February 21, 2013 full issue

The Suburban Newspaper for Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL OTMJ.COM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

VOL. 22 #4

BIG TOP BALL

INSIDE

Pancreatic cancer survivor will walk in PurpleStride event

ABOUT TOWN PAGE 4

Tuckerʼs turn in the spotlight

LIFE PAGE 8

The Junior League of Birmingham awards grants

SOCIAL PAGE 15

Dressed in royal attire, Queen Nonie Brown and King Edgar Welden reigned at the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball Feb. 8. This yearʼs event was the Kreweʼs 46th annual ball. Journal photo by Emil Wald

Beaux Arts Krewe Hosts 46th Annual Ball

T

he circus came to town for Mardi Gras weekend Feb. 8 as the Beaux Arts Krewe hosted the 46th annual Beaux Arts Ball at Boutwell Municipal Auditorium in Birmingham. The event supports the Birmingham Museum of Art. This year’s ball had a circus theme.

Reigning over the ball were king William Edgar Welden and queen Lenora Ireland Brown.

“Queen Nonie” graduated from Mountain Brook High School and is a member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church.

She has taken several mission trips with the church. She was an Arlington Belle and was presented at Holiday Assembly. She is a junior at the University of Alabama, Continued on Page 12

Kingʼs dream inspires Homewood studentʼs winning essay SCHOOLS PAGE 22

Clowning around at the ball were these pages, from left: Elizabeth Brennan, Emily Browning Amason and Alice Monk.

Journal photo by Emil Wald

Summer Camp Guide Page 26

HOMEWOOD ARTIST CONNECTS WITH CAMP SAM KIDS P. 6 • HOOVER ATTORNEY HOPES TO LOSE BIG P. 8 • MTN BROOK CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS 280 PLANS P. 11

2 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

OPINION/CONTENTS

2013 OTMJ Summer Camp Guide

MURPHY’S LAW

I Rosemary Gillespy, Kathy Skinner, Lee Whatley and Carolyn Freeman gather for a “sip and sob” session at Kathyʼs cabin in Mentone after dropping their campers off at some Lookout Mountain camps.

Sip and Sob: Gathering Takes the Sting out of Camp Drop-off Day for OTM Parents

Depending on how you look at it, dropping kids off at camp can be a time of sadness or celebration. The parents of first-time campers usually have misgivings about leaving their babies behind; other parents feel footloose enough to plan vacations of their own while the kids are away. To see how some OTM parents cope, and get information on summer camp programs see our 2013 Camp Guide beginning on page 26.

ON OTMJ.COM See more photos from the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball and other social events online.

COMING MARCH 7

Our Spring Fashion Guide will give you a look at the hottest trends for the warmer weather ahead.

IN THIS ISSUE ABOUT TOWN LIFE PEOPLE NEWS

4 8 9 10

SOCIAL BUSINESS WEDDINGS SPORTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

JOU RNAL

12 20 25 36

February 21, 2013

Publisher: Maury Wald Editor: Keysha Drexel Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Office Manager: Christy Wald 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, Margaret Frymire Advertising Sales: Suzanne Wald, Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald Intern: Ivanna Ellis Vol. 22, No. 4

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 ads@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

Copyright 2013 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.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

The Spy Who Came From the Latrine

launcher and pen knife. The Escape ’m a Bond girl. Not in the Halle 101 final might include getting out of Berry sense, of course, but I handcuffs and securely binding up a do love watching the movies– gold-toothed killer with a stray spool fast-paced action, safely improbof dental floss. Computer programming able villains, and a hero that looks and deprogramming, Morse code and really good in a tuxedo. smoke signals–they’d have to know Good triumphing over evil and a it all. Oh, they’d have to be skilled bag of popcorn? It’s the perfect fic(really skilled) at defusing self-destruct tional escape. sequence time bombs while the clock Speaking of escapes, James ticks down to zero. Do you cut the red Bond has had some lulus, hasn’t he? wire or the blue? I can never remember.

Underwater jail cells, North Korean There would be so much for the prison camps, the clutches of one evil candidates to commit to memory, like vixen after another. It struck me as which way to turn the fountain pen so I watched “Skyfall,” the latest 007 it stops writing checks and becomes a installment, that if there are James Sue Murphy homing beacon, which car knob operBond types out there in real world ates the radio and which initiates the operation, their training regimen If you’re leaning ejector seat, which pearl-faced button must be extensive. transmitter and which The application form alone would toward spy-dom as isonea wireless is just there to hold up the pants be killer: “Are you faster than a a career, you can of your tuxedo. speeding bullet? Can you leap tall yes, you’d have to look good buildings in a single bound?” Wait a get a leg up on the in aOh tuxedo. minute, that’s the Superman applicaIf you’re leaning toward spy-dom tion, but it would have to be sometraining process by as a career, you can get a leg up on thing similar, right? spending a week at the training process by spending a I mean, think about it. Trainees would have to learn how to drive an spy camp. I’m not week at spy camp. I’m not kidding.

There are programs available for airboat and an Aston Martin convertkidding. both children and adults. ible, pilot a black ops helicopter and In one promotional video, happy a Boeing 747. campers were sent out on daily They’d have to be certified in missions that involved scaling walls and shooting paint scuba diving and skydiving, cliff diving and diving guns. Rappelling and zip-lining, plotting and planning, from the aforementioned 747 onto someone else’s parathey were doing it all in their camp-issued camo suits. chute. If the parachute didn’t open, with a few flawless (Apparently the tuxedo comes later.) maneuvers they’d need to be schooled in how to float It looked like a lot of high-paced (anxiety) fun, but I effortlessly back to earth grasping the cufflinks of their couldn’t help thinking that Mom and Dad would want to hand-tailored shirt, where they would land on their feet, hair perfectly combed, and walk into a casino where they keep a close eye on Junior after he got back home. He’d certainly be keeping a close eye on them. would purposely win or lose at baccarat as the situation Me? I have no spy aspirations. I’ll just be happy sitrequired. All in a day’s work. ting in the dark with my popcorn, flinching at the nearIn order to graduate from spy school, agents would death Bond scenarios secure in the knowledge that good have to be fluent in Mandarin and Farsi, able to adewill eventually triumph in the end … in a tuxedo. ❖ quately defend themselves with a broadsword, rocket

OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

What movie do you think will win the Oscar for Best Picture?

“I think it will probably be ‘Argo.’ I hear so much about it.”

David Glassock Greystone

“I think ‘Life of Pi’ is going to win because of the storyline and the effort and the great reviews it received. The critics thought it was a great movie.”

Taylor Drozensk Homewood

“I don’t even watch the Oscars. I haven’t seen any of the movies nominated.”

Lucky Bailey Hoover

“I think Best Picture this year will be ‘Silver Linings Playbook.’ I’m hearing a lot about that one.”

Katrina “Miss Kat” Demedicis Mountain Brook

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 3

About Town

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4 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

ABOUT TOWN

Every Step of the Way

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Will Walk in PurpleStride Event

BY KEYSHA DREXEL JOURNAL EDITOR

“She asked Dr. Marty Heslin my husband’s name. I thought, (of the UAB Comprehensive this is it and I have to get things Cancer Center) to look at it, and in order,” she said. he ordered another endoscopic Sue, who has been married to hen she joins other participants ultrasound. It came back with no her husband, Bruce, for 39 years, at the Pancreatic Cancer Action cancerous cells found,” she said. said the only time she broke Network’s (PanCAN) PurpleStride Next, Heslin asked Sue to 5K and Walk in Homewood on Feb. 23, Sue down during those early weeks consider a surgery known as the after her diagnosis was after readClements said she will be a walking testaWhipple procedure, she said. ment that pancreatic cancer does not have to ing a book about a woman who “There was no way he could lost her battle with cancer. be a death sentence. really know if he could get it “In the book, the woman dies The 63-year-old Inverness woman was until he opened me up, so I and her husband remarries, and diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and decided to go for it,” Sue said. that was the only time I got really told she had only about 14 to 18 months to live.

The surgery was a success, down,” she said.

Doctors told Sue the tumor on her pancreas was and Sue spent seven days in the Sue started her first round of inoperable and that even with chemotherapy, she hospital. radiation and chemotherapy treatonly had a 10 percent chance of survival.

Sue Clements “I was told to walk, and that’s ments at MD Anderson Cancer But Sue said with the help of her family and Center in Houston, Texas, determined to prolong all my husband needed to hear,” she said. “We friends, she has walked through one of life’s walked miles through the hospital corridors each her time with her family as much as possible. darkest hours and emerged on the other side “Radiation was a walk in the park for me, lit- day.” with a statistics-defying story.

Heslin said Sue is an inspiration to other erally,” she said. “My husband had me walking “I’ve proven them wrong. God has proven pancreatic cancer patients. three miles in Hermann Park them wrong,” she said.

“The bright spot now is that we finally have every day during one of This year’s PurpleStride some drugs and combinations of drugs like Sue Houston’s hottest summers. walk will not be Sue’s first ‘The bright spot now We saw many other radiatook that are improving the survival rates signifPanCAN event. Shortly after icantly,” Heslin said. ‘They’ve just entered the tion patients that were not her diagnosis last year, she is that we finally mainstream in the last 18 months to two years.” as lucky to be able to walk attended a PanCAN event have some drugs Heslin said many of the newest drugs around the park.” at a Birmingham Barons designed to fight pancreatic cancer are being When she started chemo baseball game and said she and combinations of treatments, Sue said, she researched at UAB. instantly recognized the drugs like Sue took “We did drug studies recently at UAB on was able to make it through importance of having a large another new drug that will help when the disthem thanks to her hussupport group as she faced that are improving ease has spread. There are a lot of exciting band’s loving care. her diagnosis. things happening with what, quite frankly, is a “I always knew I had a the survival rates “About 26 of us went to challenging disease,” he said. good husband, but this realthe game that night. I was significantly.’

Fighting pancreatic cancer, Heslin said, ly proved it to me. He cared still trying to process my requires a multidisciplinary approach and is diffor me the whole time and diagnosis, and having those MARTIN J. HESLIN, M.D., held the bucket for me when ferent for each patient. people around me helped,” UAB COMPREHENSIVE “It’s a case by case basis. We have some I was sick,” she said. she said.

CANCER CENTER people who get radiation and chemo first and While the chemo Sue started to put her then have surgery, and with some patients, the treatments did shrink affairs in order shortly after order of that treatment is changed,” he said. the tumor, surgeons still her diagnosis.

Heslin said he’s glad to be in Birmingham thought they couldn’t remove it because it was “Last year, everyone assumed it would be where there is strong support from PanCAN, the wrapped around Sue’s arteries and veins. But in my last birthday, so they threw me a big party Robert Reed Foundation, the American Cancer September 2012, Sue met with her oncologist at with more than 80 people. I was changing Society and other groups working to fight canUAB, Dr. Tina Wood. everything with the bills and finances over to

W

cer.

Sue said she credits her faith and the love of her family for helping her during her battle with pancreatic cancer.

“God was with me every step of the way.

My husband was right beside me every step of the way. I knew I had to keep going, to keep putting one foot in front of another and to keep fighting.”

In November, Sue did something she never thought she would be able to do after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer--she held her newborn grandson.

“I was alive and well to hold my grandson when he was born. My husband and I played golf yesterday. God is great and life is wonderful,” she said. ❖

PurpleStride Walk/Run 2013

When: Feb. 23, 8 a.m. Where: Homewood Central Park Details: The 5K and onemile walk will raise money to help fight pancreatic cancer.

The event will include live music and other family-friendly activities. Registration begins at 7 a.m. To register: Visit www. purplestride.org/birmingham.

Save the Date HOMEWOOD

Taste of Homewood Feb. 21, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Homewood City Hall The 12th annual Taste of Homewood will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Rosewood Hall in City Hall at SoHo. The Mardi Gras-themed event will feature more than 30 Homewood restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, beverage merchants and live music.

Tickets, $30 in advance or $35 at the door, can be purchased at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce offices at the Homewood Library or online at www.homewoodchamber.com.

For more information, call 871-5631.

HOOVER

An Evening with Lisa See Feb. 22, 7 p.m.

Hoover Public Library The 2013 Southern Voices Festival presents “An Evening with Lisa See” on Feb. 22. The best-selling novelist will make a presentation and have a book signing and reception on the Library Plaza. Tickets are $35 per person, plus processing fees. There is a limit of four tickets per person. For more information, call 444-7888 or visit www. hooverlibrary.org/sv.

HOMEWOOD

The Sleeping Beauty

Feb. 22-24 Wright Fine Arts Center Audiences will be transported to a world of fairytale princesses, evil witches, storybook kingdoms and true love’s kiss in this beloved ballet. Tickets are $20-$55. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-24 with a 2:30 p.m. show on Feb. 23. For more information, call 975-2787 or visit www.alabamaballet. org/SleepingBeauty2013.

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Ballet’s “Neverland” Feb. 22-24 BJCC The Birmingham Ballet will present

the story of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and a cast of fairies, pirates and Indians as they dance and fly in a production of “Neverland” Feb. 22-24 at the BJCC. The production will include an innovative twist with integrated mixed performances by the Birmingham Ballet professional Repertory Company. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets, visit www. birminghamballet.com/tickets. htm. For group sales, call 458-8449.

Most “Highly Recommended” Most “Highly Recommended” by theby the families, physicians, and communities families, physicians, and communities we serve. we serve.

205-682-9996 205-682-9996

“Neverland” includes several OTM cast members. Playing the Fairies are front, from left: Vivi Shanlever, Sally Ann Wellborn and Margaret Rodgers. Back: Katie Clark and Ruthie Armstrong.

Photo special to The Journal

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 5

ABOUT TOWN

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

FRIENDS OF LIBRARY KICK OFF ANNUAL BOOK SALE MOUNTAIN BROOK

Library Book Sale Feb. 22-24 Emmet O’Neal Library Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook will have the annual library book sale Feb. 22-24. The fundraising event benefits the library.

The book sale will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Credit and debit cards will be accepted Friday and Saturday only.

Also on Friday and Saturday, those ages 60 and older will get a 10 percent discount of their total purchase.

HOMEWOOD

Salvation Army Auxiliary Fashion Show Feb. 22, 10 a.m.

Salvation Army Family Store The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary s annual fashion show will be Feb. 22 at the Salvation Army Family Store, 76 Green Springs Highway.

Models will wear clothes Miss Alabama Anna Bryan from Salvation Army stores.

Miss Alabama Anna Bryan will be the featured model. The free event is open to the public. Doors open at 10 a.m.; the first 200 people arriving will receive a goody bag. For more information, visit www.birminghamsalvationarmy.org.

VESTAVIA HILLS

Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast Feb. 23, 7:30-11 a.m.

Mountain Chapel Methodist Church The Kiwanis Club of Vestavia-Hoover is hosting a pancake breakfast at Mountain Chapel Methodist Church, 2541 Rocky Ridge Road. The event is open to the public. Proceeds support children’s charitable organizations such as Reading is Fundamental, the Exceptional Foundation, Children’s of Alabama and more. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call David Allison at 8230224.

BIRMINGHAM

ArtBlink Gala 2013 Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.

Kirklin Clinic The ArtBlink Gala 2013 presented by the UAB Comprehensive Care Center advisory board will be Feb. 23 at the Kirklin Clinic, 2000 Sixth Ave. South in Birmingham. The 28th annual event will feature artists working in a variety of media to create masterpieces in just 90 minutes. There will be a silent auction, cocktail dinner and dancing to the sounds of Big Daddy’s New Band. This is a black tie-optional event. Individual tickets are $150. For more information, visit uab.edu/cancer or call 934-0282.

HOOVER

Spring Landscape Seminar Feb. 23. 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

Aldridge Botanical Gardens Horticulture instructor David

Gabrielle Hamilton, author of “Blood, Bones & Butter,” will give a talk and have a book signing on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Sesame Street characters will join the festivities from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, all books will be half price from 3-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.eolib.org or call 879-0459.

Friends of Emmet OʼNeal Library are getting ready fro the annual book sale Feb. 22-24.

From left: Susan Elliott, Carmen Morrow, Leigh Fullington, LaVonda Keel and Nicky Barnes.

Journal photo by Keysha Drexel

Henderson and Rip Weaver, Aldridge Gardens executive director, will lead a seminar to help busy people prepare their yards for spring. Those attending will learn about quality soils, how to select the best plants to grow in the area and other landscape tips. The seminar is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. A box lunch is available for $8, or those attending can bring their own lunches. Box lunch orders are due

by Feb. 21. Drinks will be provided. To register or for more information, call 682-8019 or visit www.aldridgegardens. com.

MONEY-SAVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IDEAS

MAKE YOUR HOME MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THESE ENERGY SAVING IDEAS.

BIRMINGHAM

Camellia Show Feb. 23, 1-5 p.m.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Birmingham Camellia Society is sponsoring a local exhibition camellia show for growers in Jefferson County and surrounding areas. The show will be in the Hodges Room at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Growers are invited to bring their blooms for showing and judging between 7-11 a.m. on Feb. 23. Society members will be available to discuss selection and the types of camellias that grow well in this area.

For more information, call Bill Dodson at 871-2827.

HOOVER

Southern Voices Author Conference Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hoover Public Library As part of the 2013 Southern Voices Festival, the Hoover Public Library is presenting an Authors Conference on Feb. 23. Authors Wiley Cash, Dorothea Benton Frank, Ron Rash, Grant Jerkins, Tayari Jones, Michael Stone and Wendy Wax will make presentations and be available for book signings. Tickets are $40 per person, plus processing fees. There is a limit of four tickets per person. For more information, call 4447888 or visit www.hooverlibrary.org/sv.

BIRMINGHAM

Dinner, Diamonds and Destinations Feb. 23 Ted’s Garage The seventh annual Dinner, Diamonds and Destinations benefiting the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation will be held at Ted’s Garage Feb. 23. The event is the foundation’s flagship fundraiser. Sponsorships are $500-$5,000. Individual tickets are $75. Food will be provided by Yellow Bicycle Catering with music by The Undergrounders. For more information, visit www.dinneranddiamonds.org or www.vestaviafoundation.org or call the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation at 978-8808. ❖

For over 50 years Alabama Power’s rates have been below the national average, but there are still some easy things you can do around your home to save money and energy.

1

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Replace a dirty air filter in your furnace.

They hamper airflow, making your system work harder to keep you comfortable.

Proper insulation can save you up to 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Add more insulation if you are finding cool spots around your home.

Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or above in the summer and 68 degrees or below in the winter.

Turn the temperature down on your water heater if it’s over 140 degrees.

Don’t go below 120 degrees to keep bacteria from forming in the dishwasher.

Get more energy saving ideas for every room in your home. Scan the code with your phone or visit AlabamaPower.com/save.

© 2013 Alabama Power Company

POWI-3002 Efficiency_5.75.indd 1

2/7/13 9:08 AM

6 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

About Town

Connection on Canvas Artist’s Bout with Cancer Strengthens Her Bond with Camp SAM Kids

By Keysha Drexel

struggling with cancer,” she said.

Jennifer said she has seen the power of art firsthand during the art classes at Camp SAM. “I know that personally, I have always ennifer Harwell has spent the last six responded to color, to the movement of color on summers teaching art to children at the canvas. It always makes my heart beat faster,” Camp Smile-A-Mile, but the Homewood she said. “And to be able to watch the kids disartist said the young cancer patients at the cover this, to see them just being ordinary, crecamp have become her teachers in the last ative, curious children for a little while makes me year.

Last spring, Jennifer was diagnosed with stage feel lucky.”

After her cancer diagnosis, Jennifer said she 4 colon cancer and started chemotherapy treathas a new appreciation for the spirit of her art ments on Mother’s Day. students at Camp SAM. “This will be my seventh year teaching art at “Before, I always kind of felt like an onlooker.

Camp Smile-A-Mile, but last This time, we were all singing year was different. For the first off the same page,” she said. time, I felt like maybe I could Red Nose Ball Her time at Camp SAM last really understand what the chilWhen: Feb. 23, 6 p.m.- summer is something Jennifer dren were going through,” she midnight. said kept her going through the said. “They inspired me even Where: Cahaba Grand early stages of her fight with more.”

Conference Center colon cancer.

Jennifer started working with Details: The 21st “Camp SAM means so much the children at Camp SAM after annual event will benefit to these children’s lives, and the meeting Stephanie Wilkins, who camp Smile-A-Mile and children gave so much back to worked with the camp at the will include a Mardi Gras me during my struggle with cantime. theme, a silent auction, cer. I can’t express how impor“We had an instant friendseated dinner and tant it is,” she said. ship. She invited me down to the dancing.

Each summer, Jennifer and camp to observe the art classes For more information: the young artists work on a coland the following summer, I was www.campsam.org laborative piece that is put up a guest art teacher for a day. It for auction at the Red Nose Ball. stuck, and I’ve done that every This year’s ball will be Feb. 23 at the Cahaba summer,” Jennifer said.

Grand Conference Center from 6 p.m.-midnight.

Jennifer said teaching art at Camp SAM has Proceeds from the Mardi Gras-themed event been one of the most rewarding experiences of help support programs for children who are bather life. tling cancer or who have overcome the disease.

“My heart and soul is with these children

J

Journal editor

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

“I was approaching 50 and was thinking about my bucket list. I had always wanted to be a ballerina, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I had always known I wanted to paint, but fear held me back,” she said.

That fear, Jennifer said, stemmed from growing up in an artistic family in Portland, Ore., in the shadow of an older brother who was an accomplished artist early on.

“My brother was deemed the artist and went to art camp. I’m not sure what I was deemed,” she said.

“I always had the desire to paint, but I was intimidated. I took piano lessons and didn’t touch the art classes because my brother was getting so much attention for his art.”

Jennifer’s brother went on to become a professional artist in Jennifer Harwell helps children at Camp SAM create art Oregon. Jennifer went to nursing that will be auctioned at the Red Nose Ball on Feb. 23. school, got married and went about Photo special to The Journal raising a family.

“We take a door or some other large surface, “But as I’m looking at my and I coach the kids as part of their art lessons. life at 50, I finally broke down and went to a The kids add their parts--the first one we did was simple painting class in someone’s home here in made up of all of their handprints--and then I Homewood,” she said. bring it back to the studio and ponder what we And something that had been secreted away can turn it into,” she said. “These paintings have in Jennifer her entire life was revealed during that a lot of soul.” first art class, Jennifer said.

The children’s work this year features the bold “The minute the paint brush touched the cancolors of the Mardi Gras season, Jennifer said, in vas, it really broke me free,” she said. “Then, I keeping with the theme of the event. was unstoppable. I filled every inch of my house Along with the collaborative piece, Jennifer with paintings.” has also painted another large piece that will be Jennifer said her first painting on canvas is part of the Red Nose Ball’s auction. The piece is dated 2005. called “Ball Gown” and features the silhouette of From there, Jennifer turned her attention to painting full time, painted more than 100 pieces an angel. for her first show and opened her first gallery in “I’m kind of known for my angels,” Jennifer Homewood. said. “I paint angels of every kind.”

Jennifer now has a gallery in Regions But before she was painting angels, Jennifer Harbert Plaza in downtown Birmingham and was an angel of sorts. She worked as a registered also teaches art classes. ❖ nurse until she was about 50 years old.

Save the Date Cont.

Mountain Brook

Night at the Oscars Feb. 24, 6 p.m.

Country Club of Birmingham

A Night at the Oscars to benefit Mitchell’s Place will be held at the Country Club of Birmingham on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. Mitchell’s Place is

a comprehensive autism treatment center. The event, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. James P. Cowin, will feature a viewing of the 85th Academy Awards.

