Vestavia Voice October 2015 by Starnes Media

Volume 3 | Issue 6 | October 2015

This little piggy

On Ellie’s team

Painted pigs are now traveling to Vestavia businesses as part of a new campaign to shop locally. Read more about it in this issue.

See page B1

Home inspiration

Ellie Waldrop is 4 years old and has neurofibromatosis, though she is as active and playful as any other child. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Find tips and tricks on caring for your home and garden in this month’s special advertising section.

See page B10

INSIDE City.........................A6 Business ..............A10 Chamber ..............A19 Community........A28

By SYDNEY CROMWELL From playing in the backyard with siblings to learning to swim all by herself, 4-year-old Ellie Waldrop is unstoppable. It’s what her parents, Vestavia residents Stephanie and Wes Waldrop, love about Ellie, and what they hope her neurofibromatosis (NF)

won’t take away from her. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes abnormal growths in the nervous system. It affects about 1 in 3,000 people, and can be inherited or caused by a gene mutation, as in Ellie’s case. In its mild form, NF can be almost unnoticeable; in more severe cases, it can cause tumors, hearing and vision loss,

School House .......B4 Sports...................B8 Home Guide.........B10 Calendar .............B22

learning disabilities, pain and cardiovascular issues. Ellie was diagnosed at 15 months old after her mother and doctor noticed spots like brown birthmarks on her body, a classic sign of NF. Since then, she’s begun wearing glasses but

See TEAM | page A29

Hitting a high note

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Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830

By KATIE TURPEN

The new City Hall and police department complex will open to the public in October. Rendering courtesy of the city of Vestavia Hills.

Excitement has been building for years over the opening of the new Vestavia Hills municipal complex. The project coincides with the city’s new branding campaign, “A Life Above,” and this month will finally be revealed to the community. “It’s encouraging to see a project that was once just on drawing boards come to life in our city,” said Mayor Butch Zaragoza.

See CITY HALL | page A30

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A4 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

About Us Support our sponsors

Meet our new staff Cameron Tipton Cameron Tipton, a Birmingham native, recently returned after graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in journalism. During her time in Tuscaloosa, she volunteered at The Crimson White and interned at The Tuscaloosa News. For two weeks during her final semester, she took her love of storytelling to England and Wales while working on a travel magazine called Alpine Living. With her experiences in tow, she is excited to be back home and to join the team at Starnes Publishing. She is ready to help tell the stories of her hometown.

Jon Anderson Jon Anderson has 23 years of professional experience in reporting, writing, editing and management. He worked for The Birmingham News for all 23 years (including the last three years as a part of the Alabama Media Group, which publishes the AL.com website and The Birmingham News). Since graduating from the University of Alabama in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Jon has covered a variety of subjects, including business, legislative and municipal elections, Shelby County and Hoover. From 2006 to 2012, he oversaw reporting teams in Hoover and western Jefferson County. In 2012, The Birmingham News reorganized as part of a new company called the Alabama Media Group. Many jobs were eliminated, but Jon went back to reporting in Hoover. He did that for the past three years and is excited to continue coverage of Hoover and other Over the Mountain areas for Starnes Publishing.

Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell As we put together this October edition, I was struck by how many stories were interconnected. For example, I wrote about the fun painted pigs that are part of the Chamber of Commerce’s new Shop/Dine/Play initiative. A week later, I saw the pigs while taking photos of Helping Hands in the Hills. If you missed them, the pigs will also show up at the grand opening celebration for City Hall.

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

Contributing Photographer: Published by:

We have a story on the new class of Leadership Vestavia Hills and also on the Drug Awareness Task Force, two groups that have worked closely together to combat heroin use in our city. You can read about the upcoming Vestavia City Schools Foundation fundraising dinner, and also about the work of one Pizitz teacher who is putting a Schools Foundation grant to good use. These stories show how important

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Sydney Cromwell Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Erica Techo Roy L. Williams Jon Anderson Cameron Tipton Louisa Jeffries Andrew Anderson Matthew Allen Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith Frank Couch Vestavia Voice LLC

teamwork is in our city. The work of one group is made so much stronger by others in the community lending a helping hand. Even the cover story, with the adorable Ellie Waldrop, is about the great things that come from a team effort. I’m glad that our city places such importance on community service and helping your neighbor. Keep up the good work.

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: sydney@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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Adventure Travel (A19) Alabama Goods (A31) Alabama Outdoors (A14) Alabama Power (B3) Alys Stephens Center, Art Play (A23) Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (B9) Anytime Fitness (A1, A24) ARC Realty (A13) Architectural Hardware Supply (B16) Barganier & LeCroy Dentistry (A30) Batts’ Chimney Services (B19) Bedzzz Express (B24) Ben Franklin - One Hour (B17) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (B6) Bistro V (B5) Brandino Brass (A15) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (B4) Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (A30) Cabinetry Refinishing & Restoration (A1) Cahaba Lawn (B12) Cajun Seafood House (A24) Calico Home (A3) California Closets (A6) Children’s of Alabama (A9) Classic Gardens (B19) Conour Insurance Inc. (B23) Dermatology & Skin Care Center of Birmingham (A18) Dirty Hippie (A7) Donatos (A19) Emily Getty, RealtySouth (A22) ERA King Real Estate Homewood (A28) Fancy Goods Variety (A6) Gardner Landscaping (B10) Grandview Medical Center (B2) Granger Thagard Associates (B23) Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders (B5) Hollywood Pools Outdoor Finishings & Spas (B18) Homewood Toy & Hobby (A31) Interiors by Kathy Harris (A9) IronTrust Ins. (B18) Issis & Sons (A11) Jersey Mike’s Subs (A5) JJ Eyes (B7) Junior League of Birmingham (B21) Klinglers Cafe & Catering (A23) Korduroy Krocodile (B6) L.V. Berry Inc. (A21) LIST Birmingham (A16, A17) Lori Zucco Insurance Company (B20) Manda Luccasen, Re/MAX Southern Homes (A29) Mantooth Interiors (B12) Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware (B13) Mountain Chapel UMC (A7) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (B20) Over the Mountain Glass (B20) Pappas’ Grill (B6) Phoenix Builders (B16) Planet Fitness (A13) PlumCore (B11) Red Pearl Restaurant (A21) Rehaba (A20) Remax Southern Homes (B23) Resolute Running Training Center (A8) Rosalie Pribbenow, ARC Realty (B1) Royal Automotive (A32) Samford University Athletics (A2) Target Auction Company (A15) The Maids (B4) The Ridge Eat & Drink (A14) Tom Williams BMW (A25) Total Beauty and Skin Dermatology (B8) Uptown Nail Spa (A28) Urban Home Market (B15) Vestavia Sunoco and Tire Express (B9) Weigh To Wellness (A10)

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City City Council discusses budget, annexations

Council decides not to buy recreational fields on Old Columbiana

During an Aug. 24 meeting, the City Council approved the final 10 percent of the city’s 2015-2016 fiscal year budget and approved several annexations. Photo by Katie Turpen.

By KATIE TURPEN During an Aug. 24 meeting, the City Council approved the final 10 percent of the city’s 20152016 fiscal year budget and approved several annexations. City Manager Jeff Downes announced that 2015 had been a record year for the city with a trending increase in new business permits. 2016 will be focused on construction of many projects, and Downes stated there should be a 4 percent growth in general fund revenue. In addition to the positive trending increase in permits, Downes also stated that during the latest annual reporting period, the fire department had made a record number of calls. Additionally, the City Council approved the annexations of properties located at 2501 Dolly Ridge Road, Rocky Ridge Estates and 4711 Caldwell Mill Road into Vestavia Hills. David Acton Building Corporation will construct homes on the properties.

Each home on the Dolly Ridge Road property will be between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet and include main level garages. The houses will be priced in the $600,000-$700,000 price range. The council also approved the rezoning of the property located at 4308 Dolly Ridge Road from Vestavia Hills R-4 to Vestavia Hills B-1.2. Fred Acton is the owner. In other news, the council: }} Accepted a bid from NAFECO for wildland protection equipment for the Vestavia Hills Fire Department. This purchase will be funded by the 2015 fiscal year Assistance to Firefighters Act grant, with federal reimbursement of 90 percent of the cost. The 10 percent matching funds will be paid from the Fire Department General Fund. }} Approved an alcohol license for Vestavia Package Store and Johnny Brusco’s Pizza. }} Read a proclamation declaring the month of September Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.

Children play soccer on teams at a Vestavia Hills city recreation facility. Photo by Ron Burkett.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Despite capacity problems at athletic and recreational fields throughout Vestavia Hills, the city council decided not to purchase a property on Old Columbiana Road that is currently used for youth sports. At a specially called meeting on Aug. 27, the council decided to terminate a previous purchase and sale agreement for four acres of the property, located behind Horizon Church. City manager Jeff Downes said the city had made an offer and its inspection period lasted through Sept. 1. Right now, the city leases the land

for youth athletic use at no charge, except trimming the grass. Downes said that a shortage of playing fields is recognized by the city, but the council decided purchasing the land was “not 100 percent necessary to accomplish our goals.” He noted that other options, such as reconfiguring fields at other recreational facilities and the proposed Altadena park, could be better solutions to capacity issues. At this time, Downes said the city hopes to continue under the present lease agreement to keep the fields available for city teams.

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October 2015 • A7

Rezoning project draws discussion at city council meeting By ERICA TECHO A rezoning ordinance for property on Jacobs Road drew discussion from the audience at Monday’s Vestavia Hills City Council meeting. The rezoning, coupled with an annexation ordinance, brought the property from Jefferson County into Vestavia Hills and zoned the property for single family housing. It was approved by the council. Anna Steel Properties, represented by Jody Henson, owns the property and plans to build 30 single-family houses. The houses will be on 75-foot lots and range in side from 2,800-3,500 square feet. The builder estimates the houses will sell in the $400,000’s. Along with the houses on the property, there will be a half-acre detention pond at the front of the neighborhood. The pond will be used to manage water run-off in the event of rain, said engineer Brian Harris. The pond’s deepest point is 5 feet, but Harris said the water would only reach that depth in extreme weather conditions. One resident said he was concerned the pond would pose a hazard to children in the area, especially if there was no fence around the pond. “I would recommend to the council that a fence be required,” he said. “If there’s five feet of water, I see a hazard.” Another resident asked about landscaping, fearing the pond would be an eyesore. Harris said there is a landscaping plan in place, and it has been approved by the design review board. Construction of the detention pond also raised questions. The area could require blasting. Residents within a 500-foot radius of the project will have the option for an evaluation before

Brian Harris, engineer for a project off of Jacobs Park, shows drawings of the property. Photo by Erica Techo.

any blasting. Resident Donna Johnson asked if residents who participated in the pre-evaluation would then be covered if their houses sustained damage following the blasting, to which the council answered in the affirmative. The ordinance previously received a positive recommendation from the planning and zoning committee, and the council approved the request. The council also approved several annexation requests. Councilman George Pierce said while it seems like a large number of annexations,

each property owner went through an intensive process to make it in front of the council. “The city is not out there promoting annexation,” Pierce said. He also said each annexation is brought up to the school board. The school board’s opinion is used to determine how the annexation could affect the school system. Most properties were annexed with no concerns, but Pierce advised that two properties included patches of road that may require repaving. By annexing the properties, the city would

incur at least some of the cost of future repaving. Any repaving will be evaluated to see how it fits into the city’s five-year plan. City Manager Jeff Downes also noted the new Vestavia Hills City Hall will soon open. On Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, the administrative offices will be closed. They will reopen on Monday morning, at the new location of 1032 Montgomery Highway. In other news, the council: }} Approved an alcohol license for Newks Express Café. No representatives were present at the meeting, and the council amended the resolution to require a review of the restaurant’s alcohol policy and training practices for final approval. }} Approved a resolution for an alcohol license at Twisted Root Burger Co., a new restaurant that will open on Rocky Ridge Road. The restaurant will follow the ABC manual for employee training, and it is set to open in December. }} Approved an ordinance to annex 74 acres adjacent to the Cahaba River into the city. While concerns about liability were noted, City Attorney Patrick Boone said the city would not be liable for injury because the area is private property. }} Approved a resolution for grading, landscaping and the installation of new signage at the U.S. 280 and Dolly Ridge Road Intersection. The sign will identify Cahaba Heights. }} Approved a resolution for financing terms for city vehicles. }} Read an ordinance establishing the Rocky Ridge Road Entertainment District. The ordinance was new business at the meeting, and no action was taken at this time.

