Volume 4 | Issue 9 | January 2017
Gubernatorial Goal
Former Councilor David Carrington “seriously considering” running for governor in the 2018 election.
See page A14
Key to Success
Rebels’ Luke Champion is one of the first student-athletes to benefit from enacted homeschool policy.
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2017
A LOOK AHEAD F
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, A25
By EMILY FEATHERSTON
or any city, there are years when the focus is supporting ongoing projects or maintaining economic stability. And then there are years for major change. Vestavia Hills comes into 2017 after a major changing of the guard, with four new City Council members moving into the first full calendar year of their term. New faces mean new perspectives, but Vestavia was already on track for a major year of change before the council even took office. In the final months of its term, the 2012-16 council set in motion several major projects, including moving forward with a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31, the construction of a westerly entrance to the former Altadena Valley Country Club property and the repaving of nearly 30 miles of residential roads. The second phase of the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex upgrades is already underway, as well as other various improvements to city parks, but 2017 has much more in store for Vestavia’s parks and recreation facilities. As City Manager Jeff Downes put it, 2017 may be remembered as “the year of parks and recreation.” That is because the Community Spaces Committee, formerly known as the Wald Park Planning Committee, finished its years-long effort to create a master plan for the city’s recreation spaces, and in the coming year, those concepts will likely turn into plans and decisions that will have long-lasting impacts on the city.
See A LOOK AHEAD | page A25
FACILITIES UPGRADES, A26
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, A27
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A4 • January 2017
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About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell Breaking your New Year’s resolutions might be as much of a tradition as setting them in the first place. I looked back over this last year and realized that I don’t think I hit a single one of the targets I set for myself when 2016 was just getting started. That’s a little disheartening, but I’m trying to reframe it in my mind as a chance for growth, not a personal failure. I’ve always had a big problem with failure. Being a Type-A, perfectionist sort of person has meant that even just coming up a little short on a goal could send me into a spiral of self-criticism. It’s never a healthy place to be, and I have to continually be on guard so that one tiny misstep doesn’t knock me back on my heels. But I shouldn’t see my resolution-breaking as a failure — and neither should you. In 2016 I found new goals that I could have never predicted
last January, and I met them. My life took turns that I couldn’t have seen coming, and flexibility is no bad thing. Reflecting on the goals I didn’t reach is also a chance to realize why I didn’t reach them. There’s that famous adage about doing things the same way every time
and expecting different results. So I’m not going to approach my resolutions the same way I did last year. If my shortcomings in 2016 are a chance to learn about myself and do better in 2017, then can I really call them failures? If you are feeling like you came up short in 2016, be kind to yourself and don’t fall into the trap of assuming one failure defines you as a person. But don’t let it stop you from raising the bar for yourself in the new year and finding a way to reach that bar, either. You are capable of great things if you just don’t let yourself get stuck in the same old things.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH A performer in the Magic City Nutcracker dance during a Dec. 4 matinee at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
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Published by: Starnes Publishing LLC Legals: The Vestavia Voice is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Vestavia Voice is designed to inform the Vestavia community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Vestavia Voice is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The Vestavia Voice. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.
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January 2017 • A5
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City Christopher Mareno, center right, and Capt. Jeffery Jackson, center left, were presented with their awards by Tory Minus, right, and Todd Stein on Dec. 6 at City Hall. Photos by Emily Featherston.
Mayor’s Minute By Ashley Curry
Firefighters’ heroism honored with award By EMILY FEATHERSTON Two of Vestavia Hills’ first responders were honored recently for their bravery and commitment to saving lives. On Dec. 6, Vestavia Hills firefighter Christopher Mareno and Capt. Jeffery Jackson were awarded the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award. Consultant Tory Minus and Senior Branch Manager Todd Stein presented the award in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall in front of a crowd of firefighters and public safety officials. Minus said the two men were recommended for their heroism on Jan.
14, 2016, when they saved a family of five during a fire at the Vestawood apartment complex off U.S. 31. The family was trapped behind a cinder block wall, and the men had to bust up the concrete and saw through metal reinforcements to get the family out. The Firemark award is given to firefighters who “best represent their communities through courageous valor and who best demonstrate the firefighter’s selfless spirit.” Stein said Liberty Mutual sales representatives get out into the community to get recommendations for which local firefighters to nominate. They then talk with the fire chief, in
this case Chief Jim St. John, and learn more about the firefighter’s experiences and acts of courage. In addition to the local award, both Mareno and Jackson will be considered for the 2016 Liberty Mutual National Firemark Award, where one firefighter is honored for heroism and one is honored for community service and education. The winners of the national award receive $10,000. Mareno and Jackson expressed their gratitude for the recognition. “It’s very special,” Mareno said, but added the more meaningful part is knowing they were able to save five lives.
Let’s talk about the coming New Year and New Year’s resolutions. Lucy Maud Montgomery in her classic book “Anne of Green Gables” said, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” We will be starting a new beginning this coming year. What resolutions will you make for the New Year? Most Americans who make resolutions focused on self-improvement (losing weight, stop smoking, exercise more, getting out of debt and saving money). Surveys estimate that only 45 percent make resolutions and of those who do, 73 percent fail or have only marginal success. I suggest that we consider resolutions to become more involved with our community. Vestavia Hills has numerous opportunities for volunteers. I recently attended a Library Board meeting and the “Friends of the Library” luncheon. Our library has several volunteer opportunities to consider. The Friends of the Library are volunteers who work together to assist the board of trustees and the library director in addressing the services and needs of the library. They believe that a good library is essential to the quality of life in Vestavia Hills. To that end, the Friends operate the used book store to raise money for library resources. There is also the Junior Board that supports the Children’s Department with volunteers and fundraising. You may have seen or participated in their “Storybook 5K and Fun Run” that was held in October. The proceeds benefited the library children’s department. There are many other opportunities for volunteers within the city. As you ponder what resolution to make for the New Year, consider resolutions other than self-centered ones. Your chances of successfully fulfilling that resolution are better and the city will benefit as well. On behalf of the City Council and all of our city employees, I wish you a Happy New Year!
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January 2017 • A7
Place 2 Councilor Kimberly Cook expressed her concerns at the library board not having representatives from Cahaba Heights or Liberty Park. Photo by Emily Featherston.
Council appoints members to parks, library boards By EMILY FEATHERSTON Making appointments to the city’s various boards is one of the City Council’s major responsibilities, and at the Dec. 12 regular meeting, the decision wasn’t taken lightly. The council made appointments to the library board as well as the parks and recreation board after spending multiple days interviewing several candidates for each. Appointees to the library board serve for four years, while those appointed to the parks and recreation board serve for five. At the meeting, the council voted 4-1 in favor of Mayor Ashley Curry’s recommendation to reappoint Ashley Tucker Hicks to the library board, with Place 2 Councilor Kimberly Cook voting against. Curry referenced Hicks’ experience with the library and the recommendations from the library staff and other board members. In addition to already serving on the board, Hicks is a seventh-grade English teacher at Pizitz Middle School, an attribute that Place 4 Councilor George Pierce said he thought was important to note. Cook said that while she agreed that Hicks had the experience and qualifications to serve well, she had concerns that there would again be no board members who reside in Cahaba Heights or Liberty Park. “I think there is a reason to have some representation from other parts of the city,” she said. With Cahaba Heights and Liberty Park so geographically removed from where the Library in the Forest is located, Cook said she saw value in adding someone “with a different perspective” to keep residents of those areas in mind. Cook’s recommendation was to appoint Greg Laughlin, who in addition to being an associate
professor at Cumberland School of Law, is also the library director at the school’s law library. Place 3 Councilor Paul Head said he recognized that for all board appointments, reappointing someone is a major decision. “To me there needs to be a compelling reason why you would reappoint someone,” he said, and added that in this case, he believed that Hicks’ experience and involvement in her time on the board merited another appointment. Councilors briefly discussed the issue of representation from different neighborhoods on various city boards, with Pierce arguing that as the council is appointed at large, he expects appointees to serve the entire community equally. Cook clarified her statement, saying that while representation was important to her, she mainly wanted to express her belief that adding new perspectives to city boards would benefit all. For the parks and recreation board, the council voted unanimously to appoint Kirk McCulley to the position. Head reiterated that the council was proud that so many members of the community applied for the position, and encouraged those who were not appointed to continue to find places within parks and recreation to serve. In other business, the council: ► approved a retail liquor license for Taco Tech, located at 2409 Acton Road; ► postponed the measure to fund the replacement of the white-way lights along U.S. 31; ► heard City Treasurer Melvin Turner, III report on the end-of-year financial reports, and reported that after pre-paying some debt service, the city ended the 2016 fiscal year with a $423,701 surplus and with $10.2 million in the city’s emergency fund.
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A8 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Board of Education considers future facilities use Moving all middle schoolers to Berry campus not included in 8 presented options By EMILY FEATHERSTON At its final work session of the year, the Vestavia Hills Board of Education continued its discussion on the future of the district's facilities. Superintendent Sheila Phillips opened the discussion by expressing her thoughts on the facilities’ situation based on the immense feedback. She said based on that feedback, she is not recommending the board move all middle schoolers to the Berry campus. She said the concept of a joint school has “not been viewed favorably,” especially by Liberty Park parents. She also said that alignment would continue as planned even without combining the schools. Phillips also said she would not recommend creating a separate ninth grade school geographically removed from the other schools. “To have ninth grade stand alone doesn’t fit our profile,” she said, citing the research she has done into schools that have tried the configuration. She said those schools have generally created stand-alone ninth grades in order to improve graduation rates and have had only marginal success. Based on the given numbers, she said discussion of a new high school at Liberty Park should be pushed further into the future due to construction and ongoing operation costs. Current estimates, which don’t include the cost of acquiring land, price the construction cost at about $50 million, with an additional $10 million for athletics facilities. Phillips said the estimated operational costs would be $15 million to $16 million. After Phillips’ remarks, Brennan Bell presented eight options for the board to consider going forward, with the caveat that the options use currently known capacity and projection numbers, and the details of the options
Members of the Vestavia Hills Board of Education discuss the future of the district’s facilities during its final work session of 2016 in December. Photos by Emily Featherston.
may change based on the demographic study underway. Bell began the presentation by reminding the board of its financial situation. The bond balance is $54 million, and some money could be
taken from reserves, but with projects already in progress, the budget for new capital projects is just more than $37 million. After taking the budget and available facilities and land into account, Bell said the team
looked at what it would take to bring about the ideal student-to-teacher ratio of 19 to 1, they came up with eight options: ► Option 1: Uses the current school alignment and feeder patterns, and does not require
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January 2017 • A9
Superintendent Sheila Phillips said she is not recommending the board move all middle schoolers to the Berry campus, adding that the concept of a joint school has “not been viewed favorably,” especially by Liberty Park parents. Photo courtesy of Bluff Park Drone.
any rezoning. Pizitz Middle School students, grades 6-8, would move to the Berry campus, and the Vestavia Hills Elementary Central students, grades 4-5, would move to the Pizitz campus. The Central campus would then be converted into a grades 9-12 “academy” for special programs, and would be optimized to hold 25 percent of the current VHHS capacity. ► Option 2: Implement a system-wide K-5 alignment, and would also add the academy facility. Vestavia Hills Elementary East and Vestavia Hills Elementary West would be converted from K-3 to K-5. Pizitz would move
to Berry, and VHEC would move to the Pizitz campus and also convert to K-5. The option would require rezoning for VHEC, VHEE and VHEW, but would leave the rest of the system the same. ► Option 3: Align K-3, 4-6 and 7-8 along the U.S. 31 corridor, and create a system-wide ninth grade. This would be accomplished by VHEC converting to K-3, the Pizitz facility converting to 4-6, and 7-9 students in the U.S. 31 area taking over the Berry campus. Liberty Park students would stay at Liberty Park Middle 6-8, and move to Berry for ninth. This would make VHHS 10-12, and would
require rezoning for VHEE, VHEW, Pizitz and Berry. ► Option 4: Uses the majority of the current alignment pattern for most of the elementary schools, but would move Pizitz 6-8 to the Berry campus, moves VHEC 4-5 to Pizitz and adds the ninth-grade wing to Berry, with Liberty Park students moving to Berry in ninth. The plan does not require any rezoning and would take the VHEC campus offline, which Bell said would open the facility open for other uses or to sell. ► Option 5: Create a system-wide K-6 alignment for elementary schools and convert
both middle schools to 7-9, with Pizitz Middle moving to Berry and VHEC moving to Pizitz. In order to accommodate the growth at VHEW, the board of education would potentially move its offices to the vacated VHEC campus. The option also would require rezoning for VHEE, VHEW and Pizitz. ► Option 6: Maintain the current alignment and feeder patterns across the system, and create a new high school in Liberty Park. This would move Pizitz to Berry, VHEC to Pizitz and would take the VHEC campus offline to be used for another purpose. While one of the simpler options, Bell pointed out it not only would require upgrades at the various schools to accommodate for growth, but would obviously require the construction of a Liberty Park High School and associated operation costs. ► Option 7: Create K-5 alignment for all elementary schools, converting VHEE and VHEW to K-5, as well as VHEC and a new K-5 at Pizitz. Pizitz Middle students would move to Berry for 6-8. To accommodate for growth at VHHS, a new ninth-grade wing would be added somewhere on the campus. Bell showed the board the available land where a wing could be constructed, including above the north parking lot, on the school’s practice field, in the tennis court area or directly across Lime Rock Road in the lower parking area. He said there are pros and cons to each option, namely that the farther away from the main campus the wing is built, there may be a need to construct additional cafeteria and library facilities. ► Option 8: Create K-2 and 3-5 alignment along U.S. 31, with VHEE and VHEW converting to K-2, VHEC moving to Pizitz and converting to 3-5. Pizitz, 6-8, would move to Berry, and the VHEC campus would become a 9-12 academy facility. The other facilities would remain the same Bell emphasized to the board that the options are still fluid, and the results of the demographic study may alter the final classroom addition numbers. Phillips said the board would continue to evaluate and listen to feedback and would further discuss the options and the results of the demographic study at the January work session.
A10 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Council approves rezoning for Leaf & Petal development in Cahaba Heights Becky Satterfield, who will own the Latin-themed restaurant El Zun Zun on one side of the property, explains to the council her belief that traffic and noise from the restaurant would not be burdensome to residents. Photo by Emily Featherston.
By EMILY FEATHERSTON The Vestavia Hills City Council approved a rezoning request at its Nov. 28 meeting for six residential lots along Crosshaven Drive to become mixed-use commercial development. The lots are situated between Ridgely Drive and Valley Park Road, and the development plans include a Leaf & Petal garden shop, a Latin restaurant and a bagel shop. The final vote came after a lengthy discussion where councilors asked developer Jamie Pursell clarifying questions, and members of the community were able to speak in a public hearing. Deloye Burell, a 30-year resident of Cahaba Heights and a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which approved the rezoning request in September, said that he and the commission found the development plans to be consistent with the Cahaba Heights Master Plan. “This showed more concern for the area than anything we’d seen for a while,” Burell said. Others echoed Burell’s support of the project, including Abby Brady, who said she thinks it will set a positive example for future development. “This is definitely the type of development I would like to see going forward,” Brady said. Others, however, expressed concerns for the amount of traffic the development would bring to Crosshaven and surrounding streets. Resident Chris Brown said the traffic on surrounding roads such as White Oak Drive already have significant “cut through” traffic of drivers trying to avoid Crosshaven, and said that he only sees the situation getting more dangerous as the development grows. Others, including Lynn Wilmoth, who wrote a letter to the editor about the rezoning, said she was concerned with multiple aspects of the
development, including the hours of operation and noise. After the public comments, Mayor Ashley Curry went through the major issues, asking Pursell and his team to answer the concerns. According to the traffic study done by Pursell through Skipper Consulting, the development is expected to add around 45 cars to traffic flow at peak hours in the morning and the evening, equating to less than one car per minute of additional traffic. City Engineer Christopher Brady said that the development’s traffic flow design, which has entrances off of Crosshaven, is also consistent with the city’s goal to reduce driveway cuts on major thoroughfares.
Councilor George Pierce asked if there were ways to reduce left turns from Valley Park onto Crosshaven, and Pursell said he is going to try to use signage and reminders to encourage drivers to use the Valley Park side as an entrance and the Ridgely Drive side as the exit. Pursell also said that the landscaping, in his opinion, would make the two intersections safer by reducing blind spots. Councilor Kimberly Cook asked if it would be possible to include a provision to prohibit outdoor music, as multiple residents were concerned with noise. City Attorney Patrick Boone said it was possible through a voluntary restrictive covenant, and Pursell agreed to the restriction.