Hollywood-elegant attire is suggested; black tie is optional. For more information, call 957-0294 or visit www. mitchells-place.com.

Mitchell’s Place Board Member Steve Tandet, center, attended last year’s Night at the Oscars fundraiser with his daughter, Sloan Tandent, right, and his wife, Jocelyn McClelland, left.

This year’s event is Feb. 24.

Birmingham

Ride to Change the Future Feb. 24, 9 a.m.

LJCC The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation will host the sixth annual 100-mile indoor cycling event, Ride to Change the Future, at the Levite Jewish Community Center on Feb. 24.

Birmingham is one of only six cities across the nation hosting the event.

Money raised will benefit ovarian cancer research. For more information or to register, visit ovariancycle.kintera.org/ birmingham.

Birmingham

Art Show Opening Reception Feb. 28, 6-8 p.m.

UAB’s Lister Hill Library The 2013 UAB School of Medicine Art Show opening reception will be Feb. 28 on the first floor of Lister Hill Library at 1700 University Boulevard. The event will feature student, resident and faculty entries. The art will be on display Feb. 28 through May 17. The opening reception will include an announcement of the winners and a silent auction benefitting VSA Alabama, the state organization on arts and disability. For

Photo special to The Journal

more information on the art show and reception, visit www.uab.edu/lister or call 934-2230. For more information on VSA, call 307-6300.

Hoover

11th Annual Recital Feb. 24, 4 p.m.

Bluff Park United Methodist Church Hoover’s Bluff Park United Methodist Church will hold its 11th annual special recital on Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow. The concert is free.

James Dorroh, organist at St. Luke’s Episcopal in Mountain Brook, will perform. Dorroh, who is also the director of music for St. Luke’s Episcopal, has selected a variety of pieces to showcase the pipe organ’s capabilities. The event raises money to enhance and maintain the church’s pipe organ. The church is at 733 Valley Street. For more information, call 822-0910.

Homewood

Mad Hatters’ Luncheon and Fashion Show Feb. 28, 11 a.m.

The Club Women from across central Alabama will use their fashion accessories to fight cancer at the American Cancer Society’s 22nd annual Mad Hatters’ Luncheon and Fashion Show on Feb. 28 at The Club. The event, which benefits the ACS, will take place in the Grand Ballroom. Judging of the hats is at 11 a.m. followed by the parade of hats at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon at noon includes a fashion show by Gus Mayer. Individual tickets are $40, a table of eight is $300 and a patron table is $500. For more information or to make reservations, contact Ellen Miles at 9308860 or ellen.miles@cancer.org.

Birmingham

Life Without Limits Luncheon

THE RUNWAY RUNDOWN

BY MARGARET FRYMIRE

B

JOURNAL CONTRIBUTOR

irmingham’s third annual Fashion Week will kick off Feb. 23 with a variety of festivities running through March 2.

This year’s Fashion Week includes the Rising Design Star and the Emerging Designer competitions, where Over the Mountain residents are showcasing their skills.

Several students from Over the Mountain schools have been selected

to compete with their designs in the Rising Design Star contest, and two University of Alabama graduates from Over the Mountain communities are in the running for the Emerging Designer award.

In the Rising Design Star contest, middle and high school students throughout the state submitted their designs. The top 40 finalists, of 80

applicants, were chosen to display their pieces in the Birmingham Museum of Art Rising Design Star Exhibit from Jan. 13-Feb. 10.

The students have the chance to win a monetary scholarship and to showcase their unique creations on the runway during Fashion Week.

The Rising Design Star contest, in its second year, requires students to make their creations out of unconventional materials such as cardboard, pop tabs, duct tape and plastic. No traditional cloth or sewing is allowed.

“The designs we have received this year have blown us away with their fashion sense and creativity,” said Jeanna Lee Flemming, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week.

From the Over the Mountain Area, the students chosen to display their designs at the Birmingham Museum of Art were Annie Bloomston, Mountain Brook High School; Bradford Billingsly, Suzanne Noble, Odelia Huang, Eleni Gulas, Cecily Anderson, Cayla Sexton, Lana Chen and Laney Moers, Pizitz Middle School; Mary Ashford Hyde, Olivia

Save the Date Cont.

Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m.

Cahaba Grand Conference Center United Cerebral Palsy of Birmingham and BancorpSouth will present the Life Without Limits Luncheon Feb. 28 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. John Kemp, a national disability employment and education advocate, will be the keynote speaker for the 11:30 a.m. event. The 2013 UCP Life Without Limits awards will be presented, including the Legacy Award, Outstanding Employer Award, Outstanding Program Partner Award, Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award, Outstanding Volunteer Award and the Inspiration Award. Tickets are $35; table sponsorships are $500. Reservations must be made by Feb. 22. To make reservations and buy tickets, email creno@ucpbham.com, call 944-3909 or visit www.ucpbham.com.

HOMEWOOD

BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM

BAA Members’ Party Feb. 28, 5-7:30 p.m.

Parkside Cafe The Birmingham Art Association is having a members’ party on Feb. 28 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Parkside Cafe, 4035 Fifth Ave. South, Birmingham.

The event is for current members to renew memberships and for new members to join. Membership promotes regional artists, from painters and potters to weavers and photographers. For more information, visit wwwbirminghamartassociation.org.

HOMEWOOD

The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-off March 2, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Colonial Brookwood Village The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-off will be March 2 in the parking lot of Colonial Brookwood Village. More than 90 of the area’s top chili chefs will square off for the Ninth Annual Northwestern Mutual of Alabama event, presented by Regions Bank. Tickets

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 7

ABOUT TOWN

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

are $10 in advance through www. exceptionalfoundation.org/ticket or at The Exceptional Foundation offices at 1616 Oxmoor Road in Homewood.

Tickets are $15 the day of the event.

Children 12 and younger will get in free and there will be a Books-A-Million Kids Zone. For more information, visit www. exceptionalfoundation.org or call 8700776.

March 3, 1-3 p.m.

Art Show Opening Reception Cumberland Presbyterian Church The Joy Gallery at Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church will hold an opening reception on March 3 for an art show by Judy Bobula. The gallery is at 513 Columbiana Road in Homewood. For more information, call 942-3051.

Finish the Fight Tennis Challenge March 4-8 OTM Clubs The first annual Love-Love Magic City Finish the Fight Tennis Challenge will be March 4-8. Ladies doubles teams will compete at venues around the city, including Birmingham Country Club, Old Overton Country Club, Brook Highland Racquet Club, Hoover Country Club, Pine Tree Country Club, Greystone Country Club, Vestavia Country Club, Greystone YMCA, Highland Racquet Club, Altadena Valley Country Club and Trussville Racquet Club.

The week-long event will conclude with the Love-Love Tennis Ball on March 8, with dinner and dancing to honor and celebrate the champions. Special guest for the tournament and ball will be International Tennis Hall of Fame star Stan Smith. Registration ends Feb. 25.

The tournament is open to players of all levels.

To register, visit www.lovelovemagiccitychallenge.com. ❖

Kempworth, Emily Butler and Sarah Anne Pfitzer, Vestavia High School; and Jooyoung Yang, Briarwood Christian School.

The winner will be announced March 2 at the Fashion Week Finale.

Alabama college students can showcase their style, using their choice of materials, in the Emerging Designers contest. The 16 semifinalists, recently chosen, will have the opportunity to display their designs on Feb. 26 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The finalists include Elizabeth

Singleton of Vestavia Hills and Allison Mills from the U.S. 280 area. Both are 2012 graduates of the University of Alabama.

The amateur designers will also show their creations on the runway on Feb. 28 and March 1, vying for one of the eight spots in the final runway show on March 2.

The 2013 Emerging Designer will receive a cash prize, television appearance and a guaranteed spot in the runway show for Birmingham Fashion Week 2014.

Featured designers for this year include Prophetik, Annie Griffin, Joshua McKinley, Anthony Ryan Auld, Tibi, Lula Kate, Ivy & Aster and Heidi Elnora.

Birmingham Fashion Week benefits Camp Smile-A-Mile, a program for Alabama children with cancer, and Alabama Forever, an organization formed to help families in need after the April 27, 2011 tornadoes.

For more information on Birmingham Fashion Week 2013, visit bhamfashionweek.com. ❖

MOVING SALE All Merchandise

25% - 50% Off Frames, Fragrances, Linens, Antiques, Furniture, Gifts, Fixtures, Chandeliers, EVERYTHING*

It’s a short move, BUT a move is a move!

So come help us move it out and take advantage of big, bigger, and biggest savings We will be closed February 22 – 25.

SALE STARTS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 12:00 p.m.

2411 Montevallo Rd. • Mountain Brook Village 871-8297 *Some exclusions. See store for details.

LIFE Tucker’s Turn in the Spotlight

8 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

OVER THE MOUNT MOUNTAIN AIN JOURNAL

Vestavia Student Shines at International Talent Event

BY KEYSHA DREXEL JOURNAL EDITOR

W

hile Tucker Meek of Vestavia Hills is excited about signing with a talent agent and attracting the interest of casting professionals from around the world, what most pleased the 7-yearold about his recent performance at an international talent event was the trophies he got to bring home.

“I got two trophies while I was there.

Here, look at how they shine when you hold them in the light,” the Vestavia Hills West Elementary student said.

And just like the trophies he brought home ‘I would like to from the Actors, and Talent have my own TV Models for Christ Shine convention in show. It would Fla., the be like ‘Tom and Orlando, pint-sized thespian seemed to shine Jerry’ except it more in the would be called even spotlight at the ‘Tucker and Tom’ event.

“He seemed instead.’ really comfortable onstage, and it was great to see him have that confidence,” Lani, Tucker’s mother, said.

Tucker won the Overall Male Child Actor award and received 15 callbacks

from agents like Lesley Collins from Mattel Casting, Crystal Bennett at Premier Models and Talent and David Doan from Generation TV. The event was scouted by top agents, managers, casting directors and music professionals.

Tucker has always been an expressive child, his mother said, so when a friend told her about the AMTC program, she decided to take Tucker for an audition.

“He always seems to be entertaining the people around him, and he says he wants to be an actor. I knew that the mission of AMTC was to get more Christians involved in the entertainment industry so that they can be a positive influence on the industry, and so I felt comfortable with Tucker getting involved,” Lani said.

After wowing the judges at the Birmingham audition, Tucker went on to another audition in Atlanta and was accepted into the Bridge Training Program offered by AMTC. The program aims to prepare performers to work in the entertainment industry.

Through the program, Tucker took several acting technique classes and learned how to do cold readings and improv, work with a teleprompter, rehearse scenes with a partner and act on-camera.

The on-camera classes were Tucker’s favorite, he said.

“I would like to have my own TV show. It would be like ‘Tom and Jerry’ except it would be called ‘Tucker and Tom’ instead,” he said.

Winning by

LOSING

Hoover Woman Hopes to be Tops on NBC’s ‘Biggest Loser’

BY KEYSHA DREXEL JOURNAL EDITOR

G

ina McDonald said she has always measured her life by how much she weighs and as a contestant on the NBC reality series “The Biggest Loser,” the Hoover attorney said she is learning that her life is about much more than a number on a scale.

Gina is among the contestants on the 14th season of “The Biggest Loser,” which premiered on Jan. 6 with three teens and 15 adults being challenged to shed pounds and get in shape.

Despite her success in the professional arena, Gina said her weight issues have always held her back from enjoying her achievements.

“I can tell you exactly how much I weighed when I graduated high school, when I graduated college, when I got married,” she said. “I have always measured my life in pounds.

And when you measure your life by how much you weigh, even the highlights are dampened. When you measure your life by pounds and the pounds are out of control, every highlight in your life becomes a lowlight, because you are judging yourself on how much you weigh when anything good happens in your life, and you can’t enjoy it,” she said.

After completing the Bridge Training Program, Tucker was selected to attend the convention. He was one of nearly 500 performers chosen from auditions held all over the world.

The convention in Orlando had two components, Lani said. There was a showcase where Tucker performed acts he had prepared for the convention in front of an audience of about 1,300 people.

The second part of the event gave Tucker one-on-one time with industry professionals who offered him feedback on his showcase performance and advice for moving ahead with his acting goals.

The Meeks also attended seminars for parents of children in the entertainment industry while at the convention, Lani said.

Tucker’s parents said they are supporting his acting aspirations and know that even if he isn’t the next big child star, the lessons he is learning now will help him throughout his life.

“As long as it’s fun to Tucker, we’ll support him. He is learning things like poise, confidence and how to get up and talk in front of a crowd. These are things he will use no matter what he does in the future,” his father, Derek, said.

The experience allowed Tucker to make important connections to those in the entertainment industry, Lani said, but meant so much more.

“If you ask Tucker Meek won the Tucker, he’ll tell you Overall Male Child Actor Award and received sevhe had a lot of fun eral callbacks from casting and made some new agents after his perforfriends,” Lani said. mance at an international “However, we feel talent event for Christian like this experience performers. was much more than Photo special to The Journal about learning how to deliver a monologue. He learned to be Christ-like: an encourager of others, the importance of being kind and using nice manners and that hard work is necessary to succeed.”

Now that he has signed with a talent agent, Tucker will be busy with auditions for the next few months, his parents said.

“Our goal is to keep him grounded and to support his dreams. We’ll start auditioning and see what happens,” Lani said. ❖

the casting crew with her spunk and straightforward approach.

Born in Memphis, Tenn., Gina is the middle of three chil“When they asked me why I wanted to be on the show, I dren. She said her weight has been a lifelong struggle for her. told them, obviously, because I need to lose weight.

“My sister was older than me and she was a teenager. I “I said, ‘I have only really high-heeled shoes and I look remember when she worked at JC Penney’s in high school and ridiculous.’ I threw my leg up on the table to show them my would bring me home clothes from the Husky section. I never shoes and then said, ‘And I’m a self-described cougar with a got to wear the kind of cute clothes she did,” she said. husband that’s 15 years younger than me, and I have to look Gina said she got down to a healthy weight just good for him.’ So, I think that clinched it,” she said. before she started her law practice, but a divorce in 2002 that left her a single parent of two The toughest part of being on the show, Gina said, has young children sent her into a downward spiral. not been the grueling workouts and diet.

“I was helping my clients through “The most challenging part has been the emotional extremely difficult times like divorces transformation I’ve made. This has really been lifeand bankruptcies and I took a lot of it changing for me,” she said. home with me, and I had my own Being a part of “Biggest Loser” has helped stress of being a single mother.

Gina realize that she is addicted to food, she The weight just all came back,” said, and that her weight problem, while she said. caused by poor eating habits and lack of Gina said she threw herself exercise, really comes down to matters of into her work to try and make up the heart. for the fact that she felt like a fail“There are a whole lot of emotional reasons ure because of her weight. that I have extra padding, and as viewers contin“I had the disease to please. I wantue to watch the show, they will see that I realize that ed everyone to like me, and if that meant it is my head and heart that have to change the most answering a call from a client at 2 a.m., in order for me to reach my weight loss goal. The that’s what I did,” she said. viewers will absolutely get to see me have an ‘aha’ Gina said she was always a fan of “The moment on the show,” she said.

Biggest Loser” and decided last year that Gina said she hopes by being on the show she can she was ready to tackle her weight problem inspire others who are struggling with their weight. once and for all.

“I hope people understand that you don’t have to “From the moment I got in line to go to the extreme degree with working out and diet talk to the casting people about the show, that they see on the show and that they can reach I knew I’d make it on the show and I their goals with little steps. It is definitely worth knew it would give me the opportunity to doing. I’m living proof of that,” she said. finally make my dream of being fit and “The Biggest Loser” airs on Mondays at 7 healthy come true,” she said. p.m. on NBC. ❖ Gina said she thinks she impressed Gina McDonald

White Honored for Volunteer Work

A

longtime local volunteer leader for the Arthritis Foundation has received the foundation’s highest nationwide volunteer award, the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service.

Brunson White of Vestavia Hills, a member of the Arthritis Foundation’s Southeast Region Board and longtime leader of the organization’s efforts in Birmingham, received the honor at the organization’s national annual meeting in Colorado in December.

The award recognizes a volunteer who has provided leadership and direction to the Arthritis Foundation, given his or her time and talent generously to help others, and challenged other foundation volunteers to be their best.

White has served the Arthritis Foundation in various volunteer capacities for more than 15 years, including leadership positions on the former Alabama Chapter Board, National Board Chair from 2007-2008 and currently as Vice Chair for the Arthritis Foundation’s Southeast Region.

White is principal of Brunson White Advisors, LLC, a technology and strategy consulting firm. He is retired from Energen Corp., where he was most recently a senior vice president at its Alagasco subsidiary.

He is a member of the Leadership Birmingham Class of 2000, Leadership Alabama’s Class XV. During his involvement locally, White helped spearhead Arthritis Foundation efforts to raise money to establish an endowed chair in pediatric rheumatology at the University of

Spain Park Freshman Earns Silver Award

Bar Association Elects New Officers for 2013

A freshman at Spain Park High School in Hoover has earned the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. The award is presented to Girl Scouts in grades 6-8.

Gracie Hood, a member of Girl Scout Troop 116, recently received the Girl Scout Silver Award. The award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in scouting and community activities.

For her Silver Award project, Hood took a stand against bullying. She created a Facebook page against bullying and used a puppet show to teach younger girls that bullying is wrong.

Hood also placed a bench in a local middle school to encourage students to talk to each other and make new friends at school.

The Birmingham Bar Association elected officers for 2013 at its annual meeting Dec. 14.

The new president is Robert R. Baugh. Robin Burrell is president-elect.

Mike Freeman is secretary-treasurer.

At-large executive committee members are Kira Fonteneau, Freddy Rubio and Phil Carroll.

The Birmingham Bar Association is one of the oldest local bar associations in the U.S. and the largest in the state and has more than 4,100 members in the Birmingham metro area.

focused on entrepreneurship.

The competition was sponsored by Baylor University and hosted by the U.S. Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at its conference in San Francisco.

Laura Hudson of Hoover was on a team of students that won second place for their case, “Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery,” which focused on the Birmingham retailer.

The judges complimented the students on their case, noting Robert R. Baugh that it would be extremely useful for aspiring entrepreneurs to analyze because it highlighted many critical challenges that

Patrick Wilder and Russell Galloway

Mountain Brook Students Named Eagle Scouts Two Mountain Brook High School students were awarded scouting’s highest honor Jan. 13 at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Canterbury United Methodist Church.

Russell Galloway, an 11th-grader, and senior Patrick Wilder were joined by family, friends and fellow scouts for the ceremony.

Galloway’s Eagle Scout project was for Mountain Brook Community Church, where he built a fire pit and four benches adjacent to the youth hut.

For his project, Wilder completed a bridge and trail at Red Mountain Park and raised more than $1,000 to donate to park projects.

Both have been members of Troop 63 since the fifth grade and are members of the Order of the Arrow.

They have attended several high adventure camps, including a trip last summer to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 9

people

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Samford Students Win At International Competition Two MBA students from Samford University’s Brock School of Business recently won two of the top five spots in an international case competition that

Foundation on the local Alabama at Birmingham and national level,” says and to partner with David Popen, CEO of the Children’s of Alabama to Arthritis Foundation’s establish a dedicated clinic Southeast Region. “There facility. The clinic opened is not a more deserving in 2007 and is now one of person for this highest the largest programs in the honor that we give to a country. volunteer leader each year.

During the annual meet“From his personal ing dinner, surprise conconcern and passion to gratulations were offered help children with juvenile by friends such as Mike Brunson White arthritis to his professional Warren, CEO of Children’s expertise that has helped make our of Alabama, and Jack Klippel, national organization more effective in many CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. ways, Brunson has helped fulfill our “We are grateful to Brunson for mission from top to bottom.” ❖ his years of service to the Arthritis arise when opening a new business.

Second place included a $1,000 prize.

Meg Lozner of Birmingham won fifth place with her case, “Southern Grits to Haute Robin Burrell Cuisine: Much More Than a Taste of the South,” to highlight how the Birmingham region can be marketed nationally as a center for culinary tourism, based on its local restaurant and farmer’s market scene.

This is the second year in a row that Lozner has been a finalist, making her the only student in the history of the

competition to achieve this recognition.

“We are very proud of the hard work of our MBA students,” said Charles Carson, associate dean of the Brock School of Business. “They took consulting projects they conducted as part of one of our MBA classes and continued working on them to prepare them for this competition.”

Hoover Resident Wins Rising Star Award Morgan Place of Hoover was recognized by the Community Associations Institute Alabama Chapter with the Rising Star Award on Nov. 7.

Place is an association manager with McKay Management and has more than six years of experience in association management. ❖

News

10 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u Mountain Brook

Lane Parke Developers Have Strong Ties to City

By Keysha Drexel

The Evans family gathers at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon where Rele and John were presented with the Robert Jemison Visionary Award. From left, Rele, John, Louisa and Sophie Evans.

A

Journal editor

s construction begins on the longawaited replacement of Mountain Brook Shopping Center, the developers of the project are being honored for their vision.

Construction started on the Lane Parke development in January, and Rele and John Evans were presented with the Robert Jemison Visionary Award at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon on Feb. 5.

Rele Evans, owner of Evson Inc., along with his son and daughter, John and Sally, are the developers behind the 28-acre master planned development that will include 185,000 square feet of retail, office and residential space. The Grand Bohemian Hotel, with 100 rooms, is also planned for development, along with new luxury apartments.

The development will replace the 63,000-square-foot Mountain Brook Shopping Center and Park Lane in the heart of Mountain Brook.

Evson has managed the 58-year-old Mountain Brook property for several years. The land has a long history in the Evans family.

Rele Evans was a 20-year-old engineering student at Tulane University when he first saw the property where his father, A.A. Evans, planned to build Park Lane Apartments.

“This land has been in our family for years, and we’ve always been mindful both of the special nature of Mountain Brook and the need to ensure that whatever is done here honor the best traditions of the city and of Mountain Brook Village,” Rele said.

Developing Lane Parke has been not been without its challenges, John Evans said.

The first version of Lane Parke was pulled in late 2009 while city officials considered a rezoning request on it. Residents and some retailers

Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

said the proposed development was too large in scope and would threaten the existing shops of the village.

In 2010, the city approved a $200 million version of the development, but Evson scaled back the design of Lane Parke due to economic considerations.

“Dad and I started talking about redeveloping the property back in 2006, so it came as somewhat of a surprise that there was so much pushback from the citizens on some of our plans,” John Evans said.

But John said that feedback from the residents and business owners in Mountain Brook helped make sure Lane Parke is a good fit.

“The citizens of Mountain Brook are very proud of their neighborhoods, and they should be. We listened to them, and we think that we’ve finally hit the nail on the head,” he said.

John said it was important to make sure his company developed Lane Parke in a way that is respectful of Mountain Brook’s traditions but at the same time has an eye on the future of the city.

“That’s the difference in developing this property as opposed to a project out on (U.S.) 280. This is right in the middle of the village where so many residents do their daily shopping

and spend a lot of time,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that quality of life is maintained and enhanced through this project.”

His family’s connections to the property have also played a role in the careful planning of Lane Parke, John said.

“We want this to be a quality development just like the residents of Mountain Brook want it to be a quality development,” he said. “The Evans name is on this project. We see this as a legacy for our family.”

John said his grandfather was a big fan of Mountain Brook and loved the close-knit community.

“My grandfather truly loved Mountain Brook. His house was in Mobile, but he would come up to Mountain Brook at least four days a week. He did that until about a month before he passed away. He’d come up and play golf and visit with friends,” he said.

That community his grandfather loved is both the reason Evson has tried to remain true to Mountain Brook’s traditions and the reason the development has been somewhat controversial at times, John said.

