Volume 2 | Issue 9 | January 2015
New hall for the Hills Vestavia Hills is filled with hardworking women. In this issue, read about the area’s female business owners and the services they provide.
See page B1
Year in preview
See what’s in store for Vestavia Hills in 2015, including a new southern gateway and a Cahaba Heights park.
See page A14
An epic journey
(above) The new City Hall, located at 1105 Mayland Lane, will have more than 50,000 square feet of space and is planned to open in September 2015. Rendering courtesy of the City of Vestavia Hills. (right) Construction workers create the steel frame for the new City Hall. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
By SYDNEY CROMWELL
This past fall, local resident Donna Arrington completed the Pinhoti 100, a 100-mile trail run. Read about her experience inside this issue.
See page A16
INSIDE Sponsors..............A4 City .........................A5 Business ................A8 Food ......................A11
Chamber ..............A12 School House........B11 Sports ...................B13 Calendar ...............B17
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The city of Vestavia Hills is touting itself as “a life above,” and it’s starting with the new City all. hen finished, the building’s elevation will give its offices commanding views of the growing city around it and Double Oak Mountain in the distance.
Construction on the municipal complex is proceeding right on schedule, City Manager eff Downes said. Steel beams, roofing and some of the walls have appeared at the City Hall, and the neighboring police department building’s progress is not far behind. Downes said the city is expecting to move into the new complex at 1105 Mayland L ane in September
2015.
The city will have more than 50,0 square feet to create larger meeting rooms, update holding cells and reorganiz e department offices. Downes said the city’s computers and servers, currently located in the basement, will
See CONSTRUCTION | page A22
Wheeling forward Vestavia nonprofit gives custom bikes to children with disabilities By KATIE TURPEN Chad Downes had never ridden a bicycle when he moved to Vestavia Hills in 2013. However, within two weeks, Dave Upton of Birmingham
AMBUCS gave his dad, City Manager Jeff Downes, a call. “Chad now gets to ride his bicycle around the L iberty Park area and really enjoys it,” Jeff said of his oldest son.
See BIKES | page A23
Birmingham AMBUCS Executive Director Katie Troncale helps Marie Bateh adjust a bike for daughter Suki. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
A2• January 2015
Vestavia Voice
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Vestavia Voice
A4 • January 2015
About Us Photo of the Month
Please Support our Sponsors A Little Something (B2, B16) Adventure Travel (B18) Alabama Power (A3) ARC Realty (A6) At Home Furnishings (A13) BAM Sports Grill (B12) Whos from Whoville, the Grinch, Santa and Mrs. Claus, scouts and more processed through Liberty Park for its annual Christmas Parade in December. Following the parade, a Christmas Celebration featured children’s activities refreshments, live entertainment, pictures with Santa and more. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to
katie@starnespublishing.com
Barganier & LeCroy Dentistry (A21) Batts’ Chimney Services (B10) Bedzzz Express (B20) Birmingham Bake & Cook Co. (B2) Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club (B14) Birmingham Physical Therapy (B2) Bistro V (B4, B16) Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (B3) Collage (B4) Conour Insurance Inc. (B8, B14) Construx (A17, B4) Cummings Jewelry Design (B3) Donatos (A20) ENT for Kids Alabama (B12) Eye Do (B6) Eye See Optical (B17) Fancy Goods Variety (B6, B17) Fred Smith Group (A20)
Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden As cliché d as the N ew from its sleeve holder in Y ear’s resolution has become, my wallet. I still like the tradition. E ven on the days when I like the clean slate, I discover the forgotten, unblemished by the behavonce fresh ingredients in iors we’ve earnestly tried to my vegetable crisper, the leave in the year we just bid ones for that wholesome, farewell. unprocessed meal I was Funny thing, though. Darn going to make from that if it isn’t even February cool recipe I found online? before I’ve managed to mar Y eah, even when I find that they’ve long since up that clean slate something Walden awful. surpassed their expiration Mercifully, my thirties have taught me date, and we instead gather around the to embrace the essence of daily do overs. table for our usual delicious, if not espeE ven a badly botched resolution attempt cially lean or original meal. E ven then, all resolution-related hope can be made right by another sunrise. Say, for example, if I let a colorful rant is not lost. part my lips amidst horrid traffic, even The very idea of perpetually improvafter promising to stick with G-rated ing, the notion of admitting I am a work frustrated phrase substitutes like “That in progress, and that I always will be, jack wagon! ” of setting what is hopefully a realistic, Or if I keep auto-drafting monthly attainable goal, and trying my level best membership fees to L ifetime Fitness, to pursue it, that’s what buoys me against while the accompanying membership the inevitable blows that are also a part card sits untouched, judging my laz y, of each new year. well-intentioned self with contempt For me, 2 0 15 is no different. The
Granite Transformations (A21)
window dressing may differ slightly (driving patience, regular workouts and less processed meals are perennial faves), but the end game will remain the same: I want to be better, to feel better, to do better. Specifically, in 2015 I resolve to Always replace the toilet paper roll (better wife! ) RSVP each time it is requested (better friend! ) Wake up when my alarm clock dings the first time better mom But seriously y’all, 5 :4 5 a.m.? The struggle is real.) Add to it no longer printing out coupons I know I’ll never use, and putting the empty Capri Sun boxes in the outdoor recycling bin and not the kitchen trash out of sheer convenience, and 2015 can bring it. Do overs, here we go. Happy N ew Y ear!
Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (A11, B14) Homewood Toy & Hobby (A22) Hoover Title Mart (A22) In Shape MD Wellnes Clinic (A5) Issis & Sons (A23) Kids Meds Pharmacy (A7) Klinglers Cafe & Catering (A7, B1) Learning Express (B8) Levy’s Fine Jewelry (A1) LIST Birmingham (A5) Monograms Plus (B9) Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware (A14) Morningside at Riverchase (A8) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (A9) On Time Service (A12) Pappas’ Grill (A19) Pearly White Dentistry (B11) Planet Fitness (B13) RealtySouth - Jana Hanna (B3) RealtySouth Marketing (A7) Remax Southern Homes - Becky Hicks (A12) Rocky Ridge Learning Center (A11, B6) Royal Automotive (A24) Sarver Orthodontics (A19) Serendipity Sweets (A23) Stephanie Steinmetz DDS (B7) Sweat and Gears (B11)
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Tangles Hair Salon (B9) The Blue Willow (B2) The clothes Tree (A15) The Cook Store (A23) The Maids (A9) The Ridge Eat & Drink (A15) The UPS Store - Cahaba Heights (A10) Therapy South Vestavia (A16) Uptown Nail Spa (A10, B4) Urban Home Market (A2) Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce (A5) Vestavia Hills Lutheran Church (A19) Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (B15) Vestavia Sunoco and Tire Express (B18) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A13, B7, B15) Water Drainage Solutions (A9) Weigh To Wellness (A18, B6) Wolf Camera (A1) YMCA of Greater Birmingham (B19)
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A5
A6 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
City Mayor’s Minute
By Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza On behalf of the city council, we want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous N ew Y ear. The city council got together at the beginning of 2014 and put together a strategic plan for this past year. In that initiative, we looked at several areas: redevelopment and infrastructure, community recreation, our positive financial situation and governing through electronics. In the redevelopment and infrastructure area, we identified the need for a community-based city hall, to create a village atmosphere at Patchwork Farms and to rebrand the identity of the city, all of which are goals where we’ve seen substantial progress made. In addition, we wanted to complete some right-of-way projects along ighway 31, and we identified the need to increase staff capacity in our engineering department, which we’ve done. With regard to community recreation, we wanted to do a comprehensive feasibility study of Wald Park to see what we could do there to improve the overall site; that research study is still in the works. We also wanted to do a citiz en survey this past year to gain insight into residents’ views about the operation of the city and also our parks and rec department; this is also underway. I’m pleased to report that we’ve hit the goals we identified to maintain our positive financial situation. Specifically
we wanted to maintain our competitive financial rating and our 90 -day reserve. We also wanted to set and work toward sales tax targets to cover growth expenses related to the new city hall. Further, we wanted to review our financial policies with our financial advisory board on a regular basis and we’ve seen that through. In addition, we’ve actualiz ed our goal of regularly communicating the financial status of the city through our C o mmunity N ew s and also our website. ur final area, governing through electronics, included a major initiative to update the website, which is being completed by Tatum Design. We’ve also implemented a complaint management system, which put into place our Action Center where residents can go in and report on issues of concern from their immediate subdivision or community. In January, we will be revisiting our strategic plan and putting together our priorities for 2015. Happy N ew Y ear! Y our Mayor, Alberto C. “Butch” Z aragoz a
City awarded grant for future Cahaba Heights park By KAT IE T U R P E N Cahaba Heights residents can look forward to a new park by summer 2015. City Manager Jeff Downes announced at a December city council meeting that the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has awarded $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 for amenities at the planned new park located in Cahaba Heights. The park will be located near Meadowlawn Drive and Dolly Ridge Road. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham for its support. This is another important piece of the puz z le to provide a park for the residents of Cahaba Heights,” Mayor Butch Z aragoz a said. The Community Foundation support will be used to purchase and install park amenities. Improvements may include items such as a crushed stone trail, benches, a pavilion, and entrance landscaping and signage. The Cawaco Resource, Conservation, and Development Council made an award earlier this year for the design of the trail within the green space, which will be a restored wetland converted from four existing residential properties. The city will be able to purchase these properties through the assistance of a partially forgivable Clean ater State evolving Fund loan from the Alabama Department of E nvironmental Management. Design of the wetland began in October 2 0 14 , and construction should begin in the spring. The park is targeted to open in the summer. Prior to the council meeting, the city held a town hall meeting and planning charette for Cahaba Heights, particularly the area surrounding Pump House Road, Cahaba Heights Road and Dolly Ridge Road. During this time, residents pointed out local
City Manager Jeff Downes speaks to residents at a town hall meeting. Photo by Madison Miller.
merchants, a sense of community, diversity and other aspects they like about the community. They expressed concerns with road safety, flooding issues and city infrastructure and said there was a need for sidewalks, bike lanes and a small-scale library in the area. The city presented their findings at a public meeting, which included a rendering of future opportunities in Cahaba Heights. Developments include proposed Cahaba Heights Methodist Church redevelopment and a proposed civic center that would include a civic building and civic green. Connectivity, a longtime concern of local residents, was also addressed in the presentation. Opportunities include extending Pipe ine Trail to The Summit and creating pedestrian connections to retail on Crosshaven Drive and Green Valley Road.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A7
Help the Hills to host town hall meeting The Truth and Consequences of Drug and Alcohol Use
It takes far more than a mathematical equation to determine your home’s worth.
IT TAKES A LOCAL EXPERT.
Town Hall Meeting Monday, Jan. 5, 6 p.m. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
VHHS graduate Brad Blount spoke at the rst el the ills to n hall meeting in ugust . Photo by Katie Turpen.
By KAT IE T U R P E N There are numerous questions regarding the role of the school, law enforcement and the courts when it comes to enforcing and disciplining youth in regards to the use of drugs and alcohol. On Jan. 5, L eadership Vestavia Hills will host a panel discussion at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church with leaders from the board of education, the police department, and the Jefferson County Drug Court. Panel members include Judge Shanta Owens and Vestavia Hills Superintendent Sheila Phillips.
Panel members will spend 2 0 minutes each discussing the role of their respective organiz ations, including the policies and procedures related to drug and alcohol use by minors. At the end of the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions. Help the Hills was formed in an effort to foster open dialogue with parents, educators and community leaders. Parents are the first line of defense in educating young people, and Help the Hills hopes to provide information, tips and strategies to help parents have those necessary conversations.
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A8• January 2015
Vestavia Voice
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January 2015 • A9 Banking veteran Paul Rogers will lead their Birmingham market. n ob l e b an k .c om .
Now Open Am e r i c an E s ot e r i c L ab or at or i e s has opened a new location in the Vestavia City Center at 672 M ontgomery Highway, Suite 670. AE L provides laboratory services for healthcare providers. ae l .c om .