The ordinance carried with unanimous consent, and Pursell said he is excited to move forward and thinks the development will be beneficial for all of Cahaba Heights. Other council business included: ► The council approved resolutions changing the designated signer for the city’s bank accounts. ► Mayor Curry reminded the council and audience that the drought ordinance went into effect at the close of the meeting. ► The council voted to move the Dec. 26 regularly scheduled meeting to Dec. 28. ► An agreement was approved renewing the contract for parks concessions with Turner Food Systems.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • A11
Chamber Chamber ends year with holiday celebration By EMILY FEATHERSTON The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce threw members and guests a holiday party for the last meeting of 2016. Vestavia Country Club was decorated in its holiday finest, and while Santa didn’t make an appearance with his bag of gifts, chamber members brought plenty of door prizes. The chamber board even tapped into the holiday spirit with a “wine pull” type giveaway, where guests could purchase a ticket to receive a mystery bottle of wine, with one of the bottles being accompanied by $100 cash. Proceeds from the game, chamber President Karen Odle said, will be given to a Vestavia Hills family whose child was recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. The December meeting was sponsored by OnTime Service, which provides electrical, heating and cooling repair and maintenance services. Outgoing board chair James Robinson, who works for Alagasco, thanked OnTime and gave one more humorous pitch as he encouraged members to get their gas heaters checked before cold weather arrives. Instead of bringing in a speaker for the meeting, the chamber invited the Birmingham Boys Choir to perform a selection of Christmas tunes. Director Ken Berg thanked the chamber for the invitation, and thanked the city of Vestavia for welcoming the choir’s business office into the city. The “volunteer” choir was a small representation of the roughly 160 member group, and the boys performed a variety of tunes, including a parody of “White Christmas” that drew laughs for its description of Alabama’s
The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce spent its December meeting celebrating the holidays and reflecting on the year. Photo by Emily Featherston.
notoriously warm holidays. The choir, which operates around the Birmingham metropolitan area, is not just about singing, Berg said; it’s about educating young men to be strong leaders so that they will one day influence the community. Berg encouraged those in the audience who have sons or know of boys interested in singing to look into the group’s auditions for January enrollment. At the close of the meeting, chamber vice chair of programming Donnie Dobbins presented the Boys Choir with a check on behalf of the chamber.
A12 • January 2017
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January 2017 • A13
Now Open Publix is now open in the Patchwork Farms development, 3040 Healthy Way. 970-7501, publix.com
1
Great Clips is now open in the Vestavia City Center, 674 Montgomery Highway. 460-1121, greatclips.com
2
Vestavia Reserve Luxury Apartments, 2300 Reserve Trail, is now open. The property offers upscale luxury apartment homes in the Patchwork Farms area, zoned for Vestavia Hills City Schools and convenient to U.S. 280 and I-459. 977-7767, vestaviareserve.com
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Coming Soon Great Clips will open a new location in the Patchwork Farms development, 3036 Healthy Way. An opening date has not been announced. greatclips.com
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Hirings and Promotions Re/MAX Southern Homes, 903 Montgomery Highway, has hired Matthew Williams as a Realtor. 777-8972, mattwilliams.remax-alabama.com
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ARC Realty, 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 200, has hired Kim Dunham as relocation coordinator. 969-8910, arcrealtyco.com
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Closings 7
Mattress King, 1088 Montgomery Highway, has closed.
Fancy Goods, left, and Southmont Development/Morgan Properties were presented with certificates in December. Photos courtesy of Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber announces Businesses of the Year By EMILY FEATHERSTON Each year, the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce recognizes two local businesses, one retail and one service, for their outstanding business relations and commitment to the community. The chamber announced the winners for each category in early December, and chamber leaders, along with Mayor Ashley Curry, stopped by the businesses to present each with a certificate. Fancy Goods Variety on Rocky Ridge Road was named the 2016 Business of the Year – Retail, and Southmont Development/Morgan Properties, also known as the Rocky Ridge Living group, was named the 2016 Business of the Year – Service. The chamber will formally recognize both businesses for their contributions at the Jan. 10 luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at Vestavia Country Club. The criteria to be recognized as a
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Business of the Year include quality of employee-customer relations, quality of employer-employee relations, quality of relationship with the community, support of the chamber’s Program of Work effort and other demonstrations of chamber and civic involvement. Candidates are recommended by the chamber business development committee, and winners are decided by the board. Fancy Goods and Southmont Development/Morgan Properties were chosen based on their “outstanding commitment and service to the chamber and the community at large,” the December announcement said. Of Fancy Goods, chamber President Karen Odle remarked on owner Leslie Self’s commitment to the community, referencing not only her support of local businesses, but her work with Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Self said she was humbled and honored
to have been chosen for the award. “In all truth, I was really dumbstruck,” she said with a laugh, “There are so many great merchants.” Self said she appreciated the chamber showing its support of businesses and appreciation through the award each year. Of Southmont Development/Morgan Properties, Odle referred to owner Robin Morgan and son Rob Morgan’s efforts to bring an entertainment district to the city, and his support of the Rocky Ridge Entertainment District since its inception. “We are tremendously honored,” said managing partner Rob Morgan. He said they were excited to keep the First Fridays events going and keep making the city a great place to work and play. He also said he appreciated that the chamber gives the award each year. “I think it’s tremendously important to recognize hard work and when things work out,” he said.
A14 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice David Carrington, who serves on the Jefferson County Commission, said he will decide by early summer if he will seek the governorship. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Gubernatorial goal By EMILY FEATHERSTON From City Hall to the county courthouse, David Carrington says he has never wanted re-election to be the driver of his decisions. Carrington served on the Vestavia Hills City Council from 2004 to 2010, when he resigned to run for his seat on the County Commission. And after two terms as a Jefferson County commissioner, Carrington said he is not seeking a third term. But that doesn’t mean his public service days are over. On Nov. 29, when he announced he would not run for a third term, Carrington said he is “seriously considering” running for governor in the 2018 election. Carrington came into his first term as commissioner and service as commission president at the height of Jefferson County’s bankruptcy problems. At the time, Carrington blamed politicians of the 1990s and early 2000s for the crisis, indicating that bad deals and decisions were made, and that facing the problem was punted until after they left office, which left the commission that took over in a tough spot. But despite the challenges, Carrington said he thinks the county has made significant strides forward over the last six years. “Let’s be honest,” Carrington said in his statement, “not many citizens gave me and my fellow commissioners a prayer of ever turning around Jefferson County, and it was accomplished in less than four years.” Now that the “mess” in Jefferson County is under control, Carrington said he is considering putting his skills to make the difficult decisions to another major “mess” in the state: Montgomery. “I think we’ve proven that we’ve been willing to make the hard decisions, despite the political implications,” Carrington said. That willingness to make “unpopular” choices for the sake of the people, he said, along with his experience in business, are what he said really make his case for a potential run for governor. That perspective, Carrington said, comes from what he considers a defining day in his life, April 22, 1999: the day he was diagnosed with cancer. “It gave me an opportunity to sit back and see what was important,” he said.
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I think we’ve proven that we’ve been willing to make the hard decisions, despite the political implications.
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DAVID CARRINGTON
At that time, he was running five businesses, but decided to liquidate and reduce his portfolio to just one. By 2002, he had beaten cancer and was running one of the first e-commerce businesses in the area. Having reduced his business commitments, Carrington joked that he “had a lot more free time,” and decided to get involved in the community. After helping with Vestavia Mayor Scotty McCallum’s campaign, he decided to run for council in 2004. Carrington was a member of the Vestavia Hills City Council along with Jim Sharp, who stepped down this year. “I hated to lose him to the county commission,” Sharp said, “but I was excited for him, and he’s done a terrific job down there.” Sharp said Carrington was instrumental in bringing to fruition several major economic development initiatives, and that he thinks those skills transferred to his work with the county and could transfer to service as governor. “He brings in a lot of good financial experience,” Sharp said. In addition to bringing the city into solid financial footing, Sharp said Carrington helped bring about the city’s form of government change, working to bring the issue to the state legislature and eventually to a special election. Sharp said he thinks Carrington’s ability to work with individuals and find compromise has helped him during his time as a county commissioner. “He’s a good leader, and he’s good at getting consensus on issues,” he said. Over the years, Carrington has been involved with Leadership Vestavia Hills, serving a term as president, and has been actively involved
Former councilor ‘seriously considering’ run for governor in ’18
with the Chamber of Commerce and his church, Shades Mountain Baptist. “I’m a big believer in leadership groups,” Carrington said of his time with Leadership Vestavia Hills, and said he is proud the group has a list of alumni who have gone on to serve in many prominent state government positions.
FUTURE FOCUS
If he decides to run for governor, Carrington said he would focus on fixing many of the things he sees wrong with the way things are run in Montgomery. First, he said he would appoint cabinet members who are “outsiders,” not lifelong bureaucrats. “We would get an outside perspective at things,” he said. Second, he said the main focus would be to create a strategic plan for the state economically — to identify what the state is doing, and identify what is truly needed, and what the state could do without. In his time as commissioner, Carrington listed as his major accomplishments the reduction of government-provided services to the private business sector, including the county in-patient hospital and nursing home. If he were to move to the state level, one of the things he said he would attempt to move into the private sector is the work of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC). “For the life of me, I don’t know why the government is in the liquor business,” he said. As far as the budget goes, he said his goal would be to combine the revenue sources for the general fund and the education trust fund. Though the revenue sources would be combined, he stressed that he would not attempt to combine the budgets for the two. He did say he wanted to move the state to a “zero-based” budget, where expenses must be justified for each period — meaning each new period starts at “zero,” and every function is evaluated on its needs and costs. He said this will be a challenge, but that it is needed, and that he thinks he and his team could do it. “We know how to squeeze a nickel, and we’ll squeeze every nickel we can get,” he said. He said he’s had people ask if he would want to “run the state like a business,” but doesn’t think that is a “yes” or “no” concept. “There are business principles that need to be
applied to government,” he said, such as budgeting, but that there are good things a state does that don’t make a profit — like providing libraries and state parks. With regard to the major buzzwords within state politics over the last few months, from prison overcrowding to Medicaid funding and state poverty levels, Carrington said he thinks the problem is much bigger. “All those problems are symptoms of broader issues,” he said. The biggest, to him, is education. He said he thinks many of the state’s problems could be solved if the education in the state was more efficient and effective. “It’s very simple to say, but very difficult to implement,” he said. Carrington described what he considers to be important “macro trends,” looking at the unemployed and underemployed, and figuring out “why.” He said only 32 percent of the jobs in the state require a four-year college degree, but yet he sees schools pushing more and more students away from trade skills and into degrees that are not leading to jobs. He said the focus for education in the state should be “in and out,” with all students getting their high school diploma or GED. That way, the focus on jobs can be “in and up,” with workers moving up into careers, rather than languishing in minimum wage positions that he said should be reserved for high school and college students. Looking at those “macro trends,” is something Carrington says he thinks politicians are afraid of, but Sharp said isn’t a problem for the commissioner. “The big picture doesn’t bother him. He’s able to look at the big picture on whatever he’s on, and he’s able to assimilate that in his mind,” Sharp said. “He’s just good at that.”
UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITIES
Carrington said over the next few months, he will work to get to know more residents in different parts of the state to “better understand the challenges specific to their community,” and that he would likely make a decision about running for governor in late spring or early summer. But for Sharp, he thinks it’s a promising idea. “That would not be a stretch for him at all,” he said.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • A15
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A16 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Hidden in plain sight Area fossil discoveries an example of little-known prehistoric diversity By EMILY FEATHERSTON Central Alabama’s severe drought has left little for nature enthusiasts to get excited about, but one group has found a silver lining to the cloudless skies: fossil hunters. As more of the riverbed of the Cahaba River has become visible, even a leisurely stroll can net several specimens of Coal Age fern impressions in the brittle shale that is plentiful all along the river. One of those fossil enthusiasts
making the best of the dry conditions is Cahaba Heights resident Missy Turner, a member of the Alabama Paleontology Society who said her interest in geology and hobby of collecting fossils has only grown with the more she has learned. “I didn’t realize this, but all of Alabama is so diverse,” she said, referring to the state’s paleontological and geological records. “I just find it fascinating,” she said. Turner’s Cahaba Heights home is filled with different finds from
Above: Missy Turner shows how different layers in the earth are likely hiding fossils from the Coal Age. Left: Frozen in time, the imprints of delicate ancient ferns are now the clues paleontologists have about the history of the area. Photos by Emily Featherston.
the Pennsylvanian or Carboniferous Age, often referred to as the Coal Age because of the large pure coal deposits found in the shale. They include tiny imprints of ferns to large pieces of calamites, the extinct ancestors of modern horsetails that have a bamboo-like appearance. Her calamite fossils came from a patch of forest off Sicard Hollow Road near the historic Cahaba Pumping Station, and many of her plant fossils came from the Cahaba River area. However, fossil finds in Vestavia and greater Birmingham finds are not restricted to riverbanks and untouched forest. Turner said one of her biggest
finds came when she noticed the construction of the 4700 Colonnade apartment complex had dug into a ridge, exposing a lot of shale. Just driving by, Turner said she decided to stop and just see if anything interesting had been unearthed. And there was. “I could stand in one place and it was like, ‘There’s one. There’s one. There’s one,’” she said. “It was just really amazing.” So, despite ending up covered in mud and dust, she loaded up her car to save as many pieces as she could from the bulldozers. Turner said she has garnered the majority of her knowledge from books and forums, and particularly
recommended “Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks,” by Jim Lacefield. Lacefield, a retired professor who taught earth science and biology at the University of North Alabama, leads forums and educational talks across the state to inform the public about the state’s little-known prehistoric biological diversity and extreme geological diversity. “I think it’s a great untold story about how rich all of Alabama, and the Birmingham area in particular, is when it comes to fossils,” Lacefield said. Lacefield said he wrote his book in order to tell as comprehensive a story about Alabama’s geological history as possible, as well as show how rich and diverse the amount of fossilized
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • A17
life the earth beneath Alabamian’s feet is. the Alabama Paleontology Society have catHe said he grew up in the Birmingham area, aloged a lot of the diversity the area’s rocks so he devoted much of the book to explain the hold, Lacefield said it is regrettable that more different types of fossils that can be found in people aren’t aware of what is right underneath their feet. just one Alabama city. Jun Ebersole, the director of collections “Alabama is a state where most people at the McWane Science Center in downtown have a very limited idea of how old the Earth Birmingham, echoed what Lacefield said and is, because of what they’ve been taught in explains in his book. church,” he said, “The whole idea of fossils “In Alabama, we have rocks from all three and having a fossil record is very threatening geologic eras laying on the surface — mean- to some people.” ing, you do not need to dig to get to them,” He said that was another motivating factor Ebersole said. for him in writing “Lost Worlds in Alabama Ebersole explained Rocks.” He said he that much of northern hopes more people Alabama is comprised will come to underof rock dating back to stand and appreciate Because Alabama has before the dinosaurs, the examples of the rocks from so many the Paleozoic Era; the area’s geological hiscenter part of the state tory in the things they different time periods, or the Black Belt is see every day, such we are one of the best as the Red Moun“dinosaur aged” or the Mesozoic Era; and the tain Expressway cut places in the U.S. to find southern part of the through or the ridges fossils. state dates to the time that cut through the JUN EBERSOLE after the dinosaurs, the over-the-mountain Cenozoic Era. communities. While having rock “Everybody sees those rocks, and formations from three areas is unique in itself, Ebersole said, the Bir- some people are able to pass by them without mingham area is even more complex, with rock any glimpse of what’s going on there,” he said. ages ranging from 500 million to 310 million “But if you do understand, it makes that little years, depending on what part of town you are drive so much better.” in. Some areas, including the Red Mountain Ebersole also encouraged residents to Expressway, cut into the ridge and show the full explore the complex history of the area. spectrum of rock ages. “Because Alabama has rocks from so many Lacefield explained much of north Birming- different time periods, we are one of the best ham is upwards of 500 million years old and places in the U.S. to find fossils,” he said, and from the Cambrian Period, but that the area added residents should learn more about the near the Cahaba River is younger, closer to 300 geology of the area if they are interested in million. This means hunters won’t find dinosaur learning more about fossils. bones in the Birmingham area, but instead they Turner said she’s found once you find one find fossils that are even older. fossil, you start to see them everywhere, and Because much of Sicard Hollow and the you may find yourself spending hours leaving Cahaba River is made up Pennsylvanian or no piece of shale unturned. “It’s just funny how Coal Age rock, what fossil hunters find are the they’re just all over,” she said. remains of what was once an ancient swamp. “Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks” can be “Alabama has as good of fossils as any place found at almnh.ua.edu/publications, and more in the world for that particular time period,” information about the fossil collections at Lacefield said. the McWane Science Center can be found at While places like the McWane Center and mcwane.org/learn.
