, the Mounties didn’t get an easy draw. Shades Valley had to go to Montgomery to face number one Sidney Lanier at Cramton Bowl. The Poets arguably had the state’s best football program at the time, and the Mounties were eager for the challenge.

“We were excited to be in the playoffs,” Bresler said. “Cramton Bowl was probably the top venue for high school football in Alabama at that time, so the experience of going there was part of it, too.”

Any hopes of Shades Valley winning the state title were short-lived.

Lanier defeated the Mounties 47-7 on the way to the championship.

Despite the loss, it had been an historic season for Shades Valley.

“We built friendships that lasted for life,” Gaines said. “And you get lessons from life from playing football. You learn about the importance of competition, and when you get knocked down, you get right back up.”

Shades Valley’s playoff run foreshadowed the days decades later when as many as a dozen Over the Mountain teams competed in a playoff format that lasts for a month. “I’d like to think that the great tradition of Over the Mountain football sort of began with us,” Bresler said. ❖ over the Golden Tigers early in the second period, thanks to Gray’s scoring strikes to Luke Miskelley and Barrett Tindall, respectively.

Briarwood made consecutive twopoint conversions after the touchdowns.

Running back J.R. Tran-Reno’s 36-yard scoring sprint gave the Lions a 23-0 lead in the third quarter.

Russellville rallied for 13 consecutive points, but Briarwood stopped the uprising with a field goal by Noah Nall and Gray’s touchdown pass to Caleb Daniels.

Briarwood travels to Mortimer Jordan on Friday for round three. The Lions defeated the Blue Devils 23-14 in September, although that’s no guarantee of a repeat performance in the post-season.

For his part, Briarwood coach Fred Yancey seems to be enjoying the ride.

“We’re happy to be going on the road to play, because that means we’ve reached the third round,” he said. And there’s a good chance that the Lions could go even further.

The first round of the 2016 football playoffs were a rough hurdle for four area teams. But Hoover and Briarwood look capable of carrying the load the rest of the way. ❖

Thursday, January 12, 2012 • 47

Sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

There was a time when John Mark Goodman absolutely hated running.

As a young teenager in the Vestavia Hills school system, he participated in cross-country until deciding that enough was enough.

“I reached the point where I didn’t like running at all,” he recalled. “So I gave it up to play basketball.”

What a difference the years have made.

Now a lawyer with one of Birmingham’s top law firms, Goodman, who lives in Mountain Brook, is one of the area’s most dedicated marathon runners. He just competed in the prestigious New York Marathon.

Goodman completed the 26-mile course in a time of 247 minutes, finishing 225th among male runners and 245th overall.

“I was pleased with my time,” he said last week. “New York is a really tough course.

It’s very hilly for a marathon. Most people don’t think of New York City as being hilly, but going on the bridges is just like running uphill.”

Specifically, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island to Brooklyn, and the Queensboro Bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan, are particularly difficult, according to Goodman.

“And anyone who has ever been to Central Park knows how many hills it has,” he added.

Goodman’s New York run wasn’t his first marathon success. He was Alabama’s top male runner in the 2015 Chicago Marathon and was fifth overall in Birmingham’s Mercedes Marathon earlier this year.

“Once you get marathon running in your blood, it doesn’t go away,” he said.

Goodman’s training regimen is planned to the last detail and not for the faint of heart.

“I ran up to 110 miles per week with an average of about 90 miles per week in the

Photo special to the Journal

By Lee Davis

John Mark Goodman, left and friend John Neiman at the New York City Marathon at the finish line in Central Park after a workout the day before the race.

Marathon Toil Goodman Tops Alabamians at New York Marathon

10 weeks before I began tapering off for the race,” he explained. “My longest run in preparation for the race was a 26-miler that crossed Red Mountain twice – once over Niazuma Avenue and once over the Green Springs Highway. My hardest track workout was a set of 10x1 mile intervals with a minute rest

where I averaged 5:42 per mile.”

To ease the monotony, Goodman often trains with John Neiman, a fellow lawyer and close friend.

“I consider Neiman to be one of my best friends even though he went to Mountain Brook,” Goodman said, laughing.

One of Goodman’s most treasured moments was participating in the Boston Marathon in 2014, just one year after the devastating terrorist attack that shocked the world.

“It was an incredible experience,” he said.

“There was so much emotion, and the people of Boston are amazing. From a running standpoint, the first 16 miles are downhill until you get to a series of hills in Newton. Later you get to Heartbreak Hill, which is very tricky – but it was an amazing race. I hope to go back.”

A graduate of Georgia Tech and the University of Virginia law school, Goodman’s renewed interest in running came once he entered the work force.

“I hadn’t run in 10 years,” he recalled.

“And then I started running with some guys during lunch hour just for fun. After about two miles, I thought I was going to die – it seemed like my heart was about to explode. Then I started running every day, and I grew to enjoy it.”

In 2007, Goodman ran in the Mercedes Half Marathon for the first time. In 2009, he ran in the full marathon.

“At that point I had fallen in love with marathon running,” he said.