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C ja u n S e af od H ou s e , 2531 R ocky Ridge Road, Suite 107, i s now open. The restaurant offers a wide menu of Cajuninfluenced dishes. 8237395.
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S h e r r i l l Or t h op e d i c s S p or t s & H an d C e n t e r , 20 Montgomery Highway, is now open. 824357. s h e r r i l l or t h op e d i c s .c om .
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C ha ab a H e i gh t s P e d i at r i c De n t i s t r y, 4213 D olly Ridge Road, is now open. The practice is owned by Dr. Andrew Richardson and is accepting patients from 6 m onths to 18 ye ars. 4906850. c ah ab ah e i gh t s p e d i at r i c d e n t i s t r y. c om .
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Nob l e Ban k & T r u s t , an Annistonbased bank, will open its first Birmingham-area location at The Summit in the former First Commercial Bank branch building at 361 S ummit Blvd., Suite 100.
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M u d t ow n E at & Dr i n k , 314 G reen Valley Road, is now serving breakfast on Saturdays from 7-11 a.m. They also serve brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m . 96730. m u d t ow n al ab am a.c om .
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Anniversaries P e ar l y Wh i t e De n t i s t r y, 3145 G reen Valley Road, Suite 101, i s celebrating its third anniversary in January. 970729. b l ac k w e l l d m d .c om .
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A10 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Business Spotlight
Norris Orthodontics
Read past Business Spotlights at VestaviaVoice.com
Tyson Dr
Kentucky Ave
31
By R E BE C C A W AL DE N Whether he was stationed in Taiwan, perfecting his Mandarin speaking skills, or working with the youth program at his home church, The Church of Jesus Christ of L atter-day Saints, Don N orris has always felt the call to serve others. “I’ve always enjoyed making people happy and seeing them smile,” said N orris. While completing his orthodontics residency at the UAB School of Dentistry, N orris began working with Dr. Clark Browne. Toward the final year of his residency, Browne sold his practice to N orris, a lifelong Vestavia resident. The practice is located at 70 1 Montgomery Highway, Suite 2 0 1. N orris retained all of Dr. Browne’s staff, including three trained dental assistants and one licensed hygienist. “They are welcoming and wonderful in every way,” said N orris. “I cannot do what I do without them.” N orris treats all ages, using the latest ortho technology and monitoring growth and development. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that everyone see an orthodontist by age seven. “That is really young, but the purpose is to screen for any problems, such as a cross-bite, that may need to be addressed earlier,” he said. “We also monitor eruption of teeth to make sure
Ashley Campbell, Susie Davis, Mindi Norris, Dr. Don Norris and Nicole Richardson pictured with the three Norris children: Kaitlin, Marci and Corinne. Photo courtesy of Don Norris.
none are growing in the wrong direction.” N orris has already taken great care to further the practice’s reputation as welcoming and
701 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 201 978-1500 Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. norrisortho.com
approachable. “My vision for the practice is that everyone who comes in feels happy to be there,” said
N orris. “We serve our patients and community with respect and love, welcoming everyone we meet as friends and family. Through exceptional and innovative orthodontic care, we enable those we serve to enjoy the confidence of a beautiful smile.” This has included N orris treating his own family, an experience he cites as especially meaningful. “There is something about giving something to someone that they have not been able to have,” he said. “I treated my dad in his 60s . He has put all his kids through braces, and he has never had them, though he needed them. N ow, it is fun to see him smile confidently and not wrinkle his lip when he smiles.” N orris is already a familiar face to many in the community. Husband to Mindi, a native of Riverside, California, and father to daughters Corinne, K aitlin and Marci, N orris is active with Partners in E ducation for Vestavia Hills City Schools, through which he hopes to introduce an oral hygiene education program. “I love Vestavia Hills,” he said. “To be able to practice here is an enormous blessing to me. I love the people I interact with on a daily basis. Just to be able to give what I have to people who aren’t able to do it for themselves is what makes me do what I do.”
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A11
Restaurant Showcase y oll
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Read past Restaurant Showcases at VestaviaVoice.com
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2518 Rocky Ridge Road 834-8263 Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Serendipity-sweets.com
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By KAT IE T U R P E N Melissa Pierce has fond memories of going to the mall to eat candy as a child. When the opportunity came to own her own ice cream and candy shop as an adult, it was just too sweet to pass up. Serendipity Sweets has been located in Rocky Ridge Plaz a for eight years. Pierce and her husband, Adam, took over ownership of the store in June 2014. Pierce was a teacher before she made the switch to sweets. “It’s just always been something that I’ve wanted to do,” she said. “We really want this place to be a friendly, neighborhood ice cream shop.” “Serendipity” is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else unrelated. The name is fitting because after stepping inside the sweet shop, customers are sure to be pleasantly surprised. A colorful mural stretches across the ceiling, and one wall of the shop is covered with clear containers showcasing a variety of fun candies. Beside the candy containers is a pink station for Pucker Powder, where children can fill tubes of candy powder of their choice. Pierce said
(above) Serendi it S eets has avors of ice cream including the o ular Su erman a mi of lemon stra berr and blue ras berr and other fun avors such as S umoni Stra berr heeseca e and ildberr ogurt. (left) Serendi it S eets o ner elissa Pierce scoo s cand from one of man containers that line the store’s alls. She and her husband dam have o ned the store since une 4. Photos by Katie Turpen.
they recently provided this candy for a local school carnival and the children thoroughly enjoyed it. The store also has 2 flavors of ice cream including the popular Superman flavor, a mix of lemon, strawberry and blue raspberry, and other fun
flavors such as Spumoni, Strawberry Cheesecake and Wildberry Y ogurt. The store’s ice cream is from Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream, which is based in Michigan. Other menu items include shaved ice, sundaes, banana splits, smoothies
and milkshakes. Pints and quarts of ice cream are offered to go, as well several types of sodas and candies. Children can even enjoy an old-fashioned lollipop. There is truly something for everyone at this neighborhood sweet shop.
Pierce’s favorite part of managing the store is planning birthday parties for children. Just give her a call and she will plan the whole party from beginning to end. The only thing parents have to provide is cake or cupcakes. Pierce will often have a special party theme and games planned for the kids. She will even take them outside to throw pennies in the fountain near the front of the store. In addition to birthday parties, the shop also offers goody bags and gift certificates for all occasions. As a family-owned business, Pierce wants the community to know she is happy to do whatever she can to help. Pierce said they enjoy being in the Rocky Ridge area and are looking forward to new businesses coming as well as the addition of sidewalks. She says all the business owners on the plaz a have been welcoming and friendly since she arrived. She also said her two small children are happy with their parents’ decision to enter the ice cream and candy business. “They love it,” she said with a smile.
A12• January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Chamber
Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza, former Vestavia Hills Mayor Dr. Charles “Scotty” McCallum and Paul DeMarco at the December Luncheon. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
estavia ills igh School’s member ust Singin’ choral ensemble serenaded the crowd with holiday tunes at the December Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
VHHS choral ensemble leads interactive holiday concert By R E BE C C A W AL DE N On Dec. 9, members and guests of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce received a special treat. Instead of the typical luncheon format featuring a keynote speaker, this month’s event was punctuated by the sounds of the season courtesy of Vestavia Hills High School’s 15 -member Just Singin’ choral ensemble. After delivering an a cappella rendition of the
“Star Spangled Banner,” the group performed “Deck the Halls” followed by a piece celebrating Hanukah. The ensemble’s eight female members sang Wham’s “L ast Christmas,” followed by Michael Buble’s “All I Want for Christmas” performed by the seven male singers. Rounding out the set were the ensemble’s renditions of Moz art’s “Fa la la la” and “The L ittle Drummer Boy.”
In another departure from typical Chamber luncheons, the December meeting caught a doz en tables by surprise when they were asked to sing and act out the “12 D ays of Christmas.” Apart from the holiday reverie, special guests included Dr. Mark Richardson, Vestavia Hills E lementary E ast principal, representatives and supporters of Partners In E ducation (PIE ), Jamie Meeks and Anne Stroz ier from the E lementary Ministries of Vestavia Hills United Methodist
Church and Pascal Caputo with the Vestavia Hills Civitan Club. In keeping with the luncheon’s festive atmosphere, Scott Perry, immediate past chair of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, also surprised chamber communications director K atie oodruff with flowers for her birthday. The next Chamber of Commerce luncheon will take place Tuesday, January 13, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m . at Vestavia Country Club.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A13
A14 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
T h i s ye a r i n Ve s t a v i a H i l l s Six thi ngs
Additional parking at the Library in the Forest
to w
atc h f or
in 2015
Construction of Sprouts location
New southern gateway
Based out of Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market has 175 locations in 10 states and offers fresh fruits and vegetables, wholesome grains, nuts and sweets, as well as a full-service deli and meat and seafood counters that offer homemade burgers and sausage. Photo courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market.
The city bought the former private residence beside the Library in the Forest, which will be used to build an additional 46 parking spaces. Construction should be completed sometime this year. Photo by Katie Turpen.
hen the private residence located at 1 21 ound ill oad directly beside the library became available, the estavia ills ibrary Foundation began working with the city to make plans to use the property. The city bought the property, which will be used to build an additional 6 parking spaces. Construction should be completed sometime this year..
In November, City Manager eff Downes announced that Sprouts Farmers Market will be opening in the space formerly occupied by uby Tuesday and Pi a ut at 1099 Montgomery ighway. Proceeds from the sale of the former library property across the street are being used for a development incentive agreement with BT ealty for a retail shopping center planned for the 3. acres of property at 1099 Montgomery ighway. Construction will begin early this year on the new Sprouts location, which will span 28,000 s uare feet and include 6,000 s uare feet of neighboring retail space. BT ealty spokesperson ennifer eyand said the 10 million project will be complete in spring 2016. The retail space will be filled with both local and large chains offering clothes, services and fast casual dining, eyand said.
This rendering shows the new southern gateway at the intersection of Interstate 65 and U.S. 31. The project is expected to be complete by this Spring. Photo courtesy of City of Vestavia Hills.
Mayor Butch Z aragoz a has stated that the city of Vestavia Hills’ current gateways such as the Sibyl Temple help make a great first impression for visitors. owever, he noted that the intersection of Interstate 65 and .S. 31 needs improvement. The city hired engineering firm oodwyn Mills Cawood to redesign the space. The A D T permits have been received, and Blackjack orticulture has started work on landscape improvements at the I-65 interchange. The project is expected to take a couple of months and should be finished by spring of this year.
VestaviaVoice.com
Rocky Ridge business district to see economic growth
January 2015 • A15
Development across Cahaba Heights
New City Hall
The City of Vestavia Hills held a town hall meeting at ahaba eights nited ethodist hurch on ec. . Photo by Madison Miller.
Pending City Council approval, property owner Lee ooten e ects the former oe’s building on oc idge oad to o en its doors as a ne restaurant effective an. . Photo by Keith McCoy.
In the Rocky Ridge business district, the combination of aesthetic storefront upgrades and the relocation of Moe’s riginal Bar B Q ue have sparked interest from multiple businesses. “Since the major facade restoration and relocation of businesses in the area, the collective sales of businesses in the district have increased approximately 4 percent,” said City Manager eff Downes. Downes is working closely with area stakeholders, including obin Morgan, owner of Morgan Properties, and ee ooten, owner of the former Moe’s riginal Bar B ue location at 2501 Rocky Ridge Road, to further capitaliz e on the potential of the business district. Pending City Council approval, ooten expects the building to open its doors as a new restaurant, effective anuary 1. ooten is also working with the city’s oning commission to change the lot’s exit onto the less congested idgedale Drive. “The Rocky Ridge business district is a very important and strong part of the city’s tax base as well as being a cornerstone to our city’s uni ue character, said Downes. “And when the property owners of the district make the substantive investment that they have made in recent months, the city and its tenants will see economic growth.”
