Vestavia Voice October 2016

Volume 4 | Issue 6 | October 2016

special section

home & garden

Future of former Altadena Valley Country Club rests in the hands of new city council

With the change in seasons comes home and landscaping improvements.

Check out this guide to point you in the right direction.

See page B1

Smoke House

The Vestavia Hills Fire Department uses a home replica to teach children about fire safety.

The former Altadena Valley Country Club property is mostly untouched, aside from the occasional mowing. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

See page C1

By EMILY FEATHERSTON

INSIDE Sponsors ........ A4 City .................. A6 Business .........A15 School House .A21

Opinion ............C16 Community .....C10 Sports ..............C14 Calendar ..........C18

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Everything in city government takes time.

That is City Manager Jeff Downes’ reminder for residents as they watch and consider what will happen to the former Altadena Valley Country Club property off Acton Road.

In April, the council added $24,000 to the city’s lawn-maintenance budget in order to maintain the grass on the property, and it made sure to have police occasionally drive by the

See ALTADENA | page A26

‘Watching our own offense evolve’ fun for Vestavia Hills

By GARY LLOYD

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit #54

Since the city annexed and rezoned the former golf and country club last September, there have been countless conversations, multiple public forums and a handful of official council actions, but so far, the park still sits in much the same condition as it did when it was only part of unincorporated Jefferson County.

Through the first four games of the 2016 season, Vestavia Hills had nearly as many rushing attempts as passing yards.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The Rebels rushed 183 times for 932 yards and nine touchdowns through the first four games. They passed for 188 yards on just 30 passing attempts, completing 17 of them for one touchdown.

It is no secret Vestavia Hills enjoys running the ball. Buddy Anderson’s offense has been

a staple since 1978, when he became head coach. But this season, there have been a few wrinkles.

Senior offensive lineman Patrick Nuss said the addition of the shotgun and option the Rebels have been running has helped open the offense up more and create more plays.

He said a lot of people may think Vestavia Hills’ offensive line just lines up and hits the person in front of them.

“But in reality, we have a check on almost

See OFFENSE | page A27

Coleman Petway is mobile enough to have success running the option but is also a reliable passer. Photo by Todd Lester.

A2 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Time after time…We’re loyal to Royal.

Don’t get us wrong, change can be great; here’s looking at you, GPS and seat heaters. It’s just that things happen so fast now, even change itself feels routine. We’ve got updates for our updates and it isn’t news if the next story isn’t one click away.

That in mind, what you drive will eventually change too. When it seems like the only constant in this world is change, sometimes the most refreshing thing is to come back to the things you know will always be the same.

For over 40 years, Royal has maintained an exceptional standard of service and care for the Birmingham community. We know that’s why generations of families keep coming back. Whether you’re shopping for your first car from Royal or your seventeenth, we’ll be here, treating people right.

(205) 823-3100 · www.royalautomotive.net 3010 Columbiana Rd · At the Corner of I-65 and Highway 31 in Vestavia

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A3

VOTE TUES., NOV 8

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A4 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell It’s the time of year when city projects come to the forefront again as the mayor and city council work to pass their budget for the new fiscal year.

While budget hearings and documents may make you snooze, they are often the first glimpse at what’s to come for the next 12 months. Be sure to read our budget breakdown to understand where your tax dollars are being spent and what projects you can expect to see around the city.

Several such projects are already in the works, including the passive park at Sicard Hollow, an access road to the future Altadena Park and discussion of a potential pedestrian bridge over Highway 31. More information about all of

the other sweet enjoyments of autumn.

October is always a busy month for Vestavia, and we have a full events guide for you to enjoy the season. And if you’ve been eyeing the honey-do list rather than the pumpkin carving kit, our Fall Home and Garden Guide will help you find the right experts and advice to tackle any project.

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those is inside.

Finally, October means the beginning of fall festivals, trick-or-treating and

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

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

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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VHHS students tend the Men’s Garden Club garden, at the corner of U.S. 31 and Shades Crest Road, as part of Helping Hands in the Hills Service Day on Sept. 10. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

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October 2016 • A5

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A6 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

City Mayor’s Minute

By Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza With August’s election results, my chapter of service in the city of Vestavia Hills is coming to a close.

That service spanned 47 years in total: 39 in the fire department and eight as mayor.

I’m grateful to this city for the opportunity to serve in both capacities. It was unique for me to have the opportunity to work with all but one of Vestavia’s mayors in my career prior to becoming mayor myself.

The first mayor of this city, V.L. Adams, was the only one I did not have the chance to serve alongside. I learned from each mayor I met about how this city operates.

I want to thank the staff that has worked these eight years and have provided the best service to our citizens. I also want to thank the volunteers from many different organizations that have provided services and hosted events in our city. I’m very proud of Vestavia’s volunteers. This community is built on people stepping up and serving.

As mayor for the last eight years, I’m very proud of what’s been accomplished in the city, and I’d like to thank my fellow council members Steve Ammons, John Henley, Jim Sharp and George Pierce for their service to the community.

As I close this chapter of my life, I’m ready to accept other challenges that may come forward. I wish the new administration the very best and ask that they continue to move the city forward for the future.

Ala. Secretary of Commerce enlightens chamber about growth, industry

By EMILY FEATHERSTON The September Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon welcomed a speaker and a Vestavia Hills resident with a long commute: Montgomery.

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield’s office is next door to the state capitol, but he said he could never bring himself to relocate.

“Man is it great to be home,” he said to a room full of laughs.

Canfield has served in his role in the state development office since 2011, and served in the state legislature before that.

Canfield said he wanted to enlighten chamber members about the work his office does, and what that economic development means for the state.

“We do an awful lot,” he said.

Economic development on the state level is a big, lumbering enterprise, he said, and like a large ship, it needs to be guided slowly and measuredly.

“And I have a great team that is with me every step of the way,” he said.

One major issue Canfield said his office is combatting is “brain drain,” where young professionals leave the state because they don’t see opportunity for growth at home. He said that his office hopes to create more

career development awareness, raise and cultivate talent within the state’s young people and support career counseling and apprenticeship programs throughout the state.

Canfield said that all of these efforts are part of revamping and updating the state’s strategic plan with regard to economic development, which he said is only good if it is viable and measurable.

“At the end of the day, we believe in results,” he said.

Some of the results he relayed to chamber members included $20.2 billion in capital investments and the addition of 75,000 jobs in the 2012 to 2015 time period.

While additions in 2016 put the state back at pre-recession levels, Canfield said, “We’ve still got a long way to go.”

Canfield also described the developments and results within the auto and aerospace industries, which he thinks will continue to be major drivers in the state’s economic future.

Everything he presented, Canfield said, is part of the state’s rebranding effort and push toward more high-tech and knowledge-based industries.

“We want to do and make great things in Alabama,” he said.

October Luncheon Outgoing Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza will give his final State of the City Address at this month’s Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Zaragoza has been mayor for eight years and is being succeeded by Ashley Curry, who won the election in August.

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon will be held Oct. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vestavia Country Club. Registration is $18 per person until the Friday prior to the luncheon. Late registration is $25.

Reserve your seat online at vestaviahills.org.

Greg Canfield describes the ways his office is trying to bring more economic development to Alabama. Photo by Emily Featherston.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A7

Council approves 2017 FY budget, contracts for public services

City Manager Jeff Downes presented the budget on Aug. 22. Photo by Emily Featherston.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON The Vestavia Hills City Council approved the the budget for the 2017 fiscal year Monday night, along with the contracts for several public services.

City Manager Jeff Downes presented the budget on Aug. 22, but the council postponed a vote to allow for a work session with the council-elect.

The coming-year’s budget is roughly 3.9 percent larger than the 2016 budget, with a $1,386,727 increase in budgeted revenues.

At the work session on Aug. 29, Downes attributed the increase to a significant amount of commercial construction, as well as a few new major retail businesses and restaurants.

At Monday’s meeting, Downes thanked Finance Director Melvin Turner and Assistant Finance Director George Sawaya, as well as the city’s department heads for their work on the budget.

Vestavia resident David Harwell addressed the council during the public hearing, expressing his concern for the city’s level of debt.

He said that while he thinks it’s great that the city has a high credit rating, he thinks the city should attempt to pay for more things in cash.

Mayor Butch Zaragoza said that many of the services and facilities that citizens want would be impossible without debt, and that the city works hard to maintain its credit ratings and borrow responsibly.

In addition to the overall budget, the council approved several contracts for public services.

The city awarded contracts for both right of way mowing and facility landscaping to NatureScape. Place 3 Councilor John Henley expressed concern over whether or not one company could handle the workload of both contracts, but Public Services Director Brian Davis said he had interviewed them and that the

company was confident they have the ability.

Davis added that taking on a contractor in this way would free up public works employees to respond to requests on the city’s Action Center in a more timely fashion.

The council approved a contract with Knox Pest Control for pest control in all city buildings. Before, pest control services were rendered by multiple companies, but Downes said the consolidation will save around $3,000.

The city’s contract with Republic Services for waste and recycling disposal was extended, with a $19.62 increase per household. The city attempted to put the waste contract out for bid, but because bidders requested more time, they invoked the state’s emergency allowance to extend the contract for one year.

Finally, the council approved a three-year residential resurfacing contract with Dunn Construction Company. After a recent study found that roughly 30 miles of residential roads are in need of significant repair, Downes said that the council’s approval of the contract was very timely.

Other business included: ► The elections of Ashley Curry, Rusty Weaver, Kimberly Cook, Paul Head and George Pierce were certified. ► The council approved a change-order for pipeline work at Meadowlawn Park. ► The council passed a measure that would increase permit fees and bond requirements for utility cuts in city streets. ► An alcohol license for the Rocky Ridge Road Chevron was approved. ► The council voted to declare certain radar equipment as surplus, in order for it to be donated to the Childersburg Police Department. ► A recommitment to continue providing the ad valorem tax to city schools was made. ► The council voted to appropriate $20,001 to the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest for a craft equipment, to be reimbursed by a grant.

Calling before you dig

By LEXI COON Every six minutes, someone unknowingly hits a utility line, simply because they didn’t know what’s below.

“Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in damage to gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines, which can lead to service disruptions, serious injuries and costly repairs,” said Aaron Schmidt, communications manager at Alagasco.

Vestavia has seen a couple examples recently of the disruption damaging a utility line can cause. A plumber accidentally hit a gas line in Liberty Park, causing both Liberty Park Middle School and Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park to be evacuated. Just a few weeks later, a gas leak at the New Merkle House in Cahaba Heights forced students and faculty at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights to shelter in place and delay carpool, which caused traffic to back up along Dolly Ridge Road.

It doesn’t matter where you live or what

you’re doing — if you’re planning on digging, call 811.

Dialing the three-digit phone number will take you to an operator who works for Contact Alabama 811. After giving the operator your contact information, where you are planning to dig and what type of work you plan to do, companies who may have lines in your area are notified and sent to check for utility lines.

Once all utility lines have been identified, which typically takes about two days, and you have confirmed all companies have checked for their lines, construction may begin — but it is advised digging be done carefully around any marks companies have made.

If you accidentally hit a utility line, Schmidt said to immediately move away from the area and call Alagasco at 1-800-292-4008, or the related utility company, regardless of the amount of damage that seems to be done.

“A gouge, scrape, dent or crease to the pipe or coating may cause a future rupture or leak,” said Schmidt. “We will respond every time, at no cost to you, to ensure that everything is safe.”

A8 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Incoming city councilors prep for office MAYOR-ELECT ASHLEY CURRY

By EMILY FEATHERSTON Four of the five elected officials that will lead Vestavia for the next four years are new to public office. In the coming weeks, the mayor-elect and council-elect will continue to meet with city employees and train for the term ahead. The incoming city council will formally take office on Nov. 8.

Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Curry is a former special agent for the FBI and also has spent time in the sales, accounting, product management and executive recruitment fields. He said he plans to write a book about his experience in the FBI in the near future.

The mayor-elect is involved with his church, Vestavia Hills United Methodist, and considers himself to be an “avid outdoorsman,” enjoying hunting and fishing with his son and has even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with his daughter. He said he and his wife recently acquired a travel trailer, and they enjoy spending time at their lake house on Lake Martin.

Curry said in the transition period before inauguration he plans to meet with city department heads, and he will be working with

COUNCILOR-ELECT FOR PLACE 1 - RUSTY WEAVER Rusty Weaver is a 28-year resident of Vestavia Hills, growing up in the city and convincing his wife to settle and start a family in the city.

Weaver is an attorney and partner at Weaver, Tidmore law firm and has been a coach for Vestavia youth sports for 10 years.

The Weavers attend Church of the Highlands, operate a working farm in Etowah County and, in his limited spare time, Weaver said he enjoys cooking.

Weaver said he will spend the time before the new council takes office acclimating himself to the “climate” of City Hall and learning more

about the ongoing projects the city is involved with, as well as upcoming potential projects. He said he wants to get to know city employees and further understand how the city operates.

In the next four years, Weaver said his main goal is to continue listening to the people who inspired him to run for office.

“I think that the main goal that I have is just continue to be a good listener,” he said, and while he is used to helping with youth sports, he hopes being on the council will have a bigger impact.

“I’m just really looking forward to extending that service,” he said.

outgoing Mayor Butch Zaragoza to ensure a smooth changeover.

“The elective process and resulting turnover of mayoral and council positions invariably creates some degree of angst and consternation for city employees and the city boards,” Curry said, “We need to quickly establish a unifi ed council, a professional working relationship with our city manager, the department heads and our appointed board members.”

He said his main goals immediately after inauguration would be to assess existing strategic plans for the city, determine if they need to be updated or replaced and proceed within the confines of the current budget.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A9

COUNCILOR-ELECT FOR PLACE 3 - PAUL HEAD Paul Head has lived in Vestavia Hills for 35 years, and attended Vestavia schools from kindergarten through graduation from Vestavia Hills High School.

Head is the CFO for Myrick, Gurosky and Associates and is a youth coach for multiple recreational sports in the Vestavia area, including basketball, baseball and football. He and his wife, Leigh Anne, have three children and attend Shades Mountain Baptist Church.

COUNCILOR-ELECT FOR PLACE 2 KIMBERLY COOK Kimberly Cook, who lives in the Liberty Park area, has a background in systems engineering and project management and has been a Vestavia resident for 14 years.

She has been actively involved with Boy Scouts of America, serving as a district commissioner and committee chairwoman as well as a Cubmaster.

Cook said in the days and weeks before taking office she will aim to listen to current councilors and city leaders to “gain from their experience and perspective.”

She said she thinks it is important for the incoming council to learn the city’s strengths and weaknesses before beginning to make decisions, but that she is excited to get started.

“I tend to throw myself into new projects and dive deep into learning as much as I can about issues and new projects,” she said.

Cook said her main goals once the new council takes office are to focus on strategic planning, and to get public input on both short-term and long-term priorities.

She said she thinks the new council will have a lot of decisions to make early on, and that she wants to make sure the process is as transparent as possible.

“I believe an effective communication plan will bring greater transparency and a higher level of community engagement to our city,” she said.

COUNCILOR-ELECT FOR PLACE 4 - GEORGE PIERCE George Pierce is retaining his Place 4 seat on the council, which he has held since 2008.

Pierce is a 30-year resident of Vestavia Hills and works for the Alabama chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. He and his wife, Kacy, who is the principal at Liberty Park Middle School, have three children who graduated from Vestavia Hills High School and eight grandchildren, three of whom are at Vestavia schools this year.

Pierce is the only returning member of the city council, and said he thinks the turnout in the Aug. 23 election shows

residents are interested in city affairs.

“The fact that we had over 6,000 people vote, that’s telling us a lot,” he said.

Pierce said he wants to continue to listen to residents and focus on making Vestavia Hills “a great place to live” by updating facilities and infrastructure, giving continued strong support to schools and encouraging residents to support area businesses and “shop local.”

“My plan is to take the next four [years] and expound on the last four,” he said.

Head campaigned on improving the parks and recreation facilities throughout the city, as well as focusing on making sure the school system gets the support it needs to be successful.

He said that while he is more accustomed to being behind the scenes, he is working to get a better understanding of how the city government works and what his role will be as part of the city council.

A10 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Phase II on Sicard Hollow area begins this fall

By ALYX CHANDLER Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Executive Director Leigh Belcher urges residents and children to hang in there just a little longer.

As of September, the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation began installing the Sicard Hollow area additions, which is set to include the installation of a one-of-a-kind modern KOMPA climbing playground.

“There’s not one like it in the metro area of Birmingham,” Belcher said. “A lot of playgrounds are for younger kids, like kindergarten-aged, but we wanted to offer one for older kids as well.”

She said the primary age group they’re targeting is from 6 to 12 years old, although adults and teenagers are also welcome to use the handicap-accessible climbing area. The playground will feature climbing ropes, standing and balancing features and free-play experimentation areas.

The highest point on the climbing structure’s space net is 19 feet and the critical fall height is just over 9 feet.

“I believe in Vestavia Hills this will be the first playground with the poured in place surfacing allowing complete accessibility for everyone. The space net with the attached parkour course is completely unique for any playground in Alabama,” Belcher said.

Likewise, the children of Vestavia Hills have something to look forward to come spring of 2017, too. By the time parents drag those swimsuits back out, the addition of the new childfriendly splash pad is expected to be finished.

The splash pad — a circular, concrete playing area with multiple water spouts — is one of the additions the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation plans to officially announce as it begins the long-awaited Phase II of the Sicard Hollow project.

Jordy Henson, the president of the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation, said Phase II started the first week of September and park development and construction should take

Rendering courtesy of Vestavia Hills Parks and Rec Foundation.

about four to five months.

“The overall appeal of the project is that it will be a wonderful destination, top-quality venue for people to have parties, to meet, to enjoy and a place really for all ages,” Henson said. “It will complement the fields and the high activity that takes places in those fields.”

Phase I included the construction of the football, soccer and lacrosse fields, as well as the concession stand and a smaller playground area for kids. The fields have been open for about five years, Henson said.

“The total park has been a very long-term project,” he said.

Henson said the total cost for the project was about $1.3 million, and the city of Vestavia Hills covered $600,000. The Parks and Recreation Foundation has on hand the remaining $700,000 for the construction, most of which was raised through donors and contracts with Vestavia Hills residents.

The facility will include a 1.5-mile walking and jogging trail. It also will include a picnic pavilion with restrooms, some exercise

equipment and a large green space nearby for large-group activities or games.

“I think it will be a great place for families of all ages to enjoy the amenities that are going to be provided there,” Henson said.

Belcher said although the original plans for the park involved other amenities such as an amphitheater and dog park, future fundraising will determine if those projects can be added.

For more information or updates, go to vhprf. org/.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A11

Parents express concern, superintendent asks for patience at academic alignment forums Liberty Park Middle School has only been open since 2008, compared to Pizitz Middle School, which was established in 1967.

Photo Courtesy of Vestavia Hills City Schools.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON Liberty Park Middle School and Pizitz Middle School are separated by only 15 driving miles, but some parents are concerned that more than Highway 280 and I-459 divide the schools.

Vestavia Hills City Schools superintendent Sheila Phillips held two public forums in September to discuss academic alignment between the two middle schools and discuss what the schools might do going forward.

Phillips said the urgency for the meetings became apparent after recent forums to discuss facility use within the school system. At those meetings, Phillips said it became clear that some parents and others in the community were operating under assumptions about differences between the schools that weren’t necessarily true.

“It became clear we needed to have some more conversation,” she said at the first of the two forums.

She said parents have expressed concern that the learning environments at LPMS and Pizitz are noticeably different, and that students at LPMS might be missing out.

