The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
INSIDE
JOU RNAL OTMJ.COM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012
VOL. 21 #4 Heart Ball to celebrate 25th anniversary
ABOUT TOWN PAGE 3
Homewood couple forms Treeline Expeditions to help teens enjoy great outdoors
LIFE PAGE 12
SPRING FASHIONS WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
Our spring styles are going to the dogs -- in a good way. We enlisted the help of lovable pets-in-waiting at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society to help us show off new looks for the season. Here, Collins Kitchens, our 12-year-old model from Vestavia Hills, cozies up to a tail-wagging charmer named Kirk. Heʼs currently residing at the GBHS, but maybe not for long once our readers see this front page-worthy face. Our Spring Fashion Journal photo by John Pope Preview begins on page 23.
Time-honored tradition continues with 45th Krewe Ball
SOCIAL PAGE 14
Extra Efforts for Education: Foundations Make a Difference in OTM Schools
BY LAURA MCALISTER
I
JOURNAL EDITOR
n some Over the Mountain schools, they’re funding training for teachers. In others, they’re supplying iPads and needed technology. Whatever the case may be, the education foundations in Homewood, Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook are making a difference in the classroom and helping lessen the pinch of proration, or state budget cuts. For the past several years, the sluggish economy has forced the state to cut its education budget. In Vestavia Hills schools alone, the
Find out More @: homewoodcityschoolsfoundation.com hooverfoundation.org mtnbrookschoolsfoundation.com vestaviafoundation.org
cuts have cost the system more than $5 million since 2008. That’s why the work of the education foundation is so important, said Ashley Thompson, executive director of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation. “There are certain things that the state has
eliminated, like funding for professional development,” she said. “That’s how we can step in and help. A big chunk of our money this year will go to professional development.” While all of the systems’ education foundations operate a little differently, each has one goal in mind – improving education. In Vestavia and Mountain Brook, the foundations mainly fund technology and professional development. In Hoover and Homewood, the foundations review grants from teachers to select the projects that will have the greatest impact in the classroom. “We really see our role as enhancing an See FOUNDATIONS, page 11
Are you and your kids ready for the summer?
CAMP GUIDE 2012 PAGE 31
FIRED UP FOR FUN P. 5 • KING BOB BENTLEY P. 8 • WALKER NAMED DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN P. 10 • OME STUDENT WINS HELEN KELLER ART SHOW P. 39