June 2020 | Volume 11 | Issue 3
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Challenges ahead A
By JESSE CHAMBERS
Like many area nonprofits, Birmingham Zoo seeking community’s support in wake of pandemic closure
Animal care professional Amanda Sibert works with Bulwagi, one of three African elephants at the Birmingham Zoo, during an enrichment training session April 20. The staff continues everyday care during the zoo’s closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Erin Nelson.
See ZOO | page A20
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INSIDE Sponsors........... A4 News....................A6 Business........... A10 Chamber.......... A15 Community...... A18
t press time, Mountain Brook and the state of Alabama continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has caused tremendous human suffering and taken many lives. In addition to that human toll, the United States is facing an economic crisis, one that has affected not only businesses of every size and type but also nonprofits. The organizations affected include the Birmingham Zoo, which was forced to close March 19 due to the pandemic. The zoo announced May 12 that it
Sports.................B4 Faith....................B8 Schoolhouse......B9 Metro Roundup............B12
By KYLE PARMLEY
facebook.com/villageliving
A New Chapter After 30 years of owning Crestline Pharmacy, Mike Cobb and Scooter Hammers are saying hello to retirement.
See page A14
In the moments after winning the Class 7A volleyball state championship with Mountain Brook High School last October, Ann and Liz Vandevelde found each other. There were tears. There was an embrace. But there weren’t many words. “We never really stated it to each other, but I thought about it,” Ann said. The twins realized the Spartans’ straightsets victory over McGill-Toolen on Oct. 31 would likely be the final time they shared a playing field together in organized sports. The moment was a special one for additional reasons. Mountain Brook had been eliminated in the semifinals in consecutive years leading up to that triumph. The Spartans won
See VANDEVELDE | page A22
Liz, left, and Ann Vandevelde sit on their front porch April 23. The sisters have played tennis, volleyball and basketball for Mountain Brook High School throughout their high school careers. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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A2 • June 2020
Village Living
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June 2020 • A3
A4 • June 2020
Village Living
About Us Editor’s Note By Jesse Chambers At our press time, the Birmingham area — along with most of the rest of the globe — continues to grapple with the historic COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has caused tremendous human suffering and taken many lives. In addition to that human toll, American cities and states are facing a potential economic and fiscal crisis. And that crisis has affected not just businesses of every size but nonprofits as well. In our June cover story, we examine the efforts of one popular local institution, the Birmingham Zoo, to raise additional funds from the public to compensate for the loss of revenue they suffered during their closure due to the pandemic
the city affected by the pandemic. We also take a look at an exciting new development — the mixeduse Arbor Terrace project — that is planned for the old Trinity Medical Center on Montclair Road. There are high hopes that the project will have a possible impact both for Mountain Brook, including Crestline Village, and the Crestwood and Eastwood neighborhoods in the city of Birmingham. In this issue, we also have included updates about the city of Mountain Brook’s response to COVID-19, as well as efforts by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and others to help the locally owned businesses in
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Amanda Polsen, an animal care professional, shows Bety, a 7-year-old American black bear, the sign to show her teeth as Polsen brushes them to maintain the bear’s oral health during an enrichment training session April 20 at the Birmingham Zoo’s bear habitat. The zoo spends over $30,000 per day to operate and provide animal care even while closed. Photo by Erin Nelson.
Dan Starnes Melanie Viering Erin Nelson Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Leah Ingram Eagle Neal Embry Ingrid Schnader Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Digital Editor: Cathlene Cowart Page Designers: Kristin Williams Ted Perry
Publisher: Design Editor: Photo Editor: Community Editors:
Contributing Writers: Kari Kampakis Alec Harvey Account Managers: Layton Dudley Ted Perry Emily VanderMey Creative Director: David McMath Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Cathy Fingerman Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Ethan Lynch Rhonda Smith
For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: Village Living P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnespublishing.com
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: jchambers@starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253
Published by: Village Living LLC Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or
graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Village Living is designed to inform the Mountain Brook community of area school, family and community events. Information in Village Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Village Living. 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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Village Living
City Council approves office tenant for Lane Parke development By JESSE CHAMBERS The Mountain Brook City Council on April 27 approved a new office tenant for Phase 1 of the Lane Parke development. The council, via teleconference, decided to allow Built Capital — a company that helps find funding for builders of large housing developments — to put an office there. Lane Parke is primarily a retail and commercial center, but the development plan allows offices with the approval of the City Council, said Dana Hazen, the city’s director of planning, building and sustainability. “It is very similar to reviewing an office use in one of the villages,” Hazen told the council during its work session. “It’s not that we didn’t want any office uses in Lane Parke.” The 1,000-square-foot office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will have one or two employees entertaining roughly five to eight clients per day. John Evans, one of the developers of Lane Parke, spoke in favor of the office use and said Built Capital would occupy the former location of Annabelle’s Southern Boutique. Evans said it has been an "underperforming space" for both the development and the city in terms of sales tax. “I really think it will help the other retailers on the block,” he said. Levi Mixon, the managing director of Built Capital, said the company really likes the area. “It is centrally located,” Mixon said. “It is in an incredible part of town. It’s a new area, and we are impressed with the storefront.” The company will have meetings in the space with home builders and “high net worth individuals,” some of whom will be from out of town, according to a letter from Evans to the council. Mixon said Built Capital’s out-of-town guests will like the Grand Bohemian Hotel
John Evans, one of the developers of Lane Parke, spoke in favor of Built Capital’s office use and said it would occupy the former location of Annabelle’s Southern Boutique. Staff photo.
at Lane Parke, as well as the easy access to dining in Mountain Brook and even downtown and Southside. Council President Virginia Smith said she did not see a problem in granting the request. “I would welcome them to town,” she said. “I think it will bring in people to shop and eat and use the hotel.” Among the other items passed by the council are the following: ► Awarded a 3-year contract for street resurfacing to the low bidder, Dunn Construction of Birmingham. The cost for the first year is estimated to be about $659,000, according to a copy of the resolution. Dunn was among three bidders. The company has done a good job for the city in the past, said City Manager Sam Gaston and Public Works Director
Ronnie Vaughn. “We look forward to working with them [Dunn] for another three years,” Vaughn said. ► Gave approval for Nicky Barnes to continue serving on the Mountain Brook Board of Education. Her first term expires in June. Some council members, including Alice Womack and Council President Pro Tem Billy Pritchard, said they’ve been impressed by Barnes’s performance. “I am thrilled that she is willing to continue on,” Pritchard said. ► Approved a sidewalk cafe application for Craft’s On Church Street eatery, formerly called Miss Dot’s, in Crestline Village. The permit is still subject to approval by the city’s inspection staff and the city attorney for compliance with the city code. The owners must also adhere to the recommendations of the Villages Design
Review Committee regarding the arrangement of its outside seating. ► Approved an amendment to the construction contract between the city and Morris-Shea Bridge Co. under which the company is to build two retaining walls at the Mountain Brook High School athletic complex. One wall, the longer of the two, has been built. A second wall still must be built. Both use interlocking stone blocks, which the city and the contractor realized after the project began was superior to the first material chosen. ► Amended the city’s employee handbook with respect to firefighter holiday leave. ► Adopted an investment policy statement for the City of Mountain Brook Section 115 Trust Agreement, which deals with medical and other benefits for city retirees.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • A7
City moves to reopen some parks, takes steps to aid merchants Toby Conn, 15, shoots the ball as she and Davis Reese, 15, play basketball at Crestline Elementary School on May 12. The sports fields and tennis courts at Crestline Elementary, Mountain Brook Junior High, Mountain Brook Elementary, Brookwood Forrest, Overton Tennis Courts, Rathmell and various playing fields at Mountain Brook High School are now open to the public. Photo by Erin Nelson.
By JESSE CHAMBERS The Mountain Brook City Council — at its regular meeting May 11 and a called meeting May 13 — took steps to help the city reopen safely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The council voted to begin reopening parks and other sports facilities, to help restaurants better accommodate sidewalk dining and to temporarily create additional parking for pick-up from eateries and retailers in the city’s villages.
PARKS REOPENING
The council voted May 11 to reopen many of the city’s parks and athletic fields to the public for exercise and passive use May 13. Many city facilities, including City Hall, have been closed since mid-March due to the pandemic. Some park facilities remain closed, and there are numerous safety protocols in place for the facilities that have reopened. In addition, vulnerable individuals are still encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines. The Cahaba River Walk, including the dog park, and the greenspace at Overton Park were reopened to the public. Most sports fields and tennis courts were reopened, including the track, tennis courts, baseball field No. 1 and the upper and lower soccer fields at Mountain Brook High School (MBHS). All playgrounds in the city remained closed. In addition, some sports fields will remain closed to the public for the summer due to planned construction projects, said Shanda Williams, the city’s Parks and Recreation superintendent. These are the fields at Cherokee Bend Elementary and Fields 3 through 7, including the batting cages, at the MBHS Baseball Complex. Numerous safety protocols are in place at the facilities that have reopened. For example, social distancing guidelines must be followed, no groups larger than 10 persons will be allowed, the use of face masks
is strongly encouraged and all restrooms, drinking fountains and pavilions will remain closed. For a complete list of safety guidelines — as well as updates regarding the parks — go to mtnbrook.org/parksrec.
FACILITATING SIDEWALK DINING
On May 11, the council unanimously approved a 90-day modification of the city’s sidewalk dining ordinance in order to make it easier for restaurants to expand outside seating while maintaining social distancing for patrons. “The current ordinance does not allow them to use any part of the sidewalk that is not in front of their business, so we’re trying to allow the restaurants to kind of spread out down the sidewalk in the evening,” said Dana Hazen, the city’s director of Planning, Building
and Sustainability. Eateries would be allowed to set up seating in front of retailers that are closed at night, Hazen said. “During the day they would be limited to in front of their store,” she said. Under the modification, a restaurant’s application for expanded sidewalk dining can be handled administratively without the need to go before the Villages Design Review Committee of the City Council, Hazen said.
PARKING FOR PICK-UP
On May 13, members voted unanimously to designate two or three parking spaces on most blocks in the villages for use by patrons picking up food or retail items, even as restaurants are allowed to reopen.
“There are a number of people, especially those in high-risk groups, who may want to continue to get their food to go and not to patronize restaurants,” City Attorney Whit Colvin told members. He noted that with restaurants and other establishments reopening, it may be harder for customers to find parking spots while waiting for food or other goods to be brought curbside. The designation is for 90 days and can be reevaluated at any time, City Council President Virginia Smith said. Hazen showed council members a preliminary map of the proposed parking areas. On May 15, Hazen told Village Living she and Public Works staff had made a final choice of spaces, and Public Works would use paint and a stencil to mark them.