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A18 • January 2017
WHAT’S COOKING
Vestavia Voice
Lighten your lunch without losing flavor with a filling spinach salad By EMILY FEATHERSTON After several weeks of rich holiday foods and with eating healthier being a major resolution for many in the new year, finding a filling but light lunch can be a step in the right direction. Amy Lee, a shift leader for the kitchen at Ashley Mac’s in Cahaba Heights, said she has found from personal experience that when it comes to getting healthy, it’s important to find ways to not get overwhelmed. “Don’t overthink your meals,” she said. “You can eat healthy without having to go crazy about it.” Lee has been at Ashley Mac’s for a little more than a year, but originally became interested in food three years ago when she decided to make a life change. “I knew I needed to make a huge step in my life,” she said. “When I decided to tremendously turn my life around and learn new and challenging ways to eat healthy, I never imagined I’d be where I am today.”
Lee said her job at Ashley Mac’s is her first in the food industry, but she’s found it to be rewarding in more ways than one. She said she has been able to explore her passion for food, as well as learn leadership and other skills she knows will transfer to other parts of her life. When it comes to making the decision to eat healthier, Lee said it’s important to look at the decision as a greater lifestyle alteration, rather than a “diet.” Lee suggested starting by adding more vegetables to each meal. The easiest way to incorporate a lot of veggies? Salad, of course. “Salads are always a quick and easy go-to that don’t have to be boring,” she said. One go-to also available at Ashley Mac’s is a fresh spinach salad with chicken, which Lee and Ashley Mac’s owner Ashley McMakin said is a great light lunch. “I love this dish because it’s packed with flavor and is super filling,” Lee said. “It’s a great way to start off the new year on a healthy track, but also in a fun way.”
Amy Lee puts the finishing touches on a healthy spinach salad in the kitchen of Ashley Mac’s Cahaba Heights location. Photo by Emily Featherston.
SALAD RECIPE:
► 9 ounces fresh spinach, washed ► 1 apple, thinly sliced ► 3 tablespoons dried cranberries ► 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese ► 3 tablespoons sugared almonds ► 1/2 of a red onion, thinly sliced ► One grilled chicken breast (optional)
DIJON VINAIGRETTE RECIPE:
► 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ► 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar ► 1 cup olive oil ► 1/4 cup sugar ► 1/2 teaspoon salt
► 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ► 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
STEPS:
1. For the vinaigrette: Whisk the mustard, vinegar and sugar in a medium-size bowl. Add the salt, pepper and Italian seasoning, whisking thoroughly. Slowly add the olive
oil, whisking constantly. Cover and chill for up to three days. 2. For the salad: Bring vinaigrette to room temperature. Combine first six salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss. Top with slices of grilled chicken if desired, and drizzle with vinaigrette.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • A19
Keeping history in stitches
Members of the local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America work on stitching projects at a monthly meeting. Photo courtesy of Druscilla Defalque.
Local group aims to continue art of embroidery By EMILY FEATHERSTON With the advent of technology and entertainment, many traditional hobbies have fallen by the wayside, with “kids these days” choosing computers over crafting. But one local group is working to preserve one of those traditional pastimes: needle arts. Founded in the 1980s, Birmingham Needlearts is a local chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, founded to foster the art of needle working. From basic cross stitching and needlepoint to intricate crewel embroidery, Birmingham Needlearts works to educate those interested in the craft about the skills and history of embroidery. The small group meets once a month at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and it has had teachers from all over the United States and Great Britain teach and lecture about needlework. “It’s education of all types of needlework,” said chapter secretary and Vestavia Hills resident Alice Turk. Turk said that though the group is small, there is a diversity of experience and interest levels, from beginners to members who are certified with Master Craftsman status. “The skill set is quite varied,” she said. Group meetings consist of everything from lectures by renowned needle artists to tutorials led by members of the guild. Occasionally, the group will work on a correspondence course, where work is done and sent to the national organization to be critiqued.
At some meetings, the group does a program around a “study box” which not only comes with tutorials for how to do the complicated stitching, but it includes the history of the particular style and often actual samples of historical work. Crewel embroidery, which was popular in the 1700s, was the topic of a recent study box, Turk said. The box included actual pieces of 18th century crewel work, which allowed the members to see a piece of history along with learning a new technique. “It’s not only educational, but you get to see samples,” Turk said, which can show the time and effort that was put into embellishing clothing and other fabric in the past. Turk said Birmingham Needlearts also engages in multiple philanthropic endeavors by creating works and raising funds and awareness for local animal shelters, the YWCA and others. When St. Stephen’s works on a Habitat for Humanity house, Turk said the group will create a specialized work of needle art to place in the new home. Turk, who was one of the original founders of the group, said she thinks Birmingham Needlearts is a place where anyone can come to have community and learn a new skill. “My love of needlework has been enhanced by being a member of this guild,” she said, and invited anyone interested to join the group at one of their monthly meetings, which usually take place on the second Thursday of each month.
“We would love to build up our membership,” she said. For those looking for an even more accessible way to explore the art of needlework, Turk said a great opportunity would be to attend the group’s annual lecture in January. Once a year, the chapter hosts a major educational event open to the public to try to spread the craft to a wider audience. This year, Birmingham Needlearts will host Marion Scoular, a world-renowned needle artist who graduated in 1955 from the Royal School of Needlework, winning awards from the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers and the City and Guilds of London.
In her career, Scoular has become the go-to name for blackwork, an intricate form of counted-thread embroidery with its origins in the 1500s. And for those thinking that a lecture about embroidery would be boring or just for a certain age group, Turk said Scoular “is a hoot,” and the event is open to everyone. “We would love to have visitors,” she said. “We welcome people of all ages.” The event is Jan. 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Library in the Forest. For more information on Birmingham Needlearts, go to bhamega.com.
A20 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
School House
Jumping into heart health
Elementary students raise funds while learning healthy habits
By EMILY FEATHERSTON Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but the risks are not isolated to adults. The American Heart Association reports that one in three children is overweight or obese, and that children as young as 3 years old can show indicators of heart disease later in life. Children can even experience elevated levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure, and young teens with high triglyceride levels have even been found to have arteries in the same shape as a 45-year-old. “Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of Alabama children,” said Brittany Price, Birmingham youth marketing director for AHA. One of the leading reasons is the lack of physical activity in most kids’ daily schedule. The statistics are sobering, but in 1979, the association launched a national campaign to get kids moving while raising money for research: Jump Rope for Heart. In its almost 40-year history, Jump Rope for Heart has raised millions of dollars for the association’s efforts to make America healthier, and it has taught millions of kids healthy habits along the way. “Jump Rope for Heart creates heart-healthy habits early on and encourages students to pass along the American Heart Association’s
In its almost 40-year history, Jump Rope for Heart has raised millions of dollars for the association’s efforts to make America healthier, and it has taught millions of kids healthy habits along the way. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills City Schools.
healthy messages to friends and family,” Price said. Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights physical education teacher Jeremy Andrews said students look forward to the event each year. “They’re excited about it,” he said. From Jan. 17 to Jan. 27, VHECH students will not only be fundraising, but they will also learn about
the anatomy of the heart and why it is important to make healthy choices. “And then we get them moving,” Andrews said. Students in kindergarten through second grade will participate in the traditional Jump Rope for Heart event, learning jump-roping skills and doing jump-roping activities during class. The older students,
third through fifth grade, will be participating in Hoops for Heart, which operates under the same model, but focuses on basketball skills rather than jumping rope. This will be VHECH’s second year to have a split event, and Andrews said he expects the school to once again be recognized as a top fundraiser in the area.
For Andrews, fighting heart disease is personal, he said. Andrews’ dad passed away around Christmas 2013 from a heart attack, so the association’s mission is close to him. “They get to see that passion,” he said of his students. Students also are asked to have conversations with their parents about their own family members’ experiences with heart disease, so they have a personal motivation to get healthy. “I think that’s a lot of the benefit of this program; they start those conversations with their parents,” he said. The program also will recognize local heart disease and stroke survivors on “Heart Walls,” which Price said puts even more faces to the problem, and it helps motivate kids to raise money and make their own healthy choices. In addition to VHECH, Central, East and Liberty Park will be hosting events, and Pizitz Middle School will be having a Hoops for Heart program. Even if residents don’t have a student at a participating school, donations can still be made toward the fundraising efforts. “It becomes an entire community thing,” Andrews said. To donate or find out more about Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart, go to heart.org/jump and search for one of Vestavia’s schools.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • A21
VHEE second-grade teacher Elizabeth Carr with some of her students during their Market Day in October. Photo courtesy of Whit McGee.
VHEE 2nd-graders learn money management skills at Market Day The first Market Day event of the 2016-17 school year was held at Vestavia Hills Elementary East on Friday, Oct. 18. Second-graders made goods, ranging from snacks to crafts to jewelry, or offered services, such as golf putting and hair styling. Classrooms paired together for the children to buy and sell among each other. "After the buying and selling concludes, I look forward to the most important, and most fun, part of the event: the Market Day Breakdown," said second-grade teacher Elizabeth Carr, who brought the Market Day concept to VHEE in 2007. "We have a conversation after the market is over, and this is where most of the learning and those 'ah-ha' moments take place. We look at who sold out of their items, and we analyze why: Was it the location? Was it a unique product? We look at our personal financial styles: How much did you earn? How much did you spend? Did you save any money? Why or why not?" Second-graders also discuss the goods and services offered that were things they need as compared to things they want. "We ask ourselves, What need did you see in the market? Was there something you were
looking for to buy that was not available? It is really an exciting and powerful experience," Carr said. "Market Day provides an opportunity for students to build self-esteem and confidence in themselves," said Dr. Mark Richardson, principal at VHEE. "Our students learn that they can do amazing things, and they get to market their work to their peers and teachers. The event also supports many of our social studies standards, as students get real experiences in serving their classroom community through their work and managing their money." The students also enjoyed Market Day. "I learned not to spend all my money because you will have bills to pay later, and there might be other things that you want or need to buy," one student said. Another added: "If you really want something, you need to get in line early because the supply could be low and the demand might be high." These are good lessons that will serve the VHEE second-graders well for a lifetime. They'll hold two more Market Day events this year in January and April. – Submitted by Whit McGee.
Birmingham Swim League swimmers score big at local, state meets During the past two months, Birmingham Swim League swimmers have performed in three meets. In September, BSL hosted its Sprint Into Fall meet at the CrossPlex; in October, they traveled to Mobile for the Vance Rose Invitational; and in early November, they hosted the Speedo Cranberry Classic Invitational at the CrossPlex. Each meet at the CrossPlex included more than 600 swimmers and featured teams from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The meet in Mobile featured almost 400 swimmers and included teams from Lower Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Even with well over 1,000 swimmers coming from all over the Southeast, BSL performed impressively from top to bottom. Homewood resident Jakob Icimsoy, 16, led BSL with nine individual wins, while fellow resident Birch Ely, 16, finished with three individual wins. Wells Ely, 11, Lily Blish, 12, and Isabel Blish, 15, helped to contribute to team scoring by finishing in the top eight of several events. Vestavia residents bolstered BSL’s point totals with Adeline Carroll, 13, Jake Casey, 17, Rachel Morris, 15, Chris Rubin, 15, and John Shields, 18, placing in the top eight over several events each. Mountain Brook residents Lauren Crabtree, 16, and James Hoyt, 18, combined to win four individual events, including the Girls 50 Fly and Boys 25 Free, respectively. Several Hoover residents impacted the team point totals. Erica Han, 14, Dana Mays, 13, Nicole Smith, 17, and Ariana Zamani, 13,
combined to win 10 individual events. Fellow Hoover swimmers Caron Muir, 11, Abby Williamson, 15, and Justin Zhang, 16, also contributed points to the BSL total. To top off the impressive run, BSL swimmers have combined to qualify in 31 events for the 2017 Short Course Southeastern Championship. John Nicholson, 9, leads the team with five new qualifying events, followed closely by Dana Mays, 13, with four new qualifying events. The championship meet will be conducted in February at Auburn University. In December, BSL split between several meets, with the 12 & Unders swimming at the Santa Splash at the CrossPlex; 13 & Overs competing in Nashville; and a few select qualifiers competing at USA Swimming's Winter Junior National Championship in Columbus, Ohio. For more information on BSL or to join the team, visit BirminghamSwimLeague.org or email the coaches at Swim4BSL@gmail.com. – Submitted by Angela Morris.
A22 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
8th-grader moves one step closer to $50,000 college scholarship
Freddie Nelson and his science teacher, Mrs. Spencer, pose beside his winning poster. Photo courtesy of Amy Woodard.
Liberty Park Middle student wins JeffCo Farmers Federation poster contest Freddie Nelson, a sixth-grade student at Liberty Park Middle School, won first place in the fourth- through sixth-grade category of the Farm City Poster Contest. He and his science teacher, Mrs. Spencer, were recognized at the annual Jefferson County Farm City Dinner on Nov. 22, when Freddie received $100 and a gift bag of sketching supplies. Freddie will advance to compete in the statewide poster contest. The annual Farm City Poster Contest is hosted by the Jefferson County Farmers Federation and is open to all schools across Jefferson County. This year's contest theme was "Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet." The Jefferson County Farmers Federation’s mission is to promote and celebrate farmers and agriculture within the state of Alabama. – Submitted by Amy Woodard.
Nicolas Henostroza, an eighth-grade student at Liberty Park Middle School, won the school competition of the National Geographic Bee on Nov. 30, and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The school bee, at which students answered questions on geography, was the first round in the 29th annual National Geographic Bee. Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories are participating in the 2017 National Geographic Bee. The school champions, including Nicolas, will take a qualifying test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will be eligible to compete in their state bee on March 31. The National Geographic Society will
provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state winners to participate in the national championship rounds May 15-17, 2017. The first-place national champion will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the society including a subscription to National Geographic magazine, and a trip to the Galápagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. The national finals will air on television on May 19 at 7 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD, and later on public television stations. Check local listings for dates and times. – Submitted by Amy Woodard.
From left: AK Yaparla, third place; Nicolas Henostroza, first place; and Gress Hickman, second place. Photo courtesy of Amy Woodard.
Students at Liberty Park Middle saving lives through program Students at Liberty Park Middle School are committed to funding blood cancer research and providing help and hope to thousands of patients and their families through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program. In the past two years, Liberty Park Middle School students and teachers have rallied together around their annual Penny Wars competition to raise more than $7,400 in support of LLS. This year, Liberty Park students and teachers feel empowered to do more and have committed to hitting their goal of $10,000. Teachers and administration have stepped up to the plate and are ready to take pies in the face, shave their heads and host a dance party for the entire school as a celebration for each fundraising benchmark reached. But Liberty Park students and teachers are committed to doing even more than funding a
Photo courtesy of Regan Goldberg.
cure for blood cancers like childhood leukemia. Students and teachers are rallying behind two of their own students who have battled blood cancer, Bella (eighth grade) and Lauren (sixth grade). “Thanks to research, nearly 90 percent of children with acute leukemia are now cured,” said Maggie Rountree, campaign manager of LLS’s Alabama/Gulf Coast chapter based in
Birmingham. “But there still is a long way to go. Leukemia affects more children than any other cancer, so LLS’s Student Series Programs provide a meaningful way for kids to help kids. Every dollar really does make a difference.” The LLS Pennies for Patients program is designed to teach children how to set and reach goals and the value of community involvement. Students will spend one to three weeks during the 2016-17 school year on programs they designed to raise funds to help bring about a world without blood cancers. By contributing their spare change and participating in other special fundraising events, they will make someday today. Register for LLS’s Student Series Programs at studentseries.org. Teachers, parents and school administrators may also call Rountree at 460-4932 for more information. – Submitted by Regan Goldberg.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • A23
From top left: Gracie Lee, Lexi Green, Emily Caldwell, Sophie Whitson, Abbey Fore, Peyton Higdon, Olivia McKean, Anna Szymela. Middle row: Libby Thompson, Kylie Swinsick, Carson Horne, Catherine Christian, McKenna Pate, Sela White. Front row: Sofia Wiley, Julia Ann Bratton, Emma Grace Nix, Allison Dunlap, Lizzy Moates, Alyssa Bell, Devin DeJarnette. Photo courtesy of Amy Woodard.