“The charm of how close-knit it is is what my grandfather loved, and it is also the reason the opposition came out so strong to make sure

u over the mountain

Proposed Bill Would Protect Dogs

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

A proposed bill under review by a state House of Representatives committee is aimed at better protecting the four-legged police officers in Over the Mountain and other cities across the state.

Sponsored by Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, and others, House Bill 259 would make it a Class C felony to harass, assault or injure a police animal or search and rescue animal or their handlers. The bill extends protection to horses and other animals that work with law enforcement agencies.

The bill was introduced to the state House of Representatives on Feb. 12, according to Tom Hale, a litigation attorney who helped draft the legislation.

Hale represents the Homewood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies around the state.

He said he got the idea for the proposed bill from his 22-year-old son, Rob, who is studying criminal justice at the University of North Alabama.

“Rob mentioned to me that currently, Alabama law only makes it a crime to kill a police dog. That’s the first time I became aware of this very limited, archaic law, and I thought that doing something to better protect these ani-

mals was long overdue,” he said.

Hale said there are about 250 law enforcement dogs in service around the state.

Hale said he has firsthand knowledge of the important work K9 units do from working with the Homewood Police Department. The department last year established its first K9 unit with two highly-trained dogs and their police officer handlers. The K9 unit is a first for Homewood.

“Officer (Keith) Smith has been a tremendous advocate to extending police protection to his partner, Shiloh, and we know the other officers who have K9 partners feel just as strongly about it as he does,” Hale said.

Smith said he is not satisfied with the current law on the books because it provides no penalties for those who might injure or harass a police dog or search and rescue animal.

“I think it is time Alabama made a commitment to protect my partner, a four-legged officer that will, without hesitation or fear, face danger to do his job and to protect our citizens,” Smith said.

DeMarco said he’s requested House Bill 259 be heard in committee and hopes that review to happen within the next couple of weeks.

“If it gets a favorable review from the committee, it will go on to the full House for consideration and then over to a Senate committee for review,” he said.❖

we weren’t going to do anything that would disrupt life in Mountain Brook,” he said.

John said he and his father are developing Lane Parke with a lot of help from trusted professionals.

“This project has certainly gone through several different drafts. It took a lot of professionals a lot of time and effort to get this to where it is now,” he said. “It’s not perfect, but it’s as close to it as you can get without going broke.”

Construction started on the 276-unit luxury apartments at Lane Parke, The Residences, on Jan. 10. The apartments are a joint venture by Evson and Daniel Corp. Hoar Construction should finish the apartments next spring.

“We’re about a month or so into the first phase now, and it’s looking good. We’re glad to finally be at this point in the project,” John said.

The new one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will replace Park Lane Apartments, which date from 1948.

John said he is still approached by people who have lived or had family members live in Park Lane Apartments.

“I can’t tell you how many people have told me they lived there or their parents or grandparents lived there. It has been a central part of the community for a long time,” he said. “You don’t hear about very many places with a history like that anymore.”

The first apartment at The Residences should be available by March 2014, John said, and the last apartment should come online in July 2014.

John said he hopes that by the end of this year, the first phase of construction will begin on retail space along with construction on the hotel.

“There’s not one facet of this project that stands alone. The inn, the apartments, the retail and office space--it all works together toward giving the citizens of Mountain Brook some really nice amenities,” he said.❖

u vestavia hills

Officials Decide Against Move to City Center Vestavia Hills city officials have decided against moving to the Vestavia City Center shopping center.

City Manager Randy Robertson gave little details about the decision, only offering that Excel Vestavia wanted to keep the reason confidential. Excel Vestavia owns the center, which has been plagued by vacancies.

“At this point in time, city hall will probably not be going across the street,” Robertson said.

City officials still plan to move but will seek other options, he said. u Hoover

Employees to be Honored

The Hoover Chamber of Commerce will recognize and award the Hoover Firefighter of the Year and the Hoover Police Officer of the

Vestavia Hills city leaders have said they need to relocate from the current municipal building at 513 Montgomery Highway because the building is older and doesn’t meet the needs of the police and fire administration. The municipal building was constructed in the 1950s.

City officials in November agreed to purchase the former Food World store property for $1.15 million. But because that building doesn’t have a second floor, converting it into the new City Hall poses problems, Robertson said.

—William C. Singleton III Year for 2012 at its Feb. 21 luncheon.

Awards will also be given for 911 Operator of the Year and Jailer of the Year. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at Hoover Country Club, 3140 Country Club Drive. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the door. ❖

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 11

news

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

u Mountain Brook

Council Questions 280 Plans

By Keysha Drexel Journal editor

The president of the Mountain Brook City Council threatened to shut down a workshop on proposed changes to several intersections in the city after the standing-room only crowd erupted into laughter several times in reaction to changes during a presentation by Alabama Department of Transportation officials on Feb. 5.

ALDOT officials held a 90-minute workshop on Feb. 5 at Mountain Brook Junior High School on revised plans to provide relief from traffic congestion along the part of the U.S. 280 corridor that runs through Mountain Brook.

“If you don’t be respectful, I will end this meeting now,” Mountain Brook City Council President Virginia Smith said during the presenta-

tion of Darrell Skipper of Skipper Consultants, the firm working on the project.

Residents and others attending were not allowed to ask questions or pose comments, but ALDOT officials and representatives took questions from the city council members. On Jan. 28, the Mountain Brook City Council adopted a resolution opposing the revised plan, citing health and safety concerns for Mountain Brook drivers.

ALDOT has plans to change 27 intersections along nine miles of U.S. 280 from Hollywood Boulevard to Doug Baker Boulevard that will complement a camera-aided synchronized traffic signal system installed in December.

Those changes include adding lanes, removing three traffic signals, relocating one traffic signal and creating indirect turns where drivers who need to turn left would first turn right,

go along U.S. 280 and then make U-turns.

The intersections affected by the revised plan include those at Mountain Brook Plaza/Hampton Inn, Office Park Drive, Cherokee Road, Rocky Ridge Road/Shades Crest Road and Green Valley Road.

ALDOT estimates the changes will cost between $12-15 million with the first bids on the project expected to go out in April. Construction could begin in June and would include night and weekend work so that lanes could remain open during peak travel times, ALDOT Transportation Director John Cooper said.

Cooper said the Mountain Brook plan has already been revised once to reflect public comments from drivers.

In the resolution it passed on Jan. 28, the Mountain Brook City Council proposed making an overpass on Cherokee Road and creating round-

u Homewood

Construction on New Rec Center Could Begin In March, Officials Say

By William C. Singleton Journal contributor

The Homewood Parks and Recreation Department has tentatively scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for its proposed new $16.5 million recreation center in March, its director said.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the site of both the old and the new centers at 1632 Oxmoor Road.

The parks and recreation department has moved its operation to the former Jefferson County courthouse satellite office at 809 Greensprings Highway while demolition of its old facility takes place.

Berkley Squires, parks and recreation director, said the move has been seamless.

“The move went wonderful,” he said. “We did some remodeling, not a whole lot. We just put in some carpeting and took out some counters.

Unlike it was in the old center, the weight room and cardio room are combined in the same space.”

In the old facility, the weight room was on the lower level and the cardio room above the gym.

Squires said attendance has been up slightly since the move, about five more visitors daily.

“That may not sound like a lot, but we didn’t know how everyone would respond. The move’s been great.

Everybody seems to enjoy the new facility over here. The openness and having everything together has been a good thing for us,” he said.

Parks and city officials have agreed to build a larger recreation center to meet the growing needs of the Homewood community.

Squires said parks officials hope to be in the new center by April 2014. ❖

Construction crews work to demolish the old Homewood Recreation Center.

Construction on the city’s new recreation center could begin next month.

With Journal photo by William C. Singleton III

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ALDOT has plans to change 27 intersections along nine miles of U.S. 280 from Hollywood Boulevard to Doug Baker Boulevard that will complement a camera-aided synchronized traffic signal system installed in December. abouts, but Skipper said that would increase traffic delays on side streets and possibly close off access to Cahaba Road.

Council members also expressed concerns over changing all 27 of the interchanges in the revised plan.

Councilwoman Amy Carter said she thought traffic could be eased

by making changes at just 25 of the intersections. Councilman Billy Pritchard asked Cooper if the plan would be revised further based on the comments and concerns expressed at the Feb. 5 workshop.

Cooper said ALDOT will use the revised plan as it is to move forward with the project. ❖

12 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Big Top Ball: Beaux Arts Krewe Hosts 46th Annual Ball From Page 1

where she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She is majoring in Spanish and is a member of the President’s list, Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors organization.n.

She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Tom Tartt Brown Jr. and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Ireland II and the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tartt Brown. She has a brother, Tommy and a sister, Amanda.

Royalty runs in Nonie’s family.

Her aunt, Mallie Ireland, was the Queen of the Krewe in 1975, her aunt Kacy Mitchell was a Lady- inwaiting in 1972 and her mother was a Princess in the 1979 Krewe Ball.

The queen’s royal escort was William Lee Jenkins.

Ladies-in-waiting and their escorts were Lindsey Harris Badham and David Alan Elliott Jr., Jane Comer Crockard and Charles Matthew White, Anne DeWitt Thompson and John Houston Blount, and Eugenia Maxwell Thompson and Richard Miller Fitts.

The Princesses presented at the ball and their escorts were Jane Austin Ault and William David Summers, Beverly Waters Blount and Ian Wilson Dingwall, Caroline Brinson Brown and Jake Lubert Morrow III, Virginia Clayton Clark and Simon Nicholas Fiedler Basilico, Catherine Jane Compton and Cameron Taylor Pulsifer, Shirley Caroline Crozier and Robert Major Steele, Frances Newman Deaton and Robert Wilson King, Delia Thornton Folk

Clockwise from above left: Trainbearers Madeline Mitchell and Katharine Grace Whatley.

Queen Nonie Ireland Brown with, from left, aunt Mallie Ireland, mother Nonie Ireland Brown and aunt Kacy Ireland Mitchell. Lady in Waiting Comer Crockard and Princess Maggie Pitts. Pages Julia Abele and Gray Powell. New Krewe members, from left, Arthur Henley, George Bradford, Major Ogilvie and Hill Sewell. Queen’s Guards John Williams, Will Legg, George Wheelock and Temple Tutwiler. Journal photos by Emil Wald

and Wiley Allan Anderson, Sarah Reid Harris and Thomas Alexander Harrison, Taylor Gore Hiden and Christopher Winthrop Ives Jr., Margaret Livingston Hindman and Clayton Glenn Avery, Margaret Richardson King and Deakins Ford Rushton Jr., Mary Riley Ogilvie and Charles Alan Deer, Sara Frazer Oliver and Stephen Brice Elliott, Margaret Alexander Pitts and James Lawrence Goyer IV, Melissa Jane Teel Robinson and William Kavanaugh Echols,

Elizabeth Bailey Troiano and Conrad Lawrence Walko, Elizabeth Ann Williams and Daniel Butler Sparks, and Alexandra Ray Wilson and David Auston Smith.

The king’s dukes of the royal court were Edward Smith Allen, Steven Conary Hydinger, James Walton Rainer Jr., Fred Weyman Renneker III, Roy William Robertson Jr., William Bowen Welden, Joseph Edward Welden Jr. and William Edgar Welden Jr. The queen’s guards were

Robert Holman Head, Rest Baker Heppenstall, William Anderson Legg Jr., Henry Sprott Long Jr., James Louis Priester, Temple Wilson Tutwiler III, George Frederick Wheelock III and John Miles Williams.

The king’s trainbearers were Joy Louise Holman, Jamie MacKinnon Holman Jr., Welden Williams Holman, Mary Frances Robertson, William Edgar Welden III, Allen Cleve Welden, Robert Evan

Welden and Ann Derby Welden.

The queen’s trainbearers were William Evard Flowers, Guy Kenneth Mitchell IV, Madeline McRae Mitchell, Gordy Benjamin Morris, Ella Ireland Pigford, Marechal Elizabeth Sledge, Catherine Sinclair Turner and Katharine Grace Whatley.

The ball’s pages were Helen Caroline Abele, Julia Fletcher Abele, Harriet Huntress Crommelin Adams, Emily Browning Amason,

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In 1966, Mrs. James Mallory Kidd Jr. was in charge of the 11th Beaux Arts Jewel Ball for the Birmingham Museum of Art. Kidd noticed the decorations were discarded after the ball and saw a need for a support group with permanent costumes and decorations. From there, the idea grew.

More than 125 men joined as charter members, and the Beaux Arts Krewe was founded.

Westminster Abbey was the inspiration for the idea that each member would dress as a king, have a banner with a coat of arms and be attended by a page. Many volunteers helped with preparations for the first ball.

They created shields and banners and velvet capes. Those capes and banners are still being used today.

The Krewe makes a substantial contribution to the Birmingham Museum of Art each year. ❖

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 13

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

OTM Debs Presented at Montgomery Ball

From left: Mary Harmon Bryant Tyson with her father Marc Bryant Tyson: Rosalind Brady O’Connor with her father, Michael Brady O’Connor and Elizabeth Turner Webster. Photos special to The Journal

T

hree Over the Mountain debutantes were presented at the 63rd annual Blue and Gray Colonels Ball in Montgomery Dec. 22.

The Grand Hall of the Montgomery Convention Center was elegantly transformed in Austrian style for the event.

Members and guests were greeted with the splendor of a Viennese evening with a set inspired by the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens.

The transformation of the Grand Hall included eight large chandeliers, eight golden tree candelabra and four

tents. The twill canvas tents, created using actual patterns and designs of tents from Persia, displayed works by previous Blue and Gray Colonels Artists in Residence, Barbara Davis, Barrett Bailey and Lila Graves.

Master of Ceremonies Col. Pete Taylor welcomed guests and told them about the organization’s ideals, hallmarks and commitment to social tradition.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 30 collegians and Lee Martin Frazier, the 2012 Queen of the Blue and Gray Colonels.

The 30 young women and the queen were presented by their attending colonels.

The Over the Mountain debutantes presented at the event were Rosalind Brady O’Connor, daughter of Michael Brady O’Connr of Mountain Brook; Mary Harmon Bryant Tyson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marc Bryant Tyson of Mountain Brook; and Elizabeth Turner Webster, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Richmond Rudolphus Webster of Mountain Brook.

To: From: Date:

The program included a performance by dancers from the Alabama Dance Theatre Ballet under the artistic direction of Kitty Seale and guidance of ballet master Foye Dubose.

The dancers presented an interpretation of Faeries and the Garland Dance. ❖

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14 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

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social

Ballerina Club Welcomes New Members

he Ballerina Club welcomed new members at its annual Winter Coffee held at Barbara Morgan’s historic Forest Park home Jan. 24.

President Angie Wittich introduced new members Peggi Davis, Virginia Davis, Mary Lewis, Debra Peeples and Becky Riley to the club.

Patsy Straka, ball chairman, shared some of the plans she and her committee had in store for the club’s ball on Feb. 15.

A floral arrangement of white hydrangeas, pink tulips, magenta gerbera daisies, and green Bells of Ireland drew guests into the dining room, where they enjoyed an array of sweets and savories arranged

by Hospitality Chairman Sharron Thomas.

After new members were introduced, guests were invited to view Barbara’s art studio on the house’s lower level.

Ballerina members enjoying artwork throughout the home included Vicki Lukens, Judy Long, Drucilla Rochester, Mary Wills LeCroy, Tricia Mitchell, Connie Bishop, Jean Liles, Rusty Kirkpatrick, Margaret Howell, Ginny Baxley, Patricia Clark, Barbara Eisenhart, Jane Morris, Ann Hillhouse, Gerry Dunham, Sue Parker Trammel, Vicki Daniels, Nell Williams, Judy Anderson, Susan Bell, Becky Bates, Elouise Williams, Mary Jim Quillen, Marie Carlisle, Renee Blalock, Nancy Walburn and Corinne Greer. ❖

Moms In Prayer Gather For Annual Meeting

Birmingham area prayer group leaders met Jan. 15 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church for the annual Moms In Prayer International Leaders Gathering.

The theme of this year’s event, “See How They Love One Another,”

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

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From left: Mary Lewis, Deb Peeples, Barbara Morgan and Peggi Davis.

Becky Bates, Jean Liles, Connie Bishop and Sue Parker Trammel.

Photos special to The Journal

was reflected in the pink and red hearts featured in the decor and the dessert.

The verses for this year’s event were Hebrews 10:23-25.

Prayer leaders braved heavy fog and rain to attend the annual meeting.

The gathering gave them an opportunity for praise and thanksgiving for all of the year’s blessings and for fellowship.

Amulets Host Annual Bridge Luncheon

mulet Club, a dance club now in its 57th year on the Birmingham social scene, met for its annual bridge luncheon at Birmingham Country Club on Jan. 24.

Co-chairmen of the get-together were Evelyn Ringler and Kathy Crapet. Barbara Jones is the club’s president.

Round luncheon tables held crystal vases filled with long-stemmed red roses.

Members were reminded that Sue Parker Trammel will host the club’s wine and cheese party at her Liberty Park home on March 13.

The club’s spring dinner-dance is set for April 12 at Vestavia Country Club. Co-chairmen for this annual event are Bernice Hill and Connie Bishop. The Classics will perform.

At the bridge luncheon were Edith Bauman, Roma Bounds, Bonnie Cicio, Virginia Cobb Golightly, Dot Crook, Fay Hart, Barbara Jones, Elizabeth Judd, Nell Larson, Gloria Lundberg, Anne Nelson, Kathie Ramsey, Evelyn Ringler, Donna Talbot, Lillian Treaster, Dot Weathers, Olivia Weingarten, Sandi Whitten, Janis Zeanah, Janine Goode, Bernice Hill, Clarice Gibbs, Gerry Dunham and Sue Trammel. ❖

From left: Evelyn Ringler, Cathy Crapet and Fay Hart.

The prayer leaders each lead their own group of women committed to praying each week for one hour on behalf of their children and their schools.

For more information on Moms In Prayer International, contact Lee Mathews, Birmingham area coordinator, at leebhamac@aol.com or at 823-7390. ❖

Clarice Gibbs and Sandi Whitten.

Photos special to The Journal

S

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Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 15

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

From left: Lauren Roberts, Emmie Smith, Kaye Emack, Sheryl Kimerling, Leigh Forstman, Kara Myers, Ann Gulledge, Liz Edwards and Valerie Ramsbacher of the Junior League of Birmingham present Sight Savers with a grant of $40,000 through the Beeson Community Fund. Photos special to The Journal

‘Improve the Lives of Women and Children’

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Junior League Awards Grants

he Junior League of Birmingham has announced the 2012-2013 Beeson Community Fund grant recipients.

JLB volunteers contribute more than 50,000 hours of service annually in partnership with nonprofit, public and community-based organizations.

“The purpose of our organization is to improve the lives of women and children by working with community agencies to deliver services and assistance to those in need,” said Valerie Ramsbacher, Junior League of Birmingham president.

Lucille Stewart Beeson was a humanitarian, philanthropist, inventor, collector, scholar and one of the first women to attend law school in the 1920s. Upon her death in January 2001, the JLB was one of 13 charitable organizations benefitting from her gift and legacy.

“Through the investment of $349,000 in the Birmingham community this year, the Junior League helps to change the face of Birmingham and allow for new and expanded programs in accor-

‘The Junior League of Birmingham has been an integral part of our community for the past 90 years, and we will continue to look for ways to assist the greater Birmingham area with trained volunteers and our financial resources.’

Valerie Ramsbacher dance with Mrs. Beeson’s desires,” said Leigh Forstman, JLB immediate past president, and Beeson Community Fund chairman.

For this grant cycle, the Beeson

Carter Naftel from Sight Savers shows Andrew Harmon how to use the EVM.

fund is donating $100,000 more in funds to support projects addressing the health, safety, education and financial stability of women and children in the Birmingham area.

Oasis Counseling for Women and Children’s Child/Adolescent Therapy will use its $25,000 grant to expand the reach of the program, subsidize the cost of therapy, provide professional continuing education for counselors and purchase equipment and supplies for the play therapy programs.

YWCA Central Alabama’s Court Advocacy Program’s $35,000 grant will cover the salary and benefits of one court advocate position for a one-year period.

Sight Savers America’s Jefferson and Shelby County Children’s Eye Care Program’s $40,000 grant will support comprehensive eye care case management and eye care for 600 area children, provide comprehensive low vision case management for 12 area children and buy three electronic video magnifiers for low vision children.

Junior League of Birmingham’s Kitchen for the Kids Mobile Kitchen’s $35,000 grant will cover vehicle expenses and kitchen supplies.

McWane Science Center’s Birmingham Children’s Museum’s $100,000 grant will support the construction of the museum and early learning exhibits.

The Literacy Council’s $19,000

grant will provide support for tutor training and development, dropin tutoring and Unidos Leemos as well as provide awareness and advocacy.

The Woodlawn Foundation, Inc.’s $50,000 grant will help acquire and retrofit a bus for use as a Mobile Parent Resource Center.

Childcare Resources’ $20,000 grant to assist with the Supplemental Child Care Program will provide child care tuition subsidies for working families.

Children’s Aid Society’s $25,000 grant will provide capital during its centennial anniversary for the Home at Last campaign for the Children’s Aid Society Center for Youth and Families.

“Partners like the Junior League of Birmingham help us provide the best sight possible to children at the earliest age possible,” said Jeff Haddox, president and CEO of Sight Savers America. “With this grant, Sight Savers will be able to provide eye exams and eyeglasses to hundreds of children as well as purchase electronic video magnifiers for those children who have low vision, providing them with life-changing technology.”

“The Junior League of Birmingham has been an integral part of our community for the past 90 years, and we will continue to look for ways to assist the greater Birmingham area with trained volunteers and our financial resources,” said Ramsbacher. ❖

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16 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

Kent Scott, above is the new owner of Snapper Grabbers in Vestavia. He began his career in the seafood business at the age of 14 when he worked for his father at River Fish Market.

Snapper Grabbers New Owner Brings Lots of Experience To the Table Snapper Grabbers is a neighborhood seafood market that provides a wide variety of fresh seafood to its customers.

Although they specialize in Gulf Seafood, they also sell fish and seafood from other coastal regions.

Although owner Kent Scott has only owned Snapper Grabber since November, he’s certainly no stranger to the seafood industry. In fact, his family owned the oldest seafood market in Birmingham.

Kent began working with his father at the River Fish Market when he was only 14 years old and then took over the business when his father retired in 1993. He sold the business in 2005 and missed it so much that he decided to purchase Snapper Grabbers when the opportunity presented itself.

“I’m passionate about seafood and how’s it prepared so I love to share recipes with our customers,” Kent said.

“I also have a culinary degree so I know my way around the kitchen too! And, if you don’t want to cook just stop by and take home one of my specialties for dinner.

“You’ll find Seafood Chowder, Seafood Gumbo and Crab Cakes just ready to go from my kitchen to yours!”

Snapper Grabbers Seafood Market is located at 521 Montgomery Hwy Ste 101 in Vestavia Hills.

Hours are Tues-Fri 10am6pm and Sat. 10am-5pm.

Closed Sunday and Monday Their phone number is 205824-9799.

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

From left: Harry Bradford, Lisa Hayles, John Russell and Tom and Anne Lamkin.

Photos special to The Journal

T

Ashley Clark, Kay Clark and Kacey Clark.

‘Rythm & Muse’ Raises Money for Scholarships

This

by Th

Marsha Drennen, Judy Anderson he Guild of the Birmingham and Sandra Holley. Calligrapher Music Club hosted a fun-filled Martha Ann Doyal addressed the cocktail-supper party Jan. 26 at elegant party invitations.

