Vestavia Voice April 2023

OUTDOORS

Vestavia hosting activities, events, sports and more for spring, summer

put in these past several years at Wald Park, which includes a new track and walking path, along with a green space. The city is currently working on turning Altadena Valley Park into a pleasant green space for residents, with walking trails and more set to come in the next several years.

For those wanting to stay active as the weather warms up, there are walking trails not only at city parks and the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, but also at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, Lee said.

See OUTDOORS | page A22

Dogwood Festival is in full swing

By NEAL EMBRY

This month will see the annual Wing Ding, the Dogwood prayer breakfast, luncheon and the Battle of the Bands in Rocky Ridge.

All of the events are part of the city’s Dogwood Festival. A full list of events can be found at vhal.org/community/dogwood-festival.

DOGWOOD LUNCHEON

The annual Dogwood Luncheon will be held on April 4 at Vestavia Country Club, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

A silent auction will kick off the day’s events, with Heidi Elnora serving as this year’s keynote speaker, said Whitney McDonald with the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board.

Elnora designs wedding dresses, has launched her own line and has had multiple television shows, McDonald said. Her speech begins at 11 a.m.

The Vestavia Belles will also be honored for their work as ambassadors for the city. The Belles represent the city at various events, help at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest and work with different charities throughout the year, McDonald said.

See DOGWOOD | page A21

Children move through a bounce house during the Vestavia Hills Spring Sports Celebration event, part of the Dogwood Festival, held at Wald Park in March 2022. Photo by Erin Nelson.

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Editor’s Note By Neal Embry

The Vestavia Hills High School wrestlers are once again state champions.

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The wrestling program is one of the most successful in Alabama history and has fought its way to the top again this season.

Congratulations to the team, which is featured in this month’s edition of the Vestavia Voice, along with recaps of excellent seasons by both the boys and girls basketball teams.

The JV cheerleading team was also recognized recently by the Vestavia Hills Board of Education for their national championship!

On this month’s cover, we highlight outdoor activities and a rundown of

all the spaces you and your family can enjoy, along with details on events related to the city’s Dogwood Festival.

I’m excited to share with our readers

a story detailing the possibilities of the former Days Inn and Bar 31 property.

One of our freelancers, Daniel Pinheiro, covered a March meeting for us and has laid it out well for you. Daniel is a talented writer who hails from Vestavia, and I am glad to feature his work in this month’s paper.

I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather and getting ready to make your summer plans, as it will be here before you know it!

As always, thank you for reading!

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

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Galleria Woods Retirement Community (B6)

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Gaynell Hendricks - Tax Assessor (A9)

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Homewood Carpet & Flooring (B6)

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River Bank & Trust (A3)

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Virginia Samford Theatre (A21)

Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (B14)

W.E. Lusain Funeral Home (A13)

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Find Us

Pick up the latest issue of Vestavia Voice at the following locations:

► Diplomat Deli

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Vestavia

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Hills

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Catholic Church

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► Vestavia Hills Recreation Center

Hills’ Addison Mizerany (6) moves toward the ball guarded by Oak Mountain’s Ava Fields (6) and Grace Payne (4) in a match at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex on March 9. Photo by Erin Nelson.

City

VHPD trains ‘master’ police officers

By NEAL EMBRY

While the Vestavia Hills Police Department has a relatively low number of complaints and enjoys a great relationship with the community it serves, there is always room to improve, said Lieutenant Jared Freeman with the department’s patrol division.

“Our hope is that we’re training officers to a higher level,” Freeman said.

That training now includes the “master police officer” program.

The work began by listing 170 tasks a patrol officer would have to complete, which was then taken down to 145 tasks, creating a standard for the program. It also includes completing a de-escalation class and emotional intelligence class required by the Jefferson County Personnel Board.

Twenty-six officers have completed the program. Department leaders are completing assessments of those officers, said Captain Sean Richardson, also with the patrol division.

Officers used a booklet to go through the program, learning the tasks and demonstrating their capability for those tasks, Richardson said.

Those officers provided feedback and so the document is more of a “living document,” updated as new information and standards become available, he said.

The tasks encompass everything an officer does, such as conducting a traffic stop, applying a tourniquet and even giving directions to people. It includes learning Fourth Amendment issues, which deals with searches and seizures, as well as driving, giving first aid, learning de-escalation and more, Richardson said.

“We set expectations for our officers,” Freeman said.

All officers know at least 60% of what is included in the booklet, Freeman said. They have one year to complete the program, though it is preferred they finish it in six months, he said.

The training also includes a practical driving and firearms test.

Trauma teams at UAB Hospital have signed off on the tourniquet training, as officers have applied them as well as any doctor in the field could, Richardson said.

New hires spend 14 weeks in the police academy and 10 weeks in a training car, and while they learn much, the program is an opportunity to learn even more and be better prepared to serve the people of Vestavia Hills, Richardson said.

Officers who go through the training will receive a 5% pay raise, though Richardson said the department is looking for officers who would want to go through the training and be the best cops they could be regardless of pay.

The department prioritizes hiring not just skilled police officers, but people of character, Richardson said. As officers complete the training, they will help perpetuate the knowledge and train the next group of officers to go through the program. Each master police officer will be assigned five standards to revamp and keep current and will take over training the next group, Freeman said.

Having the program will help with recruitment and retention, as well as improving upon what is already a good relationship with the people of Vestavia Hills, Captain Shane Ware said.

“We’re trying to create the best product for the community we serve,” Ware said.

Vestavia Hills police officers undergo training as part of the city’s Master Police Officer program.

Photo courtesy of the Vestavia Hills Police Department.

Fire Department to use second, larger site for training facility

By NEAL EMBRY

In order to have more training space, the Vestavia Hills and Rocky Ridge fire departments will house a forthcoming training facility at a new location.

The previously-approved location, 3794 Veona Daniels Road, has less than one acre of usable property on the three-acre site, Fire Chief Marvin Green said, though it will still have some use for the departments. The new site, located at 3870 Veona Daniels Road, is 16 total acres with more than 10 acres of usable property, Green said.

Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons said the county is entering into a long-term lease agreement with the Fire Department to allow them to use the land. The land, near a sewer treatment plant, was previously held for the possible expansion of that plant, but sewer authorities said they

do not see a need to expand in the next 30 to 40 years, Ammons said. Ammons dedicated $200,000 out of his discretionary project budget to help Rocky Ridge Fire District build out the facility, he said.

Green said the space will allow the department to be “better neighbors” than they would have been at the first site. They would have been limited at the smaller site and could not train on a ladder truck. The new site will accommodate a large variety of training, including in a classroom and a training tower. There will also be a place for storage and items used in training, Green said.

The other property will still be used for some rescue training and classes offered through the Alabama Fire College.

The timeline of the build-out at the new site is 18 months, though it depends on the price of steel and concrete and any material shortages, Green said.

Mayor’s Minute By Ashley Curry

March certainly kept us guessing about the weather. Regardless of that, I hope you were able to attend some of the Dogwood Festival events last month.

The weather was threatening on March 3, but I hope you were able to attend the Spring Fest event at Wald Park. I suspect the fashion show held in the new Civic Center on March 9 was well attended.

April events will include the Dogwood Prayer Breakfast, featuring guest speaker Lindy Cleveland from Unless U, an organization that provides services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. With job training and life and social skills, they promote independence for their clients. What a great service they provide. We are glad to have Unless U in Vestavia Hills.

Let’s talk about April. According to Dictionary.com, April comes from the Latin verb aperire, which means “to open.” Many like to believe the name of the month describes the flowers and trees opening in springtime. Accordingly, there are numerous observances held in the United States that celebrate the spring of the year. There is National Garden Month, Keep America Beautiful Month and National Wildlife Week.

Of course, April 1 is well known as “April Fool’s Day.” You will need to be mindful of jokes and pranks that are orchestrated that day. The best-known prank occurred on April 1, 1957. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcast a current affairs program purporting to show Swiss farmers picking freshly

grown spaghetti, in what they called the “Swiss spaghetti harvest.” The BBC was flooded with calls of citizens wanting to purchase spaghetti plants.

On a more serious note, some major religious events take place in April:

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.

Starting on March 22, it lasts until April 21.

Passover, also called Pesach, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the biblical story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. It begins on April 5 and lasts until April 13.

Easter is Sunday, April 9, and Christians will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of your religious preference, I hope you will reflect on the many blessings we have.

Another significant event in April is National Volunteer Week. It will be recognized the week of April 17-21. This is an opportunity to recognize the impact that citizen volunteers make for our quality of life in Vestavia Hills. Volunteers have a huge effect on our various boards and commissions as well as our parks and recreation leagues and clubs. Let’s not forget the Beautification Board, our garden clubs, the Sybil Temple foundation, our civic clubs, our recently revitalized Arts Council and many more.

I’ll leave you with a quote from Mark Twain:

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

Vestavia Hills and Rocky Ridge firefighters will soon have a new place for training activities following the shift to a larger facility on Veona Daniels Road. Photo courtesy of Scott Ferrell.

his wife Anna & their dogs Dexter & Baxter

City starting new podcast

By NEAL EMBRY

The city of Vestavia Hills will soon launch a new podcast focused on city news and events for residents.

Led by Assistant City Manager Cinnamon McCulley, the podcast will be the latest in the city’s push to get news out to the public, she said.

The idea came when McCulley attended the winter conference of the Alabama City/County Management Association. Helen Hays with Jefferson County spoke about the county’s “Podcast for the People.”

McCulley said the city wants to use all avenues available to make sure residents stay informed, and when she realized recording a podcast was possible at a “minimum cost,” she jumped at the chance. The city will be able to use equipment and space owned by Vestavia Hills City Schools.

The plan is to record once or maybe twice a month, McCulley said. Possible topics include council, city and Chamber of Commerce initiatives; citizen survey results; strategic planning priorities; the Dogwood Festival; a history of Vestavia Hills; a panel including guests from the school system, city and chamber; employment and internship options; the proposed 1Rebel 1Future property tax increase; city services; stormwater issues; community events;

library services and programs; aquatic complex and Civic Center membership; and parks tours.

There is “no desire” for the podcasts to be excessively long, McCulley said, and at times, they may not be that serious, with one possible idea having city employees read “mean tweets,” as made famous by Jimmy Kimmel.

The podcasts will be available on multiple platforms, videos will be placed on Facebook and past videos will be available on YouTube.

The plan is for the podcast to launch in late April or early May, with several being recorded beforehand, McCulley said.

A message from Gaynell Hendricks

Jefferson County Tax Assessor

HOMEOWNERS 65+

Special Senior Property Tax Exemption Period

Special Senior Property Tax Exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Special Senior Exemption a full exemption for everyone 65 years of age or older?

No, it is an exemption that is in addition to the Over-65 exemption that will freeze the assessed value for the next applicable tax year once claimed.

I do not file income taxes. How does that affect my Special Senior Exemption claim?

It does not, taxable income is not a qualification for the SSPE (Special Senior Property Tax Exemption)

Can I get this exemption on all my properties?

No, The Special Senior Exemption can only be claimed on the property that is your primary residence or any adjacent properties that are considered part of your primary residence.

I am over the age of 65, but my spouse is not. Can I still claim the Special Senior exemption?

Yes, you can still claim the exemption even though your spouse is not 65 years of age or older at this time. If your name is on the deed and the property is your primary residence, the exemption can be claimed.

I did not live on my property for 5 years can I claim the exemption?

No, one of the qualifications to claim the exemption is to have the property assessed in your name for 5 years immediately preceding the year they are claiming.

How long will the exemption stay on the property?

The exemption will remain on the property if you renew the Over-65 Exemption each year.

If my value, goes down will I be able to claim the exemption at the lower rate?

Yes, you will only need to come in and reclaim the exemption at the lower rate.

Will my taxes increase in the future?

Since the property value is what is frozen, yes It is possible that a millage rate increase or an addition to you property could increase your taxes.

The city of Vestavia Hills is launching a new podcast, with a variety of topics planned, including the history of Vestavia Hills. The Temple of Sybil is an iconic part of the city’s history. Photo by Erin Nelson.