Phillips prefaced her presentation by saying that over the last three years there have been significant changes to the school system from top to bottom, and that in making those changes and shifts, some alignment issues have already begun to work themselves out.

In 2014, when the system went through its accreditation process, she said the board and administrators were able to more accurately understand where the school system stood and what areas they needed to address.

“What I do hope to clarify for you is that we have put alignment pieces into place,” she said, adding that the things that have been done aren’t necessarily “tangible,” and therefore parents might not be aware of them.

The major areas Phillips described included a focus to align the school system from

kindergarten through 12th grade, including streamlining assessment models and curriculum content in core subjects such as math, English, science and social studies.

She said the school system has also tried to streamline evaluation processes for teachers and allow teachers from the same grade level to collaborate across discipline and even geographical barriers.

Phillips stressed near the end of the presentation that going forward, no decisions have been made. She said she has heard the “conspiracy theories” that the Board of Education has already decided how to align the schools, but

she said that is untrue, and that they wouldn’t go through the process of having public forums if that was the case.

When the floor was opened for questions at the Sept. 20 meeting, several parents expressed their concerns over the differences in course offerings between the two schools, as well as extracurricular activities.

Others were concerned with the disparity between the two schools’ schedules, LPMS operating on a five-block schedule while Pizitz has an eight-period schedule.

Others said they were concerned that LPMS was not receiving equal resources for things such

as band equipment and the library, and wanted to know how the board planned to address resources.

At the second meeting on Sept. 22, Phillips presented a proposal that would add several classes at LPMS, such as gifted English in 7th and 8th grades, gifted science in 6th, and French and German to the foreign language program.

Phillips said she wants to continue to bring people to the table to discuss possible solutions and move forward in a direction that makes sense for both schools as curriculum decisions continue through the month of October.

A12 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Public safety, quality of life enhancements prominent in coming year’s budget

By EMILY FEATHERSTON

The budget also addresses needs of the city’s senior citizens. The part-time senior programs coordinator position will be converted to a fulltime position in order to create more involved and “robust” services at the New Merkle House in Cahaba Heights. It also funds the purchase of a new senior transportation vehicle that can be used to drive senior citizens to medical appointments, among other things.

Looking back at the 2016 fiscal year and ahead at 2017, Vestavia Hills city officials said they are optimistic, and several projects are getting the green light.

The 2017 budget is 3.9 percent larger than last year’s, an increase of $1,386,727, which City Manager Jeff Downes attributes to the roughly 9-percent growth in sales tax and a 4.5-percent growth in property taxes. Barring anything significant, Downes said growth trends should continue.

“We budget very conservatively; we estimate conservatively, and absent of some economic downturn, we should see some surplus,” he said.

The total $37,185,611 budget will allow the city to shore up several departments, while moving ahead in many others.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Funding for the police and fire departments was a major talking point during the August election, and it continues to be a major focus for the city and a major part of the coming year’s budget.

“If you don’t have the right public safety foundation, all the nice things you want to do are not sustainable,” Downes said. “Public safety has to be a priority.”

At a city council work session about the budget, Place 4 Councilman George Pierce asked Downes what department heads had asked for that would be a challenge for the budget.

Downes said the answer was easy: They need more people.

In March, the city council approved the addition of three new firefighters and three new police officers to the city’s personnel, and the coming year will be the first fiscal year to absorb the entirety of that cost.

FINANCIAL SITUATION

This year’s budget appropriates $120,000 for additional sidewalk projects. Photos by Emily Featherston.

Additionally, a fourth police officer was added because of the partnerships the city has with various agencies, such as the FBI and DEA, that often take officers off the streets.

While Downes said the major funding issue for public safety is finding the funds for personnel costs, there are also several items up for funding this year to improve other areas of the two departments.

The budget fully funds the vehicle-replacement program, which will allow the fire department to repair a rescue unit and obtain a staff vehicle. It also funds some needed building improvements.

Both police and fire will benefit from a new remote-online system called Cradlepoint, which

will allow officers and firefighters to file reports from the field, rather than having to come off the streets to do paperwork.

Both departments will also be supported by a new Public Safety Chaplain program, which Downes’ budget report says will “support the internal and external needs associated with public safety.”

SIDEWALKS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

While the city is already underway on several sidewalk projects, the 2017 budget appropriates an additional $120,000 toward sidewalk construction. Funding is also appropriated for green space maintenance and aesthetic improvements to the city’s “common areas.”

As far as the city’s financial situation goes, Finance Director Melvin Turner said the city is in good shape.

“No anxiety right now, which is always a good thing,” Turner said.

As the 2016 fiscal year comes to a close and the final numbers come in, Turner said not only were revenues up and exceeding projects by a fair amount, but expenses were down.

He said department chairs are working hard to manage their budgets responsibly, and if something changes and they don’t need a budgeted item, they don’t buy it “just because.”

Because state law requires municipalities to have a zero-balance budget, Turner said the goal is always to meet projections as closely as possible. However, should there be a surplus, the city can use the extra funds for additional projects or initiatives at the turn of the fiscal year, and Turner said this has been the case pretty much every year for at least the last 13 years.

“We’re looking excellent,” he said. “I’m very satisfied.”

Others, such as David Harwell, are not so sure.

DEBT AND CITY GOVERNMENTS

Harwell is a lifelong resident of Vestavia Hills, and he said he has attended city council

VestaviaVoice.com meetings since Pat Reynolds was mayor in the late 1980s and 1990s.

At the meeting where the budget was passed, Harwell expressed his concerns to the council about the city’s recent increase in debt.

He said he is glad there has been some economic growth and appreciates nice facilities, such as the new City Hall and the Library in the Forest — it’s just the way the city went about getting them he said doesn’t sit right with him.

“I think we need to do something in order to chase down the existing debt and not increase the existing debt just because we want things because we feel that we need to have it,” Harwell said.

Turner said the city has $56.6 million in long-term principal debt, or $77.2 million with the addition of interest.

He said, however, that the city is well within the lines legally to hold that much debt. State law allows for up to 20 percent of the city’s assessed property value to be taken out in loans, which for Vestavia would be a limit of $132 million, well above where the city currently sits.

“Some people frown on debt, and certainly I do — I like to be debt-free, too — but that’s not realistic,” he said. “That’s not realistic at all.”

Turner and Downes both referenced the fact Fitch Ratings Company rated the city at AA+, and Moody Investors Service Aa1, which is just below the highest rating possible. Both said these third-party ratings reaffirm the city’s debt policies and liability management.

Downes said from his perspective, the value added by projects that may require taking on debt ends up being greater than the amount borrowed.

“It’d be great not to have to have any debt,” Downes said, “but with the cost of leveraged funds, interest rates, compared to the value that these particular capital projects can bring to the city, arguably you get more in return.”

He said he firmly believes if the city hadn’t invested in a new City Hall, there would be no Sprouts Farmers Market or continued interest

October 2016 • A13

Above: Several senior services are getting a boost this coming year.

Right: This year’s budget absorbs the cost of three police officers added last year, and adds a fourth.

in the U.S. 31 corridor. He added many other projects the city has borrowed for are bringing in development the city needs.

Still, Harwell said he hopes to eventually see a line item in the budget that would take a portion of the city’s revenue and apply it to paying down the debt more quickly.

“If you do that, later on you’ll be in a better position,” he said.

A14 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

City finally makes headway with pedestrian bridge project

By EMILY FEATHERSTON A project dating back to Scotty McCallum’s days as mayor has finally seen some progress.

The project, which originated in 2005 during the Safe Routes to School program’s push for walkability, would create a pedestrian bridge spanning across U.S. 31 from Wald Park and the civic center to Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.

Then-mayor McCallum worked with Gresham, Smith & Partners and the University of Alabama at Birmingham to create the design, which was unveiled in 2012.

But because the road in question is a state highway, and the base of the structure would have to sit on a state right-of-way, the project’s design had to be approved by ALDOT. That is where things got sticky, said City Manager Jeff Downes.

He said for years the city has inquired with the state as to the progress of the project’s approval. The answer the city got was always that it was “under review.”

Recently, Downes said he and Mayor Butch Zaragoza met with the head of ALDOT to press the issue further.

Downes brought the project up at the Vestavia Hills City Council’s Aug. 29 work session and gave the current council and council-elect information on the progress.

He announced the project had finally been “shaken loose,” but that the earmarked amount had been reduced to about $700,000, which would leave somewhere between $500,000 and $650,000 in additional costs to build the bridge.

“We are working to try to find a way to mitigate the additional cost of the project so that it would not fall on the city’s cash to make it happen,” Downes said.

The proposed pedestrian bridge project would span across U.S. 31 and connect two major city facilities. Rendering courtesy of the city of Vestavia Hills.

He said the additional money possibly could come from pedestrian-specific ALDOT funding sources.

To complicate matters, Downes said the state wanted to hear within 30 days whether the city wanted to move forward with the project.

While he said the deadline isn’t rock-hard, it does put pressure on the city council to make a decision soon, as well as work out the cost variables.

“Clearly we are not in control. We are reacting to the opportunity,” he said.

If the city decides not to move forward with the bridge project, the $700,000 earmark will be returned to ALDOT’s coffers and used however the state wants.

“So we’re under somewhat of a vice to try to — in rapid fashion — take a project that’s lingered and be able to determine if it’s a priority in the community,” he said.

Downes said the project would allow residents on either side of U.S. 31 to safely cross and use the existing sidewalks, access the library or pool and just generally provide more

access. He said it would also likely help alleviate some of the parking problems the library has seen in recent years, with guests having the ability to park at Wald Park or the civic center.

Zaragoza said he thinks even though several years have passed since the project’s original proposal, it still adheres to what residents want and the vision former Mayor McCallum had for the city.

“I think it fits right in with what we were wanting to do,” Zaragoza said, “The people are asking for a walkable community.”

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A15

IRON AND STONE: Designer choose-youradventure pizza restaurant comes to the Hills

By EMILY FEATHERSTON

I

n a world of standard, delivery-chain pizza, a new fast-casual restaurant is hoping to make its mark.

IronStone Pizzaworks opened its doors last month at Vestavia Hills City Center on U.S. 31.

The restaurant, owned by Bill McPherson and operated by Jim Walsh, is a design-yourown pizza concept, where customers can build their own pizza from the dough up with seemingly unlimited combinations of ingredients.

Alternatively, customers can choose from a variety of existing pizzas and entree salads.

“You’ve got the chance to be your own artisan chef, but we’re also excited about our own signature pizzas and signature salads,” Walsh said.

McPherson said he thinks that the warm and inviting interior with an upscale feel will be an environment that will keep people coming back.

The restaurant’s interior is something Walsh also said is important to the goals of IronStone.

“What we were going for was, we want to give you a very affordable experience, but it feels upscale; it’s warm; it’s very comfortable,” he said, “We wanted you to feel like you are

T R U I T T

I N S U R A N C E

Bill McPherson and Jim Walsh stand outside IronStone just before its September opening. Photo by Emily Featherston.

getting a better experience for a similar price point.”

McPherson lives in Mississippi, but has ties to the Birmingham area with both his daughter Dr. Taylor McPherson Banahan and her husband, Dr. John (Johnny) Banahan, doing their residencies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and staying in the area to practice medicine.

Now the Banahans have a young daughter, Anna Chamberlin, and McPherson visits often.

It was this close connection to the area, plus McPherson’s observation that Vestavia has an engaged population that he said led him to decide to bring the business to the city.

“We just knew that Vestavia was a thriving

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community,” he said, and said he could tell that it would be a welcoming one as well.

When the restaurant was still under construction, Walsh said people would stop by and peek in, asking when they planned to open.

Walsh said the process to bring the restaurant to life began in late 2015, when McPherson began pursuing a pizza restaurant.

Once McPherson decided on a concept and had a location in mind, Walsh said the team made a trip to California to get a feel for the design-your-own pizza industry.

While there, he said they tried 15 to 20 different stops in two or three days to explore the options already out there.

“It’s not nearly as fun as it would sound,

eating that much pizza in two days, but we looked at different atmospheres and what we liked and didn’t like,” Walsh said, adding that the experience encouraged them to shoot for a more upscale feel in the restaurant.

Walsh has been connected to the McPherson family ever since he met McPherson’s oldest son, Will, and after working with the family in different ways over the years. He will act as the project manager for IronStone.

Eventually, both McPherson and Walsh said they hope to expand IronStone to additional locations in Birmingham and the Southeast.

“We want to grow in general, but it makes really good sense to try to grow in this area,” Walsh said. “It’s a food area.”

A16 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

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VestaviaVoice.com

Relocations and Renovations TJC Mortgage has relocated from its Cahaba Heights location, 3168 Cahaba Heights Road, to 1 Perimeter Park South, Suites 130 and 230.

776-8401, tjcmortgage.com

1

Renta Urban Land Design has relocated from its location in Office Park in Mountain Brook to 3325 Rocky Ridge Plaza, Suite 227, in Vestavia Hills.

545-7639, renta-la.com

2

October 2016 • A17 MedjetAssist has relocated its corporate offices to a new building at 3075 Healthy Way in the Patchwork Farms development. Their offices were previously located in the Colonnade.

595-6626, medjetassist.com

3

Hirings and Promotions ARC Realty, 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 200, has hired Katie Clark and Tristan Chisolm as Realtors.

969-8910, arcrealtyco.com

4

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

A18 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Nitpicky about ousting lice Lice treatment center provides one-day lice eradication Andrew and Renae Byers, owners of Lice Clinics of America in Birmingham.

Photo courtesy of Renae Byers.

By ERICA TECHO Panic (noun): A sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.

This definition is written on a chalkboard prominently positioned on a shelf in Lice Clinics of America in Birmingham.

Under the definition, it reads “Solution — AirAllé.”

Panic is the No. 1 way families typically enter Lice Clinics of America in Birmingham, said owner Renae Byers. The clinic is in Cahaba Heights behind Starbucks, and Byers said the panic typically stems from parents using treatments which are becoming more and more ineffective against lice.

When a child comes home with lice, most parents reach for traditional over-the-counter treatments such as Rid or Nix. But these days, those don’t always work, Byers said.

“You can’t kill lice out there by yourself,” she said. “There is nothing on the market that will kill lice, except me.”

Lice are growing increasingly resistant to the active chemicals in go-to treatments, and people can end up spending hundreds or thousands of dollars trying to rid their child and family of lice.

Rather than the typical shampoos, Lice Clinics of America uses the AirAllé machine, which uses hot air to dehydrate and kill lice and nits.

“Ours is one and done,” Byers said, who purchased the Lice Clinics of America Cahaba Heights location from a friend in April. “You miss one day of work, one day of school, and it’s over with. It’s eradicated. It’s done.”

A full treatment includes the AirAllé machine, a comb out and a rinse. The AirAllé

is about 99.2 percent effective, Byers said, and the comb out and rinse make the treatment 100 percent effective.

Clients go home with the rinse on, a step that means they can clean their home without worrying lice will jump back on their head, she added.

In addition to the full treatment, which costs about $175, Byers said they also work with families on a budget.

“We do offer successful treatment within everyone’s budget,” she said. “That’s important because not everyone can afford $175.”

Cheaper treatments include oils and nit combs available at the clinic, and take longer

to get rid of the lice, Byers said.

While these options can take up to three weeks to kill lice, Byers said she believes it is important to provide the options.

As a pediatric nurse, Byers said they work to provide a family- and child-friendly environment in the clinic.

“If we have to we sit on the floor, or we let children play with the equipment,” Byers said.

“It is very family-friendly, very small-child friendly. We don’t really have any issues, they seem comfortable.”

The AirAllé machine and other equipment is also portable, meaning the clinic can travel if a

patient needs to stay home, she said.

One of the important parts of lice prevention and treatment is education, Byers said. Most people do not know that lice are becoming resistant to traditional treatments, and they will end up spending money on ineffective treatments, she said.

“Don’t waste your money on products that don’t work,” she said. “You wouldn’t believe how much money people spend.”

For more information about Lice Clinics of America, go to lcabirmingham.com. The clinic is at 3118 Bellwood Drive, Suite 102, behind the Cahaba Heights Starbucks.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A19

Yancey has big dreams for Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation

By GRACE THORNTON When Elaine Yancey dreams big these days behind her new desk at the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, she dreams of being able to fund every single grant proposal that any teacher in town submits.

It’s because she’s passionate about public education, she said, and because she knows that each of those proposals represents a teacher or a class who needs that extra investment.

“We’re fortunate to have a very high-level school system in Vestavia Hills, but that doesn’t happen without supplementary finances,” said Yancey, the new director of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation.

As a state, Alabama struggles in the area of public-school rankings, and that means extra help is needed to bridge the gap, she said. The foundation has been able to make extraordinary strides toward that end in Vestavia, Yancey said.

“But every year, the schools [in Vestavia] get so many grant proposals for things that teachers want for their classrooms, and we don’t have enough money to fund them all.”

That’s why she wants to see the foundation grow its endowment — to cover more and more of those requests, she said.

Yancey said she’s impressed with the massive amount the foundation has already been able to do to support Vestavia’s public education — to date, the foundation has granted nearly $783,000 in funds for teacher development, classroom enhancement and technology.

That’s what attracted Yancey to the job at the helm of the foundation — the opportunity to continue that legacy and grow it even more,

Elaine Yancey, the new executive director of the VHCSF, wants the foundation to grow its endowment. Photo by Ron Burkett.

she said.

“They have really done a substantial amount of work with the resources they have had,” Yancey said.

Yancey had invested the previous 17 years of her life in a similar role at McWane Science Center in Birmingham as its vice president of operations and business development, so when she heard about the position with the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, it seemed like the perfect fit, she said.

“For a very long time, I have been passionate about education, both formal and informal,”

Yancey said. “I was ready for something different and was trying to figure out what I’d like to do with the rest of my life. This seemed like it would be a great new challenge.”

Janet Ball, president of the foundation, said she’s excited about the future of Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation with Yancey at the helm.

“I am proud to be a part of the VHCSF during this important time of our history in celebrating our 20th anniversary and welcoming Elaine,” Ball said. “I am looking forward to the great things the foundation will be doing

into the future for Vestavia’s children and our schools.”

Yancey said she’s excited about the projects already in the works with help from foundation grants, like a green roof sustainability project underway at Vestavia Hills High School that received $10,000 from the foundation.

They have also been able to fund technology purchases like iPad Minis and Blue-Bots for Vestavia Hills Elementary East and instructional materials for other schools.

And grants sent four teachers to a professional development conference in Atlanta recently.

“The foundation does a lot of work that isn’t always a super visible thing,” Yancey said.

“The ultimate goal would be that they (teachers) would have the funds to do everything they want to do for these students, that we wouldn’t have to turn anyone down.”

In order to keep going toward that goal, the foundation has two big fundraisers every year.

Next up is the third annual PNC and VHCSF Luncheon on Oct. 4 featuring Todd Gerelds, author of “Woodlawn: One Hope, One Dream, One Way.” That event will be held at A Club in Vestavia.

The foundation’s Dinner and Diamonds event will also be held again in February.

“It’s exciting the way people are giving to the future of these kids and the future of the community,” Yancey said. “Giving to the foundation is a really tangible way that you can see the impact that your giving is having on these kids and these teachers to have what they need to run their classrooms.”

For more information, visit vestaviafoundation.org.

A20 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Healthy children, healthy future

By GRACE THORNTON “The new fear is that the next generation will not outlive us.”

That’s the thought that’s driving Toni Leo and Christy Swaid of HEAL Alabama to expand their program into even more elementary schools — and develop a new program for middle- and high-school students.