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Vestavia Voice

Drug Task Force begins second year in schools By STEVE IRVINE

said he expected in the neighborhood of 100 students in the program. One change this year A Drug Awareness Team put together by the was the process for signing up for the program. Vestavia Hills City School System, as well as a A year ago, it was handled entirely online but, voluntary drug-testing program, recently began according to Howard, “we had a bit of a chalits second year in the city’s schools. lenge with making sure we got consent forms “We’re back in full swing,” VHCS Director and a check simultaneously.” of Administrative Services David Howard said This year’s registration was available to print of the program, set up to ﬁght against substance online but parents turned it in to the school with abuse among young people. payment. This past school year Howard said the marked the first time other “integral part” of that voluntary drug testthe program is the Drug ing joined the long-time Awareness team, which Most people are really program of random is a group that includes testing for students in community leadpushing the medicinal extracurricular activiers, law enforcement side of marijuana. ties. Students who are members, school leadinvolved in the voluners, school counselors, She’s trying to tackle tary program are tested parents and former stuthe truths from the once per semester while dents. The team meets myths from a medical the extracurricular testevery other month ing occurs once a month. to discuss substance side. Howard said a common abuse issues facing “misunderstanding from students. Howard said parents” with children an important part of the in the extracurricular program is the amount of team is the inclusion of guest speakers and memtesting for each student. bers outside of the school system. “If they are in extracurricular, it’s a random “We knew there were a lot of resources in our selection but we test every single month,” community that had a lot to tell us,” Howard Howard said. “A kid (in the extracurricular test- said. “As school administrators or school couning program) may be tested two or three times selors, we think we’ve got a pulse on all the during a school year or maybe never get tested.” problems. But when you talk to the court judge Some have chosen to also sign up for the vol- or a lieutenant from the Vestavia Hills Police untary testing, which guarantees at least one test Department, what they’re seeing on the ground per semester. Those students would also still may be a little bit different than what we’re be involved in the extracurricular drug-testing experiencing inside the school. We wanted to program but are not guaranteed to be selected. get all those perspectives.” Registration for the voluntary program carThe guest speaker for the September meetried through the end of September. Howard ing was Dr. Shannon Murphy, the regional

“

”

The Drug Awareness Task Force has implemented a voluntary drug testing program in Vestavia Hills High School. Task Force member Brad Blount, a VHHS alumnus, has also given speeches about his own experiences with heroin and prescription drug abuse. Photo by Katie Turpen.

coordinator of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “She’s part of a nationwide initiative to basically educate parents and children on the ‘untalked about’ things in regard to marijuana,” Howard said. “Most people are really pushing the medicinal side of marijuana. She’s trying to tackle the truths from the myths from a medical side.” Howard said one of the other speakers during the school year will be Danny Cooner, Behavioral Health Systems/Safety First President, which Howard said is the company used for the

drug testing. Shanta Owens, presiding judge for the Drug Court program for the Birmingham Division of Jefferson County, is also a member of the team for another year. “We try to have an all accompanying voice that tries to tackle these things and address these things,” Howard said. “We also have our schoolwide PTO president, so she can kind of take this message back to the parents so they are also aware of the topics facing our kids and the challenges.”

October 2015 • A9

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Leadership Vestavia Hills grads share their experiences By ROY L. WILLIAMS As Leadership Vestavia Hills introduced members of its newest this fall, past graduates touted how the organization has made a positive difference in the city — and in their own lives. The new members of the Vestavia Hills Class of 2015-16 held their first meeting Sept. 10 at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, where they learned the history of the city and the program and played games to get to know one another. Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto Zaragoza Jr. said connections and knowledge he gained from being a member of the 2006 class of Leadership Vestavia Hills helped prepare him to be a better mayor when he was first elected in 2008. “I was fire chief and had worked for the department for 40 years, and thought I knew everything there was to know about Vestavia Hills,” Zaragoza recalled. “But I gained so much from one year in Leadership Vestavia Hills. Our city continues to benefit from the group even today.” Leadership Vestavia Hills was formed in 1997 by Dennis Anderson, associate pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, the mayor said. He had a vision of creating an organization that would create Vestavia Hills’ future leaders, and allow citizens to gather together and discuss ideas to help move the city forward, Zaragoza Jr. said. “[Anderson] put a team together and brought his vision to life,” the mayor said. “A lot of our positive city initiatives have come out of Leadership Vestavia Hills.” Besides the mayor, several current Vestavia Hills city leaders are past graduates of Leadership Vestavia Hills, said Ann Hamiter, vice president of retail banking at Pinnacle Bank. Among them are three Vestavia Hills city council

This year’s Leadership Vestavia Hills’ class attended a retreat at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church on Sept. 10. Front row: Vicki Tuggle, Julie Miller, Denene Lemke, Baylee Dodson, Alicia Hunsberger and Meredith Hanson. Back row: Steve Phillips, Jeff Lees, Sam Duffey, Vaughn Sparks, Chip Grinkmeyer, Jon Cunningham, Marty Martin, Jess Boone, James Benton, Jacob Leake, Mitch Bevill, Stephen Armstrong and Tony Renta. Photo by Madoline Markham.

members (Steve Ammons, George Pierce and John Henley), Vestavia Hills City Manager Jeffrey Downes, Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce President Karen Odle and Vestavia Hills Public Library Director Taneisha Tucker. Tucker graduated from Leadership Vestavia Hills in 2007, the same year she became director of the city library. Being on with the group helped her perform her job better, Tucker said. “I was new to the position, and it enabled me to learn so much about the Vestavia Hills school system, the city government and to meet key city leaders,” she said. “Leadership Vestavia Hills has

KNOW

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SUSPECTED

CONCUSSION A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion: n Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY n Should be urgently assessed medically n Should not be left alone n Should not drive a motor vehicle

www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER

helped make the city stronger.” Members of each class perform various projects and research ways to improve the city, Tucker said. During the year she served, Leadership Vestavia Hills conducted a quality of life program that she later implemented into the Vestavia Hills Library. Lisa Christopher, a membership consultant with the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, said her experience as part of the 1999-2000 class of Leadership Vestavia Hills helped when she served as president of the city chamber a year later. “I was already involved in the city, having served as a PTA president,” Christopher said. “The key to the group that makes it so successful

is that you get to learn more about Vestavia Hills and areas in which you can make a difference in the city.” Christopher said members of the 2015-16 Class of Leadership Vestavia Hills will benefit from the experience. “The goal is for graduates to be more informed, more fired up and more willing to be leaders in our city,” Christopher said. The new class will be assigned projects in October under the leadership of President Rebecca Olsen and class coordinators Ann Hamiter and John Henley. Results and implementation plans will be presented at graduation in April.

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Now Open Samurai Japan has opened in the former Sekisui location, 700 Montgomery Highway, Suite 178. 978-7775

Zaxby’s has opened at 3201 Bearden Court in Cahaba Heights. The location is owned by franchisee Russell Pate. 968-1519, zaxbys.com

News and Accomplishments Anytime Fitness, 1360 Montgomery Highway, is now offering cryotherapy for recovery, muscular skeletal problems and antiaging. Cryotherapy is a form of cold therapy where you step into a cryosauna for three minutes, which lowers your body’s temperature to stimulate regulatory functions. 332-2395, glaciercryo.com

Hirings and Promotions ARC Realty, 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 200, has hired Megan Twitty Kincaid, Kim Dunham, Karen Shadinger and Angel Torres as residential Realtors. 969-8910, arcrealtyco.com

RealtySouth’s Over the Mountain Acton Road ofﬁce, 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137, welcomed Pam Benton as a new agent. 978-9000, realtysouth.com

Jim Harrison, a registered ﬁnancial advisor, has joined Reliance Financial Group. Its corporate ofﬁce is located at 1400 Urban Center Drive, Suite 475, in Liberty Park. 397-2450, rfgadvisory.com

Anniversaries Chickadee, 3138 Cahaba Heights Road, celebrated its fourth anniversary on September 9. The store, located in a renovated mid-1900s gas station, carries antiques, furniture, home accessories and gifts. 969-3138, chickadeebirmingham.com

Closings 8

Sekisui, 700 Montgomery Highway, Suite 178, has closed.

Business news

to share? Now Open Coming Soon

Relocation Expansion Anniversary

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

October 2015 • A11

A12 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

In front of City Hall, children protest a mixed-use development proposal in Cahaba Heights. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.

Cahaba Heights apartment proposal recommended

Developer Steven Hydinger presented a new proposal to the planning and zoning commission with fewer apartment units and more retail.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL A nearly three-hour hearing of a proposed apartment and mixed use retail development near Cahaba Heights Elementary ended in a 6-2 vote to recommend the plan to the city council. The crowd of residents in City Hall met this decision with shouts of disapproval, some calling commission members “hypocrites” or “liars.” City Hall was packed with Cahaba Heights residents, who had to take turns sitting in on the meeting so the room would not be over its capacity. A group of residents and elementary students also gathered in front of City Hall, holding signs and chanting “Not in our school yard” to passing cars on Highway 31. Inside, discussion ranged from water runoff control and pollution to crime and parking for elementary baseball games. Residents voiced concerns about increased traffic flow, additional students at the elementary school and safety for children. The proposal, presented by Steven Hydinger of BREC Development, involves an 81-unit apartment complex with retail and restaurant areas on the first floor and in a second building. It also includes on and off-street parking and a new road to connect Dolly Ridge Road and Oakview Lane in front of the school. After initial residential pushback, Hydinger dropped his first proposal in July and made some adjustments to incorporate more retail space and other changes to fall in line with the Cahaba Heights Village Master Plan. “We believe in our community,” Hydinger

said in the meeting. “This is truly a change for our city for the positive.” This master plan was at the center of discussion, as it calls for small-scale, walkable development in a village style. Gathered residents said the four-story complex would be too large, would take away green space and did not align with the goals of the neighborhood. They also pointed out other apartment projects in the works on Cahaba River Road. “It’s just not a good idea any way you look at it,” resident Frank Hays said. “We’re just a sleepy little community.” Kay Cooper, the principal of Cahaba Heights Elementary, said she worried about the burden of additional students on her school, especially if it increased the students on free and reduced lunches and other programs. The school currently has 394 students, down slightly from last year. She also brought up how the development would impact safety plans in place for the school and the 50 to 90 kids who walk to and from school every day. “I can guarantee in 29 years of teaching that this is not what I would want next to my school,” Cooper said. She was one of many residents to receive audience applause for her voice against the project. Abby Brady presented a petition with over 1,000 signatures to the commission opposing the new plan. Dominique Anderson, who has a ﬁfth-grade daughter, Emma, at the elementary, said she doesn’t feel any more retail should be added there, and that the apartment proposal is much too close to be safe for students.

“I don’t know the magic answer, I just know that isn’t it,” Anderson said. Several speakers during the meeting said they weren’t opposed to development in the property as a whole, but they felt this particular plan was not the solution. They favored townhouses or condominiums with more retail and a shorter roofline. The impact on fire, police and other emergency personnel was also brought up, as residents were concerned additional traffic would mean slower response times. However, Police Chief Dan Rary commented that the additional road would likely make it easier for personnel to respond to an emergency at the school. “I would love to have another road cut to the school such as this one,” Rary said. At the end of public comments, commission members Brian Wolfe and Blaine House noted

that other developments are proposed or in the works that will be on a similar scale to the apartment complex. Once the projects are completed, House said the apartments would fit better into their context. The commission finally voted at nearly 9 p.m., with only two members opposed to the complex proposal. This is a non-binding recommendation to the city council, which Commission Chairman Lyle Larson said will have a first reading of the proposal sometime in the next month and make a final decision in about two months. Based on reactions of the crowd, most Cahaba Heights residents were displeased by this recommendation. Larson recommended that residents voice their opinions to council members prior to their first reading. Contact information for council members is on the city’s website,vhal.org.

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A14 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

City presents results, recommendations of parks survey to public By SYDNEY CROMWELL Residents and city officials agree: Improving parks is a major step to improving quality of life for Vestavia Hills children and adults. At an Aug. 25 meeting, Director of Public Services Brian Davis shared the results of a survey of the city’s parks and recreation facilities. Vestavia Hills employed the firm Brailsford & Dunlavey to create a comprehensive review of the city’s recreational facilities. The study was finished in July and found that the number, quality and location of these facilities is not sufficient to meet city needs. In a survey of about 1,700 Vestavia residents, the firm found that two-thirds of respondents agreed that the city’s current recreational capacity is not enough. Resident satisfaction with recreation varied widely: 99 percent of survey respondents were satisfied with the new Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, while only 15 percent were satisfied with the Wald Park Pool, one of the oldest city facilities. Davis said the study showed that Vestavia needs more rectangular athletic fields and an indoor recreational facility to meet the needs of the hundreds of children and adults playing soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football, lacrosse and other sports. He also said the city is looking at cutting the number of tournaments it hosts to use more fields for teams within the city. Studies of the rectangular and diamond fields in the city show that location is key to supply and demand. At Liberty Park and Sicard Hollow, the fields are meeting needs, but other facilities are overburdened. Davis said this is because about 90 percent of the city’s population is not close enough to easily access Liberty Park and Sicard Hollow facilities.

Football is one of many youth sports played at Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex and other city recreation facilities. Photo by Ron Burkett.

Living farther from recreational facilities also discouraged participation in youth sports, especially since facilities on the west side of Vestavia were more likely to have satisfaction rates of 30 percent or less. Brailsford & Dunlavey recommended that the city build between two and four small diamond-shaped fields and eight to 10 youth rectangular fields, or four to five adult fields, to match city need. In the immediate future, Davis said they plan to improve the quality of current facilities through amenities like turf, seating and parking, as well as rearranging play schedules so fields with lighter use can take the pressure

off fields with heavier use. An accessible field for athletes with disabilities was also discussed. “Our recommendation from here is we need to focus on our residents,” Davis said. In the long term, the firm also recommended the construction of a new indoor facility, with three to four basketball courts and an aquatic center with multiple swimming lanes. Davis said the city wants to do this but has no plans or timeline for such a project right now. The proposed Altadena Park, which was set to go to the council for annexation and zoning approval on Sept. 28, could bring some relief to overcrowded athletic fields in the near future.

The current concept has four rectangular and two diamond practice fields, and it is also closer to most Vestavia residents than Liberty Park or Sicard Hollow. However, the current proposed timeline would have the park’s first phases opening in early 2017, so it is not an immediate solution. Davis also mentioned the possibility of making Wald Park focused on baseball and softball, with covered batting areas and diamond fields. Liberty Park could be used as a competition venue, and the city has looked at building a pavilion and more seating for spectators. Both short- and long-term projects will have to be prioritized due to the expense, but Davis said they want better parks to remain important. “[City manager] Jeff Downes has challenged us to say, ‘Don’t let finances get in the way of parks,’” Davis said. To help with this, the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation is campaigning to raise money for several park projects. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jason Burnett said the Wald Park planning committee is also looking to expand its role and study the possibility of tearing down Wald Park to either build a new facility or sell as commercial property. “We obviously didn’t need a study to tell us we need a new recreation center and a new pool,” Burnett said, noting that Wald Park was built in the 1960s. After the presentation of the study’s results, Davis said the council’s decision on Altadena “sets the whole thing in motion” so the public services department can plan its budget and projects. Some short-term projects to improve the facilities’ quality will start soon, and Davis said the resident survey will be valuable as they look at long-term possibilities.

