Monday, July 30, 2012

Troop 20136 Gives Back


Troop 20136 gave back to the Girl Scout community by using part of their cookie money to purchase new items for Camp Cottaquilla. With help from troop leader Valerie Jones and assistant leaders Shavonne Rowe and Kayla Woods, members Alexia, Justice, Anna, Kristyn and Sabrina were able to donate a DVD player, TV and nature movies for girls to use in the camp’s Nature Nook.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Jamika Kirk

Jamika Kirk is an Alumni Affairs Specialist at UAB College of Arts and Sciences.

Jamika serves as Immediate Past President of the YWCA Junior Board and Chair for the Junior League of Birmingham The Market fundraiser. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of UAB Minority Health Research Center Young Professional and Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama.

Recently, Jamika along with four other community volunteers started a local affiliate chapter of the national Young Non-profit Professional Network to enhance the development and training of the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the Birmingham area.

Ms. Kirk has been recognized by Birmingham Magazine as one of Birmingham’s Young Professional Movers and Shakers and YP award by B Metro magazine. She received the Omicron Omega Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Young Professional Legacy of Leadership honoree award.

Jamika Kirk received a B.S. in Communication Studies from the University of Montevallo, and is currently enrolled in graduate school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: André Natta

A Bronx, NY native, André studied architectural history and architecture at The Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. He received his Certification in Main Street™ Management in 2008 and has previously worked for the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority in Georgia and Main Street Birmingham in Alabama.

André serves as the publisher and managing editor of The Terminal, bhamterminal.com, a critically acclaimed community news site about Alabama's Magic City and writes a monthly column on social media and how it’s impacting the future of Birmingham, AL for B-Metro Magazine called The Digital City. He also works as a digital communications consultant having served clients both locally and nationally.

He stays active in his free time serving on several local boards and agencies including the Jefferson County Historical Commission (as its treasurer) in addition to seeing out baseball games whenever possible. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Crystal Holmes

Crystal is currently a shareholder in the law firm of Sirote & Permutt, P.C. where she has worked for almost eight years. Her law practice focuses on commercial transactions, including financing, leases, and commercial property purchases and sales. Crystal’s law practice also includes representing various parties in public financing transactions. She is currently the Vice President, Secretary and Delegate for BirminghamCREW, a local chapter of the national organization, CREW Network, whose focus is to help promote the careers of women involved in commercial real estate. She has volunteered for fundraisers for the YMCA and has served on the Junior Board of Prescott House.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Jim Cavale

A native of Syracuse, NY, Jim Cavale is the Vice President for Operations for Iron Tribe Fitness in Birmingham. Prior to joining Iron Tribe in 2010, Cavale started J.Anthony Productions, after graduating from the University of Montevallo in 2005.

In addition to creating NextSpex.com, a free website for high school student athletes to build their recruitment profiles, Jim is involved with Neverthirst. This non-profit, created by Iron Tribe's CEO & Founder, Forrest Walden, helps to provide clean drinking water in India, Central African Republic and Nepal. In 2013, Jim will participate in a well building project in India in memory of his mother. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Trey Cummings

Trey Cummings has quietly become one of the best real estate professionals in Birmingham. He tirelessly leads three different companies as well as consults others. As the Managing Member and Owner of Crown Acquisition, LLC, Trey assists private real estate investment companies to purchase real estate then renovate and sell the properties for profit. Trey has assisted in over 120 of these type transactions since 2005. Trey's duties include the acquisition, budgeting and management of renovations, and coordination of selling the properties. Trey holds an Alabama Real Estate Broker’s License and is an Associate Broker with Bentley Realty Group, Inc. As a real estate agent, Trey has sold over 60 properties totaling almost $9 million since 2006.

In 2009 and 2010 Trey helped create two rental holding companies and manages over 20 rental properties. Each property positively cash flows and has built-in equity.

In addition, Trey serves as Vice President on the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) National Alumni Society Board of Directors and as President-Elect for the Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons Board of Directors. As a member of the Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons Board of Directors, Trey has helped raise funds for kids programs at ArtPlay through the group’s annual event “College Rewind." Trey was recently Chair of the 2012 “College Rewind” event which raised over $22,000 for ArtPlay.

Trey enjoys playing golf, running, cycling, boating and reading. Trey’s favorite past time is spending time and vacationing with his wife Mary and daughters Kinsley and Marian.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Wendy Garner

Wendy Garner is the host of Daytime Alabama on Alabama’s 13. Before coming to this role she was the morning and midday news anchor at Alabama’s 13.

