Vestavia Voice July 2015 by Starnes Media

NO AD Volume 3 | Issue 3 | July 2015

For the families

‘A banner year’

This month, Artists Incorporated Art Gallery will be hosting a special event benefiting the families of fallen veterans. Read details inside.

See page B1

Triple crown

Commercial growth expected to surpass $100 million By SYDNEY CROMWELL Read about the Vestavia Hills father and two sons who have each won an Alabama state wrestling championship.

See page B10

INSIDE City .........................A6 Business ..............A10 Community .........A14

School House .......B4 Sports ....................B7 Calendar ..............B14

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Commercial construction, however, has not had the same rebound, with seven or fewer permits issued per year since 2008. With the exception of Lifetime Fitness in 2012, the citywide value of new construction has not exceeded $5 million per year in that same time.

Since the economic collapse in 2008, Vestavia Hills has seen a slow rebuilding of the new home market. From a low of 26 residential building permits issued in 2009, the city has grown to a high of 114 in 2014.

Fired up By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE Battling blazes or answering a medical emergency call — no problem. But faced with the upcoming Vestavia Hills Rotary Club Iron City Chef cook-off, the four area first responders who will square off in the July 18 competition all admit they’re intimidated by the challenge. The Firehouse Edition is the 2015 theme of the seventh annual fundraiser and will, for the first time, feature representatives of the fire departments of Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills, said Kent Howard,

Construction work has begun at the site of the Northport skilled nursing facility. It will be one of the earliest buildings to be completed at the Patchwork Farms development. Rendering courtesy of the Daniel Corporation.

By the end of 2015, however, City Manager Jeff Downes expects the bar for commercial construction will be set higher than ever before. “2015 for new commercial construction

See GROWTH | page A23

Firefighters face off in Iron City Chef

Rotarian and event chairman. The event, which attracts a sellout crowd of about 300 every year, will be at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson State Community College Culinary and Hospitality Institute. “For the last six years, this signature event has had the Iron Chef format, bringing in four Birmingham area chefs to cook a meal that is judged by those in attendance,” Howard said. “But club members started talking last year about mixing it up, and we decided to reach out to surrounding fire departments

See IRON CHEF | page A21

Trey VanHooser will represent the Vestavia Hills fire department in the 2015 Vestavia Hills Rotary Club Iron City Chef cook-off. Photo by Ron Burkett.

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Vestavia Voice

About Us Meet our new staff members Sydney Cromwell Sydney Cromwell is a 2015 graduate of Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. She worked for the campus newspaper, the Samford Crimson, for four years, including as editor-in-chief during her senior year. Sydney started as an intern at Starnes Publishing in August 2013 and continued part-time work until her graduation. She enjoys reporting on city news and the unique people and places that make up a community.

Erica Techo Erica Techo graduated from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in English and political science as well as a greater appreciation for caffeine. During her time in Athens, Erica worked at the independent student newspaper, The Red & Black, in the roles of crime reporter, news editor, managing editor, copy editor and social media editor. She also worked as a news intern for Flagpole Magazine, a weekly publication in Athens, and Morris News Service’s Atlanta bureau. Her passions for reporting include crime coverage and other community news.

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden I’ve always found the We’re leaving a cherished neighborhood, a phrase, “All good things must come to an end” to be Sunday School class that walks its talk, and spectacularly inaccurate. It’s so shortsighted, so half glass the kind of friends who empty. leave a couple of cold To my way of thinking, beers on your doorstep all good things, morph and “just because.” We’re change though they might, leaving our high school tend to beget more goodness. alma mater and Home I’m acutely aware of such of the Rebels (forever in young motherhood, but proud); Rocky Ridge Walden less so when it’s about me. district faves (shout out, That came into sharp focus last month Western Warehouse Sale and Café Iz when my family and I made the deci- jalapeno pimiento cheese); and of sion to relocate to Fort Worth, Texas. course, the greatest baby sitter, pet sitter We made up our minds following and young adult role model around weeks of thorough and prayerful con- (love you, Katie Kate). sideration. And while we’re buzzy with I’m also leaving behind this column, excitement about this new chapter, that a monthly musing that much to my joy is a bittersweet mix. To begin this surprise seemed to resonate with folks. new adventure, we must leave the For those who have taken the time to familiar. write me with your thoughts about a

Publisher: Creative Director: Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Community Reporter: Editorial Assistant: Copy Editor: Graphic Designer: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:

Contributing Writer: Interns: Published by:

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Sydney Cromwell Erica Techo Roy L. Williams Madison Miller Louisa Jeffries Emily VanderMey Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Kari Kampakis Jordan Hays Chris Griesedieck Olivia Burton Vestavia Voice LLC

particular Editor’s Note, thank you. I’ve worked on these columns, and the Vestavia Voice overall, for the pure joy of writing. I have also saved every single one of your letters; their thoughtful responses have increased my joy tenfold. They keep me motivated to do what I love the most after my Lord and my family, and that is to write. While this is my final issue, know that I am leaving you in the capable journalistic hands of Vestavia’s own Katie Turpen and 2015 Samford grad Sydney Cromwell, both award-winning writers in their own regard. As for the paper itself, you can expect more of the good, and the best to get better. In love and appreciation,

Contact Information: Vestavia Voice #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@vestaviavoice.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: katie@starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

For advertising contact: dan@vestaviavoice.com

Legals: Vestavia Voice is published monthly. Reproduction

or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Vestavia Voice is designed to inform the Vestavia community of area school, family and community events. Information in the Vestavia Voice is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of the Vestavia Voice. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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July 2015 • A5

POWER TO

BUILD DREAMS

Safe, affordable, reliable electricity is one form of power we provide, but not the only one. Meet Sharon Scott. She has a new home that’s affordable, comfortable and energy efficient. With help from Habitat for Humanity and Alabama Power, Sharon will have a comfortable place to call home for years to come. That’s power to help build dreams. That’s Power to Alabama.

Read Sharon’s story at AlabamaPowerRealTalk.com.

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1/21/15 4:17 PM

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Vestavia Voice

City Mayor’s Minute

Council approves annexation of Freshwater Land Trust property Ov er to nR

Subject Properties Vestavia Hills

closely with our school board and Superintendent Sheila Phillips in all decisions that might affect or create an opportunity for our collective organizations. One of the council’s priorities through all of this is to be certain we support our schools in our efforts and do not create any problems such as overcrowding for our school system. To that end, we are keeping school system leadership informed about the development and annexation we are planning for the future. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

nR o rt

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Your mayor,

Alberto C. “Butch” Zaragoza

Old Overto

This month, I’d like to share with you information about the working relationships between the city and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as our relationship working with the school system. Over the past several years, we’ve begun working more closely with the Chamber, particularly as we’ve honed our focus on economic development priorities for the City of Vestavia Hills. Through that effort, we’ve also come up with a policy document that places the primary responsibility for retaining and growing our existing businesses with the Chamber of Commerce. This policy will also allow the city to concentrate its economic development energies on recruiting new businesses to Vestavia Hills. Related to this is the city’s joint collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce on a rebranding effort. That initiative has moved along very well, resulting in numerous assets including the new website and video, as well as forthcoming collateral that will be used to help recruit potential developers and business owners here. Economic development also involves our school system. In recognition of this, we’ve undertaken an initiative to work

By Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza

Jefferson County

Jeffco & Bham

The area indicated in green in the above map was recently annexed into the city.

By KATIE TURPEN The city council approved the annexation of 74 acres adjacent to the Cahaba River during a May meeting. The property is owned by the Freshwater Land Trust. The area, indicated in green in the above map, is planned to remain a natural area. The Freshwater Land Trust is a nonproﬁt organization whose mission is the acquisition and stewardship of lands that enhance water quality and preserve open space.The organzation is based in Birmingham and works to preserve the places in Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson,

Shelby, St. Clair, Walker and Tuscaloosa counties. In other news, City Manager Jeff Downes said plans for the park on a portion of the Altadena Valley Country Club property are moving forward and that the city is carefully examining issues such as ﬂooding and trafﬁc concerns. In the coming months, there will be public hearings concerning the property. “We are making sure we plan the highest and best use for the area,” Downes said. Also, the city council: } Approved an employment contract for City Manager Jeff Downes.

Liberty Pkwy

} Approved an ordinance granting a one year extension for conditional use approval for construction of a 120-foot stealth monopole at 2062 Columbiana Road. } Approved an ordinance granting conditional use approval for a home occupation at 7024 Lake Run Drive; David And Sandra Redden, owners. } Approved an ordinance granting conditional use approval for a home occupation at 917 Vestlake Hollow Circle; Regan Goldberg, owner. } Declared personal property as surplus and directed the disposal of said property.

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July 2015 • A7

New York-based firm buys local shopping center

The New York-based Time Equities Inc. (TEI) recently acquired the 35,982-square-foot Olde Towne Shopping Center in Vestavia Hills. Photo by Katie Turpen.

By KATIE TURPEN Vestavia residents can soon look forward to new retail options. In May, New York-based firm Time Equities Inc. (TEI) acquired Olde Towne Shopping Center with plans for renovation and additional tenants. The 35,982-square-foot property was purchased for $2.5 million and marks the firm’s second acquisition deal in the state. Currently, TEI owns and manages a 116,446-square-foot shopping center in Homewood. Ami Ziff, director of national retail with Time Equities Inc., said the firm was impressed with the well-established, boutique neighborhood center that has served the community for more than 20 years. “We’ve been looking to grow our presence there for years now,” he said. “We generally look for properties that can be improved upon,

and this opportunity popped up.” The property, which was recently renovated, is approximately 83 percent occupied by tenants including Kiva Hot Yoga, Mobility Central, Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse, Birmingham Percussion Center and AccuStaff. The firm hopes to reach 100 percent occupancy by aggressively marketing the vacancies and further renovating the building. “It’s a very service-oriented shopping center that caters to the local community,” Ziff said. “We hope to increase visibility, increase signage and attract new tenants.” Brad Bailey of Bayer Properties brokered the deal in-house on behalf of the seller. The property will be locally managed by Donna Cox of Engel Realty Company and leased by Tim Reddock and Vanessa Morris of Southeast Commercial.