HEAL — which stands for Healthy Eating Active Living — has been aimed at teaching good disease prevention habits to kids in about 100 Alabama elementary schools through physical education programs.

About 100 more are on a waiting list, Swaid said, who is the founder and CEO of the Vestavia Hills-based organization.

Swaid considers this program to be vital information, the bedrock of HEAL, and so she’s working hard to accomplish those expansions.

But there’s still more to be done than getting the curriculum into more elementary schools, she said.

“We kept talking with alumni of our program, and they said they wished they had been able to continue the program past elementary school, because they found themselves slipping back into bad habits in middle school and high school,” she said.

So, Swaid said HEAL Alabama is ready to meet that need.

“We are super excited that we are now beginning the HEAL hybrid middle school component,” she said.

It’s in the beginning stages, said Leo, who is serving as team leader for the new hybrid program.

“We have three schools using the new material, and we’re experimenting to see how it’s effective, how we can hone it to make it a better experience for students,” Leo said.

The three schools — Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia, Montevallo Middle School in Shelby County and Lupton Junior High School in Walker County — provide a variety of geographical and cultural differences, she said.

“We will watch how the students respond to the material, then develop a pilot program for several more schools the next year,” Leo said. “Then the third year, hopefully we can roll it out to more schools.”

Meredith Hanson, principal of Pizitz Middle School, said she’s excited for her school to participate in the experimental program this year.

“With anything, when we’re looking out for the best for our children, a healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance,” Hanson said.

Volunteers at HEAL Alabama pack boxes with supplies for a school project. Photo by Ron Burkett.

“The HEAL program is something that brings in truly lifelong learners. Football is something they can’t play forever, baseball is something they can’t play forever, but HEAL shows them things they can do for a lifetime to stay healthy and in shape.”

And Swaid said she hopes they can dovetail it into a highschool program.

“Our intention at the high-school level would be more career-oriented,” she said. “A foundation of good health is a springboard to success in every area of life, whatever your vocation may be, from the National Guard to motherhood. We want to help young adults realize how important it is to invest the time and resources in preventing disease and laying a healthy foundation.”

That’s why HEAL Alabama starts children young, she said.

“These days, 10-year-olds are already showing a prevalence of early disease,” Swaid said. “Our main mission is to rescue these children from the path of disease and put them on a path of health and wellness.”

And through the new hybrid program, Swaid said HEAL Alabama hopes to show them the relevance of making healthy choices as they grow older.

“And we’re looking forward to following them as they progress and grow into adulthood,” she said.

For more information about HEAL Alabama, go to healalabama.org.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A21

School House

School board considering options for Berry campus, other facilities

By LEXI COON The Vestavia Hills school system may be aiming to “learn without limits,” but students are certainly reaching the capacity limit throughout city school facilities, and discussions are underway as to how to best mitigate the problem.

On Sept. 8 the Vestavia Hills Board of Education held the first two of many meetings to come to discuss any and all options for the former Berry High School campus with the public.

“There is the rumor out there that [action with Berry] is already decided,” Superintendent Sheila Phillips said. “We wouldn’t be going through [these discussions] if it was already decided.”

In a presentation that addressed the needed renovations to several schools throughout Vestavia, Phillips pointed out that the school system is growing, and that something has to change.

At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, the district saw 6,476 students enrolled.

This year, there are 7,094.

Phillips attributed the amount of growth to number of homes for sale within the district that do not currently have school-age children.

When these houses are sold and families with young children move in, there is a large spike in school enrollment.

Currently, 73 percent of homes in Vestavia

Superintendent Sheila Phillips presents possible uses for the former Berry High School campus. Photo by Lexi Coon.

do not have school-age children, which Phillips said leaves a large amount of space for potential families and children.

“We do not anticipate [our enrollment] slowing down,” Phillips said, but added that Vestavia does plan on adjusting for the growth accordingly.

Many questions and concerns were raised by

the public at the meetings and online, including how the district plans on dealing with the increasing population happening through zoning and annexations, how the board might merge classes and schools, what will happen with the Berry campus, how money will be spent to keep students academically aligned and together to ensure the best education possible

across the area.

In what Phillips called an “anchor idea,” she addressed one option that involves moving Pizitz Middle School to the Berry campus, and moving Vestavia Hills Elementary Central to the Pizitz campus, since Berry was built as a middle school or small high school. Central would then close, alleviating the need for costly renovations to bring the school up to a more desirable condition.

While the idea was explained to those at the meetings, Phillips reiterated that no decisions were being made and everything is still open for consideration.

The size of the new property was also discussed at length to clarify that in addition to its currently standing facilities, the Berry campus does have the capability to expand outward on the 37 acres where it sits.

Although no agreements have been made, the board is looking to have a decision in the coming weeks in order to keep with the timeline of “being pretty far along in three years.”

“We intend to make this experience even better, and that is what this whole initiative is about,” Phillips said.

No dates have been decided for future discussion of the Berry campus, but the locations will be spread out throughout the district to reach a broader audience. Dates, times and locations for future meetings will be posted online as well.

A22 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Vestavia’s Help the Hills to hold community forum

“

By LEXI COON Substance abuse is something that can plague any community, regardless of identifying factors. Several Vestavia groups know this and have been making a point to reach out to the community and encourage open communications between peers, relatives and friends.

This summer, the Vestavia Hills City Schools Drug Awareness Team merged with the Leadership Vestavia Hills initiative Help the Hills to form a stronger coalition against substance abuse in the community under the Help the Hills name. A “community drug prevention coalition,” the organization works to combine public resources and empower kids to make health decisions in choosing a drugfree lifestyle.

To encourage involvement and increase awareness about how to prevent substance abuse, Help the Hills will be hosting the forum “A Conversation on Youth Substance Abuse,” on Oct. 25 at City Hall at 6 p.m.

The forum, which encourages an open dialogue, will have a panel of local community leaders including: Dr. Sheila Phillips, superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools; Lieutenant Brian Gilham of the Vestavia Police Department; and Judge Shanta Owens, district judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.

With these public figures, Help the Hills is hoping to address the truth and any questions about drug and alcohol use in Vestavia.

“Vestavia Hills is a wonderful community.

We want to support our youth in their decisionmaking as they try to navigate through a culture that places lots of pressures and temptations on young people.

”

WHIT MCGHEE

Superintendent Sheila Phillips, Vestavia Hills Police Lt. Johnny Evans and Judge Shanta Owens at a Help the Hills forum in 2015. Phillips and Owens will be returning to a similar event this month. Staff photo.

It has absolutely wonderful attributes that you can go on and on about, but nevertheless, every community has drug abuse going on,” said Gilham. “Anything that gives parents info, anything that spreads information or educates folks to current dangers, it’s critical.”

Children and teenagers can be influenced by their surroundings and as they mature through school, they are often given greater responsibilities and independence.

“Our students by a wide margin make excellent decisions within their health and priorities,” said Whit McGhee of Vestavia City Schools. “We want to support our youth in their decision-making as they try to navigate through a culture that places lots of pressures and temptations on young people.”

This three-paneled forum aims to inform the community about different substance abuse policies, procedures and the risks that accompany substance abuse and addiction.

“Love is blind — you don’t want to believe your child is involved,” said Gilham. “[Drug abuse] can absolutely destroy a family and it can absolutely have a negative impact on the community.”

With a drug-free school policy in the district, Help the Hills wants to bring about more understanding of addictive substances, the policies that accompany them, and how the community can work together against substance abuse.

“We want to ensure that we are doing all we can as a community to create awareness of addictive substances and work together to grow a healthy culture among our youth,” said McGhee. “We think this [merged coalition] will have a positive effect on communications throughout the community.”

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A23

Getting back to nature: Pizitz students learn about environment, science

Students make a pumpkin pie from an organic pumpkin as part of a farm-to-table lesson at Camp McDowell. Photo Courtesy of Phillip VanderKamp.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON A group of Louis Pizitz Middle School students are learning about more than math and language arts, and this month that learning will move even further from the classroom.

The Pizitz Middle Eco Club is an eighth-period class designed to teach students about the environment, gardening, raising animals, recycling and other eco-friendly activities.

Club co-sponsors and Pizitz teachers Kelly Sorrell and Phillip VanderKamp said the club has grown in popularity in its three years, and this year they have 53 students participating.

“The goal is that they become citizen-scientists and environmental citizens,” VanderKamp said. “That they have an awareness of their environment and surroundings.”

In the classroom, students learn about things such as creating a pollinator garden and growing plants as well as following different curriculums, such as materials from the Cornell University eBird program and visits from local wildlife experts and farmers.

However, the learning is not confined to the walls of the school.

Later this month, the Eco Club will travel to Camp McDowell, which is north of Jasper.

The students will participate in the Farm School program, which focuses on farm-to-table cooking and eating, farm plants and gardening and caring for farm animals.

Students also get the chance to go on hikes, something several of the Eco Club group said they are excited about.

“I like the hikes, because it’s really a chance to get away from technology,” said seventh-grader Haley Edwards.

Haley went on the Camp McDowell trip last year, and she said she also is looking forward to getting to pet chickens, hang out with rabbits, milk the goats and plant vegetables.

Others who have been to the camp before, such as seventh-grader Stephanie Wright, said they are excited about the chance to not only learn about growing vegetables, but about the chance to cook with them.

The Farm School has a kitchen classroom where students can help prepare meals and learn about food waste and how to be ecofriendly in the kitchen.

Last year, Stephanie said the group made pesto pasta, and even though she had never

had pesto before, she said she really liked it.

Even students who haven’t been to the Farm School said they are excited about the cooking.

Sixth-grader Philip Cundiff has been to Camp McDowell for another program, and said he is looking forward to going back.

“I’m kind of excited to harvest and plant,” Philip said. “Usually it’s my mom that makes all the food, but I also kind of want to have the chance to make food, too.”

VanderKamp said the farm-to-table idea is a large part of their curriculum, because they want the students to understand where their food comes from, and the difference between organic, home-grown produce compared to grocery-store fare.

Sorrell said she also thinks it’s a good way to encourage the students to make healthy food choices from now into adulthood, as well as get them outside and exercising.

The students will be at Camp McDowell for three days, but Sorrell and VanderKamp said they hope the students will take what they are learning and use it in the community, as the group has already started doing with a community garden.

“We want to make this part of the community as well,” Sorrell said.

Students themselves gave several reasons they think more people should get involved with Eco Club.

“Eco Club teaches us responsibility to care for our Earth,” Haley said.

Philip was just as eager, adding he thinks it’s a good way to try something new and meet new people.

“It’s not something you would do every day,” he said.

A24 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Red Ribbon Week aims to educate kids on the dangers of drug use

By EMILY FEATHERSTON Ghosts and goblins are scary sights, but some Vestavia schools are hoping to educate students on something even scarier — the dangers of drug use.

Each year, the last week of October is set aside as Red Ribbon Week to focus on drug addiction prevention and awareness.

“We use it as a way to discuss the dangers of drug use while also promoting that recovery is possible,” said Sandor Cheka, who is the executive director of the Addiction Prevention Coalition.

The APC serves central Alabama by facilitating drug prevention programs and promoting awareness of recovery services to individuals affected by drug use.

Cheka said Red Ribbon Week began as a way to remember Enrique Camerena, an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency officer who was killed while serving. The remembrance week started in California and has spread to be the oldest and largest prevention campaign in the United States.

In Vestavia, several elementary schools and Liberty Park Middle School will recognize Red Ribbon Week again this year to encourage students to avoid drugs and drug use.

LPMS School Counselor Keri Howard said the middle school will have a week of dress-up days and activities with a drug-free theme, including a Halloween party on Oct. 27 to “Scare Drugs Away.” Students will be able to wear Halloween costumes to school, and a speaker will be presenting to students during their physical education classes.

Is your child’s school recognizing Red Ribbon Week?

To find out more about events and how to get involved, contact the organizers: ► Liberty Park Middle School Contact: School Counselor Keri Howard Email: howardkt@vestavia.k12.al.us ► Vestavia Hills Elementary Central Contact: Assistant Principal Lorie Belski Email: belskilh@vestavia.k12.al.us ► Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Contact: School Counselor Marla Hatch Email: hatchma@vestavia.k12.al.us Students wore red to celebrate Red Ribbon Week in 2015, and several schools will wear red again this year. Photo courtesy of VHEC.

Howard said the PTO has also secured red T-shirts for all students to wear on Friday, Oct. 28, that will tie into the national Red Ribbon Week theme of “YOLO” (You Only Live Once).

At Vestavia Hills Elementary Central, students will celebrate a week of focusing on healthy lifestyles with theme days and a poster contest. Dress-up days will include a day to “stomp out bad choices” by wearing boots and a

pajama day to remember to “make great choices to follow your dreams.”

“Red Ribbon Week gives us the opportunity to be vocal and visible in our efforts to achieve a drug-free community,” VHEC guidance counselor Alexis Sapp said. “Research shows that children are less likely to use drugs and alcohol when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.”

► Vestavia Hills Elementary East Contact: PTO Volunteer Katie Hughes Email: katiehughes414@gmail.com ► Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park Contact: School Counselor Rebecca Poe Email: poerj@vestavia.k12.al.us

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A25

VHEW students learn ‘The West Way’ From the moment they enter the school, visitors to Vestavia Hills Elementary West see the phrase that guides students’ behavior: a display explaining “The West Way.” They also see it throughout the halls and classrooms of the school as students demonstrate the motto, which sums up how West students are expected to behave. Courtesy, respect and responsibility make up “The West Way,” and every year, students learn about these good character traits during West Way Week. This year, students kicked off the school year by celebrating West Way Week Aug. 15-19.

Students started the week by receiving a special memento to help them remember “The West Way.” Classes spent a day on each trait, discussing it in depth and talking about how children and teachers could demonstrate each one. Students in each class then signed a “West Way Pledge,” which is displayed throughout the school year. The week wrapped up with “Team Up at West” day, as students, faculty and staff wore their favorite team shirts to remind everyone that together, they are a team.

– Submitted by Whit McGhee.

West students follow “The West Way,” signing a pledge to be courteous, respectful and responsible. Photo courtesy of Alice Elmore.

VHHS student selected for SCAD scholarship during Birmingham Fashion Week

By ERICA TECHO Vestavia Hills High School senior Brooke Lindsey will have the opportunity to attend Savannah College of Art and Design with a $1,500 per year scholarship in the upcoming school year. Lindsey, 17, was one of three students selected during Birmingham Fashion Week for SCAD scholarships.

Birmingham Fashion Week took place from Aug. 25-27 at Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham. Scholarships were presented following the featured designer show at BFW. The show featured wedding dresses from Birmingham-based designer Heidi Elnora, and Vestavia Hills High School graduate Baskin Champion kicked off the show.

Lindsey first participated in Birmingham Fashion

Week’s Rising Design Star challenge in 2014 and said she worked to embed her favorite flowers, orchids, into her design this year. Lindsey also modeled her design on the runway this year.

“When I’m designing, I try to think outside of the box and create something that has never been seen before,” she said. “I also ask myself if I would personally wear what I am designing.”

Lindsey was one of five Vestavia students who participated in Birmingham Fashion week, and one of four who made it to the finals. Finalists’ outfits were shown in one last runway show on Aug. 27, the last night of Birmingham Fashion Week.

Other finalists from Vestavia included: ► Emilie Alonso, 17 ► Liz Link, 17 ► McKinley Rohrer, 17

Vestavia Hills High School student Brooke Lindsey designed and modeled her outfit for the Rising Design Star Challenge at Birmingham Fashion Week. Photo by Erica Techo.

A26 • October 2016

ALTADENA

CONTINUED from page A1 property to keep vandals at bay.

The most recent progress in the project came when the Hoover City Council approved the rezoning of a lot farther down Acton Road that would allow Vestavia Hills to build a new entrance at the western end of the park.

Hoover passed the measure on Sept. 6, clearing the way for Lot No. 7 of International Park to be turned into a public road.

The western entrance would address the dangerous current entrance to the property that several residents and some city employees brought up as a concern when the land was purchased.

However, though the path is open to fi nally continue the design phase, Downes said the turnover on the city council from the August election puts the project in a “Catch-22” type situation.

In order to guarantee the park will be built, you need to build the road, but to justify building and spending money on the road, the park getting built needs to be guaranteed.

With four new council members taking

Vestavia Voice

office in November, Downes said the project is effectively on hold until the new council deems it a priority, if it does at all.

Downes said there are several projects underway that either cannot be stopped or that have no reason to be stopped.

Others, like the Altadena Valley project, may need to wait.

“The priorities of this city are dictated by the mayor and the elected officials,” he said.

He said in his role as city manager he already has been going through the process of bringing the incoming council up to speed on the city’s current projects and what projects are on the horizon.

“They will ultimately make decisions about these priorities,” he said.

Should the new mayor and council decide the Altadena Valley project is worth pursuing, Downes said the project will continue through the regular development process.

“Hoover has allowed for there to be an approval of the plan that then can turn into construction documents, those construction documents turn into bid documents, and then bid documents turn into a price, and then the price turns into a decision,” he said.

Tennis courts on the Altadena Valley property. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

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VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • A27 OFFENSE

Team chemistry is one of the most important things in our system. Trusting your teammates to do their assignments and knowing that if you do your job, you will be successful.

”

TOLIVER CHATWOOD

The running game has been a staple of Buddy Anderson’s offense since he arrived at Vestavia. Photo by Todd Lester.

CONTINUED from page A1 every play we run,” Nuss said, who will decide among a list of college offers from Air Force, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Western Kentucky. “We read each other’s blocks, zone block some, and we run a lot of plays to the split side this year, which is something we hadn’t done too much of before. It’s been fun watching our own offense evolve.”

Nuss said the Rebels began using the shotgun formation more in 2015, beginning with a 20-13 win over Hoover.

“Ever since then, we’ve been able to use it more and more due to a mobile quarterback and a solid, athletic tight end who can help lead the way for our backs to read the option off of,” Nuss said. “The transition has been pretty smooth. Since a lot of the guys starting now didn’t play last year, it’s kind of the offense they just know now.”

Vestavia Hills coaches took note of how athletic the team could be this year and decided that a shotgun/option approach could prove successful.

“As we practice it more and more throughout the year, I truly think it won’t be able to be stopped,” Nuss said. “It’s spaced out our offense and now the other defenses can’t just stack the box against us because we have a strong outside rush now.”

That outside rush is led by senior Toliver Chatwood, who, through four games, had rushed for 348 yards and four touchdowns on 61 carries.

“We often do see teams running more of an up-tempo passing offense, which is definitely different than how we do things,” Chatwood said. “I think as a team we are content with how we go about things for the most part. It’s definitely a physical and demanding style of offense.”

The offense is all about execution. After rushing for 86 yards and a score in the season-opening win over Homewood, Chatwood said the focus is always knowing assignments and reading blocks.

Nuss agreed.

“Even if the other team knows what’s coming, we can exert our own will on them,” he said.

Another key is team chemistry. Vestavia Hills does not pass the ball much, so it would be easy for wide receivers and tight ends to demand the ball more. It would be easy for Chatwood, junior quarterback Coleman Petway, junior running back William Schaffeld and senior running back Cooper Jones to hassle over who gets the most carries. Petway is the only one to eclipse the century mark, rushing for 105 yards against Huffman.

“Team chemistry is one of the most important things in our system,” Chatwood said.

“Trusting your teammates to do their assignments and knowing that if you do your job, you will be successful. Our team chemistry is strong because we are all friends outside of football, and we get along very well.”

Chatwood, who is listed at 170 pounds, said he is thankful to live in Vestavia Hills, where Anderson’s offense reigns supreme.