Vestavia County Club.

In the middle of the ballroom, a Billed as “Rhythm & Muse–A towering glass vase holding quince Celebration of the Arts,” this year’s branches and acuba centered a round fundraiser featured hors d’oeuvre table where containers collected stations around the club’s ballroom chances for gift certificates and other instead of a formal, seated dinner. items offered in the prize drawing at Guests sampled the food and bid on auction items to benefit the guild’s the event’s finale.

Lochrane Coleman Smith premusic scholarship program as well as sided over the drawing, the Music Club’s concert which was coordinated by series. more photos at Elizabeth Ezell. Nancy Nancy Morrow is Canada displayed treaguild president. sures on the silent auction Playing songs for listables in sections defined tening and dancing were by various musical instrujazz musicians Roger ments--strings, brass, woodwinds and Philips, Bill Thomas and Michael Phil and Nan Teninbaum and Mary-Noel Sellers. percussion--to carry out the “Rhythm Coogan. They were joined by BMC To: Pam and Kent & Muse” theme.

Executive Director Ron Bourdages From: Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 and Oliver Clark, Joy and Walter Sandra Holley and Anne Lamkin Mary-Noel Sellers. for rock and roll sets. Over The Mountain FAX:tables 205-824-1246 Clark, Ashley Clark, Kacey Clark, Among those enjoying the festiviGuests gathered at round for made party arrangements with VCC. Kay and David Clark, Ellen and ties were Dot and Jim Anderson, Date: Feb. 2013 Kay Clark, party chairman and conversation after selecting their hors Russell Cunningham, Judy and Mimi and Stuart Arrington, Linda immediate past president, welcomed d’oeuvres. The tables were centered This is your AD PrOOF fromincluded the OvEr THE MOuNTAiN JOurNAl for theand Robert Andrew Daniel, Martha Ann Doyal, and Ross Askins, Edith guests, who past presidents with antique silver-embellished vases 2/21/13 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

Marsha and Jim Drennen, Patricia Bauman, Martha and Bob Black, Long, Elouise Williams, holding pink roses, lilacs, kale, phloxotmjCarolyn and Gerald Durward, Anne and Jeanne and Harry Bradford, Linda Askins, Anne Lamkin, Judy and seeded eucalyptus.

Randy Easterling, Elizabeth and Elna Nancy and Kevin Daniel, Lochrane Coleman Smith, Guild member Mary-Noel Sellers make Please sure all information is Brendel, correct, Mark Ezell, Pat and Perry Grant, Canada, Patrick Cather, Elaine Jeanne Bradford, Elaine Clark and was the floral designer, assisted by including address and phone number!

Corinne Greer, and Linda and Mike Griggs.

Others were Terry Hamilton, Please initial and fax back within 24 hours.

Tallulah Hargrove, Fay Hart, Susan if we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, and Wyatt Haskell, Lisa Hayles and your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

John Russell, Sandra and Elam Thank you for your prompt attention.

Holley, Fran Howard, Marietta and Jay Juliano, Anne and Tom Lamkin, Nell and Al Larson, Kim and Bob Lepley, Carolyn and Thad Long, Judy and David Long, Lynn and Chip McCallum, Carol Ann McCoy, Bess Rice McCrory, Nancy and Bart Morrow, Amy and Wayne Morse, Lu and Charles Moss, Beverly Parks with daughter Lauren, Kathie and Pringle Ramsey, Caroline and Steve Reich, Mary-Noel and Bob Sellers, Babs Simpson and Greg Despinakis, VISIT OUR GREEN MODEL HOMES EACH SUNDAY FROM 2 - 5 P.M. Lochrane and Mell Smith, Nan and Phil Teninbaum, Sarah and Floris van Os, Debbie and Bill Visintainer, Liz and Tom Warren, Elise Warren, Mignon Watt of Montgomery, Judy and Edward Wiggins, Elouise Williams, Lisa Reich and Walt Williams and Janis Zeanah. ❖

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Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 17

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OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Jazz Cat Ball Has Mardi Gras Theme

Annual February

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All month long

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Mardi Gras celebration benefitting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society was held on Feb. 2.

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary hosted the second annual Jazz Cat Ball presented by John 3:16 and Ink Realty.

Old Car Heaven was transformed into a Mardi Gras experience with gold, green and purple lights, masks, feathers and beads. Guests were treated to a Classic Cajun Cook-off by 12 Birmingham restaurants, desserts, a silent auction with more than 250 items, a live auction, a casino, music

by Streetkar, complimentary beverages and more.

Emcees were Rob Conrad and Jeannine Jersey from Magic 96.

Jennifer Alden and Missy Ellis chaired the event. The corporate sponsor chairman was Charlene Frechette; co-chairman was Donna McCain O’Brien. Silent auction and communications chairman was Kelli Holmes.

The 2013 Jazz Cat Ball King and Queen crowns went to Bill Mudd and Sara Ann Polhemus. ❖

Clockwise from above left: From left: Missy Ellis, Sara Ann Polhemus and Donna McCain O’Brien. Kelli Holmes and Bill Mudd. Donna Hightower, Paul DeMarco, Jacqueline DeMarco and Jennifer Alden.

Photos special to The Journal

It’s a truckload of stuff!

Ross Isbell said the ASDA prides itself on its members’ commitment to giving back to the Birmingham community. He said its leadership team continually identifies opportunities to educate, advocate and provide service to support oral health and proper oral hygiene.

“Utilizing these opportunities to make a difference while we are in dental school allows us to incorporate a service learning component into our community outreach,” Isbell said. “We hope to build on the success of this event and provide even greater support for Cahaba Valley Health Care.” ❖

Dental Group Raises Money For Miles for Smiles

T

he UAB Chapter of the American Student Dental Association held its annual Miles for Smiles philanthropy run at Crestline Elementary School, raising more than $3,900 for Cahaba Valley Health Care.

More than 150 runners and 30 local sponsors participated in the event that included a 5K, one-mile fun run, live entertainment, door prizes, award ceremony and postrace celebration at Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village.

“Participating in the Miles for Smiles race was a fun, interactive way for my fellow dental students to race for a good cause,” said first-year UAB dental student Daniel Burgin.

“This race inspires the participants to take ownership of their health and have the opportunity to support the Cahaba Valley Health Care clinic to help extend their services and build a stronger and healthier Birmingham community.”

Cahaba Valley Health Care is a nonprofit organization based in central Alabama that provides access to healthcare and dental services for the underserved, primarily Hispanic, communities in Jefferson and Shelby counties.

The check was presented at a barbecue lunch Jan. 12. During the presentation, Cahaba Valley Health Care Director of Development Edwina Taylor said the clinic plans to use the donation in its dental clinics that serve more than 500 patients annually.

“The Cahaba Valley Health Care team is extremely grateful for the hard work that the UAB dental students put into their fundraising efforts for

From left: Daniel Burgin, Sean Gunnels, Emily Simpson, Eleanor Harper, Edwina Taylor, Emily Anne Latta, Abby Nelson and Kimmie Spencer.

Photo special to The Journal

our organization. We are able to better serve our many patients because of

their generous contribution,” she said.

UAB Chapter of ASDA President

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SOCIAL

Jann Gets ‘The Job’

Conyers Speaks at Metropolitan Dinner Club Party

Jones, Tallulah Hargrove, Gail he Metropolitan Dinner Club of Greater Birmingham met at The Wood, Eric Oller, Martha and Bob Club in the Grand Ballroom on Jan. 8. Black, Shirley and Bob Brown and During the cocktail time, guests Lin and Jim Musgrove. were entertained with music for lisOthers at the event were Phyllis tening or dancing by the J. Robinson and Tom Davis, Liz and Tom Trio Plus.

Warren, Dixie and Bill Ayers, Lu Dinner included Caesar salad, and Charlie Moss, Jo Nell Hales, roasted pork loin, sweet potato gratin, Evelyn and William Ringler, Kathie green beans and roulage for dessert. and Pringle Ramsey, Ann Chase, The after-dinner speaker was popJane Paris and Chandler Smith, ular humorist Ed Conyers. He kept Martha Jo and Lee Hurley, Ann guests laughing with stories of growand Fletcher Harvey, Frances ing up in a small Alabama town.

Charles, Jon Clemmensen and Conyers shared his experiences Nancy and Bart Morrow. ❖ as a football referee in games around Alabama and for University of Alabama practices.

He also commented on the wit and wisdom of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Some attending were Rusty and Don Kirkpatrick, Pat and Jim Conrad, Mary and Bill Woodard, Jo Anna White, Jean Hendrickson, Cele and Alan Montgomery. Photos special to The Journal Joyce and Ebbie Lin and Jim Musgrove.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Mountain Brook Woman Is First Winner of CBS Reality Show

F

riends and family of Mountain Brook’s Jann Robinson gathered in Homewood on Feb. 8 to celebrate the success of the newest star of reality television.

Jann was a contestant on and was the winner of the debut episode of “The Job,” a new reality series on CBS. The mother of six used her experience as the owner of Backstage Catering and Jann Robinson Culinary Living to impress a panel of judges enough to earn a job as assistant manager at The Palm, a fine dining restaurant based in New York.

The three judges on the panel said Jann led the other contestants on the

Jannʼs six children joined her at the party at Aloft Hotel in Homewood.

Photos special to The Journal by Arik Sokol

show from the very beginning.

Jann competed against four other contestants on the first episode of the new series.

Jann aced each challenge in the show, including a food quiz and working the floor at The Palm’s four locations in New York City, where the series is being filmed.

Being on the show and winning it is helping fulfill her dreams of being on television, she said.

Jann said she thought her late husband, Dave, with whom she ran Dave’s Deli in Mountain Brook, would have been proud of her.

She said Dave always encouraged her to go after her dreams. ❖

Silhouettes Kick Up Heels at Rhinestone Rodeo

T

he Silhouettes Dance Club held a Rhinestone Rodeo on Jan. 26 at the Country Club of Birmingham.

The entrance to the East Room was transformed into a watering hole featuring Hopalong Cassidy and his horse, Topper, and bales of hay behind a split-rail fence.

Upon entering through a rainbowcolored lighted curtain, guests saw a decorated sawhorse, complete with blankets and a saddle. The decorations also included a John Wayne poster over the buffet tables. Huge balloons topped with cacti and cowboy boots centered each table along with colorful bandanas as napkins.

The decorations were created

by Roseanne Kendrick and Paul Odom.

Dance club members and their guests gathered at the Dancing Dolls

Saloon for cocktails and later at the Cattle Baron Buffet, where they feasted on Saddle and Spur spinach salad, Rootin’ Tootin’ baked beans, Six Shooter spuds, Annie Oakley fried okra, Branding Iron beef, Home On the Range chicken, Rio Grande fish, Campfire cornpones, O.K. Corral sweet rolls, Silver Dollar biscuits, Death Valley chocolate and Tin Cup coffee.

Dressed in western attire, members kicked up their heels in the dance hall with music provided by The Classics.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by Terry Padgett, who sang “Rhinestone Cowboy” and other Country and Western hits.

Greeting guests and members were President Connie Hinkle with Bob Hilley, Vice President and Dance Chairman Rose Ann Kendrick with Ron and Dance Co-Chairman Fay Hall.

Those attending the Rhinestone Rodeo included Susan Barrett and Bob, Martha Bartlett and Jack, Laurie Binion and Charles, Martha Chism and Paul, Jane Culverhouse and Cecil, Nita Collinsworth and Coy, Charlotte Donald and Glenn, Bede Donnell and Sam, June

Eagan and John, Ann Harvey and Fletcher, Nancy Jones and Bob, Barbara Klyce and Robert, Sue Kreider and Bob, Margaret Langston and Joe, Nancy Latiner and Lamar, Audrey Lindquist and Stu, Karen Lloyd and Keith, Edith Medley and Fred, Martha Miklic and Mik, Pat Miller and Bill, and Jerry Mills and Pat. Others seen on the dance floor were Lovie and John Montgomery, Coleta and Don Newton, Sylvia and Vernon Patrick, Kathleen and George Petznick, Louise Pinkerton and Carlton, Helen and Walter Gay Pittman, Pat and Tom Robinson, Gail and Charlie Sharp, Libby Spain and Ralph Livingston, Peggy and Ray Sykes, Margaret and Tommy Tucker, Tutter and Chuck Tyndal, Margaret and Bill Whitaker and Doris White and Joe McCracken.

Guests attending the Rhinestone Rodeo included Sarah and Rex Harris, Susan and Ricky Lewis, Sharon and Grady Burrow, Sharon and Stuart Kirby, Linda and Ed Ramsey, Deb and John Sellers and Marsha and Ken Little. ❖

From left: Tom Robinson, Pat Robinson, Bob Hilley and Connie Hinkle.

Photo special to The Journal

Formal Dinner Highlights St. Andrew’s Society Event

T

he St. Andrew’s Society of the Middle South raised the holiday spirit in December with a weekend of festivities featuring kilts, tartans, traditions, pipes and drums.

The highlight of the occasion was a Saturday evening formal dinner and dance in the East Room of the Birmingham Country Club in celebration of St. Andrew’s Day. Members and guests dined while enjoying the sounds of the Celtic trio Hooley.

The pipes and drums of the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band provided a stirring concert, which was followed by Peggy Morgan’s recitation of Robert Burns’ “Address to the Haggis.”

Clad in their formal Scottish attire, members danced to tunes provided by the orchestra of Lady & the Tramps.

This 45th year of the St. Andrew’s Society of the Middle South was also the occasion for Dr. Charles W. Smith to pass the president’s medal to Col. E.T. Brown.

On Dec. 9, the families gathered at Highlands United Methodist Church for the “Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans.”

This Scottish-American custom is practiced throughout the country in celebration of St. Andrew’s Day and Scottish heritage.

The worship service at Highlands Methodist began with a procession led by Pipe Major Ryan Morrison as he and church organist Rick Phillips played “Highland Cathedral,” a piece written specifically for organ and bagpipe.

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 19

social

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Dorinda Smith, Peggy Morgan, Nelson and Cassie Forbes, Kevin and Maibeth Keith, Charles and Elizabeth Miller and Brian and Anna Keith.

Others enjoying the festivities were Wilson and Joanne Dinsmore, Scott and Cameron Vowell, Jeff and Mary Margaret Hendry, Sam and Carol Frazier, Dowe and Emily Bynum, Rob and Casie Walker, Seth and Elizabeth McCoin, Gene and Nancy Crocker, Stan and Caroline Graves, Lamar and Carole Thomas, Bill and Lynn Hairston, Don and Mary Alice Carmichael

and Winfield and Barbara Baird.

Also attending the celebrations were Rick and Tammy Towns, Philip and Susan Black, Arnold and Kelly Mooney, Sharp and Louise Gillespy, Charles and Dana McCarn, Wimberly and Pat Miree, Ronald and Elizabeth Wolff, Richard and Natasha Randolph, Willard and Emily McCall, Erskine and Laura Ramsey, Arthur and Joanne McConnell, Jim and Jane Larose, Ed and Linda Ramsey, Paul and Eva Maria Franklin and Thad and Carolyn Long. ❖

Camellia Garden Club Marks 70th Year

The Camellia Garden Club is celebrating it’s 70th anniversary.

The club was first organized in 1943.

Each month, the club hosts a guest speaker for programs which cover a wide variety of topics related to gardening. Club members also enjoy swapping plants from their gardens.

The club’s president is Delores Wilkinson. ❖

From left: Chuck Smith, Suzanne Smith, Laura Smith, Charles Smith, Christa Groves and Christopher Groves. Photo special to The Journal

A high point for the society was the “Blessing of the Tartan,” symbolizing God’s grace for all people, given by the Rev. Mikah Hudson.

Following the ceremony and worship service, members, along with their families and guests, enjoyed a family luncheon at the Mountain Brook Club.

Those spotted at the weekend’s events included Christopher and

Christa Groves, John Harris and Margaret Harper, Charles and Laura Smith, Jim and Jane Wright, Chuck and Suzanne Smith, Gilbert and Cindy Douglas, Jim and Kathryn Porter, Brian and Betty Boyd Sullivan, E.T. and Caroline Brown, Bill and Carolyn Satterfield, Kelvin and Vivian Terry, Ben and Terry Haley, Joe and Ginny Farley, John and

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20 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

BUSINESS

Time to Pull Up Roots

Gardening Guru Libby Rich Plans to Close Lakeview Store

BY KEYSHA DREXEL

L

JOURNAL EDITOR

ibby Rich might be closing up shop after almost 40 years in business, but that doesn’t mean the plant lover is hanging up her gardening tools.

Libby, the owner of Plant Odyssey in Lakeview, said she plans to close the business in the next few months and retire to a simpler life.

“I’ve been in business for 38 years, but I no longer want to be the owner of a small business,” she said. “I want to garden in my own yard. I want play with my dogs. I need time to retreat and regroup, and you can’t do that while operating a small business.”

Libby, who lives in unincorporated Jefferson County near Vestavia said she has very mixed emotions about closing the shop she ran with her late husband, Joe Ethridge. Joe passed away last year, and losing her husband of 26 years changed Libby forever, she said.

“I haven’t handled his death very well. It changed me irreparably. I have loved what I’ve done (at Plant Odyssey), but now I am going to take time to reflect and to think. I am choosing quiet,” Libby said.

Quiet is not really the word most of her friends and clients would probably use to describe her, the 63-year-old said with a laugh.

Libby said she’s grateful she’s been able to make a living doing something she’s passionate about and thankful the community accepted how she acted on that passion.

“My community has accepted me for being brutally frank and outspoken.

I can be short,” she said.

Libby said her customers have even given her a nickname because of her fervent way of doling out advice on growing plants in the Birmingham area.

“They call me the Plant Nazi, and it’s a well-deserved nickname,” she said. “I have a desire to teach people how easy it is to be successful at gardening while not hesitating to say it when what you’re doing is wrong.”

Libby Rich is closing Plant Odyssey after almost 40 years in business.

Journal photo by Maury Wald

So Libby toyed with the idea of No matter how Libby’s advice is going into business herself. A voradelivered, her customers say it’s the cious reader who had been devouring gold standard for gardeners across the books since the age of 3, Libby first metro area. considered opening a bookstore, she “She’s an institution in the said.

Birmingham area,” said Kathy Wells, “That was my first idea--a bookan Over the Mountain resident and store. But I couldn’t get enough money 20-year Plant Odyssey customer. together for that. We were raising Kathy said everyone from beginplants and started selling them out ning gardeners to professional green of our backyard. thumbs counts on That’s how we got Libby’s knowledge ‘I will certainly the money to open and experience.

“Everyone miss the people, the Plant Odyssey,” Libby said. you talk to about warmth that has Libby said her gardening knows love of gardening she’s the expert. been extended to and plants is someLibby and her store me, the affection, the thing she inherited have been such an from her family. integral part of the trust.’

“I had a greatcommunity,” Kathy grandfather that said. was a fabulous gardener. My grandfaLibby said she was a late bloomer ther loved vegetable gardening,” she when it came to discovering her life’s said. “My father always, always had an passion. avocado plant around, and I still have “I didn’t discover my passion for plants that were my father’s on my plants until I was 23. At that point, I windowsill.” had been fired from every job I held,” Growing up in Homewood, Libby she said.

always relished her time out in nature, she said.

“I was fortunate because our father took us camping in 38 different states and gave us an appreciation of nature and of the earth. Every weekend we were in the woods, observing and appreciating,” she said. “I always thanked my father for exposing us to the woods, the water, to nature.”

Libby said she has learned a lot about plants and gardening through her 38 years at Plant Odyssey.

“I would always look at a plant list and want all of it, and because I was willing to put my money in inventory, I got to work with plants that I knew nothing about and could learn about,” she said.

Libby said she has learned to nurture her own thirst for knowledge as she learned to take care of plants.

“I think I am gifted with plants the way other people are gifted at the piano or at painting or music and, like with any gift, you have to nurture it.

So I’ve always tried to observe, ask lots of questions and experience as much as I can,” she said.

Libby said she thinks anyone can learn what she calls the secret language of plants.

“Plants are great teachers. They have their own language that most of us can’t hear, but if you learn to listen to it, you can learn a lot,” she said.

Libby said she is not sure how much longer the doors at Plant Odyssey will be open and said she knows she will miss her customers and friends.

“I didn’t realize how much stuff I had until I starting making plans to close. There’s no telling how long it will take me to get it all done,” she said. “I will certainly miss the people, the warmth that has been extended to me, the affection, the trust.” Libby said she will head into the next chapter of her life happy in the knowledge that what she did might have made a difference.

“I’m so very proud of the fact that people came to me and trusted me to never sell the wrong plant or give them the wrong advice. I retire knowing I have made a contribution, and I could ask for nothing more,” she said. ❖

New Doughnut Shop Opens in Vestavia

BY IVANNA ELLIS

Graduate school at UAB really helped, too, because we were always coming up with these fake businesses, and we would have to do a The Heavenly Donut Company whole business plan just for class. opened its doors for business Jan. So it was really exciting to actually 23. Located at 4911 Cahaba River write a business and marketing plan Road, it is the only independent  4911 Cahaba for a company that’s not made-up,” doughnut shop in the area.

River Road, said Kimberly.

The owners, husband and wife Vestavia Hills The idea for the shop started Brock and Kimberly Beiersdoerfer,  536-7200 with Brock’s father, who also owns said they are happy that they have www.theheava doughnut shop. A friend of the finally opened their own businesscouple suggested they contact Dave enlydonutco.com -something they have wanted to do Upton, a business owner from for a while.

“I was a business major at Samford University the Vestavia area, for help with getting started.

See HEAVENLY DONUT, page 21 and that really helped with opening up the shop.

JOURNAL INTERN

Brock and Kimberly Beiersdoerfer opened Heavenly Donut Company in January.

Journal photo by Ivanna Ellis

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Portraits, Inc. Subjects Include Joint Chiefs Chairman, Condi Rice A business started by a Mountain Brook resident in 1986 recently unveiled its commissioned portrait of U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

And after successfully completing the portrait of the highest-ranking military official in the country, the next task for Portraits, Inc. will be a portrait of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said owner Beverly McNeil.

“We’ve been involved in some very high-profile portraits and those are wonderful, but I still get the same satisfaction with our other portraits, too,” Beverly said.

Dempsey’s portrait will hang in the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon. The portrait was painted by Laurel Stern Beverly McNeil Boeck of New York, one of the more than 150 artists represented by Beverly’s company.

“We started out representing two artists. Portrait Brokers was the first name of the business,” Beverly said.

“About five years ago, we merged with a company called Portraits, Inc. Our job is to help people find the right artists for family, corporate or formal portraits.”

Beverly owns the majority of the company and has two partners--one in Ohio and one in North Carolina. She first opened the business in Crestline but now has its corporate headquarters on Sixth Avenue South near Pepper Place.

Many of the artists she works with have been with her since the beginning, Beverly said.

“I’ve made lifelong friends with the artists I’ve worked with and have incredible sales associates that have been with me for 20 years,” she said.

Beverly said the company has always made a point to give back to the community that has supported it through the years. The company has a scholarship program for the children and grandchildren of its artists and also gives grants to local charities.

“It is something that we feel really strongly about doing, to help the community,” she said.

Beverly said she hopes the company continues to grow as her children and grandchildren learn the business.

“I can see myself continuing to do this for a while,” she said. “This is my baby.” For more information on the company, visit www.portraitsinc. com. ❖

BUSINESS BRIEFS

New Urban Cookhouse Location to Open in April The owners of Urban Cookhouse are expanding their operations with a new location of the restaurant planned to open in Crestline Village in April.

Owners David and Andrea Snyder said they will open the third location of Urban Cookhouse this spring in the space previously occupied by the restaurant Fire.