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A8 • June 2020
Village Living
Welch: City’s businesses are ready to safely reopen By JESSE CHAMBERS Many businesses in Mountain Brook and the state of Alabama were beginning to reopen at press time after some of the official restrictions on commercial activity during the COVID-19 pandemic were amended. On May 8, Gov. Kay Ivey updated her April 28 “safer-at-home” order and further loosened restrictions on some businesses, including bars, breweries and restaurants, as well as service providers like barber shops and hair salons. Retailers are allowed to open but cannot exceed a 50% occupancy rate. In Mountain Brook, Mayor Stewart Welch told Village Living he believes the city’s small businesses are ready to open up. “If there are some retailers who are choosing to wait a little bit longer to open up, that is certainly appropriate, but the ones who are opening under the governor’s guidelines, I think they’re ready,” he said. “They care about their employees, and they obviously care about their customers,” Welch said. “They are taking whatever precautions make sense to keep the public safe and keep their employees safe. “This has gone on long enough for people to understand and examine their own businesses and figure out, ‘How do I open and also keep people safe,’” he said. There is a powerful economic reason to reopen the city, the mayor said. “People want to get back to work,” he said. “We need that for the local economy. We need that, obviously, across the country. And I think
A sign directs customers to call for curbside service outside Crestline Bagel Company in Crestline Village in April. Photo by Erin Nelson.
it can be done with the maximum amount of safety.” On a cautionary note, Gov. Ivey said the threat of COVID-19 “continues to be active, and it is deadly.” Welch also said the city “strongly recommends that the most vulnerable part of our population continue to shelter at home as much as possible.” The mayor is urging all business people and area residents to follow four primary safety protocols. One is social distancing, which remains part of the governor’s order, Welch said. Everyone in the community will be asked to wear some kind of face covering. “Wearing face masks is a request, not a mandate,” Welch said. Retailers will be asked to have hand sanitizer available as people enter their shops.
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People should also learn not to touch their faces and to practice “extreme personal hygiene,” Welch said. “You should sanitize your hands when you enter public space and sanitize your hands when you exit public space,” he said. Welch expressed concern for restaurant operators due to a requirement remaining in Ivey’s order that eateries keep tables at least 6 feet apart. “The amount of people that are going to be allowed into a restaurant is going to make it a real challenge for a restaurant to be successful,” Welch said. He said city officials and restaurateurs recently brainstormed some “creative ways” to adhere to Ivey’s mandates while allowing eateries to serve more people. As reported in this issue, the City Council voted May 11 to help restaurants more easily
expand their use of sidewalk dining and — at a called meeting May 13 — voted to temporarily designate a few parking spaces on most blocks in the villages for curbside delivery for restaurants and retailers. “If there was ever a time when we need to support our businesses it would be now,” Welch said. He believes the city’s businesses can survive. “I’m extremely optimistic — with the caveat that everybody pitches in and does their share,” he said. The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will host a celebration called “Reopen Mountain Brook” from June 1-6. Participating merchants will offer specials and create “safe, creative and personable shopping environments,” according to the chamber website. For details, go to mtnbrookchamber.org.
VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • A9
Mayor’s Minute By Stewart Welch, III As I write this on April Hopefully, many of these 27, COVID-19 continues to will become normal habits affect virtually every area of of daily living. In addiour lives. At the city level, tion, it’s important to wear we’ve been busy working a face covering when in public, particularly in groon what “getting back to work” will look like for all cery stores and retail stores the businesses located here. where it can be a challenge Certainly, furloughed to always maintain proper workers are anxious to get social distancing. To do so back to work, and the folks shows respect for others, because the research indiI’ve spoken with who are working from home are cates that wearing a face covering is primarily to also anxious to return to the workplace. protect those around you. Stewart Welch, III Restarting our economy So I ask everyone to at both the local and national level is critical to remain diligent in following the guidelines restoring economic health, but so is the impor- set by Gov. Ivey, our state and county health tance of keeping our citizens and employees care leaders and our city officials. Each of us safe. I suspect we may see a slowdown of the can make at least a little difference but workspread of the virus over the summer months ing together, we can make a big difference only to see it re-accelerate as we move into in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and, winter. We must avoid being lulled into perhaps, save the life of one of our residents. complacency. Some things won’t change until we have a vaccine against COVID-19: ► Washing hands often; ► Social distancing; ► Avoiding one-to-one contact with non-family members as much as practical; ► Sanitizing often-shared surfaces.
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A10 • June 2020
Village Living
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June 2020 • A11
Now Open
Gardendale at 2217 Decatur Highway. 205-877-9773, villagedermatology.net
Shades Valley Presbyterian Church Farmers Market, 2305 Montevallo Road, will be open each Wednesday from 3-6 p.m. from June 3 to Aug. 19 for people to pick up pre-orders. There will be no foot traffic, but customers will drive through to pick up their orders placed in advance. 205-979-6744, svpcusa.org/serve1/farmersmarket
Vino, 1930 Cahaba Road, is welcoming guests back for limited seating patio dining that follows social distancing guidelines of maintaining 6 feet between tables and operating at half capacity. It is also offering a simplified menu that can be found on its website. 205-870-8404, vinobirmingham.com
1
TrustCare urgent care clinic, 1337 Montclair Road, is now open for in-person and telehealth visits. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, while telehealth consultations run through 6 p.m. COVID-19-related precautions are being practiced, including the use of facemasks and regular cleaning. 205-203-8226, trustcarehealth.com
2
News and Accomplishments 3
Mary Dee Patrick of Mary Dee Travel recently won the prestigious President's Club Award presented by Andavo
Travel. 205-454-4999, facebook.com/marydeetravel
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The Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Road, plans to reopen its entire facility — including the fitness center and indoor and outdoor pools — June 1. Its “Responsible Reopening” plan, which can be found on its website, will accommodate new CDC guidelines and recommendations. 205-879-0411, bhamjcc.org
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Anniversaries Eleven Eleven, 2411 Montevallo Road, celebrated its second anniversary in May. 205-423-5071, elevenelevenclothiers.com
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Linnea Israel, operator of Adamson Ford, 1922 Second Ave. S., recently celebrated 36 years with the family-owned dealership. 844-352-6600, adamsonford.com
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Empower Counseling and Coaching, 9 Office Park Circle, Suite 106, is celebrating its one-year anniversary. 205-730-6570, empowercounselingllc.com
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Your CBD Store - Mountain Brook, 600 Olde English Lane, Suite 128, is celebrating its one-year anniversary. 205-848-2765, truecbd4u.com/find-us/alabama/mountain-brook
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Village Dermatology, 2900 Cahaba Road, recently opened a new location in
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Should I change my investment strategy due to the impacts of COVID-19?
As we ushered in the New Year several months ago, none of us could imagine the looming pandemic that is upon us. In mid-March of 2020 economic activity around the world came to a screeching halt, and now investors are wondering what this means for their investment strategy and overall financial plan. Here are a few things you should do:
Revisit your retirement goals and objectives and develop a strategy One of the foundations of a solid financial plan is to consider what you need and/or want to accomplish with your plan. Having written strategies for saving, investing, debt management and knowing what it takes to balance your personal budget are key components to a successful plan.
Make sure your portfolio risk is properly aligned with your financial plan
Your time horizon, personal risk tolerance, and your intended use for each investment and savings account should dictate the amount of risk you are taking in each of those accounts. You can take more risk with money that can stay invested for the next ten years, but money that you may need in the next 12 months needs to be very conservatively invested.
Know what you own, and why you own it
The coronavirus has changed consumer behavior. Some companies that were thriving before COVID-19 may have an extinct business model or be in for a long-recovery, and other companies may now be thriving in this “new economy”. The bottom line is that stock prices are traditionally tied to a company’s ability to produce and grow earnings. Now is the time to look at what you own in your portfolios and examine what changes you need to make.
If you have any questions or would like to talk with us individually, please call our office at 205-874-1804, email us at RiverpeakPartners@ RaymondJames.com, or RSVP to attend the upcoming Zoom conference call workshop on Thursday, June 25th at 12:00 noon.
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A12 • June 2020
Village Living
Business New Arbor Terrace development could be ‘breath of fresh air’ Officials say city could benefit from proposed mixed-use project at old Trinity Medical Center By JESSE CHAMBERS When Trinity Medical Center — formerly Baptist Medical Center Montclair — left Montclair Road for U.S. 280 in 2015 and became Grandview Medical Center, it left behind a million square feet of unused buildings. People in Mountain Brook and Birmingham were concerned it would be tough to find new tenants. “My concern was that it would sit for years and be a sore sight as you drive down Montclair,” Suzan Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, said in 2018. “I think most residents would say it was a sad day when the hospital moved,” Doidge said recently. But a major development for the former Trinity site seems to be on the way. On March 30, Birmingham Metro LLC — headed by New York developers Lawrence Kadish and Will Kadish — announced plans for the creation of a new multi-use campus at the old hospital site. Called Arbor Terrace, the 75-acre development is to include a corporate headquarters, residences and medical facilities, as well as “community-oriented” retail establishments and eateries, according to a news release from developers. Construction on the site is expected to begin this fall, according to the release. A spokesperson for Birmingham Metro told Village Living that Arbor Terrace is expected to be a $200 million project over a five-year period.
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An artist’s rendering of Arbor Terrace’s central plaza, looking south. Rendering courtesy of William Blackstock Architects.
Doidge and a Mountain Brook city official said they welcome the new development. “I believe it will have a positive impact on Mountain Brook and will be a revenue generator,” Doidge said. “The folks who live or work at Arbor Terrace will spend time in Mountain Brook. We have some of the best restaurants in Birmingham, grocery stores and unique, one-ofa-kind stores for shopping.” The proposed development “would be a breath of fresh air,” said Dana Hazen, Mountain Brook’s director of building, planning and sustainability. “A mixed-use project such as this would help revitalize the surrounding area.” The development — located adjacent to Mountain Brook — “will provide additional interest, opportunities and venues” for the city’s residents, Hazen said.
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In addition, the mix of uses at Arbor Terrace “not only provides employment for the community, but provides access to nature and exercise, as well as other amenities,” Hazen said. Arbor Terrace will extend along Montclair Road from Dan Hudson Drive South to 52nd Street South. While accessible from Montclair Road, the site also will include entrances and exits from both Dan Hudson Drive and 52nd Street. This is expected to ease the flow of traffic during peak hours. Hazen does not expect that the Arbor Terrace project will have a negative impact on traffic or parking in the area, including Crestline Village. “I trust that the city of Birmingham will adequately vet the project, prior to any approval, to ensure that adequate parking and traffic measures are in place,” she said.