October 2015 • A15

VestaviaVoice.com

Board approves branding contract for Rebels mascot

During an Aug. 26 meeting, the Board of Education approved a contract with Knight Eady Sports Group for communication and branding services. Photo by Katie Turpen.

By KATIE TURPEN During an Aug. 26 meeting, the Board of Education approved a contract with Knight Eady Sports Group for communication and branding services. VHHS was recently thrown into the spotlight as part of a national discussion on Confederate symbols. Locally, it sparked a debate on whether or not Vestavia Hills High School should change its Rebel Man mascot. On July 15, the board made the decision to keep the Rebel name but rebrand the mascot. “With any strong and progressive company or organization that must continually refresh its image to represent the direction it is going,

to ensure that it reflects the future and does not lose its competitive edge, logos change,” said Superintendent Sheila Phillips. “It doesn’t change who you are, it modifies how you are branded.” The contract with Knight Eady approved during the Aug. 26 meeting will be for 16 months and will begin Sept. 1. The firm will perform communication services for the board for $1,500 per month. In addition, the firm will perform branding services for a one-time fee of $6,000. Communication services include a strategic plan for the rebranding process, a minimum of 50 hours leading and engaging focus groups, gathering sentiments of VHHS students, faculty

and staff, the development of an online information center, and other various duties. “We will study other schools, colleges, universities, and businesses that have successfully been through this process,” Phillips said. “We will do so methodically and with great sensitivity through the lens of our strategic plan developed by so many in our community.” Knight Eady Sports Group, a sports marketing and managing firm, was founded in 2013 by Michael Eady of Hoover and David Knight of Homewood. The firm has worked with the Florida High School Athletic Association to expand its corporate sponsorship program and also managed the NCAA Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2015 and 2016.

In other news, the Board of Education: ÌÌ Approved the addendum to the Johnny Hamilton painting contract. ÌÌ Approved a reimbursement resolution for the anticipated issuance of school warrants. ÌÌ Approved an engagement letter with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings for services as bond counsel for the anticipated issuance of school warrants. ÌÌ Approved the salary schedules and supplements for 2015-2016. ÌÌ Recognized Marla Hines for winning the Presidential Award for Excellence.

A16 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

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October 2015 • A17

A18 • October 2015

Making connections

Vestavia Voice

iRefer Vestavia/Hoover focuses on business networking

By ROY L. WILLIAMS As a longtime mortgage banker, Trey Horton of InterLinc Mortgage Services knows that making connections through networking is essential to success. Horton, who has taught classes on business networking, decided two years ago to create a nonprofit organization to utilize tips he had gained from attending networking sessions. The result was iRefer Vestavia/Hoover, which has met weekly since November 2013 and now has a core group of more than two dozen members. iRefer Vestavia/Hoover has weekly Tuesday morning meetings at Pump House Conference Center, 4012 Sicard Hollow Road, in Cahaba Heights. On the fourth Tuesday of each month, the group instead holds a social networking evening meeting at area restaurants. Horton said he came up with the concept based on years of attending networking sessions, both good and bad. He said in today’s competitive business world, networking is essential. iRefer focuses on providing a positive, supportive and structured environment where professionals can meet and get to know each other without the stress of continual sales pitches, Horton said. “We offer members a chance to share ideas, contacts and business referrals in a relaxed environment once a week,” he said. “We also educate members new to business networking on how to go to other events, make the best use of their time and build relationships that further their business.” One of the keys to its success, Horton said, is that iRefer Vestavia/Hoover is a very diverse group, focusing on getting a variety of professions involved. “Passing referrals on builds relationships, and we show members how to do it right,” Horton said. “We welcome visitors. There is no sales pressure, and we exchange business cards and

About iRefer Vestavia/Hoover What it is: Business networking group When: Meets Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Pump House Conference Center in Cahaba Heights, evening social meetings on fourth Tuesdays at various restaurants How to join: iRefer Facebook page, or irefer1.com

Chatting during an iRefer Vestavia/Hoover social meeting at Crazy Cajun’s are Scott Elliott, Stephanie Constantine and Leisa Crossley. Photo by Roy L. Williams.

get to know each other.” At each Tuesday morning meeting, attendees briefly introduce themselves, and on a rotating basis one individual gets to make a 10-minute presentation to the others. The social meetings are a chance for members to relax after work and get to know each other better. During an Aug. 25 meeting, attendees and visitors spoke highly of how the group had benefited them. Stephanie Constantine, a registered nurse with Signalling Molecule Biotech Co., has been involved since shortly after Horton formed iRefer. “Trey has done a good job of making the group feel like a family,” Constantine said. “I’ve

been to other networking meetings before and have found this one to be more embracing and helpful in getting you referrals.” Scott Elliott is the director of ministry and development at Grace Klein Community, a nonprofit at 1678 Montgomery Highway that gives away food and other items to those in need. He said joining iRefer Vestavia/Hoover seven months ago was one of the best decisions he’s ever made. “Trey found out about us and reached out for me to join, as he wanted an organization to partner with to help,” Elliott said. “Members have donated canned food for us. The people belonging to this group seem real and have a

genuine concern for others. It’s about more than just getting business. They want to give back.” Scott Pylant, who owns The UPS Store locations in Cahaba Heights and 130 Inverness Plaza, said he has gained business through his association with iRefer Vestavia/Hoover. “It’s a great tool for effective business networking,” Pylant said. Horton said anyone interested in joining iRefer can email him at treyhorton@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page or website, irefer1. com. It costs about $100 a year to join, but visitors are welcome to come to a few meetings for free to see how it works and determine whether it fits their needs.

October 2015 • A19

VestaviaVoice.com

Chamber Mayor gives State of the City address at chamber luncheon By SYDNEY CROMWELL Mayor Butch Zaragoza returned to Vestavia Hills in the middle of a beach vacation to share the annual State of the City address at the Sept. 9 chamber luncheon. Prior to his speech, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation presented an $11,000 check to the city to help install new signs noting business districts. The mayor said this year was one of the strongest he had seen in his two terms, from residential development to new businesses. In total, Zaragoza said residents could expect over $9 million of new city revenue over the next five years. “We’re very excited about what’s happening here in Vestavia Hills,” Zaragoza said. He thanked several city employees for their part in attracting new businesses to the city, including City Manager Jeff Downes. “This is the best thing to happen to us in two years,” Zaragoza said of Downes. “Jeff is an individual that has vision beyond any vision we’ve ever seen.” The projects Zaragoza listed as contributing to the city’s financial stability include: êê The new city hall, which will have its grand opening on Oct. 13. Zaragoza said that this new construction prompted other commercial

êê

êê êê

properties to become interested in moving to the city. Chick-fil-A, which will take over the current city hall location on Highway 31. The mayor said the restaurant will begin demolition and construction sometime after the end of October, and the new building will be designed after Chick-fil-A’s most recent model. Sprouts and Chipotle are already under construction, and the property owners are currently working to bring other retailers to unfilled space at 1099 Montgomery Highway. Work is ongoing at Patchwork Farms, to include resort-style senior living, a nursing facility and roughly 120,000 square feet of space for grocery, shopping and dining tenants. Zaragoza said the senior living facility will get its building permit in October and Daniel Corporation, the site developers, are also working on infrastructure for a 270-unit high-end apartment complex. Construction on the building could begin within a month. Zaragoza said projects are in the works in Cahaba Heights, but none are finalized enough to give public details. The process to make a park at the former Altadena Valley Country Club is under way, with the next step to happen at the end of September.

Mayor Butch Zaragoza gives the 2015 State of the City. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

êê 700 acres in Liberty Park are up for residential and commercial development over the next two to three years. êê The first city entertainment district is moving forward in Rocky Ridge to make the city more exciting. Zaragoza said two other locations are also being considered for these districts. êê Paving projects are coming soon to Rocky Ridge Road between U.S. 280 and Hoover, Sicard Hollow Road, Columbiana Road, Tyler Road and Overton Road in Liberty Park. Zaragoza said the Rocky Ridge project is bid out already and Columbiana and Tyler will soon follow. The paving projects are joint work between Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Birmingham and Jefferson County. êê New signs are expected to begin installation sometime in September.

“This just shows you what can be done just by doing your work,” Zaragoza said. He also noted city changes, including a new website and a financial transparency portal. He said the city’s most recent financial report showed that it is stable, and he wants residents to see where their money is being spent. “We wanted to give you a chance ... to look at Vestavia Hills financially,” the mayor said. The most important part of this progress, Zaragoza said, is partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, the city school system and other groups in Vestavia. “It’s amazing what can happen if we work together,” Zaragoza said. “And that’s what’s happening.” The next luncheon is Oct. 13.

A20 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

New campaign brings men into breast cancer awareness By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is kicking off a fundraising campaign with local men leading the charge. During the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, 26 select men from the Birmingham area have been nominated to serve as the “Pink Men” of Birmingham during breast cancer awareness month. Each participant will promote breast cancer education and early detection with messaging provided by the American Cancer Society. There is also a fundraising component in which the men will compete against each other, raising as much funds as possible (a minimum of $2,500) for the American Cancer Society. The participant who raises the most funds will be named the “Birmingham’s Pink Man of the Year.” Several Vestavia men are getting involved in the campaign: Gene Hallman knows numerous women who have had battled breast cancer and all successfully fought the good fight, most of which were incredibly difficult. “I think virtually everyone knows someone who has had to endure the fight against breast cancer,” Hallman said.

Hallman, who is the Bruno Event Team president and CEO, decided to participate in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign because he thought the novelty of it was a unique way to draw attention to the cause. “The thing that is important is, great strides have been made, but this disease is a long way from being defeated,” he said. “Part of the mission of the American Cancer Society is to make sure people that people understand that while great strides been made, it’s not yet conquered.” Breast cancer is all too familiar to Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington. His wife, Sonia, is a breast cancer survivor, as well as many of their friends. “Participating in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign is a constant, visual statement that I support finding a cure for breast cancer, a disease that touches all socioeconomic segments of our community,” Carrington said. Carrington will be wearing something pink every day in October to serve as a constant reminder of breast cancer. He will also ask for donations from friends and acquaintances. As a radiation oncologist at Princeton Hospital, Dr. Clint Holladay has been treating breast cancer patients for 22 years. “I treat cancer patients every day and see the struggles of the cancer journey up close,” he said.

Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington’s wife, Sonia, is a breast cancer survivor. Photos courtesy of American Cancer Society.

Dr. Holladay is involved in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign because awareness of early cancer detection can be crucial in saving a life. “The more dollars raised for cancer research, means the more lives saved,” he said. He is excited about wearing his pink tie during October to show his support for breast cancer.

(Above) Dr. Clint Holladay has been treating breast cancer patients for 22 years. (Left) Gene Hallman, Bruno Event Team president and CEO, says he has known several women who have fought breast cancer.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2015 • A21

Fall Events

Shop Save and Share enters 10th year

Fall Festival Roundup

Vestavia Hills Baptist’s fall fest will include a Trunk ‘R Treat. Photo courtesy of VHBC.

By KATIE TURPEN AND SAM CHANDLER Vestavia Hills area churches are celebrating autumn with festivals and activities for the young and young at heart. Mark your calendars and bring your family to some of these fun events. Mark’s Outdoors store manager Jeremy Hopkins and vice president Mark Whitlock will participate in Shop, Save and Share. Photo courtesy of Holly Lollar.

The Junior League of Birmingham, local retailers, and restaurants have partnered to bring back the successful and popular Shop Save & Share charity shopping event for a 10th year. Shop Save and Share cardholders enjoy a 20 percent discount at more than 550 retailers and restaurants throughout the Birmingham area. The $40 purchase of a Shop Save & Share card is a donation to the Junior League of Birmingham that offers card holders smart savings from Oct. 21-Nov. 1, 2015, while supporting around 30 JLB projects. Some of the popular participating

Vestavia Hills merchants are Monograms Plus, The Lily Pad, Gigi’s, Mark’s Outdoors and many more. “We believe in the work of the Junior League of Birmingham and the hundreds of hours they devote to the supporting the non-profits of Birmingham,” said Mark Whitlock, Vice President of Mark’s Outdoors. “This is a small way we can give back and also offer something unique to our customers as well.” Visit jlbonline.com or shopsaveshare. net to purchase your Shop Save & Share card and to review a complete listing of participating merchants and sponsors. - Submitted by Holly Lollar.

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Fall Festival Oct. 18, 4-6 p.m., VHUMC The free event will feature food trucks, train rides, games and live music. Food truck vendors include Melt, Steel City Pops, iCantina, Greg’s Hot Dogs and Gigi’s Cupcakes. Guests are invited to bring canned foods to donate to the VHUMC food pantry. Visit vhumc.org. Liberty Park Pumpkin Patch Oct. 19, 1-4 p.m., Alston Meadows The event, hosted by the Vestavia Hills Civitan Club this year, will raise funds to support the club’s mission of assisting those with developmental disabilities. The event is located at the park on Alston Park Drive. Admission is free, but some activities require purchasing tickets for $1. The Vestavia Hills Civitan Club will also be raffling Iron Bowl tickets. Visit civitan.org/clubs/vestavia-hills-al/

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A22 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

Kristin Tunnell, Meredith Hansen, Rosalind Wiseman, Ashley Thompson, Sheila Phillips and Pam Cochran at the 2014 PNC Bank and Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation luncheon. Photo courtesy of Ashley Thompson.