Goodman said he isn’t sure if he’ll run in the New York Marathon again.

“It’s kind of hard to get to from a logistical standpoint,” he explained. “You have to get up and ride the subway to a point and then take a ferry on Staten Island to get to the starting point. At Chicago, you basically just walk up to the starting line.”

But Goodman doesn’t see his marathon career ending anytime soon.

“It’s hard and a lot of work, but there’s just something about doing it that I enjoy. I have a job that can be stressful, and running is a great stress reliever,” he said. “So much of it is a part of me now.” ❖

'Tis the Season

Tr ac k,

From page 48

second with 103 points. John Carroll Catholic was fourth at 132.

Homewood freshman Lainey Phelps took the individual championship trophy with a time of 18:02.13, the second-fastest time of the day.

Freshman teammate Celie Jackson was fifth in Class 6A with a time of 19:32.26.

In Class 7A boys, Auburn won with 59 points.

Mountain Brook was second with 69 and Hoover third with 93. The Bucs’ Tommy McDonough earned the individual crown, edging past Hewitt-Trussville’s John Ngaruiya with a time of 15:39.70.

In girls 7A competition, Mountain Brook’s 14-year streak of winning the state title was snapped by Huntsville. The Lady Panthers pulled the trick by placing four runners in the top 12 and scoring 51 points. Leading the Lady Spartans to a runner-up finish was senior Anna Grace Morgan, who won the individual championship.

Her time was an impressive 17:46.01, the fastest time in the girls competition. Mountain Brook scored 61 points.

Morgan, whose older sister, Madeline, also was a running star at Mountain Brook, said mental toughness is a key ingredient for success in cross-country running.

“I just try to relax and keep pushing,” she said. “If I’m struggling in a race, I think about all the other girls on our team and how they are experiencing the same pain as me and depending on me as I’m depending on them.

It’s much easier to run harder knowing you have to run well for your team.”

In Class 1A-2A competition, Oak MountainWestminster won the girls title and finished third in the boys division. ❖

Photos by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography

Class 7A Competition

Drive a LittLe • Save a Lot The Bucs’ Tommy McDonough earned the individual crown, edging past Hewitt-Trussville’s John Ngaruiya with a time of 15:39.70.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Sports

Goodman Tops Alabamians at New York Marathon Page 47 Valley Boys: Early Mounties Blazed Playoff Trail Page 46 lee davis

Two for The Blue

Bucs, Lions Stay Alive as Others Fall

Photos by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography

Homewood freshman Lainey Phelps took the individual championship trophy with a time of 18:02.13, the second-fastest time of the day.

Will Stone, a Patriot sophomore, easily won the individual title with a time of 16:01.60.

Leading the Lady Spartans to a runner-up finish was senior Anna Grace Morgan, who won the individual championship.

Patriotic Rout Homewood Sweeps Boys and Girls Class 6A Championships

By Lee Davis The state Class 6A cross-country meet took place in Oakville, but the event certainly looked as if it took place in Homewood.

The Patriots swept to championships in both the boys and girls competitions, marking the fifth consecutive boys title for Homewood.

Homewood’s boys totaled 55 points to easily

outdistance runner-up Cullman’s 72 total. Helena placed third with 95 points.

Will Stone, a Patriot sophomore, easily won the individual title with a time of 16:01.60. He defeated Opelika’s Ben Garner by a full 12 seconds.

Another Homewood runner, Paul Selden, finished third with a time of 16:17.57.

“Winning the individual title, along with another team championship, feels extremely rewarding,”

Stone said. “When you know that you’ve put everything into training for months and it finally pays off with championships, there’s no way to feel happier about it.”

Stone finished fourth in the state cross-country meet as a freshman last season.

In girls competition, the Lady Patriots scored 51 points to claim their title. Florence was a distant See tr ac k, page 47

The date of Nov. 4, 2016, may never live in infamy, but for four Over the Mountain football programs, it was certainly a night not to remember.

On that cool night, highly regarded Spain Park and Mountain Brook, along with dark horse Oak Mountain, were all defeated in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Homewood met a similar fate in Class 6A. Seldom in area history have so many teams seen their seasons end on the same November evening.

Much better news came from Hoover and Briarwood, as both took impressive victories in Class 7A and 5A, respectively, to move on to the second round. Both also extended their seasons by at least a week Friday, keeping alive their hopes of adding a blue championship trophy to their school’s hardware case.

Hoover showed why its defense may be the best in its class with a 14-7 win over James Clemens at the Hoover Met. The Bucs held the potent Jet attack to a mere 146 yards of total offense for the night. Clemens played a strong defensive game as well, allowing only one offensive touchdown. There were 19 punts in the game.

The hosts scored in the second quarter when Vonte’ Brackett hit pay dirt on a six-yard run. The touchdown was set up by Cortez Hall’s 30-yard punt return and a 40-yard completion from quarterback Garrett Farquhar to Shedrick Jackson.

Hoover’s second score came when defensive back Will Singleton scooped up a Jet fumble and returned See stay alive , page 46

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