In December, a town hall meeting and a planning charrette were held for the purpose of discussing opportunities in Cahaba eights. Discussion focused on development options for the commercial district surrounding Pump ouse oad, Cahaba eights oad and Dolly idge oad. Residents pointed out local merchants, a sense of community, diversity and more as things they liked about the community. They also expressed concerns with road safety, flooding issues and city infrastructure as features that could be improved. Several residents also noted a need for sidewalks and bike lanes as well as a small-scale library in the area. Upcoming projects include: A 2 .5 -acre neighborhood park/ constructed wetland is planned near Meadowlawn Drive and Dolly idge. The park will have a small youth field for recreational activities. The city has approved a study of sidewalks, which will include additions in the Cahaba Heights area. The sidewalks will be funded by developers. The city recently approved an incentive agreement for the inn-Dixie in Cahaba eights. The transformation will include landscaping, interior design work and the addition of 40 ne w employees. The council approved the rez oning of a portion of 3 2 0 7 Bearden Court from a residential to a business district. axby’s, a franchised chain of fast casual restaurants offering chicken wings, chicken fingers, sandwiches and salads, is currently planned for the site.
onstruction or ers create the steel frame for the ne cit hall hich ill be located at a land ane. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
The city expects to move into a new City Hall complex at 1105 Mayland L ane in September of this year. E mployees will have more than 50,0 s quare feet for larger meeting rooms, updated holding cells and reorganiz ed department offices. City Manager eff Downes said the city’s computers and servers, currently located in the basement, will be moved to a more secure location in the new building. The municipal courtroom will have its own room distinct from the City Council chambers, and Downes said the courtroom will be equipped with technology and furniture to serve as an emergency operations center. Residents will also have the space to sit in on city work sessions. The new City Hall will also provide a community gathering space unlike anything the city currently has. The grand lawn’s amphitheater seating and the patio and kitchen on the second floor are well-suited, Downes said, to holding large city events and meetings of any si e. Though no final decisions have been made, Downes anticipates that several events such as I ove America Day and the ing Ding festival will be held there in the future.
A16• January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Breaking down a 100-miler Runner shares her experience in the Pinhoti 100 By R E BE C C A W AL DE N This past fall, local resident Donna Arrington completed the Pinhoti 100, a 100- mile trail run where runners make their way over the highest point in Alabama by navigating through the Talladega N ational Forest. The V es tav ia V oi c e caught up with Arrington after the race to find out more about her experience.
Donna Arrington is shown here with son Alex, husband, Alan, and son Ethan. The Arringtons have lived in Vestavia Hills since 2006. Both boys attend Pizitz Middle School, where they ran on the Pizitz cross-country team this fall. The family is also active in tennis, both through local USTA leagues and through Vestavia Country Club. Photo courtesy of Donna Arrington.
Q A
Be f or e t h e P i n h ot i 10, h ow d i d you c u l t i vat e you r i n t e r e s t i n t r ai l r u n n i n g an d u l t r a m ar at h on s ? I have always loved running, and the sport has off and on been a part of my routine since I was a teenager. In 2010, a fellow Vestavia mom invited me to train with her for the 201 1 Mercedes Half-Marathon. The training at the time for me was brutal. I had never run longer than a 10K in my life. My friend and I ran together the entire race, encouraging each other, complaining a little and taking it all in. It was a great day and truly sparked the change in my path to where I find myself today, successfully completing a 100- mile endurance run.
Q A
How did you first learn about the P in h o ti 1 0 0 , a n d w h e n d id th a t in te r e s t t u r n f r o m c u r io s it yin t o c o m m it m e n t ? I found out about Pinhoti last year when my friend Sonia Steely asked me to pace her in Pinhoti 2013. Y ou are allowed pacers after the first 0 miles. A pacer has many responsibilities: helping to keep their runner on course, on pace, adequately fueled and motivated. Many of my trail running friends encouraged me to sign up. I was told time and time again I could do it, and that I had the
50/
100-
50
physical and mental it takes to complete a miler. In August, I signed up.
Q A
H wo l ar ge of a c r e w i s n e c e s s ar y, an d w h y? My crew consisted of my chief (Bob Huie), also a Vestavia resident, and support crew (Greg Halfaker) who took care of transporting pacers, communications or any unforeseen needs along the way. My pacers included Sonia Steely, eath ayfield, Matt Denton and my son Alex and husband, Alan.
My youngest son, E than, was in charge of hugs and kisses when I came into the aid station. They wanted to see me finish as much or more than I did. It means staying up all night and/ or running in 20- degree temps in 2 5- mile-perhour winds for hours and hours in the darkest of night. The efforts put forth by these fine people in the spirit of friendship and human endurance is humbling.
Q
H wo d i d you r k i d s r e ac t t o t h e p r oc e s s ?
A
They thought I was nuts to stay up running for 2 -plus hours in the forest. During the race, my boys and my husband followed the crew vehicle to aid station checkpoints for many hours, cheering me on. They watched in what must have been wonder and confusion, while my crew worked me over like a N ASCAR participant coming in for a pit stop. While out on the course, I found chocolate bars they had stuffed in my vest pocket. This really tugged at my heart. They wanted to help me and did their very best to do so. They know
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VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A17
“ Y o ur body c an do w mind tells it to do.”
hat your –D
onna A r r ingt on
Get your hike on: Donna’s area trail favorites
This past fall, local resident Donna Arrington completed the Pinhoti 100, a 100-mile trail run where runners make their way over the highest point in Alabama by navigating through the Talladega National Forest. Photos courtesy of Donna Arrington.
their mom loves candy but rarely gets to eat it due to training. Their hugs and kisses were a potent fuel that carried me mile after mile.
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Wh
as p e c t of t h e e ve n t s u r p r i s e d t h e m os t ? H ow d i d you r e s p on d e m ot i on al l y an d p h ys i c al l y? A 100- mile foot race can certainly bring out some emotions. That is a long time to be inside your own head. I became very emotional several times during the race. At one time I was talking with one of my pacers about you
at
why we even do this. I shared with him that perhaps when you experience great loss, like the loss of a loved one, you have this desire to better sense your own humanness or mortality. For me the trails are a place of worship and I feel closer to God when I am there, sometimes more than anywhere else. I competed in the Southeastern Trail Series the entire summer and with much hesitation raced a 14 -miler at Oak Mountain two weeks before Pinhoti to maintain my series points accrual. Scott Sall and all the other good folks
` “The Boulder Canyon trails behind the library have served as a part of my training ground since I started trail running. Many days I would park at Pizitz and run to the trails before heading back in time for carpool. Vestavia has a jewel there, and I applaud the Scouts and those in our community for their work on those trails. If there is any resident in Vestavia who has not been there, now is the time to go!” ` “I would like to encourage all Birmingham-area residents to explore the beautiful trails we have just outside our back door: Moss Rock Preserve, Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Oak Mountain and, last but not least, the Pinhoti trail that includes Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama.”
at Therapy South in Vestavia took great care of me leading up to race day; I cannot thank them enough.
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t h at t h i s f e at i s b e h i n d you , w h at i s you r n e xt goal as i t r e l at e s t o p u r s u i n g e xh i l ar at i n g an d p h ys i c al l y d e m an d i n g t r ai l e xp e r i e n c e s ? Another upcoming goal involves helping BUTS (Birmingham Ultra Trail Society) with an event in the spring, BUTS Women’s Trail running retreat at Oak Mountain. Pinhoti
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100 is a estern States 100 ualifier, so I have the option of putting my name in the lottery for entry into that epic event held in June of each year. Western States 100 is kind of like the Boston Marathon of trail ultras. If my name were to be pulled for entry, I would identify a cause or charity to run it for, not so much for myself.
A18 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Changing lives from the ground up VHHS and VHUMC to build new Habitat home, call for community support By R E BE C C A W AL DE N Vestavia Hills High School’s largest service club, Habitat for Humanity, currently boasts more than 20 m embers. VHHS junior and club president Mason Cosby can tell you why. “The club siz e can be attributed to the fact that we truly make a difference in people lives,” he said. “We have built nine homes so far; this will be the tenth. To date, we’ve provided shelter for nine families – that includes nine moms and 29 children.” Cosby and his fellow club members are gearing up for their January build in partnership with Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, which provides 5 0 percent of the project’s funding each year. While focused on this month’s build, Cosby’s passion bubbles over at the surface, and he’s already looking ahead to how he can make an impact through the organiz ation while he is in college. “I helped a friend this year with fundraising at N ew Y ork University as they started a Habitat
Chapter,” said Cosby. “Habitat is a great organiz ation and changes lives everyday.” Cosby became involved in Habitat as a freshman at VHHS. He signed up for the club after his sister had a positive experience. “My first build was pretty awkward,’ he said. “I signed up because one of my senior friends did and she was the only one I knew on the build and she ended up having to leave early. So, I started working with other people and getting to know them. By the end of the build, I had made many new friendships that would last until they graduated.” L ooking to the 2 0 15 build, Cosby said they won’t know where there will be building until late January but they know it will involve building a house from the ground up. “I can say from experience that by the end of the day, everyone will become proficient at the job they’ve worked on that day. All you have to do is show up. Don’t be afraid of messing up.” Cosby says many Habitat families are affected by divorce and become single mom families. “The home gives them something to be proud
From Birmingham's b
abitat for umanit is an international non ro t organi ation that rovides homes for families in need. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity International/Brian Myrick.
of and gives them something to work for to keep,” he said. “A home to help these families get back on their feet changes the direction of their lives and starts them on the road to becoming independent again.” The Vestavia Hills Chapter of the organiz ation builds almost every Saturday. For those wanting to help, contact mcosby3 4 12 @ gmail.com. Donations can be sent to 235 L ime Rock Road
and checks can be made payable to the VHHS Habitat Service Club. “As long as you can give a Saturday, you can help physically, but monetary help is always needed too, Cosby said. “ e finance and build the home so any donations will help tremendously.”
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VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A19
T h e fu tu r e o f e d u c a tio n
V es tav ia H ills and M ount ain B r ok educ ator s hos t legi s lativ e r oundt able
By KAT IE T U R P E N In N ovember, the 10 th annual legislative roundtable, sponsored jointly by the Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook PTO Councils, was held at the L ibrary in the Forest. E ducators from each school system addressed a panel of senators and representatives with their education concerns. The members of the panel were Sens. Jabo Waggoner and Slade Blackwell and Reps. David Faulkner and Jack Williams. Vestavia Hills Superintendent Sheila Phillips and Mountain Brook Superintendent Dicky Barlow spoke at the meeting. “Funding for our schools continues to be depleted, said Barlow. “ e need to figure out what quality education is and fund it appropriately. We don’t want to do anything that severs local control.” “Our job is to get this done, not put it on the backs of others,” said Phillips. “We need to use our resources wisely in hiring employees.” Below is a summary of some of the topics discussed at the round table. 2015 E d u c at i on Bu d ge t “The state budget for 2 015 looks dire,” said E mily Frost of Mountain Brook High School. “Medicaid will not have enough funds, and prison funding is ridiculously low. What can be done to secure funding for our schools and our children’s future? ” Blackwell said possible options to fill holes in the General Fund could include increasing sales tax on certain items such as tobacco, soft drinks, beer and wine. Waggoner said there was a correlation between low graduation rates and increased number of prisoners. Ac c ou n t ab i l i t y Ac t an d C om m on C or e “The E quity Funding and Accountability Act hurt Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills. Both take money from our budgets with no benefit, said Pam Maldia of Crestline E lementary.
definitely an issue that needs to be addressed. Waggoner agreed. “This is something we will look at very seriously,” said Waggoner. Ad d i t i o n a l f u n d i n g t o a l l o w f o r c o m p u t e r - b as e d as s e s s m e n t s “With the advent of additional computer-based assessments this year, how will education funding be made available to school systems across the state for the purchase of additional equipment? ” asked Shannon Black, PTO president of Vestavia Hills Central E lementary. Waggoner said they are aiming to increase the state’s graduation rate in order to increase funding. “There is currently an 80 percent graduation rate in Alabama,” said Waggoner. “If we can raise it to 90 percent, it would be like attracting a company like Mercedes-Benz every year. It would have a huge economic impact.” Back row: Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Rep. David Faulkner, Rep. Jack Williams and Sen. Slade Blackwell. Front row: Mountain Brook PTO Council President Joanna Hufham, Mountain Brook Legislative Representative Summer Starling, Vestavia Hills Legislative Representative Katherine Taylor and Vestavia Hills PTO Council President Jennifer McMahon. Photo by Katie Turpen.
