Vestavia Voice October 2022

‘A big step forward’

Superintendent shares plans for future of city schools

By NEAL EMBRY

Freeman says it’s time to invest in facilities and opportunities for Vestavia Hills students.

The 1Rebel 1Future plan seeks to add new facilities and renovate others, as well as add and expand program offerings, Freeman said.

See 1REBEL 1FUTURE | page A20

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Will Mason never planned to own a business.

Growing up in Mountain Brook, both of his parents were educators, and the path laid before him was education: to go to college and get a degree to provide for a family. But Mason said that just didn’t fit.

“When I was in college, I didn't feel like it was the right direction for my life, and I just felt so lost and wondered what I was supposed to be doing,” he said.

Mason joined the Birmingham band Moses

Mayfield in 2003 and spent the next five years making music and playing concerts. There really wasn't a plan other than to keep doing that as long as he could, Mason said.

When the band experienced some changes, Mason got married and decided it was time to quit in 2007.

“I was kind of like, ‘What do I do now? I don't have a degree. I don't have a plan. I'm sup posed to be a husband now,’” he said.

Primetime

Home & Garden

Vestavia Hills bolsters its broadcast team with an all-star crew of media professionals to work its football games

for

on seasonal home improvement projects.

Children and their parents arrive to meet their teachers for the new school year at Vestavia Hills Elementary West on Aug. 10. Photo by Erin Nelson.

The last several years in Vestavia Hills City Schools have seen rezoning and the addition of Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge and the new Pizitz Middle School campus. Now, Superintendent Todd

Will Mason, owner and CEO of Mason Music, at the Mountain Brook Village studio Aug. 12. Mason Music is celebrating 10 years of business. Photo by Erin Nelson.

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Editor’s Note By Neal Embry

As you read this, the weather is hopefully cooler by now. The summer heat has gone away — we hope — and given way to my favorite season of the year, fall.

This fall, I plan on taking time not only to enjoy Alabama football and hopefully another Atlanta Braves run to a repeat World Series title, but time spent with family. My sister-in-law is expecting her first child next year, and we’ll be spending time with her and her family later this month. We are excited to celebrate new life with her!

Speaking of celebrations, on our cover this month we feature the 10-year anniversary of Mason Music, which offers music classes and more. The music studio has a Cahaba Heights location and plays an important role

in both Cahaba Heights and the larger Vestavia Hills area.

I’m also proud to bring you, as our other cover story, more informa tion on the 1Rebel 1Future proposal from Vestavia Hills City Schools

Superintendent Todd Freeman. This major proposal would bring facility upgrades and new spaces across the system’s eight campuses, and comes with a soon-to-be announced request for an ad valorem tax increase.

We’ll continue to cover this import ant issue both in our print paper and at vestaviavoice.com. Be sure and stay up to date for the information you need to know to make the best decision for you and your family.

As always, thanks for reading!

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Legals: Vestavia Voice is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Vestavia Voice is designed to inform the Vestavia community of area school, family and community events. Information in Vestavia Voice is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/ photos submitted become the property of Vestavia Voice. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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Brendan Young portrays Maj. John Andre, of the British Army, as he stops a group of second graders from Vestavia Hills Elementary West during a reenactment from the Revolutionary War at American Village in Montevallo on Sept. 13. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Oral Health and Your Pet

Animal Hospital of the Hills veterinarian Dr. Amanda Oden sits down to talk about all things oral health for your pet. Here are the most frequently asked questions she has received about pet dentistry. Dr. Amanda Oden

Q: Why does my pet have bad breath?

A: Your pet may have bad breath due to dental disease.

Q: What is “dental disease”?

A: When we say “dental disease,” we are referring to any and all diseases of the mouth. Most often, we are referring to periodontal disease, which happens when plaque and tartar migrate below the gumline. The spread may lead to inflammation of the gums and bone loss around the teeth.

Q: What causes dental disease in pets?

A: Dental disease begins when bacteria in your pet’s mouth collect to form plaque, which hardens into tartar that can spread below the gumline. Once tartar spreads below the gumline, it begins to cause problems not only for your pet’s oral health, but also for their health as a whole.

Q: What will cure my pet’s bad breath?

