By Lee DavisOak Mountain outside hitter Torie Denkers is a study in intensity every time she walks on a volleyball court. But there’s something about playing arch-rival Spain Park that brings her to an even higher level. “My older brother Trevor went there (Spain Park) years ago, so I think there’s the sibling rivalry thing going,” Denkers said last week. “Whatever it … [Read more...]
Energizer Lions: Briarwood off to Big Start in New Class
By Lee Davis During 26 seasons as head coach at Briarwood, Fred Yancey has seen just about everything, and he’s loving the look of his latest team. The Lions’ 25-14 win over highly regarded Mortimer Jordan on Sept. 23 ran Briarwood’s record to 4-1 and, more importantly, 4-0 in Class 5A Region Three play. They followed that with a 44-6 rout of St. Clair County last … [Read more...]
An Unconventional Rabbi: Interim Rabbi at Temple Beth-El Was Called Back to the Faith
By Sarah Kuper Although he was born into a Jewish background, Barry Leff never had the desire to be a rabbi. “For some, becoming a rabbi is a lifelong dream – but it wasn’t that way for me,” Leff said. In fact, after his bar mitzvah as a young man, Leff said he didn’t enter a temple for more than two decades except for family celebrations. “To me, Judaism was an old man … [Read more...]
A Musical Life: Gloria Moody Still on a Lifelong Mission to Promote the Arts
By June MathewsEver since she can remember, music has played a pivotal role in Gloria Moody’s life. The Tuscaloosa native and Birmingham resident early on exhibited a natural flair for the piano that set her on a lifelong course of supporting and promoting the arts. As a 4-year-old, she’d sit at the keyboard and play by ear; as a 6-year-old, she started taking … [Read more...]
On the Move?: Homewood Discusses Plans to Move Homewood High, Expand Other Schools and Parks
By Mary Ellen Snell It is no secret that Homewood has grown steadily during the past 10 years, and the growth of young families with children means the city urgently needs a comprehensive plan to expand all of its schools and build a new high school, possibly in West Homewood. According to city officials, an influx of young families into the city has increased school … [Read more...]