Williams argued that helping other schools has benefits for all. “When others have the opportunity to excel, we benefit, he said. “ e are helping these families escape ignorance and poverty. It does not take away from us to do well.” Furthermore, Stacy White, legislative representative from Cherokee Bend E lementary, expressed concerns that the cost of implementing measures to determine standards could lead to money being taken from local schools to fund schools across the state performing poorly. Faulkner said many people were unclear about what the Accountability Act means. “I see a major disconnect between what people say and what’s actually happening,” he said.
Phillips encouraged the representatives and senators to come take a tour of local schools to see how standards are being met. “Come and visit us, we know how the resources are being used,” said Phillips. “This is where local control over higher standards is happening.” T e ac h e r e val u at i on s an d e d u c at or r ai s e s Mandy Hilsmier, legislative representative from Vestavia Hills E lementary West, asked the panel their feelings on high-stakes testing and teacher evaluations and also whether raises for educators were a possibility. Williams noted that teachers have not had a raise in four or five years and that it was
C h ar t e r s c h ol fu n d in g Martha Cook, legislative representative from Vestavia Hills High school, asked the panel where they stand on charter schools. Charter schools are schools that receive public funding but operate independently. Williams said the system does not need them. “They don’t have anything to offer that Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook don’t already offer,” he said. Summariz ing remarks from the representatives included the following: “What I learned from knocking on 3 ,0 0 0 doors is how important schools are to people in this district,” Faulkner said. “The top of my agenda is to make sure our schools are protected. I believe education is an answer to a lot of our problems in the state.” “What sets our communities apart is that education is a priority,” Williams said. “We need to encourage every system in the state to emulate what we do.”
A20 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
M a k in g a b ig s c h o o l fe e l s m a ll, o n e le a d e r a t a tim e By R E BE C C A W AL DE N When an organiz ation’s ethos is powerful enough to shut down the use of a social media app like Y ik Y ak, you know they’re onto something. For several days last year that particular app, in the words of Vestavia Hills Board of E ducation President K ym Prewitt, rocked the high school. “E ven if the intention of the creator was for it to be some sort of good, positive community thing, because it is anonymous, the app is something that kids will pick up and abuse — and they did,” she said. “Our Y outh L eadership kids stepped up and said, ‘We are shutting it down.’ They worked with our teachers and their fellow students to make that change happen. The culture of our school did not allow Y ik Y ak to remain.” That social media stand reflects one of the core purposes of why Y outh L eadership Vestavia Hills, established in 208, w as created. “We wanted to create something that offered a place for more kids,” said Prewitt. “We are focused on training kids to be leaders wherever they are, to be people who respect others and who will reach out to others.” Students are eligible to apply for membership in Y outh L eadership Vestavia Hills at the end of their freshman year. Participants then attend a summer training retreat and are given opportunities to practice and perfect their leadership skills through a variety of Y outh L eadership Vestavia Hills
About Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills The mission of Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills is to train students to become leaders who: ê have and show respect for all ê recognize the common ground we share in our humanity, our community and our school ê accept and celebrate our differences as strengths These students are leaders who learn to walk in each other’s shoes and learn from the experience.
To date, more than 500 VHHS students have participated in Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills. Photo courtesy of Angie Richardson.
programs throughout high school. These include everything from freshman mentoring and new student orientation to various service projects and fundraisers, including Relay for L ife. “The initial training really sets the tone for this program,” said mother of four and Y outh L eadership Vestavia Hills coordinator K elly Bottcher. “We bring in professional facilitators and break this large group of kids into small groups of no more than 2 0 . In those smaller settings, we start discussions about common high school
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issues, stereotypes, cliques, students’ individual perceptions of how they are labeled and what they see as their own sense of place in the larger high school community.” Prewitt said the retreat has gone a long way in establishing a sense of familiarity among those from different middle schools, who are suddenly thrown together for the first time. “They very quickly realiz e that, ‘Oh wow, my neighbor has some of the same struggles that I have,’” she said. On the second day of the retreat,
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students are asked to bring in an item that represents a person or place that has helped shape who they are. “This allows these kids to make connections during the summer in such a way that carries over into the new school year,” said Bottcher. “They are looking at their peers differently when they go back to school. Our hope is that this results in less bullying, and more compassion for your neighbor.” With approximately 18 0 students per grade level participating in Y outh
The YLVH tagline reads, Be the Difference. YLVH is an important vehicle in making a big school feel small, a place where every single student feels a sense of belonging, acceptance and importance. L eadership Vestavia Hills, the organiz ation has proven not only to be a popular extracurricular honor, but also an exercise in teaching students to become change agents. “Y ou don’t know the emotional load that kids are bringing to school every day,” said Prewitt. “We operate from the premise that every student has the potential to be a leader, and every single student has ownership in their community, which is their school.”
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A21
Q&A with
Barbara Prior
Featured artist at Artists Incorporated
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Inspiration is everywhere and I always carry a camera to capture what I see. Flowers are always enticing, but landscapes catch my eye as do interesting scenes and objects from our travels. Inspiration also comes from the enthusiasm of other artists. We always learn from each other. Art organiz ations I’ve participated in are Vestavia Hills Art Association, Mountain Brook Art Association, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Hoover-Shelby Art Association, Shelby County Arts Council and the N ational L eague of American Pen Women.
Artists Incorporated Gallery, located in the “L ittle Red Barn” on Morgan Drive in Vestavia Hills, displays work from more than 5 0 local artists. n the first Friday of each month, the public is invited to a Featured Artist reception to enjoy refreshments and meet the artists. This month’s featured artist is Barbara Prior.
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at d o you e n j oy t h e m os t ab uo t c r e at i n g you
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In creating art, there is always a challenge. That challenge is what I enjoy most. People ask what I like to paint, and the answer is whatever I’m working on at that time. I just really enjoy painting
ab
h a t is th e g r e a te s t c o m p lim e n t yo u h a v e e v e r r e c e i v e d uo t you r w or k ?
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T e ll u s al it t le b i t ab uo t you r s e l f .
My name is Barbara Prior, and I am an exhibiting member of Artists Incorporated. I also exhibit at the Blue Phrog in Montevallo. We’ve lived in Abingdon Green, Vestavia Hills, since 1990 . Before
that, we lived in Chattanooga, but are originally from Atlanta. I’m truly a Southern girl!
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De s c r i b e w h at t yp e of ra t you
d o.
I paint in watercolors, pen and ink, and oils. Most of my
work is realistic, but I also do some abstracts. People frequently ask me to do house portraits or pet portraits, which they give as personaliz ed gifts.
Q Wh
e r e d oe s you r i n s p i r at i on c om e f r om ?
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The greatest compliment came from a lady who bought a painting of a German castle. She and her husband had been to that castle and had a fun trip. He has died since their trip, but she said my painting brought back happy memories for her. There is nothing better than to make people happy when they view your work.
A22 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
CONSTRUCTION
CONTINUED from page A1 be moved to a more secure location in the new building. The municipal courtroom will have its own room distinct from the City Council chambers, and Downes said the courtroom will be equipped with technology and furniture to serve as an emergency operations center. Residents will also have the space to sit in on city work sessions, which is impossible in the current building. “It’s functional but it limits us as far as our ability to provide better services,” Downes said of the current City Hall, located at 5 13 Montgomery Highway. Moving to a new place is also a chance to try out new technology. While the City Hall will not be D-certified for energy efficiency, Downes said the heating and air conditioning will be more energy-efficient and part of a new control system that will be the “nerve center” for HVAC systems in the library and other city buildings. A 70 -inch TV with interactive map and planning programs currently sits in the city’s work session chambers and is being tested as a way to improve city meetings. Since the Mayland L ane property formerly housed a Food World, Downes said the city and Williams Blackstock Architects have taken pains to make sure the City Hall will not look like it was dropped on top of a grocery parking lot. The driveway will be tree-lined and lead up a hill to the circular grand lawn with landscaping and amphitheater seating. The police department building will be connected to the City Hall by a second-story walkway. Mayland L ane will receive upgrades to its curbs and gutters. Downes said he has heard
As part of the construction, Mayland Lane will receive improvements to its curbs and sewer drainage. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
positive reactions from area residents, especially for the road improvements. On the other hand, Highfield Drive resident Jenni Mote said she has “mixed feelings for sure” about the City Hall. While the construction work has not been disruptive so far, she worries about the new view from her home’s windows and how the City Hall will affect her property value. “It definitely won’t be as private here,” Mote said. Downes said that the city’s $ 2 2 million project “will do nothing but help” property values because the complex will replace vacant buildings and unkempt lots with landscaping and a building that will be steadily occupied. “The vacant buildings that were there before were value detractors,” Downes said. “The previous site was
not ideal. The new site will be stellar.” When the city began planning the new buildings, Downes said they were betting on the project spurring new retail along Montgomery Highway. That bet paid off. Construction will begin early this year on the new Sprouts location, which will span 28,0 square feet and include 6,0 square feet of neighboring retail space. GBT Realty spokesperson Jennifer Weyand said the $10 million project will be complete in spring 2016. The retail space will be filled with both local and large chains offering clothes, services and “fast casual dining,” Weyand said. Down the street, America’s First Federal Credit Union purchased the former city library site. As soon as City all relocates, Chick-fil-A will be tearing down the current building
to create its highly anticipated new location. “The people of Vestavia Hills want their own Chick-fil-A. It’s very clear, Downes said. These new retail options are part of the city’s larger redevelopment plan for the Highway 3 1 corridor, which it first introduced in 2012. The redevelopment plan includes new retail, community-oriented developments and more walkability along the highway in the coming decades. “In the next eight to 12 months, you’re going to see the central portion of Highway 31 totally revamped and redeveloped,” Downes said. Downes expects Chick-fil-A and America’s First to open by the end of the first uarter of 2016. e described them as great examples of local government and private industry
working together. Vestavia Hills took the proceeds of the $850,0 library property sale to help fund their $1.4 million incentive package for Sprouts, and Downes expects the relocation of City Hall to bring other new retail to the area in addition to Chick-fil-A. e compared it to the famous line from F ield of D r eams — “If you build it, they will come.” “Sometimes it does take government and the public sector to facilitate private sector growth. And that’s what we’re about as a city — growth,” Downes said. The new City Hall will also provide a community gathering space unlike anything the city currently has. The grand lawn’s amphitheater seating and the patio and kitchen on the second floor are well-suited, Downes said, to holding large city events and meetings of any si e. Though no final decisions have been made, Downes anticipates that several events such as I L ove America Day and the Wing Ding festival will be held there in the future. “To be able to really have a place, a keystone place, for our community to gather is something that was extremely important to our elected officials, Downes said. The public will get its first glimpse of their new gathering space at the October 2 0 15 grand opening. Downes said the event, called High N otes, will feature a concert by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra to celebrate what he called a “legacy project” for the city’s future. “Y ou want to make this something that, 50 years from now, people will say, ‘Man, this is special.’ And I think that the leadership of Vestavia Hills has created that,” Downes said. “It’s going to be something the residents of the city can rally around and be proud to say they’re part of Vestavia Hills.”
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • A23
Birmingham AMBUCS hosts regular bike fairs, which train therapists to help children use bikes during therapy. Photo courtesy of Katie Troncale/Birmingham AMBUCS.
