1. Jay R. Grogan
See ad on page 7
State Farm® Agent
Providing Insurance and Financial Services The Grogan Agency
Nationwide Insurance
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
and Financial Services
Ronnie Rivera, Agent
7018 Gadsden Hwy
CHARLI COX
1270 Center Point Parkway
Suite 120
Marketing Representative
Birmingham, AL 35215-6300
Trussville, AL 35173
Center Point Location
Bus 205-854-9999
Bus 205-854-9999
charli.cox.mbv3@statefarm.com
On Your Side SM
386-3411 Paid Political Ad by Friends of Dan Weinrib, Birmingham, AL. Bruce Downs, Treasurer.
205-661-AUTO (2886)
Se Habla Español
Volume 7 • Issue 6 JUNE 2008 FREE
Fifth grader Principal gets the Help
Military
campaigns to scoop from students Heroes
ban novelty Rebuild
lighters Their
David brought a box of the Homes
BY BETTY BROWN
novelty lighters with him to
the council meeting to show
Center Point Staff Writer
just how attractive they are.
Eastern Jefferson County
Courier & Press
He also brought a petition
with him and asked those
An 11-year-old student
present to sign it.
from Gwen Elementary
What started out as a proj-
School in Hoover brought his
ect for an enrichment class at
campaign to ban novelty
his school has turned into a
lighters that look like toys to
two-year campaign to get
the Center Point council
these banned in Alabama. He
meeting on April 24.
has spoken to other city coun-
David Brooks, accompa-
cils, firefighters and other
nied by his mom, appeared at
groups, pointing out that a
the council meeting to ask the
number of states already have
council to support his efforts
banned the novelties. David
to get the toy-like lighters
asked the council to write a
banned from being sold in
letter to the state legislature
convenience stores, service Sadly many Alabamians
asking that the lighters be
stations, etc., in Alabama. have felt the loss of a soldier
banned.
The lighters, which are in their own family or know a
Councilman Raymond
made to look like guitars, family who has. Many are left
Olan made a motion that the
footballs, guns, turtles, and wondering what they can do
council writes a letter to the
other toys, could be especial- to give back in any way to
legislature in support of the
ly attractive to children and these families who are hurt-
ban. The motion was
therefore dangerous in their ing. A new outreach program
approved.
hands. that allows civilians to con-
tribute to the rebuilding of
veterans’ homes is the latest
evidence that Americans are
Gatherings behind their service people.
Families across the United
TAMMY MILLER RENDA
States are making sacrifices
in Trussville to send their loved ones over-
Principal Dianne Johnson became a human ice cream sundae on May 2
seas in defense of our coun-
as students from Cathedral Christian School in Center Point celebrated
try. Unfortunately, many of
reading over 4,000 books. As a part of the reading initiative program the
these families are struggling
to make ends meet, and
students were challenged (198 students in grades K3-8) to read 2008
understandably, home repairs
books by the end of the school year 2008.
move to the bottom of their
list.
Heroes at Home is a joint
Red Storm 2000 takes o See Heros, Page 6
2nd place in tournament
Civitan Club
Sponsors
Gatherings owned and gift to take to the event and
operated by DJ and Richelle where you could enjoy a great BBQ
Davis is the place to come for home cooked meal at a great
delicious meals and desserts, value on a daily basis. We
BY BETTY BROWN
as well as specialty gifts in felt as though the name
Center Point Staff Writer
Trussville. Gatherings had a welcoming
Eastern Jefferson County
As residents of Trussville, feel that captured what we set
Courier & Press
The Center Point Civitan
they offer a comfortable, out to do,” said Richelle.
Club will have a barbeque at
inviting, homey feeling Gatherings offers daily hot
the Civitan Park on Saturday,
restaurant. plates ranging from a home-
DJ’s passion is cooking made Turkey dinner to Steak June 7 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00
and has catered several or Chicken marinated skew- pm. or until the food runs
events. Richelle’s passion is ers. Some of the specialty
Congratulations to Red Storm 2000, an 8U travel softball team based out of Trussville
out. The event will feature
in retail, helping you find a sandwiches include a roasted
Girls Softball Association, for placing 2nd in the North Alabama “Spring Lead Off” tourna-
chicken and pork plates for
unique gift for that special veggie sandwich, carved
ment held on March 29th in Cullman, Alabama. Red Storm 2000 played all day and com-
$6 each, sandwiches for $3
occasion. In Gatherings they turkey or ham sandwiches
piled a 4-1 record against older teams in order to reach the championship game versus the
each, and slabs of ribs for
found a way to combine their and their famous French Dip.