It is also beneficial for traffic that Arbor Terrace mixes residential, office, retail and restaurant uses, Hazen said. “I would anticipate that these uses will have different peak hours ... so that will distribute the parking and traffic more evenly throughout the day and week,” she said. The Arbor Terrace site is blessed with a good location and is close to numerous desirable neighborhoods. It offers easy access to the Interstate 459 and I-20 corridors, as well as Old Leeds Road. It is close to the U.S. 280 corridor and Mountain Brook, particularly Crestline Village. In addition, the Birmingham neighborhoods of Eastwood, South Crestwood, and Forest Park are nearby, and it’s not far from Arbor Terrace to Birmingham’s City Center. “We look forward to welcoming new tenants, businesses and guests who are looking for a serene and upscale community experience while remaining close to Birmingham’s vibrant downtown district,” development director Will Kadish said in the news release. The development will include more than 300,000 square feet of fully renovated buildings with new infrastructure, including high-speed elevators, modern design features and about 1,700 covered parking spaces. The campus will feature an elevated 30-acre platform embedded in a partially wooded hillside with great views of the surrounding area. “The platform overlooks the top of Crestline Village’s trees, and that is why we named the development Arbor Terrace,” Will Kadish told Village Living. The facility will offer new and expanded nature trails, a private indoor golf range and a large central courtyard with a greenspace for relaxation, networking and exercise. “It’s our mission to showcase the natural beauty, sophistication and inherent convenience
VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • A13
The Arbor Terrace location offers easy access to the Interstate 459 and I-20 corridors, as well as Old Leeds Road. It is close to the U.S. 280 corridor and Mountain Brook, particularly Crestline Village. Staff photo.
that this one-of-a-kind area brings to the table,” Will Kadish said. The development “will have something for everyone,” he added, citing executives, professionals, nature enthusiasts and “culture connoisseurs.” Birmingham Metro LLC bought two parcels totaling 20 acres from Affinity Hospital LLC for $1.35 million, Birmingham Business Journal reported, citing Jefferson County records. The developer also acquired 55 acres from the Baptist Health System for an undisclosed amount. This isn’t the first time a large project has been announced for the Trinity site. Maryland-based developer Ben Berman signed contracts on the land and buildings in January 2018 and announced plans for an upscale mixed-use community called Trinity Heights in May 2018. Berman said he wanted to bring in apartments, condominiums and a senior-living facility, as well as a hotel, offices, retail, eateries and entertainment. Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told Village Living at the time that Trinity Heights would likely be a “net positive” for the city. However, Berman dropped his plans in fall 2018 after spending several months exploring the feasibility of the project. Like Berman, Birmingham Metro LLC plans to bring in local third-party developers to do portions of the development. The property includes five building pads, ranging in size from four to 17 acres, that are available for sale or joint venture, the spokesperson said. Will Kadish provided an update at press time regarding work underway on the project. ► The architects, Willams Blackstock, were working on plans with Schoell Engineering and
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A14 • June 2020
Village Living
3 cheers for 30 years
Longtime owners of Crestline Pharmacy retire
By INGRID SCHNADER It had been long enough, Mike Cobb said. He has owned Crestline Pharmacy with one of his best friends, Scooter Hammers, for 30 years, but the pair is saying goodbye to standing all day and working as pharmacists — and they’re saying hello to retirement and spending time with their grandchildren. ”We never sit down,” Cobb said. “We stand all day long. It was just time.” Located at 60 Church St. in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village, the pharmacy opened up in the early ’50s. Cobb and Hammers have owned the store for longer than anyone else and have been pharmacists for over 40 years. The pair met at Samford. Cobb and Hammers played football together there, and their wives-to-be were sorority sisters. After graduating from Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy in the late ’70s, Cobb went to work downtown at Dewberry Drug Co. Hammers soon joined Cobb there, and they worked together there for four years. They went their separate ways, each taking jobs at different pharmacies, but they stayed in touch through the years. Then on March 1, 1990, they bought Crestline Pharmacy. When first starting out, they worked 60 hours a week and had to work every other weekend. “We were there a lot,” Cobb said. “A lot of hours early on, for sure.” When looking back on the past few decades at Crestline Pharmacy, Cobb laughed and said there are some memories he can’t share. But although he said he doesn’t think he will miss the long hours of work, he said he will miss the interactions he had with his customers. “The main thing is just the people,” he said. “Some of these people are in the store almost daily.” Before Crestline Pharmacy, Cobb also worked for eight years at a drugstore in Mountain Brook Village. When he moved a few miles away to Crestline, he kept some of the same clients.
Mike Cobb, longtime owner and pharmacist at Crestline Pharmacy, enters information into the computer system as he works to fill a prescription May 12. Photo by Erin Nelson.
“So a lot of these people, I’ve had for over 38 years,” he said. “It’s just like family. It’s bittersweet — we certainly will miss seeing and talking to these people.” He never receives any complaints from the customers, Cobb said. “Everybody’s chipper and in a good mood,” he said. “And we want them to leave in a good mood. We know pretty much everybody’s name when they come in, and that’s their favorite thing to hear.” Cobb and Hammers both have three
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Matt Leach, who has been with Crestline Pharmacy for more than 15 years, will be taking over the business. Cobb said he knows he will be leaving the customers in good hands with Leach. “He’s young and energetic,” Cobb said. “He’s watched us, and I think he will carry on with the same type of operation.” Crestline Pharmacy is open seven days a week, has a free delivery service and offers in-house charge accounts. There’s also a gift shop in the front. For more information, visit the Crestline Pharmacy page on Facebook.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • A15
Chamber Merchant Relief Fund seeks to help Mountain Brook businesses hit by COVID-19 By JESSE CHAMBERS The small businesses of Mountain Brook “are the heart of our community” and “keep our community pumping,” said Tonya Jones, president of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, in April during her semi-annual report to the Mountain Brook City Council. “That’s why we live here,” she said. “That’s why we shop here, dine here. We love our people, and we want to support them as much as we can.” That’s also why the Chamber of Commerce — using a new nonprofit — is taking donations for the second phase of a community-wide effort to help local businesses cope with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 2, called the Mountain Brook Merchant Relief Fund, will provide financial help to some of the city’s most vulnerable locally owned brick-and-mortar businesses, including retail stores and restaurants. Organizers are asking each household in the city to donate $100 to the campaign, and 100% of the money raised will go to local merchants. The chamber made the initial donation of $10,000 when fundraising began in early April. Phase 1 of the community campaign, called “Save Our Restaurants,” began in March. Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch stepped up to help create Phase 1 after restaurants were forced to close due to public health orders. “We were super-concerned about the wait staff and kitchen staff and how we could help those restaurants keep those people employed,” Welch said. The mayor said Phase 1 was a “unique collaboration” between the chamber; city leaders,
The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce — using a new nonprofit — is taking donations for the second phase of a community-wide effort to help local businesses cope with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff photo.
including City Council President Virginia Smith; and private enterprise in the form of the mayor’s company, The Welch Group, working through the Welch Foundation. Every restaurant that filled out an application received $2,000 to go directly to its staff, Welch said. “We had 30 restaurants apply for those grants, so we were able to give out $60,000,”
he said. Donations are being accepted for the Mountain Brook Merchant Relief Fund through a recently created nonprofit, according to officials. The 501(c)(3) allows the campaign to accept larger donations and for donors to receive tax deductions for their contributions. Suzan Doidge, the executive director of the
Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, said putting together a nonprofit is never quick or easy. However, attorney Vince Schilleci, a past chamber president, made “a Herculean effort” and was able to get the nonprofit in place by May 1, Doidge said. The organizers worked with Brooke Battle, the founder and CEO of Swell Fundraising in Birmingham, to start the campaign. At press time, the Merchant Relief Fund had received nearly $30,000 in donations, according to the chamber website. The chamber has also received numerous applications from merchants, Jones told the council. In mid-May, the campaign also kicked off the Mayor’s Challenge, led by Welch. “The first 40 people who donate $1,000, we will have the Welch Foundation match that, up to $40,000,” Welch said. So hopefully, very quickly, we can raise $80,000.” Businesses do not have to be chamber members in order to apply for help from the fund, Doidge said. The fund is meant to help businesses inside the city limits. The nonprofit formed to accept and disburse money to businesses has an eight-member oversight committee. In addition to Welch, Jones, Doidge and Schilleci, the members are Keith Herron, a retired Regions Bank executive; Alan Martin, a retired Alabama Power executive; Tanya Cooper, a community volunteer; and Lane DeWine, a certified public accountant. To donate, go to onemb.swell.gives or buy a “Choose Mountain Brook” T-shirt at pantsstore.com. For more information, including applications for merchants, go to mtnbrookchamber.org/ covid-19-resources.
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A16 • June 2020
Village Living David Seale, a Mountain Brook High School graduate and former MBHS teacher, has written a book called “Teacher Affirmations,” which he calls “a sort of ‘Chicken Soup for the Teacher Soul,’ except grounded in more reality, research and experience.” Photo courtesy of David Seale.
Longtime educator, MBHS grad, seeks to give teachers ‘a pat on the back’ By ALEC HARVEY David Seale has been an educator for more than 25 years, and he knows how difficult teachers’ jobs can be. That was the thought behind a podcast he began a year ago, a podcast meant to inspire teachers and others in the education field. “Teachers get plenty of professional development but not always the pat on the back they need,” he said. That podcast, available through listennotes. com and iTunes, has become the basis for Seale’s first book, “Teacher Affirmations,” which he calls “a sort of ‘Chicken Soup for the Teacher Soul,’ except grounded in more reality, research and experience.” And Seale has plenty of experience. A graduate of Mountain Brook High School, the University of Alabama and the University of
Montevallo, began his teaching career in the Tuscaloosa County School System. From 1999 to 2005, he was an English teacher and debate coach at MBHS, and he was principal at Tarrant Intermediate School from 2015-18 before joining the Birmingham City Schools system as an instructional coordinator. “But my draw to the schoolhouse was too strong,” said Seale, who became principal at Avondale Elementary School in January. Seale’s podcast and book consist of short bits of information and inspiration. “I had the idea for the podcast about a year ago, because I read some troubling research on the high rate of teacher burnout, as well as a realization that there is a teacher shortage across the country,” Seale said. “I felt like the content of the podcast would also work well in a book format, especially for those educators who are not necessarily podcast listeners.”
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Seale believes his educational affirmations are particularly important as teachers wrestle with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Right now, a large percentage of our teachers are not only having to teach their students in a format in which most have never utilized — distance learning — but they are also teaching their own children at home, as well as being a parent,” Seale said. “They are essentially juggling the three most important jobs all at once. So, some validation and encouragement is needed now more than ever, I feel.” For Seale, over the years, that has meant returning to why he became a teacher in the first place. “Many times, when I have felt a little burned out or frustrated, rediscovering my purpose, my ‘why’ for becoming an educator, has been huge in helping me reignite the fire,” he said. “I also try to surround myself with positive influences, as opposed to those negative folks
in the profession who can sometimes add to the negativity and burnout.” Those bright spots have often come from his students, according to Seale. “A lot of the affirmations I have had along the way usually come in the form of small things and almost always from the student success and the small appreciations I get from my students,” he said. “For educators, it doesn’t take much, because we are in this profession for children and to help continue a society of leaders, learners and citizens.” Seale hopes “Teacher Affirmations,” which is available at independent bookstores and on Amazon, will reach more than his target audience. “The book is certainly geared toward educators, and a lot of the advice is specific to the profession,” he said. “But the messages of service, validation and perseverance can certainly apply to anyone in any profession.”
VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • A17
Veteran traveler offers top-down tours of French Riviera By ALEC HARVEY Dirk Dominick’s connection to the south of France goes back to his childhood, when his family would vacation in Europe. “I just have fabulous memories of being in France and Germany,” said Dominick, who lives in Homewood with his partner, Westcott Shaw, and two children. “I just remember being profoundly affected.” That love for the area grew, with his mother owning a small apartment in the quaint village of Bar-Sur-Loupe from 2000-15. “During that 15 years, I would go over for a month at a time, and I loved exploring and driving around,” said Dominick, who graduated from Homewood High School and Auburn University and works in commercial site preparation. Dominick is now trying to spread that experience via his Riviera Driving Tours, a 10-yearold venture in which he leads group driving tours: a convoy of travelers driving sporty Mini Cooper convertibles, traversing roads of France and Italy and enjoying the sights, food and wine of the Riviera. “I love the fact that you can spend the morning on the coast and then have lunch in an isolated country village in the backcountry,” he said. “During the winter, you can have lunch in Nice, and you can be skiing that afternoon. It’s very diverse geographically and culturally. There’s a lot of ground to cover and a lot of variety in a very short distance.” Dominick tries to do one or two tours a year (you can check the schedule at rivieradriving tours.com), and his customers have included folks from Mountain Brook, Homewood, Birmingham, Colorado, Georgia and other locations. He develops and leads an itinerary — every vehicle is equipped with a two-way radio — but participants have a GPS and are free to explore on their own, too. A typical day would be a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, a brief overview of the day from
Dirk Dominick of Riviera Driving Tours drives a Mini Cooper convertible in the French Riviera. Photo courtesy of Dirk Dominick.
Dominick and then driving routes that Dominick has researched and mapped out. “We travel great roads with beautiful scenery, interesting villages and great food,” he said. The convoy will stop for lunch or a wine tasting or other event, and then it’s back to the hotel to prepare for a group dinner at a restaurant that Dominick has selected. “I have not done one tour that is the same as any other because I keep finding really cool things I want to share with people who take the tour,” he said.
That includes famous sites, including the spot of Princess Grace Kelly’s fatal accident and locations Alfred Hitchcock used in the filming of “To Catch a Thief,” the 1955 film set on the French Riviera and based on a book by David Dodge. Dominick is somewhat of an expert on the movie, having written an e-book about the locations. He also appeared on a BBC radio show devoted to searching for the villa Dodge lived in while writing his novel. The six-night Riviera Driving Tours trips are $4,000, not including airfare.
“Once you land in Nice, everything is taken care of, including meals, accommodations, the car, fuel, insurance, everything,” Dominick said. “I suppose the Riviera Driving Tour is just an extension of my love for driving around the beautiful roads of the south of France, enjoying the scenery,” he said. “I really do love the area, and I really do love driving there. It truly has been a labor of love. I really enjoy driving around in cool convertibles in the south of France. It’s a cool gig.”
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A18 • June 2020
Village Living
Community Have a community announcement? Email Jesse Chambers at jchambers@starnespublishing.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
Foundation donates PPE to first responders
Troop 28’s Henry Skinner awarded rank of Eagle Scout
By JESSE CHAMBERS
Henry Moreau Skinner, a member of Boy Scout Troop 28 at Independent Presbyterian Church, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on March 12 after his final Board of Review. An official ceremony will take place at a later date. For his Eagle Project, Henry designed and built a large, raised planter box that helps enclose a play area at the St. Francis Xavier Early Learning Center. The project will allow the preschool students to plant and maintain an outdoor garden of flowers and vegetables. In addition, the structure allows for a safer, more attractive outdoor play area for the preschoolers. This project was particularly meaningful to Henry because he is a life-long member of St. Francis Xavier Church and has worked in the nursery and has been an altar server for many years. He also serves as a sacristan employee, washing and organizing the altar server robes. Henry was able to complete the project with more than $500 in surplus funds, which he donated to the church. As a member of Troop 28, Henry earned 26 merit badges and served as Assistant Patrol Leader and Chaplain’s Aide. He was inducted into Order of the Arrow and received the God and Country Award. He attended the high adventure camp, Seabase, in the Abacos, Bahamas. The Mountain Brook senior played varsity football and is a member of the Interact and Investment clubs. He was
Ron and Dawn Hirn of Mountain Brook lost their 7-year-old son, Ryan, in a 2001 car accident. The wreck also left burns on their bodies and on their son Tyler, one of Ryan’s three brothers. To honor their son and help others, the couple later started a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Ryan Shines Burn Foundation, and have hosted numerous camps and special events to encourage the emotional and psychological healing of burn victims, family members and firefighters. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hirns found another way to help firefighters and other first responders — donating face masks. “Ron and I believe that if there is a need and we have the resources, then we respond,” Dawn Hirn said. The need became apparent after the couple heard from their “firefighter friends” that some were working without personal protective equipment, she said. On April 28, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to accept a gift of 500 disposable masks from the Ryan Shines Burn Foundation to be placed in the city’s medical supply inventory and used as needed at police and fire stations. In fact, Ryan Shines has donated 1,100 disposable KN95 and N95 masks to five different Alabama fire departments and isn’t done yet. “I called my fire chiefs all over Alabama and told them our plan to provide masks,” Dawn Hirn said. “Firefighters are our partners in everything we do at Ryan Shines,” she said. The foundation has been able to purchase the masks it needs, despite the fact that such items have been difficult to obtain. “My sisters and I have been in the manufacturing and wholesale business for 30 years and are
The Ryan Shines Burn Foundation has donated 1,100 disposable KN95 and N95 masks to five different Alabama fire departments. Photo courtesy of Dawn Hirn.
well-connected to suppliers around the world,” Dawn Hirn said. “As you know, there have been shortages on a number of essential items. With a little work, we've been able to uncover some reliable suppliers.” Ron and Dawn Hirn were glad to find a way to give back to the community during this difficult time. “Everyone of us who lives in Mountain Brook is blessed beyond measure,” Dawn Hirn said. “All Ron and I are doing is responding to a need by supporting others with what we have. You can call it ‘pay it forward,’ and no pandemic can stop that. We are blessed in order to bless others.” The Hirns also continue to have a special connection to firefighters. “In a world of Marvel comic book heroes, watching our firefighters respond with great skill and care across their community makes them the real heroes,” Dawn Hirn said. “Day in and day out, firefighters deliver. They are ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things. They are heroes to my boys.” Dawn Hirn said it meant a lot when she received thanks for the foundation’s recent efforts. “It melted my heart when a couple of the chiefs, as busy as they were, called me back personally to thank me for the masks,” she said. “One of them mentioned that the station did a ‘happy dance’ upon seeing the masks.” To donate or get more information, call 956-8219633 or email dawn@ryanshines.com.
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Henry Moreau Skinner, a member of Boy Scout Troop 28 at Independent Presbyterian Church, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on March 12. Photo courtesy of Kathy Skinner.
also inducted into the National Business Honor Society, in which he was elected secretary. Henry is the son of Kathy and Jay Skinner of Mountain Brook. He is the grandson of Nancy Skinner of Birmingham, and Becky and Hanson Couvillon of Huntsville – Submitted by Kathy Skinner.
VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • A19
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A20 • June 2020
Village Living
Above: Animal care professional Amy Haycox portions fresh produce into buckets before an enrichment training session at the bear habitat April 20, as the staff continues everyday care during the zoo’s closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Right: Kelly Burleson gives a round of evening hay to a dwarf Nigerian goat in the barn. Photos by Erin Nelson.
ZOO
CONTINUED from page A1 was preparing a plan to reopen the facility in stages amid ongoing changes to the COVID19 quarantine restrictions imposed by Jefferson County, the city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama. “The zoo will open in a methodical and safe manner when the time is right,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo president and CEO, in a news release. However, the zoo has already lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue during the closure due to a loss in ticket sales, Pfefferkorn told Village Living. That revenue is critical to maintaining daily operations and infrastructure, he said. However, the responsibilities of zoo staff have not changed, even during the closure. The zoo has a staff of more than 60 animal care professionals and veterinary and nutrition staff on grounds to take care of the animals. “Our greatest priority is to continue providing exceptional care for our animals seven days a week, no matter the circumstance,” Pfefferkorn said. In response, the zoo announced in late April it had established the Emergency Animal Fund and was soliciting donations from the public. The money in the fund is to help the zoo feed its more than 700 animal residents, including endangered species. Aside from nutrition, it costs the zoo about $30,000 per day to operate the facility and provide animal care even while closed to the public. In addition, Pfefferkorn told Village Living in April that even if the zoo is able to reopen in May or June it will need to continue to solicit donations — through the fund, a membership drive and other fundraising tools — to make up its revenue shortfall. “We still have to operate the rest of the year, and we are kind of in a deficit now, and there will be a need to make up revenue when we do open,” he said. The zoo is typically a large visitor attraction, drawing approximately 600,000 people annually, or roughly 12,000 per week, according to officials. The zoo was hit particularly hard on the revenue side by the timing of its COVID-19 closure. “We had to close down on a Thursday just before spring break, and we can get 30,000 people or more just that week, so that was a big kicker,” Pfefferkorn said. The spring is also the time when schools are doing field trips and people are getting out
Left: The entrance to the Birmingham Zoo. Right: A giraffe at the zoo licks her nose. Aside from nutrition, it costs the zoo about $30,000 per day to operate the facility and provide animal care even while closed to the public.
and enjoying the nice weather. “We just lost all that revenue,” Pfefferkorn said. The closure also meant the zoo could not hire all of the people who normally work during the busy spring season. The zoo has about 140 employees overall, many of whom worked from home during the closure to allow essential employees working on the grounds to maintain social distancing as much as possible. However, in a typically busy spring and summer season, the zoo would have normally added another 25-30 seasonal workers, Pfefferkorn said. In addition, the restaurant and gift shop, which are operated by an outside vendor, would have added some people, he said. Originally from Peoria, Illinois, Pfefferkorn graduated from Eureka College with a degree in biology. He held a variety of jobs at the Oregon Zoo and the San Antonio Zoo before becoming senior vice president at the Birmingham Zoo in 2015. He became CEO and president of the Birmingham Zoo in 2018, replacing Dr. William Foster, who retired. Pfefferkorn said he has never faced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic. “On an operational level, this is the most challenging thing I've been through,” he said. “We have created the Emergency Animal Fund to help defray costs so our existing dollars can be used in other places,” Pfefferkorn said. “We have an outstanding team that is doing a lot of creative things to keep us afloat.” In addition to the Emergency Animal Fund, the zoo received more than $165,000 in donations and matching gifts on Giving
Tuesday on May 5. People can help the zoo while shopping on Amazon by using AmazonSmile and choosing the zoo as their charitable organization. Donations can also be made to the zoo using the PayPal Giving Fund. Current zoo members can help by renewing their memberships, and non-members can join at the zoo website. People can also go to the website to make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly donation. The Birmingham Zoo is an independent not-for-profit organization and is the only zoo in the state to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The city of Birmingham, which operated the zoo until it was privatized in about 2000, still owns the property. “We lease the property from the city for $1 per year,” Pfefferkorn said. “We are charged with growing the zoo and managing the zoo for the city.” The zoo is an important asset for the Birmingham area, Pfefferkorn said. “Studies have shown that it improves the mental and physical well-being of people to visit places like zoos and aquarium parks and green space, so it goes to the livability of the city,” Pfefferkorn said. The zoo also has an annual economic impact of about $28 million in the Birmingham area, said Pfefferkorn, citing a study the zoo commissioned in recent years. The zoo also draws visitors, with about 65% of the tickets sold at the facility going to people from outside the Birmingham area last year, Pfefferkorn said. “We have people come on a regular basis from Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida and from all over Alabama,” he said.