Vestavia Hills Fire Department receives grant The Vestavia Hills Fire Department (VHFD) was recently awarded a $160,740 grant by the Department of Homeland Security through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The department’s application competed against thousands through a peer review process for a portion of federal funding. The grant will be used for equipment designed specifically for wild land firefighting. The VHFD responded to numerous wild land incidents in 2014 which challenged the department’s capabilities and showed the need for improvement. This equipment, combined with

additional training which has already been conducted, will better prepare the VHFD to serve the community. Funds awarded under the AFG program are used to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Only the applications most closely conforming to program priorities are considered and scored by peer review panels. The department is grateful to Congressman Gary Palmer, Congressman Spencer Bachus and their staffs for their assistance in the award.

I Love America Day returns to Wald Park

The 34th Annual I Love America Summer Celebration will take place Wednesday, July 1 from 6-10 p.m. at Wald Park. The event is presented by the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and Vestavia Hills Parks & Recreation. Photo by Katie Turpen.

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Vestavia Voice

Colonnade adds electric charger By SYDNEY CROMWELL

A charging station is in place at the Colonnade, at the intersection of 280 and I-459, through a joint project by Alabama Power and CBRE. Photo courtesy of CBRE.

Drivers of electric vehicles now have a new place to charge up on U.S. 280. A charging station is in place at the Colonnade, at the intersection of 280 and I-459, through a joint project by Alabama Power and CBRE. The station, which has two chargers, is located close to the Taziki’s and is free to the public. It’s the first public charger to be installed in a major Birmingham area retail or office development. CBRE Real Estate Manager Rhoda Kattus said the idea to install a charging station came from a trip to CBRE offices in Atlanta, where stations and electric

cars were more common. “We thought it would be nice, and important going forward, for Birmingham to have the same amenities available for our office tenants and visitors,” Kattus said. Alabama Power originally installed stations at the Colonnade in 2000, but the relatively new technology didn’t take off at the time. The infrastructure was still in place, however, making the new installation project easier. Kattus believes the stations will be popular among hotel guests, retail customers and office workers who frequent the Colonnade. “Rather than having to charge at a

dealership, anyone with an electric vehicle can now charge with us for free, and be entertained while they wait, whether that is with a workout at Gold’s Gym, grabbing a meal, visiting retail or working,” Kattus said. She noted that tenants of other CBRE buildings had expressed interest in having the same amenity. Based on the Colonnade station’s use, she said CBRE will consider adding these stations in other locations. “We are proud to contribute to the sustainability efforts here in Birmingham,” Kattus said. “This is a turning point for the city in forward-thinking sustainable efforts.”

Sibyl Temple renovations complete, bricks available for purchase By KATIE TURPEN Efforts have been underway since March to ensure the Sibyl Temple remains a proud symbol of Vestavia Hills and renovations are now complete. The Alabama Historical Commission awarded the city a $2,500 grant for improvements to the structure and the Vestaiva Hills Garden Club and Sibyl Temple Foundation raised the remaining funds. “This is the best it has ever looked,” said Sibyl Temple Foundation President Celeste David. “We’re so proud.” The history of the temple dates back to 1925 when George Ward, former mayor of Birmingham, completed his home on

the crest of Shades Mountain. The Sibyl Temple was built as a gazebo in one of the gardens as a replica of the Temple of the Goddess Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. In 1972, the Vestavia Hills Garden Club’s president bought the temple. The temple was then dismantled from one location and moved piece by piece to its current home on Montgomery Highway and Shades Crest Road. The Sibyl Temple Foundation was formed in 1992 with members of the garden club serving to help restore, maintain and beautify the temple. The foundation invites residents to leave their mark around the landmark by purchasing one of the bricks that surround the temple. The

bricks are 4-by-8 inches and are $75 each. “It can be a memorial, honorary, wedding, whatever you want,” said Brick Committee Co-Chair Sarah White. “All money goes to support the Sibyl Temple.” Residents J. Sharp Gillespy IV and Louise Rust Gillespy are longtime Vestavia Hills residents, having to moved to the city in 1960. In May, their brick was one of 54 commemorative bricks installed around the temple. Brick Committee Co-Chair Claire Gwaltney said there will be another installation this fall. The Sibyl Temple is also available for rent. For more information, contact White at 823-0052, Gwaltney at 967-7712 or email sibylbricks@gmail.com

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Brick Committee Co-Chair Claire Gwaltney, J. Sharp Gillespy IV, Louise Rust Gillespy and Brick Committee Co-Chair Sarah White stand in front of the newly renovated Sibyl Temple. The Gillespys moved to Vestavia Hills in 1960. In May, their brick was one of 54 commemorative bricks installed around the temple. Photo by Katie Turpen.

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July 2015 • A9

Library in the Forest expanded parking now open By KATIE TURPEN Library patrons will soon enjoy easier access to their favorite materials. The Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest recently announced that 46 new parking spaces are now available for patrons. The Children’s Department will feature the space at the Mother/ Son Hero Games on July 18. “We hope that this will alleviate excess parking in the surrounding residential areas as well as cut down on traffic hazards,” said Lauren Daniel, Executive Director of the Vestavia Hills Library Foundation. In addition to expanded parking, the library is making plans to add

creativity-based, cutting-edge technology to its current offerings. A possible maker space is being considered for the facility and plans are underway to add 3D printing along with game/animation programming software to the electronic classroom. For more, visit vestavialibrary.org. In lieu of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, Vestavia Hills High School Head Football Coach Buddy Anderson and Mary Catherine and Jack Morrow celebrate the opening of the Library in the Forest’s expanded parking lot by racing to break through the finish line. Photo courtesy of Taneisha Young-Tucker.

City begins process of acquiring Altadena Valley Country Club property By KATIE TURPEN Vestavia Hills has been in negotiations for several months with the Altadena Valley Country Club’s landowners to turn part of the 90-acre property into a new recreational facility. During a June meeting, the city council approved a resolution proposing the 90-day annexation of the property. City Manager Jeff Downes said the city has been examining flooding and transportation issues of the area.

A public hearing is set for Aug. 13 during the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to discuss rezoning the property. “This will be an opportunity to show the evolving plan to the public,” Downes said. Following the public hearing, annexation is set to be up for council approval on Sep. 28 and a closing date of the property is set for Oct. 1. “We are not in the position to lay out anything yet, “ Downes said. “We also still have an ongoing parks and recreation study that is expected

to have results by early July.” In other news, the city council authorized an agreement with ALDOT for a project resurfacing Columbiana Road from Gentilly Drive to the south end of the bridge over Shades Creek. Downes said this project ties in with an ATRIP project, which includes the area between U.S. 31 and Gentilly Drive. Furthermore, the city council: `` Announced that the new Library in the Forest

parking lot is now open. `` Approved a power easement adjacent to Vestavia Hills Elementary School- Cahaba Heights. `` Approved an agreement for the exclusive listing to sell the now vacant property at 2253 Great Rock Rock Road. `` Authorized a “Conditional Consent To Encroachment And Release Of Damages” with Jefferson County.

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Now Open Elements Float Spa is now open at 4851 Cahaba River Road. The float spa is the first of its kind in the state and uses a hyper-buoyant environment to alleviate chronic pain, relieve stress and provide an overall relaxing environment. elementsfloatspa.com

Facial Plastic Surgery & 2 Petro Tivoli MedSpa is now open at 905 Montgomery Highway, Suite 101. Melanie L. Petro, MD, a board-certiﬁed facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon, offers a selection of cosmetic procedures as well as Botox, ﬁllers, peels and facials, and microdermabrasion. 420-8043, petromd.com

Relocations and Renovations

July 2015 • A11

Coming Soon The Egg & I restaurant chain from its founders, Patty and Rayno Seaser. First Watch now has 267 restaurants, including one at 700 Montgomery Highway, Suite 188. 979-6827, theeggandirestaurants.com

News and Accomplishments Pep Boys, 1453 Montgomery Highway, is now open on Sundays. 823-1453, pepboys.com

Iz Café, 2514 Rocky Ridge Road, is now selling boxed lunches for $10 each. Each box includes a sandwich, pasta salad or fresh fruit, chips and a cookie, or a salad with a cookie. They can be picked up at the restaurant or delivered for orders of 25 or more. 979-7570, everythingiz.com

Anthony’s Car Wash and Detail 3 Center, 1009 Vestavia Parkway, was remodeled in June. 822-9274, anthonyscarwash.com

Blackwell’s Pub & Eatery, 3151 Green Valley Road, is now holding live team trivia on Monday nights starting at 7:30 p.m. 967-3798, blackwellspub.com

New Ownership

Anniversaries

Merle Norman Cosmetics, 672 Montgomery Highway, is now under the ownership of Pat Mays. Mays was formerly employed with Merle Norman in Homewood. 822-7660, merlenorman.com First Watch Restaurants has acquired

Forge Fitness, 2112 Columbiana Road, is celebrating its second anniversary in July. 834-2304, forgevestavia.com

Business news

Expansion

to share? If you are in a brick and mortar business in Vestavia Hills and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Coming Soon

Expansion Email dan@vestaviavoice.com

If you are in a brick and mortar business in Vestavia Hills and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Email dan@vestaviavoice.com

A12 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

Chamber

Guests enjoy the June Chamber Commerce Luncheon. Photos courtesy of Deloye Burrell/Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Joseph Borg, director of the Alabama Securities Commission, was the featured speaker for the June Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Vestavia Country Club.