North Alabama Explosions. The championship game could not take place due to persist-
$15. Whole butts ($30 each)
two passions into one family They also offer a full
ent rain and a power outage at the park, and Red Storm 2000 was awarded the 2nd place
can be ordered by calling
oriented business that is a breakfast menu that includes
trophy at approximately 10:00 pm that evening.
908-1137.
gathering place for everyone. such items as “the Tree
The team is coached by Head Coach Wayne Hughes and assistant coaches Rob
Come on out to the
“We both value the family Hugger”(seasoned potatoes
Heatherly, Jason Dooley, Kyle Moseley, Justin Walters, and Brad Forsythe.
Civitan Park, enjoy some
get-togethers, the celebra- with mushrooms, onions,
The team is pictured left to right: Rebecca Self, Skye Thompson, Emma Hughes, Alaina
good food, and support your
tions, and hanging out with peppers and spinach folded
Tinsley, Tate Moseley, Madison Dooley, Natalie Ritchey, Julia Forsythe, Anna Hood, Abby
Civitan Club.
friends and wanted to provide into scrambled eggs and
Swaney, Saydee Keith, and Kailey Walters.
a place that could cater these
special events, find a fun little Hewitt-Trussville High
o See Gatherings, Page 5
School student Tiffany
Erwin High School Class of Johnson checks out her
blood pressure during
1998 hosts 10 -Year Reunion the Health Fair held on
May 2. The event was
The 1998 graduates of Goodman, Krystal Hansard sponsored by the HT
Erwin High School will Hawkins, and Eve Rhea invite Wellness Committee.
reunite on June 28, for a any members of the Erwin Posters, booths and
weekend of sharing memories High School Class of 1998 demonstrations were
and rediscovering old friends. who have not yet registered to
To celebrate 10 years since contact Reunitus, Alabama’s
available with informa-
high school, classmates will complete reunion source, at
tion to encourage the
enjoy a family picnic from 877-823-4141 or visit
students to make posi-
11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at www.reunitus.com on the web
tive choices for their
Jeff State Park ( bring your for more information. health. Areas covered
own lunch ), an evening of were blood pressure,
dining and dancing at B&A Contact Melinda R. Decker body mass index,
Warehouse from 7:00 p.m. at 877.823.4141 health promotion, ill-
until 11:00 p.m. with music melinda@reunitus.com
provided by Jamie Green. 732 Montgomery Highway
ness/injury prevention,
Reunion committee chairs #231 Birmingham, AL 35216
eating disorders, drug
TAMMY MILLER RENDA
Ronni Dixon Roye, Crystal
abuse and many others.
Copyright 2007 Courier & Press, a Value Mail, Inc. Newspaper • 563-0070

2. 2 o The Courier & Press
ews
JUNE 2008
N
Father’s Day Facts
Source US Census Bureau 400,000 in 1970. Currently, among single parents living
with their children, 19 percent are men.
The idea of Father’s Day was conceived by Sonora Dodd
of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother’s Day ser- >8 percent are raising three or more children younger than
mon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, 18.
William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to >About 42 percent are divorced, 38 percent are never mar-
raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for ried, 16 percent are separated and 4 percent are widowed.
the first Father’s Day celebration — June 19, 1910, pro- (There is no significant difference between the percentages
claimed by Spokane’s mayor because it was the month of
¡
of single fathers who are divorced or never married.)
Smart’s birth.
>16 percent live in someone else’s home.
The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was
>27 percent have an annual family income of $50,000 or
issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the
more.
third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been
celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon • 85%: Among the 30.2 million fathers living with children
younger than 18, the percentage who lived with their bio-
signed the public law that made it permanent.
¡
logical children only. In addition, 11 percent lived with
• 64.3 million: Estimated number of fathers across the
stepchildren, 4 percent with adopted children and fewer
nation.
than 1 percent with foster children.
Remembering Dad
• A good place to buy dad a tie or a shirt might be one of
Child-Support Payments
8,685 men’s clothing stores around the country (as of • 31%: Percentage of custodial fathers who were due child
support. They numbered 678,000.
2005).
• Other items high on the list of Father’s Day gifts are tools • $2.4 billion: Amount of child support received by custodi-
al fathers in 2005; they were due $3.3 billion. In contrast,
such as hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers. You could
custodial mothers received $22.4 billion of the $34.7 bil-
buy some of these items for dad at one of the nation’s
lion in support that was due.
14,257 hardware stores or 5,925 home centers (as of 2005).