“People are driving here,” he said. “They buy gas. They buy food. They may shop. They even may stay in a hotel.” However, the zoo’s biggest impact transcends dollars and cents, Pfefferkorn said. “When I talk to people, they have come to their Birmingham Zoo for generations,” he said. “They came as kids. They brought their kids. Now they are bringing their grandkids. We are part of the fabric of the lives and livability of Birmingham, and we are very proud of that.” Many zoo visitors and supporters come from Mountain Brook, Pfefferkorn said. “We are right next door,” he said. “We also have a good relationship with the Mountain Brook mayor and city council.” But he added that “all of the municipalities around Birmingham are very supportive of the zoo, just as the city of Birmingham is.” Even during this time of pandemic, Pfefferkorn hopes people will help support the zoo. “We are very cognizant that people are in a time of uncertainty, but this is their zoo, and they have always supported us, and I believe they always will,” Pfefferkorn said. “We are going to be there for them when this is over. It’s going to be a place for folks to come out of the house and enjoy a place they know, a place they love, a place to spend time with their family. At press time. administrators were preparing operational policies and procedures that would allow the zoo to reopen, according to the May 12 announcement. Those policies include cleaning and sanitation, guest capacity, social distancing, access to animal buildings and other concerns. For updates regarding the zoo’s phased reopening or to make a donation, go to birminghamzoo.com.
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June 2020 • A21
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Village Living
VANDEVELDE
CONTINUED from page A1 the state title last in 2016, when the twins were freshmen. Ann served the championship point that season, but Liz spent the year on the junior varsity team. The 2019 season saw the two of them win it all while both starred on the varsity squad. “That feeling when we won was unreal,” Liz said.
FINDING THEIR SPORTS
Ann and Liz have played many sports over the years. When they were kids, they tried soccer and softball, but neither stuck. There were also Liz’s brief experiments with gymnastics and cheerleading. They are actually pretty good swimmers. At the age of 8, they tied for the meet record at the Senior County finals in the butterfly event, hitting the wall at the exact same time. In elementary and middle school, they honed in on basketball, tennis and volleyball. The twins were part of dominating teams at Mountain Brook Junior High, as all three sports won the Metro South championship when they were in seventh and eighth grade. They began to carve out their unique identities in athletics as ninth grade rolled around. With Ann making the varsity volleyball and varsity basketball teams, she decided to put the tennis racquet down. Liz made the varsity tennis team and JV volleyball and basketball teams. For their final three years at Mountain Brook, they competed on the varsity volleyball team together, with Ann playing basketball in the winter and Liz playing tennis in the spring. Each of them excelled in both of their sports. As juniors and seniors, the Vandeveldes were named to the Starnes Publishing All-South Metro volleyball team. Ann was also honorable mention All-South Metro in basketball each of the last two seasons. On the tennis court, Liz lost very few times in her high school career. The Mountain Brook tennis team won the state championship in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Liz contends the Spartans would have won again this season had it not been stripped prematurely due to the COVID19 pandemic. Liz won state titles in singles and doubles each of those three years. “It was very upsetting when our whole season was ended because we didn’t get to play that many matches [due to weather],” Liz said.
Above: Mountain Brook’s Ann Vandevelde (10) shoots a layup guarded by Oak Mountain’s Savannah Garrett (10) during a Dec. 12 game at Spartan Arena in Mountain Brook. Photo by Erin Nelson. Below left: Ann Vandevelde (10) dribbles around defenders during a game against Ramsay at Spartan Arena on Dec. 11, 2018. Below right: Liz Vandevelde (22) bumps a serve during a Class 7A state tournament quarterfinal match between Mountain Brook and McGill-Toolen on Oct. 31, 2018, at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Staff photos.
CONTRASTING DEMEANORS
Ann and Liz are both competitive at their core, but that desire to win manifests itself in different forms. “I’m more Type A [personality], and she’s more Type B,” Ann said. Ann’s personality can be classified as intense, while Liz is more laid back. Throughout their athletic careers, coaches have attempted to find a middle ground for both of them. At times, they have wanted Ann to calm down. At others, they have wondered whether Liz is trying her hardest. But make no mistake, the determination is there with both of them. “We’re both competitive, and we like to win. We’re both dedicated to whatever we’re doing,” Ann said. Their mom, Adelaide, agreed with their assessment, adding they have gleaned traits from each other as the years have gone on.
LIFE OFF THE COURT
Many would agree Ann and Liz are talented enough to pursue playing a sport in college. Ann gave serious consideration to playing volleyball at the next level, even playing for former Mountain Brook and current Birmingham-Southern coach Haven O’Quinn’s club team as a junior. “I enjoyed it a lot, but I feel like I’m called to do something else,” Ann said. As a result, both twins are heading to the University of Alabama in the fall for non-athletic reasons. Liz hopes to be a nurse, while Ann hopes to get a secondary education degree, specializing in math. “They were pretty open to letting us do whatever we wanted,” Liz said of their parents’ support through the process of creating post-high school plans. The list of organizations they’ve been involved with is somehow longer than the list of sports they’ve played over the years. “We take school just as important as sports with the student-athlete side of things,” Liz said.
Liz Vandevelde (22) dives to save a ball during the Class 7A state championship match between Mountain Brook and McGill-Toolen on Oct. 31 at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham. The Spartans defeated McGill-Toolen to claim the title. Photo by Erin Nelson.
They are in the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. They have been involved with First Priority throughout their time in school. Ann served as the Key Club vice president this year, while Liz served on a team working to raise
money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The list goes on. There will also soon come a time when they don’t live in the same house. Next school year, they will live in the same building, but have different roommates. They admit they will miss
each other, but it won’t negatively impact their relationship. “We won’t be around each other as much, but I feel like that’s just life,” Ann said. “You can’t always live together. We’ll still be really close.”
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June 2020 • A23
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SECTION
B JUNE 2020
Sports B4 Faith B8 Schoolhouse B9 Metro Roundup B12
Meals for Healthcare Heroes helps frontline caregivers, eateries By JESSE CHAMBERS Thanks to three Mountain Brook residents, there’s an easy way online for people in the Birmingham area to offer a boost in morale to health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial support to local restaurants seeking to survive in these days of social distancing. Long-time friends and Mountain Brook High School graduates Rip Andrews and Will Baker — along with Baker’s wife, Susannah Baker — started a program in March called Meals for Healthcare Heroes that addresses both of those critical needs, while giving community members a chance to make a positive impact without leaving home. And the organizers said they have a continuing need for new sponsors to help sustain the initiative, which has been a success so far. “These are approximate numbers, but we think we have passed 3,000 meals provided and more than $50,000 raised,” Andrews told Village Living before press time. Here’s how the program works: ► A team leader at a local hospital or clinic makes a request at the Meals for Healthcare Heroes webpage for a specific number of meals to be delivered at a certain date and time. ► The organizers find a local restaurant that can supply the meals and post the restaurant’s name and the meal’s total cost on the site.
Jill Utley, a registered nurse and operation team leader, helps Will Baker of the Meals for Healthcare Heroes campaign, unload bags of lunches from Blueroot Company for health care staff on the pre-op and recovery team at UAB’s main hospital on May 13. Photo by Erin Nelson.
► A sponsor then signs up and promises to pay for the meal. “The biggest problem is spreading the word,” said Andrews, who works as an attorney at Marsh, Rickard & Bryan in Birmingham. “When people hear about it, we get an uptick in sponsorship.” Demand from health care facilities and restaurants continues to be “huge,” he said. Running the program “has really been very gratifying,” said Will
Baker, who works in commercial real estate at Walker & Dunlop. Susannah Baker helped get the program off the ground by setting up a webpage at signupgenius.com, and she and her husband handle much of the day-to-day coordination of the program. “It’s certainly nice to be able to do something to help when we are in an unusual, unique situation and are not able to do our normal day-to-day things,” Susannah Baker said.
“If you are friends with anybody on the frontlines of health care right now … their lives are very difficult, and it is hard for them to find good meals,” Andrews said. Several participating restaurants, including Ollie Irene, Taco Mama, Over Easy and Watkin’s Branch Bourbon and Brasserie are located in Mountain Brook. Organizers rely solely on locally owned and operated restaurants, Andrews said.
Hospitals that have requested meals include St. Vincents, multiple UAB facilities, Children’s of Alabama and Brookwood Baptist Hospital. Chef J.P. Holland of Watkin’s Branch said he’s grateful for the additional revenue that Meals for Healthcare Heroes has provided his eatery. “Honestly, with Watkins Branch only being open three months before all this hit, it’s been our lifeline,” he said. “It’s 100% been the difference between paying the bills and paying people and not.” He praised the organizers of the program, who he said do not charge any fees to the health care providers or the restaurants. “They helped out two industries that are not their own,” Holland said. “It was truly the most selfless thing I have seen since the start of this pandemic.” The organizers are unsure of how long the program will continue. “We are still looking for sponsors,” Will Baker said. “We will keep it going as long as we can and as long as there is a continued need.” “Right now it’s chugging along and is busy, and we are grateful for that,” Susannah Baker said. To sponsor a meal, go to Meals for Healthcare Heroes at signupgenius. com. People can also make individual donations of any size. To do so, go to the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation website at acjf.org, click on “Donate Now” and select “Meals for Healthcare Workers.”
WORTHWHILE CONVERSATIONS WHAT NOW? WEALTH PLANNING AFTER COVID-19... DOES THE COVID-19 EXPERIENCE MEAN THAT WEALTH PLANNING IS NOW TOTALLY DIFFERENT? No, not necessarily. Market and economic conditions continue to change, but good wealth planning comes from being consistent in making sound decisions. HOW CAN YOU MAKE SOUND DECISIONS WHEN THE FUTURE IS SO UNCERTAIN? In nearly 50 years of wealth planning, we have worked with families who can personally recall terribly uncertain conditions. In 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union were staring each other down over nuclear missiles in Cuba and plenty of people felt it could be the end of civilization. In 1974, a sitting U.S. President resigned from office in disgrace and the average citizen’s faith in our government reached an all-time low. There have been times, of course, when the future looked bright. In 2000, we ushered in a new Millennium amidst great optimism, following a decade that saw the fall of the Iron Curtain and a peace dividend. SO, WHAT IS YOUR POINT? Certainty or uncertainty about the future is an unreliable basis for building wealth. Ryan Patterson, CFA, CFP®, our Chief Investment Officer, puts it this way: “When everyone is feeling good about the future, the prices of financial assets are higher, reflecting that feeling. When few people feel good, prices are discounted and opportunities are greater.” If you invested in U.S. stocks during the month of the Cuban missile crisis, you were 30% richer one year later. If you put money to work in U.S. stocks during the month Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency, you were 250% richer ten years later. If you waited for the turn of the Millennium to put your money to work in U.S. stocks, you were 35% worse off two years later.