BIKES
CONTINUED from page A1 Tucked away on Canyon Road behind the Vestavia Publix sits a house with tricycles displayed in the windows. From within the home, Birmingham AMBUCS works to donate custom-made bicycles and tricycles to children with disabilities. “People don’t even realiz e we are here,” E xecutive Director K atie Troncale said. “I’m really trying to get the word out and raise awareness of what awesome things we do.” AMBUCS is a national organiz ation that was founded in 1922 by William L . White, who envisioned a service organiz ation for young businessmen. AmTryke therapeutic tricycles, a company owned by AMBUCS, was established in 1994. Today, the organiz ation has around 12 0 chapters across the nation. More
than 15 ,0 0 0 AmTrykes have been distributed around the world, with the majority donated free of charge to children with financial needs. In 2 0 0 7, businessman, Birmingham AMBUCS chapter president and longtime Vestavia Hills resident Dave Upton reestablished the Birmingham Chapter of AMBUCS in Homewood. The organiz ation moved to Vestavia Hills in 2010 and currently shares the space with several other nonprofit organi ations. “I feel so excited,” said Upton, whose grandson was born with Down syndrome. “It’s been the most delightful time of my life. Vestavia Hills has been so good to us.” The tricycles, which can be hand and/ or foot operated, are designed to accommodate riders of all ages, siz es and degrees of physical limitations. The bikes are also custom-made for 18 -month-old children all the way to adults. Troncale said that
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occupational and physical therapists refer children in need of bikes to AMBUCS. To assemble the bikes, volunteers from UAB’s engineering department come over to the house to help. “They get here Friday afternoon and stay, and I will cook them dinner,” Troncale said. “We are lucky for their support.” Both physical and occupational therapists have acknowledged the AmTryke tricycle’s benefits, citing improved motor skills, strength development and self-esteem. Troncale explains that these children are unable to operate a traditional bike, with simple functions like braking and pedaling causing difficulty. “It’s unbelievable what we do and the way we help people,” she said. The organiz ation conducts regular bike fairs around the area to train therapists to help children use the bikes.
irmingham S is a non ro t organi ation that reaches out to children with disabilities by donating specially designed tricycles and bicycles. Photo courtesy of Katie Troncale/Birmingham AMBUCS.
In N ovember, Birmingham AMBUCS held a sports-themed fundraiser with a live auction and special guests from the Auburn University and University of Alabama football teams. The event recogniz ed Upton and his family’s seven years of dedication to
the organiz ation. As a nonprofit, the organization is dependent on donations to continue to give bikes to children in need. For more information or to donate, visit birminghamambucs.org.
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Business articles featured in this section are paid advertisements.
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rmgard “M” Klingler was born and raised in Germany. She met Richard while he was stationed in the army and they married, bringing family recipes and traditions to Alabama. M always had a knack for baking. She was constantly being asked if she could make her “European Cheesecake” (amaretto almond) for special occasions. She never minded because she was fond of the amaretto and enjoyed “sipping” it while creating her masterpiece. Over the years, she would bake for restaurants, and her daughter, Michelle, would work on weekends and breaks from school. In 1991 they expanded and moved to Vestavia Hills. Richard later retired from his full-time job and joined the team, along with cake artist and baker Edith Webster, who has now been with them 22 years. Michelle has been involved in all areas of the business over the years but especially loves creating new products, designing menus and planning events. She also handles all of the catering
Chloe Sellers, Michelle Witherington, Irmgard Klingler and special events and has won numerous awards for her designs. In 2005 she married chef Eric Witherington, who owns all of the Moe’s Original BBQ’s in Birmingham. She currently makes the cornbread for Moe’s as well, and her son, Cody, manages the Lakeview location.
Chloe Sellers, Michelle’s daughter, began her stint full time with Klingler’s at the age of 4 months when a tornado destroyed her daycare at Vestavia Baptist Church. She stayed right by M’s side everyday at the register. Now a freshman at Vestavia Hills High School, she still is right there with M on Sundays greeting and helping the customers.
823-4560 • klinglers.com • 621 Montgomery Highway
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Vestavia Voice
B2 • January 2015
Julie Beavers, Rachel Butler, Shauntá Andrews, Ellen Hamilton, Kristen Fountain, Barbara Thompson
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irmingham Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine was founded in July 2005 by Ellen Hamilton. The clinic’s philosophy is that patients have specific needs unique to their lifestyle that require aggressive rehabilitation in order to return to activity as soon as possible. The staff is committed to providing quality one-on-one treatment with consistent care from one physical therapist. They love to see their patients get their lives back as their pain dissipates and their function restores. Birmingham Physical Therapy uses primarily hands on techniques with their patients. The staff is up to date on current research and methods such as trigger point dry needling, instrumentassisted soft tissue work and joint manipulation. They have specialties in treatment of sports injuries, the spine, orthopedics, chronic pelvic pain and neurological rehabilitation.
Anna Barnes
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nna Barnes has owned The Blue Willow in Cahaba Heights since 2011. She believes the store is perfect for those who want to add a touch of Southern charm to their lives and home. “The store offers some of the area’s most fabulous finds and well known products and is the perfect place to find a heartfelt gift for any wedding, birthday, baby shower or hostess gift,” she said. The Blue Willow also offers monogramming, etching, engraving and personalization to transform gifts into something truly special. The store showcases products from more than 20 Alabama-based business as well as vendors from other Southern states such as Mississippi. Barnes believes it is important to support local and small businesses in order to promote economic growth for the community.
Call and schedule an appointment for a free screening.
298-9101 • birminghamphysicaltherapy.com 3234 Cahaba Heights Road
968-0909 • thebluewillow.com 3930 Crosshaven Drive
Carole Cain
Susan Green
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arole Cain spent many years working in the corporate sector before deciding there was a local niche in Cahaba Heights for a gift boutique with a wide range of price points. A Little Something opened in November 2012. “We want to be that great little shop you dash into when you need ‘just a little something,’ whether that’s a beautiful accessory for yourself or a unique but affordable gift,” she said. The boutique specializes in gift options that fit all budgets. The store carries accessories, sleepwear, bath and body products, pottery, home décor, and items for the kitchen and entertaining. Many products are made in Alabama. Cain said her primary goal is to make A Little Something the kind of boutique that makes customers feel good every time they stop by. “We want you to leave feeling that you really matter to us,” she said.
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irmingham Bake & Cook Company originally opened in September 2008 in the Inverness neighborhood of greater Birmingham and moved to Cahaba Heights in August 2014. The independently owned culinary specialty shop provides everything for the complete kitchen in an exciting retail space. Products include cookware, bakeware and baking tools, kitchen prep tools, gadgets, knives and knife accessories, textiles, and so on. They also carry a broad assortment of locally and regionally produced food products; services include wedding and gift registry, knife sharpening and custom gift baskets. Owner Susan Green is originally from Boston. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, she has more than 40 years in the food service industry. A fourth-generation independent business owner, Susan relocated to Birmingham in 2008. “A specialty kitchenware shop and ‘going retail’ was a great and natural extension of my many years in the foodservice industry,” Susan said.
970-2077 • alittlesomethingbham.com
980-3661 • bakeandcookco.com 3112 Heights Village (Cahaba Heights)
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Jennifer Cummings
Jana Hanna
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hile Jennifer Cummings’ children were in Vestavia Hills schools, it was not uncommon to find their teachers’ jewelry repairs sent home in their backpacks.
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ealtor Jana Hanna brings her more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience to Realty South’s Over the MountainActon Road office. She has been selling real estate for the last three years and believes in taking an approach that is customized for each client.
Cummings Jewelry Design began with Jennifer’s husband, Jim’s life-long interest in jewelry. At age 12, Jim purchased rough opal and has been working with precious stones and metals ever since. When Jennifer Cummings decided to join the business, she knew she could continue the store’s tradition of customer service. With a background in banking, Jennifer’s experience in working with customers made a great addition to the staff’s combined 100 years of jewelry experience. Cummings offers expert repair, appraisals and custom design.
“I have a passion for Vestavia Hills and working with the families that live here,” she said. “I love being a part of this great community.” Hanna holds a finance degree from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is married to Tyler Hanna, and they have two boys, Pierce, a fifth grader at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central and Spence, a second grader at East Elementary School.
“I’m a big fan of independent, family-owned businesses,” she said. Jim and Jennifer have been members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church for over 30 years. Jim enjoys working with the church’s Urban Purpose ministry.
When she is not working, you can find her watching her children play youth sports in the Vestavia Hills community.
Cummings JEWELRY DESIGN
298-9144 • cummingsjewelrydesign.com 3166 Village Circle
835-6188 • janaphanna@gmail.com 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137
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hat makes Bruster’s ice cream so special? “The freshness”, says Linda Parker, owner of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream! Our ice cream is made fresh in our store every day! Since opening in 2005, Bruster’s has been the place to go for a sweet treat. Linda Parker is proud to be a business owner in Vestavia Hills. Serving as Chair of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce in 2014, and past president of Leadership Vestavia Hills, Linda has invested herself in the community. Linda believes Vestavia is a great place to grow her business because Vestavia values its small businesses. Linda’s husband, Scott, grew up in Vestavia and their two sons, Chris and Michael, graduated from VHHS. In 2008, Becky Padgett joined the Bruster’s team. With a business background and a love for working with young adults, Becky quickly became an integral part of the success of Bruster’s. Today, in addition to managing the store, Becky serves as Marketing and Catering Director. You will find her most days talking to local businesses about bringing Bruster’s ice cream
Linda Parker and Becky Padgett to their locations for parties and events. Becky and her husband, Richard have called Vestavia home for 23 years. Linda Parker and Becky Padgett make a great team. In addition to serving fresh ice cream daily, the two women work to expand Bruster’s
catering menu. What could be more fun than a make your own ice cream sundae bar filled with your favorite treats? Bruster’s
catering menu includes options for businesses, parties, showers and even weddings. These two Women of Vestavia continue to grow a wonderful friendship in the middle of the fun and chaos of running a small business. Now that’s what I call a cherry on top!
978-2347 • brusters.com • 1008 Vestavia Hills Parkway
Vestavia Voice
B4 • January 2015
Tracy True Dismukes
Emily Tuttle Shell
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racy True Dismukes has owned Collage Designer Consignment for more than 20 years. Located in downtown Homewood and at the Vestavia City Center, Collage is known for being exceptionally selective in the items accepted to sell on consignment.
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“If you want to sell your items, you’ll make more on your items at Collage than you would having your own garage sale or on a trading site,” Dismukes said. “You make money on unwanted items, the store provides jobs and helps keep the economy flowing, and shoppers get a great deal on gorgeous clothes, shoes and accessories. Everyone benefits!
Shell, a co-owner of the restaurant, takes great pride in the food they serve their patrons.
The store has two upcoming events. On Feb. 5, Collage will host a premiere of the movie, 8 Days, at the Vestavia Carmike to help bring greater awareness of human trafficking to benefit The WellHouse. On March 7, Collage Vestavia will host its fourth annual PromPalooza gown event to benefit My Sister’s Closet of the YWCA.
In recent months, Bistro V has made some big changes. They expanded into a space adjacent to them, expanding their capacity and adding a full-service bar with large screen TVs. Then, they adjusted their hours to open on Mondays while closing on Sundays.
hat started as the aptly named City Hall Diner is now one of the most popular dining spots in Birmingham. Bistro V, coowned by Emily Tuttle Shell, is a favorite dining spot for Vestavians and many others around the Birmingham area.
“We prepare unique dishes that help us create our own identity,” said Shell. “The food here is fresh, and it’s prepared by people who take ownership in what they are creating.”
Shell and her entire staff look forward to serving you and your guests soon!
822-2991 • ShopCollage.com 700 Montgomery Highway, Suite 106, Vestavia City Center
823-1505 • bistro-v.com 521 Montgomery Hwy., Ste. 113
Martha Hunter
Kim Nguyen
ONSTRUX, a custom home and remodeling company with over 20 years experience, hired Martha Hunter in March 2014. She manages the Rocky Ridge show room and customer satisfaction team.
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Martha brought to CONSTRUX 25 years management experience in marketing, construction and sales. She enjoys meeting with homeowners and helping them with everything from a bathroom remodel to a new home.