Alabama Securities Commissioner speaks to Chamber By REBECCA WALDEN Before Leonardo DiCaprio brought The Wolf of Wall Street to movie-theatre going masses, Alabama Securities Commissioner Joe Borg was tracking the real-life case, which began in Elba, Alabama. The records collected under Borg’s leadership eventually made their way to the movie’s producers, though that wasn’t the first time white collar crime in the Deep South had become raw source material for Hollywood plot fodder. In 2000, another white collar crime film, The Boiler Room, was released. Scripts collected by Borg and team played a part in the movie producer’s

research. Though neither of these movies figured into the clips Borg played to the Chamber audience during its June 9 meeting, the one he did play – a four minute segment from the CNBC television show American Greed, left the room speechless. It focused on the scheme and shutdown of Greater Ministries International, a Tampa-based operation that promised its investors to double their investment within 17 months. And its most powerful recruiting tool, religion, is precisely what Borg identifies as the most effective tool white collar criminals are using to secure their victims. “In Alabama, the best way to steal money is to use religion,” he said, noting that only natural

disaster-related schemes are a close second. “Some of the best scams we’ve seen are ripped from the headlines. They range from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina.” In his role as Director of the Alabama Securities Commission, Borg and his 53-member team exist to regulate anyone in the Alabama who sells investments. The agency, which according to Borg generates approximately 1.25 million monthly, examines every investment advisor in the state once every three years. The agency has also earned a 98 percent conviction rate for white collar crime, the best in the nation. Citing numerous examples of those 65 and

EYE

older who have fallen susceptible to fraudulent investment schemes, Borg pointed to the agency as a resource. “Please call us,” he said. “Even if it is only a small amount of money, we investigate every lead we receive.” Emphasizing the importance of preventing such victimization at the outset, Borg continued,” It is hard to get seniors to testify. They tell us things like, ‘my kids will think I can’t handle my affairs and they will put me in a nursing home.’ It only takes us 24 hours to research any investor in the state, and it’s free to you. Call us and let us provide you a report before you invest.”

WE ARE COMMITTED TO YOUR EYE CARE.

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • A13

Board of Education discusses superintendent’s performance By ERICA TECHO The Vestavia Hills Board of Education discussed Sheila Phillips’ performance during her first year as superintendent at its June 11 meeting. Phillips was evaluated using a tool from the Alabama Association of School Boards, which got feedback from school board members, administrators and community stakeholders. This was the first year AASB provided this tool, and it was used as an evaluation for a handful of other superintendents this year. Phillips was ranked above average in the evaluation, and AASB director of leadership development Susan Salter said Phillips’ evaluation was the highest of all the superintendent evaluations this year. “The ratings from the board members averaged a 4.6. The board was very pleased with Sheila’s performance,” Salter said. The board members ranked Phillips on a scale of 1 to 5 based on her performance as CEO of the school board, educational leadership of the schools, personnel management, community relations, management of pupil personnel services, professional development and leadership, technology management and financial management. “Because Sheila works for the board as a whole, it is important that you speak to her with one voice about your expectations,” Salter said. “What you said collectively is the piece she needs to take the most guidance from. That said, there is remarkable agreement from the board members about the job she is doing.” Administrators and community stakeholders rated Phillips on different categories, and both groups ranked her success as above average

Vestavia Hills Board of Education president Nathaniel Robin and superintendent Sheila Phillips. Photo by Erica Techo.

as well. Evaluations such as these are important to help facilitate conversations about how the superintendent and board can improve, and Salter recommended setting goals yearly and taking a similar evaluation every two or three years. “The way that a school board and superintendent team move a school system forward is by

having lots of conversations about the vision, the mission, the direction, setting goals,” Salter said. In other news, the school board: }} Approved an amendment to the budget, which reflected an increase in state funds and other changes. }} Approved a contract with Schoolwires, Inc. for the school system’s new web design.

}} Accepted the low bid of $111,325.21 from Southland International for a new school bus. }} Approved the new district athletic director job description and amendments to the athletic director employment contract for Jeff Segars. }} Approved the job description for the child nutrition program associate. }} Approved corrections to the policy manual.

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Vestavia Voice

Community Leigh Anne Tuohy, adoptive mother from The Blind Side, coming to Vestavia Hills By KATIE TURPEN Leigh Anne Tuohy, inspirational figure behind The Blind Side, will be the keynote speaker at the second annual PNC and Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation lunch event, which will be held Oct. 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the Vestavia Country Club. Tuohy is best known for being the legal guardian of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager turned first-round NFL draft pick and now Superbowl champion. Their story was featured in Michael Lewis’ 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, and its 2009 film adaption The Blind Side. Tuohy was portrayed by actress Sandra Bullock

in the film. In July 2010, she and her husband, Sean, released the New York Times best-seller, In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, and established their charity, The Making it Happen Foundation. Her second book, Making it Happen: Just Turn Around, details concrete action steps people can take to becoming more involved in their community. Her latest book, Turn Around: Reach Out, Give Back, and Get Moving, is a five-day-per-week devotional. The Vestavia Hills City School Foundation provides grants each year to Vestavia Hills educators for technology improvements, classroom enhancement projects and professional

development opportunities for teachers. The Foundation currently has a grant-making endowment of more than $2.3 million. Reservations for seating and VIP packages are now on sale. Seating is limited, so purchasing early is strongly recommended. For more information, visit vestaviafoundation.org. Leigh Anne Tuohy, inspirational figure behind The Blind Side, will be the keynote speaker at the second annual PNC and Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation lunch event. Photo courtesy of Ashley Thompson.

VHHS students to compete in Distinguished Young Women Eight Vestavia Hills High School students will participate in The Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County (formerly known as Junior Miss) this month. It will be held Friday and Saturday, July 17 and July 18 at the Wright Center Concert Hall on the campus of Samford University. Twenty-five high school senior girls, representing 11 high schools from across Jefferson County, will compete for cash-tuition and college granted scholarships and the opportunity to represent Jefferson County in the Distinguished Young

Women Program of Alabama in Montgomery in January. Abigail Albritton, Andrea Burris, Morgan Cheney, Catherine Grindle, Katharine Henley, Kennedy Hicks, Anna Kate Lucas and Katie Sinclair will represent Vestavia Hills. Participants will compete in the onstage categories of talent, fitness and self expression with the theme of a “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile.” On the final night of competition, finalists will be selected, along with overall category winners, in addition to the naming of the Distinguished

Young Woman of Jefferson County 2016, first-alternate and second-alternate. All tickets are for reserved seating and are $15 each for July 17 at 7 p.m. and July 18 at 1 p.m. preliminaries, and $25 each for the July 19 at 7 p.m. finals. Tickets may be purchased through any participant, at the Samford University Wright Center box office each evening one hour prior to each performance, or by calling 907-0210. For more information about the program, visit distinguishedyw.org.

VHHS graduate Hannah Walter is the current Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County.

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VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • A15

Maker Mondays underway at Library in the Forest This summer, explore your creative side. Parents and children are invited to Maker Mondays every Monday night from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Children have the opportunity to create and learn using electronics, robotics, fashion design, animation, architecture, weaving, pottery and more. There is no age requirement, but children must be accompanied by an adult. “Creativity comes out in many ways,” said Children’s Department Head April Moon. Activities take place in the Children’s Program Room. For more, visit vestavialibrary.org. During one of the Maker Mondays at the Library in the Forest, one child made an original dress for her Barbie Doll. Photo courtesy of April Moon.

Celebrations Angelo-Bullard

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Anthony Angelo of Vestavia Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Angelo, to Edwin Andrew Bullard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Alvin Bullard of Florence, Alabama. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Jacquelyn Brooklere Milazzo and the late Mr. Joseph John Milazzo of Vestavia Hills and Mrs. Elizabeth Levio Angelo and the late Mr. Phillip Claude Angelo of Vestavia Hills. Miss Angelo is a 2007 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School and a 2011 cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where she received a bachelor degree in criminal justice and a minor in computer technology. She received her Masters of Science in marketing from the University of Alabama Manderson Graduate School of Business in 2013. Miss Angelo was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi social sorority, Golden Key, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Alpha Lambda and Alpha Pi Sigma Honor Society. She was presented at the 2009 Poinsettia Debutante Ball. Miss Angelo is employed as a senior recruiter at Robert Half Technology in Greenville, South Carolina. The prospective groom is the grandson of

Mrs. Walter Clyde Scott and the late Mr. Scott of Opelika, Alabama, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wallace Hayes of Florence, Alabama. Mr. Bullard is a 2007 graduate of Florence High School, and a 2011 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He was a four-year member of the University of Alabama football team. He was a member of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 SEC Academic Honor Roll and recognized as a University of Alabama Football Outstanding Senior Scholar in 2010. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, Golden Key and Sigma Alpha Lambda. He received a Master of Business Administration from the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Master of Science in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama in 2013. He is currently employed as a project engineer with BMW North America in Greenville, South Carolina. Mr. Bullard is also a partner of Spicy Vines wine company in Napa, California. The wedding is planned for Aug. 22 at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, with a reception to follow at The Club Grand Ballroom.

Have an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email katie@starnespublishing.com to have it included in an upcoming issue!

A16 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

Jack Williams calls Watts’ decision a ‘win’ for the community By DAVID KNOX Alabama State Rep. Jack Williams was doing his best to stem his emotions as he stood on the sidewalk in front of the UAB Administration Building. But his voice cracked more than a little with joy as he spoke. “This is a win for Birmingham, for Jefferson County and for this community,” the Vestavia Hills legislator said, as word filtered out that UAB President Ray Watts would be holding a press conference to announce he would reinstate the Blazers football, rifle and bowing programs after dropping the ax on them almost exactly six months ago. “This community needed an opportunity to be great, this community refused to lose,” said Williams, a staunch UAB supporter. “We stepped up and said we’re going to win and nobody could stop it. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community. This is a win for our community that’s been maligned nationally. We put our best foot forward, and we demonstrated what being from Birmingham and Jefferson County means. And we’ve shown folks how you can get it done and get it done the right way.” Watts had cited financial reasons in December for shutting down the football program — and the other two women’s sports, which were basically cut since without football, Title IX would allow them to be. At the June 2 press conference, Watts said he was “taking steps” to reinstate all three sports. Athletics Director Mark Ingram said UAB would play football as soon as possible, hopefully 2016,

Alabama State Rep. Jack Williams

but possibly 2017. Watts said Bill Clark will remain the Blazers coach as the program makes the transition back to active status. Watts, who said he had not made the decision until that morning, has discussed with city and business leaders in Birmingham the possibility of building a new stadium. The president said $17.2 million had been pledged as of June 2. “The biggest single difference is that we now have tangible support that we never had before,” he said.