“It allows an average-sized kid like myself to really expand my talents and grow as a person and football player,” he said.

Nuss said he does not believe Vestavia Hills is “behind the times” with its offense.

“Everyone knows we run the same offense we always have, but that fits in with the culture of Vestavia,” he said. “Tradition is very important to us here. It can be difficult at certain times, but there’s also no better feeling than winning a ball game using a system that everyone claims shouldn’t work anymore. And as an offensive lineman, whether it’s spread, power or passing, blocking is always the same in the end. We line up and try to knock the helmet off the man in front of us.”

After a win over Homewood to open the season, Vestavia Hills dropped its first two Class 7A, Region 3 games before beating Huffman. But the potential is there now and in the future for the Rebels to be great. The underclassmen have great talent, solid size and talented skill players.

Nuss said he is looking forward to seeing them all grow and mature as players, and watching them win.

“Vestavia won’t be a team to sleep on,” he said.

SECTION

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COLUMBUS DAY SALE!

OCTOBER 2016

.com

special section

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

INDEX DSLD Land Management ..............................B2 Carbon Recall ..............................................B3 Bob’s Power Equipment...............................B4 Urban Home Market ....................................B6 Gardner Landscaping ..................................B8 365 Equipment and Parts Direct .................B8 Alalawn .......................................................B9 Carbon Recall ..............................................B3 Construx ................................................... B10

EZ Roof....................................................... B11 Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware ..................B12 Preserve Paints ..........................................B13 Phoenix Builders Group, LLC ......................B14 Sentry Heating & Cooling ...........................B15 Stock & Trade Design Co. ............................B16 Wedgworth Construction ............................B17 The Tile Cleaner .........................................B18 Budget Blinds .............................................B19 Aabco Rents ..............................................B20 Architectural Hardware Supply .................B20 Brewer Cabinets.........................................B21

Chickadee ..................................................B21 CK Estates .................................................B22 Crown Construction ..................................B22 Classic Gardens & Landscape ....................B23 Grand Highlands at Mountain Brook ..........B23 Hollywood Pools........................................B24 Mantooth Interiors ....................................B24 Plumb One .................................................B25 Next Chapter Counseling...........................B26 One Man & A Tool Box ................................B26 Bedzzz Express .........................................B27

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B2 • October 2016

home & garden

Vestavia Voice

DSLD LAND MANAGEMENT

Design your dream landscape DSLD Land Management is a full-service design/build landscape contractor firm. We are a family owned and operated company that strives to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. During our initial consultation, all on-site factors are considered from function to form, with special emphasis given to economy and value added work.

DSLD Land Management, Inc. opened its doors in 1983. Today, DSLD has built an excellent reputation in landscape construction as a prominent design/build company that services central Alabama. Over the past 30 years, DSLD has been recognized and featured multiple times in publications such as Southern Living Magazine and Builder’s Architect Magazine.

DSLD welcomes projects of any scope and size, and stands ready to serve our clients with a full staff of licensed and degreed designers, a full-time administrative assistant and one of the most experienced field service teams in the business.

DAVID H. SHARP

Pursing his lifelong interest in horticulture and business, coupled with a background in drainage and soil erosion, David Sharp was inspired to create the ideal landscape construction company specializing in residential design and installation. This inspiration is now DSLD Land Management, a full service design/build landscape contractor firm founded in 1983.

David studied Geotechnical Engineering at the Ohio State University. While a student at OSU David was offered and accepted a scholarship to Samford University in Birmingham,

emphasis in Landscape Design.

While obtaining her degree from Auburn University, Megan was able to develop a strong foundation in landscape design.

She has advanced training and specializes in software such as Dynascape and ProLandscape.

Megan looks forward to continuing her career with DSLD Land Management and creating spaces that reflect the lifestyle, purpose and attitude of our projects as well as injecting it with her personal flair.

RYAN H. LANSFORD

Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.

Soon after graduating, David became interested in applying his background in Geotechnical Engineering and Business Administration to a new course of study in Ornamental Horticulture.

In addition to learning from the environment around him, David has developed a more thorough understanding of various cultural landscape design applications from his travels throughout Europe and Asia visiting gardens and landscapes in over 20 countries. David firmly believes in the value of family. Not only does he enjoy his family, but also works to improve the lives of families with at-risk children. David sits on several national boards of directors where he volunteers on behalf of foster and adopted children across the country.

J. COLE SHARP

Growing up alongside his father, Cole Sharp

learned the family business from the ground up.

Cole attended Jefferson State Community College where he studied Computer Information Systems Technology and Mathematics.

In addition to his major courses, he took Horticulture courses to enhance his knowledge of the family business.

Today Cole is fully engaged in the day-today operations of DSLD; from sales to installation as well as providing technical support.

MEGAN A. MCNAIR

Megan McNair is a Landscape Designer.

She is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture with an

Ryan Lansford

Ryan H. Lansford is the project manager for DSLD. He is a 2006 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Building Services.

Ryan brings years of strong work ethic, skills and experience to ensure all projects are completed professionally, successfully and meet or exceed customers’ expectations.

Ryan is excited to be part of the DSLD team and appreciates how everyone works towards a common goal.

He especially enjoys working with their landscape designers and is happy to work at one of the leaders in the Birmingham Design Build Landscape community.

For more information, call 437-1012 or visit dsldlandmgmt.com.

VestaviaVoice.com

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home & garden

October 2016 • B3

CARBON RECALL

Making a difference, One property at a time Carbon Recall helps lower your utility bills by focusing on making your property as energy efficient as possible.

Their comprehensive plan for each property guarantees that all elements of the building work together efficiently to bring the lowest cost to the property owner.

Carbon Recall Birmingham’s owner/operator is Sebastien “Skip” Kidd. He and his family have lived in the Birmingham area for six years.

In addition, he was recently certified with the Building Performance Institute as a Professional Building Analyst. We recently sat down with him to discuss his business.

Q: What is the typical process for a home owner?

A: It starts out with finding out what the owner is looking for, what kind of issues are they having, basically why did they call us.

Typically we start with a phone consultation to discuss those issues and determine the scope of the audit. Sometimes we are able to give the property owner a few pointers to save energy just over the phone.

Next is the audit. They should expect at least a few hours for the audit. A few days after the audit, we will provide an analysis of the property and plan to reduce the utility bills, much of the plan will have work scopes, estimated costs and estimated savings. But what makes Carbon Recall different is we don’t stop at the plan. We work with the property owner to make the plan happen as well. A great plan is still only a plan, and not very useful if it doesn’t get implemented.

Q: What challenges does your business face?

A: I can think of four challenges that get in the way of energy efficiency.

The first is many home owners think it will cost too much and not save enough, but the truth is most of the solutions have paybacks under three years.

Second, usually we wait until a failure to think about changing major appliances or A/Cs or hot water heaters. I know they’re expensive, and it can be a hard pill to swallow to change a working appliance, but you should at least have a plan before it fails. A bad decision could cost you for another 10 to 20 years.

Third, we often forget that energy efficiency should be part of every job done in your home,

from painting to plumbing to heating and cooling to any remodel work.

Lastly, and probably the biggest, is the impact on your property for resale. $100 per month or more in savings from energy efficiency is likely in most homes; at that rate, $100 per month on a 30-year mortgage could pay for $20,000 worth of principal.

Carbon Recall will help make your home or

business more energy efficient. Your property can increase in value and reduce its environmental impact while costing you less in the long run. This is how Carbon Recall lives up to their slogan, “Making a difference, One property at a time.”

For more information, call 205-719-6886, visit carbonrecallbirminhgam.com or find us on Facebook.

B4 • October 2016

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Vestavia Voice

home & garden

BOB’S POWER EQUIPMENT

Get right power tools with help from Bob’s Power Equipment

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W

hy do popular box stores not sell some of the highest quality power tools?

Because companies that produce high-quality equipment only want to be represented by stores that they can trust to provide equally outstanding service, like Bob’s Power Equipment.

The store offers some of the most popular and reliable brands of power tools, such as Stihl and Honda. Stihl does not sell its products to box stores and requires its dealers to possess a complete understanding of the tools. Bob’s Power Equipment, one of the largest Stihl dealers in the southeast, retains mechanics with many years of experience in the business.

They also undergo annual training with the major engine manufacturers that they work with in order to prepare them to perform repairs as needed and help customers select the best tool and instruct them on how to take care of the engine.

The store makes it a priority to not only supply customers with a tool that will amply meet their lawn care needs, but also to ensure that no one has to throw away an expensive power tool just because one component broke down. The staff at Bob’s Power Equipment is fully capable of fixing broken tools and keeps a supply of spare parts directly from the manufacturer.

“When you spend a little extra money to get this quality, it [the equipment] is not disposable. We’re the second part of that equation, to make sure you can keep it going,” said Daryl Carr, owner of Bob’s Power Equipment. “A lot of box stores are just about the sale and not about the

A lot of box stores are just about the sale and not about the service after the sale.

We service and stand behind everything we sell.

service after the sale. We service and stand behind everything we sell.”

The store sells anything that either a homeowner or professional lawn maintenance worker may need to keep their yard, or their customer’s yard, looking beautiful.

They offer everything from lawn mowers to hedge trimmers to generators.

As fall begins and trees start to lose their foliage, customers may want to look at the backpack leaf blowers, which come in a variety of brands and prices. Carr recommends Stihl’s newest product, the BR 700 leaf blower, which possesses 20 percent more power than the previous model.

“In Birmingham, leaf season is definitely a season … I know it’s not my favorite job, but the right tool makes a big difference, particularly for people in the lawn care business,” Carr said, adding that the 20 percent extra air volume will

make a noticeable difference in power and quality. “It pays to get a tool you can get the job done with.”

Bob’s Power Equipment offers repairs on most push mower brands. They also perform lawn mower tune-ups, such as changing oil, sharpening or replacing blades and cleaning the fuel system. For the customer’s convenience, they will also pick up and drop off products within 15 miles of the store.

In addition to mower blades, they also sharpen chainsaws and hedge trimmers and are a certified warranty center for several major brands, including Honda, Stihl and Kohler.

Situated in the heart of Vestavia, Carr has found customers appreciate the convenient location and friendly, knowledgeable employees.

“There’s some people that their parents

”

DARYL CARR

did business with us,” Carr said. “When they think of power equipment, hopefully they think of us…We appreciate their business and I think they appreciate us being here.”

Bob Bird, the man who opened the store more than 30 years ago, may no longer own the business and the company has certainly expanded over its many years in operation, but, at its heart, Bob’s Power Equipment remains the same.

“We’re still humble and we still want to serve each individual customer,” Carr said.

“When the need rises, we’ll be here to take care of your equipment.”

Bob’s Power Equipment has two locations, one at 637 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills and the other at 4532 Valleydale Road in Hoover. They are open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information, call 205-9793488 or visit bobspowerequipment.com.

VestaviaVoice.com

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home & garden

October 2016 • B5

B6 • October 2016

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home & garden

Vestavia Voice

special section

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • B7

home & garden

URBAN HOME MARKET

Urban Home Market: Where style, design, passion collide

T

he Birmingham retailer is well known for the vibrant, 17,000 square foot emporium of a fresh mix of goods from home furnishings, lighting, architectural pieces, gifts and home design services.

At Urban Home Market we not only know our customers, we embody them.

Every season, the space is filled with the latest assortment of unique design products intended to make UHM more than just a furniture store — it is a lifestyle store.

Our merchandise is always changing and we sell items right off the floor if desired. We want to immerse our customers in a complete experience appealing to all of the senses. Our aesthetic is authentic and approachable.

While Urban Home Market is often mistaken as an upscale retail chain, we are a family-owned business that was spun out of a home and family grown passion.

Therefore, we offer personalized service

“

”

Our customers are our friends, and what we do is never, ever about selling to them.

and products that big corporations and big box retailers cannot. There is no national sales plan provided by a corporate office in another state; it is simply Kathy McMahon and her vision.

Being local allows us to focus on the “family community” and serve each customer as a friend and neighbor. These friendships tie creativity and design with authenticity because of our knowledge of our customers.

“Our customers are our friends, and what we do is never, ever about selling to them,” McMahon said.

Urban Home Market’s core philosophy is guided by style, design and the passion

KATHY MCMAHON

to inspire imagination throughout our store.

We have a dynamic, energetic team of designers and visual merchandisers that are responsible for every aspect of the store’s look and feel.

“Storytelling” is a key focus for our showroom. Each vignette serves as a series of different inspirations created to be inviting and stimulating.

Our merchandising does not highlight product so much as set a mood and create a starting point to direct the customer on their own path.

Every season, our team of buyers travel across the country to attend major national

furniture and accessory markets to find the latest product and design trends. This combined with our interests and the needs of our local customers determines our inventory.

Our merchandising mix is very dynamic, layered and dense. We have many humble, recycled and natural materials. Many of the store’s most striking visual effects have been crafted out of mundane materials. This adds a rich layer of artistry and visual wit to the store experience.

This fall, we combine classic elegance with a sense of easy going urban sophistication through the use of soft and mixed textures and warmer tones to give an earthier feel.

To learn more about the coming trends for 2017 please be sure to connect to our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our social media shows how to take trends and make them unique through our product shots and style tips for customers on the go.

For more information, call 205-9804663 or visit urbanhomemarket.com.

B8 • October 2016

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GARDNER LANDSCAPING

365 EQUIPMENT AND PARTS DIRECT

Landscaping with attention to detail Grant Gardner grew up with a love for landscaping, which has allowed him to find a career that he is passionate about. He has worked in the landscaping business for 15 years, which led him to open Gardner Landscaping in 2007.

The company prides itself on quickly responding to your needs with high quality work. Furthermore, in order to ensure customer satisfaction, each job is done to the owner’s specifications.

“I am a very visual person, and I visualize what it will take to make a landscape that the customer will be proud of,” Gardner said.

Gardner Landscaping offers full service landscaping, installation and design, irrigation, outdoor living areas, landscape lighting, patios and walkways, decks, gazebos, lawn maintenance, flowers, trees, lawn aeration, landscape cleanup, drainage systems and weed

Vestavia Voice

home & garden

control. Gardner Landscaping is a one-stop shop for all of your lawn care and landscaping needs.

They also have a garden center, Gardner Nurseries, which is conveniently located by the Riverchase Galleria.

Gardner Nurseries stocks a wide variety of plants, flowers, trees, stone and hardscape materials.

“We are able to provide the detail to what we do that makes our customers happy,” Gardner said. “We are able to complete projects within a short period of time and are responsive to our customers’ needs.”

Gardner Landscaping works with all types of budgets and strives to provide customers with landscaping they will take pride in and that will increase property value.

For more information, call 823-3168 or visit GardnerLandscapingLLC.com.

Business’ priority is community For Lee Higginbotham, growing his business is a secondary goal.

As the founder and owner of 365 Equipment and Parts Direct, he believes that the most important part of running a business is serving the community.

The company sells, services and rents outdoor power equipment, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, portable generators and a variety of other equipment. They also offer a variety of services, including home standby generator installation and maintenance.

For the month of October, Higginbotham recommends people look at the company’s leaf-blowers, lawn vacuums, generators for tailgating and a lineup of products from ORCA Coolers.

He also stresses the importance of properly preparing and storing equipment for the off season.

Higginbotham has worked in the power equipment industry for over 20 years. After spending most of his life working for a large company, he decided to open his own business last year.

While he hopes to eventually expand, he plans to always keep small-business values. A member of the board of directors and co-chair of community affairs, Higginbotham is dedicated to serving Vestavia Hills, where he lives with his wife, Dawn, and sons, Luke, Hunter and Levi.

“I don’t want to go back to some big company … We’re focused on staying grounded with integrity and serving the community,” he said.

365 Equipment and Parts Direct is located at 1021 Montgomery Highway. For a complete list of services and products and more information, visit 365partsdirect.com.

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home & garden

October 2016 • B9

ALALAWN

Realize your lawn’s potential As a teenager at Vestavia Hills High School, Ed Schmith loved to work outside and had his own lawn care business.

After obtaining his landscape design degree from Auburn University in 1985, he took his first job with Barton’s Landscape in Tuscaloosa — the long-running family business and No. 1 landscape installation company in the city — handling installation sales and crew management. He went on to do sales for several lawn care companies in Birmingham.

“I realized there was a problem in Birmingham with clients wanting a beautiful lawn but not really having any potential for one due to not enough sunlight because of trees,” Schmith said.

He started Alalawn Inc. in the fall of 1987 to give clients the knowledge they needed to realize what they could do with their lawns. Launching Alalawn Inc. was also in response to the growing overworked professional workforce who had more obligations than time. With no bank loan, the business started with a Honda Civic hatchback and a lawn mower hanging out of the back.

Thirty years later, Alalawn now offers landscape design and renovation, lawn maintenance, plantings, stone work, irrigation installation, drainage work and LED landscape lighting with a design based on what the client desires.

“We listen to the client and give them the desire of their heart, Schmith said.

Clients looking for a landscape construction project with the owner on-site will be happy with Alalawn, which brings more than 30 years

BEFORE

of experience at the point of sale and during the installation of the project. Alalawn helps ease the professional’s burden by the performance of duties and completion of projects that take time away from family, leaving time for the more important things in their lives.

Serving their Birmingham customers’ landscaping needs is only the beginning for Alalawn. They pledge to provide superior quality and unparalleled customer service, as they work to build lasting relationships with their customers, suppliers and partner vendors.

Alalawn provides service to the greater Birmingham area up to 70 miles out and has the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your vision.

For more information, call 205-807-1232 or visit alalawn.com.

AFTER

B10 • October 2016

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Vestavia Voice

CONSTRUX

Professionals make remodeling a breeze Are you thinking about building or remodeling your home? Take the next step and call the experts at Construx to assist you.

Whether you have a specific vision for your home or just a couple of vague ideas, Construx can make it happen.

“Many people are choosing to remodel their current home at this time when the economic situation is working in their favor,” said owner and partner Kent Irwin. “And by doing it now, you can immediately enjoy those upgrades while adding value to your home.”

BATHROOM TRENDS

► Get rid of the tub/shower combo and replace it with a separate walk-in shower. ► Add timeless glass shower walls. ► Add features to allow you to age in place, such as hand-held showers, seats and grab bars. ► Install big plank tiles for floors and walls.

KITCHEN TRENDS

► Create an open floor plan — opening your kitchen to an adjoining room creates a dramatic effect and a great update. ► Install hardwood flooring to flow with the rest of the house and feel warm and inviting. ► Create a kitchen island to make a good break between the kitchen and living space. Consider making it look like furniture. ► Install quartz countertops.

OUTDOOR TRENDS

► Increase curb appeal and make a good first impression by updating front doors and entryways. ► Install new windows to add energy efficiency and comfort. ► Build a wood deck or screened-in porch for extra outdoor living space.

Call Construx at 533-2668 for an appointment and free estimate or for more information. You can also visit us at construxhome.com.

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home & garden

October 2016 • B11

EZ ROOF

Nominate a deserving family for a free roof You have come to know EZ Roof as your neighborhood roofing company, your friend in the roofing industry, who is going to treat you like family and act with integrity.

We pride ourselves on our reputation, and our local roots. As a family-owned business with deep community ties, we know just how important it is to support our friends and neighbors. And we know that by helping those that need a hand, we will only make our community stronger.

While we’ve been doing that on a small scale, we want to do something bigger. If there is one thing we’ve learned over the years, it is that everyone needs a roof, but not everyone can afford the unexpected expense it brings.

We want to fix that, one roof at a time.

We are launching a new tradition at EZ Roof: The EZ Roof Giveaway, in which we will donate a free roof replacement to a deserving family in our community.