City hosts meetings to lay out vision for Days Inn property

By DANIEL PINHEIRO

Following private meetings in mid-March with nearby property owners, the city of Vestavia Hills now has about nine to 10 acres of property to work with for the redevelopment of the former Days Inn and Bar 31 property, up from the 3.5 acres it originally had.

The city and a team of site developers hosted multiple charrette meetings from March 14 to March 16 to discuss their plans for renovating the property, located on U.S. 31 at the southern end of the city.

On March 15, the city held private meetings with property owners, prospective developers and elected officials on the granular details of the plan. Later that day, another public meeting was held, where City Manager Jeff Downes summarized the progress the city and the project team had made thus far and his confidence in the city’s ability to enact the redevelopment plan.

Downes confirmed that by the time the meetings finished at 4 p.m. on March 15, the city had convinced the owners of around eight acres’ worth of property to cooperate with its renovation efforts. Even the property owners who had little interest in the project going into the private meetings felt more positive about it after the meetings concluded, he said.

The city acquired the Days Inn and Bar 31 property on Aug. 1, 2022, to redevelop what has been seen as a problematic area for the city. In past years, multiple reported crimes, many of them drug-related, had taken place at the hotel, leading to it becoming among the city’s most heavily policed areas. With the redevelopment, the city hopes to negate these problems and bring the area up to a higher standard.

The meetings all took place at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, with Downes handling most of the public speaking.

One of the most agreed-upon proposals discussed on March 16 involved touching up the temple on Highway 31, modeled after the Sibyl Temple on Montgomery Highway, with more modern elements. Another proposal called for a large-scale monument sign to greet those entering the city. Other popular ideas included heavily landscaped roadsides, a mixture of small-scale retail locations and hospitality spaces like hotels, and large-scale accommodations for both restaurants and entertainment.

The meeting also saw a few of the project developers sharing two mapped-out examples of how the renovated property might look. The first one, described as a low-scale, village-style retail area, would place a large entertainment and retail space close to the temple and welcoming signage, with a few smaller retail spaces and a hotel placed further back.

The other proposed example, and the one the developers ultimately felt more passionate about, set the hotel near the welcoming signage to leave a strong visual impression for those entering the city. Small retail buildings would be placed further down and relatively far apart to give passersby a view of the green spaces and other attractive elements near them. By walking up the hill path behind the retail buildings, residents and visitors would reach a large entertainment space set beside an amphitheater.

On the first day of meetings, residents were encouraged to submit responses through a Visual Preference Survey accessible through Vestavia Hills Listens. The survey asked about potential uses for green spaces and landscaping, the kinds of stores and other retail spaces that could be built and designs for the welcoming signage when entering the city, among other things.

After completing the survey, residents could walk up to the different tables spread across the room and make suggestions directly to the developers on what to add to the property. They could also look at the developers’ ideas and express which ones they liked best.

While the ideas presented were ambitious in their scope, Downes acknowledged that whatever ideas the city finalizes will have to

remain economically feasible and fit within current laws.

“With this comes the reality check of what can truly fit, what can truly be parked, what adheres to our zoning codes, what might need some kind of consideration to make the vision become a reality,” Downes said.

At the least, all of the property owners who attended the private meetings agreed that the ideas pitched by the city were achievable within these constraints. Additionally, the property owners were willing to give the

city the time it needs to enact the best plan possible.

“All of those enjoining property owners that want to be with us have committed to following us along this process and not jumping the gun and looking at an immediate opportunity,” Downes said. “They want to be part of the bigger picture.”

At the end of the meeting, Downes briefly went over the next steps the city and site developers will take with the property. For one, they will move ahead with the demolition

of the property’s structures over the next four months, an action that the city council approved on March 13. Additionally, they will seek further public input as they try to finalize their renovation plans for publication.

After that, they will seek approval from both the city council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. They expect to have the renovation completed within 24 to 36 months.

“The opportunity is great, the people that we’ve talked to feel like it can be doable, and we want to move forward,” Downes said.

Top: City Manager Jeff Downes talks to a gathered crowd at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center about the future of the former Days Inn property. Above: City leaders discuss the future of the former Days Inn property at a mid-March meeting at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center. Photos by Daniel Pinheiro.

Council splits on rezoning vote, sets date for special election for 1Rebel 1Future

By NEAL EMBRY

In an almost-three-hour meeting, the Vestavia Hills City Council on Feb. 27 approved a contentious rezoning request, set a date for the special election regarding the school system’s 1Rebel 1Future plan and expressed frustration with a company responsible for installing poles supporting the 5G cell network.

In a 3-2 vote, the council rezoned 3951 Wall Street from medium-density residential to general business district. Councilors George Pierce and Kimberly Cook were the no votes, with Mayor Ashley Curry and councilors Rusty Weaver and Paul Head voting in the affirmative.

The rezoning allows Kiwi Swim School to open a 4,000-square-foot location at the site, led by swim coach Tracy Skidmore. Skidmore said her professional lessons will help save lives.

Nearby residents expressed concerns with traffic congestion, the possibility of children walking along busy streets and the possibility of the move opening a residential area to more businesses.

Ken Hickman brought a petition he said was signed by 91 neighbors, who were mostly opposed. Pierce voted no on the request after stating he took stock in surveys.

Cook said she opposed the rezoning as it would bring more commercial traffic to residential streets and was not in keeping with the city’s master plan.

Several residents and those who have used Skidmore’s teaching spoke in favor of the school.

The council approved setting May 9, pending approval by the state legislature and Governor Kay Ivey, as the date for the special election on whether to increase the property tax rate for Vestavia Hills City Schools by 9.8 mills. In related measures, the council approved spending $75,000 on the election, which will

be reimbursed by the school system, and also approved the use of Jefferson County election equipment.

The council heard from several concerned property owners near the sites of proposed poles to house equipment powering the 5G network. After debate, the issue was tabled until a future meeting to allow for discussion between residents and the relevant companies.

Poles were recommended for 2285 Sterling Ridge Circle, 1601 Gentilly Drive, 2500 Chatwood Road and 181 Castlehill Drive. Property owners weren’t a fan of having the poles on or near their property.

“It is an ungodly atrocity I do not feel I should have to bear the burden of,” one owner said of the recommendation on Gentilly Drive. One man said he had about 15 proxy “no” votes for the property on Sterling Ridge Circle, near the intersection of Old Columbiana Road and Jacobs Road.

Questions were asked about aesthetics and whether other locations were possible. Councilors expressed frustration with Crown Castle, which is installing the poles for cell phone providers, for not talking with residents beforehand.

This is the second time this year residents have expressed concerns about the poles, with the issue being tabled both times.

A representative from Crown Castle said the equipment cannot be placed on primary power poles.

Pierce said the company needed to respect that these poles might be placed on someone’s property and ensure it is the only possible location.

“You get the same complaints every time you come up here,” Pierce said. “You’re communicating once you come here. You’re not communicating when you put that stake in the ground. … It hasn’t changed.”

Weaver said aesthetics are important since he

The Kiwi Swim School is planning a 4,000-squarefoot location on Wall Street, after receiving its requested zoning change in a 3-2 city council vote on Feb. 27. Rendering courtesy of Tracy Skidmore, Kiwi Swim School.

does not want something that looks like it has “R2-D2’s little brother on top of it.”

“Talk to these people before you get here,” Weaver said. “Once it’s passed, then there’s no control; there’s no stopgap to make sure things are being done like they’re supposed to be done.”

Curry, who had to quiet the crowd multiple times during the meeting, also expressed concern.

“Please, talk with these people and let’s take the citizens into account here,” Curry said. In other business, the council:

► Approved an amended agreement with Ingenuity, Inc., for tag registration software, increasing the amount of revenue the city receives

► Approved a reduction of roughly $9,000 in the design costs for the pedestrian bridge project, which is being designed by Gresham Smith and Partners

City Council accepts bid for Days Inn demolition

By NEAL EMBRY

The Vestavia Hills City Council accepted the low bid to demolish the former Days Inn property at the March 13 council meeting.

The bid, submitted by Complete Demolition Services, LLC, is for $590,000, which will be paid out of existing American Rescue Plan Act funds. The company has four months to complete environmental remediation, including asbestos abatement, along with utility relocation and demolition of the property.

The city met in mid-March with business leaders and the public to discuss the future of the property. For more information on that meeting, see the related story on page A10.

The council also approved two items benefiting the Vestavia Hills Fire Department. The department now has an automatic aid agreement with the Mountain Brook Fire Department, meaning dispatch will automatically send both VHFD and MBFD to structure fires in either city to cut down on response time, Fire Chief Marvin Green said.

The council also authorized the use of

Business Business Happenings

NOW OPEN

River Bank and Trust has opened a new location in Vestavia Hills. They are a full-service bank, trusted with helping neighbors & businesses in the communities we serve reach their financial goals. 205-580-4290, riverbankandtrust.com

HaMi Boutique, which offers hand-picked fashion choices, recently opened their new Vestavia Hills location on Endeavor Drive. shophamiboutique.com

3870 Veona Daniels Road for a future training facility. The fire department, along with the Rocky Ridge Fire District, will still use 3794 Veona Daniels Road for some rescue training and classes, but the new site will provide much more space and further training opportunities, Green previously said. For more on the new training site, see the related story on page A8.

The council also approved the leasing of 15 police administration vehicles at a cost of $100,000 during fiscal 2023. The cars will replace existing vehicles that are set to be cycled out as part of the city’s normal budgetary process, City Manager Jeff Downes said.

Residents interested in a spot on the Vestavia Hills Board of Education must apply by April 10 at 5 p.m. An application can be found at vhal.org/vacancy-onvestavia-hills-board-of-education. Jennifer Weaver’s term ends this summer, with a new board member set to be announced at the April 24 City Council meeting.

For more on this meeting, visit vestaviavoice.com.

B. Happy is now open in Heights Village. The business offers gifts and other merchandise. 205-362-6868

Birmingham-based entrepreneur, Melody Lovvorn, has launched a new dating/connection app called Number that utilizes the Enneagram personality test to create instant connection between users. An evening launch party took place March 1 in the atrium of Innovation Depot. Prior to founding Number, Lovvorn has been a podcaster, non-profit executive, Enneagram coach and content creator using technology to reach people all over the world.

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

Pro Dent Paintless Dent Repair closed its location in Cahaba Heights on Feb. 27 and relocated to 516 Mineral Trace, Suite D in the Trace Crossings community in Hoover. The business specializes in hail damage, dents, dings, scratch removal and touch ups.

205-677-3002, prodentpr.com

PERSONNEL MOVES

America’s First Federal Credit Union, which has an office in Vestavia Hills at 1112 Montgomery Highway, has promoted Nancy Rice to senior vice president and chief risk officer and Terry Sanderson to vice president and experience officer. 205-582-5295, amfirst.org

ANNIVERSARIES

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The restaurant chain has two locations in Vestavia Hills: 1425 Montgomery Highway and 4520 Overton Road. Montgomery Highway: 205-573-4166, Overton Road: 205-956-1300, tazikis.com

The Days Inn sits on Highway 31 in Vestavia Hills. Staff photo.

Another cup, please

O.Henry’s celebrates 30 years of business

By NEAL EMBRY

For 30 years, the smell of coffee from O.Henry’s Coffee and Company has wafted through the morning air along 18th Street South, marking the arrival of each new day and calling the shop’s regulars in for their morning brew.

Regulars greet each other and share a “good morning” with the staff before gulping down their first cup of coffee.

“It’s like a second home for them,” said barista Corrie Parks.

This year, O.Henry’s celebrates its 30th anniversary. The shop has grown from its original home on 18th Street to multiple locations across the greater Birmingham area, including a location in Patchwork Farms.

Owner Blake Stevens has certainly spent enough time at the shop to call it his second home, too. Stevens worked at the shop while he was a student at Samford University from 1996 to 2001. He opened a shop at the Regions-Harbert Plaza, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he took a position with Starbucks, one he held for roughly 15 years, Stevens came back home in 2019.