Leigh Anne Tuohy to speak at Schools Foundation luncheon By KATIE TURPEN Ashley Thompson was researching possible speakers for the second annual PNC Bank and Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation luncheon event when she turned on her television to find The Blind Side playing. A favorite movie of hers, she decided to research Leigh Anne Tuohy, the inspirational figure behind the film. “When reading about Leigh Anne, I loved the message of her new book and the way she lives her life,” said Thompson, VHCSF executive director. “The book focuses on how everyone can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Tuohy will be the keynote speaker at this year’s PNC luncheon 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 Super Bowl 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, Tuohy 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, details action steps people can take to become more involved in their community. Her latest book, Turn Around: Reach Out, Give Back, and Get Moving, is a five-day-per-week devotional. “Giving isn’t always about money. You don’t have to be famous to be a difference maker,” said Thompson. “Vestavia Hills is such a giving community, we thought Leigh Anne would be the perfect person to inspire our community.” All proceeds from the luncheon will support

Leigh Anne Tuohy. Photo courtesy of VHCSF.

the foundation, which provides grants each year to Vestavia Hills educators for technology improvements, classroom enhancement projects and professional development opportunities for teachers. Over the past 18 years, the foundation has grown its education endowment to more than $2 million. Interest generated from this investment has enabled the foundation to grant nearly $667,000 to the eight schools in the system. In 2014 alone, VHCSF awarded 11 grants totaling $60,000 to the system and the Board of Education. “Our goal is to grow the education endowment to $5 million to make dreams and innovations possible,” said Thompson. Reservations can be made for seating and VIP packages. General admission tickets are $60. For more information, visit vestaviafoundation.org.

October 2015 • A23

VestaviaVoice.com

Viva Vestavia brings new food experiences By RACHEL BURCHFIELD Thirteen years ago, Lisa Christopher was mulling over a name for a new event in Vestavia Hills. The Chamber of Commerce Foundation had just met to create a new fundraiser, and suddenly, on the way to Tallahassee to visit her parents, the name hit her – Viva Vestavia. “I was so excited,” she said. Christopher is the membership and marketing consultant for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, and the Foundation is still excited to host Viva Vestavia every year. This year, the event will be on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Hollywood Pools, where it has taken place since its second year of inception. Karen Odle, president and CEO of the chamber, said the event was created to highlight the restaurants located in Vestavia Hills and chamber members outside of Vestavia Hills. “Guests are welcomed to the event and visit the restaurants where they will get a ‘taste’ of the signature fare of the restaurant,” she said. “We also have wine and beer tastings from area vendors.” Viva Vestavia spotlights around 24 restaurants, and Odle said that guests get to enjoy tasting food from restaurants they might not know about or have not had an opportunity to visit yet. “They generally leave raving about the food and have marked a new favorite and a must-visit on their nights out,” she said. At the end of the night, guests are asked to vote on their favorite food

Viva Vestavia Oct. 29, 6:30-9 p.m. Hollywood Pools, 1441 Montgomery Highway Tickets: $40 Vestaviahills.org

Sonya Jackson and Paige Gilliland of Newk’s Eatery won Best Food at Viva Vestavia 2014. Photo courtesy of Katie Woodruff, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.

and the best presentation of food, Odle said. The winners of these two categories get a feature article in the next issue of Vestavia Hills Living magazine. “This past year Newk’s Eatery won best food and Klingler’s won for best presentation,” Odle said. “They go all out in decorating.” Odle said 300 tickets are available for the event, “and when they are sold, that’s it.” Because wine and beer are served, guests must be over 21. A full list of participating restaurants will be released in mid-October. Tickets were $40 last year and Odle expects that price to hold this year. Since Viva Vestavia is scheduled right

before Halloween, guests are encouraged to dress in costume, and a prize will be awarded for the best one. The Foundation uses the proceeds for a variety of projects: economic development projects, capital improvements for the chamber and funding a scholarship for a Vestavia Hills High School student who will be majoring in a business discipline, Odle said. Last year’s Viva Vestavia netted the Foundation enough money to add signage around Vestavia Hills. “We will be presenting a check to the city at the Sept. 9 chamber luncheon for $11,084 to help pay for new signage that will help folks with entry signage into Vestavia Hills as well as

directional signage for business districts,” Odle said. Linda Parker, chair of this year’s event and owner of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream in Vestavia Hills, said there will be a silent auction at Viva Vestavia as well. “The silent auction in the past has had a wide variety of items ranging from jewelry to event tickets to signed prints to mini-Green Eggs and more,” she said. Parker also said that every guest receives a commemorative wine glass. When the event was being created 13 years ago, Kim Barelare, a former chamber board member, created a contest at Vestavia Hills High School

where art students submitted logo ideas for the event. “Designs were submitted to our committee and we judged and decided which design best depicted the event and could be carried forward year after year,” Barelare said. The logo from the first year remains on the wine glass. “We’ve used it ever since and simply update the year with Roman numerals in the form of wine glasses and waiters to depict the number of years we’ve hosted it,” Christopher said. “Viva Vestavia has become the social event of the year and is a must attend event,” Odle said. “We have had many folks that have been to every one and don’t want to miss it.” It’s these people, Odle said, that bring to life the city’s motto “A Life Above.” “You could search the world over and not find better, more passionate people that love their community and are willing to do and give back to their community to make it a better place,” she said.

Vestavia Voice

A24 • October 2015

Patriot Day ceremony remembers Sept. 11 tragedy By MADOLINE MARKHAM Elementary students watched in awe as doves were released in front of Homewood’s City Hall on Sept. 11. They weren’t alive when planes truck the World Trade Center 14 years ago, but after the Patriot Day ceremony, they have a greater understanding of the significance of the date. The annual Patriot Day ceremony rotates locations between Homewood, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook. Next year, it will be held in Mountain Brook. “Sept. 11 is a reminder that evil and terror still exist, but it is also a reminder that when things are at their very worst, we are at our very best,” said Captain Christopher Tanner, the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Patriot Day was a joint ceremony held by Homewood, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook. Tanner, a Mountain Brook native, was a student at West Point in 2001 and later served in Afghanistan. He now serves as the executive director and assistant professor of military science at UAB. “I remember the confusion, the horror, the anger and the uncertainty as we formed up outside,” Tanner said of that day. “That feeling was cemented in my gut as we saw the first plumes of smoke in the air from the burning rubble of the World Trade Center.” Tanner recounted how he helped stage supplies for first responders and search and rescue crews across the river from the towers, and how he would later learn that 2,983 civilians, 343 firefighters and 72 police officers had lost their lives. “In an instant our lives and futures changed,” Tanner said. “We saw ourselves galvanized toward a common goal, defeating extremism, vanquishing terror and continuing to show the world that we are a nation of hope.” After performances from the Homewood High School show choir, an invocation and a singing of the national anthem, Brian Bowman played “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes as doves were released at the end of the ceremony.

Homewood firefighters Grant Kline and Taylor Hancock help raise a giant flag between two ladder trucks. Photos by Frank Couch.

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October 2015 • A25

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Captain Christopher Tanner, the keynote speaker, relayed his emotions and experiences as a young soldier watching the events unfold in New York City.

The cities of Mountain Brook, Homewood and Vestavia Hills joined together for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and Patriot’s Day Celebration at Homweood City Hall.

“

Sept. 11

is a reminder that

evil and terror still exist, but it is also

After the ceremony firefighters lowered the giant flag. The cities of Mountain Brook, Homewood and Vestavia Hills joined together for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and Patriot’s Day Celebration at Homweood City Hall Friday September 11, 2015.

”

a reminder that when things are at their very worst, we are at our very best

Vestavia Voice

A26 • October 2015

Vestavia lends

A HELPING HAND By SYDNEY CROMWELL

A group from Vestavia Hills Baptist Church trimmed shrubs, raked leaves and pulled weeds for a Vestavia resident.

Volunteers pull weeds and spread new mulch at the Civic Center on Merryvale Road. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.

rom Girl Scouts to local church groups, around 300 Vestavia Hills residents took part in Helping Hands in the Hills on Sept. 12. Helping Hands is a service day put together by the Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Karen Odle said around 270 people signed up to volunteer in advance, but more people walked up that morning and asked to be given a service assignment. A few of the participating teams included: Cahaba Heights Girl Scout Troop 181, Vestavia Baptist Church members, Chamber members and students from Pizitz Middle School’s new service club. Kellie Wigley, the 7th grade counselor at Pizitz, said she hopes the service club can take part in multiple volunteer projects each school year. The projects ranged from picking up litter at Wald Park and along roads to spreading pine straw at the Civic Center and repainting the New Merkle House. An e-recycle and shredding service was at Wald Park all morning. A few groups also volunteered to do yardwork for local senior citizens, and HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) partnered with Vestavia students to place “HEAL-approved” stickers on healthy menu options at Sol Azteca. At the end of the event, volunteers gathered at Wald Park for a cookout lunch courtesy of Western Supermarket.

(Above) Around 300 people met in Wald Park the morning of Sept. 12 to volunteer around the community for Helping Hands in the Hills. (Left) The Pizitz Middle School service club had 75 students participate in three different projects for Helping Hands, including doing yardwork for a local senior citizen.

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October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ A27

Vestavia Voice

A28 • October 2015

Community Birmingham Friendship Force hosted in Sacramento

Jones achieves Eagle Scout rank

The members of Birmingham Friendship Force had a hippie-themed farewell party after visiting a sister club in Sacramento. Photo courtesy of Eva Herron.

In August, the Friendship Force of Birmingham traveled to Sacramento, California to be hosted by Friendship Force, Sacramento. The goal of Friendship Force is shared experiences traveling the world and immersion in local cultures. Groups also benefit from showcasing their home state and city by hosting travelers. The Birmingham club hosted ambassadors from the Sacramento club three years ago, and members from both clubs had looked forward to the Sacramento visit since that time. The group spent the week touring Sacramento and surrounding areas, seeing the state capitol, Old Sacramento, the Railroad Museum, Lake Tahoe and other sights. The week ended with a “Sixties California Hippie” themed farewell party with lots of tiedye, beads and reminiscing. On Aug. 21, the

Birmingham ambassadors departed for home or other side trips. The Friendship Force of Birmingham club holds bimonthly general meetings. Guests are invited to learn more about the club and Friendship Force International. The Birmingham club is participating in an upcoming Japan exchange and has hosted ambassadors from Tashkent, Uzbekistan and an Open World Delegation from Kazakhstan. The next meeting is at Southminister Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. There will be a presentation or guest speaker as well as refreshments. For more information, email eherron6727@ gmail.com or visit the international organization’s website at friendshipforce.org. - Submitted by Eva Herron

Mark Allen Jones

Mark Allen Jones, a member of Boy Scout Troop 93 at Oakmont Presbyterian Church, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Jones’ Eagle Scout Project was inspired by a summer mission trip to Africa where he worked at a school in the small village of Nguluni in Kenya. For his project, Jones coordinated a school supply drive, and he and his volunteers spent 187 hours collecting and boxing a total of 900 pounds of supplies, which were delivered to Nguluni Christian School in Kenya by the Africa mission team the following summer. In addition, Jones was able to make a generous donation to the mission team that allowed them to purchase additional supplies and paint for a new classroom upon their arrival in Kenya. Jones is a recent honors graduate of Vestavia

Hills High School, where he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, Music Performers Club, Computer Club and Ping Pong Club. He was also a three-time Presidential Service Award recipient and a National Merit Finalist Commended Student. He has accepted a Presidential Academic Scholarship to attend the Honors College at the University of Alabama, where he will be majoring in engineering and be a member of the Million Dollar Band. Jones is the son of Becky and Steve Jones of Vestavia Hills. He is the grandson of Sarah and James Triplett of Florence and Caryl and Larry Jones of Huntsville.

October 2015 • A29

VestaviaVoice.com TEAM

CONTINUED from page A1 has not developed any of the other symptoms. They just have to wait and see if other problems will develop as she grows older, particularly through puberty. “Ellie’s life hasn’t been affected. She doesn’t know any different. She runs around with her siblings and thinks she’s as big as they are,” Wes said. They live with the “fear of the unknown” and the knowledge that Ellie’s condition could suddenly change. “Six months from now, anything could pop up,” Stephanie said. “With NF there’s no determination if it’s going to be mild, if it’s going to be severe. I think that in itself — there’s no determining factor, so we just sit and we wait for something to happen. So I think that in itself is enough to drive you crazy.” However, they also feel extremely lucky that Ellie is healthy so far. When she was diagnosed, the Waldrops had never heard of NF, and Stephanie remembers practicing the pronunciation. Since then, they’ve met multiple families dealing with the same illness, including a high school classmate of Stephanie’s and a neighbor of Wes’s brother. “It’s right here in our Vestavia community. It’s like, ‘Oh, what? There’s more of you?’” Stephanie said. Through these families, the Waldrops have seen the potentially tough road that could lie ahead of them. They also found a community that cares about the same cause and can provide advice along the way. Friends and family who were once clueless about NF have also stepped up to the plate. Ellie’s older sister, 11-year-old Mary Britton, made a video about NF for a class project.

Since Ellie Waldrop was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, her family has gotten involved in NF awareness and fundraising. The Waldrop family includes (L to R) Griffin, Stephanie, Ellie, Mary Britton and Wes (not pictured). Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Neighbors held an ice cream social last year and another friend held a crawfish boil to raise money for NF research. Stephanie said it’s her daughter’s personality that makes people so eager to be “on Ellie’s team.” “You can’t go in a room and not notice her. She just lights up a room,” Stephanie said. “And she talks to anybody. She’ll befriend anybody,” Wes added. The Waldrops helped Renie Moss, another Vestavia parent of a child with NF, start an Alabama chapter of the

Children’s Tumor Foundation to raise funds for research and awareness. Last year they organized their very first fundraising walk in Railroad Park. They expected around 100 people, but instead had 400 participants and raised over $50,000. “For our first walk, that’s incredible,” Stephanie said. This year, they hope to have more attendees. The NF Walk will be Oct. 18 in Hoover’s Veterans Park, with all proceeds going to fund clinical trials for NF treatments. Though Ellie has

Alabama NF Walk Oct. 18, 1 p.m. Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road Registration: $20 (adults), $10 (children 4-12) nfwalk.org/al not needed trial treatments so far, Stephanie and Wes want to provide options for other parents dealing with more severe cases. “It’s always good to know you’ve done something to help fund that research for somebody else,” Stephanie said. With Ellie’s medical future

unknown, the Waldrops are focused on raising awareness of NF and enjoying their little daughter’s big personality. “She’s just full of life, and that’s what we love. It’s so fun to watch her,” Stephanie said. To learn more about the Alabama NF Walk, visit nfwalk.org/al.