“We believe Crestline to be a great place to introduce our new ideas, including an extended menu to enhance the casual dining experience,” David Snyder said.

The new location in Crestline will also incorporate a more upscale interior, the owners said, with an enhanced outdoor patio. Local draft beer will also be available.

The owners are teaming up with their friend, entrepreneur Will Gillespie, in a strategic partnership to open other

HEAVENLY DONUT, from page 20

Upton’s suggestions led Brock and Kimberly to a three-day training session at Gibson’s Donuts in Memphis, Tenn., where they said they learned all they needed to know about the doughnut business. Brock and Kimberly’s hope for the Heavenly Donut Company is that the shop becomes a well-known and indispensable part of the community.

“My twin sister and her husband own a (nearby) pharmacy and I saw how they would get involved with the community, so I said, that’s what I want. I want to be able to meet and talk to people,” said Kimberly. “Like now, even though we’ve only been open for a few weeks, there are people who come in and they’re already regulars.”

Brock and Kimberly said their handmade doughnuts that come in many unique flavors, such as maple bacon, set them apart from other shops.

Patti and Jeff Pierce

ever leaving town,” Jeff said.

Steel Drum Grill is across from Publix at 3150 Overton Road. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call 637-1911. locations in the Birmingham area and in other cities in the Southeast.

“Partnering with Gillespie gives Urban Cookhouse the operational, franchising and financial resources we need to take our brand to the next level,” David Snyder said. “We could not be more excited about what the future holds for our company.”

Last year, Urban Cookhouse was named Emerging Business of the Year by both the Alabama Retail Association and the Birmingham Business Alliance.

Cunningham Appointed to International Board Jim Cunningham of Hoover, CEO of Warren Averett LLC, has been appointed to the Leading Edge Alliance Global Board.

LEA, the second-largest international association in the world, is made up of 190 independently-owned accounting and advisory firms operating more than

“All of our doughnuts are cut and glazed by hand, not a machine. Our cooks work from about 10 p.m. to 7 or 8 a.m. I don’t know how they do it, so (the doughnuts) are definitely made with love,” said Kimberly.

Another feature the Heavenly Donut Shop takes pride in is the amount of space in the shop itself, which is used for different events as well as to display and sell the work of local artists.

“We’re probably the biggest doughnut shop in square footage here in Birmingham,” Brock said. “Most doughnut shops are really small with a few chairs here and there, but we wanted to have enough space to do birthday parties and support local artists.”

Brock and Kimberly said they want to expand their business in the future, possibly even creating a franchise, but only if every shop maintains the same concept, vision and amount of care as the original.

“We really just want to be the best one-stop shop we can be,” Brock said. ❖

450 offices in 100 countries. Warren Averett is a longtime member of LEA Global.

“We are very pleased that Jim has agreed to join the LEA Global Board.

He is truly a visionary and a creative thinker with much real world experience,” Jim Cunningham said Michael Davis, chair of LEA Global and managing partner of HW Fisher & Company in London.

Cunningham started working at Warren Averett in 1979 and served as the firm’s chief operating officer for 11 years before he became CEO.

the last five years.

Elam Holley, CEO of First Partners Bank, accepted the award on behalf of the bank at Birmingham Venture Club’s December meeting.

“We are honored to receive this award and appreciate that the Birmingham Venture Club has recognized our accomplishments,” he said.

Email business briefs to OTMJ editor Keysha Drexel: kdrexel@otmj.com

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First Partners Bank Is Jemison Award Winner The Birmingham Venture Club recently presented First Partners Bank with its John S. Jemison Jr. Award for 2012.

This is the 27th year that To: the club has From: presented the award for Date: high quality, fast-growth companies based in the Birmingham area.

Companies Elam Holley nominated for the award must demonstrate a viable business model, be based in the sevencounty Birmingham region and have at least one third-party investor that is not an employee. Other factors include outstanding sales growth and annual sales greater than $2 million. Nominated companies must have been founded within the last 12 years or have had a significant change in ownership within

First Partners Bank was established in 2007 and has seen a steady and consistent growth over the past five years. It is a state-chartered full service community bank that partners with businesses to help their companies grow and prosper. ❖

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Franchises independently owned and operated.

Steel Drum Grill Is New Hotspot on Overton

Overton Road has a new restaurant that has quickly become a hotspot since opening in late November.

Steel Drum Grill is serving fresh food in a fun, island-themed atmosphere in Mountain Brook. The restaurant was opened by the husband and wife team behind Big Sky Bread, Patti and Jeff Pierce.

“We just love to cook and always wanted to do a restaurant serving the foods we like to get when we’re on vacation. I still work at Big Sky Bread and this is really Patti’s thing.

I just try to help out with anything I can,” Jeff said.

The restaurant is all about great food and a great escape with a menu featuring items such as blackened grouper, pan-sautéed chicken and of course, baked goods like cheese biscuits, Jeff said.

“You can take a vacation without

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 21

BUSINESS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

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22 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

schools

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

A Message of Unity

King’s Dream Inspires Homewood Student’s Winning Essay

By Ivanna Ellis

W

Journal Intern

hen Homewood High School junior Madison Collins wrote her awardwinning essay on Martin Luther King Jr., she said she focused on the strides that have been made in civil rights--and what still needs work.

Madison won the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Essay Contest that each year is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast in Birmingham.

For her achievement, Madison received a $1,500 cash prize and had the opportunity to share her essay at the breakfast on Jan. 21.

The process of writing the winning essay started for Madison when her AP English teacher, Holly Hamm, instructed her class to respond to

a prompt on the legacy of 1963 in honor of the 50-year anniversary of the peak of the Civil Rights Movement.

“We researched the time period in English class, and then I did my own research and just wrote the essay. I just incorporated the history and what still needs to be done,” Madison said.

Hamm selected Madison’s essay as the best to be entered in the citywide competition, where it also won first place.

Nineteen Birmingham area schools held in-school essay contests.

Each winning essay was submitted, and an overall winner was chosen. Wenonah High School senior Alexandria Brooks won second place, and Vincent High School’s Nicholas Robertson placed third.

Madison said she feels the legacy of 1963 has had a positive impact but can still be perfected.

“Many people think that racism and segregation is over, but I think there’s still prejudice all around us and it needs to be dealt with. People need to learn to appreciate other people for who they are,” she said.

Madison said what inspired her most about King was “his dream for the nation, because not many people believed in him, but his spirit pushed on and he didn’t give up. It ended up becoming something great. I admire his determination.”

Madison said this was the first essay contest she has ever entered and said she is going to continue using her writing skills to her advantage. She plans on saving her winnings from the essay contest for college, she said.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast is held every January at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. It is sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership

Madison Collins, a junior at Homewood High School, won the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Essay Contest. Journal photo by Ivanna Ellis

Conference, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Community Affairs Committee of

Operation New Birmingham, Greater Birmingham Ministries and the NAACP. ❖

The freshman class representatives are Jalen Houston of Decatur, Ga., and John Touloupis of Birmingham.

Adam Aldaher of Birmingham and Jackson White of Homewood are the class representatives from the eighth grade.

Students elected to the Judiciary were Lizzie Choy, Jessie Hook, Michael Lee, Cori Mazer, Marty McGuire and Will Riley, all of Birmingham; Temi Ransome-Kuti of Meridian, Miss.; Nicole Luo of Vestavia Hills; and Sarah Noone of Indian Springs.

Eighth-grader Wins Liberty Park Geo Bee

School Notes Montgomery were Matthew Belser, Wisdom Bibbs, Nathan Bullington, Adam Guthrie, Stephen Harper, Ayanna Jacobs-El, Joshua Myers, Wesley The Alabama School of Fine Arts Phillips, Charles Renneker, Justin Sims, had 13 students accepted to the 2013 Desmond Sykes, Alex Toole and Julian Alabama All State Jazz Band.

Williams.

That was more than any other school addition, AM the school’s in the state, school officials SpringValley 1.08 said.

12/15/09 In11:45 Pagemusic 1 department has 22 students in the Students representing ASFA in the All State Orchestra this year, and 28 All State Jazz Band Jan. 10-12 in

ASFA Musicians Make 2013 All State Jazz Band

I am SMART. I am CREATIVE. I am DYSLEXIC.

I won’t let that stop ME.

Spring Valley School “Educating bright children with learning differences”

Claire Barabash, PhD, JD Executive Director

205.423. 8660

www.springvalleyschool.org

auditioned for All State Band in January.

Springs Leaders Elected Indian Springs School students elected student leaders for the second half of the 2012-13 academic year.

The ISS student body governs in a town hall format, with a mayor who provides leadership to the community and commissioners who direct various aspects of student life.

Class representatives represent their grades in student government meetings and organize class activities.

Judiciary Will Riley members rule on infractions of student rules and standards.

Will Riley of Birmingham is the new student body mayor.

Jaden Barney of Venetia, Pa., and Ashley Graham of Powder Springs, Ga., are commissioners of boarding.

Commissioners of citizenship are Lizzie Choy and Jessie Hook, both of Birmingham.

Tara Markert of Birmingham and Jamie Yang of Seoul, South Korea, are the new commissioners of education.

Commissioners of protection are Marty McGuire and Matt Price, both of Birmingham.

Riley Hogan of Pelham and Connor McGarty of Birmingham are commissioners of recreation.

John Banks and Mac Farley, both of Birmingham, are the new commissioners of services.

The senior class representatives are Paris Kissell of Clanton and Angela Szasz of Birmingham. The junior class representatives are Cole Senn and Nikhi Stingh, both of Birmingham.

The sophomore class representatives are Callie Leopard of Birmingham and Ethan White of Homewood.

BWF Friends Raise Money for Sandy Victims Friends from Brookwood Forest Elementary School in Mountain Brook took the idea of a lemonade stand and turned it into an effort to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Robert Thomason, Andrew Thomason, Aidan Hood, Joseph Armstrong and Hayden McDonald set up a Gatorade stand and raised $130 to donate to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts.

Will Smith, an eighth-grader, won first place in the Liberty Park Middle School Geography Bee. Second place went to sixth-grader Noah Evan with eighth-graders Chris Hughes and Jack Hart tying for third place.

Greg Jeane, a retired geography professor from Samford University, was the contest officiator.

Every student in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades at the school took the geography bee qualifying test. The 25 students who scored the highest participated in the school-wide bee.

As Liberty Park Middle’s winner, Smith will take a test to qualify for the Alabama State Geography Bee. Only the top 75 school winners make it to the state bee.

The state winners will participate in the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C. The winner of the national contest will receive a $25,000 scholarship and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Brookwood Forest Elementary School students raised money for Hurricane Sandy victims. Photo special to The Journal

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 23

SCHOOLS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Gwin Elementary students raised money during the annual Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis.

The top fundraisers were, from left: Addisyn Wheeler, Evan McCain, Gavin Patton and Maurice Coble.

CHEROKEE BEND STUDENTS GO ON MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE Fifth-grade classes at Cherokee Bend Elementary School spent five days in October at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

The students learned about life in the forest, looking for stream creatures and using nature as inspiration for their writing. The students also went hiking through Cades Cove and on an eight-mile trail.

They also listened to storytellers, watched folk dancing or learned about birds of prey from an exhibit by the Knoxville Zoo. Front, from left: Hugh Seton, Hattie Noden, Cooper Cashio and Charles Nicrosi. Back: Austin King, Noah Blattmann, Anson Harris, Ella Dorman, Frances Lyon and Sloan Wedge.

Photo special to The Journal

Spain Park Actors Win Accolades at Festival Students in the Spain Park High School theatre program have some downtime between now and March, when they will participate in the 64th Annual Southeastern Theatre Conference in Louisville, Ky. Until the conference begins, Eric St. John, the school’s theatre instructor, and his students will celebrate a successful showing in December at the Trumbauer State Theatre Festival, the state’s premier theatre festival.

“SPHS Theatre had a fantastic weekend at the 73rd annual Trumbauer State Theatre Festival, winning numerous awards for individual events and its one-act play,” St. John said.

“Fourteen plays and almost 1,300 individual events from 71 Alabama high schools competed at this year’s festival.”

St. John also serves as state chairman of the Trumbauer Theatre Festival, which is put on by the Alabama Conference of Theatre.

“The Servant of Two Masters,” the one-act play staged by the Spain Park students, captured awards for one AllStar cast member, best actor and best supporting actor.

The play finished in first place and will be one from two schools to represent the state at the March conference.

Winning the one-act competition marks the fifth time in seven years that Spain Park High School has won the state Spain Park High School theatre students tread the boards at a state festival.

From left: Chris Ciulla and Chris Charleston.

Photo special to The Journal

championship.

Among the eight individual awards earned by the program, SPHS won first place in the Solo Male Comedic varsity comedic monologues category, second place in the Solo Musical Comedic varsity category and second place in the varsity Makeup Design competition.

Altamont Wins French Awards at Convention Altamont French students received numerous awards and honors at the 71st annual French Convention of Alabama held recently at the University of Alabama.

Sponsored by the Alabama Federation of French Clubs and judged

by UA’s French faculty, the convention gives French students from around the state the opportunity to compete in performances and other events.

In individual oral competitions, Christina Johnsen and Afra Ashraf won Supérieur and Originality awards, Inaara Rajpari won Supérieur and Most Humorous awards and Eugene Nandwa won Supérieur and Best Theme-related awards.

In group oral competitions, Le Petit Cochon Rose won Supérieur and Most Humorous awards, Raconte-moi une histoire! won Supérieur and the Most Original awards, and Cauchemar dans la cuisine won Supérieur, Most Humorous and Most Original awards.

In the extemporaneous reading

category, Isabel Coleman won a Très Bien award, and Miles Underwood, Luke Hartman and Chris Vance won Supérieur awards.

In solo choral competition, Chase Majure won the Grand Prix Award, given when a performance scores so high that it would take on a whole level of scoring.

In the individual scholars’ bowl competition, Isabella Trierweiler won a Bien award, Lillian Culp and Laure Bender won Très Bien awards and Alice Bradford won a Supérieur award.

East Students Help Local Ministry, Do Extra Chores Third-graders in Laurie Dunn’s class at Vestavia Hills Elementary East completed a service project in December benefitting Urban Purpose, a local ministry that works in downtown Birmingham.

The students heard about the ministry’s needs from Urban Purpose President Jim McFarland and Vice President Mark Jenkins.

The students worked together to bring in snacks and hygiene products.

They assembled 270 care packages for Urban Purpose to use in its work.

Second-graders in Sally vonEschenbach’s class at Vestavia Hills Elementary East did extra chores to help others.

During December, the students did extra work at home and completed chore charts to earn money.

The students raised $220, which they used to buy clothes and toys for two children in need during the holidays.

Oak Mountain Student to Attend Youth Summit Jonathan Bradford of Indian Springs, a student at Oak Mountain High School, has been nominated to represent Alabama as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2013 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.

Bradford will join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive weeklong study of journalism and media July 7-12.

He was selected for the honor based on academic accomplishments and a

Photo special to The Journal

Gwin Elementary Raises Money for Arthritis Research Students at Gwin Elementary School raised awareness and donations at the annual Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis.

The students raised $5,300 for the Arthritis Foundation through the event.

Students ran a course that was charted around the school. Parents and teachers also ran and walked the course.

A second-grade class raised the most money and was rewarded with a Wii party.

Students who raised more than $100 were first-grader Addisyn Wheeler, fourthgrader Maurice Coble and second-graders Gavin Patton and Evan McCain. demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies.

National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media.

The conference features speakers who are well-known leaders in the media community. Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers and recent college graduates successfully entering the field.

Last year’s conference included Hoda Kotb, Chuck Todd, Brian Lamb and Neil Leifer.

Vestavia High’s Bromne Selected As Delegate Madison Bromne, a student at Vestavia Hills High School, has been selected to represent Alabama as a National Youth Delegate at the 2013 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment at George Mason University June 23-28.

Bromne will join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive weeklong study of leadership in environmental science and conservation.

She was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in leadership in the sciences and conservation studies.

George Mason University, along with partners National Geographic and the National Zoo, will welcome the nation’s youth scholars to Washington, D.C. The summit includes a distinguished faculty,

guest speakers and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners.

The program is aimed at encouraging and inspiring young leaders who want a unique experience focused on successful careers in the industry.

Top Spellers Named at Bumpus Middle School Nishanth Yuvaraj represented Bumpus Middle School at the district level competition after winning the school’s spelling bee recently.

The runner-up in the school-wide event was Dessire Gonzalez.

Southminster Students Help McDonald House Southminster Day School students collected supplies in December for the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham.

Students collected 240 rolls of toilet paper, 578 individual snacks, 40 packages of wipes, 4,000 paper plates, 1,112 plastic cutlery items, 180 rolls of paper towels and 3,870 cups.

Mary Charles’ Doll House New, Collectible Antique Dolls 2820 Petticoat Lane Mtn. Brook Village 870-5544

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To: From:

Mary Charles Robbins Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., Acoustic Instruments, Lessons and Repair 205-824-1246, fax • We Also Carry Reeds Shop hours: Date: Tues. - Fri., 11am-6pm • Sat. 10am-5pm May 2010

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24 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

schools

School Notes Cont.

The reigning Alabama Teacher of Johnson Is Secondary the Year is Suzanne Culbreth, a math Teacher of the Year teacher at Spain Park High School.

Jeff Johnson is the 2013 Hoover City Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Johnson teaches physics and science to juniors and seniors at Hoover High School, where he has taught Jeff Johnson since 1995.

Johnson has been an educator for 28 years. He taught in Georgia and Jefferson County schools before joining the Hoover school system.

He is a National Board Certified teacher who holds degrees from both Georgia Southern University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

As the secondary district nominee for Hoover City Schools, Johnson becomes a Teacher of the Year candidate for the state Board of Education District IV. Finalists are chosen from around the state for Alabama Teacher of the Year, a process which culminates May 8 with an awards ceremony in Montgomery.

Dr. Stephanie Steinmetz

Homewood high wins state history bowl The Homewood High School Scholars Bowl team won the state championships in the History Bowl competition on Jan. 19.

The team was undefeated in six rounds of play.

The team’s captain is Sammy Jane-askon. Team members are Jonathan Brown, Jordan Blow, Eden Harris and Aaron Ragsdale.

In the individual competition, Sammy finished in the Top 3 in the tournament.

The championship win qualifies the team to compete at the national level in Washington, D.C. in April.

From left: Jonathan Brown, Sammy Jane-akson, Jordan Blow, Eden Harris and Aaron Ragsdale. Photo special to The Journal

Culbreth is Hoover’s seventh Alabama Teacher of the Year winner since 1997.

VHHS Constitution Team Wins Third State Title For the ninth year in a row, the Vestavia Hills High School We the People Constitution Team has won its state competition.

The students participate in a mock congressional hearing competition that requires them to prepare to testify as expert witnesses on constitutional principles, history and modern application.

Students are divided into six specialized units, each of which must prepare and present a four-minute opening statement and then defend the statement before a panel of judges.

The state competition was presented by the Alabama Center for Law and Civic Education and hosted by Birmingham-Southern College.

The Vestavia team will represent Alabama at the national We the People competition in Washington, D.C., in late April.

The VHHS team has finished in the top 10 at national competition in six of the last seven years and in the top three twice.

Students have begun fundraising to cover the cost of the trip, which totals more than $32,000 for the entire team.

Donations can be sent c/o Amy Maddox at Vestavia Hills High School, 2235 Lime Rock Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.

Team members are Christian Sitarz, Carrie Clower, Reagan Cline, Daniel Selman, Rachel Caskey, Anna Dennis, Aashka Patel, Patrick Sipe, Amy Li, Sisi Zheng, Daniel Moran, Enrico Camata, Luis Jimenez, Hopson Nance, Peter Adamo, Farhan Khan, Hannah Skjellum, Molly Rhodes, Joseph Stahl, Botong Ma, Shannon Bewley, Brian Stahl, Marisa Pierluisi and Kaustubh Udipi.

The team is coached by Amy Maddox and Jane Schaefer.

Showcase in Opelika on Feb. 9.

Thorne said that the choir finished strong and won the Overall Grand Champion award. The choir also won the Spirit of Southern Showcase, Best Overall Effect and Best Visual Effect awards. The group received runner-up awards with a first place runner-up finish in Division A and in the Large Mixed category.

The award-winning choir didn’t rest on its laurels for very long after bringing home the awards from the Opelika musical festival. Thorne directed the Homewood High School Show Choir in an event at the school on Feb. 16.

The choir’s trophies are on display at the school.

Sixth-graders Pen Novels

Sixth-grade students at Liberty Park Middle School in Vestavia Hills had an opportunity to participate in the National Novel Writing Month Young Writers program.

The program, the world’s largest youth writing event, is offered every November. Interested students set We gladly file all insurance a word count goal that would help them draft a novel in 30 days. This enrichment activity helped students learn how to create characters, design plots, define conflicts between protagonists and antagonists and write ia t d r e i c P D f e o n d t r i s a t o r B y e t a Diplom dialogue.

Director Scott Thorne and the Led by sixth-grade teacher Homewood High School Show Choir put Linda Rummell, students received up huge numbers and brought home assignments, shared ideas and asked the hardware at the 2013 Southern questions through the use of Edmodo.

Edmodo is a secure social learning network that allows teachers to collaborate and connect with students who have joined his or her classroom To: 823-1590, ssteinmetz4428@charter.net group.

From: Over The Mountain Journal, PHONE: 205-823-9646 By participating, students also FAX: 205-824-1246 had access to pep talks, posted on Date: Feb. 2010 Edmodo, from well-known young This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL foradult the authors. Some of these authors Feb. 25, 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. included Scott Westerfield, author of “The Uglies”; Marissa Meyer, author of “Cinder”; Kate Dicamillo, author of “Tale of Despereaux” and “Because of Winn Dixie”; Lois Lowry, author of “Number the Stars” and “The Giver” and many Reading • Math • Writing • Chemistry • Study Skills others.

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Homewood Choir Rocks Showcase in Opelika

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Call now for Summer Programs!

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Pugh Is Geography Champ at Our Lady of Sorrows Fifth-grader Amelia Pugh won the National Geographic Bee competition at

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.

She was one of 12 students participating in this year’s event.

The school competition included fourth- through eighth-grade students who won their class-level contests. The students had to answer written and oral questions about geographic topics.

Sixth-grader Matthew Walker came in second, and Annie Tighe placed third.

Greystone Third-graders Get Hands-on in Science Third-graders at Greystone Elementary School in Hoover got some help from the University of Alabama at Birmingham during their studies on the human body.

UAB’s Dr. Eddy Lose and Betsy Caulk Lose came and talked to the classes about bones, muscles and joints.

Highlands Class Chosen for Gardens Pilot Program Highlands School has been selected to be a test school for a new pilot program for middle school classes through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The program is called Plants--Inside and Out and will allow Highlands students to test activities and provide feedback to the educational staff at the Gardens.

To get started, the sixth-grade life sciences class took a trip to the Gardens. Students were able to examine leaf pigments using a technique called chromatography. They made and viewed microscope slides

of features on the surfaces of leaves and used digital monitors to measure and compare the uptake of carbon dioxide by leaves in both light and dark conditions.

The students learned new concepts and gained a better understanding of some of the concepts they were introduced to in class.

The students were able to provide suggestions about the program that will be sent to BBG educators working on the program.

PTO Councils Attend Legislative Round Table School PTO Councils from Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook held the eighth annual Legislative Round Table Nov. 15 at the Vestavia Municipal Center.

Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Representatives Paul DeMarco, Jack Williams and Jim Carns fielded questions about driving while texting, proration, the education trust fund and the flexible school calendar.