• 23,195: Number of sporting goods stores in 2005. These • 43%: Percentage of custodial fathers who received all child
support that was due, not significantly different from the
stores are good places to purchase traditional gifts for dad,
corresponding percentage for custodial mothers. Fathers
such as fishing rods and golf clubs.
received an average of $6,210 in child support in 2005,
• More than 74 million Americans participated in a barbecue
Strong, confident, organized, and
compared with $5,981 for mothers. (These figures are not
in the last year — it’s probably safe to assume many of statistically different from one another.) polite – our students learn more
these barbecues took place on Father’s Day.
• 36%: Percentage of custodial fathers with child support than TaeKwonDo – they train
agreements or awards.
Mr. Mom to be the leaders of tomorrow!
• 159,000: Estimated number of stay-at-home dads in 2006. • 72%: Percentage of custodial fathers receiving noncash
support, such as gifts or coverage of expenses, on behalf of
These married fathers with children younger than 15 have
their children. The corresponding proportion for mothers
remained out of the labor force for at least one year prima-
was 59 percent.
rily so they can care for the family while their wives work
outside the home. These fathers cared for 283,000 children.
6 Weeks Free Uniform
Among these stay-at-home dads, 60 percent had two or Dining with Daddy
more children, and 40 percent had an annual family income • 30%: Percentage of children younger than 6 living with included!
for just
married parents in 2003 who ate breakfast with their fathers
of $50,000 or more.
every day. The corresponding number for children living
Call for details
• 25%: Among the nation’s 11.3 million preschoolers whose
$99
with unmarried fathers was 41 percent.
mothers are employed, the percentage who are regularly 856-3400
cared for by their father during their mother’s working • 64%: Percentage of children younger than 6 living with
married parents who ate dinner with their fathers every day.
hours. This amounted to 2.9 million children.
The corresponding number for children living with unmar- ITA Affiliate
ried fathers was 66 percent.
How Many Fathers? TaeKwonDo for Adults, Juniors
• 26.5 million: Number of fathers who are part of married- & Tiger Cubs
couple families with children younger than 18 in 2006. Kind Words from Dad
>22 percent are raising three or more children younger than • 63%: Percentage of children younger than 6 living with
Gary Morse, Owner
married parents who were praised three or more times a
18 (among married-couple family households only).
2321 Center Point Parkway
day by their fathers. The corresponding number for chil-
>2 percent live in someone else’s home.
(In the for Classic Collection location)
dren living with unmarried fathers was 57 percent.
• 2.5 million: Number of single fathers in 2006, up from
(205) 856-3400

3. The Courier & Press o 3
NEWS
JUNE 2008
Filet Mignon with Compound Butter
Photo courtesy of Errico Studio
I
FAMILY FEATURES
t’s almost Father’s Day ... the
perfect time to show dad how
much he is loved by serving his
favorite steak. While all dads
are different, your dad’s person-
ality may actually determine what steak
he enjoys most. Whether he is a mild-
mannered filet mignon loving man or a
take-charge dad who always orders a
strip loin, a big juicy steak on Father’s
Day is sure to please.
Filet Mignon with Compound Butter
Serves 4
4 (8-ounce) Omaha Steaks filet mignons
Blackened Rib Eye Steak
2 tablespoons canola oil
Blackened Rib Eye Steak With
Salt and pepper
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
1. Rub steaks on all sides with oil and season
with salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4
2. Grill over direct medium-high heat for about
4 (10- to 14-ounce) Omaha Steaks
5 minutes per side for medium-rare, 6 to 7 minutes
rib eye steaks
per side for medium, or to desired doneness.
1/4 cup olive oil
3. Remove steaks from grill and let rest for a few min-
8 teaspoons Blackening Seasoning
utes. Place a slice of compound butter on top of each
(recipe below) or Omaha Steaks
steak, allowing it to melt slightly before serving.
Blackened Seasoning
Compound Butter 1 cup Creamy Horseradish Sauce
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (recipe below) or Omaha Steaks
1 shallot, minced Creamy Horseradish Sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1. Heat a cast iron skillet until very hot, in a well ven-
tilated area.
Salt and pepper 2. Brush steaks with olive oil.
3. Coat each side of the steaks with 1 teaspoon of
1. Combine butter, shallot, parsley and lemon juice in the
blackening seasoning.
bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade.
4. Place steaks in the iron skillet, flipping steaks
2. Process to blend.
halfway through cooking. To cook a 1-inch-thick
3. Transfer mixture to a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll into a
steak medium rare, cook about 4 minutes on first
log about 1 1/2 inches thick and twist the ends to close.
side and 3 minutes on other side.