A30 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

CITY HALL

Lobby

CONTINUED from page A1 On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the public is invited to the City Hall’s grand opening event, called High Notes, at 1105 Mayland Lane. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and feature a performance by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, several different bands and choirs from Vestavia Hills City Schools will be performing throughout the evening. Children will be able to play on inflatables, and Alagasco will provide hamburgers and hot dogs. “It’s going to be a good opportunity to see the new buildings and to show our facilities off to the community,” said Zaragoza. “Guests are invited to come and go as they like.” Coinciding with the event will be the city’s National Night Out, presented by the Vestavia Hills Police and Fire Departments. Lt. Kevin York of VHPD said the city’s typical National Night Out event, which has focused on drug awareness in the past and usually takes place at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, will resume next year. This year, the focus is on showcasing the police department’s new complex. “We will have a few tables set up and will still be showing off some of our equipment,” York said. “However, the main focus is to show off our new facilities, which we will use to better serve our citizens.” Williams Blackstock Architects designed the new City Hall space, which will be more than 50,000 square feet. Its main components include a City Council chamber and courtroom, each seating 120 people, and offices for city departments. The municipal courtroom will have its own room distinct from the City Council chambers. Residents will also have the space to sit in on city work sessions, something lacking at the current City Hall. A breezeway connects the hall to the police and courts complex. A large driveway lined with trees leads up to an amphitheater seating, which is expected to be used for large city events such as I Love America Day, Wing Ding and Art in the Hills. A grand lobby will feature a celebration of city history and a sports hall of fame. “I remember in 1950 when the City Hall was a small, four- to five-room building,” Zaragoza

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1st Floor Fire Admin 2nd Floor City Admin said. “Sixty years later, we are moving forward.” The new facility has also spurred life along the U.S. 31 corridor. In July, the city entered into the ﬁnal stages of a sale agreement with Chickﬁl-A. The fast food restaurant will be located in the current City Hall space at 513 Montgomery Highway and is expected to open sometime during 2016. City Manager Jeff Downes said the city hopes to vacate the current City Hall property by Oct. 3 and the restaurant will move

forward with construction rapidly. Furthermore, construction is well underway at the new Sprouts location, which will span 28,000 square feet and include 6,000 square feet of neighboring retail space. America’s First Federal Credit Union purchased the former city library site just down the street, and construction on that space continues. Vestavia Hills took the proceeds of the $850,000 library property sale to help fund its $1.4 million incentive package

for Sprouts. All of these U.S. 31 developments are occurring in what Downes calls a record year for Vestavia Hills. “We’ve had a trending increase in new business permits for 2015,” said Downes. “2016 will be focused on construction of many of these projects, and there is an expected 4 percent growth in general fund revenue.” For more, visit vhal.org.

October 2015 • A31

VestaviaVoice.com

“I remember in 1950 when the City Hall was a small, four- to ﬁve-room building … 60 years later, we are moving forward.” -Mayor Butch Zaragoza

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OCTOBER 2015

Three little pigs

Chamber launches new campaign to shop local

By SYDNEY CROMWELL If you saw a painted pig at Bruster’s Real Ice Cream in September, it wasn’t a judgment of your diet. It’s part of a new campaign reminding Vestavia Hills residents to support their local businesses. At its September luncheon, the Chamber of Commerce launched its “Shop, Dine, Play” initiative and introduced four painted fiberglass pigs. One pig stays at the Chamber office on Merryvale Road, and the other three rotate between city businesses. Each pig is connected to a genre of business — one for shopping, one for dining and one for entertainment. Chamber President Karen Odle said she wanted to encourage economic growth with something unexpected and fun. Once the idea of the painted pigs was introduced, she said there was considerable excitement from local businesses and chamber committee members. They hope to connect the pigs with the idea of piggy banks and investing in the city. “We want people to know, ‘Hey, we do have great things here.’ So it’s sort of an education, but it’s also a fun project,” Odle said. Shoppers can go to vestaviahills.org each week to find out where the pig will be and learn more about the host businesses. Odle encouraged residents to take pictures with the pigs and tweet them with the hashtag #VHpigs. There will also be a “roaming reporter” for the chamber, who will visit businesses and share interesting details

See PIG | page B21

Samuel and Amy Collins paint one of the pigs for the Vestavia chamber’s new Shop, Dine, Play campaign. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

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A PUBLIC NOTICE FROM ALABAMA POWER

TREE CREWS WORKING IN VESTAVIA THROUGH EARLY 2016 Alabama Power crews are working in several Vestavia neighborhoods, removing trees and other vegetation that threaten the safety and reliability of our electrical system. As part of this process, Alabama Power goes to great lengths to talk with individual property owners. Company representatives are going door to door, leaving notices at locations where work is needed. If you have any questions before crews come by your home, please call Alabama Power at 205-257-2155 and ask for someone in the Vegetation Management Group to contact you. Or you can email us at apcvm@southernco.com. Work in Vestavia and nearby areas is expected to continue through early 2016. Also, you can go online to alpwr.co/vm for more information about these safety and reliability measures, as well as resources for property owners who would like recommendations about planting the right tree in the right place.

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your business. Vegetation Management Group 205-257-2155 | apcvm@southernco.com

ÂŠ 2015 Alabama Power Company.

Vestavia Voice

B4 • October 2015

School House

Get to know Nathaniel Robin, Board of Education President

foremost is parental involvement. For a student to succeed in school, there must be support at home. Education must be a priority for a community’s school system to excel, and in this community this holds true. Second is the culture of excellence that is seen and felt throughout the system, from the elementary schools through the high school, in the classroom, the ball field and rehearsal hall.”

By KATIE TURPEN In June, Nathaniel Robin took over the position of Vestavia Hills Board of Education President. The Vestavia Voice recently sat down with Robin, currently a professor in the UAB genetics department, to find out his journey to this community and inquire about goals during his term.

Q A

you have any goals for Q Do your time as president of the

board? “Right now we as a school system are in an excellent place. We have a tremendous superintendent in Sheila Phillips. She has made more progress in her short tenure than any of us could have expected. But to answer your question directly, the most important issue that we face today is the growing number of students in the system. It is not surprising people want to move to Vestavia to take advantage of our excellent school system. To meet the needs of an increasing student population will require decisions that address not only the challenges we face today, but also we must take in to consideration the near and even distant future, all the while making sure that we are using our resources in the most efficient way possible.

Nathaniel Robin

graduated Vestavia in 2013 and is a junior at the University of Alabama, and Alex is 17 and is a senior at VHHS. Each had wonderful experiences in the Vestavia Hills school system, with excellent teachers and coaches.”

do you think sets the Q What Vestavia Hills School System

apart from other systems in the state? “There are several features that set the Vestavia Hills School System apart. First and

CALL THE MAIDS AND GET THE SPOTLESS CLEANING CUSTOMERS TRUST AND RECOMMEND.

do you think are some Q What of the most important issues

in education today? “There are many, including pressing issues like school safety and potential budget cuts. Montgomery must fund education at the appropriate level. It cannot be used as a political football. One topic that doesn’t get enough attention though is how to most efficiently utilize technology in education. On the one hand, we need to be careful. We don’t need to use a $500 iPad where a pencil and paper will do just as well. On the other hand, the potential benefits that modalities such as distance learning and interactive digital textbooks offer are significant. We also need to be sure that these offerings are available to all students, and not just to the minority that can afford costly educational adjuncts.”

®ROBERTOCOIN

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. “My road to Vestavia Hills has been anything but a straight line. I was born and raised in Hempstead, New York, which is a suburb of New York City on Long Island. I attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. After completing my training in pediatrics and medical genetics. I took my first faculty position at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Then in 2003 I left to join the newly formed genetics department at UAB. I am married and have three sons. My wife of 27 years, Laurie Marzullo, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Hospital. Our oldest son, Joseph, graduated from Vestavia in 2010 and attended Princeton University, where he played football. Tim

I also want to see us work to increase options for advanced study in the high school. One plan that is being worked on is to do this through partnerships with UAB, Samford, and other local institutes. I think it would be an incredible opportunity for our high school to leverage the educational resources in the Birmingham area.”

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October 2015 • B5

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Grant funds community garden at Pizitz By ROY L. WILLIAMS At Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, members of an environmental science club have transformed a lot on campus into a community garden. The project was born thanks to a $1,500 donation from the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, as part of a $5,000 grant that also added Chromebooks to create minilabs at the school. For Kelly Sorrell, in her 13th year as a teacher at Pizitz Middle School, the grant allowed her to create the environmental science club and share her passion for gardening with the students. When a school board member suggested Sorrell write a grant to build the community garden at Pizitz Middle, she didn’t think the timing was good. Sorrell was swamped finishing her master’s and teaching, and her youngest child was about to graduate from high school. “It turned out to be a godsend because I was diagnosed with cancer in December, awarded the grant in January, and the planting of the community garden gave me something positive to focus on during treatments,” Sorrell said. “I am now in remission and having a great time with the garden.” Sorrell received $1,500 from the foundation plus a private grant from Dr. Chandler Smith and his wife, Jane, to cover the rest of the $10,000 construction cost. Before the garden was built, the area on the Pizitz Middle campus contained a deck with benches around it and overgrown lots. “We added raised beds around, cleaned it up, painted the benches, and the kids planted all of the vegetables,” Sorrell said. “GartenFest installed all the beds and also donated lots of plants. David Swindal from there has been a

Seventh-graders Henry Nance, Cade Young, David Berry, J. P. Deavers, Wyatt Cook and teacher Kelly Sorrell, co-leader of the Environmental Club, stand in the Pizitz Middle School community garden. Photo courtesy of Whit McGee.

huge supporter of our project.” Besides flowers, the community garden has contained herbs, fruits and vegetables such as radishes, carrots, green beans, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, chives, basil, okra, grapevines and strawberries. Sorrell said she hopes the students learn to appreciate nature. “Gardening has always been a personal passion of mine,” she said. “I wanted to share that with the students. It offers a lifelong learning activity. Even though I am a master gardener and took a class, that doesn’t mean I never fail.

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Gardening is a lot of science, art and a lot of luck.” Some members of the environmental science club said working in the community garden has been a joy. Henry Nance said it has allowed him to bond even closer to his classmates. “This club is really awesome,” Cade Young said. “It shows us how hard it is to grow plants and how the environment works.” David Barry, Wyatt Cook and J.P. Deavers said getting to grow and eat the vegetables and fruit they grow has made the environmental club fun.

“You get to pick things and taste them,” J.P. said. “Everything in here that we have grown tastes awesome.” Even if the students don’t pursue gardening careers, Sorrell said the community garden can benefit them with their family gardens at home or in adulthood. “It’s something you can do at a low cost, or you can put a lot of money into it,” Sorrell said. “I want them to be able to share the personal satisfaction of growing something healthy they can eat.” Sorrell said she is appreciative of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, Chandler Smith and her friend Becky Babanats for making the community garden possible. “Becky helped me secure the private grant and set up here with me during spring break for installation of the garden,” Sorrell said. “It was something fun to do and allowed me to still feel connected to the children even when I was on leave of absence.” The board of directors of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $61,000 to the eight schools in the Vestavia Hills system and to the Vestavia Hills Board of Education for the 2014-15 school year. Grants awarded this year will provide schools with curriculum enhancements for reading, math and science; technology-related equipment; and professional development for teachers. In addition, the foundation’s $28,000 grants to the Board of Education will provide training opportunities for every teacher in the Vestavia Hills school district to further implement the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards and to further integrate technology into classroom lessons. For a complete list of the grants awarded this year, visit vestaviafoundation.org.

B6 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

Nine VHHS students named National Merit Semifinalists

Student joins Teen Advisory Board

Eigen Escario. Photo courtesy of Amy Woodard.

National Merit Semifinalists at Vestavia Hills High School (pictured L-R): Sarah Carnahan, Sarah Anne Pfitzer, Natalie Conboy, Erica Wei, Will Mathews, Hannah Bae, Patrick Mills, Andrea Burris, Henry Barrett. Photo courtesy of Whit McGhee.

By ERICA TECHO Nine Vestavia Hills High School students were selected as 2016 semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation on Sept. 9. Around 1.5 million high school juniors entered this year’s competition by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. As semifinalists, the nine VHHS students were among the highest-scoring students in the state. “We would like to congratulate our

National Merit Semifinalists for their high academic standards,” said VHHS Principal Tyler Burgess. “We also want to thank our teachers who help them with the study process to get to this point. These students and teachers have represented Vestavia Hills High School as a place of academic excellence.” The semifinalists are Hannah Bae, Henry Barrett, Andrea Burris, Sarah Carnahan, Natalie Conboy, Will Mathews, Patrick Mills, Sarah Anne Pfitzer and Erica Wei.

Finalists are chosen following an application process examining the students’ academic performance, test scores and endorsements from high school officials. They will be announced in early 2016. Around 7,400 scholarships totaling to $32 million will be awarded this spring. “The National Merit Program provides students with unprecedented college opportunities,” said VHHS college counselor Oliver Aaron. “These semifinalists will have numerous academic and scholarship opportunities to consider.”

Eigen Escario, a seventh-grade student at Liberty Park Middle School, was one of twelve students nationwide who was accepted to be on the Teen Advisory Board of Creative Kids magazine. As a member of the Advisory Board, Eigen will serve for two years, from August 2015 to July 2017. During this time, he will provide feedback on the design and promotion of the magazine, as well as review books and products for the magazine. In addition, he will contribute artwork, stories and essays for publication in the magazine or on the website. Creative Kids magazine is a national magazine for ages 8–16. Everything in the magazine is written or created by kids. Creative Kids was started more than 20 years ago to support the work of kids across the world. Today, the magazine publishes four quarterly, full-color issues each year, including the super-sized (52-page) issue each summer. The staff includes editors with experience in teaching and working with talented kids, five senior contributors ages 14–18 and an advisory board of 12 students ages 8–16. - Submitted by Amy Woodard

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2015 • B7

Vestavia student attends Princeton diplomacy program

Vinzent Wesselmann (left) with a friend at the High School Diplomats Program. Photo courtesy of Vinzent Wesselmann.