Sheri Robinson and Jamie Burns discuss how to adjust wealth planning during uncertain market conditions following COVID-19.
SO -- THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME? Circumstances may change but financial behavior should be disciplined, not reactive. Most families benefit from the coaching of an experienced, 100% fiduciary wealth advisor. That is the model we follow at Linscomb & Williams. We have the credentialled and experienced team ready to sit down and formulate a plan for your success right now, right here. For more information, or a copy of our Form ADV, Part II, with all of our disclosures, call Sheri Robinson at 205 868 3331 or visit www.linscomb-williams.com. JAMIE BURNS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, REGIONAL WEALTH SERVICES EXECUTIVE MIDSOUTH CADENCE BANK, N.A.
SHERI ROBINSON, CPA, CFP®, AEP®
DIRECTOR LINSCOMB & WILLIAMS
2100 Third Avenue North, Ste.1100 Birmingham, Alabama 35203 205 868 3331 www.linscomb-williams.com Linscomb & Williams is not an accounting firm. Subsidiary of Cadence Bank. Investment Products: Not insured by FDIC. Not bank guaranteed. May lose value. Not insured by any Federal Government Agency. Not a bank deposit.
B2 • June 2020
Village Living
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VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • B3
CONGRATS to the
class of 2020 Mountain Brook High School
we love our graduates and are excited for what the future holds for you
B4 • June 2020
Village Living
Sports Mountain Brook’s Alex Gauld (2) comes down to make the tag as Jasper’s Mayson Slaughter (12) dives toward second base in the second game of a doubleheader Feb. 28 at Spartan Field. The Spartans defeated Jasper 2-0 to win the series. Photos by Erin Nelson.
Top-ranked Spartans lament lost season By KYLE PARMLEY Mountain Brook High School head baseball coach Lee Gann was more familiar with this year’s senior class than any other he’s coached. That’s because his son, Curt, was part of the 15-player group that ascended to seniority in the Spartans program for the 2020 season. “I’ve been coaching these guys since they were 7 or 8 years old,” Gann said. “They’ve grown up together. It’s been really fun watching them develop over a 10-year period.” But the class held much more value to the
program than simply of a sentimental nature. Mountain Brook, led largely by that senior class, proved itself one of the top teams in the state of Alabama before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the season prematurely in mid-March. The Spartans finished their season March 14 with an 11-2 win over George County of Mississippi. The victory put the team at 16-2 on the year. The following week, Mountain Brook was ranked No. 1 in Class 7A by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. “Those 15 seniors were some of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. We had a lot of
the puzzle pieces to create an extremely successful season,” Gann said. Mountain Brook embarked on a trip to Mississippi on March 11 with a sense that things may be different by the time the team returned home. That night, the Spartans attended a Mississippi State baseball game in Biloxi. The same evening, the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament in Nashville was altered and later canceled due to the pandemic. The following day, the Spartans had a team workout during which concern began to mount amongst the players. “Kids start hearing things, and they started
becoming a little more distracted and thinking of what could be or not be,” Gann recalled. By the end of the weekend, school had been postponed indefinitely, but Mountain Brook honed in and won three out of its four games in Mississippi. That impressed the head coach. “What surprised and excited me about this group was how they stayed focused,” Gann said. “We kept talking about taking care of the things you can control. That was the mark of that weekend. We finished on a really good note, winning the last three games.” At the time, it was hoped that operations across the state would return to normal within
VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • B5
The Spartans high-five each other in the first game of a doubleheader against Jasper on Feb. 28. The Mountain Brook squad was on a winning streak in its 2020 season, including victories over Chelsea, which finished the year ranked No. 1 in 6A, a sweep of Jasper (ranked No. 5 in 5A) and a title in the Perfect Game HS Showdown in Hoover.
a few weeks, but it became apparent quickly that would not be the case. Gann remembers the moment vividly when it all came to a definitive end, on March 26 around 4:15 p.m. During a press conference announcing the closure of in-person education, Gov. Kay Ivey and state Superintendent Eric Mackey also announced high school athletics were canceled for the remainder of the spring. “It was a very devastating time because we were all trying to be optimistic, believing that we were going to play again. When that message came in, it was very disappointing. It upset our players tremendously,” Gann said. The Spartans will never know what they could have accomplished had the 2020 season been played in its entirety. They started the season with a win over Gardendale and an extra-inning victory over Oak Mountain. After an extra-inning loss to Thompson, Mountain Brook went on a tear, winning its next 11 games. That winning streak included victories over Chelsea, which finished the year ranked No. 1 in 6A, a sweep of Jasper (ranked No. 5 in 5A) and a title in the Perfect Game HS Showdown in Hoover. On March 5, the Spartans posted dominating wins over Westminster Christian (Florida) and Locust Grove (Georgia), two prominent programs in the Southeast. The following day, the Spartans edged Bob Jones, the top team in 7A at the time. Less than 12 hours later, the morning of March 7, the Spartans beat Buford (Georgia) 1-0 to win the tournament. “Right then, we knew we had something special with these guys. Holding up a banner of a championship and a trophy, the guys were really excited going into that next week, which ended up being our last week,” Gann said. Mountain Brook finished the abbreviated
“
People will remember this team as a season with one of the best, if not the best, teams to come through Mountain Brook. We competed at an extremely high level against very competitive teams.
”
LEE GANN
season atop not only the ASWA poll, but also was considered the top team in the state — regardless of classification — by Prep Baseball Report. MaxPreps rated the Spartans as the 22nd best team in the nation and Perfect Game USA had them 28th. “I felt like we were as good as anybody in the state, from top to bottom,” Gann said. “People will remember this team as a season with one of the best, if not the best, teams to come through Mountain Brook. We competed at an extremely high level against very competitive teams.” Will Yarbro, Davis White, Harrison Ware, David Stone, Emerson Ritchie, Edward Reed, Porter Phelan, Ford Kelly, Beau Hubbard, Harrison Hodges, Clark Griffin, Alex Gauld, Curt Gann, Edward Berry and Will Baynes may not have left with tangible hardware from the 2020 season, but the group of seniors won’t soon be forgotten. “Each one of them, I can’t say enough about them and what they did for our program,” Lee Gann said.
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Amy Gardner Insurance Agency Inc Amy Gardner, Agent 3900 Montclair Road Ste 350 Mountain Brook, AL 35213 Bus: 205-870-8220 www.amysmithgardner.com
B6 • June 2020
Village Living
Sports Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley
Trying to be productive during this time After about a week of working from home and not seeing any of the coworkers, coaches or players who I’m so accustomed to interacting with every day, I had an idea. I wanted to see what everyone else was doing during this period of self-isolation, self-quarantine, social distancing, whatever you want to call it. During the spring, my typical “routine” is having no semblance whatsoever of a routine. April and May feel like a mad scramble from one game, one tournament, one championship event to the next. And it’s one of my favorite times of the year. However, once we were forced to begin working from home and sports across the world were canceled, the days became somewhat monotonous. Only a daily walk around the neighborhood stood in between a day of working at the kitchen table and binge-watching a TV show the rest of the evening. I was struggling to figure out how to navigate this time. So I reached out to several local spring sport athletes (many of them softball players, of course), asking for pictures and videos of things they were doing without the normalcy of daily practices and games. I received more than 50 responses. Katelyn Murphy and Jenna Lord from Hewitt-Trussville went on a hike. Chelsea’s Tyler Erwin took up painting as a hobby, and Carly Taylor worked on a puzzle. Spain Park’s Lindsay Parker went on a long walk. Hoover’s Brookelyn Cannon and Campbell Hecklinski made Taco Bell runs just to get out of the house. Abby Fortner and Katie Norris spent time with their dogs, while Jordan Moore
went fishing. Mountain Brook’s Sara Frances Berte went to the lake. Annie Kate Parks from Vestavia Hills just sat at the pool, while Kayla Franklin played Fortnite. John Carroll’s Charlotte Phillips, Macey Ogle and Mallory Ogle searched for turtles. Abi Brown and Olivia Woodruff baked a cake. All of this unexpected free time forced these student-athletes to get creative. After binge-watching everything that I wanted to catch up on, I was forced to do the same. I enlisted the help of a few different people to teach me how to cook a few dishes (because my culinary knowledge was virtually nonexistent). I’ve gotten back to reading like I once did. I’ve been much more consistent in staying active and going outside each day. I’m hopeful that I will be able to continue to build upon these things, even as life returns to a sense of normalcy over the coming months. Beyond the random activities, I’ve also been impressed with the athletes I’ve seen remain committed to honing their craft. There are no practices or games, and the workouts don’t look the same, but the number of players continuing to work to better themselves has been inspiring. Whether you are an athlete or not, I hope you’ve used some of this time in a productive manner. As life has slowed down for nearly all of us, “I don’t have time” has no longer been a viable excuse. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of restoring each of our routines. May we look back and realize that we used this time for good. – Kyle Parmley is the sports editor at Starnes Publishing.
Kyle Parmley covering a game. For Kyle, April and May usually feel like a mad scramble from one game, one tournament, one championship event to the next. And it’s one of his favorite times of the year. Photo courtesy of Dawn Harrison.
VillageLivingOnline.com
June 2020 • B7
David Cox, MD • Barry Rayburn, MD • Benjamin Plaisance, MD Michael Wilensky, MD • Munish Goyal, MD • Alain Bouchard, MD
Your heart health shouldn’t wait, even now Don’t delay the important care you need, even at this time When it comes to caring for your heart, Cardiology Specialists of Birmingham at Ascension St. Vincent’s is right here, delivering the care you need. We’re making sure our offices are safe and ready for you when you need care. And we have more appointment options — both in-person and virtual visits. Work with our team to choose the option that’s right for you, and have confidence knowing our doctors and care teams are connected to an integrated network sharing best practices and advanced treatment options.
Get the heart care that’s right for you at ascension.org/STVHSheart © Ascension 2020. All rights reserved.