Decades after he first worked at O.Henry’s, Stevens is now watching people he grew up with bring their kids into the shop.

Stevens bought the business from Randy Adamy, who bought it from founder Dr. Henry Bright.

For two or three years before he opened O.Henry’s in 1993, Bright traveled to learn as much about coffee as he could. At that time, there was no Starbucks in the area, and no one around town had ever heard of espresso coffee, he said.

Bright’s friends and acquaintances thought he had lost his mind when he pursued opening a coffee shop after retiring from his work as a dentist.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Bright said.

Bright found Gary Teplitsky, who was “doing something unique” in Key West: roasting his own coffee in his Florida coffee shop. Teplitsky, who is still in business today, invited Bright to spend a week with him and learn from him. He introduced Bright to roasters in New York, where Bright headed next to learn from the Dallis brothers.

Bright eventually moved his roaster to West Homewood, where the shop’s roasting operation is still handled today.

Five years after he started the business, Bright sold it to Adamy, who had come to Birmingham from Michigan with Bruno's grocery business. Bright stayed on to help Adamy, and the two became not only partners, but fast friends.

“It was a good fit,” Bright said.

Bright said he has enjoyed seeing O.Henry’s growth.

“It’s amazing how fast the 30 years have passed,” he said.

In his roughly 20 years of ownership, Adamy added locations, more variety in the shop’s coffee beans and delivered O'Henry's coffees to other up-and-coming shops for them to sell, he said. Business, he said, was good.

“I was not a great salesman,” Adamy said. “I just had to answer the phone.”

Despite the shop’s popularity, the goal was never to make it a corporate giant, Adamy said.

“We never wanted to see how big we could get it,” Adamy said. “We just wanted to be proud of it.”

When Starbucks came on the scene and opened a location at what is now the SoHo Standard location, Adamy admits O.Henry’s leaders were “nervous.” But Homewood residents chose not to patronize the Starbucks, keeping their dollars at O.Henry’s.

“They prize independent, local people,” Adamy said. “That’s what makes Homewood, Homewood.”

Bright’s vision was to “have a place where folks could gather around a great cup of coffee,” Stevens said.

“That’s still our vision,” he said.

In the four years since Stevens took over, the shop has faced a global pandemic, supply chain problems and the opening of new locations. But even during tough times, the shop hasn’t had big cuts and has provided a sense of normalcy for its customers during abnormal times, Stevens said.

“We’ve got some war wounds, but we’re a stronger team for it,” he said.

Teams across O.Henry’s locations work hard to maintain its high roasting standards, Stevens said. Those teams are made up of people who, like Stevens, won’t work at the shop forever, but will benefit from the lessons they learn, he said.

“We know this isn’t your forever job,” Stevens said. “How can we work together to help you learn some soft skills?”

And while they might not all come back one

day like he did, Stevens said the store does have some managers who have been with O.Henry’s for a long time.

In the past several years, the company has opened up new locations in Vestavia Hills, Hoover and in Dunnavant Valley.

“Each store has its own uniqueness,” Stevens said.

Dunnavant Valley’s shop continues to grow, with stores like Ace Hardware nearby drawing more customers, along with a drugstore. The Patchwork Farms location in Vestavia Hills benefits from the apartment complexes nearby, along with Highlands College students. The Hoover shop has picked up some steam and is seeing more activity, Stevens said. Each new location means adding more team members, which he enjoys seeing.

“I love watching teams develop and people grow,” he said.

While the original location’s aesthetic has not changed, O.Henry’s has added more food and drinks to its menu over the years and has

also added a mobile app for customers to place their orders ahead of time, Stevens said. The company also provides consulting and equipment to other shops.

O.Henry’s is no longer the only option in town. Several other coffee shops have moved in, with more on the way. But it doesn’t faze Stevens.

“I’ve never viewed folks coming in as competition,” he said. “We want people to gather around a great cup of coffee.”

Coffee is all about relationships, Stevens said. Each cup of coffee that comes from a farm, wherever it may be, represents a family. Stevens said O.Henry’s as a company has always been about family, with Beverly Bright, Mary Adamy and Anna Stevens all playing a role in helping run the store along with their husbands.

O.Henry’s has also played host to many a first date and has even witnessed marriage proposals, Stevens said.

“Everybody has their O.Henry’s story,” he said.

That includes Parks. Her parents had one of their first dates at the shop, something they enjoy bringing up whenever her job comes up in conversation.

“It’s wonderful,” Parks said of her family’s history with O.Henry’s. “I have a strong sense of nostalgia.”

Despite all of the changes in Homewood since O.Henry’s first opened its doors, the shop has stood the test of time, Stevens said.

“We see our place in the community as this timeless brand,” he said. “O.Henry’s is not a person. It represents something bigger than yourself.”

Corrie Parks, a barista at O.Henry’s Coffee on 18th Street South in downtown Homewood, takes an order, above, and makes a cold brew royale, left. Photos by Erin Nelson.

We see our place in the community as this timeless brand. O.Henry’s is not a person. It represents something bigger than yourself. BLAKE STEVENS

A family affair: Mom welcomes baby in building grandfather helped design

By NEAL EMBRY

When Maria Sivils and her husband, Dr. Jake Sivils, welcomed their first child, daughter Elliott, in November 2022, they did so in a place with special significance.

Concert series coming to Wald Park

By NEAL EMBRY

Two performers are set to entertain the crowd at Wald Park later this month as part of the Dogwood Festival Concert.

On April 21, Will Stewart, a Birmingham-based singer and songwriter will play a set, followed by The Mountain Grass Unit, which is made up of three Birmingham teenage musicians. The concerts begin at 7 p.m.

The library is also hosting an “Easter Extravaganza” this month at Wald Park.

On April 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the library will lead an egg hunt, spring craft, games and a petting zoo, which has large animals such as camels, llamas and other fun critters. The egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. The event is open for children 2 to 6 years old.

Also in the children’s department, the library is hosting a family night focusing on hula hoops. On April 11, families can enjoy a dinner beginning at 6 p.m. in the community room, with the program “Hoop for Fitness” to follow at 6:30 p.m. There will be a

demonstration of tricks and time dedicated to help guests learn fun ways to make hula hoops part of their fitness plan. All ages are welcome.

In the teen department, there will be Earth Day crafts on April 18. The event begins at 4 p.m. in the amphitheater. Teens will take recyclable materials and turn them into terrariums. Snacks will be served.

There will also be opportunities for those who enjoy Dungeons and Dragons, with a one-shot set for 2 p.m. on April 15 in the historical room, and miniature painting set for 4 p.m. on April 25 in the Makerspace area. For adults, the library is giving out free tickets to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s performances on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets are available to library cardholders on the first day of each month.

There will also be Earth Day crafts for adults, set for 11 a.m. in the community room on April 5. To register, contact Holly at holly. parker@vestavialibrary.org or 205-978-4674. All materials are provided.

Elliott was born at Ascension St. Vincent’s Women and Children’s Center in Birmingham. Maria’s father, Eddy Alonso, helped design the building.

“We have some great connections back to the facility,” Alonso said. “We were really excited.”

Alonso said he had fun designing the building, which included collaborating with staff and incorporating the history of St. Vincent’s into the center. The center opened in the late 1990s, a few years after Maria was born.

Left: Dr. Jake Sivils and his wife, Maria, smile at their baby girl, Elliott, born in November 2022 in the building Maria's father, Eddy Alonso, helped design at St. Vincent's. Right: Alonso holding baby Elliott. Photos courtesy of the Sivils family.

“It was my first project and I was really excited to be working with the staff there,” Alonso said.

Alonso also welcomed Maria at St. Vincent’s, in the women’s center at the main hospital. He was wrapping up design on the new facility at the time. Her brother and sister, twins, were born in the new facility, he said.

Maria said she had a very different perspective on the center where she would eventually have her first child, watching her dad work on it when she was growing up.

“I remember as a kid, watching my dad, who had the whole program on his laptop for work,” she said.

The Sivils, who now live in Vestavia Hills, met while in Mississippi and married in 2019, Maria said. They discovered her hometown of Birmingham was the best place for their family. Jake found a job at the Ascension St. Vincent's Primary Care Mayfair in Homewood.

“It’s a really awesome experience,” Jake said. “I’m grateful to have a position here.”

Elliott has been a “very easy” baby, Maria said.

“She’s been so sweet and eats well and sleeps well,” Maria said. “... It’s been a really sweet experience.”

Alonso said he’s been able to help out as well, as he now works from home part of the time. Maria said the family is glad to have planted roots in Birmingham.

“It’s all very full circle,” she said.

The Mountain Grass Unit will be performing April 21 at Wald Park.

Photo courtesy of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.

Saint Stephen’s building memorial labyrinth

By NEAL EMBRY

As the one-year anniversary of the tragic shooting on June 16, 2022, draws nearer, leadership at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Cahaba Heights is working to provide the community with a space to honor the victims and spend time in prayer and meditation.

A memorial labyrinth, which will be accessible from the church’s back parking lot, will be built, said the Rev. John Burruss, rector at Saint Stephen’s. The labyrinth will pay tribute to Bart Rainey, Sharon Yeager and Jane Pounds, the three victims of last summer’s shooting during a potluck dinner.

Labyrinths, which are not mazes but are instead a singular path, have been part of the Christian church for thousands of years, serving as a “place of reflection,” Burruss said. Those who enter the labyrinth can spend time praying and meditating as they walk toward the center and on their way back out. It is a practice meant to help someone “center themselves,” Burruss said.

Members of the Vestavia Hills City Council recently heard from the project’s leaders at the city’s strategic planning session in February.

“You surrounded us with love and support after that tragedy and we felt it, and we want to say thank you,” Leslie Carlisle, one of the project leaders, told city leaders.

Burrus said that a community “defines people’s lives.”

“I’ve never felt being part of something so strong and powerful,” Burruss said.

In response to the violence, Burruss said the church wanted to continue reaching out and loving its neighbors, and part of that response is creating an ADA-accessible labyrinth that will be open to the community.

“The most generous response to violence is

to commit to being in relationship with each other,” Burruss said.

Seeing the outpouring of love and support has meant a lot to Burruss since the shooting, he said.

“It’s been the most difficult and the most beautiful several months of my life,” Burruss said. “To be part of this is deeply humbling.”

Burruss said the church’s goal is to be intentional about relationships and that this community project is one way they are doing so.

The church has also added more emergency defibrillators around campus, along with more security cameras and an off-duty police officer. The church has also undergone security

and safety assessments, along with a new, up-to-date floor plan.

The proposed cost of the project is about $300,000. More than $50,000 has been raised so far through gifts given from the Green Bow fundraiser, a grant from Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation and other individual contributions, Burruss said. The city is not slated to provide any funding for the project at this time, at the church’s request. However, City Manager Jeff Downes said they will use their communication channels to get the word out about the project.

“We have a unique opportunity to disavow hate and revenge and lean in bravely to our

faith,” said another project leader, Katherine Owens.

To access the labyrinth, go up the stairs in the back parking lot to the patio. There are plans to pave the path behind Carpenter Hall so the labyrinth is accessible when the building is locked, but initially, those who cannot use the stairs can use the elevator in the Parish Hall while work is completed, Burruss said.

The project is expected to be complete before June 16, Burruss said.

To give toward the construction effort, mail a check to the church, visit ssechurch.org or donate at givebutter.com/labyrinth.

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Illustrations of a memorial project honoring the victims of the shooting in June 2022 at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church showing, from left, an aerial view of the project, a view of the fountain and a view of part of the labyrinth. Illustrations courtesy of John Burruss.

Retired Supreme Court justice reflects on life, career

By NEAL EMBRY

World War II may have kept Mike Bolin’s father from being a lawyer, but the younger Bolin made sure to make good on his father’s dream.

Bolin, the recently retired judge who spent 15 years on the Alabama Supreme Court, sensed his father wanted him to enter the legal world, which led him to Samford University, where he finished his undergraduate work at 20 years old. Following a visit to the Cumberland School of Law, Bolin was “recruited” into the school, he said.