A: A professional dental cleaning may make a difference when it comes to improving your pet’s breath, but without regular at-home oral care (toothbrushing), odor-causing plaque and tartar will begin to build up on the teeth again. We recommend consistent tooth brushing, water additives, and other preventive measures to help keep your pet’s breath fresh longer.

Q: Why is it important for my pet to have good oral health?

A: Oral health can impact many things when it comes to your pet’s overall health and wellness. If left untreated, bacteria can enter your pet’s bloodstream and spread to the heart, kidneys or liver. Additionally, preventing tooth and bone loss, oral pain, are all important aspects of oral wellness in pets.

Q: How can I have my pet’s oral wellness evaluated?

A: Having your pet’s oral health evaluated can be done on regular, routine exam for your pet. We’re happy to see them in our office here in Vestavia Hills. However, dental radiographs (x-rays) are taken under anesthesia.

Q: Why are dental radiographs important?

A: Dental radiographs allow your veterinary care team to see below your pet’s gumline. This is important because over 70% of the tooth falls below the gumline and issues often go undetected until radiographs are taken.

Q: How can I schedule an appointment for my pet’s oral exam?

A: Call our office at 205-824-2077 for an appointment. We’ll be happy to see your pet!

animalhospitalofthehills.com | 205-824-2077

1360 Montgomery Hwy Suite 114 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

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By NEAL EMBRY

The city of Vestavia Hills’ fiscal 2023 budget includes record funding for stormwater improvements, money for employee raises and other projects in the city.

City 2023 budget includes money for stormwater, employee pay raises FY23 Budget Highlights

The budget, approved at the Sept. 12 City Council meeting, projects an increase of more than 11% in revenues compared to fiscal 2022’s budget. The dollar amount is about $58 million, a roughly $6.1 million increase from 2022.

Still, in an effort to be conservative, the amount budgeted for revenues is equal to, not greater than, the actual projected revenues from the current fiscal year, City Manager Jeff Downes said.

Employee raises highlight the budget, in an effort to hire needed workers and help employ ees during an inflationary period, Downes said.

The city will absorb a projected 5% increase in the cost of health insurance; an across-theboard cost-of-living adjustment of 5% for all employees, with an extra 2.5% for public safety employees; the creation of an executive pay plan to allow for a one-step merit increase for department heads and assistants; and the continuation of longevity pay and merit increases for eligible employees.

This year’s budget also includes an invest ment of $740,000 in stormwater infrastruc ture, a major increase from the current year’s investment of $150,000. It also includes increased costs for fuel, as well as the lease for a new public works maintenance building.

While the city won’t pay for them this year, an order for two new fire engines is also included in the budget, due to “unacceptable manufacturer-related fleet maintenance con cerns,” Downes said.

New positions to be created within the city include a chief of building maintenance and an assistant city manager, who will assist with communication, economic development and “other strategic focus areas,” Downes said. Current communications director Cinna mon McCulley will be named assistant city manager.

The budget also includes a new annual $3,000 expenditure for a software service that allows the city to crack down on Airbnbs, which are not allowed in Vestavia Hills. The city is aware of some that exist, City Clerk

Rebecca Leavings said, and the software will allow the city to find specific locations and revenues raised by those who host Airbnbs, and to shut them down.

In Parks and Leisure Services, Director Jamie Lee said the budget will allow him to examine ways to improve the Liberty Park Sports Complex. Lee also said there are some unknown costs factored in, specifically with the Civic Center, including maintenance costs, furniture costs and more. The city is also set to go out to bid sometime in September for Phase 1 of Altadena Valley Park. Lee said

►Total Budget: $58 million (estimated), a roughly $6.1 million increase from 2022

►Stormwater Improvements: $740,000, a 390% increase from 2022’s budget of $150,000

►Road Resurfacing: $1 million, a 43% increase from 2022’s budget of $700,000

►Master Police Officer Pro gram: $10,000

SOURCE: CITY OF VESTAVIA HILLS

the city is also looking at material to possi bly reduce Meadowlawn Park’s parking lot flooding issues.

In the Police Department, the budget funds $10,000 toward a new master police officer program, which allows for more extensive training for officers. The city will serve as Jef ferson County’s “guinea pig” for the project, Chief Dan Rary said.