Williams said he thought the tipping point came on a crucial weekend, when rumors were flying that Watts would announce on a Friday night that the programs would not be coming back. “When we got through and avoided the loss of the team on Memorial Day weekend, and the business community stepped up,” Williams said. “I’ve never been so proud to be a part of a community like I am today because the community leaders and grassroots individuals joined hands and they made this city great.” There has been criticism that Williams was spending too much time focusing on bills he, Vestavia Hills Sen. Jabo Waggoner and others were trying to push through regarding a perceived lack of UAB representation on the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and related pro-UAB bills. Williams responded to that question by saying the legislature would be passing human trafficking legislation, that he passed innovator liability legislation for the Business Council of Alabama, as well as bills for the National Federation of Businessmen. He had sponsored 23 bills, among the most of any member of the Alabama House of Representatives. Six have passed, including one establishing an entertainment district and regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages in it. “I think I’ve had a very successful legislative session,” he said. “And today’s win is the exclamation point on hundreds of hours of hard work by thousands of people.” Social media, particularly Facebook, spurred grassroots support. Additionally, 56 municipalities passed resolutions supporting UAB football,

rifle and bowling. From the city of Vestavia Hills resolution: “The Mayor and City Council of Vestavia and many of its citizens urge the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees (‘Trustees’) and The University of Alabama at Birmingham President (‘President’) to reconsider the discontinuation of the athletic programs that were recently cancelled; and The Mayor and City Council also encourage the Trustees to be more transparent in their decision making that not only affects the University, but the municipalities that support athletics and academics at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.” Furthermore, 54 Alabama high school football coaches had signed a letter urging Watts to restore the program. Among the signees was Vestavia Hills Rebels coach Buddy Anderson, the state’s winningest coach; Hoover’s Josh Niblett; Oak Mountain’s Cris Bell; and Spain Park’s Shawn Raney. Every coach of a school south of Red Mountain signed the letter. Ironically, Watts’ actions, while setting the program back, has now galvanized UAB athletics support like never before, Williams said. “I think what we’re seeing today is the rebirth of what will be the dominant mid-major program in college athletics.” UAB had suffered through some difficult seasons on the field and, not coincidentally, at the gate until last season, when Clark led the Blazers to a 6-6 record and the attendance jumped to about 21,000 per game, including 28,355 for the Blazers’ final home game of the season.

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015• A17

4th annual Wing Ding draws record crowd By KATIE TURPEN In May, the fourth annual Wing Ding, a hot wing challenge and festival presented by Leadership Vestavia Hills, returned to the Vestavia Hills City Center. More than 2,500 people attended, and an estimated $6,500 was raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. The foundation funds research and drug development, ensures treatment access and implements newborn screening for CF.

Rollin’ in the Hay provided live music, and children enjoyed a Kids Zone with a moonwalk and balloon animals. Guests had the opportunity to sample a variety of wings and vote for their favorite. The teams winners of the wing contest are as follows: }} First Place: Principal Mortgage }} Second Place: Pinnacle Bank }} Third Place: John Henley State Farm People’s Choice: Anesthesia Services of Birmingham. Photos by Katie Turpen and Deloye Burrell.

A18 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

VHEW rallies around student fighting Type 1 diabetes By REBECCA WALDEN

Caden James is pictured with his insulin pump. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two days after his second birthday. Photo courtesy of Stacy Mitchell.

What is a JDRF Walk? Since 2013, Vestavia Hills Elementary West and the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) have teamed up to participate in the JDRF Kids Walk program. It is an educational, in-school fundraising event with two goals: }} to educate students about type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. }} to provide them with an opportunity to make a difference by raising money for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

Surprising even themselves, the students, faculty and staff of Vestavia Hills Elementary West were astonished to learn that in their third year hosting a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk, they had raised $11,000 — nearly four times their goal. That grand total, earned through a school fundraiser selling $1 sneakers for a two-week period, is the most money raised by a school in the JDRF Alabama Chapter’s history. “This has always been a very giving community, but $11,000 is the most any Birmingham chapter of JDRF has raised in a school walk,” said Sharman

Martin of VHEW’s physical education department. She noted that within the West family, several students have type 1 diabetes, as well as three staff members. “My nephew is also type 1 diabetic, so this cause is dear to my heart. I’m very proud of how our student body, teachers and parents stepped up to the plate.” In lending her support, Martin was also thinking of West student Caden James Mitchell, who just completed kindergarten. Caden James was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two days after his second birthday. “Diagnosing him at age 2 was slightly difficult,” said Stacy Mitchell, Caden James’ mother. “As each symptom of type 1 presented itself, I

assumed it was a normal developmental stage of becoming a toddler boy. However, as each symptom intensified and another presented itself, my mommy intuition began to tell me something was wrong.” Following her son’s diagnosis, Mitchell began an intense care regimen that he will have to maintain for the rest of his life. “Caden James must check his blood sugar at least eight times a day,” she said, adding that all of his food is weighed and counted for carbohydrates. “Caden James wears an insulin pump that delivers his insulin continuously throughout the day, and he also wears a continuous glucose meter to monitor his blood sugar

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • A19

Breaking Down

How are JDRF funds used?

Type 1 Diabetes

Pancreas Stops

Producing

Insulin

Caden James Mitchell often asks his mother when he will “no longer have diabetes.” As she responds, “We are working on it.” Stacy Mitchell cites this recent example of how JDRF funds are being used right here in Birmingham: “New research conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has shown that the common blood pressure drug verapamil completely reverses diabetes in animal models. Now, thanks to a 3-year, $2.1 million grant from the JDRF, UAB researchers will begin conducting a potentially groundbreaking clinical trial in 2015 to see if it can do the same in humans. The trial, known as ‘the repurposing of verapamil as a beta cell survival therapy in type 1 diabetes,’ is scheduled to begin early next year and has come to fruition after more than a decade of research efforts in UAB’s Comprehensive Diabetes Center.”

It Strikes suddenly

Without insulin

both children

Glucose stays in in the blood cells

and adults at any age.

As a result

Insulin must be injected

or pumped for life

trends. Within four hours of removing his insulin pump, Caden James could go into diabetic ketoacidosis, which is lethal. At the same time, if too much insulin is administered, that, too, has immediate and lethal consequences. Type 1 diabetes is a very difﬁcult and time-consuming disease that never goes away...or gives you a day off.”

Given this new normal for their family, the Mitchells were overwhelmed with the show of support from their West family. “The school raised funds by selling $1 sneakers for two weeks. On the day of the walk, every class wore their school spirit shirt. Caden James was overwhelmed by the sight of his

friends and school walking to help bring awareness and a cure,” she said. “Many children went above and beyond selling the $1 sneakers. We saw a post on Facebook of fellow West students selling lemonade to raise additional funds. How amazing and supportive is that!” The school’s involvement in the

walk has also carried the ancillary beneﬁt of educating other students about the disease. “West’s P.E. staff and teachers really get behind this fundraising effort as they coordinate the sendhome information, encourage the kids to wear their West shirts, and devote a day of P.E. to walking the track,” said

Vestavia West parent Alice Elmore. “We have type 1 diabetes in our extended family, and I appreciate the age-appropriate educational information the children see and hear in P.E. The way it is presented and explained made it easier for my child to understand the disease we have struggled to explain to her.”

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VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015• A20

A heart for service Kym Prewitt reflects on her five-year term on the Board of Education By KATIE TURPEN Former Board President Kym Prewitt couldn’t help getting misty-eyed during her final meeting in May. Her term expired on June 10 and while it is a bittersweet exit, she’s excited about what lies ahead. “Rolling off the board at this time feels a little like jumping off a speeding train that is headed to great places,” she said. Prewitt served on the Board of Education for five years and was appointed president in May 2014. She is a lifelong resident of Vestavia Hills and graduated from Vestavia Hills High School. She attended Auburn University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She then taught English at VHHS before becoming involved in the community by serving as vice president of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, president of the Vestavia Hills PTA and PTO Councils, board member of Leadership Vestavia Hills, and co-chairman of Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills. She said serving on the board has increased her understanding of a variety of issues in education. “I have learned patience beyond what my own children taught me — a patience to truly listen and consider issues from many perspectives but always for the greater good of our students,” she said. She notes that social media has transformed school communications and that she’s realized it is possible for tradition to stay alive while progress is being made. “I have learned that the tough decisions are easy when we make them based on what is right for children,” she said. “I learned that it really does take five years to figure out this job and that

Kym Prewitt served on the Vestavia Hills Board of Education for five years. Her term expired on June 10.

five years feels like five minutes.” She is thankful for the opportunity to work alongside her fellow board members: Nat Robin, Mark Hogewood, Nancy Corona, Jerry Dent, Kim Benos, David Walker and Jim Pounds. “Much of what I learned is a result of working with board members who come from completely different life experiences, professions and perspectives but whose common ground is having no agenda other than furthering the Vestavia

Hills City School system,” she said. When asked what makes Vestavia Hills unique, Prewitt said it is a shared sense of belonging and a strong value that is placed on relationships. “Vestavia Hills is a place where citizens feel a connectedness and an ownership to a community in which their voices matter,” she said. “Simply put: We care about each other.” Out of all years, Prewitt has been involved

with the system she sees now as a pivotal moment for the school system. “I have been associated in one way or another with this school system since 1971,” she said. “I have always believed in it and have been proud of it, but never before in all these years have I felt as encouraged as I do at this moment about the pace and the direction in which we are moving.”