LPMS cheerleaders win state title Liberty Park Middle School’s competition cheerleaders won their second state title at the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) cheerleading competition held at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, on Saturday, November 19. The team competed against several other schools from around the state in the Large Junior High division and the Game Time Cheer division and were awarded first place in both categories. The competition team has put in many hours of work after school and on weekends to create and perfect their winning routines. They have also won first place titles at NCA’s Southern
Miss cheerleading camp and the City of Champions Spirit Challenge. Members of the championship competition team are: Gracie Lee, Lexi Green, Emily Caldwell, Sophie Whitson, Abbey Fore, Peyton Higdon, Olivia McKean, Anna Szymela, Libby Thompson, Kylie Swinsick, Carson Horne, Catherine Christian, McKenna Pate, Sela White, Sofia Wiley, Julia Ann Bratton, Emma Grace Nix, Allison Dunlap, Lizzy Moates, Alyssa Bell and Devin DeJarnette. The competition team is coached by head coach Jenny Williams and assistant coaches Sloan Godsey and Lisa Williams. – Submitted by Amy Woodard.
Geologist speaks to Liberty Park Middle School Geologist Alexander Rummell spoke to the Liberty Park Middle School sixth-graders about plate tectonics and the effects it had on the geologic history of Alabama. He also talked about how plate tectonics produces earthquakes and volcanoes, the stratigraphy of Alabama, the formation of the moon, the earth’s structure and the hot spot of Hawaii. After his presentation, he showed the students many fossil and mineral specimens. The following Saturday, November 19, students and parents along with Rummell, Desiree Spencer, sixth grade earth science teacher, and Linda Rummell, LPMS gifted specialist, met at the Lake Purdy boat launch to see the effects of Alabama’s longest drought and real examples of earth science. They were able to see examples of chemical weathering, depositional environments (when water settles out of the environment), mud
LPMS students learned about plate tectonics and observed fossils. Photo courtesy of Linda Rummell.
cracks and animal prints (heron, deer, raccoon, etc.) that could become fossilized when the water comes back. – Submitted by Linda Rummell.
A Vestavia Hills Elementary West student rides a mechanical bull during the school's Cowboy Carnival in October. Photo courtesy of Shelly Stevens.
Cowboy Carnival raises funds for materials Crowds of kids and parents rounded up their friends for a Cowboy Carnival at Vestavia Hills Elementary West in late October. The weather was great for the school fundraiser, where everyone played games, won prizes and enjoyed great food. Visitors were greeted in the parking lot by games, a carnival bake sale and cotton candy
made on the spot. Inside, guests could shop at the souvenir store and or ride the mechanical bull. Balloon animals were in high demand, and the face-painting booth was a popular attraction as well. The money raised at the event will be used for instructional materials and equipment. – Submitted by Alice Elmore.
A24 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
What to know before kindergarten registration By SARAH TUTTLE Kindergarten registration can be a hectic time that means excitement and change for parents. There are ways to make this process run smoother and easier. Parents of future kindergartners, this is for you. As a parent, the first step to make the registration process run smoothly is to know where your child will attend school. Whit McGhee, communication and PR specialist for Vestavia Hills City Schools, said if you are unaware where your child should attend school, call the Board of Education at 402-5100 with a home address to find out the school your child is zoned for. The next step is to know when your child’s school registration occurs. Kindergarten enrollment this year begins Feb. 1 at Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park. Each school offers all the information parents need to enroll a kindergartner. The best way to get in touch is to visit the school during its weekday hours. “Vestavia Hills Elementary West does not provide enrollment information on Fridays, but we can still assist parents at the Board of Education building,” McGhee said. It is important to know all the requirements needed when registering your child, so you can be prepared. There are multiple requirements for all new students, including families who already have other students attending a Vestavia Hills school. These items are a must for parents to move quickly through registration. You will need the blue Alabama immunization form provided by your child’s pediatrician or the Department of Health. Identification or documentation to verify the age of the child is also needed. “Students who are enrolling in kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2017, and we need some documentation to prove
Kindergarten enrollment for 2017 begins Feb. 1 for Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park. Photo by Emily Featherston.
that,” McGhee said. “Some parents bring in their child’s birth certificate, but a document from a doctor with the date of birth works. Adoption records are also an option.” Parents must also bring three documents to verify their residency in Vestavia Hills to register. A deed or mortgage statement is needed for homeowners. Renters are able to bring a copy of their lease agreement. If a student comes
from a separated family or other court-ordered arrangements, a copy of that is needed as well to register for kindergarten. “We also recommend that everyone bring two utility bills with the address printed on the bill,” McGhee said. “We’ll also accept things like vehicle registration or a canceled check with the address printed on it.” Each of the schools holds kindergarten
orientations each spring as well. After you register, prepare to go to your orientation to get more information and let your students get excited for their new school. The orientation dates for Vestavia elementary schools are April 11 for Cahaba Heights, April 19 for West, May 2-4 for East and May 9 for Liberty Park. For more information on registration, go to vestavia.k12.al.us/register.
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A LOOK AHEAD
January 2017 • A25
City Manager Jeff Downes said pending final confirmation of funding sources, the pedestrian bridge project is expected to go to bid in the first few months of this year. Rendering courtesy of the city of Vestavia Hills.
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
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n the city’s first use of the new Vestavia Hills Listens public comment platform, there was one topic clearly on the minds of residents: traffic and infrastructure. In the 122 responses, there were nearly 100 references to traffic, sidewalks and other infrastructure issues in the list of items residents said the City Council should consider in the coming four years. The most common concerns were about Sicard Hollow Road and Crosshaven Drive, two heavily-traveled thoroughfares where residents have concerns about safety and road conditions.
SICARD HOLLOW
City Manager Jeff Downes said progress on the Sicard Hollow Road project is moving forward and will really pick up steam in the early part of the year. The major concern, he said, is that engineers found during 2015-2016 traffic studies that major parts of the earth beneath Sicard Hollow need to be shored up. If the foundation work isn’t done, he said, the road conditions would quickly deteriorate.
“Sometimes we have to address the symptoms of the road issues as well as just putting a fresh coat of asphalt on the area,” he said. Crews will likely have to dig into the ground underneath to stabilize the road’s supports. Downes said this will likely require significant closures and detours, as well as metal-grate coverings. He said the city recognizes this will be a significant inconvenience, and they are working to make things as smooth as possible. Bidding for the project opened in early December and is projected to begin early this year, depending on the county’s schedule.
CROSSHAVEN
Like Sicard Hollow, Crosshaven Drive was a major concern to survey respondents, and it came up frequently at City Council meetings regarding development in Cahaba Heights. Residents along Crosshaven and on side streets raised concerns over the high number of drivers using Crosshaven to access The Summit and Mountain Brook, as well as those cutting through neighborhoods to avoid U.S. 280. But like many “cut through” roads, a major issue with improving Crosshaven has been the city’s limited jurisdiction. Whenever the question of widening parts of Crosshaven, particularly at certain intersections, has come up, the city has had the issue of dealing with Jefferson County. Downes referred to the jurisdiction of Crosshaven as
“nebulous,” because though in the past it has been considered a county through-road, in recent years the city and county have not come to an agreement as to whose responsibility it is to maintain it. He said, however, that there may be a change coming soon. In late November, the city was “pre-approved” to begin applying for an APPLE grant, or an Advanced Planning, Programming and Local Engineering program that helps municipalities complete project feasibility studies. The program and resulting study would help determine the difficulty and cost of widening sections of Crosshaven, adding turn lanes and other changes to improve traffic flow. If the city ends up being the responsible party, Downes said the city would be responsible for 20 percent of the study, with the APPLE grant covering the rest. If the council were to approve funding for the city’s share, up to $12,000, Downes said the study would take between 90 and 120 days. At its conclusion, the study would report on feasibility and cost, and it also would suggest viable funding outlets. Downes said those outlets could come from a variety of sources, from federal funding, county funding or a mixture of jurisdiction funding. While Downes expressed to the council that he wanted to be clear the study would not immediately fix the issues residents are having, he said it would show the city what the options are.
RESIDENTIAL PAVING
In the fall, the City Council voted to contract with Dunn Construction to resurface nearly 30 miles of residential roads by 2019. The total project will cost between $4 million and $5 million to complete, so Downes said the entire process will have to happen in stages over the next three years. In December, work began in the Cahaba Heights area, starting with Blue Lake Drive and moving through to various roads in poor condition. As work continues, Downes recommended residents check the city’s project page at vhal. org/community/calendarsnews/projects and follow the city’s social media accounts to stay updated on what streets are scheduled for upcoming resurfacing.
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
As one of its final acts, the 2012-16 council voted to approve $190,000 to fund the construction of a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31, connecting Wald Park and the Library
See AHEAD | page A26
A26 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice FACILITIES UPGRADES
A Staff photo.
AHEAD
CONTINUED from page A25 in the Forest. The total project is expected to cost between $1.2 million and $1.4 million, with the original federal earmark covering $700,000 of that cost. The council’s action was contingent on additional funding and grants coming through to cover the remaining cost to cover the city’s portion of the project. Downes said pending final confirmation of those funding sources, the project is expected to go to bid in the first few months of 2017. “With the consideration of ALDOT being the main driver of that,” he said, adding the caveat that the city has little control over the timetable.
OTHER PROJECTS
► Outside of traffic concerns, sidewalks and walkability was the largest topic that came up on the city’s online forum. The 2017 city budget allocates an additional $120,000 for sidewalk construction in addition to the projects already underway. ► Several projects are in the design phase, but have anticipating bid dates in early 2017, including the new fleet-operations center, the Liberty Park pedestrian tunnel and, should the council decide to proceed with building a part at the former Altadena Valley Country Club, the western entrance to that property.
s City Manager Jeff Downes put it, “the year of parks and recreation” is a major expectation to live up to, but between results of the city’s Vestavia Hills Listens survey and the major campaign points during the August 2016 election, quality of life enhancement — primarily through parks and recreation — is no minor concern for Vestavia residents. 2017 was already going to be a big year for the continuation of several parks projects: the second phase of improvements at SHAC, the continued battling of drainage issues and parking limitations at the city’s ball fields, the formation of an all-encompassing 501(c)(3) for the city’s recreation leagues and the possible adoption of a new scheduling software. At its December work session, the parks and recreation board discussed at length the needed steps for continuing these projects, and Downes said those already underway will continue as planned. But for the thing on everyone’s mind — the Community Spaces Plan — the timeline is a little more nebulous. Former councilman and current Community Spaces Committee member Steve Ammons said the plan is the result of the committee realizing that parks and recreation needed to be looked at “globally,” rather than focusing on just one area at a time. With the city’s help, the committee engaged the services of Brailsford & Dunlavey, which in addition to recognizing programming desires, showed the committee exactly where there were field capacity issues. “We know that we have aging facilities, and there is the need for the upgrades,” Ammons said of the original plan to revitalize Wald Park, but added that after looking at the usage and over-usage of
In three separate town hall meetings, Dazzio and the rest of the committee presented the plan to the community, acquiring feedback from those present as well as online through Vestavia Hills Listens.
WALD PARK
The major changes to Wald Park center on the construction of a new recreation facility, a premier green space and playground area and possible additions and renovations to the Wald Park pool. The proposed recreThe major changes to Wald Park center on the ation facility has different construction of a new recreation facility, a premier design options, ranging green space and playground area and possible from 45,000 square feet additions and renovations to the Wald Park pool. to 60,000, complete with Staff photo. multipurpose athletic courts for basketball, badsome grass fields, crowding at the Civic minton and volleyball as Center, the demand for more programs well as multipurpose activity rooms and and the overall desire for green spaces and event space. connectivity, the committee realized there “I think it is an absolute game changer was more to be done. for the community,” Ammons said, “I’m excited about the whole process,” “because you’re not only talking about he said, “and now, after all this time, upgraded facilities, but you’re talking we’re finally able to get it out there. It’s about connectivity,” going to be interesting to see what the With the pedestrian bridge across U.S. next steps are.” 31 project moving forward, and thoughts The entire plan looks at all of Vestavia’s to create walking-connectivity with City recreation spaces, from the Cahaba Hall, Ammons said the grand idea is to Heights ball fields and SHAC to the Altacreate a city center that would be a draw dena Valley Country Club space, as well not only for current residents, but would as the needs along U.S. 31. encourage future growth as well. The plan takes into account the needed Dazzio agreed. upgrades to all of the city’s facilities, “I believe this plan will make Vestavia outgoing board member Tommy Dazzio Hills much more attractive to families said. But the hottest topic is likely to be the considering relocating to the over-thefuture of the facilities at Wald Park, and the mountain area, and the revitalization potential for a new community center on of Wald Park will make the area more the Gold’s Gym property next to City Hall. attractive to developers,” he said.
VestaviaVoice.com The major concern, Ammons said, is going to be the price tag. The cost to complete the In addition to the major entire project is still not changes at Wald Park, the completely known, but committee proposed the preliminary estimaconcept of acquiring tions of completing the property and the Wald Park building next to City revitalization along Hall where Gold’s with the possible Gym is located new community and converting the center are just space into a commore than $37 munity center. million. The idea drew Factoring in immediate concern the improvements and response from to Altadena Valley Gold’s Gym mem— adding recreation bers and employees, so fields and walking Downes expressed at the trails, and the continued Dec. 12 City Council meetimprovements at the ing that the idea is simply Cahaba Heights ball that: an idea. fields, to execute the Gold’s Gym has a Gold’s Gym has a lease on the building that entire Community Spaces lease on the building that runs through 2021, and an option to extend even Plan would cost roughly runs through 2021, and beyond that, and Downes said the city would not $69 million. engage in any “eminent domain” or threatening an option to extend even Ammons said the high engagement to try to obtain the property in a way beyond that, and Downes cost could mean the that wasn’t benefi cial for all parties. Staff photo. said the city would not city would need to take engage in any “eminent a phased approach, workdomain” or threatening engagement to try to obtain the property in a way that ing projects into the budget when funds become available. wasn’t beneficial for all parties. Alternatively, Ammons said the city is in the financial If the property were to be acquired, however, the position to take out an additional bond to try to get as plan would be to convert the facility into a multimuch of the project done at one time as possible. purpose community center with rooms for activities Whatever the case, Ammons said he is confident the and programming, as well as an upper entrance city will make the right decision. that would allow access from the City Hall front “Jeff is really, really good at looking at all the options lawn area. and giving a lot of options to the elected leaders to help them make decisions,” he said. NEXT STEPS Place 2 Councilwoman Kimberly Cook said the plan The Community Spaces Plan, which can be accessed is something the council is going to look at carefully. on the city’s website at vhal.org/community-spac“Parks and Recreation of course is a high priority,” es-plan, is what Downes referred to as a “master plan,” she said. meaning that it is a long way from coming to fruition. And though the funding is going to be a major hurdle, However, at the December work session, the board she said she can already tell the community is likely to urged parks liaison to the council Paul Head to push the be in support of the plan. City Council toward a decision or at least a direction for “I think it was clear from the feedback we got … the department to move. that our residents are very interested in this project and Head said his goal was to bring the issue up to the council within the first quarter, or by the end of March. they’re very supportive of it,” she said.
January 2017 • A27 Downes said there are multiple commercial developments, both known and still under wraps, that may come online or begin construction throughout the year. Staff photo.
POTENTIAL COMMUNITY CENTER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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n addition to the major consideration infrastructure and parks and recreation will receive, Cook and Downes said that based on the council’s major work session in December, there are other important issues for the city as well as economic development projects that will come up over the course of the year. The contract for the city’s trash service will go out for bid in February, with a new contract hopefully in place by March. Cook said the council is working to find ways to manage drainage and stormwater issues in the city, especially in the lower U.S. 31 area that is prone to flooding. Currently, Cook said, the cost-benefit analysis hasn’t found many options to significantly mitigate the flooding, but she said the city is still investigating. Contingent on jumping a few hurdles to relocate the public works facility, Downes said the Freddy’s Frozen Custard development may begin to move forward. Downes said there are multiple commercial developments, both known and still under wraps, that may come online or begin construction throughout the year, and several of the projects from 2015 and 2016, like Patchwork Farms, will come fully online. “From a new construction standpoint, as far as commercial construction, the last two years have been extraordinary, and if we can continue with what is anticipated for 2017 it’ll be another good year,” Downes said. “It can’t beat the last two, but it should be a pretty good year.” Downes and Cook said that projects in Liberty Park, such as the new HealthSouth offices and the proposed retail development, will also continue to go vertical.