“My dad was so happy,” Bolin said. “If my dad was proud of me, it was a license to do it.”

Bolin, who lives in Vestavia Hills, fell in love with trying cases in court and did that for 16 years. That work included domestic cases, civil work and more.

After that, Bolin was asked about pursuing a judgeship in the circuit court. But after he was encouraged to run for probate judge, he did so and won. He loved it, he said.

For 16 years, Bolin helped families in distress, and called it the “favorite area of [his] adult career.” Boline authored the state’s “Putative Father Registry” law, which protects the rights of all parties in adoption proceedings. It was a personal issue for Bolin, as he and his wife Rosemary adopted their daughter Leigh Anne.

Bolin ran and won a seat on the state’s highest court in 2004, assuming office in January 2005.

“I’m not special,” Bolin said. “I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was just a dream job.”

Bolin said he will always remember the death penalty cases, not because they were enjoyable, but because of their significance. Bolin said he experienced lawyers coming up with anything they could last minute to keep their clients from being executed. Bolin also said the mess the

state got itself in with the cocktails for lethal injections is “not right.”

In his time on the court, Bolin said he sought to give it his all for the state. He enjoyed going into conference with the other justices and talking with eight other sharp minds. Anytime he was able to be part of authoring either the majority opinion or dissenting opinion, it gave him a lot of self-worth.

“I’ll miss the camaraderie of the debate,” Bolin said. “I only saw it get ugly once.”

Bolin said he enjoyed benefiting the citizens

of Alabama and giving them confidence in the rule of law. He urged peace and not having “civil discord.”

“We just can’t keep getting ugly with one another,” Bolin said.

Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry has known Bolin for years, dating back to the former’s time with the FBI.

“He listens; he’s unbiased,” Curry said. “He follows the law.”

When Curry’s daughter Anna moved to Alabama from Tennessee, she was unable to attend

the state’s swearing in ceremony for new lawyers, hosted by the Supreme Court, due to a previous case in Tennessee. The court had never held a separate ceremony, but when Curry called Bolin, he made it happen.

“He’s one of the most humble people you will ever meet,” Curry said.

While law was something his father wanted, it was a perfect fit for Bolin.

“I couldn’t have picked a profession that I enjoy more,” Bolin said. “I’ve been blessed in my life.”

Judge Mike Bolin at the Jefferson County Courthouse on March 15. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Family, friends remember Bob Armstrong

By NEAL EMBRY

Bob Armstrong may not have been the greatest businessman, his daughter said.

“He would fix people’s cars and say, ‘Pay me when you can,’” Julie Tapscott said with a laugh.

It was part of Armstrong’s generous nature, Tapscott said. It endeared him not only to his family, but to the Cahaba Heights community he served through his gas station and repair shop at what is now Martin’s BBQ.

Armstrong, who ran his businesses from 1987 to 2017, died Feb. 24 at the age of 77.

“He was a very loving person,” said Armstrong’s wife, Judy Armstrong.

In addition to his work at the auto shop and gas station, Armstrong was a deacon and trustee at Cahaba Heights Baptist Church.

John Michael Bodnar knew Armstrong when Bodnar was a teenager growing up in Cahaba Heights.

“Literally everyone in Cahaba Heights knew Bob,” Bodnar said.

As a teen, Bodnar thought Armstrong was “ominous and intimidating.” That perception remained as an adult “until you got to know him,” Bodnar said.

He was “quiet, calm [and] level headed,” Bodnar said. While he didn’t say much, he never had to, Bodnar said.

“His actions always spoke much louder than his words,” Bodnar said.

As the owner of Armstrong Automotive Repair and Armstrong BP Gas Station, Armstrong serviced thousands of people, Bodnar said. He made great contributions to the community, he said. If communities can

suffer “death by a thousand papercuts,” Armstrong brought “healing by a thousand Band-Aids,” Bodnar said.

“I think we’re blessed to have guys like Bob,” Bodnar said.

Armstrong was a source of inspiration to the community, Bodnar said.

“From my years of growing up and living in that area … Bob was like an old oak tree. He was rooted,” Bodnar said. “Everyone looked up to him.

Bodnar worked with Armstrong to redevelop the service station when he retired, and was joined in that work by Chris Reebals, who also knew Armstrong well.

When he was preparing to retire, Armstrong reached out to Reebals for help in redeveloping the shop

into what is now Martin’s BBQ. It allowed Reebals to get to know Armstrong and his wife.

“He was a man that really, really cared about his community,” Reebals said. “There’s no telling the breadth of his impact over the years.”

Armstrong’s son, Robby Armstrong, said his dad was a selfless man.

“From birth on, he gave, and never asked or expected anything in return,” Robby Armstrong said.

Judy Armstrong said the couple was married for 56 years. They attended the same church and school and began dating in high school.

“He was always telling me he loved me,” she said. “I’m going to

miss him.”

One gift Armstrong gave his children was in the way he loved their mother, always telling her how beautiful she was, Tapscott said.

Tapscott said her dad used his business as an opportunity to share his faith in Jesus Christ with others, even if he didn’t know them.

Armstrong’s son Joel said his dad’s work ethic always stood out to him. While he worked long hours, Armstrong’s family said it was never just to make money, but to provide for his family. Armstrong was always the kid’s biggest cheerleader, coming to all of the games he could.

“He would sit in the stands, smelling like fuel,” Robby Armstrong said.

“He’d sit on the top row because nobody wanted to smell him.”

The greatest gift her father gave her was knowing she was loved, Tapscott said.

“He’d light up when I’d walk in the room,” she said.

And while he may best be known for his work at the auto shop, he became known for his barbecue as well. His father used to barbecue for the entire Cahaba Heights neighborhood, and so when Armstrong barbecued, the idea of only making enough ribs for his family was unheard of, Robby Armstrong said. It was not uncommon for him to make between 60 and 100 pounds of ribs for the Fourth of July, he said. Judy Armstrong said she “can’t hardly eat” barbecue anymore without thinking of the barbecue her husband made.

“It was so good,” she said.

At his visitation, there was a twohour wait for those wishing to pay their respects, the family said. Jerry Tracey, the now-retired longtime meteorologist, attended the service and told the family that when Tracey was getting started in Birmingham, Armstrong always made sure he was “taken care of” in regards to his cars.

Another woman said she remembered Armstrong always telling her as a little girl to go get a piece of candy when she’d walk in the store, Tapscott said. Robby Armstrong said his mother-in-law remembered that he always had candy in his pockets to give to others.

While Armstrong didn’t receive many accolades in life, seeing the sheer number of people he influenced was meaningful, the family said.

“It’s heartwarming. It validated his life,” Robby Armstrong said.

Left: Bob Armstrong, a beloved businessman in the Cahaba Heights community, stands with his wife, Judy, in front of Armstrong Auto Repair Service. Right: Armstrong stands by one of the self-serve gas pumps at Armstrong Auto Repair Service. Photos courtesy of Judy Armstrong.

BOE approves settlement agreement with former teacher, hears proposal for elementary language courses

By NEAL EMBRY

The Vestavia Hills Board of Education approved a settlement agreement for $69,500 with former Pizitz Middle School teacher Samantha Baulch at the March 20 meeting.

Baulch claimed last March the school failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in not providing her reasonable accommodations due to her being immunocompromised and at high risk of contracting COVID-19. She also claimed her contract was not renewed as a result of her raising concerns about the school’s lack of regard for following protocols during the pandemic.

In agreeing to the settlement, the board’s attorney, Mark Boardman, said it was “purely for economic reasons,” as the cost of going to trial would be more expensive. In the settlement, the board admits no wrongdoing.

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Aimee Rainey gave details about the proposal to add a “special” world language course at the elementary level if the 1Rebel 1Future initiative gains voter approval in May.

Rainey said students speak 36 different languages and 25 countries are represented in the school system. English is not the first language of 483 students in the school system, and companies like Mercedes, AirBus, Hyundai, Mazda Toyota and Honda have decided to call Alabama home.

“So what job opportunities will our students have right here in our state from businesses located in other countries?” Rainey said.

Five individuals would be hired to teach one of the five languages that are taught at the high school: German, French, Spanish, American Sign Language and Latin. Those teachers would rotate among the system’s five elementary

schools on a seven-week basis, Rainey said.

The job description is still in process, as there aren’t many examples of these jobs out there, she said.

Rainey said the goal is not proficiency in

elementary school, but curiosity. Teachers would help students gain exposure to the language and culture while making learning exciting, Rainey said.

If 1Rebel 1Future passes, these changes would take place this fall at the start of the 202324 school year, Rainey said.

Lisa McFadden, a Spanish teacher at Vestavia Hills High School, gave an update on the school’s Seal of Biliteracy program. The state of Alabama used VHCS as a model to develop a statewide program, with the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy replacing the school system’s individual seal. McFadden said 567 students have earned the Seal of Biliteracy since the program began in 2017.

The board also approved three-year principal contracts for several principals, with the following salaries:

► Lauren Dressback, Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights: about $112,000

► Alicia Hunsberger, Pizitz Middle School: $132,500

► Bill Mann, Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus: $121,000

► Tonya Rozell, Vestavia Hills High School: about $155,000

In other business, the board:

► Approved licensing agreements with Homewood Sporting Goods and Joyful

► Recognized the Vestavia Hills High School men’s wrestling team for winning a state championship

► Approved the 2023-24 parent-student handbook

A mural with photographs from the 1980s-90s on the wall in the front wing of Louis Pizitz Middle School.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

License to Sell: VHCS works on licensing local merchandise

By NEAL EMBRY

In an effort to help local sellers and ensure the quality of school-branded merchandise, Vestavia Hills City Schools has been working to create licensing agreements with local businesses in the past few months.

Whit McGhee, director of public relations for VHCS, said it’s something many school systems in the state are taking an interest in. School systems have been creating unique logos and trademarking them, such as the school’s logo, lettering and more, he said.

“We want to ensure that our institution is presented consistently,” he said.

The school’s logo is a “visual identity” of the school, McGhee said. The school received a logo packet during a 2015 rebranding and is now trying to protect that. While the Board of Education in 2017 began receiving state trademarks, there have been times where websites and sellers have made slight alterations in order to sell Vestavia gear, he said.

Because of Vestavia’s success on and off the field, their identity has grown to the point where gear can be sold from anywhere, even in places like Washington state, McGhee said.

“We are a national brand,” he said.

Still, the school system wants to support local sellers, McGhee said.

“This is a school system and community that has always believed in unparalleled community support,” he said. “We want people to shop local.”

Last summer, McGhee began formalizing relationships with local businesses that have already been supportive of the school district. The licensing agreements allow the businesses to have access to the system’s logo packet, so what they sell is of the highest quality and is official Vestavia merchandise, he said.

In exchange, the business gives a portion of the revenue from the sale of that merchandise, usually 10%, to the school system, McGhee said.

Having licensing agreements also gives the school system the ability to shut down those selling gear without such an agreement, he said.

Current businesses with a licensing agreement to sell Vestavia merchandise are: Bandwagon Sports, Big Color, BSN Sports, Classic Traditions, One Stop Promotions, the Vestavia Hills City Schools PTO Council, Tag Specialties, The Vestavia Store, Homewood Sporting Goods and Joyful.

By NEAL EMBRY

With all of the “amazing” work teachers do in the classroom, Vestavia Hills City Schools wants to do its part to support them, said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Aimee Rainey.

If the 1Rebel 1Future initiative passes, the school system will look to hire one instructional partner in each school, Rainey said. An instructional partner would help teachers analyze data and use it to improve their teaching, she said.

The school system would use the Alabama Coaching Framework, which sets standards for coaches, and the Best Practices Center training. The instructional partners would be equipped with knowledge and skills to support teachers, Rainey said.

While administrators play an important role, an instructional partner will spend time both in class and out of class helping teachers develop their skills and better reach their

students, Rainey said. The schedule for training would be built in collaboration with the teacher’s schedule.

Partners can model a lesson or teach different strategies, depending on the teacher’s needs, Rainey said. They can help create action plans and understand standards. It will make instruction time more “targeted and beneficial” for the teacher and students, she said.