Vinzent Wesselmann, a junior at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and an alumnus of Pizitz Middle School, recently represented Alabama at the High School Diplomats program (HSD) at Princeton University. HSD is a full scholarship program that selects 40 American students and 40 Japanese students to spend 10 days at Princeton University, educating one another about their respective cultures and creating a better understanding between the two countries. “It is rare to find programs that can change your way of thinking and inspire you to do things you never imagined of in less than two weeks. High School Diplomats (HSD) is one of those programs and has created what I believe to be some of the strongest friendships with people who live halfway around the world,” Wesselmann said. Each American student is paired with a Japanese roommate, and they overcame language

and culture barriers together. Students also gave presentations on education, social issues, geography or the government in our respective countries. One particularly meaningful day was the anniversary of the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Students from the city of Hiroshima prepared a presentation for that day. Wesselmann said this experience broadened his worldview. American participants shared their knowledge of Halloween, prom, pep rallies, Thanksgiving and Independence Day. In turn, Japanese students introduced the Americans to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, various forms of Japanese martial arts, sushi making, traditional Japanese clothing and calligraphy. To learn more about the program, visit highschooldiplomats.com. - Submitted by Vinzent Wesselmann

VHEW welcomes new students

Kindergartners and new students attending Vestavia Hills Elementary West this year came together for an ice cream social in August. Photo courtesy of Alice Elmore.

On Friday, Aug. 7, students new to Vestavia Hills Elementary West converged on Wald Park to meet new friends before the start of the 2015-16 school year. Several of the school’s PTO volunteers welcomed the families in attendance. Parents and students socialized

while waiting to purchase treats from the ice cream truck. Kindergartners and first-time West students are invited to join this sweet tradition each year. - Submitted by Alice Elmore.

B8 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

Sports Vestavia Hills Rebels football recaps Game 2, 9/4

Game 1, 8/28

VESTAVIA HILLS 35

VESTAVIA HILLS 41 HOMEWOOD 7

It hit like a lightning bolt, and the streak rolled on like thunder. Vestavia Hills hit on a long pass less than a minute into the game, and then the familiar rumble of the Rebels running game did the rest. When it was over -– after Mother Nature delivered her own fireworks – the Rebels had delivered their ninth straight win in the series over their rival Homewood Patriots at Waldrop Stadium. “I feel good about where we are right now,” said Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson. “But there’s a long way to go.” It was 21-0 after a quarter and 28-0 at the half. The Rebels (1-0) scored on their first three possessions. On the second snap from scrimmage, Brett Jones found Nolan Turner open deep for a 63-yard score. Curry Howard’s extra point was good and the Rebels led 7-0 with just 55 seconds elapsed. After Patriots three-and-out, Vestavia did it the old-school Vestavia way, driving 63 yards in 10 plays, throwing just one pass. Walker Minor did the heavy lifting, hauling the ball seven of those times, including the final one for 3 yards. Howard’s PAT made it 14-0 with 4:23 left in the first quarter. After the kickoff, Patriots

OAK MOUNTAIN 26

Walker Minor (34) takes off for a run against Hewitt-Trussville. Photo by John Perry.

quarterback Carson Griffis was picked off by Tucker Queen, who returned the ball to the 4. William Schaffeld took it in from there and it was 21-0 after a quarter. The teams swapped interceptions in the second quarter. But after a shanked Patriots punt, the Rebels took over at their 46 and drove 54 yards for another TD. Six running plays later, Minor

banged in from the 2. The Howard kick made it 28-0 with 46 seconds left, and it went that way to intermission. The Patriots faithful who waited out the lightning delay saw a brief glimmer of light when Antarius Mitchell picked up a Rebel fumble and rambled in for a score with 10:20 left in the third quarter. But the Rebels went back to the

ground for another drive that culminated in a 2-yard Minor TD. Vestavia iced it after a bad snap on a Pat punt set the Rebels up for another 7-yard TD run by Schaffeld with 5:16 left. Minor finished with 101 yards rushing on 21 carries and the three touchdowns.

The Rebels can give a punch. They can also take one, then give one right back and end up the last one standing. Led by Walker Minor’s three touchdowns and Toliver Chatwood’s two scores, Vestavia Hills defeated Oak Mountain in the Class 7A, Region 3 opener for both teams. With the Eagles at the Rebels’ 5-yard line on the first drive of the second half to start a second potential comeback of the game, Vestavia’s Reid Adams forced a fumble that teammate Nate Lewis recovered. After a personal foul on the play, Minor capped a 12-play drive – all runs – that covered 79 yards with a 3-yard score that gave the Rebels (2-0, 1-0) a 35-13 lead. “That was big by our defense getting the ball back and it was good to punch it in,” said Minor, who finished with 119 yards and two scores on the ground to go with 67 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. “It was really important. If we didn’t score right there we would have given them a chance, and we don’t want to give them any chances.” The Eagles (0-2, 0-1) had clawed back into the game early in the second quarter after falling behind 14-0, and looked poised to start a second rally after being down 28-13 at the half.

October 2015 • B9

VestaviaVoice.com Oak Mountain opened the second half with a drive that covered 71 yards on nine plays, eight of them runs. Oak Mountain added a final touchdown in the fourth quarter when quarterback Warren Shader found a wideopen Noah Egan for a 44-yard scoring pass with 10:35 left in the game. It wasn’t enough, however, to overcome the Rebels lead.

Game 3, 9/11

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE 28 VESTAVIA HILLS 12 Hewitt-Trussville knocked off the Rebels for the first time in school history. “This is big,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd said. “Everybody knows what they do over at Vestavia Hills, they’re a historical program. “For us to come out here and get the first victory in Hewitt history is a big time honor for our kids.” Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson saw his team outmuscled for the first time this season. “They’ve got a good football team,” Anderson said. “We’ve got work to do up front. We hurt ourselves.” Husky quarterback Zac Thomas threw two picks, but otherwise was on top of his game. The Rebels threatened early after Hewitt-Trussville scored on a methodical 87-yard drive in the first quarter. Vestavia Hills drove 82 yards to the Hewitt 5-yard line, and looked as though it would punch it in with first-and-goal, but the Husky defense thought otherwise. The Huskies led 14-0 at the half. “We should’ve scored on the drive early, but we blew three assignments and had three bad plays. You can’t do that against a good football team,” Anderson said. “We just have to learn from that.” Vestavia scored twice in the second half, something Anderson said he was proud to see. Quarterback Brett Jones found Nolan Turner for a touchdown on the Rebels’ first drive of the second half, but the drive took more than half the third quarter to complete, leaving the Rebels with little time to mount any comeback. William Schaffeld scored as well, but with only 5:55 to go in the game, Hewitt-Trussville was able to recover the onside kick and run out the clock. The game was marred by an incident that saw one Hewitt-Trussville player ejected for roughing Jones after an interception. Three Rebels were ejected for leaving the bench. Vestavia Hills slipped to 2-1, 1-1 in Class 7A, Region 3.

Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Alex Robin commits to Columbia By DAVID KNOX Vestavia Hills standout defensive lineman Alex Robin has committed to play football at Columbia University in New York. Columbia is an Ivy League school that participates at the Football Championship Subdivision of Division I but the Ivy League does not participate in the playoffs. The 6-foot-1, 271-pound senior has been a stalwart for the Rebels throughout his varsity career. Coach Buddy Anderson called Robin the consummate team player. “He’s very dependable and he practices hard,” Anderson said. “He sets the right standard here and others look up to him because of that. He’s also an excellent student, with a 4.4 GPA.” Robin also had an offer from Jacksonville State. His brother Joseph played football at Princeton, also of the Ivy League. Nathaniel Robin, Alex’s father, said both sons had the same perspective when choosing a college. “Both of them saw football as a way to get to an outstanding academic opportunity,” he said. “Alex loves football, and the Ivy League football is a lot more intense than people down here might think it is. “There’s nothing he didn’t love about Jacksonville State. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Columbia does not have a storied history – in fact, it’s had several long losing streaks, including 21 straight losses heading into the 2015 season, which kicked off Sept. 19 against Fordham. The Lions also lost 44 straight – that’s an FCS record – in the 1980s. But Columbia hired Al Bagnoli, the former Penn coach who has nine Ivy titles to his credit and is the winningest coach in FCS history. Bagnoli had recruited Joseph Robin, so the family knew him. And with the new commitment Columbia has clearly made to winning football plus the opportunity of an Ivy League education, it was a no-brainer for Alex. Plus the chance to roam around NYC for four years. You’d have to be a dummy to pass on that. And Alex Robin ain’t no dummy.

Alex Robin (70), a star defensive lineman for Vestavia Hills, will play college football at Columbia University of the Ivy League. Photo by Keith McCoy.

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ctober is the time to take on a project or two. Whether you are looking to redesign a room, revamp your summer garden or prepare your home for winter, we’ve got you covered. Browse through our fall home guide for advice, tips and resources for every aspect of home improvement.

Home Cleaning

Waste Removal

INDEX

B10 • October 2015

Landscaping Architectural Hard ........ B16 Batts’ Chimney ............... B19 Ben Franklin ................... B17 Classic Gardens ............. B19 Cahaba Lawn .................. B12 Gardner Landscape ........ B10 Hollywood Pools .............B18

rvices

Home Furnishing IronTrust ......................... B18 Mantooth Interiors ........ B12 Phoenix Builders ........... B16 PlumCore .......................... B11 Rocky Ridge Hardware ... B13 Urban Home .................... B14

Exceptional landscaping at reasonable prices Gardner Landscaping is a full-service lawn, landscape and hardscape company that also offers lawn service maintenance to its customers. The company has served the Over the Mountain area since 2006 and prides itself on responding to your needs quickly and making sure you are a satisﬁed customer. Their garden center, Gardner Nurseries, is conveniently located by the Riverchase Galleria. Gardner Nurseries stocks a wide variety of plants, ﬂowers, trees, stone and hardscape materials. In addition to bagged materials, they carry bulk materials such as: pine mulch, top soil, soil conditioner, mason/ playground sand, 8910 gravel, 57 gravel, 78 pea gravel, oversize pea gravel and Wrip Wrap. Gardner Nurseries can load these materials in your truck or trailer or they can deliver these materials for you. Its retail garden center has the

feel of a mom and pop store yet provides you with the large material selection of a large garden center. Furthermore, Gardner Landscaping has a sister company called Advanced Turf Care that specializes in turf weed control and fertilization as well as ornamental tree and shrub maintenance. They will look at a customer’s lawn and landscape and offer professional suggestions. Gardner Landscaping wants to be your one-stop source for all of your landscaping, lawn and hardscape needs and looks forward to having an opportunity to be your company of choice. For more information, call 823-3168 or 401-3347 or visit GardnerLandscapingLLC. com.

VestaviaVoice.com

Fall

Home Guide

October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B11

Special Advertising Section

A new solution to a timeless problem PLUMCORE Inc. is a full-service plumbing and utility company with a specialty in lining/ rehabilitating piping for all applications. We were incorporated in 1977, started in residential development, and progressed from there to commercial and industrial works over the last 38 years. We have never lost sight of the fact that customer satisfaction is our main service that we provide because at the end of the day our business is our customers. Whether we provide a service for a company or an individual, our main goal is to provide our clients with the best finished product and overall experience in our market. This philosophy has taken our company to where it is today. PLUMCORE Inc. is bonded, insured, and has an unlimited bidding status license with the state of Alabama and surrounding states.

About 15 years ago we got into lining small diameter piping (6-inch diameter and down) because we would run into dilapidated pipe, and it would either not be feasible or possible to shut down a business to make the traditional repairs needed to restore flow in a timely manner. If you think about it, a business or residence is not somewhere anyone wants to spend their time without working restrooms or sewer backups, so there had to be a better way to deal with this problem without creating additional issues that take people away from their business or family life. We started looking for reliable and unorthodox technologies, which we found in two different companies. One technology would do main line (8-inch diameter and larger) and another that would take care 6-inch diameter and down. We bought into both companies and utilize both

technologies for the industries we serve. Lining is basically putting a pipe inside of a pipe. It sounds like a magic trick, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not. There are actually two methods: pull in place and inversion techniques. Both have their place. We can either line the whole pipe or just a portion (start and stop). Both products are a two-part epoxy mixed together and then put into a flexible felt tube. The tube is then wet-out by pressure rollers and saturated completely. We then squeegee out the remaining epoxy, and depending on the method, we proceed to install the liner inside the pipe by inversion or by an inflatable bladder.

We then either let it ambient cure, or we cook off the epoxy with steam (3-hour cure). The finished product is a stronger, acid resistant, faster flowing pipe that will last up to 50 years or longer. There is a peace of mind to be had in knowing that roots, separated joints, main connections, even no-pipe areas in a pipeline can be fixed without being invasive. These are just a few persistent problems that occur every year with certain aging facilities or homes. So donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dig; there is a better way and we have it. For more information, call 631-4343.

B12 • October 2015

Fall Home Guide

Vestavia Voice

Special Advertising Section

Make your space a reflection of you

Your resource for fall yard work Fall: the cool, crisp air; leaves changing color and crunching underfoot; the smell of neighborhood fireplaces and piping hot bowls of chili breathe life into the fall season. Do you remember jumping into a pile of freshly raked leaves as a child and rolling around and tossing them into the air? With fall you can’t forget football, decked out in your team colors while cheering your team on to victory with friends from home or tailgating at the game. Along with all of this comes fall yard work. Joe and Sue Brocato of Cahaba Lawn &

Garden, founded in 1989, know that the right tool really makes the job easier. That’s why they sell only one brand of leaf blowers, trimmers and chainsaws — Echo. Echo is the most reliable and cost effective brand on the market today. Echo carries a 5-year warranty and has a variety of attachments for around the yard. Come visit the showroom, and see the fall lineup. Cahaba Lawn & Garden also repairs most makes and models of mowers, blowers, trimmers, chainsaws and generators. For more information, call 967-7091.