SECTION
B JANUARY 2017
Sports B6 Events B10 Community B11
23RD ANNIVERSARY HELP US CELEBRATE 23 YEARS OF A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP
Real Estate B21 Calendar B22
Printing hope, spreading cheer Vestavia woman creates cancer support ornaments with library 3-D printer Ditra Campbell and Library in the Forest employee Derek Anderson with some of the 3-D-printed ornaments they have made. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
By SYDNEY CROMWELL
A
fter Ditra Campbell’s father passed away from multiple myeloma in December 2015, she kept thinking about one of his final requests to her. “He asked me not to grieve. He asked me to stay busy,” Campbell said. The Christmas tree at Russell Medical Center, where her father received treatment, gave Campbell the inspiration to make Christmas ornaments shaped like cancer awareness ribbons. Campbell, who divides her time between her Vestavia Hills home on Sunset Drive and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, started out with wood, in honor of her father’s interest in woodworking. When a friend introduced her to 3-D printing, Campbell knew she could make the ornaments not only more durable, but also in a high-tech way that honors the technological advances that helped her father’s treatment. Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest has a 3-D printer available for public use, but it took about 10 months for Campbell and the library staff to make it happen. “The library has been just wonderful,” Campbell said. Creative coordinator and teen desk clerk Derek Anderson said most people who use
See RIBBONS | page B20
B2 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
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January 2017 • B3
B4 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
The Vestavia Hills High School band sported their favorite Christmas sweaters as they marched down Liberty Parkway. Photos by Emily Featherston.
HOLIDAYS F By EMILY FEATHERSTON
rom choirs caroling on the front lawn of City Hall to Santa riding down Liberty Parkway in front of a fire truck, Holiday in the Hills brought residents from all over the city out to celebrate the season. At the annual Christmas tree lighting, choirs from Vestavia schools performed holiday tunes, the Rebelettes performed and Magic City Nutcracker performed a “mini-Nutcracker” before Mayor Ashley Curry and Santa lit the tree. On Dec. 10, Vestavians got up early to have breakfast with Santa at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, where volunteers arrived in the wee hours to prepare hundreds of pancakes and dozens of strips of bacon. The following afternoon, Liberty Parkway was lined with families waving at fellow community members for the annual Christmas parade.
in the
HILLS Counterclockwise, from left: The weather couldn’t have been better for the annual Liberty Park Christmas parade, where local businesses, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, law enforcement, dance teams and the VHHS band marched down Liberty Parkway waving and occasionally tossing out sweets. A child has her face painted. Miss Alabama Teen 2017 Claire Scott, who is from Vestavia, waves to friends and community members during the parade.
VestaviaVoice.com
Above left: Guests at the tree lighting were able to stop inside City Hall for a variety of holiday activities such as ornament crafting, as well as meeting representatives from local businesses and community groups. Above right and right: The front lawn of City Hall was filled with holiday music as choirs from several of Vestavia’s schools performed before the tree lighting. Below: Families and volunteers at a breakfast with Santa at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, where pancakes and bacon were served.
January 2017 • B5
B6 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Sports
Champion on the court Rebels guard one of 1st student-athletes to benefit from recent home-schooler policy
By KYLE PARMLEY Luke Champion is home-schooled. But he is not sitting at home eating potato chips all day, contrary to some of the jokes that fly around the Vestavia Hills High School basketball locker room. Champion has a full load of classes and has to make time for homework around playing basketball, just like his athletic counterparts. He balances school, sports and social aspects of his life, just like his teammates. When he does not make enough time to study, his grades suffer, exactly like the guys who wear the same uniform he does. Champion is one of the first student-athletes to benefit from the new AHSAA guideline, allowing homeschooled students to participate in sports at the school they are zoned for. “Me and my mom kept up with [the rule proposal] for six months, so when they passed it, it was a joy,” he said. Champion joined the Rebels
during the summer, and head coach Patrick Davis was immediately impressed. “OK, I think he can help us,” Davis recalls of the first time he saw Champion on the court. Fortunately for Champion, he was not walking into a completely unfamiliar situation. He went to school with most of the guys on the team through their days at Pizitz Middle School, and he played with a handful of them in elementary and middle school. “I can see in other situations the chemistry being a little off,” Davis said. “Our situation is very much the other way.” Champion did not know what to expect as far as playing time, but quickly got his chance early on, as an injury allowed him to step into a big role, one he has grasped by the horns. “After our first game … we put Champ in that spot. His first start, I think he led us in scoring,” Davis said. Adjusting to the high school varsity basketball at a Class 7A program
Luke Champion went to school with most of the guys on the team through their days at Pizitz Middle School, making his transition easy. Photo by Jimmy Mitchell.
has been a bit of an adjustment for the junior, who played basketball at Evangel Christian School last year after spending a year away from organized competition as a ninth-grader. Champion admitted he was not prepared for the amount of training and preparation this level would require, but he has adjusted and is showing improvement every day. “He does a lot of things well,”
Davis said. “His ceiling is really, really high, just from gaining experience. Not just every game, but every practice, being in that [environment] daily.” Champion usually draws the assignment of guarding the opposition’s top perimeter player, and supplements that with a well-rounded offensive game. “He drives it well, shoots it well,
finishes well,” Davis said. “He doesn’t have a glaring flaw in his game.” While the reserved and unassuming guard would not be mistaken for an extremely vocal leader, his burning desire to win has been on display since he joined the team. “Kids either have that or they don’t,” Davis said. And he’s got that. That’s probably his biggest plus, is just how competitive he is.”
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • B7
Left: Vestavia’s Thad Smith drops back for a pass during the AHSAA/Alabama Special Olympics Unified football game against Lee County. Smith threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Right: Daniel Morson, Wilson Taylor and Davis Spain. Photos by Kyle Parmley.
Rebels compete in Special Olympics Unified state championship By KYLE PARMLEY The lights came on; the national anthem was played; the starting lineups were announced; cheerleaders made their presence known, and the game began. That process began every game of the Super 7, including the opening act of the football state championship event in Auburn, as Vestavia Hills participated in the AHSAA/Alabama Special Olympics Unified football game against Lee County. The game was moved to Auburn University’s indoor football facility due to the rain, but arrangements quickly were made to give players a game-like atmosphere. Parents and supporters lined up and created a lane for the players to run through onto the field, as the teams were introduced over the loudspeaker. After the coin toss, the Rebels received the
ball first. On the opening drive of the game, Thad Smith launched a 38-yard pass into the waiting arms of Andrew Knight for a Vestavia touchdown. Lee County responded with consecutive touchdowns to take a 12-7 lead, but the Rebels responded on the final play of the first half. They drove the length of the field, before Smith converted a 1-yard scoring pass, once again to Knight, to give Vestavia a 13-12 halftime lead. Vestavia Hills mustered just a safety in the second half, as Lee County won the Unified championship game for the second year in a row, 18-15. The Rebels had a pair of possessions late in the fourth quarter with a chance to win but were unable to convert with the pressure mounting. Smith finished the day 8-of-28 passing for 175 yards and two touchdowns in a remarkable performance. Knight caught six passes for
115 yards. Harris Baker had a 5-yard rush and caught a 4-yard pass. Parker Turner caught a 31-yard pass. Knight and Turner combined for three interceptions. Philip Trawick, Jake Pratt, Davis Spain, Wilson Taylor, Daniel Morson, Jamarkese Moore, Ian Waugh and Christian Millan-Salinas also participated for Vestavia. Terry Tingle and Todd Evans coached the team. “I’m extremely proud of our team, because we didn’t even know how to snap the football; we didn’t know how to put on flags when we first started,” Tingle said after the game. “We didn’t know Thad was going to be such a great quarterback. We didn’t know that these guys would mesh so well, and it’s just been a joy to coach.” According to the Special Olympics website, Unified Sports “joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: Training
together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.” But sometimes, it’s not the details that matter. A state championship football game was played, and the Rebels set out to compete. They did just that. “These three [general education students] — with Andrew Knight, Harris Baker and Parker Turner — these guys have been outstanding with our kids,” Tingle said. “They’ve been patient. They’ve put a competitive spirit within our guys. As you saw in the game, it was pretty intense. We were right on the doorstep [at the end]. It was like coaching any other football game.” Tingle credited Buddy Anderson, head coach of the high school’s football program, for the initial idea to form the team and his support in the form of equipment and attendance at the championship game. “It’s been awesome for our kids,” Tingle said.
B8 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
The court at Vestavia Hills High School’s competition gymnasium was renamed to honor Fran Braasch and George Hatchett during a Dec. 2 dedication ceremony. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
Former coaches deflect praise, cite players for accomplishments By KYLE PARMLEY The words “Braasch-Hatchett Court” are now painted on the back wall of the Vestavia Hills High School competition gymnasium now, the basketball floor having been dedicated to the two individuals most responsible for building the boys and girls varsity programs into premiere ones, among the state’s best. However, neither Fran Braasch nor George Hatchett sees it as an individual honor. At the court dedication ceremony Dec. 2, where Hatchett and Braasch were honored along with the 1992 boys and 1987 girls state championship teams, each attributed their success to the players. Braasch had but one losing season in her 23 years at Vestavia Hills, including five Final
Four appearances and the state championship. “The kids took pride in that, and we wanted to win, and winning was important,” Braasch said. “But more than anything, we emphasized that we’re going to work to be the best we can be.” She said she was caught “totally off guard” when told of the court dedication plans. “None of this would’ve happened if it weren’t for the players,” Braasch said. “It was truly because of the kids that came through the program. I had some awesome students, athletes and players.” Braasch gave an immense amount of credit to Debra Broome, who served as an assistant coach and is still teaching and coaching at Vestavia Hills today. “She was everything … I cannot say enough about her,” Braasch said.
Laura Casey, who played for Braasch and coaches the Lady Rebels, finds the honor fitting for the longtime successful coaches. “I’m thrilled. It couldn’t happen to a better coach,” Casey said. Hatchett won a pair of championships in his time with the Rebels as well, winning it all in 1992 and again in 2009. The honor of the court reflecting his namesake is one thing, but he also enjoyed being able to see student-athletes of years past come back to celebrate the evening. “I’m very humbled and honored by it,” Hatchett said. “The biggest thing is it’s a recognition for a lot of hard work by a lot of good players.” The longtime coach boasts a powerful resume, accumulating more than 550 wins in a career that began at Fairfield High School
in 1974 and 35 years with the Rebels. He advanced to four Final Fours and won two state championships and was named the state’s Coach of the Year in both seasons. “I appreciate the whole thing,” Hatchett said. “Vestavia Hills High School has been good to me.” Rebel head coach Patrick Davis has taken on the task of following Hatchett and has consistently praised the positive condition the program was left in upon Hatchett’s retirement. He has a longstanding relationship with Hatchett and was able to put names to faces of many stories he’s heard from past years. “It was a cool thing for me to get to meet some of those folks, some of those names that I have heard about around here,” Davis said. “It was a good thing to get to honor those teams and those coaches. That was a cool night.”
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • B9 Vestavia Hills UMC staff lead a special service for members with memory loss and their caregivers. Photo by Sarah Tuttle.
VHUMC starts memory-care Sacred Connections service By SARAH TUTTLE Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church has started a new memory-care service in addition to its multiple services and ministries. The Sacred Connections special worship service was created for people who have memory care needs or physical limitations, as well as for their caretakers. The service at VHUMC consists of singing many old familiar hymns and songs. Well-known scripture and a message also are included in the service.
“We started Sacred Connections as a way to help people with memory loss issues reach back into the depths of their soul and to remember how much they matter to God,” said the Rev. Dr. William B. Brunson, VHUMC senior minister. “It is beautiful to see how they reconnect with their faith as they sing familiar hymns, quote the creeds and recite [and] pray the Lord’s Prayer.” The Sacred Connections service is every third Thursday at 10:30 a.m. VHUMC encourages people to bring any friends or family
members who could benefit from this service. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church also offers Alzheimer’s support group meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are for family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease. “Alzheimer’s and dementia often take the memories of our loved ones, but that doesn’t mean that we love them less, or that God loves them less,” Brunson said. “The Sacred Connections service helps our church reach out
and share God’s love with some of his most precious children.” Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church offers other types of services on Sundays. VHUMC offers a traditional service at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is a Word and Table service at 9:45 a.m. and a contemporary service at 11 a.m. A Sunday evening service is also offered at 5 p.m. For more information about memory care and other services at VHUMC, go to vhumc. org.
B10 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Events Life Time Fitness to hold New Year’s Day run By SYDNEY CROMWELL
Photo courtesy of Life Time Fitness.
Take the first step to getting healthier in 2017 with Life Time Fitness’ annual Commitment Day 5K. The Commitment Day run is on New Year’s Day at 44 Life Time Fitness locations across the country, including Vestavia’s location in Patchwork Farms. Vestavia Hills run coordinator and coach Danny Haralson said the goal of the run
is making a “commitment to fitness,” so they don’t award age group prizes for top performers. “It starts the new year off with an achievement — running a 5K — and is the only New Year’s Day 5K in the area,” Haralson said. The run begins at 8 a.m., and with Healthy Way now completely open, Haralson said Life Time has changed the 3.1mile route to be smoother and pass through
different neighborhoods. About 150 area runners participated in last year’s Commitment Day 5K in Vestavia Hills. The entry fee for adults is $30, with children under age 12 participating free with a paid adult. All runners receive a T-shirt and club access, and the race is followed by a party in the Life Time Fitness gym. For more information, go to commitmentday.com/Alabama/vestaviahills.
Library sets up resolution tree By SYDNEY CROMWELL It’s time to start working on your New Year’s resolutions. If you have a big goal in mind but aren’t sure how to get started, the staff at Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest is ready to help. In early December, the library staff created a cardboard “resolution tree” in the lobby window. The tree will stay through the month of January. Patrons are invited to write their resolutions on paper leaves to add to the tree. Library marketing manager Holly Turner said the staff will read every resolution added to the tree and find suggestions such as books, library programs and other resources to help their patrons keep their goals. These suggestions will be posted on the Library in the Forest Facebook page, as well as a
display at the front of the library. Turner said a few of the resolutions so far have included traveling more, writing a book, practicing yoga, eating more vegetables and making a scrapbook of 2016. A few of the library’s educational programs for adults in January include oneon-one tutorials in basic computer use and group classes in Microsoft products, family yoga, introduction to 3-D printing, Apple products, tai chi, weight management, using email, Facebook, blogging, meditation and vinyl cutting. There are also regular reading, crafting and writing groups that meet at the library and a lunch series devoted to different health topics. Learn more about library programs in the Vestavia Voice calendar, or call the library at 978-0158.
A few resolutions added to leaves on the Library in the Forest’s “resolution tree.” Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • B11
Community Rotary recognized for service to MS Society By EMILY FEATHERSTON The Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary was recognized in early December for an expression of their motto, “Service Above Self.” The National Multiple Sclerosis Society visited the group’s meeting to thank the club for its support of the organization, and to recognize a few members for going above and beyond. In early November, the Society received a request from an MS patient for a new air conditioner and reached out to the club to see if it could help. For MS patients, heat is the enemy, as it will worsen symptoms, said Laura Pemberton, marketing and communication manager for the Alabama-Mississippi chapter of the society. “It really incapacitates them,” she said. Charlie Conklin, owner of Sentry Heating and Air, went out with members and his staff to see about installing the window unit after the club gained a grant from the Rotary Foundation to assist. When they arrived at the woman’s house, Conklin said they noticed the house had a full heating and air unit, but it broke several years ago and was beyond repair. They also found out the woman had been using space heaters in the winter, something
Conklin said is a major fire risk. That’s when Conklin said he decided to see if there was any way to replace the woman’s unit. Thanks to collaboration between several companies and individuals, there was. WeatherTech donated the Carrier unit, and Conklin donated his staff’s time to install it. Once that process began, the team realized the ductwork and insulation was not up to code, and Duct Doctor agreed to donate that work. Charley Long, another Rotary member who was onsite to help, said everyone was more than willing to help when asked. “I felt like, with the assistance of everybody else, we could go a little farther than we had originally planned,” Conklin said. In total, the Rotary members provided a service that would have cost between $10,000 and $11,000. Conklin said he was just happy they were able to make her life a little easier. “It’s fortunate we’re able to do something like this,” Conklin said. At the presentation, Society senior manager for client services Aquilla Stanback said the service will have a tremendous impact. “We are so grateful to Sentry and to the Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club for making this project possible.”
Participants in the Southern Classic swim meet. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Swim League.
Birmingham Swim League to host Southern Classic meet Birmingham Swim League, a USA sanctioned swim club, will host a competition at the Birmingham CrossPlex January 20-22. Swimmers from Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, Trussville and other cities across Alabama will be competing in events ranging from the 50-yard freestyle to the 400-yard individual medley and more. For some swimmers, this will be the first chance to compete in year-round swimming,
while others are seasoned veterans of the sport and preparing for national level competitions. Birmingham Swim League offers swim lessons with innovative technique and skills instruction from professional coaches for all ages and ability levels. For more information, call 823-5512 or email the coaches at swim4bsl@gmail.com. – Submitted by Birmingham Swim League.