Specialized heart care near you Appointments are now available 205-660-4174 St. Vincent’s Birmingham 2700 10th Ave. S., POB 2, Suite 305 Birmingham, AL 35205 St. Vincent’s One Nineteen 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Building 1, Suite 106 Birmingham, AL 35242
B8 • June 2020
Village Living
Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis
Trusting God when you’re away from home With summertime comes new experiences, and for many children, it means overnight camps away from home. While the thought of camp is fun and exciting, it’s normal for kids to feel scared of the unknown, especially in a new environment. Will they know anyone? Will they see familiar faces? Will they feel like they belong? My friend Annie works in ministry, and when God leads her into new territory, she calls it “going not knowing.” Annie knows that leaving what’s safe and comfortable and trusting God as she feels scared, nervous or doubtful helps grow her faith. It gives her a chance to rely on Him at a new level and connect with Him in ways that aren’t possible when life feels predictable. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” What this means is God is always present — even away from home. He walks with us and before us, entering new situations ahead of us. By opening our eyes, mind and heart, we’ll see evidence of His hand on us. We’ll notice His faithfulness through the events that happen. If your child will be away from home this summer, here are five
thoughts to help them make the most of the experience. 1. Meet as many people as possible. Rarely in life are we in the same place with people from all over the country or the world. Meeting new people and making new friends in a safe, friendly setting is a big perk of camp, so don’t let the opportunities pass. Instead of limiting yourself to a small circle, branch out. Sit with someone new every day at lunch, and know that the more people you connect with, the better your odds of finding lifelong friends. 2. Remember that life’s best moments are always unscripted. Most of us are creatures of habit, and camp is a place to branch out, test new waters and see what happens. It allows you to meet people who don’t have preconceived notions of who you are or should be. Break out of your normal routine, try activities you’ve never tried, and leave room for God to surprise you. Your worst days may lead to your best moments as you open up to your counselor, your roommate or someone else you trust and have heart-to-heart conversations. 3. Know that all around you, people feel just like you. What feels most personal is actually universal, and if you start to feel lonely, insecure, inadequate or out of place, you can rest assured that you’re not alone. Everyone is getting their feet
under them, especially in new settings, so don’t feel intimidated. Instead, approach people like you hope they’d approach you. Be friendly, encouraging, inclusive and quick to offer a kind word and build community. 4. Know that God is faithful — but also quiet at times. God is best understood by looking back on your life. You may not recognize His presence until you return home from camp and reflect, or when you go to bed at night and think about your day. Only then may you realize, “Oh, that awesome girl I met at the zipline, who made me laugh when I was feeling homesick, that was a God thing. He orchestrated that moment because He knew my spirits needed a boost.” If you look for God’s faithfulness, you’ll see it, and that will enhance your trust for the future. 5. Understand that a camp experience is God’s gift to you — and what you do with the experience is your gift back to God. So be brave, shine your light, come out of your shell and expand your horizons. Amaze yourself by learning new skills and meeting new friends who bring out new sides of you that you never know existed. Trusting God away from home gets easier with practice. It’s something that all children learn at some point, whether they’re going off to camp, college or a
new career. Rather than imagine all the things that may go wrong, help your child imagine all that may go right. Remind them of how God wants to use them — to help and bless others — and in the process, He’ll teach them about themselves. My hope is that when your child returns, you notice a new maturity. I hope you see a new twinkle in their eye, more spring in their step, a more resilient and hopeful attitude. Even if they have some bad days, I hope they feel proud of themselves. I hope they meet friends who feel like family and bring home with them a spirit of love that they continue to share with their loved ones and their community. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, author, speaker and blogger. Her new book for moms, “Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and Connection With Your Teenage Daughter,” is now available for presale on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Kari’s two books for teen and tween girls — “Liked” and “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know” — have been used widely across the country for small-group studies. Join Kari on Facebook and Instagram, visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@ karikampakis.com.
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June 2020 • B9
Schoolhouse Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Jesse Chambers at jchambers@ starnespublishing.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
MBHS ranks high in national 2020 Best High School Rankings U.S. News and World Report recently released its 2020 Best High School Rankings, and Mountain Brook High School earned a spot near the top of the list. MBHS ranked 246th out of more than 17,790 American high schools, placing it among the top 1% of non-magnet schools nationally. It also was the topranked non-magnet school in Alabama. In addition, MBHS was the only Alabama high Mountain Brook High School ranked 246th out of more than 17,790 American high schools, placing it among school to rank among the nation’s top 1,000 STEM schools. It was the top 1% of non-magnet schools nationally. Staff photo. listed at 184. “It’s no surprise that Mountain Brook High rankings based on several factors, including School was once again recognized as one of the college readiness, college curriculum breadth, best in the country,” Mountain Brook Schools math and reading proficiency, and math and Superintendent Dr. Dicky Barlow said. “Our reading performance. MBHS garnered an overadministrators and teachers are committed to all score of 98.62 out of 100. providing an effective, challenging and engagTo see the complete rankings, go to ing education. Consistently, our students rise to usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/ meet the challenge.” rankings-overview. U.S. News and World Report created its – Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.
Graduation ceremonies scheduled for June 5 By JESSE CHAMBERS Mountain Brook High School will hold its graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 at the school’s football field Friday, June 5, at 7 p.m. The rain dates are June 6 and June 7 at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be also live streamed,
according to a Mountain Brook Schools spokesperson. More information regarding the ceremony and access to the live stream will be made available through the school system's website and social media channels, the spokesperson said. School administrators will also communicate updates directly to families.
Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation Supports Students On April 6th, Mountain Brook students began the process of eLearning in response to COVID-19. Through a long standing partnership with the Foundation, Mountain Brook Schools were able to provide a Chromebook to every student at the four elementary schools, junior high and high school as well as the preschool program. Mountain Brook teachers and faculty also utilized resources recently funded by the Foundation such as Seesaw and a Podcast Studio to communicate effectively with families and students during this time. The Foundation was created more than twenty-five years ago to support the Mountain Brook School System during challenging times. Thank you for your support of the Foundation! We are part of a team to keep Mountain Brook Schools strong, whether our students are learning from home or the classroom.
We are stronger together!
Mountain Brook Elementary Principal Ashley McCombs delivers Chromebooks to her students
These Brookwood Forest students begin eLearning from their kitchen table
Crestline’s Liz Fry hands out Chromebooks with a smile
To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.MBGives.org
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Mountain Brook Schools donate food, PPE Mountain Brook Schools recently donated food and medical supplies as a way to help the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spearheaded by Tricia Neura, director of child nutrition services, and Dr. Lisa Beckham, director of administrative services, MBS donated food and personal protective equipment (PPE) to various organizations combating COVID-19 on the front lines. “We’re all in this together, and I just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing,” Neura said. With school buildings closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, Neura gathered food from all six MBS campuses and delivered it to organizations feeding those in need, including Homewood Middle School, Levite Jewish Community Center, Magic City Harvest and the Junior League of Birmingham.
MBJH connects via Socially Distanced Choose-A-Race Mountain Brook Junior High School held a Socially Distanced Choose-A-Race from April 17-21. Participating students and faculty members each completed an exercise activity. They also took photos of themselves holding signs showing the distance they covered and the people for whom they covered it. Many of the 100-plus participants dedicated their activity to the health care workers combating COVID-19. “We’re so active and we’re so service-oriented as a community,” MBJH Principal Donald Clayton said. “It was like, ‘Well, why would we just do this for ourselves? Let’s do this and honor other people.’” Participants could choose to share their mileage total from one day or multiple days within the event time window. Many people walked and ran, while others biked and paddled. Upon completion, they submitted their photos to
Dr. Lisa Beckham, director of administrative services, with items to be donated to various organizations combating COVID-19 on the front lines. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.
MBS donated yogurt, milk, chicken salad, hummus, produce, cereal, granola bars, chips and crackers, among other items. Beckham reached out to the principal at each school to see what sort of personal protective equipment they had on hand. “Everybody was so willing to just give whatever they had,” Beckham said. “We knew we weren’t going to use the items for the rest of the year, and the need was great.” Beckham was able to obtain more than 200 boxes of disposable gloves that a volunteer delivered to UAB Hospital. “When somebody reaches out and has a need, if we’re able to meet that need, then we want to do that,” Beckham said. – Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.
Brook Gibbons, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Mountain Brook Junior High, holds her sign showing she ran 1,090 yards five times. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.
the school via a Google Form. Clayton then compiled all of the submissions and created a video. “Right now the need is for our students to feel connected to our school, like the actual building, the actual place, and to not forget that they’re a part of something, because it’s easy to do that when you’re stuck in your house,” he said. – Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.
Rising senior named president of Alabama Junior Classical League Mountain Brook High School student Matthew Bottcher, a rising senior, will serve as president of the Alabama Junior Classical League for the 2020-21 academic year. The AJCL is a branch of the National Junior Classical League, an organization for middle and high school Bottcher students studying Latin and Greek. “Sometimes I still can’t believe I really got this position, but I’m so excited for what the future holds,” said Bottcher, who learned of his selection in mid-April. After attending his first national conference last summer in Fargo, North Dakota, Bottcher made it his goal to become AJCL president. He has taken Latin since he was in
seventh grade at Mountain Brook Junior High and served as president of the MBHS Latin Club this school year. Bottcher “really has taken to” the AJCL, MBHS Latin teacher Drew Lasater said. “From the time he was in seventh grade, he’s really been into it.” Bottcher started studying Latin because he aspired to be a doctor and knew that many medical terms have Latin roots. It soon became his passion. “I fell in love with the language, grammar and culture of the ancient Romans,” he said. “I find it so interesting and beneficial to learn about the roots of our language and society.” – Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.
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MBES 5th-grader uses time to sew for a good cause Mountain Brook Elementary School fifthgrader Claire Leonard took advantage of her time away from school to help health care workers during the COVID19 pandemic. In addition to learning online, Leonard has sewn more than 50 protective masks for health care workers in the Birmingham area. “It makes me feel good because I’m doing my part and what we need to do in this crazy time,” she said. Leonard grew up sewing by hand with her grandparents and learned how to use a sewing machine about a year ago. When her mother, Elena, a parttime physical therapist at a skilled nursing facility, found out that some of her coworkers needed masks, she turned to her daughter. Leonard started Mountain Brook Elementary School fifth-grader Claire Leonard sewing cotton masks has sewn more than 50 protective masks for health care workers at her home with the in the Birmingham area. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools. help of her mother and sister, Ann Elise, a seventh-grader at Mountain Brook Junior High. hospitals as UAB and St. Vincent’s. “I’m just so proud that she’s taken the iniThe two of them cut the fabric and then handed tiative to do something like that in this time of it off to Leonard. The masks feature different patterns on the need,” her mother said. Claire said she planned to keep sewing exterior and a pocket in the middle for filters. Claire has helped deliver the masks to their masks until they are no longer needed. – Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools. recipients at her mother’s workplace and such
June 2020 • B11
B12 • June 2020
Village Living
Metro Roundup 280 CORRIDOR
Pastor spreads positivity through roadside signs Eddie Burchfield uses his sign language ministry to encourage drivers along U.S. 280. Photo courtesy of Todd Eagle.