Downes said the impact of inflation is felt most with fuel costs, especially with vehicles that take diesel fuel. It’s a stress on the city, as well as on contract services like Amwaste. Since there is also a fuel cost to asphalt, that impacts the amount of paving the city can do, he said.

The city spent about $700,000 this year on paving and plans to spend about $1 million in fiscal 2023, Downes said.

Mud covered roads, parking lots, and a displaced stormwater grate in the Olde Towne shopping plaza and Park South Plaza after heavy rain caused major flooding in July 2021. The city of Vestavia Hills’ fiscal 2023 budget includes $740,000 in funding for stormwater infrastructure. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Mayor’s Minute

By Ashley Curry

On Sept. 11, our city hosted the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony on the lawn at City Hall. The cities of Vestavia Hills, Homewood and Mountain Brook jointly participate in this annual event. Last year it was held in Mountain Brook and next year, it will be held in Homewood.

Council approves redesign for pedestrian bridge

By NEAL EMBRY

A long-term effort to build a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31 to connect Wald Park to the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest took a step forward at the Sept. 12 Vestavia Hills City Council meeting.

The council agreed to pay about $51,000 to Gresham Smith to redesign the project, with the Metropolitan Planning Organi zation picking up the rest of the roughly $256,000 tab. The redesign is necessary as the original, single-span design was deemed not feasible, City Manager Jeff Downes said.

The bridge is intended to allow residents to walk across the highway safely and to park at the library for events at the park and vice versa. The project has been in the works for more than a decade and began in the late Scotty McCallum’s administration as mayor.

Downes told the council there is a chance, with their approval, the city could benefit from the Mine Reclamation Project, which wants to come in and take down a wall

adjacent to ball fields at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex. Workers would take down the wall and, in addition, make the land more suitable for future use, poten tially as a fire and police training space. The changes would not cost the city anything, Downes said.

Raynor Boles with TCU Consulting said work crews for the city would be gone from Crosshaven Drive before Halloween, but he could not speak to the county’s portion of the project. At Wald Park, Boles said with a notice to proceed being given recently, work should pick up.

The Vestavia Hills Civic Center does not have an official opening date but has events scheduled in mid-October. Boles said there is still an extensive punch list to complete before the civic center can be turned over.

The council also approved the fiscal 2023 budget at the meeting. For more information on the budget, see the separate story in this month’s paper. For other details from this meeting, visit vestaviavoice.com.

Do you remember where you were on Sept. 11, 2001, at 7:41 a.m.? I was attending the Vestavia Kiwanis Club breakfast meeting at the old Morrisons Caf eteria in Vestavia Hills. On that fateful day, the United States was attacked by interna tional terrorists. At first, it was thought that an airplane had accidently flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. As an FBI Agent at the time, I hurriedly rushed to the Birmingham FBI office arriving in time to see that second airline strike the South Tower. It became painfully obvious that this was no accident.

Before the day was over there were four hijacked aircraft, two of them striking the World Trade Center towers, one striking the Pentagon, and one that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control of the aircraft

The impact of Sept. 11, 2001, is still being felt today. Hundreds of thousands of people remain at risk due to the trauma and exposure to toxic air following each attack. Carcinogens from building materials,

gasses and jet fuel laced the air around each crash site, with the most severe toxicity among the ruins of the World Trade Center towers in New York City.

To date, more people have now died from this toxic exposure than in the 9/11 attacks. Although 2,974 people lost their lives that day, 4,343 sur vivors and first respond ers have died in the years since, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

May we never forget the sacrifice of our first responders.

On Oct. 18, 2022, at 6 p.m., the overthe-mountain mayors will host a domestic violence awareness forum, “Protecting our Teens and Young Adults from Dating Violence.” The event will be held at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, located at 1090 Montgomery Highway.

The public is invited to attend this free event hosted by myself, along with Moun tain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky.

I am honored that Vestavia Hills is par ticipating in this forum to spread awareness and provide necessary tools to reduce the occurrence and long-term effects of domes tic violence. Everyone has the right to be in a safe, violence-free relationship.

Make plans to attend this informative meeting.

The Vestavia Hills City Council agreed on a contract with Gresham Smith at the Sept. 12 council meeting to redesign the proposed pedestrian bridge that will connect the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest to Wald Park. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Photo by Meredith Rowlen Photography

COMING SOON

Sunshine Creamery will be moving into the Rocky Ridge Shopping Center next to Tangles salon.