VLO hosts 3rd annual Rebel Yell Icebreaker The Vestavia Lacrosse Organization will host the third annual Rebel Yell Icebreaker High School lacrosse tournament Jan. 28 at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex. This tournament has been growing each year, and for the first time it will include girls high school lacrosse teams as well as boys. VLO is expecting at least 12 different high school teams from throughout the state to participate, including both the Vestavia Hills High
School varsity boys and girls teams. At noon during the tournament, VLO will host a youth shoot for the loot fastest lacrosse shot contest (judged by radar gun), whereby any child under high school age can compete in age and gender-based groups. The winners will receive $50 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift certificates. Updated information about the tournament can be found on vestavialax.com. – Submitted by Lorrie Hargrove.
B12 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
TION C E S IAL
SPEC
n e m o W IN
S S E N I S BU 2017 VESTAVIA HILLS Running a business takes ambition, smarts and a lot of drive. The women who run businesses in Vestavia Hills have all three, plus a passion for what they do. From retail and food to health care and fitness, our annual Women In Business feature is a chance to get to know some of the faces behind the success of many of the businesses in our area.
DR. CHRISTINE ABENOJA ABENOJA ORTHODONTICS new technology, to be Every time Dr. Christine Abenoja takes off a cutting edge, to grow and build and serve the way patient’s braces, it feels like a victory. She’s not I envision,” the Mountain Brook resident said. just giving them straight Abenoja said the teeth, but confidence that can last a lifetime. patients at her Liberty ► WHERE: 8000 Liberty Park practice are fun to Abenoja graduated Parkway with a Doctor of Dental work with, whether it’s ► CALL: 969-1969 children who are coming in Medicine degree from the ► WEB: bracesbham.com for their first set of braces University of Connecticut in 2005 and obtained a Master’s of or adults wanting to improve their smile. Science and certificate in orthodontics Though there are many good orthodontists in Birmingham, she said it’s her attention from the University of Alabama at to detail that sets her apart, along with Birmingham in 2008. She and her sixthe American Board of Orthodontics person staff see patients “ages 6 to 82” and treat a variety of orthodontic board certification she received in 2015, problems, including alignment, bite the highest standard in orthodontics. Only 25 percent of orthodontists in the and jaw issues, sleep apnea and U.S. are board certified. temporomandibular disorder (TMD). “A beautiful smile, that translates into “Having my own practice really allows confidence can open doors,” she said. me to practice the way I want to, to try
EMILY TUTTLE-SHELL BISTRO V Emily Tuttle-Shell and her staff at Bistro V in Vestavia are creating delicious and fresh seasonal dishes to serve to the community. Tuttle-Shell is proud to work in Vestavia and has a long history with restaurants in the area. “I actually got started in the restaurant industry at Klingler’s Bakery right down the way from us, and I have worked in restaurants ever since then,” Tuttle-Shell said. “I worked in this building when it was City Hall Diner, and when the owner passed away we decided we could open a restaurant together.” Tuttle-Shell said that as a woman in the restaurant industry, she loves seeing her daily goals accomplished and just being able to do a great job for others. “I’m just proud of consistently hitting my daily goals, and I am proud that I am a woman with a family who is able to do this,” Tuttle-Shell said. “This job is awesome and challenging; I love it. I love the service and making people’s day and making their event or anniversary, and as a woman I am proud I can get those things done because it hasn’t always been that way.” Tuttle-Shell is especially thankful for a certain group of her staff. “I am so thankful for all of the women who work here with me,” said TuttleShell. “They are the backbone of the restaurant, they help me daily and they keep up with what my goals are and we get it done. They’re awesome, some of them are mothers, some of them are in school and some of them have two jobs and we all just work hard. They are all servers in the front of the house. They are the ambassadors of this restaurant and they do an amazing job.” Another woman Tuttle-Shell is thankful for is her grandmother, who is the source of her passion for cooking and serving. “I do the desserts here, and she is my main
inspiration when it comes to that. She will cook like eight desserts on holidays for 16 people,” Tuttle said. Tuttle-Shell and the staff at Bistro V also pride themselves on serving Vestavia dishes made with fresh local ingredients. “Our menu is seasonal,” Tuttle-Shell said. “We get whatever is available locally and use as much local organic produce as we can get. We get our produce from the farmers markets, and our menu reflects the season we are in.” Bistro V is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and they also host a plethora of events in their
► WHERE: 521 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 823-1505 ► WEB: bistro-v.com restaurant in Vestavia serving customized catering menus for each event.
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
January 2017 • B13
LORIE FLANEGAN, MADELYN CROSBY CHAMPION LATIN & BALLROOM Champion Latin & Ballroom teachers Lorie Flanegan and Madelyn Crosby want to get Vestavia moving. Both teachers discovered Champion Latin & Ballroom in the same way but at different times, thanks to Groupon. “I have been dancing my whole life but my boyfriend at the time bought me a Groupon for us to dance together,” Flanegan said. “Right before the expiration date I showed up with him and [owner] Sterling [Burroughs] saw that I might be talented and asked if I wanted to teach. That is how it started about four or five years ago.” Crosby has a similar story of discovery. “My passion for dancing began when I lived in South America for four years,” Crosby said. “There I was introduced to the rhythm dances, and I came into the studio about three years ago with a mutual friend of ours and fell back in love with dancing. “A couple of years later I was in the same situation as Lorie, I got a Groupon from my husband and I ended up leaving him at home after the second or third lesson and Sterling saw that I also might be talented.” Both Crosby and Flanegan want the community to know that Champion Latin & Ballroom has a laid-back atmosphere where it is fun to learn. “Most people are afraid to come by themselves, and that shouldn’t be the case,” Crosby said. “You don’t have to have a partner to come dance. Just come on in. Everybody is nervous coming to dance for the first time, and there is no need to be. It is not the high-stress environment people think it is; it is a lot more laid-back and fun and casual.” The studio offers a plethora of different options to learn how to dance. “We have introductory packages for beginners that are a really good way to get started, because it gives you the opportunity to see our group classes and our private lessons and determine if you would like to do both or if you just one to do one or the other,” Flanegan said. “Some people really like to combine them because you typically learn the steps in the group classes and then fine-tune them in the private lessons.”
► WHERE: 2531 Rocky Ridge Road ► CALL: 994-6457 ► WEB: championlatin.com They also offer enjoyable options for groups of friends, clubs or organizations. “Another popular thing we do is what we like to call
“Grouples,” Flanegan said. “This is a class for a group of couples or friends who want to come in and learn. This is a private group class that can be as many couples you want or as few as you want.” They even offer exercise and fitness classes geared toward dancers. “We offer stretch and exercise classes as well,” Crosby said. “Our stretch class is kind of like yoga but geared more toward dancers to stretch your muscles used for dancing. It lasts about 40 minutes. We also have a tone class that really works on your core, legs and arms.”
DR. JULIE C. HARPER DERMATOLOGY AND SKIN CARE CENTER OF BIRMINGHAM Julie C. Harper, MD, of Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham, which has been in Vestavia for eight years, was drawn to her profession as a result of her own skin concerns as a teenager suffering with acne. Her dermatologist helped her so much that it inspired her to do the same for others. She spent seven years in practice at UAB, but after having a family found that her own practice allowed her to have more control of her work schedule. Her work enables her to give back to her patients and the community. “I strive to offer really superb, comprehensive dermatologic care to my patients. I like to be a supporter of the Vestavia ► WHERE: 2470 community. My faith Rocky Ridge Road prompts me to really love ► CALL: 978-3336 my patients and to treat ► WEB: bhamderma them even better,” she tology.com said. Harper is a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where she practiced full-time for seven years before opening her own practice in Vestavia Hills. She received her medical degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine, and went on to complete an internship in Internal Medicine. She completed her dermatology residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia and her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University. Harper is founding director and president of the American Acne and Rosacea Society. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Acne Work Group and recently co-authored national guidelines for the treatment of acne. Harper speaks nationally on the subjects of acne and rosacea and has recently been invited to both Germany and Brazil to share her expertise.
B14 • January 2017
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Vestavia Voice
IRMGARD KLINGLER, MICHELLE WITHERINGTON, CHLOE SELLERS KLINGLER’S CAFE Irmgard Klingler moved to the United States from Germany in 1954. Food was something she immediately found comfort in with this transition. That led her to found Klingler’s Cafe with her husband, Richard Middleton, in 1982. The cafe opened its location in Vestavia Hills in the summer of 1991. This family-owned and operated business has kept family as the foundation. The couple’s daughter, Michelle Witherington, is coowner and manager of the cafe as she works in all areas of the business. Witherington’s daughter, Chloe Sellers, works the register every Sunday next to her mother and helps carry on the family tradition. “I have always been involved with the family business,” Witherington ► WHERE: 621 Montgomery Highway said. “Even ► CALL: 823-4560 when I was ► WEB: klinglers.com at Auburn University, I would come home on the weekends to work.” Klingler’s Cafe has been described as European with an American twist. Little bits of Germany are hung on the walls throughout the cafe. “The cafe is a combination of both my father’s Southern roots and my mother’s German heritage,” Witherington said. “This is apparent in our menu mix from Southern Pecan Chicken Salad to our Smoked Bratwurst Platters and explains the uniqueness of our menu.” Witherington has always been involved with the food industry. Her first job was fish frying at demos in grocery stores when she was just 15 years old. Now continuing in the family business, the food industry is one she has never escaped. “I love being a part of this business,” Witherington said. “I love the demands, the rewards, the chaos, our customers, vendors and our staff.” The menu at Klingler’s Cafe is constantly changing by tweaking traditional family recipes. Witherington
also keeps the menu full of new items with her creative skills and mindset. She has won many awards for her designs as she handles all the catering and special events. “I need the structure to keep me focused and respect the importance of consistency but thrive on the creativity, there are no limits,” Witherington said. “I love the creativity in designing new menus, creating new products, planning parties but at the same time ensuring that we meet our customer’s expectations in consistency.” Kingler’s Cafe has been in business and supported by the community now for 29 years. The cafe was
nominated by Alabama Travel and Tourism for “The Best Thing to Eat in Alabama,” for its Black Forest Torte cake. Food Network has also filmed at Klingler’s recently. The cafe has more honors and features coming in the next year as they continue to grow. “We provide a unique and memorable experience. It’s about the food but not just the food,” Witherington said. “The experience is reflected in the ambiance and the service too. There is only one Klingler’s and the experience can never be duplicated.” Klingler’s Cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ASHLEY MORAN MORAN’S ROCKY RIDGE HARDWARE At Rocky Ridge Hardware, Ashley Moran is sharing her love of do-it-yourself projects through a unique medium: chalk paint. Rocky Ridge Hardware opened in the 1980s and Ashley Moran’s husband, Dan, purchased the shop in 2013. Since then, Moran said she had been interested in finding a way to get involved in the store but with four children, being a fulltime employee wasn’t an option. In 2015, Rocky Ridge Hardware began carrying Amy Howard chalk paint, and Moran saw her opportunity. “That sounded like something that was right up my alley,” she said. Moran attended Amy ► WHERE: 3354 Morgan Howard training courses to Drive learn more about how to ► CALL: 979-5444 use the paint and different ► WEB: rockyridgehard ways to transform ware.com furniture. She created a niche in the store by using her knowledge to teach other aspiring do-it-yourselfers. “It really taught me to expand on my love for getting my hands dirty,” Moran said. “It’s a real inexpensive way to take something you might not want or need or think you may be able to use, and transform it into something you can use.” Since the hardware store began stocking this paint, Moran started hosting one daytime and one evening class a month, along with one-on-one consultations, so customers can see how the paints look, feel and work before buying. “I teach the classes to get people in and get them working with the product, because it’s kind of daunting to read the back of the can and paint your cabinet,” Moran said. She also has a “knowledge bar” every other week for customers to ask questions and try out the paint. With a unique item like chalk paint, Moran said customers want to feel comfortable asking questions and be confident
that they know the answer. That’s what Rocky Ridge Hardware tries to provide with every product they sell. “It’s all about personal service, and that’s what Rocky Ridge Hardware is built on,” Moran said. Moran has seen people of all ages come in specifically for Amy Howard paint and her knowledge of it. When they ask a question she can’t answer, Moran said she is always willing to take the time to find what they need. “There’s no end to the possibilities of it,” Moran said. “I want you to make something you would actually use.” Though chalk paint is Moran’s particular focus, Rocky
Ridge Hardware also provides tools and supplies for a wide variety of home improvement projects, as well as house goods such as grills and coolers. While she never expected to work in the same business with her husband, Moran said she enjoys being part of the store and teaching two of her children about the family business as well. “It’s truly a family business,” she said. “We’re supported so well by our friends and our community and our schools and our churches. We’re so fortunate to have such strong community support. It makes all the difference.”
VestaviaVoice.com
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
January 2017 • B15
LAUREN CONKLIN TRIM SENTRY HEATING AND AIR Sentry Heating and Air is a family-owned business, and they strive to make their customers feel like family too. “We really place our value as a family on our customers,” said CIO Lauren Conklin Trim. Trim’s father, Charlie Conklin, started Sentry about 30 years ago and the business has always been based in Vestavia Hills. Sentry provides service work not only for heating and cooling systems, but also for generators, water heaters, sewers, drains and specialty home health products such as filters, purifiers, humidifiers, ► WHERE: 2490 Rocky Ridge Road thermostat ► CALL: 979-9864 controls ► WEB: sentryheating.com and zoned heating and cooling systems. The company can service systems for residential, commercial and light industrial buildings. Though she helped out with odd jobs, Trim never thought of her father’s business as a future career path for herself. After she graduated from University of Alabama with a business and marketing degree, however, Conklin offered Trim a job to manage Sentry’s technology, bring in new systems and come up with fresh ideas for the business. Six years later, Trim said she’s really happy with the choice to work with her father and mother, Pam Conklin. She helps keep every aspect of the business running smoothly, from background IT maintenance to making sure everyone in the office has what they need. “It’s been really fun,” Trim said. “We have a great time in our office.” Trim makes most of the software decisions for Sentry and recently made service calls paperless by giving technicians tablets to use instead. The switch made it faster and easier for the technicians to complete forms and helps customers see the complete picture of their service order. “That probably cut down on 300 sheets of paper per
week,” Trim said. The next step will be incorporating membership forms and other documents into a digital format. Whether in their main office or out in the field, Trim said keeping up with new innovation is a central part of Sentry’s success. “You have to be on the forefront of everything and not behind it,” Trim said. Having been around the business since she was young, Trim said she has enjoyed watching Sentry grow. However, working for her parents means she holds herself to a higher standard of responsibility. “There’s nothing worse than disappointing your boss,
LISA ALTAMIRANO AGILE PHYSICAL THERAPY staff blend traditional and When physical therapist innovative treatments to Lisa Altamirano opened offer the best possible care. Agile Physical Therapy in “I thrive on being Vestavia in 2008, it fulfilled her long-held desire to creative when a treatment isn’t working, and I have to open a private practice think out of the box on a based on the traditional ► WHERE: 3125 Blue resolution that may not be medical values of service. Lake Drive “We care about the traditional but is based on ► CALL: 969-7887 whole person and listen good medical practices and ► WEB: myagilept.com theory,” she said. to all the factors in their Agile serves all ages, medical history and what’s from adolescents to seniors, and can important to their life,” Altamirano said. help almost anyone, including athletes, And she enjoys her work. “I love what I do,” she said. “It’s very dancers and people with surgical and rewarding to facilitate someone to help non-surgical injuries. themselves feel better and have them A Florida native, Altamirano moved to Birmingham to study dance at the realize they can participate in life as Alabama School of Fine Arts and later they desire,” she said. Agile is a fitness studio and earned a BFA in dance at New York rehabilitation facility that offers a University. She earned a master’s variety of services, including Pilates, degree in physical therapy from UAB and worked with UAB Sports Medicine dry needling, pain management and for a decade before opening Agile. sports medicine. Altamirano and her
but when your boss is your parents, you want to do your best,” Trim said. Sentry strives to set itself apart in the heating and air service world by doing the job right the first time and being a true 24-hour on-call company, Trim said. Being a family-owned business and longtime part of the Vestavia Hills community also helps build lasting relationships with their clients. Trim said Sentry also stays involved with Vestavia schools and youth teams. “We actually care about our customers and we’re not just a company coming into their home,” Trim said. Sentry Heating and Air responds to calls throughout the Over the Mountain area and Central Alabama.
AMY LAWSON AMY LAWSON REALTYSOUTH VESTAVIA Amy Lawson, of Amy Lawson RealtySouth Vestavia, says she really takes pleasure in what she does for a living. “I enjoy meeting new clients, and I also enjoy studying and learning the market,” she said. It’s also fun and rewarding for Lawson to help someone sell a house or find a new home that’s right for them. “Especially first-time homebuyers and empty nesters trying to downsize,” she said. And what is the Gadsden native’s biggest challenge? “Finding exactly what my client is looking for,” she said. Fortunately, Lawson is more than equal to that challenge. She also draws on an impressive educational background. Lawson, a resident of Vestavia Hills since 1993, earned a BS in health care administration and finance from the University of Alabama in 1990. She graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1993.