At Uptown, their goal is to provide clients with excellent service in a relaxing, hospitable environment. Its most popular services are pedicures and gel manicures, which are offered with any color paint imaginable. A variety of special artist designs are also offered. Additionally, the team at Uptown specializes in acrylic nails, basic manicures and waxing.
When not working, Martha can be found in her organic garden, taking long hikes and enjoying nature. She and her husband built their energy-efficient solar home, which has been part of the National Solar Homes Tour for over 20 years. “When CONSTRUX approached me about this job, it blended all of my experiences and interests: sales, home building and customer service,” she said. “CONSTRUX makes my job easy because they deliver timely, are high quality craftsmen and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
533-2668 • construxhome.com 2508 Rocky Ridge Road
ptown Nail Spa began delivering nail services in Vestavia on July 11, 2014 and quickly gained a customer base that raves about their experiences at the spa.
The spa is also kept very clean, and pedicure spa tubs feature disposable liners for each and every client. Owner Kim Nguyen has been a licensed nail technician for 22 years. Her hard work, dedication and friendliness with clients has helped her build a great reputation of excellence in the nail industry.
703-8290 • facebook.com/uptownnailspa 4851 Cahaba River Road
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n the 12 years Karen Odle has served as Executive Director of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, she’s seen the organization only strengthen its track record of fostering the community’s emerging leaders. Clearly she’s onto something – under her leadership, Chamber membership has swelled from 296 to more than 1,100. The membership mix includes longtime area business advocates but also many younger businessmen and women that Odle sees as the next wave of city leaders. Growing a diverse, highly engaged Chamber membership base is a personal passion for Odle; it goes above and beyond executing on the Chamber’s mission: to promote and improve the economic, civic, education and general business conditions of its members and the Vestavia Hills community, and to work with other organizations in these endeavors in a nonpartisan manner.
Linda Parker, Angie McEwen, Karen Odle, Martha Cook
“The leaders to date have done a great job of setting the pathway, and I want to see that continue to grow, especially with the younger people in our community carrying that forward,” said Odle. “We’re blessed to live in a community like Vestavia Hills where we strive for excellence and where we want what is best for our children, our families and our community. It’s a team effort and it’s exciting to see.” One area where Odle has seen particular success is in the Chamber’s role helping foster the leadership and contributions of its female members. Women are increasingly serving as Chair of the Chamber Board, a fact that bears mention in an organization formed in 1981. The trend is in sharp contrast to Odle’s experience when she first entered the work force in the 1970s. “At that time women were just becoming integrated into management and leadership roles,” said Odle. “It was difficult for women. To go from that to where we are now, where the contributions of our female leaders have become such a significant part of what we do, and where some of my biggest supporters are the men who sit on our board, it’s phenomenal.”
Patricia Barr, Janet Holcomb, Lisa Christopher, Karen Anderson, Ruby Cade
“From the beginning, we’ve benefitted from the involvement of leaders whose openness and willingness helped the Chamber grow and thrive,” she said. “I hope those who visit us today find the environment welcoming and collaborative – a place where they can put their skills to use to help us become our very best.”
Lisa Christopher, Karen Odle, Katie Woodruff, Katie Geurin 823-5011 • www.vestaviahills.org • 1975 Merryvale Road
Vestavia Voice
B6 • January 2015
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eigh to Wellness opened in June of 2014, in fulfillment of Leslie Ellison’s passion for treating patients as unique individuals. The weight management clinic provides patients with strong support while equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve a lifechanging experience. “I enjoy helping people live their best life,” Ellison said. Ellison partners with Timothy H. Real, MD to provide customized programs tailored to each patient’s lifestyle and needs, while ensuring the best in weight management care. She has over 18 years of experience in the industry, and Real is board certified in obesity medicine. Ellison and Real are active members of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. What works for one patient may not work for another. To meet such varied needs, the program includes nutritional guidance and meal planning by a registered dietitian as well as the option of meal replacements, protein supplements and prescription medications. Lipotropic and B12 injections are available to increase energy safely and enhance weight
Leslie Ellison loss. Whether patients wish to lose 10 pounds or 100, there is never a contract or sign-up fee.
Married for 14 years to Daryl Ellison, she works as hard at home caring for their two children, Gavin
and Ava, and enjoys cheering them on in their many sports activities.
Ellison and Real strive not only to help patients reach their weight loss goals, but also to inspire them to create permanent lifestyle changes. Weigh to Wellness provides free lifetime maintenance.
994-2393 • weightowellnessllc.com • 4704 Cahaba River Road
Dr. Ami Epstein
Diane Clower, Carmen Clower, Leslie Self
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t Fancy Goods Variety, it’s always a family affair as the mother, daughter and daughter-in-law “try to be more fancy every day.” Leslie Self had just left her job in a law firm when her mother, Diane Clower decided to pursue a variety store. Clower had always wanted to own and operate her own business when she saw a need to sell gifts and toys in Vestavia Hills. So Clower, Self and Carmen Clower opened Fancy Goods Variety Feb. 4, 2012. The store specializes in gifts, toys and party goods, and its mission is to provide a good selection of unique, fun gifts in a wide price range. Recently, the team has added handcrafted items such as jewelry, paintings, marinara sauce, spicy dip mixes and more to its inventory. They plan to continue to add more one-of-a-kind items by local artisans.
2512 Rocky Ridge Road • 978-1451 facebook.com/pages/Fancy-Goods-Variety/255168474530205
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rowing up in a household of optometrists, it was no surprise when Dr. Ami Epstein decided to pursue optometry. Although she started her career with a master’s in electrical engineering, she soon decided to switch. She would find that her love for math could be used in optometry, and Epstein graduated first in her class before becoming an assistant professor of optometry and the director of contact lens services. Her passion did not stop there. In August 2006, Epstein opened Eye Do, a single doctor office dedicated to eye care. Her specialty is fitting contact lenses for even the hardest to fit patients. Epstein’s patients come from all over to experience her high quality of care and expertise. In addition to finding the best contacts for your eyes, Eye Do carries a wide variety of fashionable frames for every shape face.
977-2777 • facebook.com/eyedoeyecenter 3125 Sunview Drive
January 2015 • B7
VestaviaVoice.com
Lea Wolsoncroft
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hen a child’s health is improved, everyone in the house is happier. That’s why Lea Wolsoncroft and KidsMeds Pharmacy are there to help. “Kids are not little adults, they have very unique needs,” Wolsoncroft said. “Medication is not a one size fits all when it comes to children.” She opened her pediatric pharmacy, which specializes in family health, on Aug. 13, 2002. KidsMeds can compound medication into a liquid form or a suppository for patients who cannot take commercial medications. They can also compound medications for reflux and other tummy disorders and numbing lollipops for tonsils, mouth ulcers or hand/foot/mouth. Wolsoncroft graduated from the McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University. When she is not spending time with her husband, Tom, and their two children, serves as the second vice president of the National Community Pharmacists Association.
Dr. Stephanie Steinmetz, DDS
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r. Stephanie Steinmetz has been providing high quality pediatric dental care in the Over the Mountain area since 1991. Specializing in dental care for infants, children and young adults, her practice is dedicated to making children’s dental visits awesome! Her high attention to details and customer service is evident when visiting her fun, state-ofthe-art, child-friendly, pediatric dental office in Vestavia Hills. As a mother of two active boys, she treats every child as if they are her own. Wait times are minimal. The office limits the number of daily patients so that they can spend quality time to put children at ease and give them a “wow” dental experience. Her office also electronically files all dental insurance. Dr. Steinmetz has three years additional specialty training in pediatric dentistry beyond dental school. She is a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is active in many community and professional organizations. Dr. Steinmetz welcomes new patients and encourages establishing a dental home for your child by their first birthday.
KidsMeds is located on the Vestavia Pediatrics’ lower level.
824-0775 • kidsmedspharmacy.com 1936 Old Orchard Road
822-4284 • steinmetzpediatricdentistry.org 521 Montgomery Highway, Suite 125
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r. Farah Sultan is the founder and medical director at Vitalogy Wellness Center. She created a state of the art wellness program that helps patients proactively gain control of their health and gain back their youth. Vitalogy Wellness Center is a state of the art board certified physician lead center for restorative and regenerative medicine. The innovative and full service medical spa supports an overall holistic approach to health, fitness, and wellness and specializes in bio-identical hormones, hormone replacement therapy for men and women, anti-aging medicine, nutrition, detoxification, medically directed weight management programs, and micronutrients. One of the pioneering procedures performed at Vitalogy Wellness Center is using your own body’s PRP (platelet rich plasma) to heal your body. Dr. Sultan grew up in India where she was surrounded by Eastern medicine involving ayurvedic, herbal, acupuncture, complementary, and alternative medicines. Dr. Sultan has received specialized post-graduate training
Dr. Farah Sultan in functional medicine. She is a board member of the Downtown Birmingham Rotary Club, the Alys Stephens Center, and Highlands Day School, and is a founding member of the Indian Cultural Society at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Using her blueprint, her patients
harness simple, self-care practices and changes of habit. Call to book your spot at one of Dr. Sultan’s seminars on health, stress and hormones and learn how you can reclaim your youth, life and vitality. You can also visit vitalogywellness. com to find out more about their innovative therapies.
413-8599 • vitalogywellness.com • 2704 20th St. South, Suite 104
Vestavia Voice
B8 • January 2015
Christa Wolfe
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pening a learning center for preschool-aged children was a natural step for mother of two Christa Wolfe. When she and her husband, Rob, discovered the opportunity to provide a safe educational foundation for children, they knew it would be a great fit. Christa purchased Rocky Ridge Learning Center in August 2014. The center accepts children from six weeks to six years. “Being a parent myself, I understand that choosing a place for your child is one of the most important decisions you will have to make,” Christa said. “With that in mind, we developed our school to be a safe, comfortable and loving environment where children can learn and grow.” The center’s mission is to instill in each child a strong sense of selfworth and purpose and to prepare them mentally and emotionally for the transition to the formal classroom environment.
Melissa McCollum
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elissa McCollum loves watching new and old faces walk through the door at Learning Express Toys of Cahaba Heights.
The specialty toy store offers unique toys for infants all the way to tweens as well as free gift-wrapping. The store also offers a special curbside service where parents can call ahead and the staff will have a toy wrapped and ready to bring to their car when they arrive. McCollum has owned and operated local Learning Express Toy stores since August 2005. She said the Cahaba Heights store has remained their best location and is currently the only Learning Express Toys in Alabama. McCollum and her husband, Mike, have three children and are members of Riverchase United Methodist Church. She said she is happy to have found a job doing what she has always wanted to do. “I love seeing the same faces throughout the years and watching their children grow up in our store.” she said.
978-9962 • rockyridgelearningcenter.com 2512 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 108
970-9710 • learningexpress.com/store/cahaba-heights 3132 Heights Village
Be Featured Here
Michael Conour
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re you a female business owner in Vestavia Hills? You could be part of next year’s Women of Vestavia Hills. Every January, the paper highlights the women who use their entrepreneurial spirit and professional skills to drive the success of local business in the area. If you participate, we’ll come to your place of business and set up a photo shoot with you in your work environment, and our editorial staff will work with you to tell your story to our readers. You can reserve your 1/4 page, 1/2 page or full page feature now through October 2015. If you already have an advertising contract with the paper, your contract rate will apply to this opportunity. For more information, contact one of our marketing consultants or Sales Manager Matthew Allen at matthew@starnespublishing. com or the phone number below.
313-1780 • vestaviavoice.com
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onour Insurance, Inc. was founded in August 2013. It traces its roots to Conour & Associates, Inc., which was founded by Chuck Conour in 2000. His wife, Michael, who had previous experience in sales and banking, began working with him at that time. Conour is an independent insurance agency serving clients in Alabama and multiple other states. It offers a wide variety of products including commercial property and liability insurance for businesses, home and auto insurance for individuals and aviation and aircraft insurance. As an independent agency, it represents multiple insurance companies and therefore is able to shop for the best rates for its customers. The Conours moved to Vestavia in 1991 and raised their two children here. They are both Vestavia High School graduates and are now attending the University of Alabama, their parents’ alma mater. The Conours located their business in Vestavia to support their great community.