4. Refrigerate at least one hour or until firm.
5. Spoon 2 tablespoons of Creamy Horseradish Sauce
5. Remove from the refrigerator and slice into
on each plate before topping with the cooked steak.
1/2-inch coins when the steaks go on the grill.
Blackening Seasoning
Which steak are you?
Mustard-Glazed Top Sirloin
Mustard-Glazed Top Sirloin
Photo courtesy of Errico Studio
Yields 1 cup
3 tablespoons sea salt or kosher salt
Serves 4
1/4 cup paprika
4 (8-ounce) Omaha Steaks top sirloins
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon dry oregano
2 tablespoons dry sherry The Omaha Steaks Product Development Team recently conducted an
1 tablespoon thyme
2 tablespoons dijon mustard informal survey of customers to determine if there
1 tablespoon fennel seed
Juice of 1 lime was any connection between the personality traits of individual con-
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme sumers and the types of steaks they prefer. The survey findings indicate
1 tablespoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt that preferences in favorite steaks are directly linked to a well-defined
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
group of common personality characteristics. Those who prefer ...
1 tablespoon onion powder
Filet Mignons are mild-mannered, tender-hearted, meticulous and
1. Preheat and oil the grill. Bring steaks to room temper-
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
enjoy simple elegance.
ature.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Ribeyes are even-tempered, strive for balance in life and have laid-
2. Place soy sauce, sherry, mustard, lime juice, thyme,
back attitudes with a bit of a maverick spirit.
garlic salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk Yields 1 cup
Strip Loins are passionate and somewhat indulgent, with strong
1/2 cup mayonnaise
together.
1/4 cup sour cream
3. Brush steaks on both sides with the glaze. Grill over personalities and take-charge attitudes.
Top Sirloins are mainstream with down-to-earth attitudes and a 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
direct medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Turn steaks
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
over, brush again with the glaze, and grill for 4 min- “what you see is what you get” philosophy of life.
1 tablespoon green onions, finely minced
utes longer for medium-rare, 5 to 6 minutes for medi-
For more information and great grilling tips, call 1-800-960-8400, log
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
um, or to desired doneness. Remove from grill and let
on to www.omahasteaks.com or check out Omaha
rest a few minutes before serving.
Steaks’ new Great American Grilling Book, available nationwide. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

4. 4 o The Courier & Press NEWS JUNE 2008
What to Do with all Those Amateur Wedding Photos
It’s June and that means what to do with all those pic- your loved ones but other “There’s a huge demand
brides and lots of them. From tures,” says Donna Burt of Internet users who may share for wedding-related images,”
the Botanical Gardens, PhotosYourWay.com, a new your interest? says Burt. “That adorable
Wedding Chapels and church- social networking and photo- * Comparison shop on photo of your father dancing
es throughout the Birmingham sharing Web site. “They hold prices for prints and other with your niece may warm
area cameras will be flashing on to them, but often not in a products, such as photo books, your heart, but it could also
not just from professionals but manner that allows the couple canvas prints, mugs, T-shirts make you some money if
guest as well. or their loved ones to enjoy and other memorabilia. Be someone wants to buy or rent
Placing disposable cameras these precious memories.” aware of shipping charges, it for use in their marketing
on reception tables has A growing number of smart which can amount to more materials.”
become a modern American brides are turning to photo- than the cost of the prints or To make money from your
wedding tradition. The cam- sharing Web sites to preserve, products themselves. wedding photos, simply desig-
eras make guests feel involved organize and share amateur * Does the site allow those nate them for public viewing –
because they are helping to images from their weddings, you share the photos with to and available for rent – during
create a photo record of the and to create keepsakes like download the images and print the upload process. The
most important day of your photo books and memorabilia. them on their own? Or will images will be funneled
make their money from prints those images in a variety of
life. Sometimes the pictures Most sites allow you to easily they be required to purchase through PhotosYourWay’s sis-
and products. A handful also ways, such as by who took the
they capture are among the upload your images and make prints through the Web site? ter site, ImagesYourWay.com,
make a small percentage when pictures (Photos by Uncle
most heart-warming, moving them available online for PhotosYourWay.com will where clients who need a
you sell an image – through Joe), subject matter (Who
images from your wedding viewing by others. Other allow you or any of your fam- steady stream of fresh, quality
their site – to a third party like Danced with the Bride) or
day. options such as organizing and ily and friends to download images will have the chance to
an advertising agency or chronology (Pre-wedding
But what do you do with sharing vary considerably the photos themselves and view and rent them. You will
online content publisher.” Prep, Walking Down the Aisle
those hundreds of pictures from site to site. print them on their own or pocket 60 percent of the rental
* You’ll potentially be or Post-Reception Partying).