The partner will have demonstrated “exceptional skill” in the classroom themselves, Rainey said.

“This would be a ‘master teacher,’” she said. Other opportunities for help might come by co-teaching with the teacher, Rainey said, or pulling data for the teacher.

The concept of instructional partners is not a new one in Alabama, Rainey said, with several other systems using them.

The vote on whether to pass 1Rebel 1Future is tentatively set for May 9, contingent on approval by both the state legislature and Governor Kay Ivey.

Photo by

DOGWOOD

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Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. They can be purchased by check and mailed in, or through email at dogwoodluncheon@gmail.com. Guests can also use Venmo: @vh-dogwood.

Proceeds pay for future events as well as supporting the Belles and various beautification efforts across the city, McDonald said.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

The fourth annual Battle of the Bands competition is set for April 8 in the parking lot at the Rocky Ridge Plaza shopping center.

The event began over a “cold beer and a bar napkin,” said organizer Bob Barker. Last year’s competition was a success and multiple bands are already confirmed for this year, he said.

Mason Music is the title sponsor and the homebase for several of the bands, Barker said. Attendance has grown each year, as more and more people watch middle school and high school bands compete for cash prizes.

Music will begin around 4:30 p.m, with the last band finishing around 9 p.m., Barker said. First-place prizes in the middle school and high school categories each receive $750, with second-place finishers receiving $250. Bands will draw names for time slots and will play three songs or for 15 minutes, whichever comes first, Barker said. The bands represent multiple schools and communities, Barker said.

Businesses in the area will usually support the event by offering food and drinks, Barker said.

Bands confirmed for this year’s event include Stone Harbor, Eggos, Strangers, Out of Pocket and Bassment, with more to follow, Barker said.

DOGWOOD PRAYER BREAKFAST

Lindy Cleveland, founder and executive director of Unless U, is this year’s keynote speaker for the Dogwood Prayer Breakfast, set

for April 18 at 7 a.m. at the Vestavia Country Club.

Unless U provides ongoing education for adults with disabilities and special needs.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at vestaviahills.org.

Leaders are still determining who will play at the event, but it will be a group from Vestavia Hills High School, said Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Director Michelle Hawkins.

Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry will be part of the event as he has in years past, Hawkins said. Other participants are likely to include local churches, she said.

WING DING

This year’s celebration of all things chicken

wing will be April 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Vestavia Hills City Hall, out on the front lawn, said organizer Marty Martin.

Various teams participate in the event, usually from businesses, churches or groups of friends, Martin said, all competing to create the best chicken wing. The event, now in its 11th iteration, is taken seriously, but it is not a professional competition, Martin said. Instead, Wing Ding is about the community gathering together, he said.

There are usually between 18 and 23 teams, Martin said. Those attending can experience a wide array of flavors, with teams competing for prizes in two categories: fried and grilled/ smoked.

There is also a “People’s Choice Award,” voted on by attendees. The other prizes are

voted on by judges, including a “Spirit Award” for the teams that show the most spirit. Additional teams will provide other types of food and items, Martin said.

The event also includes live music, bounce houses, face painting and more. Leadership Vestavia Hills manages the event, and the money raised goes to the community through various charitable organizations. The three charitable organizations are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation and a scholarship fund for students in Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills, Martin said.

Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the gate. Those who bring a nonperishable food item can get in for $5 on the day of the event. Kids 10 years old and younger are free.

Maria May Johnson and Kim Douglass look at bids on silent auction items at the Dogwood Luncheon at the Vestavia Country Club in April 2022. Photo by Erin Nelson.

OUTDOORS

CONTINUED from page A1

There are existing trails at McCallum Park, including one that circles at the back of Buckhead Drive, as well as another large trail system near the bridge that runs near Vestavia Hills High School.

Other parks and facilities include the aquatic complex, Cahaba Heights Park and Meadowlawn Park. Smaller parks include Byrd Park, which has a playground and is adjacent to Vestavia Hills Elementary East, and Shallowford Park.

The city also recently opened the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, which offers memberships to enjoy exercise equipment, tracks and a gym.

The city will also host multiple events in the coming months, many in conjunction with the state of Alabama’s longest-running Dogwood Festival, Lee said. There will be a spring sports kickoff, a concert series on the lawn at Wald Park and fun activities at the aquatic center, Lee said. The latter may include “lifeguard wars,” movies at the pool and more.

Sport offerings include baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, Miracle League and adult soccer and adult basketball, Lee said.

“Being out in the sunshine and the fresh air has all kinds of positive psychological effects,” Lee said. “I don’t think we do that enough in our country anymore.”

There are also opportunities on the water, said Cahaba Riverkeeper David Butler.

Access to Little Shades Creek and the Cahaba River is available at McCallum Park. There are also access points at Meadowlawn Park, he said.

But it’s important to not only enjoy the river, but to take care of it as well, Butler said.

“There’s a lot more people using the river,” he said.

That has led to some people not picking up trash and respecting the access points provided by the city, which might lead to them being taken away, Butler said. There’s also a stormwater runoff issue related to what he called an “old-school” mentality of property development and not considering the runoff impact on places like the Cahaba River.

For those who visit the river, Butler encouraged practicing the “leave no trace” principle and picking up trash, even if you did not leave it. Pay attention to the water and report any issues to the property agency so it can be addressed, he said.

Cahaba Riverkeeper also tests the water for E. coli at access points and provides swim guides, which can be found at cahabariverkeeper.com. A map of access points can be found at cahabablueway.org.

Here’s a list of Vestavia parks and facilities, all of which can also be found on the city’s website, vhal.org:

► Aquatic Complex: 1973 Merryvale Road (located off U.S. 31 at Wald Park). The new aquatic complex opened in 2020 and features a competition pool and family-style pool.

► Boulder Canyon Nature Trail: 1289 U.S. 31 (behind the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest). The trail begins at the library and

includes a nature trail, bridge and waterfall.

► Byrd Park: 2109 Tyson Drive. The park features a walking track and a playground, as well as picnic areas.

► Cahaba Heights Park: 4401 Dolly Ridge Road. This park includes, in addition to open green space, turf baseball fields and an inclusive playground, along with the New Merkel House. The park also includes a dog park.

► Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex: 4851 Sicard Hollow Road. SHAC features four synthetic turf multipurpose fields with an adjacent playground. SHAC also features a splash pad, which is open from 9 a.m. to sunset, as well as futsal and pickleball courts. More information about those courts can be found online.

► Liberty Park Sports Complex: 4700 Sicard Hollow Road. The Liberty Park Sports Complex features two playgrounds, soccer fields and softball fields.

► McCallum Park: 3332 Rosemary Lane.

McCallum Park is a passive park with walking trails, open green space, pavilions, restrooms and grills on which to cook over open flames. Little Shades Creek meanders through the park and is located just off Rocky Ridge Road.

► Meadowlawn Park: 4041 Dolly Ridge Road. This park features a pavilion and walking trail, along with some playground equipment.

► Shallowford Park: 3334 Shallowford Road. This park is a small, neighborhood pocket park and playground without parking or restroom facilities.

► Wald Park: 1973 Merryvale Road (located off U.S. 31). While some of Wald Park remains under construction, the walking trail, playground, baseball fields and batting cages are open, along with the aquatic center and “Great Lawn” area. The final phase of Wald Park will include the construction of six tennis courts, six pickleball courts, more than 100 parking spaces, a dog park and another walking trail.

What

Photo by Erin Nelson.

With So Many Features, Make Yukon Your Own

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More about the GMC Yukon

Jacob and Taylor Lindsey with their new 2023 GMC Yukon.

The 2023 GMC Yukon is the peak of SUV form and function. Tow up to 8,400 lbs. with the available Max Trailering Package. Keep eyes on every angle, even in tight spots, with up to 13 available camera views. Explore it all today at Royal Buick GMC.

OUR TREE CREWS ARE WORKING TO KEEP THE DEPENDABILITY YOU EXPECT.

At Alabama Power, we work hard to provide the dependable service our customers expect and deserve. We give 100% to achieve 99.98% dependability. That means regularly inspecting and trimming trees as a way of preventing potential outages.

About 45% of outages experienced by Alabama Power customers are due to trees and plant life.

Overgrown branches can brush against power lines and cause outages. They also make power lines more accessible to wildlife.

We use technology and data analytics to help identify areas in need of tree trimming to protect the electrical system.

Keeping you aware of upcoming work is a priority to us. Scan the QR code to see the neighborhoods tree crews will be working in.

If you have any questions, please call Alabama Power at 205-257-2155 and request to speak with a member of our utility tree care team.

To learn more about how we safely maintain our system or for recommendations on planting the right trees in the right place, visit AlabamaPower.com/trees.

Home & Garden Guide 2023 Spring

Special Advertising Section

Spring is in bloom, and it’s the perfect time to plant a garden, do some cleaning or start a home renovation. Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump-start any project in our guide.

Spring is a wonderful time of the year when homeowners can get back outside, savor the warm weather and enjoy their yards with family and friends.

It’s also a good time for homeowners to dramatically improve their landscaping or create exciting new outdoor spaces.

They can turn to the experts at Gardner Landscaping in Hoover, who’ve provided timely, top-quality service to residential and commercial customers since 2006.

“Our specialty is making a beautiful landscape with trees, shrubs and flowers,” owner Grant Gardner said. “However, we’re also very good at developing outdoor play and entertainment areas.”

Gardner and his team stay abreast of the latest outdoor design trends, and combine cultivated greenery and pops of vivid color to create the perfect outdoor environments.

They can also satisfy any client’s taste with either traditional or unusual plant materials.

Gardner Landscaping boasts a full staff of licensed, insured and talented

personnel, unlike some landscape businesses.

“We have the personnel and resources to get to your project in a timely manner,” Gardner said, adding that they strive to provide clients with a quote on their projects within 24 hours.

Gardner Landscaping employees are also highly motivated to satisfy their customers.

“We strive to satisfy individual preferences, while advising our customers based upon several factors, such as the intended purpose of the space,” Gardner said.

Gardner Landscaping works with all types and sizes of budgets and landscapes in Birmingham, Auburn, Dadeville, Alexander City or Lake Martin.

For details, call 205-401-3347 or go to gardnerlandscapingllc.com.

Need some new window coverings this spring? Steve Thackerson is ready to help you have beautiful window blinds, shutters, solar shades and draperies that you can control from anywhere. They’re easy to use and easy to afford, he said.

“Motorization is a big thing now. There are ways you can tie motorized window coverings into your home’s automation system,” said Thackerson, owner of Budget Blinds of Birmingham.

With a touch of your phone — even when you’re not home — you can raise or lower your window coverings, or you can tell Alexa to do it for you. Your Budget Blinds can also open or close at a preselected time of day or night.

“We can usually tie our product into any system you might have,” Thackerson said. “We take pride in providing style and service for every budget.”

At Budget Blinds — your local window covering expert — they take the time to understand you and your unique needs to deliver the best custom window covering solution designed for the way you live.

They do any kind of custom window covering. As far as blinds go, they offer wood and faux wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite and vertical blinds or vertical blind alternatives. They also offer shades of all kinds: roller, Roman, cellular, bamboo, woven wood, pleated, sheer, graphic and solar.

And they can get your interior plantation shutter needs taken care of with wood or composite.

“Shutters and woven wood shades are our top two sellers,”

Thackerson said.

You can see a gallery of recent projects on their website to get a feel for what they can do for your home or office, or visit their

showroom in Vestavia at 2130 Columbiana Road.

“We install them, so anything that’s purchased from us, we’ll custom measure your windows

and professionally install them,” Thackerson said. “We don’t subcontract that out. We control everything from setting up the appointment to the final installation.”

They also have better warranties than their competitors, he said. “Our manufacturers may also sell to our competitors, but they don’t give them the same warranties they give us. That sets us apart. We get the same products but better pricing and better warranties because we are the largest retailer of custom window coverings in the world.”

That comes with their national presence and the long relationships he and his wife have built in their more than 30 years in the business. He also has two salesmen with decades of experience.