822-7020 • conourins.com 2075 Columbiana Road, Suite 1
January 2015 • B9
VestaviaVoice.com
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s a former Miss Alabama USA, Haleigh Stidham Blackwell learned first-hand the importance of a pretty smile, so becoming a dentist became a natural choice for her professional work. “Helping others feel good about themselves is one of my lifetime missions,” Blackwell said. “And, somewhere along the way, I decided that helping others have nice teeth would go a long way toward promoting their selfconfidence.” Blackwell earned her bachelor’s of science in pure mathematics and natural sciences at Southern Methodist University and graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. In December 2011, Blackwell opened Pearly White Dentistry, a full service dental practice that uses advanced technologies to take care of all your dental needs. The office offers prevention, restoration and cosmetic dentistry all under the same roof, so they can help with a routine dental cleaning and exam, tooth-colored filling, new veneers or a teeth-whitening treatment. “We pride ourselves on our spa-like
Dr. Haleigh Stidham Blackwell environment,” Blackwell said. “Our quiet procedure rooms, massage chairs, music and décor work together to provide a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere even in the midst of state-of-the-art technological equipment. Vestavia Hills can now claim to have one of the most advanced dental practices in Alabama.”
Blackwell and her husband, Austin, are natives of Birmingham and now live in Vestavia Hills. They have two sons, Ben who is 2 and a half and Reece who is 6 months old. When she’s not spending time in the office, Blackwell enjoys exercising, baking sweets and spending time with her large extended family.
970-7292 • blackwelldmd.com • 3145 Green Valley Road, Suite 101
Jennifer Triola
Tealla Stewart
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“I have always loved making people look and feel their best, and in this business you really get to be a part of someone’s life,” Triola said. “They become part of your family. Shoot, I may know more than what some of their family knows!”
The store operated in Century Plaza for a few years and the Galleria for 12 before the opportunity came for Stewart to move her business to Vestavia in 2004. She jumped at the opportunity. “I have loved having my store in the community that is so near and dear to my heart,” Stewart said.
The full service hair salon welcomes men, women and children. Tangles offers appointments and accepts walk-ins for a wide variety of hair services.
The specialty gift store now offers upscale gifts and personalization services. All services are performed in-house and include monogramming, engraving, embossing and vinyl monogramming.
Triola has lived in Vestavia Hills for the last 11 years. A wife and mother of two, she enjoys playing with her babies and doing crafty DIY projects when she is not working.
Outside the store, Stewart has served on the Vestavia Hills Board of Education and was member of the inaugural class of Leadership Vestavia Hills, for which she later served a term as president.
rom a young age, Jennifer Triola knew she wanted to own her own hair salon. She started doing hair at age 16.
When Tangles, a salon off Rocky Ridge Road, came up for sale, she knew it would be her home.
823-7376 • tanglesvestavia.com 3386 Morgan Drive
n 1990 Tealla Stewart saw a need for a high quality monogramming store in Birmingham, so after a career teaching in Vestavia Hills, she opened Monograms Plus.
822-3353 • shopmonogramsplus.com 1360 Montgomery Highway, Suite 122
B10 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Ringing in the New Year Residents share their 2015 resolutions “My New Year’s resolution is to acknowledge the many gifts in my life and to focus on giving thanks and praise.” Marian Humphries, principal, VHEC
“My New Year’s resolution is to eliminate toxic chemicals from our home. I want to find clean alternatives for everything: cleaning supplies, cosmetics, beauty products, food and cookware just to name a few.” Summer Basgier, resident
January
sales Find great deals at these retailers
20% - 50% OFF (in stock only)
Marguerite's Conceits January 5th - 10th 2406 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook 205-879-2730
20% OFF
(some exclusions apply see store for details)
The Cook Store
January 9th - 17th 2841 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook 205-879-5277
January inventory sale 20% OFF most toys Homewood Toy & Hobby 2830 18th Street, Homewood 205-879-3986
50% OFF all winter merchandise The Clothes Tree
Starting Jan. 10 2880 Rocky Ridge Road 205-822-1902
Contact stores for exclusions and other details.
“My New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier. I plan to eat more fruits and vegetables.” Abigail Taylor, fourth grade, VHEC
“My New Year’s resolution is to be a leader with a servant’s heart in and out of my classroom. As a form of accountability, I will share my goal with all of my students and colleagues.” Lorie Belski, teacher, VHEC
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • B11
School House
Students at Liberty Park Middle School showcase some of the “Free the Shoes” items they collected to help those in need. Photo courtesy of Linda Rummell.
LPMS students collect shoes for those in need “Free the Shoes was the name of the shoe drive set up by the iberty Park Middle School Friends of achel Club. The name came from the idea of freeing shoes from your closet and then helping those in need. Club members collected 21 new or gently used shoes. The shoes will go to foster children who live in efferson County.
Friends of achel, also known as F Club, is part of achel’s Challenge, a national nonprofit organi ation dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments. achel’s Challenge is based on the life and writing of achel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine tragedy in 1999.
LPMS students named to Lancer Court of Honor L iberty Park Middle School recently held the 201 -2015 first nine weeks ancer Court of onor. Two boys and two girls are selected each nine weeks from each grade level. The students are selected by their teachers based on leadership, citi enship and conduct. ighth grade students who were selected are risten
ebeles, Abby onson, vans Crane and David Dauphin. The seventh-grade nominees were ueenie Samaha, oe oodrow, ayden obinson and ill hite. The sixth-grade nominees were ellyn Murch, igen scario, Sophie hitson and ohn lliot.
Students leave their legacy with artwork The estavia ills lementary Cahaba eights egacy all is a collection of students’ artwork printed on ceramic tiles. The egacy all is beautifully displayed inside the main entrance to the school. Before the many renovations began over the summer at Cahaba eights, teachers and parents saw an opportunity to install a permanent art collection that can continue to grow. “This is a great way for students to have a permanent piece of art that is part of our school and will remain on display year after year. ith many new walls that are connecting the gym and office building, there is plenty of room for this display to grow year after year, said former PT president Christa Seal. This became a new tradition for C last May. By visiting the web gallery on
artsonia.com and choosing from one of the many projects completed during the school year, kindergarten through fifth-grade students and their parents were able to leave their legacy by purchasing a tile as a permanent part of this display. This was also a way for the PT to raise funds for special projects at the school such as playground renovation. The tiles were arranged and installed courtesy of M Construction, one of the school’s Partners In ducation sponsors. The school is pleased with the amount of participation from the first year and looks forward to watching this beautiful tile display grow throughout the years. In late spring, the school will send out information on how students can be a part of the second installment of the C egacy all.
B12 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
LPMS celebrates Red Ribbon Week As part of Red Ribbon Week, the students and faculty at L iberty Park Middle School participated in activities that emphasiz ed the importance of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle. The official theme for the week was L ove Y ourself...Be Drug Free. During homeroom, the students worked together to design, create and decorate their homeroom doors with messages that encouraged students not to use drugs. The class with the winning door and the runner-up received a mini Dairy Q ueen bliz z ard party. There was also a dress up theme for each day. On Monday the theme was “Put Drugs to Bed and everyone wore pajamas. Also on Monday, the students signed a drug-free banner and pledged that they would live a drug-free life. On Tuesday the theme was “Drugs are Tacky and everyone wore tacky
clothes. Also on that day, a photo booth was set up in the cafeteria. Students could have their picture made for $1 with remaining proceeds going to Addiction Prevention Coalition, an organiz ation in Central Alabama whose mission is to help prevent substance abuse. On Wednesday, the theme was “ eroes Don’t Do Drugs and everyone either dressed as their favorite superhero or created their own superhero. On Thursday, the theme was “Team p against Drugs and everyone wore their favorite team’s jersey. Also on Thursday, the eighth-grade students heard Danny Molloy, a recovering addict speak about his journey. On Friday, the theme was “Scare Away Drugs and everyone wore Halloween costumes. -Submitted by Linda Rummell
As part of Red Ribbon Week, the students and faculty at Liberty Park Middle School participated in activities that emphasized the importance of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle. Photo courtesy of Linda Rummell.
LPMS celebrates Constitution Day
Vestavia students score well on ACT
To celebrate Constitution Day, students in K irk Spence’s 7th grade social studies class at L iberty Park Middle School roleplayed the Constitutional Convention. As part of this simulation, each student had a role in learning about the Constitution and explaining why it was so vital to the country to change the Articles of Confederation. To prepare for this project, students looked at the importance of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, and
Students in Vestavia Hills City Schools raised the district’s average composite ACT score for the second consecutive year, scoring more than five points higher than the state composite average. In the 2 0 13 -14 academic year, 4 3 3 Vestavia Hills students took the ACT. Those students scored an average composite of 2 5 .8 on a 3 6 -point scale. The average composite for the 3 7,98 5 students statewide who took the test was 2 0 .6 , according to ACT. This marks the second year in a row that
examined the roles each played in shaping the country. Students and teacher also discussed what it would have been like if some of the other significant “Fathers had attended (such as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and John Adams). L ater the students were asked to evaluate what it might be like if there was a 2 0 15 Constitutional Convention.
Vestavia Hills students raised the district’s ACT average. VHCS students scored an average composite of 2 5 .6 in 2 0 13 and 2 5 .3 from 2 0 10 to 2 0 12 . ACT also announced Wednesday that 5 8 percent of Vestavia Hills test-takers had met or surpassed all four of its “college readiness benchmark scores. “ e are proud of the hard work that has gone into preparing our students for this standard of success and for their postsecondary endeavors, Vestavia Hills Superintendent Sheila Phillips said.
January 2015 • B13
VestaviaVoice.com
Pat Sullivan steps down as Samford football coach
Pat Sullivan has served as Samford’s head football coach for eight seasons. Photo courtesy of Samford Athletics.
By DAVID KNOX Pat Sullivan fought it as long as he could. But in the end, the Samford University head football coach decided enough was enough. Sullivan, a Birmingham native and Vestavia Hills resident, has battled health issues over the years — throat cancer, a neck injury that required multiple surgeries that forced him to coach, when he could coach, from the press box instead of on the field on game days. Sullivan, the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner as an Auburn quarterback and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, will move into a role as Samford President Andrew Westmoreland’s special advisor for campus and community development. Murray State head coach Chris Hatcher was named as his replacement. “This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly,” Sullivan said in a release. “A head coach never likes to think about stepping down, particularly me. I’ve always been a competitor and that spirit never fades. I love my job and I love this university. I have loved working with Samford’s young men, helping them grow as football players, as student-athletes and spiritually. I am so thankful to each and every one of my players and their families for allowing me to be a part of their lives. “The past couple of years have been difficult. I’ve been dealing with health issues more than I would have liked. Our young men have never blinked. This coaching staff never blinked. I am so proud of each and every member of the Samford football program. “Coaching is a grind. Right now I need more balance in my life. I need to pay more attention to my health, and I want to spend more time with (wife) Jean, my children and grandchildren. I owe that to them. But I’m not done working, and I’m not leaving Samford.” Sullivan recently completed his eighth season as coach. He is the program’s all-time leader in career wins. He has led the team to four straight winning seasons for the first time since 1999, and the Bulldogs have won at least seven games for three straight seasons for the first time since 1962. In 2013, Sullivan led the Bulldogs to their first Southern Conference championship since joining the league in 2008. The team also earned the program’s first bid to the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs since 1992. “In an age in which public figures so often disappoint us, it is refreshing and inspirational to reflect on the long and successful career of
Pat Sullivan,” Westmoreland said. “As I have grown close to Pat in the years since he became Samford’s head football coach in 2006 and as I have seen him in some of the highest and lowest moments of life, proximity has only enhanced my profound respect for him. “In every sense, he is exactly as he appears to be: a person of intelligence, persistence, wisdom, good humor, with an impenetrable core of ethics that is rooted in a vibrant faith. He cares deeply about his family and his student-athletes. He is respectful of every person he encounters. I am grateful beyond words for his service to Samford over the past eight years, and I look forward to continued association with him and with Jean as we seek to provide greater experiences for our students now and in the years ahead.” Samford Athletics Director Martin Newton added, “Words cannot express the gratitude the Samford family has for Pat Sullivan. He is the epitome of character and integrity. He is a true teacher that leads by example and has taught us all to love God, our family and each other on a daily basis. “I have yet to find anyone who has a negative word to say about Coach Sullivan. He transcends the football field and shows us that relationships really do matter.” Sullivan led a search committee that took about a week before settling on Hatcher, who had been at the Ohio Valley Conference school for five seasons, posting a 3-9 record last season and a 27-30 record all told at Murray. Hatcher was a Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the top Division II player while playing quarterback at Valdosta State. He then head coached at his alma mater and Georgia Southern before moving to Murray. His career record is 121-57 in 15 seasons, and he is known for high-powered offenses. “It is a true honor to follow Coach Sullivan and have the opportunity to lead the Samford football program into its next chapter,” Hatcher said. “Put simply, Coach Sullivan is a legend. They say you never want to be ‘the man that follows the man.’ Well, I do. With Dr. Westmoreland’s unwavering support, Pat has built an incredible program from top to bottom. A rising program based upon faith, honor, commitment, discipline and character. I will work every day to build upon that foundation and carry forward Coach Sullivan and Dr. Westmoreland’s vision. This state and this University have great passion for football; I promise you that I have it too and can’t wait to get started.”