Vestavia Hills Mayor Butch Zaragoza and Vestavia Hills Schools Superintendent Jamie Blair attended this year’s event, along with Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow, PTO officers and interested parents, including Mountain Brook Legislative Representative Tzena Gauldin, Mountain Brook PTO Council President Kay Emack, Vestavia PTO Council President Tracy Lemak and Vestavia Legislative Representative Kelli Eshleman.

The event will be held again during the next school year in Mountain Brook.

Fifth-grader Amelia Pugh, left, won the National Geographic Bee competition at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School. Sixthgrader Matthew Walker, right, placed second, and Annie Tighe won third place.

Photo special to The Journal

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Carlton-Chandler

Mr. and Mrs. Will Darsey Carlton Jr. of Fairhope announce the engagement of their daughter, Mackenzie Lauren, to William Dale Chase Chandler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dale Chandler of North Shelby County.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. Will Darsey Sr. of Fairhope, the

Bullock-Watkins

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Monroe Griffin Jr. of Hoover and the late Mr. Walter Bennett Bullock announce the engagement of their daughter, Leslie Nicole Bullock, to Christopher Barrett Watkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Pamela Nagel of Birmingham and

Nortick-Goldstucker

Dr. and Mrs. Adam Nortick of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Mariel Helise Nortick, to Richard Weil Goldstucker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goldstucker of Atlanta.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Helen De Vere

late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jasper May of Shreveport, La., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eugene Hancock of Farmerville, La. Miss Carlton is a 2006 graduate of Fairhope High School and a 2011 graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in advertising.

She is employed at Tamara’s Restaurant Group as an event coordinator.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Betty H. McWilliams of North Shelby County and the late Mr. William Barnett McWilliams and Mrs. Ila Mae Chandler of Cahaba Heights and the late Mr. Dale Chandler.

Mr. Chandler is a 2004 graduate of Briarwood Christian High School. He attended the University of Alabama and is employed as a project manager with Southern Logistics Incorporated in Fairhope.

The wedding is planned for March 9 at Fairhope United Methodist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Karen Watkins of Metairie, La. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Ruth V. Chapman of Hoover and the late Mr. James E. Chapman of Birmingham and the late Mrs. Ollie Hovater of Montgomery.

Miss Bullock is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lupton Brown of New Orleans and the late Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Watkins of Metairie.

Mr. Watkins is a graduate of the University of West Alabama, where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity international and received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems.

The wedding is planned for April 20 at the American Village in Montevallo.

The couple will live in Pelham. and the late Mr. Robert De Vere and Mrs. Florence and the late Mr. Jack Nortick, all of New York.

Miss Nortick is a 2006 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a 2010 graduate of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

She completed a two-year pediatric dental residency program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is employed as a pediatric dentist in Atlanta.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Dr. Jac Goldstucker and the late Mrs. Jeanne Goldstucker of Atlanta and the late Mr. and Mrs. Merlyn and Gloria Krueger of Ormond Beach, Fla. Mr. Goldstucker is a 2006 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a 2009 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law. He is employed as a patent attorney in Atlanta.

The w edding is planned for April 20.

For more party and sports pics go to:

OTMJ.COM

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 25

ve the date sa03.10.13

Weddings 10 1 WITH THE AREA’S TOP

Cool-Thompson

Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Alden Cool of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Leisa Ashley Cool, to Bret Logan Thompson, son of Rev. Keith Daryl Thompson and Dr. Linda Gay Brindley Thompson of Birmingham.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Betty Ruth Cool and the late Col. Brent Alden Cool of Birmingham and the late Dr. and Mrs. William House Chambless of Montgomery.

Miss Cool is a graduate of Briarwood Christian High School and will graduate from Auburn University in May with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management and a minor in business. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority and plans to be an event coordinator.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mrs. Jimmie Frances Rodgers Brindley and the late Lt. Col. Gary Winston Brindley of Birmingham and Mr. Robert Dan Thompson and the late Mrs. Karen Ann Rolseth Thompson of Birmingham.

Mr. Thompson is a graduate of Briarwood Christian High School and will graduate from BirminghamSouthern College in May with a bachelor’s degree in history. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and plans to enter law school in the fall.

The wedding is planned for July 13.

getting hitched?

Recently engaged or married?

Let us help you spread the word of your good news.

Send your announcement to editorial@otmj. com or visit www. otmj.com and fill out the form under the “Forms, Issue and Info.”

WEDDING EXPERTS

Sunday, March 10, 2013 A BRIDAL EVENT UNLIKE ANY OTHER SIP CHAMPAGNE AND MEET THE EXPERTS NOT A BRIDAL SHOW, NOT A FASHION SHOW, NOT A TRADE SHOW.

Small group seminars with lots of information and question-answer sessions. See & hear the latest trends and options for creating your dream wedding. Only one vendor in each category.

STEEPLE ARTS ACADEMY 36 Church Street | Mountain Brook

1:00pm – 4:00pm for more information, call 205-870-3031 A.G. Lighting, LLC illuminating Special Events

26 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

Whether your child is a computer geek, a musician or dancer, a budding gardener or an aspiring Olympian, youʼll find a camp to encourage those interests and many more in our 2013 version of OTMJʼs annual Camp Guide.

OTMJ SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

summer camp

From left: Campers at Camp Briawood, Camp Wheezeaway, Altamont Summer Camp and Aviation Adventure Camp at the Southern Museum of Flight.

2013 Camp Guide

ACADEMICS/ENRICHMENT CAMPS

Alabama School of Fine Arts Adventures in Learning Summer Camps (Day) Telephone: 252-9241 Address: 1800 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham 35203 Email: jlittle@asfa.k12.al.us Website: www.asfa.k12.al.us Dates: Creative Writing (Entering Grades 5-10) – June 3-7; Theatre Arts (Entering grades 4-6) – June 3-7; Visual Arts (Entering grades 5-8) – June 3-7; Green Machine Engineering (Entering grades 6-8) – June 3-7; Mo’ Bio: Molecular Biology (Entering grades 6-8) – June 3-7; Pre-Algebra (Entering grades 7-9) – June 3-21; Algebra (Entering grades 8-10) – June 3-21; Music for Beginners (Entering grades 5-7) – June 10-14; Theatre Arts (Entering grades 7-9) – June 10-14; Hydrobotics Experience (Entering grades 6-8) – June 10-14, June 17-21; Kodu Game Programming

(Entering grades 6-8) – June 10-14; Computing in Motion (Entering grades 6-8) – June 17-21; Chemtastic (Entering grades 6-8) – June 17-21; Music for Intermediate Students (Entering grades 7-8) – June 17-21; Young Dancer Intensive (Entering grades 5-8) – July 8-19.

Description: For full course descriptions and registration forms, visit the ASFA website. Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Altamont Summer 2013 (Day) Telephone: 879-2006 Address: The Altamont School, 4801 Altamont Road, Birmingham 35222 Email: bcrowe@altamontschool.org Website: www.altamontschool.org Ages: Grades 3-12 (rising) Dates: June 3-21 Description: Courses at Altamont this summer offer exciting options for acceleration, enrichment and credit.

The three-week session, open to

boys and girls, will feature for-credit courses in geometry, public speaking, health and lab tech, as well as daylong camps combining mathematics, English, fine arts, keyboarding and study skills. Soccer and basketball camps will also be offered.

Baylor School Summer Programs (Day or residential) Telephone: 423-757-2616 Address: 171 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405 Email: carol_huckaby@baylorschool. org Website: www.baylorschool.org/ summer Dates: Boys Lacrosse Camp (ages 9-15, boys only) – June 9-13; TEAM Baylor Summer Camp (ages 8-13, boys and girls) – June 16-28; Distance Training Camp (ages 12-16, boys and girls) – July 21-25 Description: Programs take place on the beautiful 200-acre campus of Baylor School, situated on the banks

of the Tennessee River. Day and boarding options are available. See website for more information.

Hilltop Montessori School (Day) Telephone: 437-9343 Address: 6 Abbott Square, Birmingham 35242 (Mt Laurel) Email: hms@hilltopmontessori.com Website: www.hilltopmontessori.com Ages: 18 months through 8th grade Dates: Two-week sessions June 10-Aug. 2 Description: Camp sessions offer exposure to the Montessori method and include cooking, gardening, music, percussion and more. See website for details.

Summer at Highlands (Day) Telephone: 956-9731 Address: Highlands School, 4901 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham 35213 Email: gmccool@highlandsschool. org Website: www.highlandsschool.org

JOURNAL CONTRIBUTOR

D

epending on how you look at it, dropping kids off at camp can be a time of sadness or celebration. The parents of first-time campers usually have misgivings about leaving their babies behind; other parents feel footloose enough to plan vacations of their own while the kids are away.

Whatever the case, just getting kids to camp along with everything they’ll need for the duration is stressful, and parents more likely than not can use a post drop-off break. That’s what

Kathy Skinner of Mountain Brook had in mind several years ago when she began inviting a few fellow parents of campers to a “sip and sob” session after dropping their campers off at some Lookout Mountain camps. The annual get-togethers take place at a family cabin in Mentone.

“We started out with only a few of the moms of Camp Laney boys, but word began to spread, and it’s grown to where last year, we had 40 or 50 people,” Kathy said. “It’s gotten to be like a reunion. People come from all over, and we sometimes even get to see friends from college who are dropping their kids off at camp.”

Summer @ Springs (Day) Telephone: 988-3350 Address: Indian Springs School, 190 Woodward Drive, Indian Springs 35214-3272 Email: dray@indiansprings.org Website: www.indiansprings.org/ summer Ages: Grades 4-12 , rising (some classes for adults as well) Dates: One- and two-week courses during June and July Description: This enrichment program offers a series of academic, artistic and athletic enrichment camps.

Parents getting together for moral support – and a little fun, too – after dropping their kids off at summer camp are, from left: Alyssa Monson, Brooke Coleman, Jay Skinner, Kathy Skinner and Stephanie Byrne.

Gathering Takes the Sting out of Camp Drop-off Day for OTM Parents

BY JUNE MATHEWS

Description: Throughout the summer, choose from a variety of camps, including arts, sports, science and just plain fun. Highlands strives to offer camps and activities that will enable children to continue learning while having a great time. Traditional day camps as well as morning and afternoon extended care are available.

Photo special to The Journal

The gathering, said Kathy, usually takes place on the drop-off Sunday for the third session of Camp Laney for Boys and Camp Skyline for Girls. Kathy currently has children attending

both camps each summer, and she’s a rep for Camp Laney.

“It’s generally parents with kids at those two

See SIP AND SOB, page 33

Options include SAT prep, algebra and geometry readiness, French, Civil Rights history, acting, writing, robotics, wetlands ecology, tennis, cross country and more. Full details are available online.

UAB Children’s Creative Learning Center (Day) Telephone: 996-3540 Address: Shades Mountain Elementary School, 2250 Sumpter St., Hoover 35226 Email: jsummerl@uab.edu Website: www.uab.edu/cclc Ages: 3-9 Dates: June 3-July 12 (One-week sessions) Description: Children who attend this program will make weekly academic choices and engage in an integrated approach to learning where mathematics, science, social studies, reading and writing are incorporated through authentic learning activities.

This summer’s theme is “Wild About Learning!”

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 27

otmj Summer Camp Guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

opportunity to thrive in a professional yet nurturing environment. Class sizes are limited. Performances showcase what the students learn. The BBA’s programs are designed to teach and challenge beginner through advanced and professional level dancers.

Birmingham Dance Theatre (Day) Telephone: 822-3012 Address: 100 Olde Towne Road, Vestavia 35216 Email: bdtdance5678@gmail.com Website: www.bdtdance.com Dates: Summer Intensive “Jamm” (ages 2-adult) – June 10-14, June 17-21; SURGE (ages 7-adult) – June 24-25; Twilight Tots (ages 2-4) – July 8-10; Tots in Motion (ages 2-4) – June 10-13; Pop Star Camp (ages 4-6) – June 17-19;

fundamentals and routines.

DRAMA CAMPS

Alys Stephens Center’s ArtPlay “Kids on Stage” Drama Camp (Day) Telephone: 975-4769 Address: 1006 19th St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: artplay@uab.edu Website: http://www.artplayasc.org Ages: 7-18 Dates: Three sessions: June 3-14 for ages 7-12 (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Kids); June 17-28 for ages 7-12 (Disney’s Aladdin, Kids); and July 8-26 for ages 12-18 (FAME, Jr.) Description: These two-week experiences give young actors an opportunity to experience the wonder and detail of theater performance.

design, makeup, costume design and working within a limited budget.

HEALTH/SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS

Camp Conquest (Residential) Telephone: 638-9398 Address: Children’s Harbor, Alexander City Email: campconquest@childrensal.org Website: www.childrensal.org/ campconquest Ages: 6-16 Dates: June 17-20 Description: This is an overnight camp for current and new patients of Children’s of Alabama Burn Center.

Featuring therapeutic programs designed to develop values such as trust, honesty and caring, the camp is staffed by highly qualified professionals.

ART CAMPS

Artists on the Bluff (Day) Description: Artists on the Bluff is a community of highly creative individuals who utilize the Artists on the Bluff facility, formerly Bluff Park Community School, for working studios, offices and teaching venues. Several will be holding camps throughout the summer. For more details, contact: Cecily Chaney -- Metal Jewelry Exploration, www.cecilyart.com or 2234514 Jayne Morgan -- Acrylic Painting, www. jaynemorgan.com or 902-5226 David Traylor -- Woodshop Studio, www.woodshopstudio.com or 531-4751 Rik Lazenby – Painting, www.

LazenbyStudio.com or 281-5273 Darla Williamson -- Zentangle for Kids, www.TangledStones.com or 305-2082.

DANCE CAMPS

Alabama Ballet (Day) Telephone: 322-1874 Address: 2726 First Ave. S., Birmingham 35233 Email: libbaowen@alabamaballet.org Website: www.alabamaballet.org Dates: Summer Program (ages 11-19, by audition) -- June 3-29 Junior Camp (ages 8-12) – June 24-July 5 Tutus & Tiaras (ages 4-7) – Two sessions: July 22-26 and July 29-Aug. 2 Description: With its state-of-the-art studios and superb instructors, the Alabama Ballet seeks to promote and foster the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high-quality performances, dance education and community outreach.

Birmingham Ballet Academy (Day and evening) Telephone: 979-9492 Address: 2198 Columbiana Road, Birmingham 35233 Website: www.birminghamballet.com Ages: 2 1/2 and up Dates: Young Ballerina Camp (ages 2 1/2 to 4) – June 24-28 Performing Arts Camp (ages 5-11) – June 10-21 Ballet Summer Intensive Workshop (ages 10 to adult) – June 10-21 Mid-Summer Evening Classes (ages 10 to adult) – July 15-26 Description: Dancers have the

The UAB Emerald Auxiliary Camp gives majorettes, dance team members and color guard members a chance to sharpen their skills over the summer. Photo special to The Journal Summer Jamm for Tots (ages 2-3) – June 10 & 12, June 17 & 19; Summer Ballet Intensive (ages 7-college) – July 8-Aug. 1; Summer Jamm for Tots (ages 4-5) June 10 & 12; June 17 & 19; Dance Team Camp (junior high and high school) – July 15-17 Description: Age-appropriate classes include ballet, tap, jazz, clogging and/ or hip hop. All provide a great overall dance experience.

Children’s Dance Foundation (Day) Telephone: 870-0073 Address: 1715 27th Court South, Homewood 35209 Website: www. childrensdancefoundation.org Ages: 1 and up Dates: June 3-Aug. 3 Description: There’s something for everyone at CDT, starting with Parent/ Toddler classes for ages 12-24 months.

Camp options include Costume Box Camp (kindergarten), Creative Arts Camp (grades 1-5); Dance Explorations (grades 3-6); Theatre Camp (grades 6-9) and more.

UAB Emerald Auxiliary Camp (Day) Telephone: 975-2263 Address: 208 Hulsey Center, 950 13th St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: uabtwirler@yahoo.com Website: www.uabmarchingblazers.org or www.music.uab.edu Ages: 5-18 Dates: June 17-19 Description: This camp offers opportunities for majorettes, dance teams and color guards to learn

Campers will be introduced to many aspects of the theater, including improvisation, warm-ups, voice and diction, acting, stage production and more.

Red Mountain Theatre Company (Day) Telephone: 324-2424 Address: P.O. Box 278, Birmingham 35201 Email: workshops@ redmountaintheatre.org Website: www.redmountaintheatre.org Dates: Junior Workshop (ages 5-6) – June 3-14; Youth Musical Theatre Workshop (ages 7-18) – June 3-14; Advanced Workshop (ages 13+) – June 3-21; Youth Advanced Workshop (ages 9-12) – June 3-21; Exceptional Workshop (ages 13+, special needs) – June 10-14 Description: These workshops offer ageappropriate acting, singing and dancing instruction and performances. Auditions and/or other prerequisites may be required for some workshops.

Camp VST: Adventures in Musical Theatre (Day) Telephone: 251-1228 Address: Virginia Samford Theatre Website: www.virginiasamfordtheatre. org Dates: June 17-21 Description: Kids explore all aspects of working in live theater, including working behind the scenes. In addition to vocal and dance instruction with onstage performances, students will participate in classes that will provide hands-on experience in set building, sound

Fun activities include swimming, boating, tubing, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, basketball, volleyball and more.

Camp Seale Harris Senior and Junior Camps (Residential) Telephone: 402-0415 Address: Southeastern Diabetes Education Services, 500 Chase Park S., Ste. 104, Hoover 35244 Email: info@southeasterndiabetes.org Website: www.southeasterndiabetes. org Ages: 12-17 (senior camp); 6-11 (junior camp) Dates: June 2-8 (senior camp); June 9-14 (junior camp) Description: Camp is held at Camp ASCCA on Lake Martin in Jackson’s Gap. Kids with diabetes learn how to manage blood sugar levels and medication, make healthy food choices and remain physically active. Trained adult counselors with diabetes, along with physicians and nurses, provide safe supervision and fun activities such as swimming, tubing, canoeing, fishing, archery and more.

Camp Shine (Residential) Telephone: 638-5750 Address: YMCA Camp Hargis, 926 Hargis Drive, Chelsea 35043 Email: ccwm@childrensal.org Website: weight.childrensal.org Ages: 12-15 Dates: June 2-8 Description: This is an overnight camp for current and new patients of Children’s Center for Weight Management. Campers learn healthy

eating habits while preparing meals.

Other activities include swimming, canoeing, hiking, arts, crafts, dance and more.

Camp Sugar Falls (Day) Telephone: 402-0415 Address: Southeastern Diabetes Education Services, 500 Chase Park S., Ste. 104, Hoover 35244 Email: info@southeasterndiabetes.org Website: www.southeasterndiabetes. org Ages: 5-15 Dates: Tuscaloosa – July 8-11; Birmingham – July 29-Aug. 1 Description: Children with diabetes learn independence in managing blood sugar levels and medication, making healthy food choices and being physically active. Trained adult counselors with diabetes team up with physicians and nurses to provide safe supervision and fun activities, including swimming, sports, games and more. A sibling or friend may attend.

Camp Wheezeaway (Residential) Telephone: 334-229-0035 Address: P.O. Box 2336, Montgomery 36102 (Camp held at Camp Chandler in Wetumpka) Email: brendabasnight@yahoo.com Ages: 8-12 Dates: June 2-7 Description: This is a free camp for kids with moderate to severe asthma. It includes asthma education and optimal care by medical staff and volunteers.

Campers participate in traditional camp activities while learning to manage asthma without it managing them.

Mitchell’s Place Summer Camp (Day) Telephone: 957-0294 Address: 4778 Overton Road, Birmingham 35210 Email: snaramore@mitchells-place.com Website: www.mitchells-place.com Ages: 6-18 Dates: June 1-Aug. 1 Description: Activities are designed to address basic skills of teamwork, self-esteem, and self-regulation. They include indoor and outdoor games, educational activities, sports lessons, creative art and music classes, horseback riding and role-playing for students with autism spectrum disorders. Participants receive weekly reports describing specific activities and skill performance. Individual goals are created on an as-needed basis.

The Exceptional Foundation (Day) Telephone: 870-0776 Address: 1616 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham 35209 Email: gbastar@exceptionalfoundation. org Ages: 5-85 Website: www.exceptionalfoundation. org Dates: June 10-Aug. 2 Description: The Exceptional Foundation is where individuals with special needs enjoy social and recreational activities.

Summer camp is an all-day program, five days a week, where campers participate in swimming, sports, arts and crafts, movies, music, exercise and visits to places like the Birmingham Zoo and McWane Center.

Reach Your Peak Asthma Camp (Day) Telephone: 638-5743 Address: 200 19th St. North,

28 • Thursday, February 21, 2013 Birmingham 35203 (camp held at the McWane Science Center) Email: katy.mcmullen@childrensal.org Website: www.childrensal.org/body.cfm Ages: 5-11 Dates: June 20-21 Description: This camp is for patients with persistent asthma who require daily controller medications. Campers learn about the asthma disease process, medications and asthma triggers through games, interactive presentations and activities.

LANGUAGE/WRITING CAMPS

otmj Summer Camp Guide Ages: 5-10 Dates: July 29-Aug. 2 Description: This weeklong experience is designed to teach kids about the Spanish language and Hispanic/Spanish cultures through fun and interactive methods. Campers will participate in enriching and recreational activities as well as social activities that promote positive interactions with others.

MUSIC CAMPS

Adventures in Music Camp at Samford (Day)

Telephone: 226-4960 Address: 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham 35254 Email: lvictory@bsc.edu Website: www.bsc.edu/academics/ music/conservatory.cfm Ages: K5-Grade 5 Dates: June 10-14 Description: This camp allows kids to experience music firsthand with classes in piano, hand bells, recorder, choir, dramatic games, improvisation and story-telling. Campers should bring lunch; snacks are provided. There will

Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop (Day) Telephone: 934-8573 Address: UAB Dept. of English, 900 13th St. S., HB205, Birmingham 35294 Email: brazielj@uab.edu Website: www.uab.edu/english/events/ ada-long-creative-writing-workshop Ages: Grades 10-12 (rising, by application) Dates: June 3-21 Description: This is a three-week workshop for high school students interested in creative writing for personal enrichment, as preparation for university work in creative writing and as an introduction to creative writing as a career. Activities include directed writing exercises, small group/workshop discussion of students’ work, individual conferences with instructors and related enrichment activities.

Red Mountain Writing Project Summer Writing Camps (Day) Telephone: 934-7896 Address: UAB School of Education, 901 13th St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: tperry@uab.edu Website: www.rmwp.org Ages: Grades 5-12, rising Dates: Weeklong sessions available throughout June Description: High school students will prepare for the writing demands of the ACT and college applications. Middle school students can choose from four sessions: Week 1 – Fantastic! (writing in the fantasy genre); Week 2 – Home History (delving into the history of Birmingham); Week 3 – Wild Animals (featuring a field trip to the Birmingham Zoo); and Week 4 – ArtSpeak (writing about the arts).

Summer ESL @ Springs (Day or residential) Telephone: 988-3350 Address: Indian Springs School, 190 Woodward Drive, Indian Springs 352143272 Email: dray@indiansprings.org Website: www.indiansprings.org/ eslsummer Ages: Junior Program – grades 6-8, rising; Senior Program – grades 9-12, rising Dates: July 8-Aug. 2 Description: This is an English language and American cultural immersion program for speakers of languages other than English. Boarding and day options are available. This program attracts both domestic and international students.