“They are veteran employees who have been with me a long time,” Thackerson said.

The highly trained design consultants at Budget Blinds put their heart and soul into creating the perfect answer to your window fashion needs. They even bring their entire showroom to you with their free in-home design consultation.

They also really enjoy serving their many wonderful customers in all of Birmingham and surrounding areas.

To learn more, call them or go to their website today.

The top destination for quality hardware, great service and family tradition

Brandino Brass in Homewood is known throughout the Southeast as a top destination for homeowners, designers, contractors and architects in search of a huge selection of highquality decorative and architectural hardware.

This includes everything from cabinet hardware and elegant door knobs to fireballs and bathroom accessories as well interior and exterior lighting.

The company is a dealer for unique, highend hardware vendors, with many products available only at Brandino Brass.

In addition, it displays a growing array of interior and exterior lighting including lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers. There’s also a long, proud tradition of family ownership at Brandino Brass, founded in 1948 by the late Tony Brandino.

His son, Buster Brandino, along with Buster's son, Eric, reestablished the business in Homewood in 2009.

Buster retired at the end of 2022, but the family tradition continues. Eric Brandino remains as a co-owner along with two new co-owners with long ties to the operation — Renee Genereux, who has worked at Brandino Brass since 2010, and Jessie Isom, who has worked there since 2012.

“I’m really excited to open the next chapter,” Eric Brandino said.

The new owners have a great working relationship.

“We work well as a team,” Isom said. “On almost every subject we each bring a different, unique perspective, and we work together to make the best decisions for the company.”

“We work together to problem solve, grow our brand and continue as a successful

Brandino Brass • 205-978-8900 • brandinobrass.com

business,” Genereux said.

Eric Brandino expresses great faith in his new co-owners.

“Renee and Jessie are true examples of hard work, loyalty and trust,” he said.

Genereux said she is “very honored” that Eric Brandino offered her a role in ownership.

“It feels good to be acknowledged for my hard work and dedication over the past 13 years with the company,” she said.

Isom said he’s “very excited” to become a co-owner. “It feels like all my hard work and commitment has paid off.”

The friendly, knowledgeable Brandino sales team helps customers find just the right look, and customers can view the store’s beautiful showroom in person or through a virtual walk-through on the company’s website brandinobrass.com.

Unlike the big-box hardware stores, Brandino Brass offers deep product knowledge and a personal touch. Brandino Brass also offers a range of prices and quality that is unmatched by the chain stores.

The company has built its “reputation and success” on customer service, Isom said.

“We have over 50 years’ experience in the hardware industry, and that gives us a unique advantage over much of our competition when it comes to very custom detailed projects. The owners and staff have had long relationships with architects, designers, contractors and homeowners that come back to us on all of their projects. We always do our best to make sure the customer has a good experience and is completely satisfied with the end result. We go above and beyond.”

Using skill, personal touch to create beautiful lawns

Advanced Turf Care • 205-305-7949 • advancedturfcarellc.com

The typical homeowner spends lots of time and money to create a luscious green lawn that will increase their home’s value and curb appeal.

Advanced Turf Care, a full-service lawn care company in Birmingham, makes sure that homeowners maximize their investment and get the beautiful yards they deserve.

The skilled professionals at Advanced Turf Care also offer homeowners a friendly, personal touch.

“We want to give individualized attention to our customers that the big companies cannot,” owner Grant Gardner said.

The employees at Advanced Turf Care are “some of the best in the business,” he said.

They have lots of knowledge and experience, as well as attention to detail and a passion for customer service.

“We want the customer to have an enjoyable experience when dealing with us,” Gardner said.

Homeowners don’t have to settle for second best in their lawn care.

“Don’t keep using a lawn service that provides you a cheap price and a lawn

One Man & A Toolbox celebrates 25 years of great service to homeowners

If your home needs routine maintenance or minor repairs, you may think you can do it yourself and save money.

you’re not proud of,” Gardner said.

For example, Advanced Turf Care uses high-quality, slow-release fertilizer that feeds your lawn and keeps it healthy all season.

Other providers “use cheap fertilizer that will give your lawn an initial green, but not provide the nourishment your lawn needs,” Gardner said.

In addition, Advanced Turf Care is there for you over the long haul and really understand weed control.

“Give us time to make your lawn truly healthy,” Gardner said. “The best control of weeds is achieved months before they appear.”

Advanced Turf Care also takes care of your shrubs and trees, which need fertilization and pest protection just like your lawn.

For details, call 205-305-7949 or go to advancedturfcarellc.com.

However, even if you believe you have the right skills and tools to do a job, it will likely take you a lot longer than it should, because you don’t do home repairs every day.

Most home projects, even small handyman jobs, are better left to the experienced professionals at One Man & A Toolbox, now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

One Man & A Toolbox can handle any small project, including minor carpentry, plumbing and electrical fixes. They can also do painting, caulking, shelving and more.

“Any odd jobs around your home, we’ll get them done right the first time,” said owner Jay Moss.

Moss and company can also do many other special tasks, like putting up decorations or assembling a swing set.

“No matter how crazy you think the task is, call us and we’ll try to figure it out,” Moss said.

One Man & A Toolbox can also tackle larger home improvement projects.

Moss warns homeowners against calling unlicensed, uninsured repairmen from Angi or Craigslist. Many will ask for money to buy materials before starting and won’t return or won’t be available for warranty issues that arise after the job.

One Man & A Toolbox has skilled, reliable employees who are licensed, insured and bonded.

And the company is here to stay. The 25th anniversary “shows the good reputation we have to be able to stay in business,” Moss said. Call 205-823-2111 or go to oneman-toolbox.com.

Capstone Village: Active living with a campus connection

Capstone Village • 800-799-5099

Tuscaloosa’s Capstone Village is a luxury retirement community for active retirees.

Capstone Village offers worry-free living while encouraging lifelong learning and healthy activities.

Located on the historic campus of The University of Alabama — the vitality of collegiate life is brought right to your doorstep.

“We take full advantage of our location at UA. Residents are provided with many opportunities to pursue fun, vibrant, active lifestyles.” said Jana Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing for Capstone Village.

The residents at Capstone Village enjoy university amenities — athletic and cultural events, access to campus libraries, auditing of classes and access to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Many Capstone Village residents are volunteer instructors and OLLI members.

• capstonevillage.ua.edu

Capstone Village emphasizes health and wellness for residents by offering onsite fitness classes, including yoga, dance and strength training. Residents also receive memberships to the well-equipped student recreation center located directly across the street. “The special relationship between the University and Capstone Village is something our residents cherish. Most of them worked on campus, attended school here or are huge Alabama fans,” Smith said.

Residents enjoy having UA students from various departments and sports teams volunteer at Capstone Village. Students present musical concerts, host health clinics, facilitate special events, socialize with the residents and even work on research projects.

For more information or to request a tour, call 855-406-8242 or go to capstonevillage.ua.edu.

Family-owned Allsteel Fence provides security, curb appeal

Allsteel Fence • 205-942-8249 • allsteelfence.com

While multigenerational family businesses are rare these days, Allsteel Fence is the exception as a third generation family business. It prides itself on its deeply-rooted values of customer service and high-quality products.

Founded by Bob Jones in 1964, the company has grown from a one-room office with one installation crew and salesman to now over 40 employees and three locations, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Anniston. Allsteel fabricates their own chain-link wire, provides security gate operator systems, builds custom gates in house, and has the largest inventory of fence materials in central Alabama. They have the capability to serve all clients’ residential, commercial, and industrial fencing needs. Allsteel Fence offers chain-link, ornamental, wood, PVC, custom gates, and gate operator systems, and sells all of these products directly to the public. And if you’re looking to do-ityourself, Allsteel offers a better variety,

a more knowledgeable sales staff, and prices that always beat the big box stores.

For the past 59 years, Allsteel Fence has remained in the Jones family and is currently owned by Bob’s son, Jeff, and managed by his two sons, Jonathan and Alex. Company Vice President Jonathan Jones said Allsteel Fence is able to offer a high level of quality because it manufactures and fabricates so many of its own products.

Allsteel Fence’s products provide security and curb appeal to all residential and commercial customers, Jones said. “Our residential fences are often used to provide containment or privacy for pets and children,” he said. “Our commercial fences are typically used to provide security to one’s property.”

And, as the business looks to its next 59 years, it will continue to offer high-quality products and unmatched customer service that have become a family tradition.

Experience life to the fullest

Galleria Woods • 205-277-6915

Galleria Woods Senior Living Community offers a plethora of residential options, comprehensive services and enjoyable amenities.

Anne Smyth is the Director of Sales and Marketing and has worked there for six years. She talks about what makes Galleria Woods Senior Living as pleasant as it is in the interview below:

Q: What services does Galleria Woods offer?

A: We offer a full-service life plan including assisted and skilled nursing services and rehabilitation. Galleria Woods is unique to Birmingham and residents receive benefits that they wouldn’t get at other senior living communities in the area. Those benefits include care for life, reduced rates for healthcare centers and tax benefits with the life plan community. The overall concept is to provide a continuum of care no matter what may be ahead for residents.

Q: What can residents look forward to when they live here?

A: Besides the stunning location of Galleria Woods — 20 wooded acres in Birmingham’s prestigious Riverchase area — residents can expect peace of mind in knowing that their future is

• galleriawoodsseniorliving.com

Homewood Carpet & Flooring offers the best selection in Birmingham

Homewood Carpet & Flooring • 205-518-6423 • homewoodcarpet.com

set. They should expect an excellent dining experience, exercise classes, lectures on various topics, trying new restaurants and activities in Birmingham and weekend trips away. Our residents come from different parts of the country and carry unique stories. Between well-known guests like James Spann making an appearance or weekend trips to the Smoky Mountains, residents will experience life to the fullest.

Q: What is your benchmark for success?

A: Our staff at Galleria Woods prioritizes the well-being and safety of our residents above all else. We work to ensure they are living their best life in retirement. This includes checking off some of their “bucket list” items. Now that they don’t have to worry about day-today tasks, their free time expands and they can focus on accomplishing their individual dreams and goals.

To find the best selection of flooring in the Birmingham area, go to Homewood Carpet & Flooring.

Owner Foo Shunnarah has offered great service for 16 years and helps customers pick the perfect flooring for their lifestyle and budget.

Shunnarah’s motto is “Foo And You: We Are One!”

“When I say ‘Foo and You,’ it’s really like 90% of the time you’ll see me if I’m there, and if you have any issues, you’ll talk directly to me,” he said.

Luxury vinyl — durable and scratchresistant — is perhaps the most popular type of flooring right now, Shunnarah said.

Luxury vinyl tile and planks look almost exactly like tile or hardwood but are much cheaper.

“The price is half, or less than half, when compared to actual tile or hardwood,” Shunnarah said.

In August, Homewood Carpet & Flooring began carrying COREtec, the original luxury vinyl flooring.

COREtec is waterproof, kid-proof and pet-proof; easy to install and maintain; and comes in many attractive styles.

Shunnarah also offers long-lasting porcelain ceramic tiles; beautiful, timeless hardwoods; carpet, a very affordable option; and other specialty products.

These products are available in many colors, styles and looks.

Homewood Carpet & Flooring offers free measurements, and you can look at products in the showroom or have them brought to your home. The store also offers installation.

Financing is available at Homewood Carpet & Flooring, as well. To fill out an application, go to the store’s website and click on the Wells Fargo link. For details, go to homewoodcarpet.com.

Foo Shunnarah

Galleria Woods residents, from left, Ruby Ingram, Suzanne Challiss and Ruth Stone.

All-South Metro Basketball

Miller named Player of Year

By KYLE PARMLEY

The 2022-23 high school basketball season was one that will not soon be forgotten, with the Hoover High School boys and girls basketball teams sweeping the Class 7A state championships on the same day in early March. Several other teams from the Starnes Media coverage area advanced to the state and regional tournaments in highly successful campaigns.