It is with great passion that we begin this new endeavor, and we could not have done it without your support!

We invite you to nominate a family in need (or even yourself) for this unique opportunity. Visit our website, ez-roofer.com, and submit your nomination — including name, a brief explanation of why you think your nomination deserves a new roof, and a photo of the roof if available.

You may also mail in nominations to our office at 2677-B Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35244.

Please make sure we have any necessary information to contact you or your nomination.

The submission deadline is Dec. 1, 2016, and the winner will be selected Dec. 5.

EZ Roof staff will select the winner in-house, but reserves the right to use social media such as Facebook as a means of narrowing down final selections or for choosing a winner from in-house selections.

For official rules, visit ez-roofer.com.

For more information about our services, call 205968-1034 or visit our website ez-roofer.com.

EZ Roof

Giveaway Free Estimates • Financing Available

Visit our showroom at the corner of Caldwell Mill and Valleydale Road 205.968.1034 | www.ez-roofer.com |info@ez-roofer.com

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B12 • October 2016

home & garden

Vestavia Voice

MORAN’S ROCKY RIDGE HARDWARE

Your neighborhood hardware store Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware first opened in the early 1980s. The previous owner purchased the business in the early 1990s and was looking to retire when the owner, Dan Moran, ran across this opportunity.

“When I moved to Vestavia Hills in 2007, I immediately loved the small town feel the city provided me,” Moran said. “After selling some real estate investments on the coast, I was looking to invest in something closer to home.

“With four children scattered across town, owning a business between home and their various schools made a lot of sense. When Rocky Ridge Hardware became available in 2013, I knew that this was the investment I had been looking for.”

As Moran did research on the hardware store, he said he realized that the business was not keeping up with the technology and the changes that were quickly occurring in the 21st century.

“I was convinced the store would thrive with strong leadership and a little love and care,” he said. “I spent time looking at the bottom line, working with ACE Hardware business development specialists and getting feedback from residents. I became even more convinced that we could take the store in the right direction.”

Today, Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware serves local homeowners and contractors living and working in the area between U.S. 31, U.S. 280, and Interstate 459.

“In addition to hardware, we also offer paint and painting supplies, lawn and garden necessities, automotive, household, plumbing and electrical items, as well as an extensive outdoor living department offering a number of items needed to ‘grill and chill,’” Moran said.

These items include Weber, Kamado Joe,

Traeger Grills, Yeti coolers and much more.

“Our services are unique in that we offer lamp repair, glass cutting and rekeying locks,” Moran said.

Of course, the store is only as good as their employees.

“I was fortunate to keep our existing staff and

their many years of experience and knowledge of our customer base,” he said. “Many of the changes I made over the past 18 months were changes our existing employees suggested.”

None of this could have happened, Moran said, without the support of the community, their church and their friends.

“As the community continues to support Rocky Ridge Hardware, we will continue to support our schools and local civic projects.

It’s just another way we can give back to those who have been so supportive to us.”

For more information, call 205-979-5444 or visit rockyridgehardware.com.

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October 2016 • B13

PRESERVE PAINTS

Fulfilling your custom-color dreams Come in with a piece of wood, a paint chip or a scrap of fabric. Preserve Paints can give you a can of custom-color paint in any hue and will even deliver it to your doorstep with a smile.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to do custom matching,” said Geoff Milham, operations manager of Preserve Paints in Vestavia Hills. “We’ll put in that extra bit of time to go the extra mile and get the color right.”

Preserve Paints is a Benjamin Moore paint dealer serving Birmingham.

Benjamin Moore produces some of the

highest quality paints on the market, with each can of paint carefully formulated to particularly suit any environment, from a humidity- and mildew-resisting paint specially designed for bathrooms to a long-lasting stain for outdoor decks.

Benjamin Moore not only offers high performance oils but also offers a waterborne, which is a new technology that not only can be used for walls and trim but is an alternative to using oil and can be applied over oils with proper preparation. Not only does it last longer, but it’s also

non-yellowing and less expensive than oils.

Preserve Paints carries most Benjamin Moore products, from wood stains to interior paints, at a reasonable price.

Preserve Paints’ friendly staff, many of whom have 15-30 years of experience, can help direct customers to make the best choice in selecting paint and will even deliver orders directly to their house (minimum quantity required).

A lot of customers have special projects they are trying to achieve and aren’t quite

sure how to get started or what they need to accomplish their goal. Preserve Paints offers a hands-on class in the store to guide them through a step by step process.

“We treat our customers like family,” Milham said. “Many of them are repeat customers and we know them on a first-name basis.”

Preserve Paints is located at 1457 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills or 2815 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 500.

For more information, visit preservepaints. com.

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B14 • October 2016

home & garden

Vestavia Voice

PHOENIX BUILDERS GROUP, LLC

Experience, knowledge our backbone Stephen Boehme, owner of Phoenix Builders Group LLC, has over 20 years of residential homebuilding experience.

“It’s all I’ve ever done,” he said.

In 2015, after working for other people for so many years, Boehme decided to become his own boss. Boehme, an Alabama licensed home builder, founded Phoenix Builders on June 1, 2015.

“After numerous years of working for other people, I finally decided it was my turn to reap the rewards,” Boehme said. “The time was now to make it happen.”

Phoenix Builders is a home renovation and construction company that specializes in additions, renovations and construction of new or existing residential properties. Boehme is most proud of the company’s experience and knowledge.

“There’s nothing we haven’t seen — nothing is a surprise,” he said. “We have clear expectations and great communication.”

From the beginning of working with customers, Boehme likes to be clear and set the tone from the start of the working relationship.

“We make it very precise, black and white,” he said. “We set expectations on the front end.

With our experience, it’s very specific what we are going to do.”

Boehme is an advocate of homeowners doing their homework and asking as many questions as needed.

“You need to feel comfortable with your builder and know exactly what the builder is going to do,” he said.

Boehme often sees homeowners get too many bids. It can be the biggest mistake that he sees homeowners make.

“It clouds everybody’s judgement and doesn’t give a fair representation of any of the numbers,” he said.

He said while homeowners are encouraged to price the process out, three bids should be

the maximum.

“Six to eight bids is not efficient for you or your builder,” Boehme said.

He suggests having an initial meeting and proceeding from there. He also said homeowners should take into account the type of builder they want to enter into a working relationship with, and to remember how much togetherness is required in the process.

“Who can you spend the next three to six months side by side with?” Boehme said. “We are in their house — they wake up with us in their house, they sometimes cook dinner with us in their house. You have to be comfortable [with your builder], and they have to be personable and trustworthy.”

Both of which the team at Phoenix Builders is. Boehme loves the customer interaction he

has and that his work brings him a different challenge every day.

“No two houses are the same, and no two challenges are the same on any house,” he said.

“I enjoy creating a livable space for a family and seeing the finished product.”

For more information, call 205-966-0543, email stephen@phoenixgroups.net or visit phoenixgroups.net.

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home & garden

October 2016 • B15

SENTRY HEATING AND COOLING

On guard for your comfort!

Charlie Conklin is going to retire. Someday.

But probably not any time soon.

“He says he’s retiring eventually, but you know how that goes,” said his daughter, Lauren Conklin, laughing.

For now, Charles enjoys the time he spends working with Lauren at Sentry Heating and Cooling, the business he started nearly 30 years ago with the intention of providing quality, 24/7 heat and air conditioning services.

Lauren enrolled in business school, but, like many students, struggled with deciding what she wanted to do after graduating.

“I’d had an interest in working for my dad, but I thought, well, I don’t know anything about the industry, so what value will I add to it?”

Lauren said. “Then I started realizing that he’s going to need somebody young and fresh in the office giving new ideas, technology-wise.”

The father-daughter team, as well as Michael Tortomase, who joined the company in 2003 and added a plumbing division, form the foundation of the company.

“We are local and we are family-owned and operated; that makes us different,” Lauren said.

Sentry Heating and Cooling provides heat, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services as well as service agreement contracts.

“I compare it [getting agreement contracts] to getting your oil changed on a car.” Lauraen said. “If you’re going to spend that much money on your home or on your unit or other things in your house, you want to make sure they’re working properly.”

In October, as the temperature starts to drop, she recommends that people get furnace tune-ups.

“It’s right before everything gets cold,” she said. “We’ll check everything out and it will prepare you for that cold weather that’s about to hit. Alabama has crazy weather and it could

be warm for a while longer, but once that cold weather hits, especially if the furnace has been off for the majority of the year, things can happen.”

The company is firmly planted in the community, supporting local sports teams, animal rescues and other charities, as well as offering internships. “We like to give back, especially to the schools and children,” Lauren said. “We

know that those kids are the future generation of workers who can come to work for us… And internships are a great thing for the community because we are eventually going to have those guys working for people in the community.”

Serving the community at large and individual clients well, after all, is the company’s highest priority.

“We treat our customers like we would our

family,” Lauren said. “We understand when everyone’s hot that they’re grumpy and they’re upset that something’s not working…They’re not just another customer writing a check to us.

We really and truly do care.”

Sentry Heating and Cooling is located at 2490 Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills.

For more information or to schedule service, call 979-9864 or visit sentryheating.com.

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B16 • October 2016

home & garden

Vestavia Voice

STOCK & TRADE DESIGN CO.

Let’s achieve your ideal home Furnishing or redesigning a living space can be a challenging task. That’s where Stock & Trade Design Co. comes in: a full service interior design firm with two home furnishings showrooms featuring custom upholstery, furniture, lighting, accessories, rugs and art.

Stock & Trade has a diverse team with more than 30 years of interior design and home furnishings experience. With each design consultant having their own personal style, the team is able to cater to various client needs. Yet, these styles blend and work well together when collaborating on larger projects.

“One of our main priorities is building relationships with clients to achieve a clear understanding of their lifestyle and needs, and working with them to successfully define and fulfill their vision, thus creating a long-term partnership for their future design needs” said Creative Director Christopher Rankin. “We work with clients with various needs ... people just starting out and looking to furnish their first home, those looking to freshen up their existing spaces and others doing whole house remodels or new construction who need everything.

Every project, no matter how big or small, is treated with equal importance, because it’s important to the client who will be living in the space.”

Stock & Trade is dedicated to providing a product mix that emphasizes both quality and value. Since its inception in 2012, the company has assembled a vast resource list, giving them access to hundreds of vendors for a wide range of style options. This allows them to shop the “look” that’s on trend while, at the same time, providing a product selection that suits the varied budget needs of all their clients.

Providing some design tips for clients furnishing a new space or redesigning an existing one, the company’s Special Projects Team

offered this advice.

“First, don’t feel compelled to choose everything at one time,” said Lead Designer Christopher Magidson.

Shoppers may become anxious at the idea of having to find furniture and accessories for an entire house, or even an entire room, rather than focusing on individual items or spaces.

The team suggests, “Pick a starting point,

whether that be a color palette, a favorite piece of art, or a family heirloom.”

Next, Rankin recommends patience: “Choose pieces you love and be willing to wait if those pieces have to be ordered,” he said. “Getting what you truly love versus what’s available immediately will pay off in the long run.”

These pieces will be in your home for many years, so the client should not settle for

something he or she does not really love.

“Your home will be a true reflection of who you are and your own personal style,” Rankin said.

When asked what’s the best thing about being in the interior design business, the team agreed with Magidson when he said, “It’s the satisfaction of helping clients achieve their ideal of home.”

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VestaviaVoice.com

home & garden

WEDGWORTH CONSTRUCTION

Wedgworth delivers from start to finish Frustration and confusion often creep in during the construction process. Decisions have to be made, and questions arise during the process of building a place to call home.

Wedgworth Construction stands with their clients every step of the way to guarantee they end up with the house of their dreams without going over budget.

“We go to every meeting, we work with them, keep the budget in mind…we’re very conscious,” said Patty Leeming, project manager of the company. “We won’t just let you select something crazy without telling you.”

This includes staying involved in every aspect of construction, working with the architect, interior designer and landscaper.

For the construction company, which works largely in Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook, keeping a close relationship and constant communication with the client is the key to keeping the process smooth and making the final product a success.

“One thing about home-building is that everybody does it totally different,” said Mike Wedgworth, the founder of the company. “A lot of people do design build, a lot of people do custom homes, but ours is the real thing. If a person comes in, we take them from a blank sheet of paper, help them select a lot in one of

our communities and help them design the plan and decide on the products they bring in, all the time keeping the budget in sight.”

Wedgworth graduated from Auburn University with a degree in building science. After four years of working for local constructions, he launched Wedgworth Construction. Since 1979, the company has built more than 400 homes, including energy star-rated homes that heat and cool at about $300 a month.

“I believe we have more homes than anyone in the area that are certified by a third party and it really works,” Wedgworth said. “It’s cleaner air and a more comfortable home.”

Currently, the company is developing three communities, one in Vestavia, one off Rocky Ridge Road and one in Mountain Brook. The houses range from $600,000 to $1 million.

“Many homebuilders will just send the client to the decorator or to the light fixture place without a lot of support. In our process, we give full support and we give the negatives or positives as to how it relates to the budget,” Wedgworth said. “We deliver from the beginning to the end.”

Wedgworth Construction is located at 4154 Crosshaven Drive in Vestavia.

For more information, call 967-1831 or visit wedgworth.net.

October 2016 • B17

B18 • October 2016

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Vestavia Voice

THE TILE CLEANER

Keep your hard surfaces looking great!

The Tile Cleaner, LLC, was formed to provide both homeowners and business owners alike a service of caring for and repairing hard surfaces such as tile, natural stone, concrete and vinyl composition tile.

Their services include: deep cleaning tile and grout; repairing tile and grout; clear and color sealing; cleaning, polishing and sealing natural stone; stripping and waxing vinyl composite tile; concrete cleaning; and brickwork

tuck pointing.

With the tremendous growth in hard surfaces, primarily because of the permanency of a high valued amenity, there are not many companies that exist to help owners in the maintenance, repairs, and care of them.

Hard surfaces cannot be installed and forgotten, they need routine care and cannot just be cleaned with anything.

The Tile Cleaner is a member of the Better

Business Bureau and Home Advisor Pro, plus they’re fully licensed and insured with more than 25 years of installation and care of hard surfaces. They are part of a national affiliation of certified cleaners that take care in their services while utilizing the utmost modern equipment, technologies, and quality products.

They use totally green cleaning emulsions and sealers. Not a franchise, the company is locally owned and operated.

Whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, shower, backsplash, patio, deck, sidewalk or driveway at your home, restaurant, store or church, The Tile Cleaner, LLC, can help repair, clean and maintain your hard surfaces. As with any valued asset, care and protection adds to its longevity, and we proudly provide these services in a professional manner.

For more information, call 205-215-4007 or visit birminghamtilecleaner.com.

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October 2016 • B19

BUDGET BLINDS

Ready to bring the showroom to you At Budget Blinds, Steve Thackerson says he does have a storefront, but there’s really no need to come there.

If you need custom window coverings, he’s ready to bring his showroom to you, with all its fabrics, materials, colors and options.

“We come to your home free of charge, bring samples and custom measure each window,” he said. “And anything you purchase from us, we come back and install.”

It’s a service experience and quality product that’s made Budget Blinds one of the largest retailers of custom window coverings in the world — and made Thackerson’s franchise one of its top-producing stores.

Different rooms have different needs, he said, and “we want to make sure we’re selling customers a window treatment that will meet the need for that particular room.”

He encourages homeowners to think through the unique needs that each room in their house might have. That can mean window coverings that are insulating, child friendly, pet friendly, light filtering or meant to black out the sun.

That can mean colors and designs to change the lighting or mood of a room.

And it can mean blinds, drapes, shutters or shades.

“You can buy something off the shelf, and the price may be better, but it’s a totally different quality product. If you’re building a house or trying to improve a house, you want to make sure you’re getting a quality product,” Thackerson said.

With Budget Blinds, the quality is not only obvious, it’s also guaranteed, he said.

“There are a lot of companies out there, and our warranties are better than our competitors,” Thackerson said. “We have vendors that — due to our large volume nationwide — our corporate office has negotiated warranties that none of our competitors get.”

Thackerson family.

And customers can rest assured that Budget Blinds will be around to see those promises through.

“I’ve had the franchise for 22 years and been in the business for 30 years, so you can count on us sticking around,” he said. “My sales force, not including me, has over 40 years of experience without me.”

Add Thackerson in, and it’s over 70.

“We’ve been around a long time,” he said, “so the customer can buy knowing we’ll still be around if there’s a problem.”

It’s that kind of experience that makes Budget Blinds an easy choice. The company’s products have been seen on “Buying & Selling” with the “Property Brothers,” “This Old House,” “Designing Spaces’ Military Makeover” and more.

In addition to custom window coverings,

Budget Blinds also offers bedding and pillows — all custom, too.

For more information or to set up a time for an in-home consultation, call 205-824-3300 or visit www.budgetblinds.com/Birmingham. If you’d like to drop in, the storefront is located at 2130 Columbiana Road.

Thackerson says he’s looking forward to hearing from you.

B20 • October 2016

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AABCO RENTS

Vestavia Voice

ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE SUPPLY

The leading source for rentals Aabco Rents, in business since 1959, is the premier event rental source for all of central Alabama.

“I am proud of all of our projects,” said Alex Shahid, who, along with brother Joseph Rickey Shahid and general manager Mike Nelson, has run the business since 1969. “It is true that we work with large organizations and we help plan and supply the equipment for many large events accommodating over 1,000 guests.

“This is very satisfying — however, every event is important and I feel just as proud when a customer sends me pictures of their smaller event and they tell me how beautiful it was. Just knowing that we are able to help people is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Shahid’s advice for those planning an event? Contact Aabco Rents early in the planning stages of an event and don’t wait until the last minute.

“Most rental items should be reserved a minimum of six weeks in advance,” he said.

Also, if the event is outdoors, plan for inclement weather.

“It is always best to have a tent reserved just in case,” Shahid said.

Shahid said Aabco Rents has experience working with all of the venues in Birmingham and that they always plan their schedule to have all of their equipment delivered and set up ahead of time so that the other vendors — caterers, florists, and decorators — can get in to do their work.

“We realize that every event is important and our staff has experience with every type of event,” he said. “We will help you pick out the proper items for your event, and you can rest assured that we will have everything ready for you when your big day comes.”

Aabco Rents is located at 201 Industrial Drive, Birmingham 35211. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 205-942-4950, email aabcorents@yahoo.com or visit aabcorents.com.

Jeff Seabolt: The Hardware Man Inside of the architectural heritage building on the corner of Second Avenue South and 28th Street sits a man and a showroom full of beautiful decorative hardware.

If you are building or remodeling your home, it would be advantageous to stop by and explore all of the options available for your project.

Jeff Seabolt has committed his whole working adult life to the industry, and for more than 29 years, and he has supplied some of the largest homes built in the Greater Birmingham area.

Give Jeff a call to set up a time to go over your plans and together come up with a comprehensive schedule of hardware for all involved.

As Jeff will tell you, make the plan and then work the plan.

For more information on Architectural Hardware Supply, visit ahardwareman.com or call 910-4893.

VestaviaVoice.com

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home & garden

BREWER CABINETS

October 2016 • B21

CHICKADEE

Get your home ready for the holidays with our design help

Craftsmanship runs in the family Jason Brewer, owner of Brewer Cabinets, has been in the business, well, as long as he can remember.

“I literally grew up in a cabinet shop,” Jason said.

His parents opened Brewer Cabinets in 1982, and the company is proud to be family owned and operated. But Jason isn’t the only one with ample experience in the field — his other two designers have been in the business for 40 and 20 years, respectively, and his installers have been with the company for 30 and 20 years, respectively.