Iron City Pawfection has announced a new location at 1401 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills, next door to Park South Plaza in the green build ing. The plan is to have the full service dog grooming salon open in October, owner Stephanie Hazen announced on Facebook.

facebook.com/Ironcitypawfection

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Cookie Fix, with locations in both Homewood and Vestavia Hills, has been named one of the Alabama Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Associ ation. cookiefix.com

Ashley McMakin, founder and chief executive officer of Ashley Mac’s, a fast casual café, catering and gourmetto-go business with five Birmingham locations, is Alabama’s Gold Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category. Ashley Mac’s is one of 11 businesses being honored as the 2022 Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association. ashleymacs.com

PERSONNEL MOVES

Birmingham Region President Brian Ethridge is pleased to announce that Luke Kennedy and Jack Hutcheson have joined River Bank & Trust at

1425 Montgomery Highway, Suite 151. Long-time area banker Luke Kennedy has joined as Vice President & Relation ship Manager and will help consumer and business clients throughout the region reach their financial goals. Jack Hutcheson has joined as Assistant Vice President & Relationship Manager and will build relationships with consumer and commercial clients throughout the region, growing the bank’s newly estab lished presence in Birmingham. 205-567-9248, riverbankandtrust. com

ANNIVERSARIES

Birmingham-based startup Fetch Freight, a national shipping logistics broker, marks two years this month. Founded by Vestavia Hills resident Mitchell Lewis, CTB, in the height of the pandemic, Fetch Freight is now a rising national leader in the 3PL industry, with revenues from 2021 at $7.7 MM and pro jecting $20MM for 2022. Fetch Freight brokers shipments for national brands including Folgers, Duraflame, Carnation, Shaw, Swanson, Smuckers Uncrust ables, Milk-Bone, and Nucor Steel while still also tailoring local and regional deals for customers such as Landing, Peco Foods, Custom Craft Poultry and Southern Company. 800-376-1365, fetchfreight.com

The laundry company Champion Clean ers, 2548 Rocky Ridge Road, celebrated its 20th year anniversary in September. The company offers free dry cleaning, laundry pick up and delivery. 205-602-3842, championcleaners. com

Pete Blank shares how to bring enthusiasm back into the workplace

By ERIC TAUNTON

Employee passion is at an all-time low in the U.S, said Pete Blank, development manager for the personnel board of Jefferson County.

The "Great Resignation," the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of employment engage ment are to blame, he said at the Sept. 13 Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

“There is this study that was done by a company called the Work Passion Com pany,” Blank said. “The Work Passion partnered with Training Magazine and they found out that passion has gone down, which is no surprise because it was a study done back in 2012. You have a pre-COVID, postCOVID thing going on but I want to give you some keys today.”

Blank said statistics show today’s employees want meaningful work, growth opportunities, distributive fairness and

Business Happenings Chamber 205-281-0986 sperry@realtysouth.com

autonomy. People want to feel like they are serving a purpose when they come to work everyday, he said.

“You don’t have to be a purpose-driven organization to sell the purpose of your com pany, I don’t care if you’re in the public or private sector, you have to have a purpose to come to work everyday,” Blank said.

He said employees don’t only want the opportunity to grow, they also want to feel like they can make their own decisions within the company and that work is dis tributed fairly within the company.

In order for business owners to tackle the unfulfillment their employees may feel, Blank said, they need to focus on connect ing their employees with other colleagues, giving positive and constructive feedback and treating all employees with equal importance.

“It’s not just doom and gloom,” Blank said. “It’s ‘Yes, it’s doom and gloom’ and ‘what can I do about it.’”

Pete Blank speaks at the Sept. 13 Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Photo by Eric Taunton.

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Saturday, October 22, 2022

Wald Park

Trick-or-Treat on the Grand Lawn with local businesses from 4:00-6:00 pm!

Dress in your best family-friendly costume for a Costume Contest with prizes for Kids, Adults, Pets and Groups!

Bring a chair or blanket to watch a family Halloween Movie at 7:00 pm!

Trick or Treat with the Cahaba Heights Businesses on Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 10-5PM. The Businesses will be full of Treats for the entire family!