Because of Hoover’s dominance, it is difficult to name anyone but Scott Ware and Krystle Johnson as the boys and girls Coaches of the Year. After sharing the honor with teammate Aniya Hubbard last season, Hoover’s Reniya Kelly claims the Player of the Year title to herself this time around. Vestavia Hills’ Win Miller is the boys Player of the Year after capping off a record-setting career with the Rebels.

Here is this year’s All-South Metro Team.

BOYS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Win Miller, Vestavia Hills

► Coach of the Year: Scott Ware, Hoover

GIRLS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Reniya Kelly, Hoover

► Coach of the Year: Krystle Johnson, Hoover

BOYS 1ST TEAM

► Win Miller, Vestavia Hills: Averaged 22 points per game and led the Rebels to a 26-5 record. He finished his career with 2,011 career points and is the program’s all-time leading scorer.

► Caleb White, Pinson Valley: Led the Indians with 21 points per game, shooting 40% from 3-point range. The Indians’ only loss of the season came in the regional final, as they finished 29-1 on the year.

► Paul Lanzi, Chelsea: Capped off an outstanding career by averaging 18.8 points per

game for the Hornets. He finished his career with 1,370 points and 185 made 3-pointers.

► Ty Davis, Mountain Brook: Led the Spartans as a do-it-all point guard, averaging 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6 assists per game, as his team advanced to the Class 6A state final.

► Matt Heiberger, Oak Mountain: Willed the Eagles to victory many times, including going over 30 points several times down the stretch. The Alabama baseball signee averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

► Terry Coner Jr., Pinson Valley: The senior guard went for 17 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Indians.

► Kalib Thomas, John Carroll: Led the

Cavs to a No. 2 ranking in Class 5A, averaging 16.9 points per game.

► Zach Gray, Spain Park: One of the most consistent players in the area, going for 16 points a game for a Jags team that reached the final four.

► DeWayne Brown, Hoover: A force in the paint, despite being a sophomore. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

► Sam Wright, Spain Park: The leading scorer and rebounder for the Jags, averaging 16.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

BOYS 3RD TEAM

► Jackson Weaver, Vestavia Hills: Stepped up as a primary option for the Rebels this season, going for 15 points a night in his junior season.

► Salim London, Hoover: The sophomore

went for 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for the state champs.

► Avery Futch, Chelsea: The junior forward went for 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, while also shooting 35% from 3-point range for the Hornets.

► Julius Clark, Mountain Brook: A consistent player for several years, compiling 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his senior season.

► Tre Thomas, Oak Mountain: The senior averaged 10.1 and 6.2 rebounds, but piled up an impressive 130 blocks on the year as well.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

► Ray Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; Devon McKinnon, Clay-Chalkville; Canon Armstead, Homewood; KJ Beck, John Carroll;

Vestavia Hills’ Sarah Gordon (33) shoots a 3-pointer guarded by Bob Jones’ Ja’Kyah Smith (10) in a Northwest Regional semifinal game at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College.

Photos by

Braylon Bernard, John Carroll; Aden Malpass, John Carroll; Jarett Fairley, Hoover; KJ Kirk, Clay-Chalkville; John Colvin, Mountain Brook; Chase James, Spain Park; Drew Mears, Briarwood; William Lloyd, Briarwood; Elijah Herron, Hoover

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

► Reniya Kelly, Hoover: The Player of the Year averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the state champs.

► Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills: The sophomore has established herself as one of the state’s top players, going for 17 points per game for the 28-5 Lady Rebels.

► Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville: Eclipsed 15 points and 4 assists per game for the Lady Huskies as a junior.

► Raegan Whitaker, Oak Mountain: Led

the area in scoring with 18 points per game, while pulling down nearly 10 rebounds a night as well.

► Layla Etchison, Hoover: Stepped up in her senior season to provide 12.1 points per game.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

► Anna Towry, Vestavia Hills: Joined the 1,000-point club during her senior season after averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds.

► Kamoriah Gaines, Clay-Chalkville: Helped lead the Lady Cougars to the regional final, going for 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest.

► Haley Trotter, Chelsea: Nearly averaged a double-double, going for 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds a game for the Lady Hornets.

► Audre Benson, Hewitt-Trussville:

Averaged 12.1 points per game and produced a program-record 98 steals.

► Taylor Smith, Briarwood: Went for 10.8 points and school record 64 blocks.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

► Sophia Brown, Chelsea: Capped off her career by playing in the regional tournament for a fifth time in her career, averaging 11.7 points for the season.

► Emma Stearns, Mountain Brook: Averaged 10.7 points for the Lady Spartans.

► Kayla Warren, Homewood: Led a balanced Lady Patriots team with nearly 10 points per game.

► Alanah Pooler, Hoover: Stabilized the Lady Bucs on both ends of the floor, averaging 7.7 points for the season.

► Mira McCool, Homewood: Piled up 39 blocks for the Lady Patriots.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

► Sarah Passink, Mountain Brook; Emma Kerley, Briarwood; Mary Beth Dicen, Briarwood; Jill Gaylard, Vestavia Hills; Annie McBride, Homewood; Sadie Schwallie, Chelsea; Olivia Pryor, Chelsea; Kameron Sanders, Clay-Chalkville; Kristen McMillan, Hoover; Madison Moore, Chelsea; April Hooks, Hewitt-Trussville

Above: Vestavia HIlls’ Jackson Weaver (12) dribbles the ball during a Northwest Regional semifinal game at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Feb. 16. Right: Vestavia HIlls’ Anna Towry (5) dribbles the ball guarded by Bob Jones’ Sloan Williams (23) in a Northwest Regional semifinal game at Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Feb. 16. Photos by Erin Nelson.

Rebels claim state wrestling title

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Vestavia Hills High School wrestling team won this year’s Class 7A state tournament, held Feb. 16-18 in Huntsville. The Rebels totaled 210 points to beat runner-up Thompson, which scored 195 points. Huntsville placed third.

Hewitt-Trussville, Spain Park, Hoover, Bob Jones, Enterprise, Chelsea and Smiths Station rounded out the top 10.

It was the Rebels’ 17th team state title, the last one coming in 2021. Vestavia snapped Thompson’s streak of three straight with the 2021 win, but the Warriors reclaimed the title last year.

Vestavia previously won state titles in 1976, 1985-86, 1991, 1993-94, 1998-2001, 2007, 2009 and 2016-17.

Andrew Sykes was the Rebels’ top wrestler at the tournament, winning the 220-pound weight class. He went 4-0, beginning with a win by fall over Huntsville’s Todd Whitmire. In the quarterfinals, Sykes won by fall over Baker’s Jacob Wilson. Sykes took down a local rival in the semifinals, beating Hewitt-Trussville’s Chris Hawkins by fall. He finished things off with a takedown over Chelsea’s Kalob Johnstone in the final.

Vestavia had three second-place finishers, with Stone Phillips (113), Andrew Sullivan (145) and Harris Mitchell (160) all reaching the championship match.

Phillips beat Daphne’s Chay Long in the opening round, beat Smiths Station’s Dustin Dunbar in the quarterfinals and won by decision over Huntsville’s Wallace Blue in the semifinals. Oak Mountain’s Camden Tipton took the title with a win in the final.

Sullivan won his first match in the quarterfinals against Enterprise’s Kaemon Smith. In the semifinals, Sullivan won by fall over Huntsville’s Brock Fields. Brady Campbell of Opelika took the title, beating Sullivan by fall in the final.

Mitchell won three matches on his way to the final. Mitchell won by decision over Sparkman’s Jaylin Bellamy, then defeated Nathaniel

Jarmon of Smiths Station by fall. In the semifinals, Mitchell won by decision over Prattville’s Dalton Wainwright. John McKinney of Huntsville won by decision in the final.

The Rebels had three third-place finishers as well, with Cale Tucker (106), Hastings Roberts (132) and Clay Johnston (170) winning their final matches. Davis Reiff finished fourth in the 126-pound division.

Tucker won in the quarterfinals before losing in the semifinals. In the consolation bracket, Tucker defeated Enterprise’s Paxton Hanshaw

and won by decision over Bob Jones’ Kaden Clark to take third place. Roberts won in the opening round before falling in the quarterfinals. He then won three times in the consolation bracket to reach the third-place match, which he won by major decision over James Clemens’ Ethan Johnson.

Johnston took wins in his first two matches, before falling to Spain Park’s Jackson Mitchell in the semifinals. Johnston rebounded to beat Enterprise’s Kody Sigmon in the consolation bracket and won by major decision over Baker’s

Spring into Fun!

Dalton Kovacs in the third-place match.

Reiff won four of his six matches in the tournament as well. He won in the opening round, before falling in the quarterfinals. Reiff then ripped off three straight victories, beating wrestlers from Auburn, Smiths Station and Thompson. In the third-place match, Reiff lost by fall to Huntsville’s Joseph Sowell.

Riggs Manown (195) and Mitch Taylor (285) each placed fifth, while Bennett Ashley (120) and Mac Chandler (152) were sixth. Luke

The annual Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival activities celebrate all of the incredible things Vestavia Hills has to offer! There is something for everyone!

4: Dogwood Luncheon Vestavia Country Club

10:30am

7: Easter Eggstravaganza Wald Park, 11am

7: Mastering Happy Hour Vestavia City Center, 2-6:30pm

8: Battle of the Bands Rocky Ridge Business District

5-9pm

April Events

13: Dogwood Days: Liberty Park

4-7pm

15: Vestavia Hills Garden Club Yard Sale Scout Square, 7am

Rain Date: April 22

15: VHHS RISE Day VHHS, 4-10pm

17: Historical Society Presents: Shades Mountain Baptist Church

Vestavia Hills City Hall, 2pm

18: Dogwood Prayer Breakfast

Vestavia Country Club, 7am

20: Lunch Bunch & Historical Tour

Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 9:30am

21: Concert Series: Mountain Grass

Unit with Will Stewart

Wald Park Grand Lawn, 7pm

Sponsored by the Library in the Forest

22: Wing Ding

Vestavia Hills City Hall, 4-7pm

30: Heights Hangout

The Heights Village, 2-7pm

The Vestavia Hills wrestling team won the Class 7A state tournament Feb. 18 in Huntsville. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills Athletics.

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Varsity Sports Calendar

BASEBALL

April 1: Doubleheader vs. Buckhorn, Grissom. Grissom High School. 1:30 p.m.

April 4: @ Thompson. 6 p.m.

April 6: Doubleheader vs. Thompson. 4 p.m.

April 11: vs. Hoover. 6 p.m.

April 13: Doubleheader @ Hoover. 4 p.m.

April 14: vs. Briarwood. 4 p.m.

April 18: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 6 p.m.

April 20: Doubleheader @ Tuscaloosa County. 4:30 p.m.

GOLF

April 3: Boys at Azalea City Invitational Tournament. Mobile.

April 3-4: Girls at Hike the Hills Tournament. Highland Park Golf Course.

April 5-6: Girls at Helena Invitational. Oak Mountain State Park.

April 6: Boys vs. Spain Park. Vestavia Country Club.

April 10: Girls at Hewitt-Trussville Invitational. Grayson Valley Country Club.

April 10: Boys at Tom Bell Memorial Tournament. Limestone Springs.

April 13: Girls match. Vestavia Country Club.

April 17: Boys at Hoover Buc Classic. Hoover Country Club.

April 18: Girls match. Vestavia Country Club.

SOCCER

April 4: Girls vs. Thompson. 6:30 p.m.

April 6: Girls @ Southside-Gadsden. 5 p.m.

April 7: Boys vs. Thompson. 7 p.m.

April 10: Girls vs. Mountain Brook. 5:30 p.m.

April 11: Boys vs. Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m.

April 13: Boys @ Hoover. 5:30 p.m.

April 14: Girls @ Hoover. 6:30 p.m.

April 18: Girls vs. Homewood. 6:30 p.m.

April 18: Boys @ Fort Payne. 7 p.m.

April 20: vs. Tuscaloosa County. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 21: Girls @ James Clemens. 6:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

April 4: @ Helena. 4:30 p.m.

April 6: vs. Chelsea. 4:30 p.m.

April 11: vs. Thompson. 4:30 p.m.