At Mantooth Interiors, Lynette Mantooth has drawn upon years of experience to assemble one of the most impressive collections of fine home furnishings available in the Southeast. This luxury home interior design showroom has deep relationships with the most respected and innovative manufacturers in the business, which is key in sourcing the inspired pieces Lynette and her design staff use to craft unique solutions for their customers. The collection includes a comprehensive catalog of upholstery, fine case goods, lighting, accessories, custom window treatments and the best in beds, bedding and linens. But the real difference that Mantooth Interiors delivers is in the way the experienced design staff listens and works with their clients to

bring the customer’s vision to life. It’s also a family business, with Lynette working together with her husband, Larry Mantooth, as true partners. Lynette summed up what people can expect working with her and her design team this way: “The starting point for your home doesn’t have to be what’s trendy. And it also doesn’t need to be what’s been done time and time again. We approach design knowing that by spending time with you, we can help make your home a reflection of you. It’s really about starting a conversation that can transform the way you live.” For more information on Mantooth Interiors, call 879-5474 or visit mantoothinteriors. com.

VestaviaVoice.com

Fall

Home Guide

October 2015 • B13

Special Advertising Section

Rocky Ridge Hardware…right here to help Rocky Ridge Hardware owner Dan Moran shared the back story on his store and his vision for it. When I moved to Vestavia Hills in 2007, I immediately loved the small town feel the city provided me. After selling some real estate investments on the coast, I was looking to invest in something closer to home. With four children scattered across town, owning a business between home and their various schools made a lot of sense. When Rocky Ridge Hardware became available in 2013, I knew that this was

the investment I had been looking for. As I was researching the hardware store, I realized that the business was not keeping up with the technology and the changes that were occurring very quickly in the 21st century. I was convinced that the store would thrive with strong leadership and a little love and care. I spent time looking at the bottom line, working with ACE Hardware business development specialists and getting feedback from residents. I became even more convinced that we could take the store in the right direction.

Of course, the store is only as good as our employees. I was fortunate to keep our existing staff and their many years of experience and knowledge of our customer base. Many changes that I have made over the past 18 months were changes our existing employees suggested. Of course we have had growing pains, something to be expected during any transition, but we have also been able to work out many kinks as we have implemented new technology solutions to more effectively manage our day-to-day operations.

None of this could have happened without the support of the community, our church and our friends. As the community continues to support Rocky Ridge Hardware, we will continue to support our schools and local civic projects. It’s just another way we can give back to those who have been so supportive to us. For more information, visit rockyridgehardware.com.

B14 • October 2015

Fall Home Guide

Vestavia Voice

Special Advertising Section

Telling the story of your home By TAMMY HEINSS Fall is the perfect season for gathering. As the air starts to chill we ready our homes for friends and family to gather around our table and in our kitchen for hearty soups and warm conversation. The clinking of glasses and dishware offer a sweet reminder that fun is in the house. Memories are being made. Dreams are being shared. This time of year we look forward to lounging around the family room with a sometimes rowdy crowd to scream, yell and cheer for our favorite football team - the enthusiasm moving us like musical chairs throughout the night. With cooler temperatures the fire pit is once again enjoyed, and we are drawn to it for roasting marshmallows and simply sitting under the stars wrapped in our favorite throw with nothing to do but soak in the time. The rhythm of routine is relished and slowing our pace is welcomed. Tailgating before and after a football game, whether it’s high school or college, becomes like a watering hole for humans. We come for camaraderie and refreshment, leave to watch our

favorite football team and then return to celebrate our victories or mourn our losses. Only later, sometimes much later, we sink deep into our bed, welcomed by dreamy quilts and comforters for a restful night’s sleep we are yearning for. By themselves, the table and chairs with dishes, the sofa and throws and bedding are just furniture and dishes and pretty things. When placed together in your home, they begin to tell the story of your life by what happens around them. At Urban, we offer furnishings with a story.... your story. The story of your home. A discussion around the dining table can spur a dream into action or just provide a retreat of understanding after a long day. Relationships are built and bonded under the ambient lighting and then memories are made around the sofa, chairs and coffee table watching a well-worn movie. The building and beauty of your life starts in your home, and we at Urban want to be a part of that. We offer all the furnishings to enhance your journey or just get you started in this crazy adventure called life. Sofas and chairs in every shape and fabric to personalize for you and to express

your personality are in ample supply. Our expanded bedding department will entice you to a treat of luxurious fabrics from a simple throw to a complete outfitting of your bed with most of them being machine washable. Our lighting is to die for. The selection of styles and the scope of our offerings is something to see. Choosing light fixtures that will work best in your home is no small task, and we look forward to the opportunity of showing you what we have. Lighting makes such a difference in the ambience of our homes. Isn’t that what it’s all about anyway? Creating the atmosphere where gatherings are warm and relationships can flourish? After all, it’s not just a sofa or a chair, or a throw, or just bedding and lighting. It’s home. All the furnishings that give us comfort only take shape when the memories of life happen around them. And that’s what makes a home. That’s what makes your story. Here’s to a beautiful fall and furnishings with a story...yours! For more information on Urban Home Market, call 980-4663 or visit urbanhomemarket.com.

VestaviaVoice.com

Fall

Home Guide

Special Advertising Section

October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B15

B16 • October 2015

Fall Home Guide

Vestavia Voice

Special Advertising Section

An entrepreneur’s story

Building this fall

Owners Ryan Harry, left, and Stephen Boehme, right.

Stephen Boehme, co-owner of Phoenix Builders Group, shares a little about his business and projects to tackle in the fall.

While fishing with my wife’s grandfather one day, he asked me what I was going to do for a living. I was not sure, and this was the wrong answer to him. He said, “Son, if you’re not going to school, then pick a trade and learn it inside and out, and then surround yourself with smarter people and own the dang thing.” I was 19 at the time, and by the time I was 30, I had done just that. I have dedicated my whole work life, which is pushing 30 years now, to the ups and downs of the decorative hardware industry. For the last six years, with

the downturn of the economy, I’ve operated alone inside of Architectural Heritage by Pepper Place and have come to love the “less is more” business plan. If you are building or remodeling, please call for a designated time to walk through your plans, and let me help put together a door, cabinet and bath hardware package that fits your budget and style. My name is Jeff Seabolt, and I look forward to the opportunity of working with you. For more information, visit ahardwareman.com.

How did Phoenix Builders Group get its start? Ryan Harry and I have known each other for over 10 years. We have worked together for several successful companies in the Birmingham area. We often talked about what it would be like to have our own company. As fate would have it, we both found ourselves in a place recently where we could really start to build on this dream. With much thought and planning, we formed Phoenix Builders Group. What is your business philosophy? We provide our customers with an experience that is developed from honesty, performed with accuracy, completed efficiently, and in an atmosphere that is both personal and professional.

What services do you specialize in? We have a very wide base of quality trade partners that complement our personal experiences. This allows us to specialize in everything from new construction, remodels, additions, kitchens, baths, decks and porches to door and window swaps. Are there any projects that people should take care of in the fall? Fall brings several advantages to certain projects. Generally, the weather is more predictable and not as rainy as in the spring. Fall also brings football gatherings and holiday planning. With football, people may want outdoor living spaces with decks, screen porches and fire pits. With the holidays on the horizon, it is the ideal time for kitchen and den renovations. There’s also the monetary benefit. In the fall to early winter, commodity lumber markets are at their low for the year. For more information, call 966-0543

Fall

VestaviaVoice.com

Home Guide

October 2015 • B17

Special Advertising Section

Money saving plumbing, heating and air tips Your typical household headaches — be it water heater failure, bursting pipes or a breakdown in heating and air — can be tackled with one phone call to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating. Dan Stomoff, vice president, said, “We have been servicing the community for over 100 years. We started as Evans Services in 1901 and have been keeping the area cool and comfortable ever since. Though we have changed our name to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, we are still building on our decades of experience.“

The companies pride themselves on an extensive list of guarantees to their customer, including, but not limited to: • On time technicians and plumbers • 100% satisfaction • No overtime rates — EVER • Friendly, courteous and skilled professionals Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating have helpful tips and tricks to help you save money.

Don’t let money drip away • For leaky faucets and showerheads, make sure your washers and gaskets are tight. Replace them if they are worn with newer, water efficient options. • The most common cause of a leaking toilet is often the inexpensive, rubber flapper. Check for wear and replace if needed. • Inspect your irrigation system and garden hoses. The spigot where the hose is attached to your home is a common area for leaks.

Change filters regularly Most HVAC filters are disposable and should be replaced every month. Reusable filters that are designed to be cleaned with a vacuum or garden hose can be cleaned even more frequently to maximize their effectiveness. If you’re running your air conditioner with a clogged filter, you’re forcing your system to work harder, which wastes energy. It also accelerates wear on your HVAC fan and other components, which costs you more in system maintenance. For more information, call 205-533-7992.

At One Hour® We Offer the Following Services:

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Drug Tested, Background-Checked Employees • StraightForward Pricing® • Fully Licensed and Insured BF Lic. # 00639 / OH Lic. # 15022

Fall Home Guide

B18 • October 2015

Vestavia Voice

Special Advertising Section

Creating a ‘backyard oasis’

It may be the off-season for pools, but Hollywood Pool and Spa has plenty of other services to offer. Co-owner Billy Branch shares a little about the business. How did Hollywood Pool and Spa get its start? Hollywood Pools began in 1986 as a pool service and repair business with a small retail location on Hollywood Boulevard in Homewood. As the company grew, it became necessary to relocate to our current location on Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills. What is Hollywood Pool and Spa’s business philosophy? With our current product selection, we offer our customers anything they need to create a “backyard oasis.” What services do you specialize in? Hollywood Pools is one of Birmingham’s leading pool construction companies, offering all types of in-ground swimming pools.

We offer a wide variety of pool services, including weekly cleaning and equipment repair. We specialize in all pool renovations, including replastering, replacing pool tile and coping, and installing new vinyl liners. With summer being over and pools being used less frequently, what are some ways you continue to help customers? As our busy summer pool season winds down, we begin emphasizing sales of Sundance Spas, Big Green Egg and Weber Grills, and Crimson Casual and Lloyd Flanders patio furniture. Are you offering any specials during the fall and winter seasons? We are planning a Fall Sale on spas and swim spas, and will be offering discounts on all in-stock patio furniture as we approach the end of the season. We’ll again be selling the Glenwood Holiday Pecans. For more information, call 979-7727 or visit hollywoodpoolandspas.com.

2015

Making sense of insurance At IronTrust Insurance Agency, our focus is to simply treat our customers as we would want to be treated. We provide our customers with straightforward advice on how to manage their insurance program from determining the appropriate coverage amounts and selecting the most cost effective deductible options to navigating the complexities of the claims process. Many view insurance policies as a commodity – that there is no real difference between one option and the next other than price. But that could not be further from the truth. Price is important but should never be the sole determining factor when selecting your insurer. As an independent agency, we can provide our customers with several options from leading insurers to find the best insurance program at

the most competitive price. MetLife, Travelers, Safeco, Encompass, State Auto and The Hartford are just a few of the carriers we represent. IronTrust is one of a select few agencies that have earned the distinction of being named a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider. This endorsement was earned by showing a commitment to our customers to help them better understand their insurance needs through the heart of a teacher. We put the needs of our clients first, providing them with advice they can count on. Let us review your coverage and determine if your needs are being met. Insurance can be complicated. Let us help make sense of it for you with advice you can trust. For more information, call 920-1199.

VestaviaVoice.com

Fall

Home Guide

October 2015 • B19

Special Advertising Section

Fall is for planting

A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be

When the weather gets frightful, your fireplace can be delightful. Batts’ Chimney Services is a local family owned and operated, full service chimney company. Area residents have been relying on Batts’ for its professionalism and knowledge to handle their entire chimney needs for more than 36 years. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality work at a reasonable price,” owner Phillip Batts said. To ensure your chimney is in tiptop shape, the experts at Batts’ Chimney Services have answered some of the most important questions concerning the safety and upkeep of your fireplace. How often should I have my chimney cleaned? The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits and correct

clearances. Cleaning, maintenance and repairs shall be done if necessary.” My fireplace has an odor. What can I do? A good cleaning will help, and during this process Batts’ can determine if there are other contributing factors that need to be addressed. I have water leaking into my fireplace and water stains on the ceiling and wall. Can your company fix my problem? We will conduct a thorough inspection to determine where the water is coming from and help in the prevention of further leaks. Sometimes the problem is not chimney related. A roof problem can show up at the chimney and deceive us. To learn more about Batts’ Chimney Services, visit battschimneyservices.com or call 956-8207. Visit csia.org/Homeowner-Resources/index.aspx for more FAQs on chimney service.

“Fall is for planting” is a recurring theme in the garden center/nursery industry. Fall planting is encouraged for many reasons. First, it’s cooler, putting less stress on plants as they go into the ground. It’s also much easier on the person planting the plants. As ground and air temperatures drop and day length shortens, plants are triggered to stop the growth of leaves and begin to put on new root growth. Whether you’re planting trees or shrubs, an abundance of new root growth occurs during fall, winter and early spring. So by planting now, plants are better rooted come summer time. Keep in mind that fall is typically our driest season, so new plants must be watered. Also,

I like to tell people you must baby plants for two years to get them established before they can tolerate any neglect. I also often surprise people when telling them they can plant any time of the year. So if you want to plant in the dead heat of summer, it’s okay. You just have to remember to water. Do you want to know when I do all my personal planting? It’s usually when we aren’t busy — and that would be January. Again, it really doesn’t matter. Do it when it is convenient for you. But don’t be surprised if you see articles this fall in the gardening magazines that fall is for planting! For more tips on planting, gardening and other related topics, visit classicgardens.com.