By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE On any given day, drivers on U.S. 280 can catch a glimpse of Eddie Burchfield spreading encouragement along the highway. Since April 1, he has spent several hours each day doing his part to bring cheer to others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burchfield, an evangeBrought to list and chaplain, parks you by our his truck at the intersister paper: section of U.S. 280 and Shelby County 51 and holds up signs as people drive by. 280living.com “When all this shut down the prisons, hospitals and churches, I was sitting here in my office praying about what I could do,” Burchfield said. “During this time, it was like the Lord gave me this mission.” An ordained minister, and an evangelist by calling, Burchfield lives off Shelby County 51 in Chelsea. He said at the intersection of U.S. 280, there is a large area with a perfect space to pull off and get people’s attention. He gets lots of horn honks, waves, thumbs up and flashing lights from passersby, saying this is how drivers show an acknowledgment they are in agreement. Many people have stopped to talk to him, and he has been able to pray with several. Some give him water or Gatorade. “I want to be an encouragement and use this as another way to outreach,” Burchfield said. Burchfield made the signs himself, using experience from working at a sign shop when he was 18. He holds one, has two on the back of his
truck and usually has a friend holding another in the front. The four signs read: “Faith Over Fear,” “God is Bigger,” “Jesus Is Our Hope” and “Jesus Is Alive.” He began his own ministry, Fresh Fire Evangelism, in 2006. He retired in 2015 from his job with ALDOT, where he worked for 32 years. He spends his time serving in five to six ministries weekly. He is a chaplain with the Church of God’s chaplain commission, hosts a radio ministry, does a chaplain ministry with the
Shelby County Jail and the Alabama Therapeutic Education Facility in Columbiana, is a hospital chaplain at Shelby Baptist and chaplain with the Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department. He is also chaplain for the Chelsea Historical Society and serves as president with the Central Alabama Writers Group in Sylacauga. “If I can point their attention from their situation of the heavy load they bear and give it to God, God gets the praise,” he said. “The focus is to turn away from the bad and turn it to the
good. It might stir up somebody’s faith.” Burchfield said his sign language ministry is like a breath of fresh air and encourages him to keep encouraging. He doesn’t plan to stop the ministry after the COVID-19 crisis ends and said he will do as the Lord leads him. “I don’t see an end to this,” he said. “It’s another ministry, and it is bigger than just this time. I say all praise goes to God,” he said. “The Bible talks about witty inventions. This is just a witty invention and another way of outreach.”
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June 2020 • B13
VESTAVIA HILLS
Parkside at Dolly Ridge, a mixed-use office/retail development, located on Dolly Ridge Road adjacent to Cahaba Heights Elementary School is planned to be completed in 2021. Rendering courtesy of Harbert Retail.
2 developments coming to Cahaba Heights By NEAL EMBRY Two new developments will soon be coming to Cahaba Heights: Parkside at Dolly Ridge and Cahaba Heights Corner. Parkside at Dolly Ridge, a mixed-use office/ retail development to be located on Dolly Ridge Road next to Vestavia Hills ElemenBrought to tary Cahaba Heights, is you by our slated to open in 2021. It sister paper: will include about 6,700 square feet of community retail and office space with “ample vestavia surface parking,” said voice.com Casey Howard with Harbert Retail, which is handling leasing for the property. New Horizon Development is developing the site. The development will connect to the new Cahaba Heights Park and other Community Spaces developments in the area, Howard said. Thomas Hickman, president of New Horizon Development, said he’s proud to bring the project to Cahaba Heights. “As a Vestavia Hills resident and longtime
developer, I’m proud to be bringing a high quality, much-needed retail/office development in the heart of the Cahaba Heights community,” Hickman said. No tenants for the project are known at this time.
CAHABA HEIGHTS CORNER
John Michael Bodnar, director of Fresh Hospitality, said Cahaba Heights Corner should come sometime early next year. The development includes 8,000 to 9,000 square feet of office space and 3,000 square feet of retail. Fresh Hospitality is moving its offices from Liberty Park and is hoping to lease additional office space to other tenants and retail space to hopefully a small restaurant, Bodnar said. The development is in between Martin’s BarB-Que Joint and Philadelphia Baptist Church at 3009 Pumphouse Road. To keep more traffic off Pumphouse Road, the development will share its entrance with Martin’s. While parking spaces will be built for Cahaba Heights Corner, Bodnar said the church will allow access to its gravel parking lot in exchange for church visitors being allowed to use the development’s parking on worship days.
HOMEWOOD Homewood muralist Shawn Fitzwater of Fitz Hand Painted Signs stands at the corner of 28th Avenue and 18th Street on April 30. Photo by Erin Nelson.
Homewood muralist surprises community with uplifting message By INGRID SCHNADER Shawn Fitzwater’s idea to paint the We Are All In This Together mural in Homewood on the Battle Republic building was a last-minute decision. He didn’t ask anyone for permission to paint it — not even the Battle Republic owners. Brought to He worked through you by our the night on March 27. sister paper: Not a soul was in sight, he said. The coronavirus pandemic had just started gaining national attenthehomewood tion, so everyone was at star.com home. He finished up around 4 a.m. that next morning, and people in Homewood immediately started to notice it. Not only strangers, but also some of Fitzwater’s friends started sharing it on social media the day after he painted it. Fitzwater didn’t tell anyone about his plans to paint the mural except his family and didn’t sign his name on it, so at first, none
of them realized Fitzwater was the artist. “People would say, ‘I was having such a tough day and a rough week, and then I saw this,’ and they’d take a picture of it,” he said. “That makes me happy. That’s what it’s there for, to help people through this rough time.” The community response was overwhelming, he said. “The feedback’s been great,” he said. “I didn’t expect too many people to stop and take pictures of it, but there are hundreds of pictures now. People are making it their Facebook banner.” His friends at Vulcan Apparel Company approached him with the idea to print the mural on a T-shirt — something Fitzwater had never done before — and donate the proceeds to a local charity. They found BHM Cares, a nonprofit that helps feed Birmingham’s healthcare workers. They sold more than 250 shirts and raised more than $3,000 during their seven-day campaign. He and his friends at Vulcan Apparel Company are in talks about reopening the campaign and possibly offering the shirt in more colors. Follow @fitzsigns on Instagram for updates.
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Mountain Brook
B14 • June 2020
Village Living
HOOVER
Capstone Building Corp. finds new home in Meadow Brook By JON ANDERSON After 23 years in Homewood, Capstone Building Corp. moved to their new location in the Meadow Brook Office Park in Hoover in early May. President and CEO Jay Chapman said he greatly enjoyed his time based in Homewood, but he didn’t like the daily drive on U.S. 280 Brought to from his home in Highyou by our land Lakes. sister paper: “The 280 highway is just awful,” Chapman said. He had looked around hooversun.com a good bit for a spot in Hoover, “but I just never did pull the trigger and try to move,” he said. Then he received an unsolicited offer to buy his building on Independence Drive in Homewood, so he got more serious about looking, he said. Meadow Brook Corporate Park is more convenient for the majority of people in his corporate office, and “I can almost see my home from my new office,” he said. Moving to this location provided an opportunity to incorporate new technology into the design of their workspace, he said. Installing new technology in a new space is a lot easier than trying to retrofit existing space, he said. With the move, Capstone Building is expanding from about 7,300 square feet to about 9,000 square feet, Chapman said. Their new space takes up about half of a floor in the 1200 building at Meadow Brook Corporate Park. Colliers International, the management company for the building, completely renovated the space for Capstone Building to include a canteen, exercise room, locker rooms, a classroom
Capstone Building Corporation’s new office space is located at 1200 Meadow Brook Corporate Park on May 9. Photo by Erin Nelson.
for about 50 people and a lot of windows to bring in natural light. The new headquarters will house all of Capstone Building’s Birmingham-based employees — about 15 people — and includes new private areas for senior project managers and estimators. Years ago, the company had quite a few secretaries, but there are none now, Chapman said. With all the technological advances, “you do your own work,” he said. Capstone Building has about 100 more
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employees on job sites throughout the country, Chapman said. The company, which builds multifamily housing developments, has completed more than 111 projects in 22 states valued at more than $1.7 billion since 1997. Its portfolio includes private apartment developments, senior living facilities and public housing complexes. The company’s annual revenues are about $140 million per year, Chapman said. Most of its current work is concentrated in the Southeast, but the company has done a lot
of work in Connecticut and has had jobs in California. It will start a job in El Paso in about a month, Chapman said. In Alabama, Capstone recently began construction on a 250-unit apartment complex in the Wildwood area off Lakeshore Parkway and is starting a 225-unit apartment complex in Gardendale. It has another 300-unit complex in Huntsville and other jobs in Atlanta, Memphis and Tampa. For more information about the company, go to capstonebuilding.com.
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June 2020 • B15
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A Content Series
FINANCIAL PLANNING DURING A PANDEMIC: A RETIREMENT PLAN REMINDER by David M. Foreman, CFP® As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation, our thoughts and emotions often drift toward concern. First and foremost, we hope for the physical safety and health of our families, our communities, our nation and the world. For many, there also is concern for financial security. It can be easy to focus on the short-term pain and lose sight of the long-term potential. In uncertain times like we are currently experiencing, it is important to remember that we’ve planned for this. The temptation is to see the market’s decline for the year to date and to assume your retirement plan has been permanently altered and some different course of action must be pursued. However, when viewed from a long-term perspective, that result most often is not the case. Again, pause and remind yourself that we’ve planned for this.
Have Confidence in the Retirement Plan You’ve Already Put into Place
Warren Averett Asset Management takes a comprehensive approach to our clients’ personal finances, and for our clients, that means we have carefully and thoroughly planned for your retirement. We also update and review it periodically. For some, you’re developing a plan of action to make your retirement goals a reality one day. For others, you’re already retired, and the analysis is
beneficial when reviewing spending, along with the longevity and potential of the portfolio. In any case, remain confident that the plan you’ve created and implemented is one that should enable you to achieve your goals in the long run.
Hopefully, this reminder brings you some peace of mind in the midst of an uncertain time. This comfort can be beneficial for all, but particularly for those who have recently transitioned into retirement—or who are planning on retiring very soon.
As part of the retirement planning analysis, you’ve seen how the portfolio can grow over time, given a set of assumptions. However, the analysis does not end there. The next step, which is a critical part of a welldesigned financial plan, is the Monte Carlo analysis and stress testing of the portfolio. This step brings volatility into the picture and considers many iterations with differing rates of return. Even though the cause (i.e., the COVID-19 virus) of recent market volatility is different from what we’ve seen historically, the type of market that we’ve been experiencing lately would fall within the parameters of your plan.
Your Retirement Planning Moving Forward
In other words, if your retirement plan has looked solid to this point, the recent losses should not have derailed or significantly altered your situation. Again, we’ve planned for this.
As you know, it is important to focus on the things you can control. This focus applies to the spending, portfolio withdrawals, and investment strategy assumed in your retirement planning. If you remain consistent with the assumptions in those areas, in the long-term you should stay on track with your plan. If you have any questions related to your retirement planning, please contact your advisor or reach out to one of ours. We’re available to help you in every way we can.
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For a complimentary assessment, call us or visit our website. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific content to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. A copy of Warren Averett’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request.
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