“Versus the big box stores, we have far more experience in design and installation and are still less expensive and offer more personal attention,” Jason said. “Versus a custom shop, we offer a more durable finish that is more consistent with a better warranty. All of our cabinets are made to order.”

Brewer Cabinets designs, sells and installs

kitchen and bath cabinets and countertops and provides a quality product at a fair price. It is a job that Jason Brewer and his team take immense pride in. “[I enjoy] creating and designing something beautiful and functional, then seeing the finished product, especially when the customer is so proud of their new kitchen that they send me pictures or brag to their friends,” he said.

On trend this fall?

“Gray is a really popular color lately,” Jason said. “We do a lot of gray stain on oak, knotty alder and poplar, as well as maple. There are several shades of gray paint. White paint is still really popular. Shaker doors are still really popular, or any door style that has really simple lines, hence fewer places that collect dirt. Floor plans are very open. Remodels will take out walls between the kitchen and family room.”

For more information, call 205-942-4000 or visit brewercabinets.com.

The team at Chickadee in Cahaba Heights wants to help you decorate your home for the holidays.

The inventory at Chickadee represents the style savvy employees and owners of the store.

“We love an eclectic look with an assortment of modern and traditional pieces,” said Kelly Neely, the in-house designer at Chickadee. “The owners, Kate and Carolyn Hartman, do a great job of incorporating a mix of style and price point to satisfy any customer’s needs.”

Neely and store manager Sarah Bryant are proud and passionate about the store’s inventory. From furniture and home décor to personal accessories, baby and gifts that spans the ages, Chickadee can offer something to every customer, especially during the holiday season.

The store has a wide variety and selection of fall and holiday merchandise.

“We have everything to decorate tabletops, mantels or any other area of your home,” Bryant said.

“We will also go to customers’ homes and decorate for the holidays using our merchandise and items they already own.”

Chickadee hopes to connect with holiday shoppers by hosting several events this fall.

“The holiday season is always busy around here,” Neely said. “We love hosting unique

events to engage our customers.”

“Made in the South is an exciting event in November that we host every year,” Bryant said. “We carry a lot of local and southern vendors, and we like to showcase their work. We actually bring the makers in the store so people can meet the artist making the products.”

For more information, call 205-969-3138 or visit chickadeebirmingham.com.

B22 • October 2016

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CK ESTATE SALES

Vestavia Voice

CROWN CONSTRUCTION

Successfully designing, remodeling and building new homes

Proud to provide top-notch service CK Estate Sales is a business with more than 12 years of experience and knowledge in dealing with antiques and collectibles. We pride ourselves in offering nothing but the best service for our clients.

We truly enjoy our estate sale business and take great pride in what we do and are pleased to offer our services to anyone. No job is too big or too small. No matter the size of the sale, each one is treated with the utmost respect.

We evaluate and research to determine a fair market value for each item. We are also able to bring in a specialized appraiser should the need arise. We will unpack, display and carefully price items in every room of your home. We listen to your needs and wishes and also offer suggestions to get the most out of your sale.

“CK Estates is a family business, and they

will treat you like family,” said owner Chris Green. “I am always pleased at the end of the sale our clients come to me smiling about the results of the sale.”

In addition to estate sales, CK Estates offers yard sales, buy-outs, downsizing sells, the selling of personal collections, consignments and staging. We also organize and decorate.

No matter your circumstance — settling an estate, relocating, downsizing, illness, staging or organizing — we are able to help make the transition a smooth and profitable one.

Call us before you remove or clean any items. We will take care of that for you.

We are there for you before, during and after the sale, and guarantee satisfaction and excellent customer service, and consultations are always free.

For more information, call 205-907-6948 or email ckestates20@yahoo.com.

Since 1989, Crown Construction has been building and remodeling homes in the Over the Mountain area.

Customer satisfaction has always been our number one goal, and we promise to treat every individual who puts their trust in us to build and/ or remodel their home with respect of your building goals, wants and desires.

Crown Construction puts a great deal of emphasis on meeting with our clients to work with them through home conception, design and building.

At Crown Construction, we realize that a home should be a representation of you and your family.

We put a great deal of time into assuring that our craftsmanship is beyond quality, surpassing all of your expectations. We only work with the area’s finest subcontractors who have gained a respected reputation for quality work that’s built to your satisfaction.

At Crown Construction, we’re not satisfied until you are.

Accordingly we build and remodel homes that are going to last.

On top of that, we build your home affordably and work to make the home building process as enjoyable as it should be.

Since our inception more than 27 years ago, we at Crown Construction have crafted superior homes and continue to reach new heights

in the craft. We take an innovative, dynamic approach to the process and have received numerous awards for our work.

We know that as a quality home builder, our reputation precedes us. If you choose to build or remodel with Crown Construction, nothing will come before you.

For more information, call 205-981-2445 or visit crownco.net.

special section

VestaviaVoice.com

home & garden

CLASSIC GARDENS & LANDSCAPE

October 2016 • B23

GRAND HIGHLANDS AT MOUNTAIN BROOK

Where love of gardening runs deep Every Saturday morning from 8-9 a.m., owner Mike Pender, Chris Keith, and/or Chris Joyner answer horticultural questions from Birmingham residents calling into their live radio show on WERC 105.5. The owner of Classic Gardens draws on vast knowledge and years of experience.

“I was born gardening,” Pender said. “Other kids would be playing baseball and football, and I would be planting flowers.”

In 1990, he and his wife, Ann, started Classic Gardens & Landscape Inc. in Birmingham. As the garden center grew, they added landscaping and fertilization/weed control of lawns.

Ann was pregnant with their fourth child and Mike was working full time when he decided to go back to school. For two years, he took night classes at Jefferson State Community College and received his horticulture degree, an investment that seems to have paid off.

“People are always impressed with the

depth of our knowledge,” he said.

With fall approaching, Mike recommends that Birmingham residents winterize their lawns with Fertilome Winterizer, a fertilizer produced in Dallas. The danger of purchasing generic fertilizer is that it is often produced further north and is meant for a different type of grass.

“Fertilome Winterizer feeds the root system, stores carbs and helps grasses green early in the spring,” he said.

Classic Gardens’ many gardening products and services include landscaping, irrigation, hardscaping and fertilization/weed control of lawns and a garden center.

“There’s a saying that goes, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,’” Mike said. “I got into this business because it’s what I love to do.”

Classic Gardens is located at 1855 Carson Road.

For more information, call 205-854-4005 or visit classicgardens.com.

Best place to live, work and play Whether you’re a professional on the go or searching for an easy lifestyle for your family, Grand Highlands is the place to live, work and play!

This gated community in the Vestavia Hills school system features spacious one-, twoand three-bedroom homes nestled along the peaceful and scenic Overton Road.

Come home to a relaxing swim in one of two resort-style pools, or enjoy a game of tennis on the Official USTA regulation tennis court.

If you enjoy time with friends and neighbors, you’ll love the frequent resident events coordinated by our neighborhood CARES team.

Our central location provides quick access

to high profile areas such as The Summit and U.S. 280 corridor. You’re close to popular restaurants, shopping and within walking distance to Publix.

Downtown Birmingham and the UAB campus is a quick 8 minute commute with easy access to Interstates 459 and 65.

Residents choose Grand Highlands for the fabulous amenities, outstanding service and excellent location. Our professional staff strives to exceed your expectations every day.

From the moment you drive into our neighborhood, you’ll know you have found a place to call home.

For more information, call 205-967-9312 or apply online at GrandHighlandsatMountainBrook.com.

B24 • October 2016

special section

home & garden

HOLLYWOOD POOLS

Vestavia Voice

MANTOOTH INTERIORS

Let them share interior motives

Create your perfect outdoor haven In 1986, Phillip Mote started Hollywood Pools, Outdoor Furnishings & Spas in Mountain Brook. Billy Branch joined the team the next year and hasn’t looked back. He enjoys interacting with customers on a daily basis.

“It’s really fun to help people and show them who we [Hollywood Pools] are and what we do,” Branch said.

Although they started as a small store selling pool chemicals and supplies, Hollywood Pools now has two locations — 1441 Montgomery Highway and at Brook Highlands Plaza on U.S. 280 — and many more options available to customers.

The company had huge success in the first 10 years and outgrew the original location.

Then, they outgrew their second location and moved to the current store in 2004.

Now, Hollywood Pools sells everything

from patios to hot tubs to Big Green Egg grills, the latter being the most popular item, according to Branch.

Branch doesn’t want the company’s name to be a misnomer. Their services include patios, seating areas and outdoor kitchens.

“We do everything you would need to build that backyard oasis,” he said.

The process begins with a phone call to Shannon Phifer, the leader of pool construction. He then meets families at their houses to get ideas of what they’re interested in so he can draw plans.

Branch and the rest of the Hollywood Pools team strives to make people aware that they don’t need to be looking for a pool in order to receive the services offered.

For more information, call 979-7727 or visit hollywoodpoolandspas.com.

Our team has interior motives. So when you meet us, don’t be surprised by how much we want to get to know you.

Working with our clients to create comfortable and inspirational living environments is what makes the Mantooth design team excited every day. Our desire to collaborate with you so your style appears in every detail of your home is what sets us apart.

Is your interior design team creative, collaborative and courageous? At Mantooth, these are crucial attributes we bring to your project.

Creativity is a must. Collaboration means that your personality will absolutely shine through in every design detail. And lastly, courage is essential.

You come to us expecting design expertise and our team is never afraid to share our vision with you.

Your design vision begins with a Mantooth team that listens. We know our ear for what you tell us about you is just as important to the success of your project as our eye for style.

Our desire to collaborate with you to create living spaces that reflect your style in every detail sets us apart.

It’s true. And you’ll see how much in just one visit.

With Mantooth you’ll see your personal style. But elevated.

Together, we’ll create living spaces that

have “You” written all over them. Every line — every fabric — every last detail. All artfully drawn together to make you, your family and your friends say, “of course.”

Let’s get to know one another. And let’s get started.

For more information, visit us at 2813 18th St. South, Homewood, call us at 879-5474 or visit mantoothinteriors.com.

VestaviaVoice.com

special section

home & garden

PLUMB ONE

Trussville family business serving all of Birmingham Plumb One started in the backyard of Robin and Barry Isbell’s Trussville home in 1997.

After working in plumbing for about eight years since he graduated high school, Barry Isbell’s boss at the time suggested he open his own business. The next week, Barry Isbell did just that with a van and $1,000.

His wife, Robin, kept the books, although “there weren’t many books to keep back then,” she said.

Gradually, Barry and Robin grew their business. Now, the family-owned company offers many plumbing services, including residential repair, 24/7 emergency service, new construction for both residential and commercial plumbing and sewer repair, maintenance and installation.

Plumb One strives to offer the highest quality craftsmanship and service possible,

always keeping up with the latest techniques and equipment, the Isbells said.

“I feel like we have fair prices,” Robin said.

“We’re honest, trustworthy; we do what we say we’ll do, and we aim for 100 percent satisfaction, whether it’s a big company or small homeowner.”

Its services extend to water heaters, faucets, fixture replacements, disposals, water softeners, pumps, toilet repairs and water leak investigations and repairs.

Robin and Barry still live in Trussville and serve the Birmingham community, both through their business services and involvement in their church, youth activities and charities.

For more information, call 640-2848, email plumbone260@plumbone.com or go to plumbone.com.

October 2016 • B25

special section

B26 • October 2016

home & garden

NEXT CHAPTER COUNSELING

Vestavia Voice

ONE MAN & A TOOL BOX

Committed to quality home improvement for your home

Meeting you in your season of life One thing Jason Peevy learned while counseling college students at Birmingham Southern College was that many of their struggles seemed to have a theme.

“A lot of their struggles and crises tended to arise in the transitions of life,” said Peevy, M.A., LPC, NCC. “And I started realizing over time how apt that was for all individuals.”

That’s why he opened Next Chapter Counseling — a private practice he said is designed to “meet people in the season of life they’re in, whether that’s becoming a parent, getting married, changing jobs, going to middle school, going to college.”

As seasons of life switch and transition, anxiety and depression can happen, Peevy said.

“That’s the concept behind the practice,” he said. “I want to help people walk through those transitions.”

Peevy said he enjoys working with adolescents to those in their mid-20s to help them cope with life.

“A lot of development happens during that range of time. It’s such an important time,” he said.

He also likes counseling adults — for example, married couples who want to work on their emotional and spiritual intimacy, or 30-somethings who want to switch careers.

“People who have either shifted or are wanting to shift their career or are questioning their calling — I like walking with them through those things,” Peevy said, noting that his Christian faith informs all of his practices.

Next Chapter Counseling is located at 200 Office Park Drive, Suite 218, Birmingham, AL 35223.

For more information, call 205-549-3033 or visit jasonpeevy.com.

Since 1997, One Man & A Tool Box has been helping people with a variety of home improvement projects and repairs.

“The company was started to fill a void in the market to provide professional contracting services for jobs too small for a general contractor to do.

In many cases, small handyman type projects are done by unskilled, unlicensed, uninsured people working out of their trucks going from job to job — many times not completing jobs as they go, or not standing behind jobs after they are complete,” said owner Jay Moss.

One Man & A Tool Box is insured and bonded to further protect customers.

“We offer carpentry, painting, minor plumbing, electrical, pressure washing, roof and gutter repair, appliance installation, drywall repair, door and window repair and more,” Moss said.

Fall is the perfect time to take care of home maintenance issues. One Man & A Tool Box’s affordable hourly rates can fit any budget.

“We are a 19-year-old company,” Moss said. “We have invested in technology and skill enhancement of our technicians to ensure jobs are done timely and professionally.”

Their technicians are skilled and professional. They pride themselves on getting the

job done well and on time.

“We have multiple technicians, so if you think a job is too large for one man and a toolbox, you can have two men and more if the job requires it,” he said.

They service not only Birmingham, but also Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Gadsden.

For information, please call 205-823-2111 or visit onemanandatoolbox.com.

special section

VestaviaVoice.com

home & garden

October 2016 • B27

BEDZZZ EXPRESS

Choosing the right mattress can positively impact your life

B

ecause you’ll spend approximately one third of your life in your bed, insuring it’s comfortable should be a top priority at purchase.

And you may be debating right now as to whether you need a new mattress, going through the struggle of, “Oh, it’s still okay,” and, “I’ll just flip it again.” But if it’s often a topic of discussion in your home, chances are you know you need an upgrade.

It’s an investment worth making because better sleep can positively impact you in many ways.

With more than 20 years in the industry and loyal to our slogan, “Where Dreams Begin,” Bedzzz Express strives to successfully assist our customers in making the ideal mattress selection from the many brands and types we offer.

Each team member is experienced and knowledgeable about identifying sleep habits and guiding families and individuals through selecting the perfect mattress for their lifestyle.

Here are some things to consider when choosing the right mattress for you.

WHEN?

All mattresses should be replaced every 7-10 years. Other signs you need to replace your mattress are: ► Visible sagging, indentions or lumps ► Squeaking upon movement ► Waking up with aches and pains

We only offer quality top brands that offer great products. Buying a mattress is not only a necessary purchase but also an investment in your mental and physical health.

WHAT BRAND?

► You and your partner roll in toward the middle throughout the night

WHAT SIZE?

When shopping for a mattress, make sure to measure the area it’s going to go.

Also take into consideration the size and number of people who will be needing the bed.

Mattresses should be longer than the tallest person using it and wide enough to allow you to fold your arms behind your head without going off the mattress or touching your partner.

The Bedzzz Express Mattress Size Guide will help determine which mattress is best for your specific needs.

WHAT COMFORT TYPE?

Our mattresses come in a variety of comfort types to fit any preference.

While some types are known to be better for back pain and sleeping positions, it ultimately comes down to your preference.

Make sure to try out many different mattresses for 10-15 minutes before making a purchase.

WHAT LEVEL OF QUALITY?

One of the biggest factors affecting your sleep experience is the quality of your mattress. Higher quality mattresses last longer and will provide better overnight support for your back and neck.

At Bedzzz Express, we only offer quality mattresses from top brands. Our sleep experts are knowledgeable in our inventory and the different products available from different companies. We currently sell products by: ► I Comfort ► Tempur-pedic ► Beautyrest ► Serta ► Sealy ► Stearns & Foster ► King Koil Founded in Birmingham in 1995, Bedzzz Express now has 46 stores in four states and takes great pride in a top-brand inventory of best mattresses at the best prices. All premium mattresses come with a Triple Z Guarantee that includes a 90 day Simple Zzz’s guarantee, giving you the assurance that you will sleep soundly for 90 days or simply return it for a full store credit. Plus, the 90-day Lowest Price Promise means you got the very best price--if you find your mattress cheaper within 90 days of purchase we will simply refund 115% of the difference.

For more information, visit any Bedzzz Express location or bedzzzexpress.com.

SECTION

C OCTOBER 2016

Sports C4 Community C10

COLUMBUS DAY SALE!

Real Estate C17 Calendar C18

.com

Vestavia smoke house teaches children fire safety The Vestavia Fire Department takes around the smoke house every October for National Fire Safety Month.

Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

By LEXI COON All children take part in mandatory fire drills throughout the school year, so they are prepared in the event of a fire, but how many children go through their own fire-safety routine at home?

The answer is not many. “[The kids] can develop muscle memory from fire drills at school, but not necessarily at home,” said Fire Marshal Scott Key of the Vestavia Fire Department. “Sometimes, the smoke alarms can be alarming, and the kids freeze, and they don’t know what to do.”

Each year, the city of Vestavia will see anywhere between 10 to 15 fires, and nearly all of them will affect a child or a group of children.

To help prepare kids for the event of a fire in their home, the Vestavia Fire Department takes around their own smoke house every October in recognition of National Fire Safety Month.

“It’s a replica of a residence,” Key said. “It’s basically a travel trailer.”

The 14-year-old house is outfitted much like any other home, but smaller. It has a kitchen, a fireplace, carpeting, a small bedroom and windows. “Basically what it does is it teaches children what to do at home in the event of a fire,” he said.

By encouraging children to take part in their own fire-safety education, the goal is to help prevent injury or death due to fires.

“If you save one person, then the whole program is worth it,” Key said.

The fire department visits different local schools and events with the smoke house to help supplement the instruction teachers and family members already have given their children. Outfitted with a warmer in the back of the door and able to be filled with smoke, the fire

department is able to simulate a home fire so kids can learn what to do.

“It’s kind of a fun environment,” Key said.

“They check the door, crawl through the room, go through a window and slide down a slide on the exterior of the smokehouse.”

He said the schools are a captive audience and great for teaching fire safety skills. Because the teachers already have supplied them with

general information, the fire department is able to supplement that with activities to enforce what they already have learned.

Some children end up going home and telling their parents that, as a family, they need to develop an action plan to be prepared.

“A lot of times now the kids’ bedrooms are on (one) side of the house and the parents’ room, or the master suite, is on the other side of

the house,” Key said. “That’s a lot of surface area. There’s a lot of room between the parents’ room and the kid’s room. So the child can’t necessarily rely on their parent to tell them what to do if they can’t get to them.”

To learn more about fire safety and try the smoke house, find the Vestavia Fire Department at the Liberty Park Baptist Church Oct. 13 at 10 a.m.

C2 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C3

C4 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Sports

u n b r e a k a b l e BOND

By KYLE PARMLEY

T

The Rebels are working to become more consistent and eliminate unforced errors. Photo by Kyle Parmley.

he same word adorns the back of the jersey for every member of the Vestavia Hills High School volleyball team.

“Rebels,” written in cursive, each letter connected to the next the same way a line of kids playing Red Rover holds hands.