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July 2015 • A21

VestaviaVoice.com IRON CHEF

CONTINUED from page A1 because, after all, they’re known for their great meals.” Competitors include Homewood’s Alexander Glover, Mountain Brook’s Lee Currie, Hoover’s Edward Pegues and Vestavia’s Trey VanHooser, each with more than a decade of firefighting experience. VanHooser, who works at Station 2, said he’s more nervous about competing in the Iron City Chef cook-off than taking part in a rescue. “I started training for my work when I was 10. That’s what I do, and I know what I’m doing,” he said. “But when you’re cooking in large batches, there’s a much bigger opportunity to screw up.” VanHooser, a firefighter since 2003 and stationed in Vestavia for the past 10 years, said his cooking experience began when he watched The Frugal Gourmet as a kid and helped his grandmother in the kitchen. “You kind of get forced to cook at the firehouse, though there’s some that aren’t allowed to cook, even though firefighters will eat just about anything,” he said. “Our rule is, if it’s cooked you eat it, but those guys will sure tell you if it’s not good.” Though he’s never competed and certainly hasn’t cooked for 300 people, VanHooser said he was both surprised and honored when he was asked to compete. “I’ve always heard of this event and know it’s an absolutely great cause,” he said. “The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club supports so many charities but has also been so supportive of the Vestavia Fire Department, all the first responders and the community in general.” The 2015 beneficiaries of the Iron City Chef

Firehouse Edition are Jefferson State Community College, the Vestavia Hills math and debate programs and the Rotary’s local and international programs including End Polio Now. The Vestavia Hills Rotary has held a signature event for the past 25 years, raising more than $675,000. Iron City Chef cook-off guests will begin the evening with a reception of fruit, cheese and a wine tasting provided by Western Supermarkets. Then guests will sample the firehouse competitors’ creations and vote to decide the top two competitors who will enter a glass-enclosed kitchen for a 30-minute final cook-off using mystery ingredients. Judges deciding the overall winner from that contest will be area culinary professionals. Joseph Mitchell, program director of the Culinary and Hospitality Institute at Jefferson State, has worked with the Iron City Chef cook-off for seven years, serving as a liaison with the Rotary Club to help organize the chefs, prepare the facility and pair some of his students with the participants to assist as sous chefs. “We provide a team of students for each competitor, and the sous chef working with the overall winner receives a $1,000 scholarship for his student account,” Mitchell said. “It is a win-win opportunity for everyone involved.” Mitchell said he’s gone to a lot of food events and receives numerous calls about putting on special events, but the Iron City Chef is one of his favorites. “There’s just so much energy,” he said. “It’s fun, exciting, there’s food, the news crews — it’s just a very special occasion put on by a very special group.” Iron City Chef Firehouse Edition tickets are $55 per person with corporate tables available for $400 and $800. For more information, visit rotarytoast.org.

The Competitors Vestavia Hills Competitor Trey VanHooser Time with VHFD: 10 years Dish for Iron City Chef: Pork roulade with apple chutney, mashed potatoes, focaccia bread, bananas foster bread pudding.

Homewood Competitor Alexander Glover Time with HFD: 12 years Dish for Iron City Chef: Shells stuffed with ground beef, sausage and cheese, topped with a red sauce. Sautéed zucchini and summer squash, key lime tarts.

Hoover Competitor Edward Pegues Time with HFD: 10 years Dish for Iron City Chef: Shrimp and grits, banana pudding.

Mountain Brook Competitor Lee Currie Time with MBFD: 10 years Dish for Iron City Chef: Pork shoulder, BBQ beans, mac ‘n cheese, fried cornbread, cobbler.

A22 â&#x20AC;˘ July 2015

Vestavia Voice

Summer

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July 2015 • A23

GROWTH

CONTINUED from page A1 permits will be a banner year,” Downes said. “As we sit here today, we have well over $20 million in new construction permits that have been issued over six different projects. But by the time the fiscal year is out, we expect that number to be over $100 million.” The first six projects are already underway: Sprouts on Old Montgomery Highway, the 120-bed Northport skilled nursing facility at Patchwork Farms, Zaxby’s in Cahaba Heights, two office buildings and a medical office building in Cahaba Heights. They total $21.8 million in value. Several more projects are “queued up” to begin this year, and Downes said the total is likely to reach 15 or 16 brand-new projects. These will include three office buildings, a 130unit senior living facility, a 270-unit multifamily residential project and retail development at Patchwork Farms, as well as retail and mixed use in Cahaba Heights. Some other projects, as well as the specific retailers, are too early in the process to announce. Downes said they will range from small local shops to restaurants to larger chains, and the first announcements could come later this summer. “They’re all positives, and they’re all things that I think will be welcomed by our community,” Downes said. The clear linchpin in Vestavia’s commercial growth is Patchwork Farms. Doug Neil, the Daniel Corporation vice president of development, said it is a “tremendous opportunity” that will be realized in the next 18 to 24 months. The Patchwork Farms master plan calls for 60,000 square feet of

Doug Neil, the Daniel Corporation vice president of development, stands on the future site of the Northport skilled nursing facility. Photo courtesy of the Daniel Corporation.

“village scale” offices, which will be two stories and house small to medium-sized tenants. There will be between 100,000 and 120,000 square feet of retail space located across from Lifetime Fitness on Healthy Way. The retail building will be anchored by a grocery store, three to four family-oriented restaurants and a handful of boutiques and shops. “The project has really been designed to seamlessly blend into the surrounding areas,” Neil said, noting that the master plan includes an 8.5acre nature park with walking trails connecting the developments. Work has already begun on the nursing facility and senior living center, and construction on roads and other infrastructure should be completed in 30 to 60 days. The residential developers have submitted their architectural plans for city approval, the office buildings are in the design

phase, and several retailers have closed on their land parcels. Neil said he hopes to see retail development begin in September. Since Vestavia Hills is “landlocked” by other cities, finding new properties for development is a challenge for the city. However, Downes said sales and property taxes are the lion’s share of city revenue, paying for salaries, capital improvement projects and more. Municipal expenses will continue to rise, and new commercial projects equal a new revenue stream. “If city doesn’t grow, it will wither,” Downes said. To encourage development, Downes said Mayor Butch Zaragoza and the city council have provided incentive programs, pre-development services and support infrastructure to prospective developers to make Vestavia Hills properties more enticing.

“We want to make it easy for the private sector to do business in our city and to explore the properties that we have available for development,” Downes said. Residential construction is on a similar path to reach new record numbers since the recession. As of May 27, 65 residential construction permits had been issued within the city, putting it on track to exceed the 114 permits issued in 2014. There have been pockets of residential growth throughout the city, but Downes said the majority is in the relatively undeveloped area of Liberty Park. Shawn Arterburn, the Drummond Company’s vice president of development, said Liberty Park is growing by 60 to 75 new homes per year, and the demand is so high that they’re pre-selling houses. He remembers when the recession made the home construction rate so low that “you

[could] measure it on one hand.” The combination of new designs, low interest rates, a strong developer and nearby schools are why he thinks Liberty Park is booming again. As more people call Liberty Park home, Arterburn said it opens the door for new retail options in the area. There is a 700-acre undeveloped parcel in Liberty Park parallel to I-459, and he said it’s being considered as a site for 1,100 new homes and a 40-acre mixed-use development. This would include 100,000 to 150,000 square feet of office and retail space for grocery, dining and entertainment with condominiums or lofts above the storefronts. There is no set timeline, but Arterburn said he’d like to see this development begin in the next two to three years. “You’re going to live, work, play in your home neighborhood. That’s the big difference,” Arterburn said about Liberty Park’s quality of life. Downes said the next two to three years also hold exciting things for the city as a whole. The details are still confidential, but there are several projects at different stages of consideration. He said he feels confident enough to predict more $100 million construction years in the future. “Things are looking good, and I think it’s something to talk about,” Downes said. “We’re in a position to grow like we’ve never grown before.”

vestaviavoice.com/topics/video

SECTION B School House B4 Sports B7 Calendar B14

For the families

Artists Incorporated to host special event benefiting children of veterans

By KATIE TURPEN Nearly 20,000 military children have lost a parent to combat or accidents over the last 35 years, according to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. This month, a local gallery invites the community to shop for unique art while helping these children. On July 10 and 11, Artists Incorporated will host a special fundraising event featuring live music, food and a variety of art for sale. A portion of all proceeds during the two-day event will benefit the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. “They’re an all-volunteer foundation and rely on the community to find those who need their support,” said Artists Incorporated Gallery Director Mary Jean Henke. “Every penny of every dollar gifted to them goes directly to these families.” Located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the foundation provides scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. It also serves every military branch of service and helps repay student loans. Since inception, the foundation has granted more $7.5 million in assistance and identified more than 5,500 children who need help. “Our nation has all but forgotten

Second annual America the Beautiful event Friday, July 10, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Artists Incorporated, 3365 Morgan Drive The gallery will be donating a percentage of all sales to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. For more, visit fallenpatriots.org.

Lynne McCain, Cathy Jo Wheeler and Jerome Vason will be among the artists showcasing their work during Artists Incorporated’s second annual America the Beautiful event. Photo by Keith McCoy.

these surviving family members. It’s such a wonderful cause.” Henke said. Artist Jerome Vason is one of the main coordinators of the fundraiser. He estimates that about 25 artists will be making items especially for the event. Vason is thrilled with the gallery’s

choice to support the foundation. “The recipients receive 100 percent of the donations,” said Vason. “That’s what really drew me to it.” The cause is close to Vason’s heart. After attending Berea College, Vason joined the U.S. Army and remained in service for 22 years. Throughout

his military career he maintained his art skills by painting murals and completing artwork at various duty assignments. After retiring from the Army, Vason returned to Birmingham. Artists Incorporated was the first gallery he visited, and he is now a board member there.

Vason works out of his studio in Alabaster and travels to various art shows across the Southeast showcasing his work, which is primarily painting with oil, charcoal, acrylic and ink. “I make sure to tell people this is not a hobby for me, it’s a job,” Vason said. Artists Incorporated Gallery has been in Vestavia Hills for more than 15 years. The gallery displays the work of 50 local artists and aims to foster an appreciation of a variety of art mediums in the community. For more about the gallery, visit artistsincorporated.com.

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B2 â&#x20AC;˘ July 2015

Vestavia Voice

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • B3

Q&A with

Shera Grant

Shera Grant was recently appointed to the Board of Education.

By KATIE TURPEN In April, the City Council appointed Shera Grant to the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. Grant, deputy public defender at the Jefferson County Community Law Office, will serve a term of five years, which began with the June Board meeting. The Vestavia Voice recently caught up with Grant to ask her what led her to apply for the spot and goals for her upcoming term.