She also hosted the morning show on 93.7 WDJC, and produced and hosted a statewide show for Alabama Public Television called, “Profiles with Wendy Garner." Before coming to Birmingham she anchored and reported the news for stations in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.

Wendy has been involved in many charities in the community. That commitment to service earned her recognition as one of the “Top Ten Birminghamians” by the Birmingham Jaycees. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Bell Center. She also recently served on the Advisory Council for Auburn University’s College of Liberal Arts, and was a board member for the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club. 

Wendy is an active member of her church, Meadow Brook Baptist. She is married to her college sweetheart, Tim Garner. They have two sons, Cole and Reece ages 11 and 9 and their second home is at the ballpark!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree

Friday, July 20, 2012

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Carlin Everts

Carlin Everts is a native of Birmingham, Ala. and works full-time as a territory manager and sales representative, covering the state of Alabama and Mississippi, for The Simblist Group, a multi-line wholesale company based in Atlanta. She is a certified Body Pump and CX Worx instructor, teaching group fitness classes several times a week at local gyms. Carlin is a member of Church of the Highlands where she serves on the Dream Team and Events Committee and recently accepted a placement on Birmingham Fashion Week's Junior Board. Carlin is married to Josh Everts of Iowa and the two will be opening their own Oral Surgery practice on August 1. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Jon Macklem

Jon Macklem, a native of Mobile, Ala., is an attorney with the law firm of Christian Small, LLP. He is a two time graduate of the University of Alabama, earning bachelor degrees in History and Political Science, as well as his law degree in 2005. As an undergraduate, Jon served as the student government association President in 2001-2002. In his law practice, Jon primarily focuses on providing businesses legal advice on a wide range of operational issues, as well as defending businesses in commercial and employment litigation. Jon is an active member of the Birmingham Rotaract Club and the Young Lawyer’s of Birmingham executive committee. Jon is engaged to Elizabeth Baker who works is a speech pathologist at Children’s Hospital. The couple is getting married in August. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Natasha Rogers

Natasha Rogers is a native of Selma, Alabama and is the Special Events Coordinator for Railroad Park. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Miles College in May of 2002.

Ms. Rogers began her career in Journalism working with Weekend Today and Dateline NBC as part of the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York, NY. After her time in the Big Apple, Natasha returned to Birmingham and began working as a production assistant/associate producer for the local NBC affiliate, WVTM. Ms. Rogers then relocated again, this time to Monroe, LA. where she worked as a General Assignment Reporter for the local CBS affiliate KNOE. From there, she returned to Birmingham and began working for her alma mater as the Assistant Director of Media Relations.

In Natasha’s spare time she serves as a freelance writer for the Birmingham Times Newspaper and teaches an elective course called, “What’s In The News?” for the Federal TRIO Program Upward Bound. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Public Relations Society of America and the Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons Board. Ms. Rogers is also a 2011 class member of Leadership UAB. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Elizabeth Boldin

Elizabeth Boldin is an Account Executive with Luckie & Company where she works in account management for Regions Bank. Prior to joining Luckie in 2011, she managed consumer events for magazine publisher Hoffman Media and planned corporate, political and non-profit events for a leading special events company in Boston. Elizabeth graduated Cum Laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and was able to include a semester studying abroad at the University of Grenoble in France.

Elizabeth has been recognized as a B-Metro Style Icon and one of Birmingham Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. In addition to volunteering at Birmingham’s Ronald McDonald House, she has also served on the Host Committee for Shake Rattle & Roll benefiting the Parkinson Association of Alabama. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Publix Super Markets Charities Invest in a Generation

GSNCA CEO Trish Coghlan and Publix District Manager
Mike Shannon
Publix Super Markets Charities donated $10,000 to the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) to support GSNCA’s expanded programs, including the Forever Green initiative.

“By investing in GSNCA, Publix Super Markets Charities is doing more than investing in a cause or a cure,” says GSNCA CEO Trish Coghlan. “They are committing to a generation.”