It’s what we do... Complete Landscaping Installation

Retaining Walls • Pathways • Patios Trees and shrubs • Sod • Irrigation Fertilization & Weed Control of Lawns

We’ve got you covered! (205) 854-8001 • classicgardens.com

B20 • October 2015 PIG

CONTINUED from page B1 and little-known facts about them. The first businesses to host the pigs were Bruster’s Ice Cream, Artists Incorporated and The Heights shopping center in Cahaba Heights. “We wanted to do something unique that would get people talking and spark a little enthusiasm,” said Linda Parker, the owner of Bruster’s at 1008 Vestavia Parkway. She is the chair of the Chamber Foundation and was part of the chamber’s meetings to create the pig campaign. Members of Artists Incorporated decorated each of the pigs. They were asked to include “Shop, Dine, Play” somewhere on the statue, but otherwise had creative freedom. Samuel and Amy Collins decided to go hog-wild and design a pig to make people “smile at them and think they’re fun.” “The ones I like are always fun,” Samuel said, mentioning similar promotions he had seen in other cities. The Collins painted their pig to look like a statue, then covered it with faux graffiti. One pig has floral patterns painted on it and the other looks like a barbecue sandwich. The Vestavia pigs are likely to make an appearance at other city and chamber events, including the High Notes grand opening of the new City Hall and Viva Vestavia, both in October. Odle said she’d like to see the number of pigs in the city expand. Several business owners have expressed interest in buying pigs of their own, which cost $800 each, to decorate with their own logos and designs. Odle began taking orders for them at the September chamber luncheon. “We hope [to] eventually have these pigs throughout the whole business community, from one end to the other,” Odle said. Kristin Tunnell, the chamber’s vice chair of public education, is working with the school

Vestavia Voice To learn more and follow the Vestavia Pigs, visit vestaviahills.org. Share your photos on Twitter to @vhchamber with the hashtag #VHpigs

system so that businesses could potentially partner with middle and high school artists to decorate their own pigs. There will also be a Name the Pig contest with prizes for the winning students. “We’re helping to make those things happen, engaging our students and possibly other artists that just live in Vestavia Hills,” Lisa Christopher, the chamber’s membership and marketing consultant, said. The goal is not just to have fun or draw attention to local businesses, though. The chamber wants residents to draw the connection between the money they spend and the benefits they get back. Shopping local increases the city’s tax revenue, allowing for new projects and improvements of athletic fields, police and fire, the library and other public services. “The thought is, the more you invest in Vestavia Hills, the more services and amenities that can be provided to the community,” Parker said. “When they spend their dollars here in Vestavia Hills, they are investing and then that money will go back to improve the quality of life in our city, in all aspects of our city and for all ages,” Christopher agreed.

“When they spend their dollars here in Vestavia Hills, they are investing and then that money will go back to improve the quality of life in our city, in all aspects of our city and for all ages.”

The Collins’ painted pig features bacon leg warmers and several graffiti style phrases, including “Lovestavia.” Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B21

VestaviaVoice.com

Vestavia Hills Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

728786

35216

1305 Parliament Lane

New

$429,900

728915

35216

303 Woodland Village #303

New

$69,500

728886

35216

4716 Christie Lane #12B

New

$139,900

728712

35216

4707 Christie Lane

New

$199,900

728695

35216

2060 Woodmeadow Circle

New

$169,900

728681

35216

2148 Chapel Hill Road

New

$118,000

728677

35216

3533 Clayton Place

New

$209,900

728603

35216

1407 River Walk Circle

New

$145,000

728583

35216

3772 Haven View Circle #B

New

$115,000

728537

35216

3101 Lorna Road #1317

New

$59,000

728501

35216

1844 Montclair Drive

New

$489,000

728423

35216

2451 Monte Vista Drive

New

$647,500

728600

35216

3260 Brashford Road

New

$250,000

728392

35216

512 Eastwood Place

New

$299,900

728349

35216

1860 Southwood Road

New

$339,900

728313

35216

2147 Montreat Parkway

New

$154,900

728269

35216

1656 Savannah Park

New

$144,900

728264

35216

2553 Old Rocky Ridge Rd #12

New

$198,000

728207

35216

2700 Cherokee Road

New

$395,000

728175

35216

1664 Savannah Park

New

$145,000

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on September 14. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

1305 Parliament Lane

3260 Brashford Road

Vestavia Voice

B22 • October 2015

Calendar Community Events Oct. 8: VHCSF hosts Leigh Ann Tuohy. 11:30 a.m. Vestavia Country Club. Reservations can be made for seating and VIP packages. General admission tickets are $60. Visit vestaviafoundation.org. Oct. 8: Trinity Counseling’s Bluegrass & BBQ. 6-8 p.m. Avon Theater. Music, food and silent auction benefiting Trinity Counseling’s mental health services. $30 per person or $55 per couple. Call 822-2730.

Oct. 18: Vestavia Hills UMC Fall Festival. 4-6 p.m. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. Food trucks, train rides, games and live music. Bring canned foods to donate to the VHUMC food pantry. Visit vhumc.org. Oct. 19: Liberty Park Pumpkin Patch. 1-4 p.m. Alston Meadows. Admission is free, but some activities require $1 tickets. The Vestavia Hills Civitan Club will also be raffling Iron Bowl tickets. Visit civitan.org/clubs/vestavia-hills-al.

Oct. 25: Saint Mark UMC Trunk-orTreat. 3:30-6:30 p.m. Saint Mark United Methodist Church. Trunk-or-treat. cakewalk, games and other activities. Free. Visit saintmarkumc.org.

Oct. 28: Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Fall Fest. 5-7 p.m. Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. Trunk-or-Treat, food, fellowship, costumes and games. Admission is free. Visit vhbc.com.

Oct. 26: Mountaintop Community Church Punk Your Trunk. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Top Community Church. Games, candy, costumes, prizes and more. The cost of admission is one canned good to help support Oak Mountain Missions. Visit mountaintopchurch.com.

Oct. 29: Viva Vestavia. 6:30-9 p.m. Hollywood Pools. Guests can try food from local restaurants and vote on their favorites and best presentation. Tickets are $40. Visit vestaviahills.org.

Area Events

Vestavia Athletics Oct. 2: Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills @ Thompson, 7 p.m. Oct. 5: Junior Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills v. Thompson, 7 p.m. Oct. 6: Varsity Volleyball. Vestavia Hills @ Spain Park, 6 p.m. Oct. 9: Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills @ Spain Park, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: Varsity Volleyball. Blalock Tournament, 5 p.m. Oct. 12: Junior Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills v. Spain Park, 7 p.m. Oct. 15: Varsity Volleyball. Vestavia Hills @ John Carroll Catholic, 5 p.m. Oct. 16: Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills v. Hoover, 7 p.m. Oct. 19: Junior Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills @ Hoover, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills @ Tuscaloosa County, 7 p.m. Oct. 30: Varsity Football. Vestavia Hills v. Shades Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 Ballet Women’s Committee Extravaganza: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Alabama Ballet, 2726 1st Ave. South. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, beverages, live music and a performance by the Alabama Ballet along with a silent auction and raffle. Visit balletwomen.com.

financial planners.

Oct. 1-3: 43rd Annual Greek Festival. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Downtown Birmingham. Featuring food, music, jewelry, art and more. Free admission. Visit bhamgreekfestival.com

Oct. 10: Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Railroad Park. Visit act.alz.org.

Oct. 1-4: Antiques in the Gardens. Thursday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit bbgardens.org/antiques. Oct. 6: Birmingham Financial Planning Expo. Hoover Public Library. Educational workshops and meetings with

Oct. 8: Girls on the Run Evening of Empowerment. 5:30 p.m. Clubhouse at Highlands, 2908 Highland Ave. South. Featuring cocktails, appetizers and meetand-greet with Women Who Inspire. Visit girlsontherunbham.org

Oct. 11: Cahaba River Fry-Down. Noon-4 p.m., Railroad Park. Food, beer, music and fun to benefit the Cahaba River Society. $20 donation for adults, 12 and under free. Visit frydown.com Oct. 14: 57th Linly Heflin Annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show. 11:30 a.m. doors, Noon luncheon. Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Ballroom. Visit linlyheflin.org/fashion-show/. Oct. 17: 12th Annual Holy

Apostles Denim & Diamonds Dinner and Auction. 5:30 p.m. Harley Davidson Event Room, Pelham. Tickets $30, $225 table of eight. Contact Mickey Bunn 886-2769. Oct. 17-18: Fall Plant Sale. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m. Blount Plaza, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit bbgardens.org. Oct. 21- Nov. 1: Shop Save & Share. Use a card for up to 20 percent discount at select stores. Benefits the Junior League of Birmingham. $40. Visit shopsaveandshare.net. Oct. 31: Fare Walk for Food Allergy. 8:30 a.m. Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave. South. Visit foodallergywalk.org. Nov. 1: 10th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk. 2:30 p.m. Heardmont Park. Registration at 1 p.m. Visit afsp.org.

October 2015 • B23

VestaviaVoice.com

Calendar Vestavia Hills Library Events Kids Mondays: Maker Monday. Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Work with the electric circuits. Something for everyone, but adults must accompany children. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Tuesdays: Together With Twos. Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Cristina for a rollicking toddler time of stories, songs, finger plays and movement. Ages 18 mos. to 35 mos. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Tuesdays: PJ Family Storytime with Ms. Courtney. Oct. 6, 20, 27. 6:30 p.m. Wear your PJs. All ages welcome. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Wednesdays: Story Friends with Mrs. Lisa. Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28. 10:30 a.m. Join Mrs. Lisa for great stories and songs plus a surprise visitor or two. Ages 3 and up. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Wednesdays & Fridays: W.H.Y? 3:30 p.m. Join Miss Alicia for a craft program on Wednesdays and a movie and snack on Friday. We Hear Ya! Something for our school age kids. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

pals. All preschoolers invited. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 24: Lego Wars. 11:00 a.m.-noon. Use the library’s extensive Lego collection to create a unique structure based on the month’s theme. Top three creations win a prize each month! All school age children invited, but parents must remain with children 7 and under. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 21: Crystal Ball Candlestick. 4-5:30 p.m. Make your own Halloween decorations by combining creepy images, a clear glass ball, and a candlestick holder. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 30: Spooky Tales on the Spooky Trail. 6:30-8:00 p.m. The fourth annual spooky tradition that starts out mild and ends up WILD. Bring the whole family for Halloween fun. All ages welcome. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 27: Anime Night. 4-6 p.m. Engage with fellow otaku as they watch the anime of their choice. Japanese treats served. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Teen Department

Adults

Fridays: Open Gaming. Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23. 4-5:30 p.m. Enjoy video games on the Wii U and PS4. We will also have board games to play with fellow teens. Snacks served. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 4: Minecraft in the Forest. 2-4 p.m. Minecraft on Sunday. Call 978-3683 to register. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Thursdays: L.I.F.T. (Library in the Forest Time). Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Enjoy special play equipment in the program room for preschoolers and their caregivers. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 7: Teen Art Group. 4-5:30 p.m. Do you enjoy drawing, sketching, or simply doodling? Then the Teen Art Group is for you. Make & share your work while celebrating your artistic talents with fellow teens! Snacks Served. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Thursdays: Book Babies. Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29. 10 a.m. A new program just for babies, with small classes limited to 12 each, where we begin the journey toward a life-long love of books! You must register each week. Birth to 18 mos. Call 978-0158 to register. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 13: Scary Movie Night. 4-6 p.m. Screening of scary movies for teens. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 8: Preschool Pals: Hugs from Henry Hugglemonster. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy some monster fun based on Henry Hugglemonster and his

otaku as they read, discuss, and exchange manga! Also, play anime-based games and visual novels. Snacks served. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 14 & 28: Writing Group: 4-5:30 p.m. The Teen Department is offering a writing group where teens can build writing skills and provide feedback to one another. Snacks served. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 20: Otaku Time! 4-6 p.m. Join fellow

Oct. 30: Mario Kart Tournament. 4-5:30 p.m. Snacks served. Visit vestavialibrary.org.

Oct. 1: OLLI Bonus Program: Backyard Bird Buffet with Helena Uber-Wamble. 1:30-3 p.m. Create an urban bird oasis in your yard! A short hike will be included so please wear sturdy shoes, and feel free to bring your binoculars. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 8: Cahaba Heights Book Group. 6:30 p.m. The Pita Stop. Discussing “The Martian” by Andy Weir. Open group. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 9: Upcycle City: Tipsy Tangles Beginning Zentangle. 7-9 p.m. Zentangle expert Darla from Tangled Stones Studio will introduce you to the art of zentangle. Registration is required. Call 978-4678 to register. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 13: Ms. Olivia’s Evening Reads. 6:30 pm. Discussing “The Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline. Open group. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 15: OLLI Bonus Program: Senior Residences and End of Life decisions. 1:30-3 p.m. Speaker Jack Norris will discuss senior

relocation, expenses, health related topics and other issues and philosophies. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 17: FIGHT BACK: Self-Defense Workshop for Women. 4-8 p.m. Learn handson self-defense tactics from certified instructors and Vestavia Hills Police Officers Renee Reaves and Kristin Harding-Jones. Drinks & snacks will be provided. For ages 18. Workshop is free but space is limited. Registration is required. To register, call 9784678. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 20: Lunch Bunch Book Group. Noon-1 p.m. Discussing “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult. Open group – drop in and visit us! Feel free to bring lunch, we provide drinks. Visit vestavialibrary. org. Oct. 25: Film “The World’s most Enlightening Region” 1 p.m. Film is one hour followed by discussion for 30 minutes. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 28: Literary Libations Book Group. 7 p.m. Cahaba Brewing. A new, independent book group we’re sponsoring for beer and book lovers! They meet the last Wednesday of each month at Cahaba Brewing. All are welcome. Visit vestavialibrary.org. Oct. 29: Antebellum Ghost Stories with Jim Phillips. 1-2 p.m. Halloween is nearly here and local historian Jim Phillips will delight (and hopefully scare!) with Alabama ghost stories. Oct. 31: Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Trivia Blowout. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Grab some friends for trivia, free beer, and prizes. Must be 21+/ID required. Visit vestavialibrary.org.