Q A

Tell us a little about yourself. I am from Birmingham. I graduated from Ramsay High School and from Alabama State University with a bachelor of science degree in Computer Information Systems. Thereafter, I attended Louisiana State University and the Université D’ Aix-Marseille III in Aix-en-Provence, France and received my law degree and bachelor of civil law degree. I have been a practicing attorney for 13 years. I practiced law in Georgia as a prosecutor with the City of Atlanta Solicitor’s Office and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. In Alabama, I have practiced as a private attorney handling a wide range of criminal and civil cases. Currently, I am a deputy public defender with the Community Law Office. My husband, Daryl Grant, and I have two children. Our daughter, Madelyn, is 6 years old and attends Liberty Park Elementary. Our son, Grey, is 2 years old. As a mom, there isn’t much free time. However, when I do have some free time, I love to read and travel. What led you to apply for the spot on the Board of Education? I have a passion to serve the community that I live in. I am currently a class member of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum. During our sessions, we discuss servant leadership and what it really means. A servant leader makes sure that other people’ s highest priority needs are being served. I consider

Q A

education to be a pretty high priority. It is one that I am passionate about. We moved to Vestavia Hills because of the excellent reputation of the school system. Coupled with all of this, I felt led to apply for the position. What do you hope to accomplish during your five year term? I hope to work together with all of the board members and superintendent by maintaining the school system’s excellent reputation. In addition, I hope to work together with the board to develop strategies for the positive population growth that the city has seen and how this will impact the school system. I am excited about this growth, and look forward to working with everyone to develop strategies. What do you think sets the Vestavia Hills School System apart from other systems in the state? The parental involvement in the school system is remarkable. When parents are involved, school systems are successful and thrive. Also, the school system’s legacy of excellence across various dimensions (academics, athletics and other civic involvement programs) also sets them apart from other school systems in the state. Even as a child, I remember marveling at their math team. The school system here in Vestavia Hills is focused on being excellent in every aspect of an educational experience. I love that. What is your favorite part about the Vestavia Hills community? My favorite part is how the community supports one another in both personal and professional endeavors. People go above and beyond to help each other in the community. I have certainly felt the community’s support, and I know many others who feel that way as well. I am thrilled that my children will grow up in such a supportive, family-friendly, and caring community.

Q A

B4 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

School House Girls on the Run at VHEW

The spring team of VHEW’s Girls on the Run raised funds for UNICEF with Tacky Day. Photo courtesy of Nancy Littleton.

An enthusiastic group of third-grade girls from Vestavia Hills Elementary West took part this year in Girls on the Run, an international, nonprofit program founded in North Carolina in 1996. The program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident, while also teaching life skills through interactive lessons and running games. VHEW is the first Vestavia school to start its own Girls on the Run team, and this year was the school’s second year to participate. Girls on the Run is focused on thirdthrough eighth-grade girls. West’s team was under the direction of teachers Nancy Littleton, Donna Dahl and Abigale Watkins, along with help from Girls on the Run volunteer Susan Andreae. The girls met twice a week

for over an hour. Each meeting included a lesson, strengthening and stretching exercises, and a running workout. The lessons inspired the girls to stay true to themselves, embrace the power within them, and honor their bodies. The semester-long session culminated in a celebratory 5K run at Veterans Park in May. The team also coordinated a service project to benefit survivors of the recent earthquake in Nepal. Team members invited West students to participate in Tacky Day. Students donated at least $1 for the chance to wear their favorite tacky outfits. More than $1,000 was raised and will be donated to UNICEF for earthquake relief. For more information about Girls on the Run in the Birmingham area, go to girlsontherunbham.org.

West holds enrichment festival

STEAMFest 2015 at Vestavia Hills Elementary East was a weeklong enrichment festival celebrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, and facilitated by the school’s gifted specialist, Angela Hollis.

STEAMFest 2015 at Vestavia Hills Elementary East was a weeklong enrichment festival celebrating science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The school’s gifted education specialist, Angela Hollis, facilitated the event. The annual enrichment week was a collaboration between Hollis, music teacher Deanna Bell, instructional technology specialist Jane Kemp, classroom teachers and PTO. Activities included a hands-on lab experience for every child and a STEAM Fair on Friday. Kindergartners and second-graders worked in Hollis’ “Physics Lab” to explore magnetism and build balloon-powered Lego cars, while first-graders were introduced to light and sound waves being combined with music

and technology as they programmed audio cubes with Bell. Third-graders used their coding skills to create an online game for friends to play. The STEAM Fair on Friday was a culmination of the week’s lessons, with every child visiting booths set up around the gym to explore and learn. One second-grader commented that the gym reminded him of the McWane Center. “Experiences such as this enrich learning for every student,” Principal Mark Richardson said. “Not only do students learn, but they also become excited about learning and all that school represents. Angela Hollis has done a wonderful job of developing activities that benefit all of our students.”

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VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • B5

LPMS hosts Middle School Summit

Teachers share classroom ideas at the Middle School Summit held at Liberty Park Middle School. Photos courtesy of Whit McGhee.

In June, Liberty Park Middle School hosted a Middle School Summit. Teachers from more than ten middle schools from Huntsville to Opelika attended the event. Teachers had the opportunity to share classroom ideas and

discuss instructional problem-solving. Jennifer Brown, Alabama Teacher of the Year, delivered a keynote speech during the lunch. Brown has been at Vestavia Hills High School for 13 years and is in her 16th year of teaching.

VHEW third graders learn about careers

In May, third-graders at Vestavia Hills Elementary West were given a glimpse of several different careers. Photo by Christine Osborne.

In May, third-graders at Vestavia Hills Elementary West were given a glimpse of several different careers. Six individuals met with small groups of students, sharing with them what it’s like in their professions and answering the third-graders’ questions. Six different careers were highlighted as the following individuals devoted a morning to

VHEW’s career day: Kristin Avis, sleep specialist; Ezra Heath, special agent for the Internal Revenue Service; Robert Hurst, engineer with U.S. Steel; Ingrid Seymour, young adult author; Jennifer Smith, physical therapist; and Margaret Stinnett, executive director of the Birmingham Boys Choir.

VHECH wins book drive challenge

Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights students recently won the 2015 Birmingham Reads Book Drive Challenge to collect the most books per student, with more than 6.3 books collected per student. Overall, the challenge collected more than 41,000 books from 15 schools for under-privileged children in the area through Better Basics.

B6 • July 2015

VHEC Principal Marian Humphries with retiree Donna Moellinger. Photos courtesy of Whit McGhee.

Vestavia Voice

VHEW Principal Kim Hauser with retiree Warren Adams.

Vestavia Hills schools honor retirees Happy 4th of July From your friends at Fancy Goods Variety!

LPMS Principal Kasy Pierce with retiree Stephanie Holcome.

Family, friends and colleagues bid farewell to more than twenty retiring VHCS employees on Wednesday, May 13 at the district’s annual retirement reception. Below is a list of Vestavia Hills City Schools employees that retired at the end of 2014-2015 school year. }} Candis Hacker }} Carla Boone }} Carol L Reed }} Carolyn Burdett }} Donna Moellinger }} G. Alan Gardner }} George Panos }} Gwen Childs

}} Jan Montgomery }} Janice Johnson }} Janis Brush }} Judy Wade }} Kathyrn Terry }} Nancy Erwin }} Nancy Pearson }} Pamela Hess

}} Peter Braasch }} Rick Grammer }} Stephanie Holcomb }} Suzanne Lisenby }} Warren Adams }} William Mcinnish

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • B7

Sports

Segars becomes new Vestavia Hills athletics director By DAVID KNOX Jeff Segars is ready. Perhaps just as important, his boss says he’s ready. Legendary Vestavia Hills football coach Buddy Anderson, the winningest coach in Alabama high school history, has served dual roles as coach and the school’s athletics director. The Vestavia Hills Board of Education approved Segars, the assistant AD, as Anderson’s replacement as department head on May 20, with Anderson’s blessing. “Jeff is prepared for this job, and he’s ready,” Anderson said. “He has been an excellent teacher, coach and assistant athletic director, and I’m excited for him to lead our athletic programs. I look forward to continuing as the head football coach and helping Jeff in any way I can.” “He’s been very important to me. He raised me. Myself, and a bunch of other men would not be who we are without men such as Buddy Anderson,” Segars said. Superintendent Sheila Phillips said Anderson approached her last fall to discuss the athletic director role. “We hope to focus on athletics in a much more targeted way than we have before,” said Phillips. “We feel that he is more than qualified to transition

into this role.” The 47-year-old Segars is a 1986 VHHS graduate and has just completed his 22nd year in the system. He’s been assistant football coach and assistant wrestling coach as well, and he plans, for the immediate future anyway, to continue in those two roles. “It’ll be a year-to-year thing,” he said. “We’re going to see how this goes and if I’m able to do both and make sure I’m able give this job and the other sports the attention they deserve, and I think I can.” Don’t expect a drastic change in the approach to sports at Vestavia Hills, an approach sometimes called the “Vestavia Way” of doing things. “Being raised by Coach Anderson, I think my philosophy very much mirrors his philosophy,” said Segars. “We don’t want to be a ‘mini-college.’ We don’t look at high school athletics as it’s supposed to be college athletics. This is supposed to be part of the educational process. When kids leave here, they’ve learned things from us just like they do in the classroom: about the importance of teamwork, about the importance of self-discipline, about the importance of putting the team’s needs in front of their own selfish desires. “And that’s what our goal is. Wins

and losses are going to come. We can only coach the ones who show up. We can’t go and recruit. But what we can do is coach them hard and have great expectations for them, and when they leave here they can look back and say, ‘I had a great experience.’” Segars said a lot of that has to do with the “Vestavia Way.” “I think that is unbelievably true,” he said. “From when they start in our middle school programs to the day they walk out of here, the ideas of discipline and hard work are drilled into them every day. We’re going to keep things simple. We’re going to make sure our kids go out there and play hard and have a great experience. Hard work and discipline. Those are lessons they can take with them for the rest of their life. Twenty years from now, no one’s going to care about what kind of layup you could shoot or if you shoot a double-leg takedown or throw a 50-yard pass. “What’s your character? Do you work hard? Can I count on you? Those are the things we try to instill in our young people.” He said the athletic department is in great shape. His first priority is to make the department more technologically advanced. Segars wants to shift all the paperwork to computer.

The Vestavia Hills Board of Education approved Jeff Segars, Vestavia Hills assistant athletic director, as Buddy Anderson’s replacement as department head on May 20. Photo courtesy of Jeff Segars.

“My main job, as I see it, is to take as much of the administrative work off our coaches as I can so they can get back to the job of coaching. In this day and age, it’s tons of paperwork. If I can make it more friendly

on our coaches so they can focus on our student-athletes and make their job easier, I feel like I’m going to be a success. ” Katie Turpen contributed to this report.