UAB Spanish Camp (Day) Telephone: 934-4652 Address: 1530 3rd Ave. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: kristachambless@uab.edu Website: www.uab.edu/languages

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Description: This camp gives students the opportunity to learn about the tools used in today’s recording industry and in film and television production, including Pro Tools, Reason, Garage Band, Sibelius and more. They can record their own music, spend time with the latest technology and meet other young people who share their interests.

UAB Summer Drumline Camp (Day) Telephone: 975-5823 Address: 203 Hulsey Center, 950 13th Young musicians can get instruction in voice, strings, piano and guitar at the Dawson Music Academy Summer Music Camp. Photo special to The Journal

Telephone: 726-4049 Address: Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham 35229 Email: chmacon@samford.edu Website: www.samford.edu/arts/ prepmusic Ages: Grades 1-12 Dates: June 10-14 (piano only); July 8-12 (piano and voice) Description: These one-week intensive music camps include private lessons, ensemble, theory, literature classes and recreation as well as solo and ensemble recitals.

All Aboard for Music Camp at Samford (Day) Telephone: 726-4049 Address: Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham 35229 Email: chmacon@samford.edu Website: www.samford.edu/arts/ prepmusic Ages: Preschoolers ages 3-6 Dates: July 15-19 Description: This preschool camp includes guest artists, singing, learning basic music concepts, crafts and snacks. It’s taught by experienced faculty and assistants.

Birmingham School of Music (Day) Telephone: 969-8763 Address: 800 Olde Towne Road, Vestavia 35216 Website: www.

BirminghamSchoolofMusic.com Ages: 7 and up, all skill levels Dates: Guitar Camp – June 10-14; Recording Studio Camp – June 17-21; Musical Theater/Vocal Camp – June 24-28; Rock ’N Roll Band Camp - July 8-12; Drum Set Camp – July 22-26 Description: All camps include a performance at the end.

Birmingham-Southern College Conservatory Music & Theatre Camp (Day)

be a camp showcase on the final day.

Dawson Music Academy Summer Music Camp: Instruments of Praise (Day) Telephone: 871-7324 Address: 1114 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham 35209 Email: lhumphries@dawsonchurch.org Website: www.dawsonchurch.org Ages: Grades K-6 (completed) Dates: June 17-24 Description: This camp features instrumental instruction for voice, strings (violin, viola and cello), piano and guitar at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Introductory classes are available. Intermediate and advanced students will participate in chamber orchestra, choral groups, piano/ keyboard or guitar ensembles.

UAB Beginners Percussion Camp (Day) Telephone: 975-5823 Address: 203 Hulsey Center, 950 13th St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: gfambro@uab.edu Website: www.uabpercussion.com or www.uab.edu/music Ages: Grades 6-8, rising Dates: June 3-7 Description: Four days of instruction are designed to introduce beginners to basic drumming and percussion skills. During a Friday bonus session, campers will observe the morning block of 2013 UAB Drumline auditions.

UAB Music Technology Camp (Day) Telephone: 975-8722 Address: 950 13th St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: slpmusic@uab.edu Website: www.uab.edu/music/ academics/ Ages: Grades 6-12 Dates: June 10-14; June 24-28

St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: gfambro@uab.edu Website: www.uabpercussion.com or www.uab.edu/music Ages: Grades 6-12 rising Dates: June 17-21 Description: Camp consists of five days of instruction to enhance all levels of drumming and percussions skills for the marching percussionist. Sessions include writing cadences, show music, exercises and more.

UAB Summer Music Camp (Day or residential) Telephone: 975-2263 Address: Hulsey 208, 950 13th St. S., Birmingham 35294 Email: janetta@uab.edu Website: www.music.uab.edu Ages: Grades 6-12, rising Dates: June 9-15 Description: Campers participate in a comprehensive weeklong musical experience, including a full band experience, small ensemble participation and training in music theory, literature and conducting.

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Music and Arts Camp (Day) Telephone: 769-0114 Address: 2061 Kentucky Ave., Vestavia 35216 Email: qharris@vhumc.org Website: www.vhumc.org Ages: K-Grade 5 Dates: July 29-Aug. 2 Description: This camp includes music, instruments, singing, drumming and other arts for elementary-age children.

All are welcome. Lunch is included. A final concert will take place on Aug. 2 at noon.

SCIENCE/NATURE/TECHNOLOGY CAMPS

Aldridge Botanical Gardens Summer

Camps (Day) Telephone: 682-8019 Address: 3530 Lorna Road., Hoover 35216 Website: www.aldridgegardens.com Ages: Grades K-3 (rising) Dates: One-week sessions in June Description: Aldridge Gardens offers a variety of camps for kids, including American Girls, World of MakeBelieve: Wizards and Fairies, Super Heroes, Mission Control: Space Week, Awesome Art/Creative Crafts, Theatre in the Gardens and Aldridge Agents. See website for more details and registration information.

Aviation Adventure Camp at Southern Museum of Flight (Day) Telephone: 833-8226 Address: 4343 73rd St. North, Birmingham 35206 Email: southernmuseumofflight@ yahoo.com Website: www.southernmuseumofflight. org Ages: 7 and up Dates: June 3-7; June 24-28; July 22-26 Description: Campers will learn fundamentals of flight and aviation history as well as perfect their skills as a virtual pilot in the Flight Simulator Lab. They will plan and execute virtual missions through the activities planned for the week. Sessions are taught by pilots with many years of experience.

Early drop-off and late pick-up options are available. Lunch is included.

Enrollment is limited.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens (Day) Telephone: 414-3953 Address: 2612 Lane Park Road., Birmingham 35223 Email: ehardy@bbgardens.org Website: www.bbgardens.org/ summercamps Ages: Grades K4-6, rising Dates: June 24-Aug. 2 (weeklong sessions; full and half-day camps available) Description: These age-appropriate summer programs are designed to actively promote children’s natural sense of creativity and discovery with fun learning experiences in The Gardens.

Camps include Young Builders: Lego in the Landscape, Passport to Imagination Stations, Southern Summer Chefs, American Girls: Girls Just Like Me, Cooperation Not Competition: What We Can Learn From Nature, Ahoy! Pirates and Mermaids, Got Bugs? and Growing Through Yoga. Enrollment is limited.

Birmingham Zoo Summer Camps (Day) Telephone: 397-3877 Address: 2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham 35223 Email: camps@birminghamzoo.com Website: www.birminghamzoo.com Ages: Grades 4K-8 Dates: May 28-Aug. 17 (week-long sessions) Description: The Birmingham Zoo has a variety of unforgettable camps where children can have fun and learn.

Campers can experience up-close-andpersonal animal interaction. New this year is the limited-time Dino Discovery Camp.

Material Camp at UAB (Day) Telephone: 975-3271 Address: 1150 10th Ave. S., BEC 254, Birmingham 35294

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 29

otmj Summer Camp Guide

EXPERIENCE!BAYLOR SUMMER CAMP 2013 ! June – July

Want Maximum Fun?

Then get ready for our awesome summer camps!

Team Baylor, Boys’ Lacrosse, Cross Country! Whatever you’re looking for this summer you’re sure to find it at Baylor! Baylor’s summer sports camps are directed by the area’s top coaches and instructors in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. Our highly individualized instruction includes fundamentals in skill development and teamwork to increase both confidence and ability. Baylor’s overnight sports programs offer campers the opportunity to experience independence in a safe, nurturing, and supervised setting.

Our residential campers live in one of Baylor’s modern dormitories, with 24-hour supervision by program staff.

Nutritious and great-tasting buffet meals are provided by our dining hall staff, and our student center offers the perfect spot for fun, relaxed recreational activities in the evening.

So what are you waiting for? Register today!

Maximum Fun A summer adventure for ages 8 through 16.

For Early Bird discounts register by March 15!

Call (423) 757-2616 or visit www.baylorschool.org for easy registration.

30 • Thursday, February 21, 2013 Email: genau@uab.edu Website: www.uab.edu/matcamp Ages: Grades 11 and 12, rising Dates: June 17-21 Description: For students interested in engineering or applied science, Materials Camp provides an opportunity to explore the world of engineering materials by breaking stuff, building stuff and much more. Highlights include working in labs with UAB faculty and students, field trips and a design competition. The program is free of charge.

McWane Science Center Summer Camps (Day) Telephone: 714-8377 Address: 200 19th St. N., Birmingham 35203 Website: www.mcwane.org/camps_ and_more/camps/summercamp Ages: 4K-Grade 9 Dates: June 3-Aug. 9 Description: Various themes and activities allow kids to experience something new each day. In one week of camp, they can discover a dinosaur, travel into outer space, explore the ocean floor, get creative in Smarty Arty Pants Camp, dive into marine biology or learn to dig paleontology. Flexible programming gives parents options ranging from an afternoon of exploration to full weeks of learning fun.

SPORTS CAMPS

Alabama’s Court Elite at Highland Park Tennis Center (Day) Telephone: 251-1965 Address: 3300 Highland Ave. S., Birmingham 35205 Email: academytennis@gmail.com Website: www.academytennis.com

otmj Summer Camp Guide Description: These baseball camps are age-appropriate and designed to maximize the camp experience so that campers enjoy the game and become better players. Sessions are led by the Samford baseball staff, current and former Samford players, other college players, college coaches and high school coaches.

Dates: Beginning in June Ages: 4 and up (boys and girls) Description: A.C.E. Tennis Academy camps provide participants of varying ages and skill levels with an organized agenda of opportunities for a quality tennis experience. Campers learn that attitude and effort are everything when trying to accomplish goals both on and off the court.

Ambassador Soccer Camp and Jr. Ambassador Soccer Camp at Briarwood (Day) Telephone: 776-5114 Address: 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham 35243 Email: rleib@briarwood.org Website: www.briarwoodsoccer.com Dates: Ambassador -- July 8-12 (competitive and rec players, age 7-14) Jr. Ambassador -- July 22-26 (beginners, ages 4-10) Description: Run by Briarwood Soccer Club, these camps help develop and improve soccer skills and test kids’ abilities against others of the same age and skill level. These are fun-filled weeks of playing soccer and learning what it means to be an ambassador for Christ on and off the field.

Blackjack Farms Summer Horsemanship Camp (Day) Telephone: 956-8532 Address: 2420 Burns Lane, Birmingham 35210 Email: ellen.blalock@gmail.com or ellen@blackjackgardens.com Website: www.blackjackfarms.net Ages: 6 and up Dates: June 25-27; July 9-11 (advanced camp); July 23-25

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Credo Tennis at Altadena (Day) Telephone: 902-1188 Address: 2651 Alta Vista Drive, Birmingham 35243 Email: jennyrobb@gmail.com Website: www.credotennis.com Ages: 4-18 Dates: June 3-Aug. 15 Description: The goal of this camp is to teach young players fundamental techniques and tactics of tennis while cultivating a lifelong love of the game.

Budding equestrians will learn horsemanship skills at Blackjack Farms Summer Camp.

Photo special to The Journal

Description: Blackjack summer camp teaches English riding lessons along with horsemanship skills. Other activities include arts and crafts, picnics, swimming, field trips and more.

Casey Dunn Summer Baseball Camps (Day or residential) Telephone: 726-4294 Address: Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham Website: http://subaseballcamps.com Ages: Grades K-12 Dates: Youth Camps – June 17-20, June 24-27, July 8-11 and July 15-18 High School Spotlight Camp – July 22-24

ICON Performance Lacrosse Camp (Day) Telephone: 970-2348 Address: 5156 Sunview Drive, Cahaba Heights Email: cordovea@bellsouth.net Website: www.iconperformanceonline. com Ages: Grades 5-9 Dates: June 17-20 Description: The camp will prepare players for the mental and physical aspects of the game with a focus on improving essential skills.

Mike Getman Soccer Camp (Day or residential) Telephone: 870-0194 Email: info@uabsoccercamp.com Website: www.uabsoccercamp.com

HIGH FLYING

SUMMER CAMPS

Drum Set Camp July 22nd - 26th

Aviation Adventure Camp

Beginners welcome!

Guitar Camp

June 10th - 14th Beginners welcome!

July 8th - 12th

Musical Theater / Vocal Camp

Recording Studio Camp

Beginners welcome!

Learn how musicians work in a recording studio.

June 24th - 28th

Preston Goldfarb’s Excellence Through Fundamentals Soccer Camp (Day or residential) Telephone: 226-4895 (office) or 6023505 (cell) Address: Birmingham-Southern College, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham 35254 Email: pgoldfar@bsc.edu Website: www.bscsports.net/ soccercamps Ages: 7-18, boys and girls Dates: June 9-13; June 16-20; June 23-27 (New Sunday-Thursday schedule) Description: The camp focuses on developing the player through intense training designed to increase technical ability and tactical awareness. Its goal is to teach the game through an emphasis on limiting numbers in groups and maximizing touches in training.

Stepping Stone Farm Riding Academy (Day) Telephone: 612-3908 Address: 2685 Laburnum Drive, Birmingham 35235 Ages: 4 and up, boys and girls

SUMMER AT HIGHLANDS June 3rd to August 9th Morning & Afternoon Camps Offered

Ages 7 and up 30 Junior Aviators per class 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Rock 'N Roll Band Camp For Guitar, Bass, Drums Vocal & Keyboards!

Some experience necessary.

Ages: 5-12 (day); 10-18 (residential/ commuter) Dates: Day camps: June 10-14; July 8-12; Residential/commuter camps: June 16-20; June 23-27; July 26-28 Description: Skill development and training, small and large group tactics and 11 v. 11 games provide opportunities for players to learn and improve every aspect of their game. Some of the best coaches and players in the country are eager to share their knowledge and skills.

June 17th - 21st

Camps include a performance at the end. Discounts for early registration.

800 Olde Towne Road in Vestavia near Chuck E Cheese's behind Bruster's Ice Cream

June 3-7, June 24-28 & July 22-26

FOR DETAILS CALL

969-8763 or visit our website

Sports • Art • Drama Technoloogy • Fun And much more!

Samford University presents

Summer Music Camps 2013 taught by experienced

faculty and staff

To register for camp or learn more visit our website

June 10–14 and July 8–12 for grades 1–12, piano or voice July 15–19 for ages 3–5 arts.samford.edu/prep_music

205-833-8226

Located adjacent to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport Tues–Sat, 9:30am-4:30pm

www.southernmuseumofflight.org

To: From: Date:

For more information contact Gabe McCool at (205)956-9731 gmccool@highlandsschool.org

Highlands School 4901 Old Leeds Road

Gabe McCool Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824Feb. 2013

Dates: June 17-21; June 24-28; July 15-19 Description: Campers will learn grooming, tacking and the basics of good horsemanship. The goal is for each child to learn as much about horses and their care as possible. Students ride twice a day mixed in with class time and crafts. Enrollment is limited.

UCA/UDA Summer Camps at UAB Telephone: For UCA camps, call 1-888-CHEERUCA. For UDA camps, call 1-800-DANCEUDA. Address: UAB campus Website: http://main.uab.edu/Sites/students/life/ athletic-support/cheer/33226/ Dates: Universal Dance Association (UDA) Camp I – June 7-10 Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Cheer Camp I – June 11-14 UDA Dance Camp II – June 11-14 UCA/FCA Cheer Camp II – June 25-28

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 31

otmj Summer Camp Guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal TRADITIONAL CAMPS

Alpine Camp for Boys (Residential) Telephone: 256-634-4404 Address: P.O. Box 297, Mentone 35984 Email: summer@alpinecamp.com Website: www.alpinecamp.com Ages: Grades 1-9 Dates: June 1-Aug. 6 (two- and four-week options available) Description: Activities include team sports, ropes course, climbing, riflery, archery, kayaking, canoeing, water park, swimming, crafts, tennis, horseback riding, physical training, wilderness skills, disc sports, fly fishing, mountain biking and more. Special events and nightly activities are included.

Camp Cottaquilla (Day or residential) Telephone: 256-295-9082 or 800-734-4541, ext.

1902 Address: 2500 Cottaquilla Rd., Anniston 36207 Email: bgable@girlscoutsnca.org

[ [ mps and Weekly Classes Ca ER M M SU f d c June 3-August 3 Something for everyone!

Parent/Toddler Class for ages

12-24 months

Movement to Music for ages 2-4 with live accompaniment.

Modern Dance for adults

Modern/Jazz Dance for

Costume Box half-day Camp for

Kindergartners Dance especially for school age children with

6th-12th graders Beginning and Intermediate levels

Dance Explorations Camp for

3rd-6th graders

special needs

Theatre Camp for

Creative Arts full-day Camp for

6th-9th graders

1st-5th graders

Up-close an animal encounters, train and carousel rides, Splash Pad

fun, guided guid tours, and so much more! The best place for summer fun is at a Bir Birmingham Zoo Camp! The Zoo has exciting full-day and half-day camps for children going into 4K through 8th grade. Register today!

OUR B BRAND NEW CAMPS!

• Dino Discovery • Animal Super Hero

• If You Ran the Zoo • Zoo Film Camp

For more m information and to register visit www.birminghamzoo.com/classes www.bi or call 205.879.0409. *Before care, after care and lunch are available at an additional cost.

creative student-centered committed to community

Call or click for class descriptions, a schedule and to register!

870-0073 www.childrensdancefoundation.org 1715 27th Court South, Downtown Homewood

m: e:

32 • Thursday, February 21, 2013 Website: www.girlscoutsnca.org/camprocks Ages: 6-17 (day camps for boys and girls; residential camps for girls only) Dates: June 3-Aug. 2 Description: Special sessions include Cupcake Business, Me & My Duct Tape and a week of Craft Wars or Myth Busters. Some camps include travel to different states. At some sessions, girls bring American Girl dolls and participate in activities related to the stories about the dolls. Traditional activities include swimming, canoeing and archery.

Open house is March 16, 2-4 p.m.

Camp Fletcher (Day or residential) Telephone: 428-1059 Address: 5150 Fletcher Rd., Bessemer 35022 Email: campfletcher@campfire-al.org Website: www.campfire-al.org Ages: Grades 1-12 (rising) Dates: May 29-Aug. 2 Description: Camp Fletcher connects children, youth and families with nature. The camp offers resident camp, day camp, environmental education, team-building activities and leadership training. Facility rental is also available.

A.C.E. Tennis Academy at Highland Park will be offering weekly summer camps for children of all ages and abilities beginning in June 2013. Our objective is to provide participants with an organized agenda of opportunities for a quality tennis experience. Campers will learn that their attitude and effort are everything when trying to accomplish goals both on and off the court.

—QuiCk STArT—Ages: 4-7—

Your child will learn basic tennis skills, while building a foundation for future development.

—FuTurES—Ages: 8 & up— This is for the player who is new to the game. We will learn all basic fundamentals, tennis rules, etiquette and more.

—CHAllEngEr— This is for the player who has had some instruction and has played team tennis and/or tournaments.

—TOP gun— These players already have a State, Sectional and/or a National ranking.

Highland Park Tennis Center.

3300 Highland Ave. S., B'ham, AL 35205

205.251.1965

otmj Summer Camp Guide Camp Mac (Residential) Telephone: 256-362-7449 Address: 2671 Cheaha Road, Munford 36268 Email: office@campmac.com Website: www.campmac.com Ages: Grades 2-5 (Jr. Term) Dates: June 3-15 (Jr. Term) Description: Owned and operated by the McBride family since 1948, Camp Mac is located on the shores of two lakes in the Talladega National Forest, one hour from Birmingham. Separate programs are held for boys and girls. Activities include horseback riding, zip lining, banana boating, cookouts, campfires and more. Space is limited, so early registration is advised.

Camp McDowell (Day or residential) Telephone: 387-1806 Address: 105 Delong Road, Nauvoo 35578 Email: susanna@campmcdowell.com Website: www.campmcdowell.com Ages: Grades 1-12, rising Dates: May 24-Aug. 4 Description: Nestled adjacent to the Bankhead National Forest, Camp McDowell is a supportive Christian community where young people grow and develop respect for others and the world around them. Themes range from the environment and relationships to decision-making and discipleship. Activities include hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts, swimming, ropes course, soccer, softball, soccer, capture the flag and more.

Camp Nakanawa for Girls (Residential) Telephone: 931-277-3711 Address: 1084 Camp Nakanawa Road, Crossville, TN 38571 Email: campnak@frontiernet.net Website: www.campnakanawa.com Ages: 8-14 (two-week session); 8-16 (four-week session) Dates: Two-week session: June 16-29; four-week session: July 1-28 Description: Camp Nakanawa is a structured traditional camp for girls offering a wide variety of activities including swimming, diving, canoeing, sailing, arts and crafts, music, drama, tennis, games, archery, horseback riding and more. Since 1920, Nakanawa has helped girls gain confidence and reach their potential in a positive and fun-filled environment.

Camp Winnataska (Residential) Telephone: 640-6741 Address: 260 Winnataska Drive, Pell City 35128 Email: info@winnataska.org Website: www.winnataska.org Ages: Grades 1-10 (rising) Dates: June 9-July 27 Description: Camp Winnataska has been considered “Christian Camping at Its Best” since 1918. The camp offers programs such as horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, ropes courses, archery and crafts. Themed activities include Country Night, Indian Night, Mission Impossible Night and Glow in the Dark Night.

Jack Enroll in Birmingham-Southern College’s Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 Feb. 2013

Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts

Lessons in piano,from voice,the violin, guitar, bandMOunTain and much more.

This is your aD prOOF Over The JOurnal for the Preschool classes also available.

Feb. 21, 2013 issue. please fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

Musicmake and Theatre Camp 2013 please sure all information is correct, June 10-14address and phone number! including K5-5th grade 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, www.bsc.edu your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

205/226-4960

BSC

Birmingham-Southern College

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Campers at Presbytery of Sheppards & Lapsley Summer Camps participate in traditional camp activities and learn about the world through worship and Bible study. Photo

special to The Journal

Camp Woodmont (Residential) Telephone: 706-398-0833 Address: 381 Moonlight Drive, Cloudland, GA 30731 Email: alyson@campwoodmont.com Website: www.campwoodmont.com Ages: 6-14 Dates: June 2-July 26 (one- and two-week sessions available) Description: This camp features traditional activities, including a climbing wall with zip line and high ropes course, archery, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, noncompetitive sports, arts, crafts and more. Its nondenominational Christian atmosphere is appropriate for children of all faiths.

Kanawahala Program Center (Day or residential) Telephone: 678-8843 or 800-734-4541, ext. 1600 Address: 831 Girl Scout Rd., Chelsea 35043 Email: tknowles@cahabagsc.org Website: www.girlscoutsnca.org/camprocks Ages: 5-17 (day camps for boys and girls; residential camps for girls only) Dates: May 28-Aug. 2 Description: KPC has a private lake for weeklong water sports sessions, but it also offers creative camps where girls can practice cake decorating, tie-dyeing clothing or making jewelry. Theme camps include Harry Potter week, photography week and theater week. Traditional camp activities are also offered. Open house is March 10, 2-4 p.m.

YMCA Camp Cosby (Residential) Telephone: 256-268-2007 OR 1-800-85COSBY Address: 2290 Paul Bear Bryant Road, Alpine 35014 Email: info@campcosby.org Website: www.campcosby.org Ages: 6-16 Dates: June 2-July 27 (One-week sessions) Description: At Camp Cosby, boys and girls have the opportunity to build self-esteem, grow, learn and challenge themselves during weeklong overnight sessions. Campers can experience a mixture of cabin activities and hour-long free choice activities, such as arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, archery, horseback riding, dirt biking and climbing.

VARIETY/SPECIALTY CAMPS

All Saints Episcopal Preschool (Day) Telephone: 879-1092 Address: 112 West Hawthorne Road, Homewood 35209 Email: preschool@allsaintsbirmingham.org Website: www.allsaintsbirmingham.org Ages: 12 months-6 years Description: This summer program has a fun and active curriculum centered around summer themes.