April 13: @ Hoover. 4:30 p.m.

April 18: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 4:30 p.m.

April 20: vs. Prattville. 4:30 p.m.

April 21-22: Hoover Classic. Hoover Met Complex.

April 25: vs. Curry. 4:30 p.m.

April 27: vs. Oak Mountain. 4:30 p.m.

TENNIS

April 1: Girls at Auburn Tournament. Auburn.

April 4: @ Homewood. 3:30 p.m.

April 6: vs. Leeds. 4 p.m.

April 19-20: Section tournament. Hoover Met Complex.

April 24-25: State tournament. Mobile Tennis Center.

Rebels release 2023 football schedule

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Vestavia Hills High School football schedule for the 2023 season will look the same as last fall’s slate, with only the sites flipped for the upcoming season.

Whereas last fall, the Rebels began the Robert Evans with three straight home games, they will kick off this season with three consecutive road games. Vestavia Hills opens the year at Mountain Brook on Aug. 24, then heads to Homewood on Sept. 1, as the Rebels begin with a pair of non-region, but traditional, rivalry games.

Instead of easing into the season, Evans appreciates being able to open the season with quality opposition. Mountain Brook made a run to the Class 6A state championship game last fall.

“It’s a challenge,” he said of facing Mountain Brook, where he served as defensive coordinator before coming to Vestavia Hills. “Schematically, they keep you on your toes. You better be ready or you’ll get embarrassed.”

Playing the Spartans and Patriots will also give the Rebels an early gauge of their progress, as they are replacing several players along the offensive and defensive lines from last year.

“We’ve got to find some guys that can block some guys and hold their gaps defensively,” Evans said.

Vestavia Hills opens up Class 7A, Region 3 play the following week, Sept. 8, at four-time defending state champion Thompson. The Rebels will face longtime rival Hoover on Sept. 15 in their first home game. They remain

at home the following week to face Spain Park in a game that has proven to be pivotal when it comes to the team’s playoff chances.

“It’s really front-loaded,” Evans said of the schedule. “If we still control our own destiny at the midway point of the season, you’re in good shape.”

Vestavia hits the road once more Oct. 6 after an open date to face Chelsea. The Rebels get Hewitt-Trussville and Oak Mountain at home in back-to-back games after that, and then cap off the region slate at Tuscaloosa County on Oct. 27. The Rebels finish up regular season play Nov. 2 at home against Helena.

The Rebels qualified for the state playoffs last fall after finishing with a 4-3 record in region play, beating Tuscaloosa County in the region finale to secure a playoff spot. The Rebels’ five losses were Thompson (twice), Mountain Brook, Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville. Over the last six seasons, Vestavia is 1-22 against those four teams, only beating Hewitt-Trussville once in that span.

“That’s why we work every day,” Evans said. “We’re not where we need to be and we went 0-5 against them last year. Ultimately, we didn’t get the job done. We’ve got to find a way to win consistently against the upper tier on our schedule.”

Alabama high school football schedules run in two-year cycles, so the Rebels’ schedule will undoubtedly look a little different for the 2024 season. Evans is already working the phones looking for an out-of-state opponent that will bring attention and a stiff challenge.

Vestavia Hills will take on McAdory in a spring game this year as well on May 11.

Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans paces during a football game between Spain Park and Vestavia Hills at Jaguar Stadium in September 2022. Photo by Laura Chramer.

Life Actually By Kari Kampakis In a world that’s hurting, you need stubborn hope

The day before my 29th birthday began with utter bliss — and ended with gut-wrenching pain.

Just three days before, I’d learned that I was pregnant, and Harry and I were ecstatic.

We laughed and dreamed as we drove to the beach to spend a weekend with his friends. Already, we felt like proud parents. We couldn’t stop talking about baby names, the nursery and starting our own family.

Then, as we stopped to see a friend, our excitement came to a halt as I felt the startling signs of a miscarriage.

I called my doctor, and he said if it was a miscarriage, there was nothing I could do to stop it. Instead of driving home, he advised us to go to the beach, take it easy, enjoy the weekend as best we could and see him on Monday.

Harry and I held out hope, but when the cramping continued for hours, we knew it wasn’t good. Around midnight the pain kicked in, and as Harry ran to the store to buy me ibuprofen, I curled up in bed and cried like a baby over this treasure we lost on my 29th birthday. It was one of the most disappointing and jolting days of my life.

It had taken us a year to conceive, so we kept an appointment that I’d scheduled before we got pregnant to see a doctor who could run some tests. He uncovered a cause for concern, and he grimly predicted that getting pregnant again might be difficult.

My lifelong dream was to be a mom, and to suddenly question that possibility triggered

deep sadness and fear. What if our pregnancy was a fluke? What if it never happened again? How would we afford adoption when money was already tight after paying graduate school tuition?

It was a lonely season of waiting, praying and doubting. I learned a lot about myself and trusting God’s plan as I attended baby showers for friends and often felt like an outsider when the conversation turned to kids. By God’s grace, I got pregnant six months later with my oldest daughter, Ella. Around her first birthday I got pregnant again — only to miscarry this baby before Christmas.

Once again my heart was heavy, and though it made a huge difference having Ella to hold, I also felt the grief of her losing a brother or sister.

Looking back now, it is clear God had a plan. Over the course of my 30s, I birthed four beautiful baby girls, and even if we had not conceived them, I know my prayers to be a mom would have been answered. At the time, however, I couldn’t see past the unknowns. I only saw one road, the most common road to motherhood, and if it didn’t work out, the future looked dismal and dark.

My faith was not as deep then as it is now, yet it took trials like this to deepen it. What I wish I could tell my younger self is that God takes care of His people. His plan is good, perfect and always on time. His vision is bolder and grander than any tunnel vision we get, and if we wait patiently, He’ll author a better story than any story we could write.

I’d also tell my younger self that life is full of mysteries, and we’ll never get full answers to suffering on this side of heaven. But what we do know, as believers, is the best is yet to come. Faith means being sure of what we hope for — and certain of what we do not see.

(Hebrews 11)

Still, hope can feel non-existent during times of loss. Our culture of doom-andgloom only compounds the problem. We are surrounded by negativity in media and pop culture, and many popular movies, books and works of art leave us feeling terribly depressed because they use the framework of our visible world to process sad events. They show no light at the end of the tunnel, no purpose behind the pain, no hope for the future. If we believe this world is all there is — that how we feel today is how we’ll always feel, that we’ll never be happy unless our prayers get answered exactly the way we hope, that there is no afterlife to anticipate, that suffering is as senseless as it appears — then we’ll despair. We’ll stay stuck in hopeless places.

But through Jesus, God births HOPE. He shines a light that conquers darkness and death. A Christian’s hope boils down to three key words: He is risen. Seeing the world through this framework changes everything.

Life on earth feels permanent, yet it is fleeting. Our real home is in heaven, and the ache in your heart that never goes away, that earthly joys and blessings can only temporarily quench, is really a longing for heaven. God created you to crave Him, and He placed

eternity in your heart as a honing device to draw you home toward Him.

Feeling dissatisfied with this world reminds us that we were made for more. We are walking toward our final destination — where perfect peace, love and joy exist.

God brings new life from heartache, and just as the grief of Good Friday preceded the joy of Easter Sunday, today’s trials can lead to miracles. It is only Friday — and Sunday is coming. The darkness in between can feel like light years, and you may need years (or decades) to feel hope again, but that hope is worth fighting for. It is worth remembering how the first thing God did after creating the heavens and the earth was bring light into the darkness.

He began the story of humanity by setting the stage for the light of Jesus.

Darkness may be part of your story, but it isn’t the end of your story. Circumstances come and go, but God is forever. Put your trust in Him, not what happens to you. Fix your eyes on what is real, and when you feel scared of the unknowns, cling to the virtue of hope.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, author, speaker, and blogger. Kari’s newest book, “More Than a Mom,” and other bestselling books are available everywhere books are sold. Join Kari on Facebook and Instagram, visit her blog at karikampakis.com, or find her on the Girl Mom Podcast.

Sean

A few years ago I attended my first Catholic mass in a busy church outside Birmingham. It was Easter Sunday. I sat in the nosebleed section.

People greeted me with the words, “He’s risen.”

And because I was not raised under a rock, I answered with: “He’s risen indeed.”

I was not raised Catholic. I was born into a fundamentalist family with a mother who sometimes prayed in tongues over our meatloaf.

By Sean Dietrich

is Risen.”

And any Baptist worth his salt would answer with, “He’s risen indeed.”

Most who attended our church on Easter were only visitors. They came twice per year. My father called them “nosebleed Baptists.”

cutting the church lawn with a push mower; he wore a white collar.

My father told me to wait in the vehicle.

Daddy was in that chapel for almost two hours. When he came back his face was wet and his eyes were pink. I never asked why. And he never told me.

Dietrich

But after my father died, I learned that he had been raised Catholic. He went to Catholic school, he played Catholic baseball.

He didn’t talk about it. I never knew that version of him.

All I knew was a man who did not dance at wedding receptions for fear the pastor would catch him.

There in the Catholic cathedral, the priest announced, “He is risen.”

“He’s risen indeed,” said the congregation.

I was an outsider in the room. The priest recited the Liturgy of the Eucharist, people formed a single-file line to drink out of a chalice.

Easter Sundays in my family were nothing like this. My father was an usher at our little church. He’d stand by the front door and hand out bulletins that advertised upcoming Baptist church events.

For example:

► Thursday fundraiser, dinner on the grounds. Bring a covered dish.

► Young men’s Bible study, 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish.

► Women’s Sunday school class is holding an upcoming prayer vigil against beer. Bring a congealed salad.

► Men’s group is recruiting for its annual mission trip to Biloxi.

On Easter, my father always gave folded bulletins to those approaching. He would say, “He

I never heard anyone else use that term. I asked my father what this meant.

“Well,” he said. “Some fans only come to games once a year and sit in the nosebleed section. And other fans never miss a ballgame, even when the pitcher stinks.”

“Which ones are we?” I asked.

“You’ve heard our new preacher, you tell me.”

Our preacher delivered fiery sermons. He would remove his jacket and preach to heartless sinners, drunks and those who danced at wedding receptions.

The church services of my youth were lengthy. Someone in the congregation would either faint from low blood sugar or be suddenly overcome with the spirit of narcolepsy.

But this Catholic business was different. Mass was foreign to me. It was exotic, and beautiful.

All my life, my father refused to step foot in a Catholic church. And he wouldn’t even talk about it.

But then, there was that one time.

On the way home from a Boy Scout meeting, he pulled into a Catholic church. I knew my father was having a rough time at work. I’d overheard him talking with my mother through the hot-air vents.

“The boss is killing me,” my father once said. “I can’t sleep, can’t eat…”

At night, sometimes I found my father vomiting in the bathroom from stress. I would ask what was wrong, and he would tell me to go back to bed.

That afternoon, Daddy wheeled into a Catholic church and turned off the truck. There was a man

Anyway, Easter mass was lovely. I’ll never forget it. The priest told the people that “Easter is when dead things come back to life, when we remember how the finger of God can touch dead wood and make it green again.”

I had to write that down, I liked it so much.

After the service, I stayed in the chapel until all the people had left. The priest sat in a pew behind me. He introduced himself.

“Father,” I said, “I’m not Catholic, but I really enjoyed mass.”

“Yeah?” he said. “Thanks for celebrating the Resurrection with us.”

“Can I ask you a question, Father?”

“Shoot.”

“Have you ever lost anyone?”

“Yes. I lost my mom, my dad and my brother.”

“Do you think about them a lot?”

He ducked his head. He let out a sigh. “Every second. Actually, I was thinking about Mom this morning. You know, when I was growing up, she would always laugh about the big Easter crowds and call them ‘nosebleed Catholics.’ Isn’t that funny?”

It sure is.

On my way out of church, the priest and I took a slow walk down the aisle. I admired the statuary and the beautiful stained glass windows.

The priest hugged me, then said, “He is risen.”

And well, you know the rest.

Happy Easter.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast.

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