B14• January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Holiday
in the Hills Vestavia residents gathered Dec. 9 at the Vestavia Hills City Center to enjoy entertainment, merchant giveaways and the lighting of the tree. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream supplied children with free ice cream cones while they waited in line to visit with Santa, and parents were able to keep warm with coffee and hot cocoa.
Elementary school children sang Christmas tunes on stage to set the mood before the tower and tree were lit. The festival also featured a Snow Ball Drop where the Vestavia Hills Chamber dropped ping-pong balls with discounts from participating merchants. Photos by Jessa Pease.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • B15
B16• January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Vestavia Hills Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
616452
35216
1648 Savannah Park, Unit #42
New
$141,000
616567
35243
4005 Dolly Ridge Road
New
$184,900
616553
35216
2524 Fleetway Drive
New
$239,780
616563
35243
2412 Dolly Ridge Road
New
$369,900
616404
35216
2141 Montreat Drive, Unit #C
New
$86,900
616297
35243
3842 Overton Manor Lane, Unit #15
New
$104,900
615838
35216
1528 Badham Drive
New
$474,000
616077
35216
209 Woodbury Drive, Unit #23
New
$154,900
616170
35216
2700 Southview Drive
New
$289,000
616150
35243
2330 Vestbrook Drive
New
$369,900
615704
35242
701 Provence Drive, Unit #962
New
$400,000
616178
35243
3236 Overton Manor Drive, Unit #36
New
$129,900
Real estate listings sent to Vestavia Voice by Vinnie Alonzo of RE/MAX Advantage South between Dec. 2 and Dec. 16. Agents and agency vary by property.
1648 Savannah Ridge Park
1528 Badham Drive
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • B17
Calendar Vestavia Hills Events
Vestavia Hills City Council
Jan. 5: Help the Hills Town Hall Meeting. 6 p.m. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. Help the Hills will host a panel discussion with leaders from the Vestavia Hills school board, Vestavia Hills Police Department and Jefferson County Drug Court. Visit leadershipvestaviahills. com.
Jan. 8: Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. 6 p.m. Vestavia Hills City Council Chambers, 513 Montgomery Highway. Call 978-0184. Jan. 15: Board of Zoning Adjustment. 6-7 p.m. Vestavia Hills City Council Chambers, 513 Montgomery Highway. Call 978-0184.
Jan. 9: Sweet Sixteen Party. 4:30-8 p.m. Artists Incorporated Art Gallery. Food, wine and live music. Free event. Visit artistsincorporated.com.
Jan. 20: Parks and Recreation Board. 7-8:30 a.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1973 Merryvale Road. Call 978-0166.
Jan. 9: Vestavia Hills High School Varsity Basketball vs. HewittTrussville. Boys noon. Girls 6 p.m. Jan. 13: Vestavia Hills High School Varsity Basketball vs. Spain Park High School. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m.
Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce
Jan. 16: Vestavia Hills High School Varsity Basketball vs. Mountain Brook High School. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24: Bowling the Hills. 6:30-9 p.m. Vestavia Bowl. Gather your team of four to six players or plan to come as a spectator to cheer your friends on in a competition to raise money for Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Jan. 27: Vestavia Hills High School Varsity Basketball vs. Pelham High School. Boys noon. Girls 6 p.m.
Jan. 12: Senior Citizens Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1973 Merryvale Road. Visit vhal.org.
Members of Vestavia Hills girls basketball team run through drills in practice. Photo by Jessa Pease.
Jan. 13: Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Vestavia Country Club. Call 823-5011.
B18 • January 2015
Vestavia Voice
Calendar Library in the Forest Events 1221 Montgomery Highway 978-0155
Adults
Room.
Jan. 2: Needleworks. 1 p.m. Love to knit, cross-stitch or crochet? All levels of expertise are welcome.
Jan. 20: Medicaid Workshop. 1 p.m. Community Room.
Jan. 6: Lit Lunch Bunch: Adult Book Group. Noon. Historical Room.
Jan. 22: Friends of the Library: Active Daily Living with Trish Kelly. 10 a.m. Join us as Trish talks about the importance of exercise as we age.
Jan. 9: Adult Trivia Night Series: The Big Bang Theory. 7 p.m. Bring your friends, drink some beer and win prizes.
Teens
Jan. 10: Genealogy 101: Finding Your Roots. 3 p.m. Community Room.
Fridays: Open Gaming. 4 p.m. Come to the library and enjoy video games on the Wii, Wii U and Xbox 360.
Jan. 13: Ms. Olivia’s Evening Reads. 6 p.m. Historical Room. Jan. 15: OLLI Committee Meeting. 11 a.m. Members only. Jan. 15: OLLI Presents. 1:30 p.m. Community
Jan. 13: Fandom Tuesday. 4 p.m. Come to the library and check out this month’s chosen fandom.
Wednesdays: Skit-tory time. 3:30 p.m. Join Ms. Carol for skits, puppet shows and more. Designed for school-age children.
Jan. 14, 28: Teen Writing Group. 4 p.m. A writing group where teens can develop skills and receive feedback.
Thursdays: L.I.F.T. 9:30 a.m. Social play for preschoolers and their caregivers.
Jan. 27: Anime Movie Night. 4 p.m. Join us for an evening of anime.
Thursdays: Book Babies. Birth-12 months 9:30 a.m., 13-18 months 10:30 a.m. Story time for children and caregivers. Registration required.
Kids
Jan. 6, 13, 27: PJ Story Time. 6:30 p.m. Come in your PJs and enjoy story time.
Mondays: Tween Scene. 3:30 p.m. Join us for crafts, activities and volunteer opportunities.
Jan. 9: Preschool Pals: Tacky the Penguin. 10:30 a.m. Crafts, snacks and snow surprises included.
Jan. 7: Film-making in the Forest. 4:30 p.m. Join us as we create videos for the library, for fun and for national competitions.
Tuesdays: Together with Twos. 10:30 a.m. Short stories, songs and lots of movement for toddlers.
Jan. 10: Minecraft in the Forest. 1 p.m. See if you can make it through the library’s dungeon. Registration required.
Wednesdays: Story Friends. 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs for preschool children ages 5 and younger.
Jan. 17: Lego Wars. 11 a.m. First grade and up. Jan. 20: Family Night. 6 p.m. Featuring Tom Foolery.
Area events Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Hike. 10:30 a.m.1p.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. Join the Birmingham Pledge Foundation and Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve for the third annual hike to Hawk’s Ridge Overlook for a communal reading of The Birmingham Pledge. Call 245-4146.
Jan. 3: Stories Under the Stars. 7-8:30 p.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. Listen to stories around a fire told by storyteller echariah Hook. $4. Call 833-8264, ext. 13. Jan. 4: SoHo Bridal Show. 1-4 p.m.
Rosewood Hall, SoHo Square. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit thebridalmarket.com. Jan. 4: Birmingham City Pokemon Championship. 1-7 p.m. Mad Doctor Game Shop, 1318 20th St. S., Suite 100. Call 334-434-0241.
Jan. 6: Beer, Burgers and Bingo. 8-11 p.m. Black Market Bar and Grill. Visit evilbartenders. wix.com. Jan. 8: Sketching in Oils with David Baird. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Forstall Art Center. This
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VestaviaVoice.com
January 2015 • B19
Calendar Area Events (continued)
one-day class will consist of a demonstration by the instructor and individual one-on-one critiques as students work from a live model. Visit forstallartcenter.com. Jan. 10: Red Shoe Run. 7 a.m. Rosewood Hall, Homewood. The 10 mile, 5K and family fun run benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Call 638-7264 or visit redshoerun-bham.org. Jan. 10: Birmingham Spotlight Gala. 7-11 p.m. McWane Science Center. Fundraiser with the mission of empowering the city’s non-profit organizations. $65. VIP $80. Visit spotlightgala. eventzilla.net. Jan. 11: Southern Bridal Show. 4 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit eliteevents.com. Jan. 11: Birmingham Boys Choir Concert. 4 p.m. Brock Hall, Samford University. Visit birminghamboyschoir.com. Jan. 13: New York Times Columnist David Brooks Lecture. 6:30 p.m. Wright Center at Samford University. Part of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church Claypool Lecture Series. $25. Visit tickets.samford.edu. Jan. 16: New Works Concert. 8-10 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Enjoy an evening of exciting new works by regional choreographers from across the Southeast and beyond. $15, $8 for students. Visit samford.edu/
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia performs Swan Lake. The Alabama Theatre is hosting a production of the ballet Jan. 17-18.
wrightcenter. Jan. 17, 18: BrickFair 2015. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. LEGO models, display and winding trains sprawled out over 58,000 square feet. $10 at the door. Visit brickfair.com. Jan. 17, 18: Swan Lake. Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. The Alabama Theatre. $25-$55 each. Visit alabamatheatre.org.
Jan. 21-25: Ringling Bros’ Circus Xtreme. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Visit ringling.com. Jan. 22-25: Birmingham Boat Show. Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. With more than 250,000 square feet, the show highlights the latest in boats, motors, fishing gear, guides, outfitters and related outdoor gear. $10. Free for children. Visit birminghamboatshow.com.
Jan. 23, 25: Hamlet. Friday 7:30 p.m. Sunday 2:30 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Presented by Opera Birmingham. $20, $35, $65, $90. Visit operabirmingham.org. Jan. 25: A Slippery Slope: The Consequences of Hate. 3-5 p.m. Carver Theatre. Presented by Birmingham Holocaust Education Center and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Visit facebook.com/events/157909749897 1209/?ref=22.
At the Y, everyone gets stronger. The Y’s cause-driven focus on health and well-being helps our members find balance in life. A membership at the Y gives children, adults, and families the opportunity to learn and grow, while also making their community healthier and stronger.
JOIN EARL Y COME O F BENE TEN FIT M ORE
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE Y TODAY, AND JANUARY IS ON US. When you join the Y, your $50 membership activation fee becomes a credit towards the YMCA programs of your choice. When you belong to the Y you have: FREE! Wellness appointment with certified Y staff who will work with you to set goals, help guide you towards effect fitness programming, and introduce you to our MobileFit health tracking system. FREE! Group Exercise Classes; almost 500 a week to choose from! FREE! Learn and Play area for children.
YMCABHAM.ORG/JOIN
MISSION To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. VISION We will lead our community to become the healthiest in America. A United Way Partner.