Music, creative movement, chapel and art are included.

Camp Briarwood (Day or overnight) Telephone: 776-5237 Address: 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham 35243 Email: quest@briarwood.org Website: www.campbriarwood.org Ages: Rising grades 1-3 (day); grades 4-8 (overnight) Dates: Sessions available in June and July (see website for details) Description: This Christian camp for boys and girls is designed to offer summer adventures children will never forget. Camp Briarwood provides an atmosphere where the physical and spiritual blend with Bible discussions, songs, hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, canoeing, horseback riding, skiing and more.

Levite Jewish Community Center (Day) Telephone: 879-0411 Address: 3960 Montclair Road, Birmingham 35213 Email: betty@bhamjcc.org Website: www.bhamjcc.org Ages: 18 months-grade 7 Dates: May 28-Aug. 19 Description: This camp’s goal is to provide a happy, meaningful and enriching experience for campers and to help them grow and feel good about themselves. Campers develop independence, selfconfidence and strong character through activities such as swimming, sports, crafts, cooking, games, hiking, field trips and drama. Traditional and specialty camps are available.

Presbytery of Sheppards & Lapsley Summer Camps (Residential) Telephone: 978-0320 Address: 3603 Lorna Ridge Drive, Birmingham 35216 (Camps held at Rolling Hills Camp and the Alabama 4-H Center) Email: tstrickland@pslpcusa.org Website: www.pslpcusa.org Ages: Grades K5-12 (completed) Dates: Senior High Mission Camp (completed grades 9-12, June 23-28), Elementary Camp (completed grades 2-5, June 2-7), Middle School Camp (completed grades 6-8, June 9-14), Discovery Camp (completed grades 4-8, June 16-21), You & Me Camp (completed grades 5K-2 plus parents, June 28-30) and Elementary Environment Stewardship Camp (completed grades 2-5, July 7-12).

Description: Campers learn about the world through Bible study, worship and traditional camp activities.

otmj Summer Camp Guide

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

St. Peter’s Child Development Center (Day) Telephone: 822-9461 Address: 2061 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover 35216 Email: stpeterscdc@bellsouth.net Description: This program offers kids of all ages fun-filled activities throughout the summer months, including water play, sports, arts and crafts, cooking and more.

Registration begins March 1.

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church (Day) Telephone: 822-9631 Email: slee@vhumc.org Website: www.vhumc.org Dates: Upward Basketball Camp #1 (Grades K5-2, rising) – June 17-21 ESPN (All Sports) Camp #1 (Grades K5-2, rising) – June 24-28 Upward Basketball Camp #2 (Grades 3-5, rising) – July 8-12

ESPN (All Sports) Camp #2 (Grades 3-5, rising) – July 22-26 Upward Soccer Camp (Grades 1-5, rising) – July 29-Aug. 1 Upward Flag Football Camp (Grades 1-5, rising – Aug. 5-8 Vestavia Hills YMCA (Day) Telephone: 823-0144 Address: 2086 Columbiana Road, Birmingham 35216 Website: www.ymcabham.org/ vestavia Description: The mission of the YMCA is “to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body.” With the Vestavia Hills YMCA, campers are participating in a camping program they can count on, not just for good supervision, safety and fun, but for the personal growth of each child.

YMCA Hargis Retreat (Day)

Sip and sob, from page 26

camps who come, but parents with kids at other camps are invited, too,” she said. “The firsttime moms are pretty reluctant about the whole thing, but once everybody compares notes about whose kids are in whose cabin and what the parents’ own plans are for the summer, they feel better.”

The Skinner cabin offers soaring views of the valley below, a breathtaking distraction for emotional parents. Built in the 1930s, the mountain retreat has been in the family for about 35 years, since around the same time Kathy’s husband, Jay, was himself a summertime visitor to

Telephone: 678-6512 Address: 928 Hargis Drive, Chelsea 35043 Email: ksharp@ymcabham.org Website: www.hargisretreat.org Ages: 6 and up Dates: May 28-Aug. 16, weekly sessions Description: Traditional Camps offer classic camp activities such as canoeing, archery, hiking, arts and crafts, swimming and fishing. Navigator Camps for grades 4 and up allow campers more outdoor time and skills training in a specialty activity such as fishing, rock climbing or outdoor survival. New to the Hargis lineup this year are beginner and advanced Rock Climbing Camps for kids in grades 6 and up. Transportation is offered to and from all camps from several locations around the Birmingham area. ❖

Camp Laney.

“The ‘sip and sob’ party is a great way for parents and the siblings who don’t go to camp to kick back and enjoy the afternoon,” Kathy said. “The cabin is a charming place with a big screened-in porch and plenty of room outside for the kids to play, and we always seem to have a pretty day.”

As the event has grown, so have the preparations required for pulling it off, but Kathy has plenty of help. Her mother-in-law, Nancy Skinner, pitches in, as do several of the parental party guests, who bring food and other supplies.

“It’s just a fun time,” she said. “It makes a tough time easier for some of the parents, and we always enjoy doing it.” ❖

BaseBall

casey dunn summer camps 2013

YouTh BaseBall Camps

June 17-20, June 24-27, July 8-11 and July 15-18 Grades K-7, $150, 9 a.m.-noon

Fundamentals, including hitting, fielding, throwing, running bases, and game simulations.

hiGh sChool spoTliGhT Camp

July 22-24 • Grades 8 - 2012 Graduates • $335 Day 1 - 2:30-9 p.m., Day 2 - 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Day 3 - 9 am-noon

This camp is designed for players to receive instruction and showcase their talent for college coaches throughout the state

Benefits

• one-on-one instruction • daily games • instruction in all areas of baseball • exposure to many different coaches • Samford Baseball Camp t-shirt

Bring

• baseball glove and hat • baseball cleats and tennis shoes • baseball pants and shorts • a willingness to work hard and get better

Check in starts 30 minutes prior to first day of camp!

The camp is open to any and all registrants.

Registration information can be obtained online at www.subaseballcamps.com or call 205-726-4294

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 33

34 • Thursday, February 21, 2013

sports

Members of the Mountain Brook seventh-grade girls basketball team are, from left, front: Anna Hufham, Lacey Jeffcoat, Sarah Kate Horsley, Meme Everette and Margaret Dodson. Back: Coach John Phillips, Hannah Bartels, Kay Kay Benck, Jacelynn Tidmore, Anna Windle, Lucy Harrison, Caroline Keller and Mary Rose Rutledge. Photo special to The Journal

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Members of the undefeated boys ninth-grade Patriot basetball team are: Tj Taylor, Alec Marsch, Griffin Rivers, Sumner Martin, Ronald Claiborne, Griffin Gentry, Will Mizerany, Jake Burdeshaw, Ryan Hepp, Austin Patterson, Derrick Underwood, Peyton Brown, Chris Miller and Terry James.

Photo special to The Journal

Mountain Brook 7th Grade Girls Go Undefeated to Win Championship Homewood 9th Grade Boys Finish with Undefeated Season

The Mountain Brook seventh-grade girls basketball team completed an undefeated season finishing 19-0. The Spartans won the Metro Championship Tournament with a victory over Berry 36-33 in the finals. Hannah Bartels hit a big three point shot with the Spartans trailing by two points and Lucy Harrison hit two free throws with 10 seconds left to seal the win for the Spartans.

In the quarter finals Mountain Brook beat Bumpus behind 14 points from Kay Kay Benck. In the semifinal game the Spartans beat Thompson 36-16 with Hannah Bartels and Anna Windle scoring eight points each.

“I am really proud of the girls and their effort this tournament and for the season,” said Coach John Phillips. “Finishing the season undefeated is a credit to them and how hard they have worked and the time and effort they put in to be the best.”

Caroline Keller and Hannah Bartels were named to the All-Tournament team. Kay Kay Benck scored 11 points and was named the tournament MVP. Lucy Harrison and Lacey Jeffcoat were named All-Metro selections for the Season.

The Homewood ninth-grade boys basketball team went undefeated and captured two tournament titles on their way to an impressive 23-win season.

“This group of boys played with great character and a great desire to succeed. Throughout the year, their work ethic on the court was the main reason for our success,” said Josh Britnell, head coach of the Homewood High School 9th grade boys basketball team. “I was thrilled to be able to be a part of the 23-0 record that included wins in the Metro tournament and the Hewitt-Trussville end of the year tournament.”

No Blues for This Jazz Team

Spartan JV Boys Complete Perfect Season

The Mountain Brook High School JV Basketball team recently completed an undefeated season with a record of 25-0. The boys were also the champions of the Junior Varsity Metro Tournament over the winter holidays. Members of the team are: Drew Odum, Deke Marbury, Pete Berryman, Drew Smith, Spencer King, Jordan Rich, Will Hartley, Matthew Weissman, Spencer Einhorn, Will Freeman, Hunter Lucas, Jack Carvalho and Matt Creighton. Photo special to The Journal

Senior Night at Homewood High School

The Jazz sixth-grade boys Mountain Brook rec league basketball team, ended its season with a perfect record. The team went undefeated in regular season play and won the tournament championship on Feb. 10 at Spartan Arena. Members of the Jazz team with coach Bill Ritter are, from left: Thomas Gaede, Beau Johnson, Thomas Miller, Michael Mancuso, Dowd Ritter, and Charles Tyndal.

Correction:

In our last issue we incorrectly identified Vestavia shot putter Michael Rogers, far left. He and his Rebel teammate John Orr near left, participated in the Alabama High School Association state indoor track meet shot put competition. Orr finished 11th and Rogers 26th at the event.

Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

Senior members of the Homewood High School basketball team were honored at Senior Night on Feb. 1. Players at the ceremony with their parents are: CT Mizerany, Michael Lummis, Zack Johnson and Kelvin Bradford. The Patriots are coached by Tim Shepler, and went on to defeat Spain Park in the final home game of the regular season. Photo special to The Journal

Look for signing coverage in our March 7 Issue Send your signing pictures to mwald@otmj.com

Lindsey Leaves Jags; Heads to Auburn Spain Park is in the market for a new head football coach.

Chip Lindsey, who directed the Jaguar program from 2011-2012, announced his resignation last week to join Coach Gus Malzahn’s staff at Auburn University.

Lindsey made the announcement official when he informed the Spain Park team of his decision last Friday morning.

“I think it’s a good move for my career and my family,” Lindsey said. “I can’t say enough about the great people at Spain Park and this

wrestling, from back cover

59-0 mark.

Other Rebels who placed included John Hill, fourth in the 120-pound bracket; Jeremy Strong, third in the 126-pound category; Morgan Paugh, third in the 138-pound division; Andrew Korn, third in the 145-pound class; Will Knox, fifth in the 152-pound division; and Jack Nelson, fifth in the 160-pound division.

Jackson Hall of Hoover was sixth in the 126pound class.

claudia,

from back cover

“But I went to a banquet in Louisville (Ky.) Jan. 18 to accept,” she said. “I got a perpetual trophy with the award.”

Claudia has owned 12-year-old Eloise for three years, she said, and has been with Fox Lake Farm in Birmingham since she was 6.

“I ride three to four days a week,” she said. “The shows are on the weekends, and I try to focus on schoolwork during the week.”

After graduation from Altamont, Claudia plans to concentrate on horseback riding during the summer, she said. She’s hoping to get a spot on a collegiate equestrian team.

Claudia said Allison Majerik Black, Fox Lake Farm owner and head trainer, and trainers Mark Tompkins and Timothy Maddrix have been “my main support system.”

She’s also grateful to her parents, Mark and Jennifer Styslinger, for backing her, she said.

Thursday, February 21, 2013 • 35

sports

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

community. We built some relationships here that I’m really going to miss.”

Lindsey said he got emotional when telling his Jaguar players that he was leaving.

“There were a lot of hugs and tears,” he said.

Nobody can accuse Lindsey of leaving Spain Park while the program was down. He led the Jaguars to their first-ever region title in 2012, and Spain Park qualified for the playoffs in both seasons of his tenure. —Lee Davis Jared Godfrey of Oak Mountain was fourth in the 138-pound class, and Lloyd Time of Oak Mountain was fifth in the 220-pound category.

Vestavia’s Morgan Paugh, top finished third in the 138-pound division. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry

“My mom grew up around horses,” Claudia said.

Claudia’s older brother, Mac, is 19 and a student at the University of Virginia, where he’s on the tennis team. Claudia has two younger sisters, Stella, 14, and Lydia, 10.

Stella rides at Fox Lake Farm, too. She placed 10th in the 2012 national standings in younger small junior hunters with her horse Cabana Boy, according to Guerry Force, Fox Lake’s barn manager.

Force said several other Fox Lake riders placed in the top 10 of their divisions both nationally and in USEF’s Zone 4, which includes Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida.

Claudia said she loves riding for pleasure as well as in competitions.

“Stella and I ride together all the time,” Claudia said. She also rides with Taylor Gardiner, the daughter of the woman who introduced Claudia to riding.

“I still ride for fun,” Claudia said.

“That’s the whole reason I do it.”

Haynes,

from back cover

Sometimes being successful on two fronts comes at a price: As Mountain Brook’s 2013 soccer campaign came closer, Haynes had to make the difficult choice between continuing club play or coming back to the Lady Spartan varsity for her sophomore season.

regionals, from back cover

State University, where they face Huntsville. If the Spartans win, they will meet the Shades Valley-Gadsden City winner for a berth in the Class 6A Final Four.

Mountain Brook’s girls also moved to JSU’s Northeast Regionals, where they will face Clay-Chalkville.

The winner will meet the HuffmanLee of Huntsville winner for a date in the 6A Final Four.

Hoover’s teams will compete in the Northwest Regionals at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. The Buccaneer boys will face Hazel Green. If Hoover wins, the winner of the Hillcrest-Sparkman game will stand between the Bucs and their second consecutive Final Four appearance.

The Lady Bucs will meet Austin.

If they defeat the Lady Bears, Hoover will also have to defeat the HillcrestSparkman winner to reach the Final Four.

Spain Park fans will find themselves at the Central Regional at Alabama State University in Montgomery. The Jaguar boys will take on Carver of Montgomery.

The winner will face the OpelikaThompson winner to have a shot at the Final Four.

The Jaguar girls will likewise face the girls’ team from Carver. The winner will meet the Jeff Davis-Prattville victor, as Spain Park reaches for what would be its first-ever girls’ Final Four.

Mountain Brook’s boys earned their way to the regionals with a 60-52 win over Carver of Birmingham. The Spartans overcame a one-point halftime deficit to achieve the victory.

Jeremy Berman led the Mountain Brook effort with 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

Malek Grant scored 15 points with seven rebounds. Stuart Harmon added 12 points.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make,” Haynes said. “But I decided to stick with club soccer. This season is a crucial one for college recruitment, so I thought my best chance was to stay with the club team. But nobody will be rooting harder for Mountain Brook from the sidelines this year than me.”

Leigh Haynes–her given first name is Walters, her mother’s maiden name–was destined to play soccer almost from birth. She

The Spartans raised their record to 26-6 for the year.

The Spartan girls earned their way to Jacksonville with a 54-37 rout of Gardendale.

Collier Ogilvie paced Mountain Brook with 17 points and seven rebounds, along with four steals. Ellie Mouyal scored 13 points with six rebounds and five steals. The stingy Lady Spartan defense forced Gardendale into 20 turnovers.

Mountain Brook moved its record to 22-5.

Hoover’s boys battled their way to Hanceville with a 74-40 win over Tuscaloosa County.

Brannon DeFore sparked the Bucs with 16 points and 10 rebounds as Coach Charles Burkett’s team raised its worksheet to 29-4.

The Bucs’ girls’ team held up its end by routing Northridge 69-39.

Courtney Hunter topped the Hoover scoring with 21 points.

Breigha Wilder-Cochran followed with 16. Sara Mitchell and Kara Rawls each scored 11. Jonathan Troups scored 16 points in the Jags win over Wetumpka. Journal photo by Marvin The Lady Bucs are 24-4 for Gentry the year.

Malik Cook paced Homewood with The Spain Park boys con26 points, including 13 in the final tinued their hot streak in post-season quarter. play with a 74-53 triumph over The Patriots ended their season Wetumpka. Deon Wright dominated with a 26-7 record. with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Kiara Williams’ 17-point effort Jonathan Troups scored 16 points, couldn’t help the Homewood girls’ while Drew Morgan chipped in 15. team, which fell to Center Point The Jags are now 15-17 for the 55-36. The Lady Patriots ended the season. year with a 14-13 worksheet.

Spain Park’s girls crushed The Oak Mountain boys’ team saw Thompson 59-24 behind Denise their season end with a 43-30 loss to Newton’s 24 points. Victoria Baldwin Thompson in Class 6A sub-state play. scored 15.

DeShawn Giles led the Eagles with The surprising Lady Jags head to 10 points. the regionals with a 23-8 mark.

Oak Mountain finished 14-14 for The Homewood boys’ team nearly the season. reached the Northeast Regional in Prattville eliminated the Oak Class 5A before falling to Center Mountain girls by a 63-61 count. The Point 46-44 in overtime. The Patriots Lady Eagles concluded their year rallied for a 34-16 deficit in the third with a 17-12 record. quarter to force the extra period.

Members of the Spain Park girls basetball team are, from left, front: Amanda Gaston, Ashley Gaston, Takia Mickens,Denise Newton,Kelsie Williams and Carly Rains.

Back: Coach Shields, Coach Steinert, Elizabeth Philpot, Christen Craig, Denisha Morgan, Victoria Baldwin, Keyasha Gordon, Coach Chase and Coach Bolton.

Photo special to the Journal

started playing the game at age 3, and except for a brief flirtation with recreational basketball, has been consumed with soccer ever since.

Haynes spends most of her weekends traveling to practice or play soccer and is an outstanding student despite her comparative lack of free time.

“I really like science, particularly biology and chemistry,” she said.

Despite her strong work ethic, Haynes isn’t

that different from most teen girls. She spends her limited free time with friends, eating out and going to the movies.

But no diversion will distract Haynes from her lofty soccer goals: earning a college scholarship and gaining a spot on the U.S. National Team.

If all her dreams come true, Leigh Haynes may be more than a moviegoer. She might be a movie subject.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Boy-girl party

Sports

Perfect seasons for Patriot boys, Spartan boys and Spartan girls basketball teams P. 34

Spartans, Bucs, Jags Punch Double Ticket To Regionals

Lee Davis

By Lee Davis

Soccer-Style

F

Journal Sports Writer

ans of the Mountain Brook, Hoover and Spain Park basketball teams may be doing a lot of traveling this week.

The boys’ and girls’ teams of all three schools have advanced to Class 6A regional play, and while following them might burn a little gas, none of the boosters will be complaining.

Each team punched its respective ticket to Wednesday’s regionals with do-or-die victories in sub-regional play last week.

The Mountain Brook boys advanced to the Northeast Regionals at Jacksonville

See regionals, page 35

MB’s Haynes Goes To ODP Camp

T Lady Jaguar Denise Newton, above scored 24 points in the win over Thompson last week. Drew Morgan, right celebrates during the Jaguars contest with Wetumpka. Morgan scored 15 against the Indians.

More photos at otmj.com. Journal photos by Marvin Gentry

State Wrestling Tournament

Heavyweight champ Vestavia’s Jahaad Jackson with his mother Sherri, shortly after claiming the 6A state title in the 285-pound class.

Strong Rebel Run Can’t Stop Third Warrior Title

By Lee Davis

Journal Sports Writer

The Vestavia Hills Rebels wrestling team came close but couldn’t quite deny the Thompson Warriors their third consecutive Class 6A title.

Thompson narrowly outpointed Vestavia 196-189 at last weekend’s Alabama High School Athletic Association meet at Huntsville’s Von Braun Civic Center, taking the blue championship trophy to Alabaster for a third time.

Claudia Styslinger with her horse Eloise.

Photo special to The Journal

In coming so close, the Rebels earned several individual titles and second-place finishes.

Vestavia’s Josh Rogers won the 113-pound class, taking a 13-6 decision over Oxford’s William Hardin.

The Rebels’ Jahaad Jackson pinned Thompson’s T.J. Rayam at 2:36 into the match to claim the 285-pound class.

Dalton Campbell took second place in the 220-pound division, losing a close decision to James Clemens’ Ryan Stenger by a 2-1 count.

Photo courtesy Robert Mayeri

Hoover’s Alec Shunnarah also claimed an individual title.

Shunnarah battled to an 8-2 decision over Bob Jones’s Micah

Riding High

By Donna Cornelius

Journal features Writer

Claudia Styslinger was six years old when she discovered horseback riding.

“I was introduced to it by a friend of my mom’s,” said the 17-year-old Altamont School senior. “She had a daughter my age, and she invited my mom and me to go riding with them one day after school.”

Since that day, Claudia’s felt at home in the saddle. And now she’s earned a prestigious award there, too.

Claudia and her horse, Eloise, won the 2012 Horse of the Year award from the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

Horse of the Year rankings are based on cumu-

Hatley in the 195-pound division.

Hoover’s Payton Garlington took second place in the Class 6A 120-pound bracket, falling to Pell City’s Jake Smith 5-2.

Spain Park’s Kevin McClure took second place in Class 6A’s 182-pound bracket after being pinned by HewittTrussville’s Marcus Elkins. Elkins completed his season with a perfect

See Wrestling, page 35

Claudia Styslinger and Eloise Win Horse of the Year Award lative points earned in USEF events. While shows are held during seasonal circuits, Claudia said, there are so many events that it’s possible to ride competitively almost all year long.

“In every horse show you go to, you gain points to enter the final shows,” Claudia said. “You have to be in the top 20 to qualify.”

Claudia and Eloise compete in jumping events.

Their Horse of the Year award was in the Junior Hunter-Small category for riders ages 16-17.

“At first, my goal was to qualify for the final shows, have fun and get a ribbon,” Claudia said.

“When I realized I actually had a shot at Horse of the Year, that became my goal.”

Claudia learned she and Eloise had won the award via email, she said.

See claudia, page 35

here are probably a lot worse places to spend a week in the winter than Phoenix, Ariz.

Leigh Haynes, a sophomore at Mountain Brook, had the opportunity to visit the 48th state recently, but it wasn’t the warm weather that drew her westward.

It was soccer.

Haynes was the only Alabama girl soccer player in her age group to be selected for the Girls National Olympic Development Training Camp held in Phoenix Jan. 29-Feb. 3.

The camp convenes the nation’s top coaches and players to train and identify candidates for the United States National Team. So the unassuming 15-year-old was in some pretty elite company.

“It was a lot of fun to be around players from all over the country,” said Haynes when contacted last week. “We did a lot of playing and practicing, and it was interesting to meet girls from the other regions.”

Haynes said styles of play don’t seem to vary much across the nation.

“The only real difference is what the coaches expect,” she said. “Some emphasize technique more than others.”

Phoenix wasn’t Haynes’ only outof-town soccer venue. She also represented Alabama at the ODP College Showcase in Gainesville, Ga., earlier this year.

“All the camps are good opportunities to get noticed by coaches,” she said. “The more you can go to, the more chances you have to impress someone.”

Haynes’ credentials are already impressive in their own right. She spent the past season playing for the Concorde Fire, an elite team out of Atlanta, and the Attack Black from the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club. She was the leading scorer on her club team in 2012 and was the sixth ranked player in the entire South Atlantic Region that year.

Haynes has also earned her way to the ODP state team for five consecutive years.

Closer to home, she stood out as a freshman on the Mountain Brook girls’ varsity team last season, being named by her teammates as the Lady Spartans’ Top Newcomer.

See haynes, page 35