B8 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

Vestavia Hills names Harlan as boys soccer coach By DAVID KNOX Leo Harlan, who has been serving as Vestavia Hills boys soccer coach Rick Grammer’s assistant, will step up into the role of head coach next season. Grammer retired after last season, his 35th as the Rebels’ head coach. The winningest soccer coach in the state and No. 6 in the country, Grammer posted a 633-158-50 record, including a 20-5-2 record last year. The Rebels won four state championships, including back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014. They lost to eventual state champion Oak Mountain this year to end the run. “Leo’s been Rick’s assistant the past couple of years on the varsity and has been the JV coach and freshman coach off and on,” Vestavia Hills

Athletics Director Jeff Segars said. “He does a fantastic job. We’re lucky to have him. “Coach Grammer left our soccer program in very good hands.” Harlan just finished his 10th year at Vestavia Hills as a coach and teacher. He also was head coach at Minor High in 2004 and 2005, winning a Metro Tournament championship. “I’m just excited to take over the position,” Harlan said. “I know that we have a great soccer history. We have great soccer players coming into the school every year. All the credit for winning goes to the great players who’ve been here. Coach Grammer and I always try to get the best out of them, but it’s always about the players. “We want to compete for state championships year in and year out.” Harlan, 39, is originally from New Orleans

but went to school at Auburn. Don’t look for any drastic changes in the style that has served the Rebels so well. “There won’t be any dramatic changes,” Harlan said. “But I am very defensive-minded. My goal, when I’ve been head coach, is to shut everybody out.” He knows he’s got big shoes to fill, but said he thinks he’s up to the task. However, he did acknowledge one thing. “I told Coach Grammer his record isn’t going to be in jeopardy. I don’t think I can coach that long.” Leo Harlan, who has been serving as Vestavia Hills boys soccer coach Rick Grammer’s assistant, will step up into the role of head coach next season. Photo courtesy of Leo Harlan.

Jamie Harris is new Rebels head baseball coach By DAVID KNOX Jamie Harris will be Vestavia Hills High’s new head baseball coach. Harris, a Vestavia Hills native, has been an assistant coach for the baseball and football teams for the past seven years. He coached hitting and infielders during the baseball team’s Class 7A playoff run last season. “It’s an honor to be head coach of this team,” Harris said. “I’m excited about how we’re going to play and act and carry ourselves as a team.” Harris graduated from VHHS in 1996 and

played for late Rebels coach Sammy Dunn, who guided the team to nine state championships in a decade. Harris said it was humbling to follow in Dunn’s footsteps. “I know I’m going to feel pressure to carry on his legacy and the name that Vestavia baseball is,” Harris said. “When I was younger, kids grew up dreaming of playing Vestavia baseball. You can see it in our rec league; it’s bigger than anyone else’s in this area. I want to carry on that tradition. We’re never going to let that well run dry,” Harris said. VHHS Athletics Director Jeff Segars said

Jamie Harris, a Vestavia Hills native, has been an assistant coach for the baseball and football teams for the past seven years. Photo courtesy of Whit McGhee.

Harris was an obvious choice to lead the Rebels. “The vision that Jamie Harris has for where our program needs to be amazes me,” Segars said. “I could not be happier for the young men of Vestavia to be a part of a program run by Jamie Harris and coached by men like Wes Kelley, Kris Thomas, Keith Trotman and Charlie Dickinson.” Harris replaces Tommy Walker, who resigned in late May. The Rebels were 24-14 last season and won Area 6 under Walker. The Rebels were ranked No. 1 in the season’s final regular-season poll but lost to Thompson in the state quarterfinals.

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • B9

Ex-Rebels star Georgie Salem drafted by Diamondbacks

Georgie Salem drops down a bunt for the Crimson Tide. Photo courtesy of University of Alabama Sports Information.

By DAVID KNOX Former Vestavia Hills standout athlete Georgie Salem was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in June. Salem, who starred the past three seasons for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team, batted .275 this season with three home runs and 25 RBIs and was successful on 17 of his 21 stolen base attempts.

In the outfield, he made just one error over the past two seasons. Salem was the first pick of the 39th round. The 5-11, 205-pound switch-hitter is known as an athlete. While at Vestavia Hills, he was named the Over the Mountain Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and the Over the Mountain Touchdown Club’s Birmingham Football Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. The junior has a year of college eligibility left.

Vestavia Lacrosse organization seeks coaches and board members

The Vestavia Lacrosse Organization is now accepting nominations from the community to fill its board. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Nance.

The Vestavia Lacrosse Organization is now accepting nominations from the community to fill its board. You must be a resident of Vestavia Hills to apply, and new board members will serve a two year term. If you are interested in serving, please call or email Hayes Johnson at 871-7399 or hayeswjmail@gmail.com to have your name place on the ballot. Voting will take place at the July meeting to elect eight

new members, and the community is invited to attend. The VLO is also looking for coaches for all boys and girls age groups, youth through high school, for the 2015-2016 season. If you are interested in coaching in Vestavia Lacrosse, please contact Ashley Nance at 516-5783 or ashnance@charter.net.

B10 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

Home of champions Vestavia Hills’ Paugh family boasts unique legacy: Dad, two sons are all state wrestling champions

By DAVID KNOX Dad Dean Paugh got his in 1976. Eldest son Morgan got his in 2014. Youngest son Matthew got his in 2015. And mom Lynne has probably squirmed and sweated as much through her sons’ 10 years of wrestling matches to have earned a medal herself. Individual state championships in wrestling aren’t easy to come by. But a father and two sons with Alabama state individual championships? That makes, even by lofty Vestavia Hills Rebels standards, the Paugh household a unique home of champions. “Great wrestling family,” said Jeff Segars, Vestavia Hills assistant wrestling coach and newly appointed athletics director. “Just the whole family is fantastic and has been great to our program. You can come up here and see Dean moving mats. He’s willing to do anything we need to do to help our program.” Pa Paugh got his as a member of the very first Rebels state championship wrestling team. That was the first of the Rebels’ 13 state championship wrestling teams, one behind state leader Benjamin Russell of Alexander City. Morgan, who just wrapped up a stellar career — he finished with the most wins in school history — won as a junior at the 152-pound weight class. This past season he stepped up to the

Dean Paugh, center, and sons Matthew and Morgan all won state high school wrestling championships for Vestavia Hills. Photos by Ron Burkett.

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VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • B11

(above) Pictured above are the Paugh family’s three state championship medals. (right) The Paugh family is just ‘a great wrestling family,’ said Vestavia Hills assistant wrestling coach Jeff Segars.

160 class for the good of the team and was runner-up, even though he had to overcome injuries through the season. Matthew won his this past season as a freshman, beating Oak Mountain junior Michael John Harris in an 8-4 decision at 132. One thing about state championships: You never forget them. “Our school was only 4 years old,” Dean said. “That was the first title won in any sport in school history. I take great pride in that. Nowadays when you come into the Vestavia program you talk about being state champion, it’s not far-fetched. But in 1976, it was like being an Olympic champion.” He beat John Cashin from Huntsville’s Butler High in the 138-pound weight class, he recalled. He and Cashin then wrestled together at the University of Alabama, back when wrestling was a Southeastern Conference Division I sport. It was a given his sons would follow in his footsteps. They started when Morgan was in the third grade and Matthew was in kindergarten. They wrestled for Vestavia Youth

Wrestling and had outstanding youth careers. Morgan was in the national finals several times, and Matthew was a youth All-American. “It was our dream, we talked about it from day one, that they would both win the high school state championship,” Dean said. Morgan was fifth in the state as an eighth-grader, third as a freshman, third as a sophomore, first as a junior and second as senior. He persevered through a litany of injuries — “I broke just about everything you can break” — moving up in weight class each year. After winning the state title as a junior, making the father-son legacy a reality, Morgan was ecstatic. “It was probably the happiest moment I’ve ever had in my life. (My dad) told me about his (championship) and said he was more relieved than anything else, and that pretty much sums it up. You work this hard, come all this way to try to do this one thing.” When Matthew completed the trifecta the very next year, it took the pressure off. The dream was realized.

“I just worked hard all year with some of my bigger friends. I knew I had a shot, but it was pretty awesome,” Matthew said. Dean said, “When Morgan won it I would say it was the happiest day of my life to that point and when Matthew won it was like a double dose of it — I’m so proud of my sons, of what they’ve done and who they’ve grown up to be. “I don’t say they’re like me, I say I’m proud to say I’m like them. I consider it an honor.” Segars calls Matthew a “bulldog. Just as hard-nosed a kid as we’ve got on the team. He could see Hulk Hogan waiting on the mat and in his mind he’s supposed to win that match.”

“I don’t feel intimidated when I see a bigger, stronger guy,” Matthew said. “I don’t really get nervous before matches.” And are you intimidated by your older brother? Simultaneously, Morgan: “Of course.” Matthew: “No!” Dad said his eldest son’s style is more like his was — technical, highly skilled, intellectual and controlled — competitive but not apt to lose his head. Matthew is more emotional. “Matthew has good fundamental skills, but he’s a brawler. He makes up half the stuff he does and still comes out on top. Morgan’s tough and fights you to the end, but Matthew’ll chew your face off to win. I’ve always

marveled at the way they both competed. They’re both highly competitive but they have different styles, different demeanors.” Rebels head wrestling coach Steve Gaydosh says character comes out on the wrestling mat. Dean Paugh said there’s nothing like the discipline and the mental and physical toughness required by wrestling. It teaches values and instills toughness that lasts a lifetime. “I think in the years to come, they’ll appreciate how hard this was when they look back,” Dad says. “I know when I look back, it’s the hardest thing I ever did.”