► WHERE: 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137 ► CALL: 215-0284 ► WEB: amylawson.realtysouth.com “I practiced law right out of school, took some time off to have my children and then got my Realtor’s license,” she says. “I’ve been selling real estate for the past 13 years.” This varied training certainly helps Lawson in the real estate business. “My education helps tremendously with contract negotiations, as well as thinking outside the box,” she said. “Every closing is different. There’s never two alike.” And in addition to helping clients sell their homes and find their next homes, Lawson enjoys using her business acumen. “I also watch the market for investments for investors,” she said.
B16 • January 2017
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Vestavia Voice
ANGELA HAYES
CHERYL WILLIAMS
ANGELA HAYES COUNSELING
BIRMINGHAM MASSAGE COUPLE
appointments,” Angela Hayes, MS, LPC, NCC, is a Angela said. “My counseling services licensed professional are unique because counselor. I provide a sliding Angela began to scale payment plan, pursue counseling due to her passion and I work with clients on providing and desire to help ► WHERE: 4268 Cahaba an affordable others overcome Heights Court, Suite 122 the many challenges counseling budget ► CALL: 222-9574 so they can receive in life. She received ► WEB: angelahayescounseling help.” a graduate degree .com Angela recently in counseling from received her Capella University in 2014. Angela opened up her own Licensed Professional Counselor credential. Angela has led Parent practice, Angela Hayes Counseling, in Awareness seminars on conflict Vestavia Hills in January 2015. resolution with your adolescent, anxiety Angela has a specialization in and teen drama. Angela has also couples and family. Her clients include spoken on mental health at a variety of adolescents, adults, individuals, couples and families. She also provides women’s conferences. “I believe my counseling services can counseling on anger management and facilitate healing and help a client move stress management. forward to have a healthy, happy life,” “My care for my clients is she said. individualized, and I make all my own
On their first date, Tom and Cheryl Williams found out they shared a common dream: Both wanted to be massage therapists. After marrying in 2014 and Cheryl graduating from the Birmingham School of Massage in 2015, they opened Birmingham Massage Couple. “I’m most proud that my husband and I had a dream, and we’re getting to live it,” Cheryl said. “It’s so much fun to do it together.” The couple are both licensed massage therapists and hold additional certifications in neuromuscular, deep tissue, Swedish and synergetic myofascial therapy. Birmingham Massage Couple offers single and couples massages, as well as FasciaBlasting, which can be used to treat cellulite and certain kinds of muscle stiffness. With 28 years of previous experience in senior living care, Cheryl said she has always enjoyed helping people. Clients come to Birmingham Massage Couple with various aches and pains, migraines,
► WHERE: 1776 Independence Court ► CALL: 381-1645 ► WEB: bhammassagecouple.com cellulite, fibromyalgia, injuries and more, and Cheryl can help get them on the road to recovery. She added that a good massage can often feel like magic in its results, but it’s all about knowing the right touch for every client. “It’s no stress. You’re in the most calming atmosphere, which I create,” Cheryl said. “The clients are so appreciative for whatever reason they’re coming.” Birmingham Massage Couple chooses not to offer spa services as a way to keep their massages more affordable. “Our goal is so that the average couple or average person can get a massage more frequently,” Cheryl said.
BRIDGETT GLASGOW
CAROLYN BEDFORD
ERA KING REAL ESTATE
CONSTRUCTION PROPERTY GROUP
keys to their new home is Bridgett Glasgow worked exciting, and knowing that in education for several I was able to help them out years before becoming a real throughout the rigorous estate agent at ERA King Real Estate. Once her youngest process is gratifying.” Bridgett takes a different child began kindergarten, her approach from other passions and strengths led real estate agents in her her into the new career path of real estate. relationships with clients. Bridgett has a vast “Any agent can stick a ► WHERE: 2700 sign in your yard, but how knowledge of Birmingham Rogers Drive many agents take the time and its suburbs, which is a ► CALL: 587-6161 to help you clean and stage valuable resource to all of ► WEB: bridgett your house, pet sit while you her buyers and sellers. She is glasgow.com passionate about negotiating are away so the house can the best deals for her clients be shown, bring you supper because she approaches each one as before and after closing or pick up your dry cleaning?” she said. friends and family. Bridgett goes above and beyond in “I love helping someone find a new home or sell their old one and start a her work for all of her clients. new chapter,” Bridgett said. “Sitting “At the end of the day, our job doesn’t across the closing table watching a new define who we are but how we treat people while doing our job does,” couple, parents, grandparents, single Bridgett said. moms or a recent college grad receive
but for young people in Carolyn Bedford the community. and her team at “Being a part of Construction Property the Vestavia Hills and Group LLC want to personalize your Birmingham community ► CALL: 332-4015 is as much a part of renovation experience ► WEB: cpgbuild.com being a business owner and make it “sparkle.” as it is contributing In an industry dominated by men, Bedford aims to set in service where I can,” she said. “I her business apart by never neglecting am involved in several important organizations in Vestavia year-in and the details in a project. year-out to support my kids directly and “Being a woman in construction is also to support our amazing community.” fascinating because I grew up in the While being a role model for construction industry in Florida. My mom was a real estate developer in tomorrow’s work force is important, central Florida, and my brothers and I Bedford believes the relationships she grew up at job sites. What I love most forms with her customers are the most important part of her job. “I want people about my job is paying close attention to know that it is incredibly important to everything my customers tell me so I can understand how they want to live in to me to have strong, meaningful the space when it is completed.” relationships across my professional life Bedford is proud to have a business and in the community,” Bedford said. “That’s the reward and that comes from in Vestavia Hills and hopes to be a role hard work, caring and commitment.” model for not only her son and daughter
VestaviaVoice.com
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
January 2017 • B17
FRANCES KNOX REALTYSOUTH Frances Knox with RealtySouth has been serving the Birmingham area for more than 30 years. She was working in a local hospital laboratory when she heard the call of the real estate industry. “I was originally working at UAB in a cancer research laboratory and then was recruited into real estate by a friend,” Knox said. “My real estate career took off from there.“ Frances enjoys the real estate industry in Birmingham because of the level playing field she feels it has. “I think real estate is a great business to be in because there are really no limits to what you can achieve,” Knox said. “I think it is a great industry for females because you’re on equal footing with the men in the industry, you have unlimited income potential, and you are in charge of your own destiny.” Frances has worked with a diverse group of clients throughout the years and has assisted buyers and sellers from more than 30 different countries. She also has several professional
DR. KRIS MAHAFFEY PET VET ANIMAL HOSPITAL
► WHERE: 2807 Cahaba Road ► CALL: 938-8062 ► WEB: soldonservice4u.com designations and is a USAA-certified agent, as well as a member of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce. These experiences have helped her to develop her own exclusive systems Frances says make the buying and selling process run smoothly. “I am a major proponent of risk management,” Knox said. “Whether it be a buyer or seller, I make sure to protect the interest of my client while also having a smooth transaction and getting to the closing. I also do a lot of follow up and communication with my clients along the way so they are never wondering what is going on or what happens next. My goal is for my clients to be ‘Sold on Service.’”
consideration when picking Dr. Kris Mahaffey and the staff at Pet Vet Animal her location. “I kind of kid about it but Hospital in Vestavia aim to provide the highest level we are on a school road. So many of the elementary of care to the community’s schools and our junior pets and the most convenient experience to and high school run along Highway 31,” Mahaffey their owners. Mahaffey has been said. “Everything is about ► WHERE: 2021 practicing veterinary convenience these days, Kentucky Ave. and as a working mom I medicine in Vestavia for ► CALL: 824-2077 over 17 years. appreciate that, and I think ► WEB: alpetvet. our clientele does as well.” “We have a great location, vetstreet.com Pet Vet offers a variety convenient for our clientele in the area like busy moms,” Mahaffey of services including general wellness, surgery, dermatology, internal medicine, said. “Between their work and getting dentistry, boarding services and dog children to school, there was a niche grooming. for a veterinary hospital that catered to “I think the big thing is that we them with a convenient drop-off service as well as pickup.” individualize the animal and we take Mahaffey believes that everything care of not only the animal’s needs but owner’s as well, and I think that’s what’s is about convenience and efficiency in important.” today’s society, and she took that into
KIM NGUYEN
MANDA LUCCASEN
UPTOWN NAIL SPA
RE/MAX SOUTHERN HOMES
Kim Nguyen Nails also offers acrylic nails, basic brings 25 years of experience to her manicures and business, Uptown waxing. ► WHERE: 4851 Cahaba River Road Nail Spa, which Nguyen prides opened four years ► CALL: 703-8290 herself on offering ago. customers a beautiful and pristine The popular nail salon provides atmosphere, which includes maintaining clients with excellent service in a clean pedicure spa tubs with disposable comfortable environment. liners. Nguyen’s attention to detail and Not only do they provide excellent customer service is the reason for her service, but they also create a luxurious success and excellent reputation. Nguyen takes time with each client’s experience for the customer. Services needs and desires. Her kindness and include pedicures and gel manicures, with a variety of colors to choose from. attentiveness to clients has earned her There are also a variety of special artist lifelong customers, making Uptown designs available. Nails the perfect place for a day of pampering. In addition, the team at Uptown
Manda Luccasen of RE/MAX Southern Homes is an award-winning real estate professional with more than 15 years experience. She has a thorough knowledge of contract negotiations and marketing skills and is a local real estate market specialist. Luccasen is consistently a top producing agent in the Vestavia area with a proven track record. She has been awarded RE/MAX Platinum Club, Hall of Fame Club, Club of Excellence and 100% Club honors and was also ranked the fourth top RE/MAX agent in Alabama for 2015. She strives to uphold a superior level of integrity, honesty and sound
► WHERE: 903 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 283-0380 ► WEB: mandaluccasen.com judgment for her clients. “I love working with first-time home buyers, families looking to move up or down, and the continued referrals of my past clients.” she said. “My philosophy is to make my clients friends for life.” Manda attributes her success to her commitment to clients and her love of real estate.
B18 • January 2017
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Vestavia Voice
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Dr. England with Mr. Figgy, who has received stem cell therapy for pancreatitis.
JANA HANNA REALTYSOUTH There’s a wide market in Birmingham real estate, but Realtor Jana Hanna prefers to keep a tight focus on one market: Vestavia Hills. It’s the city where Hanna lives with her husband Tyler and her two sons go to school. The bulk of her customers are buying and selling in Vestavia Hills or have been referred to her by a Vestavia Hills resident. “For the most part, Vestavia is my area. So you get to know the ins and outs of pretty much everything in real estate,” Hanna said. Hanna has worked in real estate for several years, coming from a background in sales and mortgage banking. She chose to join RealtySouth’s Vestavia office because of RealtySouth’s impeccable reputation, and it was important for her office to be located in her city of Vestavia. Hanna said Vestavia is a fast moving market, so it’s important for buyers
► WHERE: 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137 ► CALL: 835-6188 ► WEB: janahanna.com and sellers to select an agent with significant expertise to guide them through the process. “It’s a fast moving market. It’s a hot market right now,” Hanna said. Honesty and communication are the key to Hanna’s work with clients and other local Realtors. “I try to take the stress off people when they are buying or selling a home.” She said her goal is for her client to show up to closing day with a smile because Hanna has done much of the work in the background. Hanna is a consistent top producer with RealtySouth and ready to work for you.
DRS. DIANA WOOD, MELANIE SPOONER WOOD & SPOONER DENTISTRY When Dr. Diana Wood and Dr. Melanie Spooner decided to create a dental practice together 18 years ago, it was clear two great minds were thinking alike. They built a successful practice on the things they have in common: a love of dentistry and a love of the patients and families they share. “I love being able to care for people, make a meaningful difference in their smile and health, and maintain long term relationships with them,” Spooner said. In addition to regular checkups, Wood and Spooner provide a variety of services to create a healthy, beautiful mouth, including whitening, cosmetic enhancements, reconstructive dentistry, dental implants, sports and nightguards, crowns, fillings, veneers and more. Wood strives to treat every patient like the most important patient in her day. “Dentistry is challenging, it’s creative and it’s rewarding. I enjoy my patients,
► WHERE: 502 Montgomery Highway, Suite 201 ► CALL: 822-2808 ► WEB: woodandspooner.com and I especially enjoy seeing my patient’s finished product, whether it is a simple filling or a complicated veneer case,” Wood said. Their website has many nice reviews. One patient, Morris Middleton, said he always looks forward to his appointments and would gladly recommend them to friends. “They are trustworthy, likable, completely professional and they always strive to provide the best possible dental care. I am happy to be a longtime patient and I consider the team my friends and partners in dental health.”
DR. ANNE ENGLAND VESTRIDGE ANIMAL CLINIC Dr. England grew up in the Hoover/ Vestavia Hills area attending Berry High School before studying veterinary medicine at Auburn University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Her parents taught her to see integrity, dedication and honesty as guiding principles for her life. She brings those values to work every day at Vestridge Animal Clinic. Dr. England’s combined love of animals and medicine led her into the veterinary field. She purchased Vestridge Animal Clinic from the original owner, Dr. S. Allen Price, in 2005. The practice has been in operation since 1968. Dr. England enjoys being able to direct the quality of care that she and her staff provide. “Our level of care, nursing care especially, is very high,” Dr. England said. Vestridge is a full-service veterinary hospital limited to small animals (dogs and cats). From medicine, surgery, dermatology and dentistry to the newest technological advances of laser
► WHERE: 1444 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 205-822-0210 ► WEB: vestridgeanimalclinic.com therapy, digital radiography, cancer vaccine, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Autologous Stem Cell therapy, Dr. England says she always wants to keep up with technological advances, but still provide different levels of treatment options for each individual case. ”There is new technology, old technology and the best technology, which is tailored to each particular case,” Dr. England said. Vestridge is one of a small group of veterinary hospitals in the U.S. that regularly performs PRP and Stem Cell therapy. Dr. England has been highlighted in a national veterinary publication for her clinic’s work with Stem Cell and PRP therapy. Dr. England also stresses that just as important as technological advances, is the building of relationships with the pets and their owners.
MICHELLE CREAMER ARC REALTY Michelle Creamer of ARC Realty in Cahaba Heights is outgoing, hardworking and loves a challenge — attributes she says make real estate her perfect occupation. “If you’ve sold or purchased a home, it’s often stressful, and unique problems present themselves,” she said. “Taking the time to listen to my clients, solve problems and pay attention to details are several must-haves for success in this business.” A licensed Realtor for 14 years, Creamer — before joining ARC in 2014 — handled real estate transactions for a Birmingham nonprofit, an experience she still draws on. “Some situations are challenging, but my nonprofit background gave the patience and ability to find creative ways to meet the needs of each client,” she said. Creamer, a full-service Realtor, is also not afraid to put in the time and effort to make a deal happen. “I’m an assertive Realtor who knows it takes
► WHERE: 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 200 ► CALL: 999-8164 hard work to effectively market a home and sell it quickly,” she said. Creamer, a Jacksonville State University graduate, lives in Liberty Park with her husband. They have two children, a daughter who’s a University of Alabama freshman and a son who’s a high school junior. When clients meet Creamer, they’ll experience her positive attitude. “Listening to my clients and helping them find and sell their homes is very rewarding,” she said. “This is a job I truly enjoy every day.”