November 1, 2022 6:30-9:00 pm

Enjoy food & wine tastings provided by Vestavia Hills Area Restaurants, plus a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at www.vestaviahills.org or calling (205) 823-5011. Must be 21+ to attend.

Save the Date

Deck the Heights-November 12

Tree Lighting Festival-November 29

Breakfast with Santa-December 10 Vestavia Hills Christmas Parade-December 11 Menorah Lighting-December 20

VestaviaVoice.com October 2022 • A9 vaporministries.org Find more information on these and other events at www.vestaviahills.org

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A Taste of Vestavia Hills Restaurants & Fine Wines

A10 • October 2022 Vestavia Voice Residents enjoy the Community Night Out 2021 event at Vestavia Hills City Hall. Photo courtesy of Cinnamon McCulley.

By NEAL EMBRY

An annual event meant to help people get to know first responders is coming to Vestavia Hills City Hall early this month.

Community Night Out is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at City Hall.

The annual event is “an opportunity for Vestavia Hills first responders to interact in a positive environment with members of the community,” said Vestavia Hills Police Capt. Shane Ware.

The event, which usually draws several thousand guests, is an effort by the police department to continually improve relations between the department and members of the community. It also serves as a way for mem bers of the community to get to know more about the fire department and the tools they use to keep the city safe.

“This event is designed for families and school-age children to enjoy an evening of music, games, food, jump houses, photobooths

Community Night Out

• WHERE: Vestavia Hills City Hall

• WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

• COST: Free

• CALL: 205-978-0123

• WEB: facebook.com/ vestaviahillspolice

and public safety apparatus and equipment,” Ware said.

In addition to the food and games, the police department will be giving away T-shirts and first responder swag, Ware said.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the VHPD Facebook page, facebook.com/vestaviahillspolice, or call 205-978-0123.

Domestic violence forum to be hosted at Vestavia Hills Civic Center

On Oct. 18 at 6 p.m., overthe-mountain mayors will host a domestic violence awareness forum, “Protecting our Teens and Young Adults from Dating Violence.” The event will be held at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, located at 1090 Mont gomery Highway. The public is invited to attend this free event hosted by Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry, along with Moun tain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and Home wood Mayor Patrick McClusky.

“Domestic violence is present in all types of communities and affects those of all races, socioeconomic statuses, ages and educa tional levels. This abuse can be physical, sexual and/or psychological and is the lead ing cause of injury to women. The effects can profoundly impact health and wellbeing and often set the stage for future relationship problems for the remainder of the individu al’s life,” Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry said. “I am honored that Vestavia Hills is par ticipating in this forum to spread awareness and provide necessary tools to reduce the occurrence and long-term effects of domes tic violence. Everyone has the right to be in a safe, violence-free relationship.”

For many, unhealthy relationships can begin early and last a lifetime. Abuse can take place in person, online or through a device and is often ongoing without the knowledge of parents, other family mem bers or close friends. This event is specif ically designed for parents of teens and

college-age young adults and will include presentation on topics including: the scope of domestic and dating violence in Jefferson County; resources available to help and educate the public; tips on how to rec ognize dating or relationship violence in the workplace, and among friends and relatives, particularly teens; tips on how to respond appropriately when someone needs help. Attend ees will also receive information on primary prevention programs available to schools and groups that focus on creating safe and healthy relationships in an effort to stop rela tionship violence before it starts. This is key, considering those between the ages of 16-24 are the most at-risk age group for relation ship violence and 40% of teens ages 14-17 have been exposed to at least one form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.

Presenters will include: LaRhonda Magras, CEO, YWCA Central Alabama; Allison Dearing, Executive Director, One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center; Cleola Callahan, Senior Director of Domes tic Violence Services, YWCA Central Ala bama; and Susann Montgomery-Clark and Rod Clark, Founding Donors of the Megan Montgomery Domestic Violence Preven tion Fund at The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

For more information, contact Susann Montgomery-Clark of the Megan Fund at 205-568-7474.

– Submitted by Cinnamon McCulley.

Curry

Events

Get in the Halloween spirit with festive events at the Vestavia Hills Public Library

By ERIC TAUNTON

The Vestavia Hills Public Library once again has activities to entertain people of all ages this month.