once the honeymoon is over Here’s what you should wherever they choose. price for your photo – as much
uploading hundreds of wed- * Consider how the site
and the developing done? Will know about photo-sharing * Does the site offer you the as $180 in some cases.
ding images, so look for large allows you to share images.
you let them languish – disor- Web sites before you choose opportunity to sell your images To learn more about organ-
storage capacity. For example, Can you send e-mails inviting
ganized and unseen – in a one to host your precious wed- online to third parties, like izing and sharing your wed-
PhotosYourWay.com provides friends and family to visit and
shoebox or drawer? And what ding day images: advertising or public relations ding photos, visit www.Photos
7 GB of free storage, enough view your images? Can you
about the dozens of pictures * There should be no agencies, online publishers and YourWay.com.
to upload and store thousands designate your images “pri-
guests will take with their own charge for uploading, storing others who need stock photog-
of photos. vate” or “public” at the time of Courtesy of ARAcontent
digital cameras or cell phones or sharing your images. “If a raphy? PhotosYourWay.com is
* Look for a site that offers upload? Does the site allow
to e-mail to you later? site wants to charge you for one of the only sites that offer
the greatest flexibility for you to launch your own “com-
“The sad truth is many these basic services, look else- users the chance to make
organizing images. Seek a site munity,” where your pictures
newlyweds simply don’t know where,” Burt advises. “Sites money from their images.
that will allow you to organize can be viewed by not only
Fun Family Gardening Activities
learn about growing plants in a Run a string from the contain- basketball cut in half, old
fun and engaging way. Plus, it ers to the bottom of an over- shoe, or old hat. Kids will get
will be a special time together hang, ceiling, or beam about 6 a kick out of plants growing in
outdoors, exploring the land, feet away. Then get ready, weird places, and you can
food, and flowers. plant your seeds, and go! teach them about what it takes
But what if you don’t know Water and fertilize each con- to keep container plants
where to start in the garden? tainer the same and have your healthy.
What should you do with your kids mark intervals along the
kids so they won’t be bored, string to see who’s winning For more information on
but you won’t be in over your after the first quarter, halftime, gardening with kids, sign up
head? Here are some simple and 3rd quarter. The winner for the Kids Garden News e-
activities that will inspire your gets a prize -- free pole beans mail newsletter at:
kids and keep them interested and peas to eat! http://www.kidsgardening.co
in the natural world. m/2007.kids.garden.news/cur-
Make a Plant Car Wash
(Family Features)
rent.html.
Hold a Vine Race
Gardening is a great way Kids love water and they
COURTESY OF FAMILY FEATURES
for kids to get exercise, spend Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally
Kids love races. Remember really love squirting things
time outdoors, and learn about recognized garden writer, book
frog-jumping races when you and each other with it. Here’s a
Family gardening.
kids set up an assembly line of plastic pots, let your kids
the environment, food, and author, speaker and radio and tel-
were a kid? Why not hold a way to teach kids about safe container plants to spray. choose fun and funky contain-
wildlife. However, many kids evision personality, has appeared
plant race to see what vine insect control while having a Teach them how to identify ers to grow plants in. All you
grow up today without the on HGTV, PBS and Discovery
reaches the finish line first. little fun, too. Make a natural- bad bugs and spray the leaves need is containers that are big
benefit of having a gardening Channel television networks. He
Fill some large containers with ly safe insect spray by dissolv- effectively. enough and sturdy enough to
or farming background and is the senior horticulturist and
soil and let your child choose ing 3 tablespoons of soap hold soil and a plant, plus they
access to free play outdoors. spokesperson for the National
Create Funky Plant
some kid-friendly vining flakes or liquid soap in a gal- need to have some water
They often don’t know what to Gardening Association
Containers
plants such as pole beans, lon of water. Use a non-deter- drainage holes. Some cool
do in a garden. That’s where (www.garden.org) and Chief
‘Sugar Snap’ peas, climbing gent product such as Murphy’s It’s said that plants can container ideas are an old toy
parents and grandparents Gardening Officer for the Hilton
nasturtiums, and black-eyed Oil soap. Add the mixture to a grow just about anywhere. (such as a large dump truck), a
come in. Adults can help kids Garden Inn.
Susan vines (Thunbergia). plastic spray bottle. Let the Instead of the standard clay or wagon, empty food container,