B12 • July 2015

Vestavia Voice

AHSAA: Home-schoolers may be able to play by fall 2016 By DAVID KNOX The proposed Tim Tebow Act did not make it out of the Alabama state legislature this session, but home-schooled students will likely get a chance to play sports for the public school for which they are they are zoned. Steve Savarese, the executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, said the association will continue to meet with respective committees to develop policies applicable concerning home-schooled students gaining athletic eligibility at member schools. “Just like with virtual schools or students in dual-enrollment programs at local colleges, now, in accordance with our rules, we will be adding rules to allow home-school students to play,” Savarese said. The details of the new rules will be crafted during the coming months and will likely be approved in April 2016, allowing home-schoolers to begin play in the fall of 2016. The bill, technically called House Bill 236, is named after former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow from the University of Florida, who was home-schooled and played at Nease High School, near Jacksonville, Fla. Had it passed, it would force the AHSAA to allow home-schooled students and others who attend private schools to be allowed to try out for the school’s teams for which those students are zoned. For example, a home-schooled student who lives in the Vestavia Hills City Schools district would be allowed to try out – making the team is not guaranteed – for a sports team even though he or she does not attend the school. Rep. Mike Ball introduced the bill into the legislature, but now that the AHSAA is taking it up, he will not be pursuing it. “My objective was not to pass a bill,” Ball said

The AHSAA has set a target date of fall 2016 to allow home-schooled students to participate in sports for the public school for which they are zoned.

as the legislature wrapped up its regular session. “My objective is to open the door to allow these children to participate. And if they’re willing to do it and got a definite timetable to do it, then I always prefer to do it without legislation.” Savarese was reluctant to speak to the details at this stage of the process. “It’s too early to discuss the home schools as it will affect participation until policy has been established. There is no policy right now. For me to be speculative would be dangerous,” Savarese said. The AHSAA and many member schools have opposed the Tebow law because they said the

AHSAA, not the state legislature, should make the rules. They are concerned about administration of the rule and how it affects classification, since those students would not count toward population counts, and how home-schooled students could be held to the same academic standards and team rules. “Issues for all of our participants are fundamental issues of fair play,” Savarese said. “For 94 years, our association has maintained the highest level of integrity with all of our sports programs and has consistently upheld all standards. What we’ll want to study as we move along is holding everyone as close as we can to

holding everybody to similar standards.” “There are a lot of people who do a great job with home-schooling their children, and as a parent myself I support school choice. But those unintended consequences, when they occur, can create issues and that will be our job as we move forward to minimize those.” Ball said that he understood from studying the issues and talking to coaches and administrators that the concern was not so much about allowing home-schoolers to participate. “There was a lot of concern that maybe some coaches might find a way to take advantage of this to ‘game’ the system. The high school athletic association I think can find ways to govern that,” Ball said. This move toward allowing home-schoolers to play for public schools has been a growing trend. According to the website TimTebowBill. com, a site devoted to promoting equal access for Alabama home-schoolers, 31 schools in the nation currently have some sort of provision that allows it. Most of the rules were forced by state legislative action – 26 in fact. In other cases, the state association went ahead and authorized it. Some states, such as Ohio, require “partial enrollment.” Besides Alabama, 11 other states have legislation pending or have their athletic association studying it. Among those states are Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. Savarese said he’s been expecting this sooner or later, and the AHSAA has been talking to other state athletic associations to prepare. It’s unclear how many students would take advantage of the new rule. Based on other states’ figures and on the number of home-schooled students in Alabama, the number could be anywhere from 400 to 1,000. Savarese believes the number would grow each year..

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VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B13

Vestavia Hills Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

635289

35242

800 Lake Colony Circle New

$799,900

635635

35216

1844 Laurel Road

New

$259,900

635632

35223

3400 Sheffield Drive

New

$219,900

635619

35243

2300 Longleaf Way

New

$1,085,000

635544

35242

623 Highland Court, #36A

New

$415,000

635499

35216

508 Eastwood Place

New

$549,900

635483

35243

3503 Thornhill Drive

New

$819,900

635412

35216

2117 Ridgeview Drive

New

$239,900

635372

35216

2311 Tanglewood Drive

New

$439,900

635366

35242

4153 Alston Lane

New

$365,000

635365

35216

1404 Turnham Lane

New

$400,000

635269

35216

1769 Old Creek Trail

New

$245,000

635198

35226

1620 Linda Vista Lane

New

$250,000

635240

35216

2442 Monte Vista Drive New

$324,900

635202

35216

1728 Cedarwood Road

New

$310,000

634924

35243

2670 Southgate Drive

New

$399,900

634919

35226

2008 Crestmont Drive

New

$249,500

634801

35216

2705 Southview Terrace

New

$289,000

634760

35216

2313 Old Columbiana Road

New

$339,900

634668

35216

3305 Blueberry Lane

New

$649,000

800 Lake Colony Circle

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Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on June 15. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

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B14• July 2015

Vestavia Voice

Calendar Community Events July 1: 34th Annual I Love America Summer Celebration. 6 p.m. Wald Park. Visit facebook.com/ ILoveAmericaSummerCelebrationSeries. July 3: First Friday Reception. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Artists Incorporated. Visit artistsincorporated.com.

July 4: 4th of July Concert. 7 p.m. Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills. Free concert featuring Shades Mountain Brass Quintet. July 8: ROI Professional Networking. 7:30-8:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce, 1975 Merryvale Road. Visit business.vestaviahills.org.

July 10-11: Second annual America the Beautiful Event. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Artists Incorporated Art Gallery. Proceeds will benefit Children of Fallen Patriots. Visit artistsincorporated. com. July 18: Iron City Chef. 6 p.m. Jefferson

College Culinary & Hospitality Institute. Organized by Vestavia Hills Rotary Club. Visit rotarytoast.org. July 28: Business Development Committee Meeting. 8-9 a.m. Chamber of Commerce, 1975 Merryvale Road. Visit business. vestaviahills.org.

Vestavia Hills City Events July 9: Planning & Zoning Commission. 6-7 p.m. Council Chambers, 513 Montgomery Highway. Call 978-0184. July 13: City Council Meeting. 5-7 p.m.

Vestavia Hills Municipal Center, 513 Montgomery Highway. Call 978-0131. July 14: Chamber Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Vestavia Country Club. Call 813-5011.

July 16: Board of Zoning Adjustment. 6-7 p.m. Council Chambers, 513 Montgomery Highway. Call 978-0184.

Vestavia Hills Municipal Center, 513 Montgomery Highway. Call 978-0131.

July 27: City Council Meeting. 5-7 p.m.

Library in the Forest Events 1221 Montgomery Highway, 978-0155, vestavialibrary.org

Adults Thursdays: Sunrise Rotary Club. 6 a.m. Meeting of the Sunrise Rotary Club. July 3-4: Library closed for Fourth of July. July 9: Civil War Roundtable. 6 p.m.

July 13: Birmingham Track Club Board Meeting. Treehouse. July 16: Drummer Mark Seymour. 10:30 a.m. Mark Seymour will be drumming away in the community room. July 17: Concert in the Forest. 2 p.m. Rollin’ in the Hay will play.

Teens July 8, 22: Teen Writing Group. 4 p.m. Teens can build writing skills and provide feedback. Fridays: Open Gaming. 4 p.m. Enjoy games on the Wii, Wii U and Xbox 360. July 11: Minecraft in the Forest. 1 p.m.

Who can last the longest as other teens seek you out? July 14: Anime Night/Candy Sushi. 5:30 p.m. Anime night is back in full force. July 15: Otaku Time Presents: Butter/ Maid Café. 4 p.m. The café will serve Japanese desserts and beverages.

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2015 • B15

Calendar Library Events (continued)

July 28: Third Annual Zombie Scavenger Hunt. 5:30 p.m. You’ll need quick wits to survive and search for hidden items.

July 7: Superhero…Post It. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Participate in a project using post-its to create your favorite superheroes.

Kids

July 9: Lew-E’s Educational Circus. 10:30 a.m. Learning is always fun with Lew-E’s Educational Circus.

Mondays: Maker Mondays. 6:30 p.m. Parents and kids create something at maker stations. Tuesdays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. Summer story time for children 18 to 36 months. Tuesdays: Super Hero Training Academy. 2 p.m. Become a super hero this summer. Grades 2-6. Wednesday: Story Friends. 10:30 a.m. Summer story time for preschoolers 5 years and under and their caregivers. Fridays: Super Friday Flicks. 10:30 a.m.noon. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. July 2: Doug Berky Theater. 10:30 a.m. Watch elaborate handmade puppets.

WEIGHT LOSS HORMONE REPLACEMENT HAIR RESTORATION AESTHETICS

July 18: Mother/Son Hero Games. 10 a.m. Every mother is her son’s hero. Play games and activities in the community room. July 20-24: Acting Out Improv Class. 10 a.m. Learn tips and tricks on how to be a movie star. July 23: Skin and Bones Comedy Circus. 10:30 a.m. Magic trick, animals and circus entertainment. July 25: Lego Wars. 11 a.m. Create with Legos. July 30: Summer Reading Finale with Roger Day. 11 a.m. Celebrate a successful summer reading with Roger Day.

Area Events July 1: Esperanza Spalding. 7 p.m. Iron City. $30 in advance, $33 at the door. Visit ironcitybham.com. July 1: Betty Who. 7 p.m. Saturn Birmingham, 200 41st St. S. $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Visit saturnbirmingham.com. July 2: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5-9 p.m. 113 22nd St. N. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. July 4: Thunder on the Mountain Fireworks Show. 9 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. Visit visitvulcan.com. July 4: Peavine Falls Run. 7 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park. $15. Visit birminghamtrackclub.com. July 7: Movies at Avondale Park. 8:15 p.m. Crestwood Park. Back to the Future. Visit forestparksouthavondale.com. July 10: Steel Magnolias. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 10: Art on the Rocks. 7-11 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art. $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Visit artsbms.org. July 11-12: Alabama Gun Collectors Association Summer Show. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Visit algca.org. July 12: Driving Miss Daisy. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 17: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 18: Shelby County Shindig. 1-7 p.m. Shelby County Arts Council. Barbecue cook off and music festival. Visit shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

July 18: Roller Derby! Birmingham’s Tragic City Rollers vs. Lafayette, LA. 6 p.m. Zamora Shrine Temple. Visit tragiccityrollers. com. July 18-19: 32nd Annual World Deer Expo. Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.6 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Visit worlddeerexpo.com. July 18-19: Tannehill Trade Days. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. Adults $4, seniors $3, Ccildren $2. Visit tannehill.org. July 18-19: Sloss Music and Arts Festival. Sloss Furnaces. Visit slossfest.com. July 19: The Wizard of Oz. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 24: Pulp Fiction. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 26: Singin’ in the Rain. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 27-31: Girls Rock Bham. 9 a.m.4 p.m. Music camp for girls age 9-16. Visit girlsrockbham.org. July 30: Taste of Birmingham. 6-9 p.m. The Club. Visit thetasteofbirmingham.com. July 30-Aug. 9: Shrek Jr. The Musical. Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th St. S. $20. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org. July 30-Aug. 2: Secret Stages. Downtown Loft District. A two-day walking music festival. Visit secretstages.net. July 31: The Breakfast Club. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.

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