Take one entry away from that six-letter word, and it makes no sense. The bond between the letters is broken and it no longer flows like an artist’s decorative calligraphy.

Just like you are unable to add or take away any letters from the word “Rebels,” the 11-girl group that comprises Vestavia’s varsity volleyball team is a unit that has been built from the ground up using the strengths and characteristics of each athlete to form the backbone of a team that has quickly become a top 10 program in Class 7A. The construction of the current product on the court has been one in the making since the day Mandy Burgess returned as the Vestavia Hills volleyball coach after stepping away from the role for three years.

Burgess inherited a roster that is heavy on assumed leadership, with eight seniors that set out to lead the way in the spring and summer.

“In the offseason, all eight seniors were working just as hard, if not harder, than during any season before,” said Avery Kampwerth, one of those eight.

That work was not in order to win in spite of having a junior and two sophomores (Anna Langley, Hannah Vines and Mary Quinn Carter, respectively), but to have them able to play at a high level as well.

“With underclassmen coming in, it’s

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C5

Manon Burris is one of eight seniors on the Rebels’ roster this fall. Photo by Kyle Parmley.

important to give them that confidence. It makes them feel like they’re just as important and just as old as the seniors,” Kampwerth said.

They are.

“I feel like we all contribute so much and have the same amount of talent,” said senior Manon Burris.

Emma Grace Harris sees that chemistry developing as the offseason has bled into the early portions of the season, and the home stretch of the season in the near future.

“I think we’ve connected better as we’ve played and we’ve gotten used to each other,” the senior said.

Harris also emphasized the example that the seniors set for everyone else, including the current junior varsity team, a large portion of which will be forced into action next fall with so much of the varsity team set to depart after the current campaign.

“We try to be the best example that we can be, because they’re watching us to see what we’re going to do, because that’s them next year,” she said.

Burgess has pushed her current group and demands the best from each player daily.

“It’s so much fun, but she pushes us so hard,” Burris said. “It’s what we need.

“If we’re not disciplined, we’re not where we are today without her.”

Harris added, “We use her structure and build off of it.”

Two things Burgess is emphasizing during the season are consistency and unforced errors.

Look no further than the Rebels’ first Area 5 match this season against Thompson on Sept.

15, for a contest that featured both ends of the team’s progress in those two arenas.

Vestavia won the match in four sets, dropping just the second set. By set, the Rebels were

solid, disappointing, resilient and dominant on the evening.

“Our unforced errors killed us in the second set,” Harris said. “That was on us.”

As for the other three sets, Burris said, “If we can be consistent and connect more, we would be able to do so much more, and so much greater things, and finish games earlier and quicker.”

No member of the current squad has advanced to the state tournament, and Harris, Kampwerth, Burris, Katie Larson, Mejra Shea Merritt, Sophie Losole, Jenna Hogan and Caroline Dutton have realized how much work it requires to get there. They say they are willing to do what it takes.

“The last two years, we’ve realized that state just takes so much preparation,” Kampwerth said.

Harris said, “We’ve never been to state and we really want to experience that.”

Kampwerth cannot strike fear into an opponent with her ability to put the ball down without a perfect set from Larson, who would be unable to do that without a controlled dig from Harris.

The possibilities are endless when dissecting that example. None of those three players are on the court at all times, and none are a sole driving force to the team’s success.

“Volleyball’s a team sport,” said Burris, who will give one of her patented fist pumps when that scenario works to perfection. “It’s not like a single person does the whole thing. Even if there’s one obviously better person, it doesn’t mean they’re going to win all the games and go to her every time. It has to be a whole team.”

The Rebels hope that the team’s success gives Burris reason to pump her fist deep into October.

C6 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice The month of October represents the renewal of rivalries that have run as long as Vestavia Hills High School has had a football program.

Photo by Todd Lester.

Rebels play longtime rivals to conclude regular season

By KYLE PARMLEY The month of October represents the renewal of rivalries that have run as long as Vestavia Hills High School has had a football program.

Head coach Buddy Anderson has always scheduled opponents with the intention of playing them every year, and many programs have kept up their end of the deal.

The Rebels finish Class 7A, Region 3 play with three straight region games to start the month, before concluding the regular season with a non-region contest at Shades Valley. They will need to finish strong to have a shot at the state playoffs.

One of those longtime rivals is Mountain Brook, likely to be a critical game in terms of each team’s playoff hopes.

The Rebels and Spartans have played each year since 1971, including five playoff matchups, and will face off at Thompson Reynolds Stadium Oct. 7.

Vestavia Hills leads the all-time series, 28-22, including last year’s comfortable 37-7 victory. In that contest, the

Rebels forced three fumbles in the second half and ran away with it.

The following Friday, the Rebels play against another longtime foe, Hoover. Vestavia Hills beat the Bucs last fall for the first time in eight tries, as Walker Minor scored the go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

However, Hoover got its revenge in the playoffs, shutting out the Rebels 24-0 in the second round game.

Vestavia Hills finishes off the Region 3 gauntlet by hosting Tuscaloosa County Oct. 21. The Rebels defeated the Wildcats in a defensive struggle last fall, going up 15-0 before hanging on to win 15-7. The teams have split 12 meetings all-time.

One final constant on the Rebels’ schedule is a game against Shades Valley Oct. 28 to conclude the regular season. The teams have played each year since 1975, with Vestavia Hills holding a stranglehold on the series. The Rebels have won 33, lost nine and tied once against the Mounties, including wins in 15 of the last 16 contests.

GET TO KNOW ...

Patrick Nuss Vestavia

OL

Senior

6’7”

276

Q: What is your Nuss was the favorite social media platform? only returning A: Twitter. It’s the starting best way to connect offensive to college coaches.

That’s the only realineman for the son I got it.

Rebels this fall.

Q: Who is your favorite Olympian?

A: Michael Phelps.

He’s a winner.

Q: Who is your favorite teacher?

A: My AP Biology teacher, Ms. Busbee.

Q: If you were a baseball player, what would your walk-up song be?

A: Be Like Me by Rick Ross.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: The Shawshank Redemption.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: NFL. Q: What is your nightmare job?

A: Accountant.

- KYLE PARMLEY

!

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C7

Staying involved Taylor Coe finds her way into Auburn’s softball program despite not playing

By KYLE PARMLEY Taylor Coe has hung up her cleats, but she’s not done with the game of softball just yet.

The recent Vestavia Hills High School graduate is now a freshman at Auburn University, and has been afforded a coveted and unique opportunity. She will be an undergraduate manager for the Tigers’ softball program.

As a manager, Coe will have to be the epitome of “first one there, last one to leave.” Her duties will include setting up equipment for practices and lessons, and she will perform various tasks throughout practices as needed.

Coe said she initially had hopes of playing college softball, but she changed course during her junior year at Vestavia Hills, deciding she wanted to properly pursue a pre-medicine degree.

“I wanted to stay involved with softball in some way,” she said.

That way presented itself through a past connection: Auburn associate head coach Corey Myers. Before joining his father, Clint Myers, at Auburn in 2013, he was Coe’s travel softball coach with the Birmingham Thunderbolts.

Coe was no slouch on the softball field throughout her own playing career, as she was the starting centerfielder and a main catalyst for the Rebel softball team in her senior season. Vestavia Hills advanced to the eight-team Class 7A state tournament, and finished third.

She hit for a .305 batting average and impressive .425 on-base percentage. One of her two home runs of the year was during the state tournament.

Her head coach at Vestavia, Lissa Walker, said Coe became a vocal leader in her final season, and Coe emphasized midway through the season the team’s great chemistry would allow them to go all the way to the state tournament. She was right.

Coe said she realizes “how many would kill to have this opportunity” she now has on the Plain, and not just at a run-of-themill program. Auburn advanced to the finals of the College World Series in the summer, falling just short against Oklahoma in a decisive third game.

“It is going to be one of the best things that I experience during my four years of college, for sure,” she said. “Getting to see all of their hard work at workouts and practice pay off during the season will be the most exciting part. I can’t wait to see how much the team will accomplish this year after such a great season last year.”

It’s a perfect storm in Auburn for Coe. She lived there for six years; both of her parents attended the university, and the Myers family has long been a positive connection.

“The Myers family has brought so much passion and success to the Auburn softball program within the last few years,” Coe said. “The way that they coach and connect to the players and Auburn family is very special, especially since they have impacted my life and my softball career as well.”

Vestavia Hills product Taylor Coe will be an undergraduate student manager for the Auburn softball program this year. Photo courtesy of Wade Rackley, Auburn Athletics.

C8 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

STADIUM SPIRIT Photos by Sarah Finnegan and Ted Melton

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C9

C10 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Community Library in the Forest to host Spooktacular

By LEXI COON On Oct. 28, the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest will be reopening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for its annual Library Spooktacular.

Meant for families and kids of all ages, this Halloween event will have plenty of activities for everyone, such as creating your own concoction in a mad-scientist lab, a monster-mash disco, preschool crafts and shadow puppets.

“We’re not just a library; we’re a community center, too,” said April Moon, children’s department head. “We’ll have all kinds of activities all over the library so that all ages will have something to do.”

The event should be a safe and fun night for children from all over the area, she said.

“If you don’t like the idea of your kid going door-to-door, then you can come here,” Moon said.

While the Spooktacular originally had activities happening both inside and outside the library, this year’s event will be in the building due to an unfinished ramp. Hopefully they’ll be able to spread back out and use the entirety of the library next year, Moon said.

The library staff is looking forward to seeing local families out and about for its Spooktacular as it enters its fifth year.

“We like to outdo ourselves each year, so we hope to have a big crowd,” Moon said. “Kind of like a big party.”

The library will be running a shuttle between the Spooktacular and parking for those who aren’t able to park at the library. Everyone is encouraged to attend in costume.

On Saturday, come to the library for the Storybook 5K Run, sponsored by the Junior Board of the Vestavia Hills Library Foundation, formerly known as PALS. The Storybook Run will kick off with a 5K at 8 a.m. followed by a one mile fun run at 9:30 a.m., with live music, food trucks and storybook character appearances. Children are invited to come dressed as their favorite character.

For more information about the weekend or to register for the run, contact the children’s department at 978-0158 or visit vestavialibrary.org. You may also register at runsignup. com until Oct. 20, but registration without a T-shirt will be available the day of the race.

This is the fifth year of the Spooktacular. Photo courtesy of Library in the Forest.

100 Corporate Parkway, Suite 450, Hoover, AL 35242 • browng@dot.state.al.us

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C11

Events

Vestavia business owner selected as Tastemaker at Antiques at The Gardens

The inaugural High Notes event in 2015 celebrated the new City Hall. This year the event is combined with the Community Night Out. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

High Notes, Community Night Out set for Oct. 11 Todd Dorlon owns TMD Landscape Designs. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Dorlon.

Todd Dorlon, owner of TMD Landscape Designs, has been asked to be a Tastemaker at this year’s Antiques at The Gardens with some the best regional designers, architects and style makers. Dorlon lives and works in Vestavia with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children, Coleman and John Wilson Dorlon. As a Tastemaker, Dorlon will display his work and be on hand throughout the event to give insider tips and design advice.

Over the past 10 years, Dorlon has

been designing high-end landscapes in the Birmingham area. After graduating from Birmingham-Southern College, he went on to receive a degree in environmental design from the school of architecture at Auburn University. Dorlon’s work has been featured on the cover of Southern Living and has he has received awards for his landscape designs and continues to pursue excellence for each of his clients.

– Submitted by Kathryn Dorlon.

By LEXI COON The Vestavia Hills Police Department will host its annual Community Night Out together with the Vestavia Hills High Notes Oct. 11.

Melissa Hipp, assistant to the city manager, said the two events are joining forces to provide a night of music, children’s entertainment and more.

A 5:30 p.m., the Community Night Out will have kids activities and freebies, a remembrance wall, concessions, a police and emergency vehicles expo and outreach for Help the Hills and Project 365.

“Because of the [City Hall] grand opening, Community Night Out took a back seat last year, and so this year the VHPD has been looking forward to presenting what has been a very popular public outreach,” Hipp said.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Christopher Confessore, will be featured in concert at 6 p.m.

“We just decided to combine both events, and it just seemed to work out pretty well,” said Cpl. Eddie Crim of the Vestavia Hills Police Department.

By including the cultural and musical components of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra along with the Community Night Out, the evening presents a great way for everyone to connect in different areas, organizers said.

“It’s a way for us to socialize with each other. We’ve got the businesses, the families, the police department, the fire department, City Hall,” Crim said. “It’s just fun. It’s a big social event.”

For more information, go to vhal.org/ high-notes.

C12 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Shop Save & Share fundraiser returns for 11th year

Seasons52 offered individual desserts for diners at Viva Vestavia. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Viva Vestavia returns for 14th year

By LEXI COON On Oct. 27, Vestavia Hills will hold its 14th annual Viva Vestavia event to celebrate the area’s food and drink.

“The event started back in [2002]. We were seeing a lot of growth in our community and some good restaurants coming in, so we were trying to think, ‘How can we showcase these and show people what we have in the community?’” said Karen Odle, president of the Vestavia Chamber of Commerce.

Since its inception, Viva Vestavia has sold out every year, maxing out at 300 guests.

This year’s event, at Hollywood Pools at 1441 Montgomery Highway, will again feature food and drink from local vendors. At the end of the event, guests will vote for their choice of best food and best presentation.

In addition to the food, attendees can

participate in a silent auction and a costume contest.

“We did [the contest] last year and tried it, and it was so much fun that we’re going to do it again this year,” Odle said.

Guests vote for the top three winners who will be given prizes.

In the past, tickets have cost $45 with the proceeds going back into the community.

“The main thing is we give a scholarship to a Vestavia Hills High School senior who is going into a business discipline,” Odle said.

The proceeds will also be used for economic development of the city and for any capital projects the chamber may be working on.

To purchase tickets for this year’s Viva Vestavia, go to vestaviahills.org. A commemorative wine glass is included in the price.

For the 11th year in a row, the Junior League of Birmingham will hold its Shop Save & Share fundraiser in late October. This initiative supports the League’s numerous community projects while driving customers to local retailers and restaurants.

When you purchase a Shop Save & Share card for $40, you receive a 20 percent discount on merchandise and food at the fundraiser’s more than 500 participating stores and restaurants. Since its inception, Shop Save & Share has put over $475,000 back into the community.

Also, through the Junior League of Birmingham a Shop Save & Share donation does the following: ► Provides eight meals through Meals on Wheels in Jefferson County ► Provides one week of snacks, magazines and books to mothers restricted to bed rest in the UAB NICU ► Provides one child who is suffering from “under nutrition” to have food provided to them for the weekends for an entire school year through the Backpack Buddies program ► Provides 1.5 children one book per month for five years through Better Basics & JLB Imagination Library This year’s Shop Save & Share program will run from Oct. 19-30, and the Junior League of Birmingham is thrilled to have Birmingham’s best retailers and restaurants on board for 2016, including several located in Vestavia Hills.

When it comes to using your card, many customers note that the variety of retailers is what keeps them coming back year after year.

The list is constantly growing, and this year, Shop Save & Share is partnering for the first time with many stores and restaurants such as Twisted Root, Snapper Grabber’s, Kidz Closet and more, all in Vestavia.

Steed’s Jewelers is also returning as a Shop Save & Share participant this year.

“Our store is committed to supporting the community and we are excited to participate in Shop Save & Share again this year,” said Lee Steed, owner of Steed’s Jewelers, Inc. “It is the perfect time of year to begin holiday shopping,

Lee Steed of Steed’s Jewelers and Julie Cox of Mia Moda Boutique are among the many Vestavia merchants participating in the Junior League of Birmingham’s Shop Save & Share fundraiser. Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Birmingham.

and we encourage customers to go ahead and come in to get a head start, especially with a Shop Save & Share card.”

Restaurants are always an important part of the Shop Save & Share event, and this year is no different. If a takeout family meal is a better option for you than dining out, Ashley Mac’s is an excellent choice.

It is also a great time for the ladies to get in some shopping for clothes and accessories at shops such as Mia Moda Boutique.

“We believe in the Junior League of Birmingham’s commitment to community service,” said Julie Cox, owner of Mia Moda Boutique. “This is a way we can give our shoppers a great discount, while also supporting community projects across the city of Birmingham.”

Some other Vestavia-area retailers that will be participating in the 2016 Shop Save & Share event include The Clothes Tree by Deborah, Iron Tribe Fitness, Murphree’s Market and Garden Center and Monograms Plus.

Visit shopsaveandshare.net for a complete retailer listing, to purchase a card and for more information.

– Submitted by Junior League of Birmingham.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C13

Churches hosting fall festivals, trick-or-treat alternatives

Fall Fest at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church often features games as well as sweet treats.

Photo courtesy of Merryl Cooper.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON

the church at 822-1670.

Oct. 31 is fast approaching, and while Vestavia Hills doesn’t have a formal trick-ortreating schedule, that Monday night is sure to see hundreds of kids going door to door looking for sweets.

However, if trick-or-treating on Halloween isn’t your style, local churches are providing an array of fall-themed activities for kids and kids at heart, complete with activities, food and, of course, candy.

Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5:30-7 p.m.

3139 Cahaba Heights Road Cahaba Heights UMC is welcoming area residents for trunk-or-treat fun as well as other festival activities. There will be inflatables, crafts and other games, as well as cotton candy and other treats. A hot dog and chili dinner will be provided by the church’s Men’s Club.

For more information, contact 967-0470.

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Sunday, Oct. 16, 4-6 p.m.

2061 Kentucky Ave. VHUMC’s Fall Festival is a multi-generational event, with activities for those in preschool to senior citizens. For the kids, there will be pony rides, inflatables and a special area just for preschoolers. For seniors and other adults there will be a bingo competition, and for everyone there will be cakewalks, a dunking booth and more. The church will provide free popcorn, cotton candy, soda and water, and there will be local food trucks, including iCantina, Greg’s Hot Dogs and Steel City Pops on-site as well.

For more information or questions, contact the church at 822-9631.

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m.

2600 Vestavia Drive VHBC’s annual Fall Fest will again give families a chance to not only collect candy and other treats through a trunk-or-treat, but play games as well. There will also be a climbing wall as a special feature, as well as free hot dogs and softdrinks for the whole family.

For more information, contact Minister to Children Nancy Akins at 979-5920.

Shades Mountain Baptist Church Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m.

2017 Columbiana Road Shades Mountain Baptist Church is once again hosting its Fall Carnival, complete with candy, games and inflatables. There will also be live music as well as a selection of local food trucks for a more substantial snack than just candy.

For more information or questions, contact

Liberty Park Baptist Church Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5:30-8 p.m.

12001 Liberty Parkway Liberty Park Baptist Church will host its annual fall festival for the low admission cost of one bag of candy per family. Activities will include inflatables, face-painting and other festival activities. Food, such as hot dogs and popcorn, will be available for purchase, with most items costing around $1.

For more information, contact the church at 969-1236 and ask for Children’s Minister Matthew Marsh.

St. Mark United Methodist Church Sunday, Oct. 30, 4-6 p.m.

2901 Columbiana Road St. Mark’s fall festival will include classic carnival games, a hayride, inflatables and possibly face-painting as well. The church will provide guests with a hot dog dinner, and there will be a Little Debbie cakewalk and trunk-ortreating for families to participate in.

For more information, contact Director of Children’s Ministry Anna Goode at 822-5980.

Mountaintop Community Church Sunday, Oct. 30, 4-7 p.m.

5537 Grove Blvd.. Hoover Mountaintop Community Church will take their annual Punk-Your-Trunk event to The Grove in Hoover this year. The change in location will give rise to additional games and carnival rides, and residents from both communities are invited. Families will have the opportunity to trunk-or-treat, and area food trucks will be on-site as well.