VestaviaVoice.com
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
DAMITRA MERRITT, BECKY HESTLEY VISITING ANGELS and respite services for At Visiting Angels Living Assistance families. Merritt said their goal is to have a Services, caregivers “complete picture” of provide their patients each family’s needs that with the priceless gift of they can fulfill. independence. ► CALL: 979-7400 Visiting Angels began “We are client-centric,” ► WEB: visitingangels.com Hestley said. “We work providing in-home, with the client, their non-medical care to Birmingham seniors family and members of the health care team to provide continuity about five years ago. In September of care for our clients.” 2016, the franchise’s new owner Finding the right staff member to care transferred operations of their office to for each client is critical to Visiting Angels’ Becky Hestley and Damitra Merritt. “We care for people and want to level of care. In fact, Merritt said that’s her favorite part of the job. “It is our goal to help families and loved ones continue meaningful, independent lives regardless make sure our clients and their families are completely satisfied with our care.” of age or circumstance,” Hestley said. When they do their jobs right, Hestley The caregivers at Visiting Angels said, families will often stay in touch customize their care to the needs of each patient and their family. This even after they no longer need Visiting Angels’ services. Since September 2016, can mean full- or part-time work in Visiting Angels has brought 15 new temporary or long-term circumstances. Their services include meal preparation caregivers on staff and have added 28 clients, adding up to 1,000 hours per or diet monitoring, light housekeeping, running errands, dementia or stroke care week of in-home care services.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
January 2017 • B19
KRISSI WILLIFORD XCITE FITNESS levels and taking time to The key to lifelong health and fitness isn’t fad diets or adjust to changes in their workout routine. intense workout programs, “People want to be fit, exercise physiologist Krissi but they can’t be fit unless Williford said. It’s in slow, they’re well,” Williford said. steady lifestyle changes that add up to something Each client’s goal and ► WHERE: 2531 Rocky ability level is different, great. “You can’t fix Ridge Road, Suite 104 and Williford said she yourself in four weeks,” ► CALL: 490-6461 Williford said. “It doesn’t gets personally involved ► WEB: vestaviahills in each client’s life to have to be so extreme.” personaltraining.com craft their wellness plan Williford has worked and always be available as a fitness trainer since to them. 2007 and opened Xcite Fitness in January 2016. After working This year, Williford plans to use her master’s degree in corporate health at several gyms, she decided to open management to create a corporate her own gym to promote a slower, more wellness company as well. enjoyable path to sustainable fitness. But for individual clients at Xcite Williford’s niche is in corrective Fitness, she continues to change exercise and injury recovery, and she said keeping people safe as they mindsets and teach people to listen to their bodies. “If people are healthy and achieve their goals is very important. well, they can do anything. They have She makes sure clients are eating no limits,” Williford said. enough calories, maintaining activity
B20 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Above: A few of the cancer awareness ornaments Ditra Campbell has made. Left: The Library in the Forest 3-D printer constructs an orange cancer awareness ribbon. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.
RIBBONS
CONTINUED from page B1 the library 3-D printer are asked to bring their own model to print. However, when he realized Campbell only needed a simple ribbon design, Anderson said he was happy to find the printing pattern for her. “This was a very small hurdle that was keeping us from making them,” Anderson said. In November and December 2016, Campbell and Anderson put the printer to work turning several spools of plastic filaments into ribbons of different colors. Campbell’s goal was to have ribbons for every color associated with cancer awareness by the American Cancer Society and the National Foundation for Cancer Research. If they didn’t have filament in the right color,
Campbell printed white ornaments and painted them. A pair of ribbons takes about 20 minutes to print from start to finish, Campbell said. Since the ornaments were meant for the Russell Medical Center Christmas tree, which Campbell felt could use more personality and warmth, she received rough estimates of the number of patients at Russell being treated for each type of cancer. That way, each ornament hanging on the tree represented a specific patient. Plus, there was one burgundy ribbon with the name Bobby Montgomery on the back, in memory of her father. Multiple myeloma is a rare disease, affecting about 200,000 people in the U.S. each year, in which plasma cells in the bloodstream become cancerous. The cancer can affect the whole body, including bones, kidneys, the stomach and the immune system. For Montgomery, only five months elapsed between
diagnosis and passing away. Campbell said she was moved by the thought of patients, like her father, who came to the hospital for treatment and stayed there for the remainder of their lives. “[For] some of these people, this is it for them. That’s it. You can’t fathom it until you live it,” Campbell said. So, she wanted to do her part to bring some Christmas cheer and remind these patients, though she’ll likely never meet them, that “somebody cared about them specifically” when the ornaments were made. “There’s just one minute, five minutes of sunshine, that’s not all about the medicine and the ugliness of being ill,” she said. Campbell delivered the ornaments to Russell in Alexander City before Christmas. However, she doesn’t want that to be the end of her 3-D-printed ribbons. If there is interest, Campbell said she would like to continue making
the ornaments and sell them online, with 20 percent of net profits benefiting the National Foundation for Cancer Research or Children’s Hospital’s cancer research. This would not be Campbell’s first time selling products for a good cause. She has a clothing line, called Clothing with a Conscience, which supports awareness efforts of the danger of leaving children unattended in hot cars. However, Campbell said printing ornaments on that scale would require buying her own 3-D printer rather than continuing to use the Library in the Forest’s machine. “This is all about honoring my dad. He made some requests and one is that I help others,” Campbell said. The Library in the Forest holds regular classes and open labs using the 3-D printer. The next introductory class is Jan. 9 at 4 p.m., and the next lab is Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. Call the library at 978-0158 for more information.
VestaviaVoice.com
January 2017 • B21
Vestavia Hills Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
769289
35216
1204 Cove Lane
New
$749,000
769669
35216
3029 Massey Road #D
New
$72,500
769602
35216
3225 Altaloma Drive
New
$299,000
769526
35216
901 Cedar Crest Drive
New
$73,900
769470
35216
25 The Falls Drive
New
$198,900
769448
35216
2882 Wisteria Drive
New
$189,900
769410
35216
2136 Vestavia Lake Drive
New
$479,900
769352
35216
2112 Vestridge Drive
New
$412,000
769303
35216
516 Columbiana Road
New
$189,500
769261
35216
4175 Seabrook Lane
New
$164,900
769194
35216
4144 Heritage Place
New
$287,900
769048
35216
721 Park Ridge Circle
New
$579,900
767870
35216
1737 Vestwood Hills Drive
New
$599,900
769043
35216
3105 Huntington Way
New
$215,000
768746
35216
1877 Kentucky Avenue #1877
New
$209,900
768677
35216
1811 Montclaire Drive
New
$364,900
768496
35216
2036 Hickory Road
New
$425,000
768494
35216
1717 Crosswood Lane
New
$449,900
768316
35216
1516 Blind Brook Lane
New
$249,900
768311
35216
1836 Old Creek Trail
New
$339,900
Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Dec. 19. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.
1204 Cove Lane
1737 Vestwood Hills Drive
B22 • January 2017
Vestavia Voice
Calendar Vestavia Events Jan. 6: Artists Incorporated, First Friday Reception. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Artists Incorporated. Featured artists: Frank Fleming and Al Sella. Wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Visit artistsincorporated. com. Jan. 9: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: What Archaeology Teaches Us About Our Religions and Ourselves. 1:303 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center. The discussion will include the connections between Judean and Galilean Jews, the historical Jesus, and ancient synagogues. Course continues Jan. 23, 30 and Feb. 6. Visit olli. ua.edu for more information. Jan. 12: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: Religions off the Beaten Path. 1:30-3 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center. Native American Spiritualism with Bill King, Episcopal priest, who will discuss his studies and research. (Course continues Jan. 19 [Quakers] and 26 [Mormonism]). Visit olli.ua.edu for more information. Jan. 18: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: The Play and Films of William Inge. 1:30-3 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center. (Course continues Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 18, 15 and 22). Visit olli. ua.edu for more information. Jan. 21: Bowling in the Hills. Vestavia Bowl. 6:15 p.m. Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Men’s, women’s and mixed team bowling tournament along with silent auction, food and cash bar. Email bowlinginthehills@gmail.com. Jan. 28: Third annual Rebel Yell Icebreaker High School Lacrosse Tournament. Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex. Featuring boys and girls teams. Visit vestavialax.com.
Vestavia Hills Library Events Children Mondays: Maker Mondays. 6 p.m. Something for everyone, but adults must accompany children. Tuesdays: Together with Twos. 10:30 a.m. Community Room. Toddler time of stories, songs, finger plays and movement. Ages 18-36 months. Tuesdays: PJ Storytime. 6:30 p.m. Children’s Program Room (except the third Tuesday, which is Family Night). Wednesdays: Story Friends. 10:30 a.m. Children’s Program Room. Join Mrs. Lisa for stories and songs. Ages 5 and under. Wednesdays: This & That. 3:30 p.m. Children’s Program Room. All about comics. Grades 3-6. Thursdays: L.I.F.T. (Library in the Forest Time). 9:30 a.m.-noon. Children’s Programming Room. Special play equipment for preschoolers and their caregivers. Thursdays: Book Babies. 10 a.m. Treehouse. Ms. Lisa’s story time for babies up to 18 months. Registration required. Jan. 7 & 21: Family Yoga. 10:30 a.m. Children’s Program Room. Class for the whole family.
Electronic Classroom. Learn how the Makerbot works and how to find and prepare models to print. Registration required. Jan. 12: 3-D Printing Open Lab. 4 p.m. Creative Café. Jan. 14: Small Fry Gym. 9 a.m. to noon. Children’s Program Room. Teaching healthy exercise habits with child-sized exercise equipment. For kids 6 and under. Jan. 14: Minecraft in the Forest. 3 p.m. Historical Room. Create, build and dominate in the game. Registration required. Jan. 17: Schaeffer Eye Center Family Night: Disney Karaoke Fun. 6 p.m. (meal) and 6:30 p.m. (show). Community Room. Bring your own CD or use ours. For the whole family. Jan. 18: Duct-tapemania. 4 p.m. Treehouse. Learn how to make wallets, belts and more. Snacks served. Jan. 27: Towerfall Ascension Tournament. 4 p.m. Community Room. Test your skill and ingenuity in this month’s tournament. Snacks served. Jan. 28: Lego Wars. 11 a.m. Children’s Program Room. Create a Lego masterpiece that could win a prize! First grade and up. Teens
Jan. 9, 23 and 30: Afterschool Craft and Snack. 3:30 p.m. Children’s Program Room. Crafts and snacks. Jan. 9: Intro to 3-D printing. 4 p.m.
Fridays: Open Gaming. 4-5:30 p.m. Community Room. Video games on the Wii U, PS4, board games to play with fellow teens. Snacks served.
Jan. 3: The Playlist. 4 p.m. Community Room. Monthly YouTube playlist. Snacks served. Jan. 4: Teen Art Group. 4 p.m. Treehouse. Drawing, sketching and doodling. Snacks served. Jan. 10: Supernatural Fandom Night. 4 p.m. Community Room. Movies, crafts and themed foods. Jan. 11: Writing Group. 4 p.m. Historical Room. Snacks served. Jan. 17: Otaku Time. 4:30 p.m. Historical Room. Read, discuss and exchange manga. Snacks served. Jan. 24: Anime Night. 4 p.m. Community Room. Engage with fellow otaku and watch the anime of choice. Japanese treats served. Adults Jan. 4: One-on-One Tutorial: Basic Computer. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Electronic Classroom. Schedule a tutorial with Bethany. She’ll guide you through some basic steps and answer all your questions. Registration required. Jan. 5: Read and Feed Book Group. 6:30-8 p.m. Taziki’s Liberty Park. Discussing “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. Jan. 5: Microsoft Publisher. Electronic Classroom. 6:30 p.m. Learn how to design your own greeting cards, calendars, flyers, newsletters and menus. Registration required. Jan. 6: First Friday Fiber Arts. 10 a.m.
VestaviaVoice.com to noon. Treehouse. Knit, crochet, cross-stitch, crewel, embroidery and smocking. All skill levels welcome. Jan. 10: Microsoft Excel. 10:30 a.m. Electronic Classroom. Gain practical knowledge using Microsoft Excel to design spreadsheets. Registration required. Jan. 10: Apple Mobile Devices with Tech Ease. 2 p.m. Children’s Program Room. Certified Apple consultants answer your questions about Apple mobile products including iPhones, iPads and Macbooks. Jan. 11: ABCs of Medicare. 1 p.m. Treehouse. Independent Benefits advisor Karen Haiflich provides simple and straightforward answers to all your Medicare questions. Free. Jan. 12 and 26: Adult Tai Chi Classes. 2 p.m. Community Room. Biweekly class taught by a certified instructor. No registration for this free class. Ages 18 and older. Jan. 12: Microsoft PowerPoint. 6:30 p.m. Electronic Classroom. Gain practical knowledge using Microsoft Excel to design spreadsheets. Registration required. Jan. 13: Upcycle City: Wine Bottle Re-Do. 7-9 p.m. Community Room. Wine bottle craft. All materials, light snacks and wine provided. Registration required. Ages 21 and up. Jan. 17: iMac 101. 10:30 a.m. Learn the basics of an iMac. Learn how to personalize the computer, use the finder, change system preferences and more. Registration required. Jan. 17: Lunch and Learn Health Matters Series: Weight Management and Healthy Living. Noon to 12:45 p.m. Community Room. Get great tips from our expert from UAB on how to lose holiday weight and prevent future gain with a healthier lifestyle. Feel free to bring a lunch.
January 2017 • B23 Jan. 18: One-on-One Tutorial: Basic Email. 9:30 a.m. Electronic Classroom. Learn some basic steps. Registration required. Jan. 19: Facebook 101. 6:30 p.m. Get answers and learn great tips on navigating the social networking site. Registration required. Jan. 23 and 30: Meditation 101 Workshop. 2 p.m. Community Room. Learn the art of inner peace in our free workshop. Jan. 24: Windows 10. 10:30 a.m. Electronic Classroom. Learn how to personalize the new interface, download apps, locate files and programs, use the Control Panel and perform other key functions. Registration required. Jan. 25: Page Turners in the Treehouse Book Group. 2 p.m. Treehouse. Discussing “In a Dark, Dark, Wood” by Ruth Ware. Jan. 26: Friends of the Library: Edie Hand. 10-11:30 a.m. Community Room. Discussing her new documentary, “The Last Ride.” Jan. 26: Vinyl Cutting. 3:30 p.m. Electronic Classroom. Make your own custom vinyl decals using our vinyl cutter. Registration required. Jan. 26: Microsoft Word. 6:30 p.m. Electronic Classroom. Learn how to format text, insert illustrations, adjust pages and perform other popular functions. Registration required. Jan. 31: Beginner Blogging. 12 p.m. Electronic Classroom. Discuss content ideas, how to post pictures and more. Registration required. Jan. 31: Lunch and Learn Health Matters Series: The Spectrum: Autism and Asperger’s. Noon. Community Room. UAB expert will discuss similarities, differences and why diagnoses are on the rise. Lecture will be followed by a Q&A session.
Area Events Through Jan. 15: Birmingham’s Winter Wonderland. Railroad Park. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Outdoor ice skating rink. Open seven days per week. $10 for two-hour session. Visit railroadpark.org. Jan. 5: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. downtown Birmingham, 113 22nd St. N. Local artists and performers. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Jan. 7: Southeastern Outings Dayhike in Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest. 4-mile hike. Call Dan Frederick at 631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouthnet. Visit seoutings.org. Jan. 7-8: Alonzo King LINES Ballet. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Alys Stephens Center. $28-$45. Visit alysstephens.org. Jan. 7-8: Monster Jam Triple Threat Series. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Legacy Arena at BJCC. Visit monsterjam.com. Jan. 8: Southeastern Outings Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park. 1 p.m. Park admission, $5 adults, $2 children. Visit seoutings.org. Jan. 8: Kathleen Madigan “The Mermaid Lady” Standup Comedy Tour. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $35. Visit lyricbham.com. Jan. 12: Turtle Island Quartet with Cyrus Chestnut. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $42-$78. Visit alysstephens.org. Jan. 12: Greater Birmingham Teenage Republicans meeting. 6:30 p.m. Nino’s Italian Restaurant, Pelham. Visit jeffco-gop.com. Jan. 13: Dirty Dancing. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. BJCC Concert Hall. $30-$60. Visit theaterleague. com/Birmingham. Jan. 14: MLK Day 5K Drum Run. 7 a.m. Kelly Ingram Park. $30 registration. Visit mlkday5kbham.com. Jan. 14: WWE Live. 7:30 p.m. Legacy Arena
at the BJCC. $17-$102. Visit wwe.com. Jan. 14-15: A Sweet Strangeness Thrills My Heart. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Red Mountain Theatre Company, Cabaret Theatre. $15 and up. Visit redmountaintheatre. org. Jan. 15: Southern Bridal Show. Noon to 5 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Halls. $12 advance, $15 at the door. Visit eliteevents.com. Jan. 15: Reflect and Rejoice: MLK Concert. 3 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $9-$24. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Jan. 18: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $49-$82. Visit alysstephenscenter.org. Jan. 27: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony. org. Jan. 27-29: Kami-Con Season 9. BJCC Exhibition Halls. Celebrating Japanese culture, anime and manga and more. $25-$45. Visit kamicon. net. Jan. 28: 11th annual Chinese New Year Festival. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Boutwell Auditorium. $5 tickets, 12 and under are free. Visit bhmchinesefestival.org. Jan. 28: Miranda Sings Live… You’re Welcome. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $33.55$66.50. Visit alabamatheatre.com. Jan. 28-29: Birmingham Feline Fanciers CFA Cat Show. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Zamora Temple. $4-$8. Visit birminghamfelinefanciers.com. Jan. 29: Elevate the Stage: UA vs. AU Gymnastics. 4 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $12-$27. Visit elevatethestage.com. Jan. 29: An Evening with Pat Metheny. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $48-$68. Visit alysstephens.org.