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Mayor Presents Troop 20244 with 100th Anniversary Proclamation

Heflin Mayor Anna Berry presented members of troop 20244 in Cleburne County a proclamation acknowledging 100 years of Girl Scouting. The troop received the proclamation during their award and bridging ceremony at Heflin Baptist Church. The proclamation recognizes the success and influence Girl Scouting has had on the world, and declares 2012 as the “Year of the Girl”.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Troop 163 Helps Jessie's Place

Troop 163 members Anna, Harley and Adalie from Paine Intermediate School recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award by collecting and donating books and stuffed animals to Jessie’s Place. They also donated school supplies. The girls had fun reading and spending time with the kids and enjoyed working with the organization for the past two years.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Troop 30007 Earns Girl Scout Bronze Award

Emma, Savanna and Raven of Troop 30007 and Bluff Park Elementary School recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award for collecting items for the Birmingham Christian Mission Center (BCMC). The girls placed donation boxes in the school’s lobby and carried the items to the BCMC several times. On their visits to the BCMC, the girls were able to help sort all of the donations for tornado victims.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout
Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Troop 20260 Earns Bronze Award

Gracie, Mallory and Namiya of Troop 20260 and students at Handley Middle School earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award for several community service projects in Randolph County. The girls worked in a soup kitchen, created a vegetable garden, collected items for the local food banks and items for families in need, made cards for the nursing home and even did some Christmas caroling. The girls learned that there are people in the community that are less fortunate than them, and they are more appreciative of their own lives.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a  Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Tom Clark, Bo Pugh Win GSNCA Fishing Tournament

The annual Bill Ireland Invitational Fishing Tournament was held June 22-23 on Lake Alice at Kanawahala Program Center (KPC) in Chelsea, Ala. Proceeds benefitted the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

The tournament kicked-off Friday, June 22 with a Captain’s Party. The Captain’s Party included venison sausage appetizers and beverages with a silent auction. The Cajun Connection cooking team provided dinner which included fried catfish, smoked pork, shrimp etouffee, hush puppies and a salad. Magic Muffins provided two gorgeous cakes for dessert.

On Saturday, Tom Clark and Bo Pugh took home the first place trophy for 22.46 lbs. of bass. Coming in second was Chuck and Casey Graham with 20.63 lbs. of bass. Coming in at a close third was Henley Smith and John Hudson of O’Neal Steel with 20.46 lbs. of bass.

Jamie White of Brasfield and Gorrie won the largest bass, weighing in at 7.10 lbs. Bo Adams of AlaCOMP caught the most fish, with 43 bass. Chuck Graham caught 7.6 lbs. of stripe and Sam Farlow caught 3.5 lbs. of catfish.

The fishing tournament started in 2004, and was re-named in 2010 in honor of a wonderful Girl Scout supporter, Bill Ireland Sr. This year’s event is being chaired by Gabe Hulbert. Other committee members include Tom Clark, Caroline Clayton, Phyllis Davis, Marjorie Davis-Trimm, April Deal, Joel Goldstein, Chuck Graham, Bill Granberry, Bill Satterfield and Alice Williams. Largemouth sponsors included AlaCOMP, Alabama Power and Southland Tube, Inc.

Troop 1010 Proves Girl Scouts Do More Than Sell Cookies

Troop 1010 members Abigail, Lauren and Adrian, homeschooled; Madison of Fultondale Elementary School; Sarah of Bragg Middle School; Sarah and Alyson of Mt. Olive Elementary School; Jennica, Bethani, Lauren and Alexandra of Tabernacle Christian; Kailey of Bryon Elementrary School, Jayla of Gardendale Elementary; and Shae of North Jefferson Middle School recently earned their Bronze Award. The troop wrote a skit to challenge the stereotype that Girl Scouts only sell cookies. The girls made posters and brochures and wrote songs to present at eight cookie booths. The girls generated awareness about what Girl Scouts really do and how they should be known in the community.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout
Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Troop 291 Earns Girl Scout Bronze Award

Troop 291 members Lauren, Sydney, Katelynne, Kourtney, Ashleigh, Caroline and Elena of Vestavia Hills Elementary Central recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award. For their project, the girls put their cooking and childcare skills to work by hosting a BBQ and carnival for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. They also used their math skills to calculate how much food they needed to buy for 40 people. Not only did the girls provide some relief for the families, but they also improved their own leadership skills.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Troop 419 Beautifies Community from the Ground Up

Troop 419 members Cameron, Grace, Claire, Kathryn, Elizabeth, Lydia, Jane Margaret, Emily, Sydney, Grace and Morgan of Vestavia Hills Elementary Central recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award for their project Beautifying My Community from the Ground Up. The troop cleared three areas at their school to plant new gardens. They also made pottery for autistic residents at Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Arry Earns Silver Award

Arry, an eighth grader at Hackleburg Middle School and a member of Troop 148, recently earned her Girl Scout Silver Award for her project Animal Disaster Preparedness. After her horse was injured in the tornadoes almost a year ago, Arry wanted to make sure her community knew how to prepare their pets for future natural disasters. Arry created helpful brochures and flyers to pass out in her town and volunteered with the Humane Society to care for some of the displaced animals.


The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.