For more information, contact Melissa Sanderson at 776-8020.

C14 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

A nut-free Halloween

By EMILY FEATHERSTON

Most kids only have to worry about what character they want to be for Halloween, but for others, the holiday is anything but simple.

For kids or anyone with a severe food allergy, the common practice of trick-or-treating can be a dangerous activity.

Vestavia Hills resident Angella Carlisle, whose 9-year-old son Jed Carlisle has severe peanut and tree nut allergies, knows this all too well.

“Halloween is probably the most challenging holiday that we have, because he can pretty much have nothing,” Angella Carlisle said.

Jed was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, including nuts, eggs and milk, when he was 18 months old.

Though he has since grown out of the milk and egg allergies, which Angella Carlisle said is a common occurrence, Jed is still extremely allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.

When he was 4, Angella Carlisle said Jed was accidentally given a Butterfinger candy bar, and after no more than a nibble, he started having an anaphylactic reaction.

Jed made a full recovery after being treated with epinephrine at Children’s of Alabama, but Angella Carlisle said he still remembers the episode, and it has influenced his eating habits.

“He questions everything,” she said, but added that he now understands and is able to steer clear of his allergens pretty well on his own.

Still, Angella Carlisle said when all of the other kids are going house to house collecting sweets, it can be hard being one of the few who can’t eat candy.

“Halloween is a tough holiday for him,” she said.

Dr. Maxcie Sikora, an allergist at Alabama Allergy and Asthma Center, said Halloween is

► Families participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project in all 50 state and in 14 countries. ► For more information about FARE or the Teal Pumpkin Project, visit foodallergy.org.

For those with food allergies, it can be difficult to tell if most Halloween candies are safe.

Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

a time that causes many parents of kids with food allergies to experience anxiety.

“Having some person give your child a potential trigger for [his or her allergy] is a stressful event,” she said.

Dr. Sikora said nearly one in 13 kids have a life-threatening food allergy, a statistic confirmed by FARE, the Food Allergy Research and Education group.

A big problem Sikora and Angella Carlisle both said is prominent at Halloween and during other holidays is the lack of labeling.

“We have to do a lot of label reading,” Angella Carlisle said, and many fun-sized candies aren’t labeled with a full list of ingredients.

More difficult still is the potential for those with extreme sensitivity to their allergen to have a reaction when foods come into contact with other foods or are even made in the same factory.

Angella Carlisle said Jed has to completely avoid chocolate, because many chocolate products are made on equipment shared with products that contain nuts.

Parents looking for guidance on nut-free products do have options, however.

Dr. Sikora and Angella Carlisle both recommended FARE’s website, which provides information about how food allergies work as well as other resources.

One of FARE’s most popular advocacy programs is the Teal Pumpkin Project.

The program, which began in Tennessee, aims to create an inclusive trick-or-treating environment that all kids, even those with life-threatening allergies, can enjoy.

Families offer non-food treats, such as small toys, glow-sticks or other alternatives, and paint their decorative pumpkin teal as a sign their trick-or-treat stop is allergen free.

► For ingredient information and other facts about different foods, visit snacksafely.com.

Angella Carlisle also recommended snacksafely.com, which is a database of information about food manufacturing that includes ingredient lists, production practices and more information that can tell parents whether a snack is safe for their food-allergy child.

For parents with kids who have a food allergy, Dr. Sikora recommended open communication with neighbors and other parents about the seriousness of food allergies and the ways they can keep all kids safe on Halloween.

For Jed, Halloween is still a fun time, his mother said.

“He’s a real trooper about it,” Angella Carlisle said. “He’s more about just getting dressed up and having fun.”

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C15

David Putman is not a liberal or a conservative, he’s a LEADER with a plan for developing real solutions to FIX real problems.

Candidate for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District

David is a resident of Vestavia Hills, married for 49 years to Mary, a retired Birmingham school teacher who now sells real estate. They have two children and six grandchildren

David J. Putman is running for Congress because he wants to help fix our broken system in Washington. David is a solutions man, willing to work across the aisle to serve the best interests of the citizens of Alabama and the nation.

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30-year career in management at Alabama Power and The Southern Company U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant • Valedictorian of his law school class Created Homewood Soccer Club

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visit our website for more information

www.DavidJPutmanForCongress.com Paid for by David J Putman for Congress. PO Box 660811, Vestavia, Al 35266

C16 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Opinion

GUEST COLUMN: Electronic cigarettes pose threat to youth

By DR. SUSAN WALLEY By many if not most measures, Alabama is one of the least healthy states in the nation. As a pediatrician, I am particularly concerned about youth tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure in our state. Pneumonia, bronchiolitis and asthma attacks are the most common illnesses I care for in hospitalized children, and all are caused or worsened by exposure to tobacco smoke.

Tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure is the number one cause of preventable death and disease. The rates of tobacco use in Alabama are among the highest in the country with 21.1 percent of adults and 17.7 percent of high school students current cigarette smokers. Instead of throwing our hands up in desperation, however, I would like for you to take action to protect the health of children in Alabama.

Tobacco companies spend billions of dollars to encourage children to become “replacement” smokers, replacing those who have died from their tobacco and nicotine addiction.

Electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or vaping devices) are now the most popular tobacco product being used by young people, even more popular than traditional cigarettes. The explosion in the popularity of e-cigarettes is alarming to health professionals like me who worry that decades of progress fighting tobacco and nicotine addiction in youth could go up, literally, in vapor.

One of the most concerning issues around electronic cigarettes is the current lack of regulation and information of the devices and the e-cigarette liquid itself. This liquid is typically advertised to contain concentrated nicotine, flavorings and vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol. Electronic cigarette liquid comes in many flavors that appeal to youth, such as “gummy bear,” “sour Skittles” and “strawberry daiquiri.” The e-cigarette aerosolizes the liquid into the “vapor” that is inhaled. There are no product standards, however, that regulate what is advertised is what the product

contains. The same toxicants and cancer-causing chemicals in traditional cigarettes have been found in e-cigarette liquid. There is scientific evidence that use of e-cigarettes has negative health effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular and immunologic systems. Although the Food and Drug Administration deemed authority to regulate e-cigarettes in the spring of 2016, these regulations may not go into effect for years due to legal challenges from the tobacco industry.

For youth in particular, a major concern about tobacco product and electronic cigarette use has to do with the developing brain. We know children’s brains are particularly susceptible to the addictive potential of nicotine, the substance in tobacco products that causes addiction. This means adolescents can become addicted even with experimentation or occasional use of nicotine. There is also growing evidence that youth that use e-cigarettes are more likely to go on to use traditional cigarettes. Nicotine can act as a “gateway” drug to other drugs, including cocaine. Thus, it is extremely dangerous for our adolescents to experiment or use any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes also pose health risks to children due to accidental exposures. A study recently published in the journal Pediatrics found that reports of e-cigarette accidental exposures to Poison Control Centers increased 1,500 percent between January 2012 and April 2015. Every three hours, a poison control center in this country receives a call about a child exposed to nicotine-containing e-cigarette liquid. At Children’s of Alabama, our Regional Poison Control Center has seen an increase from just two calls in 2012 to 95 calls in 2015. Tragically, one child in the United States has already died from ingesting a nicotine containing e-cigarette liquid.

Last but not least, another health risk for our children is the “vapor” produced by e-cigarettes. The vapor from e-cigarettes can be breathed in by anybody nearby, like cigarette smoke. It is not harmless water vapor as is often claimed. In addition to nicotine, this vapor has been shown

to contain aldehydes, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, metals, tobacco alkaloids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Secondhand smoke exposure is known to cause many diseases in children and adults. One of the most effective ways to decrease secondhand smoke and secondhand vapor exposure is to pass comprehensive smoke-free policies that include electronic cigarettes.

We are making some headway. Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that e-cigarette sales started slowing last year, after five years of triple-digit growth. But there’s more to do. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published a policy statement on e-cigarettes. The recommendations for public policy changes included: Protect children, youth and adults from exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor by passing comprehensive smoke-free policies, which include electronic cigarettes.

This should include all public spaces where children are cared for, learn, work and play. ► Ban sales of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to young people under 21 years old ► Ban sales of e-cigarettes and the e-cigarette liquid over the Internet ► Ban flavors in e-cigarettes ► Ban advertising of e-cigarettes that can reach young people ► Restrict depictions of e-cigarettes in the media and games aimed at youth As always, parents have the toughest job. They must educate their children on the hazards of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and take a strong stance not to use tobacco products. That starts with awareness. Think about it, talk about it and pass the information on to others.

Walley is a Vestavia Hills resident and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a pediatric hospital medicine physician at Children’s of Alabama.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C17

Vestavia Hills Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

762167

35216

1129 Ashbury Square

New

$249,900

762042

35216

2724 Southbury Circle #2724

New

$99,900

762019

35216

3433 Wisteria Drive

New

$179,900

761894

35216

916 Haviland Drive

New

$189,000

761888

35216

2212 Montreat Circle #A

New

$82,900

761865

35216

2748 Anna Steele Lane

New

$514,000

761764

35216

3651 Haven View Circle

New

$117,000

761638

35216

2691 Vesclub Circle

New

$689,000

761377

35216

1797 Old Creek Trail

New

$239,900

761369

35216

1455 Badham Drive

New

$429,000

761325

35216

1216 Vestavia Place

New

$199,000

761291

35216

1801 Canton Road

New

$329,900

762543

35216

421 Vesclub Drive

New

$499,900

761283

35216

716 Rockbridge Road

New

$363,000

761151

35216

2813 Cross Bridge Drive

New

$255,000

761113

35216

1405 Panorama Drive

New

$398,000

761072

35216

2548 Woodmeadow Lane

New

$115,000

760850

35216

2728 Anna Steele Lane

New

$497,000

760849

35216

1865 Shades Crest Road E

New

$639,900

760722

35216

2135 Cedar Bark Lane

New

$374,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Sept. 19.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

1129 Ashbury Square

421 Vesclub Drive

C18 • October 2016

Vestavia Voice

Calendar Vestavia Events Oct. 4: Vestavia Hills Youth Football Presents Light Up the Night- Blue Out. 6:30 p.m. Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex. Go Blue for Type 1 Diabetes. 2nd grade Rebels v. Pelham.

Oct. 4: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: Red Mountain Park. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Vestavia Hills Civic Center-Senior Center. An overview of this urban mega park A field trip tour of the park will follow. Visit olli.ua.edu.

Oct. 5: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: Alabama Governance, Legislation, Politics & The Media. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center-Senior Center. Course continues Oct. 12, 18 and 26. Visit olli.ua.edu for more information.

Oct. 11: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: Chess: Brain Games for Healthy Living. 10:30 a.m.12 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center-Senior Center.

Class continues on Oct. 18 and 25. Visit olli.ua.edu to register.

Oct. 7: Artists Incorporated, First Friday Reception.

5:30 p.m. Artists Incorporated. Featured artists: Marissa Apolinsky, Jill Billions, John Cleage, Virginia Mellor Martin and Melinda Matthews. Wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Visit artistsincorporated.com.

Oct. 11: Vestavia Chamber Monthly Luncheon.

11:30 a.m. Vestavia Country Club. $18 advance, $25 late reservations. Network with other chamber members and hear speakers on a wide variety of updates. Visit vestaviahills.org.

Oct. 14: Rocky Ridge Arts & Entertainment Event.

5:30 p.m. Visit rockyridgeae.com.

Oct. 27: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: The Wright Brothers’ Aviation School in Alabama. 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center-Senior Center. Visit olli.ua.edu for more information.

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. Join Miss Cristina for a rollicking 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 3rd Tuesday, which is Family Night.)

Wednesdays: Story Friends. 10:30 a.m. Join Mrs. Lisa for great stories and songs plus a surprise visitor or two. Ages 5 and under.

Wednesdays & Fridays: W-H-Y! (crafts) 3:30 p.m. Join Miss Alicia for a craft program on Wednesdays and a movie and snack on Friday. We Hear Ya! Something for our school age kids.

Thursdays: L.I.F.T. (Library in the Forest Time).

9:30 a.m.-noon. Enjoy special play equipment in the program room for preschoolers and their caregivers.

Oct. 22: Lego Wars. 11 a.m.

Oct. 11: Scary Movie Night. 4 p.m.

Oct. 22: Minecraft in the Forest. 3 p.m.

Oct. 12 & 26: Teen Writing Group. 4 p.m.

Thursdays: Book Babies. 10 a.m. A new program just for babies, with small classes limited to 12 each, where we begin the journey toward a lifelong love of books! Registration required. Birth to 18 mos.

Oct. 28: Spooktacular Weekend. 6:30 p.m. Disco, scientist lab, puppet theater, Halloween crafts and snacks.

Oct. 18: Otaku Time. 4:30 p.m. Read, discuss and exchange manga.

Oct. 1 & 15: Family Yoga. 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 8 & 29: Little Gym. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Workout for preschoolers.

Oct. 10, 24 & 31: After School Craft & Snack.

3:30 p.m.

Oct. 11: Ms. Olivia’s Evening Reads. 6 p.m.

Historical room.

Oct. 19: Pumpkin Painting. 4 p.m.

Oct. 29: 1st Annual Storybook 5K and Fun Run. 8 a.m. Food tricks, activities and more.

Oct. 25: Anime Movie Night. 4 p.m.

Oct. 28: Towerfall Ascension Tournament. 4 p.m.

Teens

Adults

Fridays: Open Gaming. 4-5:30 p.m. Enjoy video games on the Wii U, PS4, board games to play with fellow teens. Snacks served.

Oct. 6: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: Art: How to Bring Out the Creative Artist in You. 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Community Room. Visit olli.ua.edu for more information.

Oct. 4: The Playlist. 4 p.m. Monthly YouTube playlist. Snacks served.

Oct. 5: Teen Art Group. 4 p.m. Snacks served.

Oct. 6: Read and Feed at The Ridge. 6:30 p.m.

Book group meets to eat, drink and discuss “Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget” by Sarah Hepola.

VestaviaVoice.com

October 2016 • C19

Oct. 7: First Friday Fiber Arts. 10 a.m. All levels welcome.

Oct. 13: Health Matters Series: Hypertension and Stroke. 6:30 p.m. Free.

Oct. 7: Upcycle city: Let’s Tangle! Zentangle Series. Ages 21 and up. Free, all materials supplied.

Registration required.

Oct. 19: Page Turners in the Tree House. 11 a.m.

Nonfiction book group. Discussing “The Witches: Salem 1692” by Stay Schiff.

Oct. 12: The A, B, C, and Ds of Medicare. 1 p.m.

Free.

Oct. 20: OLLI of Greater Birmingham Presents: Siege of Leningrad. 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Learn how the Russians held off the Nazis for 900 days in the longest and bloodiest battle of World War II. Visit olli. ua.edu for more information.

Oct. 13 & 27: Adult Tai Chi Classes. Ages 18 and over. 2 p.m. Free.

Vestavia Hills High School Football

Oct. 7: vs. Mountain Brook, 7 p.m Oct. 15: @ Hoover, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21: vs. Tuscaloosa County, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28: @ Shades Valley, 7 p.m.

Area Events Oct. 1: Broadway Night at the Cabaret. RMTC Cabaret Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Some of Broadway’s best perform. Tickets start at $20. Visit redmountaintheatre.org.

Oct. 1: “The Truth” About Breast Cancer Comedy Tour. 7 p.m. Featuring Carla “The Truth” Youngblood.

Historic Carver Theater. $15. Visit keepyoulaughing. com.

Oct. 1: 14th Annual Fiesta Birmingham. 12 p.m.8 p.m. Linn Park. Presenting the best of Hispanic art, music, food and dance. $10. Visit fiestabirmingham.com.

Oct. 1: Bark in the Park. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Veteran’s Park, Alabaster. Free admission. Visit shelbyhumane.org.

Oct. 1: Kevin Spencer. Alys Stephens Center. 1 p.m. Illusionist performance, designed to accommodate individuals on the autism spectrum. Free. Visit alysstephenscenter.org.

Oct. 1-2: Monty Python’s SPAMALOT. Virginia Samford Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $15-$30. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Oct. 1-2: Alabama Ballet at Home. Alabama Ballet Center for Dance. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m.

Sunday. $20. Visit alabamaballet.org.

Oct. 1-2: Southern Women’s Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. Fashion shows, celebrity appearances, food sampling and more. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $8 advance, $10 at the door. Visit southernshows.com.

Oct. 2: Fry-Down. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Railroad Park.

Fundraiser for the Cahaba River Society. $20 donation all you can eat catfish. 12 and under, free.

Visit frydown.com.

Oct. 14: Black Jacket Symphony performing The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $45.50. Visit alysstephens.org.

Oct. 15: Susan G. Komen North Central Alabama Race for the Cure. 8 a.m. 5K/1 mile walk. Visit komencnalabama.org.

Oct. 15: Barktoberfest. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Helena Amphitheater. Presented by Two by Two Rescue.

Kid zone, pet adoptions, live music and more. Visit twobytworescue.com.

Oct. 16: Love Jones: The Musical. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $48.75-$78.75. Visit lovejonesthemusical.com.

Oct. 20: Trailer Park Boys. 7:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $27.50-$45. For mature audiences. Visit emporiumpresents.com.

Oct. 20-23: Disney on Ice: Dream Big. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Thursday and Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. $15-$80. Visit disneyonice.com.

Oct. 21: Nick Lowe. Forum Theater at the BJCC. 8 p.m. $32. Visit nicklowe.com.

Oct. 21-22: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Oct. 22: Walk With Compassion. 9 a.m. Railroad Park. Walk to end child poverty. Visit walkwithcompassion.com.

Oct. 22: Postmodern Jukebox. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $50-$103. Visit alabamatheatre.com.

Oct. 23: Newsboys Love Riot Tour. 6 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $27. Visit newsboys.com.

Oct. 3: BAO Bingo. Birmingham AIDS Outreach. 7 p.m. $15 for 5 games. Visit birminghamaidsoutreach. org.

Oct. 23: Vulcan AfterTunes: Amanda Shires with Jesse Payne. 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Vulcan Park. Visitvulcan.com.

Oct. 6: Tiempo Libre. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center.

Free admission. Visit alysstephens.org.

Oct. 23: David Sedaris. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $48-$68. Visit alysstephenscenter.org.

Oct. 6: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Meet local artists and performers. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.

Oct. 25: Alabama Symphony Orchestra concertmaster & Friends Series: The Five Senses a Tango celebration with Raul Jaurena. 7:30 p.m.

Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. $32. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Oct. 7-8: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Performing Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Oct. 7-9: 12th Annual Barber Vintage Festival. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. $25. Visit barbermotorsports.com.

Oct. 8-31: Boo at the Zoo. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Birmingham Zoo. Visit birminghamzoo.com for more information.

Oct. 9: Vulcan AfterTunes: Big Sam’s Funky Nation with Tragic city. 2:30 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. $15. Visitvulcan.com.

Oct. 12: Amy Schumer Live. 8 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $41 and $111 Visit amyschumer.com.

Oct. 27-29: Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus Live! Forum Theatre, BJCC. 8 p.m.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. Saturday. $52. Visit marsvenuslive.com.

Oct. 28: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Red Diamond SuperPops! Series. 7 p.m. $10-$60. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Oct. 28-30: Bonnie & Clyde. Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. Presented by the Alabama Ballet. 7:30 p.m.

Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday. $25-$45. Visit alabamaballet.org.

Oct. 29: 75th Annual Magic City Classic. Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M. 2:30 p.m. Visit magiccityclassic.com.