In the children’s department, the month kicks off with Courtney’s Library Stop on Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. in the community room.

Every first and third Saturday of each month, children get to hear stories, sing songs and dance with Ms. Courtney.

On Oct. 5, Ms. Lisa will host Story Friends in the children’s program room at 10:30 a.m. to read stories, sing songs and dance.

On Oct. 28, the children’s department will end the spooky season with its Spooktacular event in the community room from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Families can join Barry Mitchell and Sam the Turtle to help them solve a Halloween

candy mystery.

October kicks off in the teen department with the writing group on Oct. 5 in the com munity room.

Teens will be able to build their writing skills and provide each other with feedback at 4 p.m.

The month continues with a chess club in the historical room at 4:30 p.m., which allows teens to learn chess or to continue improving their skills on Oct. 6.

In the amphitheater, teens will be able to cel ebrate the spirit of Halloween with pumpkin painting on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.

On Oct. 28, teens can keep it going by watching anime horror movies and shows in the historical room at 4 p.m.

In the adults department, adults can also paint pumpkins in the spirit of Halloween at Handmade with Holly in the community room on Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.

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Families attend an event at Vestavia Hills Public Library. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills Public Library.

Remembering September 11

The cities of Vestavia Hills, Homewood and Mountain Brook held the annual Patriot Day and 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Vestavia Hills City Hall. Ret. Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Secret Service Michael Williams delivered the keynote speech and talked about his experience as a member of the Secret Service under President George W. Bush in 2001.

Above: Ret. Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Secret Service Michael Williams gives the keynote speech.

Right: Members of the Vestavia Hills Fire Department ring the bell for the bell ceremony honoring the fallen firefighter

Photos by Erin Nelson

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20 years of Cahaba Heights

Photos by Erin Nelson

People gather at restaurants in Heights Village during the Cahaba Heights 20th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27.

Clockwise from above left: Children and their parents grab glow sticks at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce tent. The M-80s perform live music. Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce President Michelle Hawkins and Linda Parker attend the celebration. Children play in the parking lot

Schoolhouse

Dance, theater now offered at middle schools

By NEAL EMBRY

Thanks to a grant from the Alabama State Department of Education’s Arts Initiative, dance and theater classes are now offered at both Liberty Park Middle School and Pizitz Middle School, said Arts Education Coordinator Faith Lenhart.

Lenhart said the school district applied for the grant last year and received notice they had received it earlier this year. There is now one dance class and one theater class offered at both middle schools, with new teachers helping students learn.

The two-year, $20,000 grant helps fund teacher units. The classes are held during student’s activ ity periods, which means they don’t have to drop

another class to participate, and classes meet state and national standards. These are classes, not teams for which students must audition, Lenhart said. The focus is not on performance as much as it is on process, though there will be one-acts and a dance performance at the dance showcase held annually at Vestavia Hills High School, Lenhart said.

Lenhart said she hopes dance and theater will eventually be provided at the elementary level. Superintendent Todd Freeman is a “true supporter” of the arts, she said, and that is seen not just in sup porting this grant application but also in the new spaces being proposed for the arts in the 1Rebel 1Future facilities plan.

Having dance and theater classes available is a

big benefit to students, Lenhart said.

“It’s a place for them to fit in, a place for them to plug in,” Lenhart said. “It gives them identity, a group of friends, a support group.”

Lenhart said she’s hoping 20 to 50 students par ticipate. While there is not dedicated space in both schools, they have found parts of the gyms and classrooms to use.

Since the classes are not part of a team struc ture, this keeps costs down, Lenhart said, and helps those who may not be sure if they want to partici pate further in those fields.

“It’s an opportunity for kids who don’t have any experience to get experience,” Lenhart said. “It allows them to take a beginners-level course.”

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Left: Ally Dreisewerd, left, demonstrates moving her feet from first position to fourth position with a pointed toe during a dance class at Pizitz Middle School on Aug. 29. Above: Students in Anna Lynn Starr’s theater class play a game at Pizitz Middle School on Aug. 29. Photos by Erin Nelson.

“

It’s an opportunity for kids who don’t have any experience to get experience. It allows them to take a beginners-level course.

FAITH LENHART

Vestavia Hills High School reports record success on AP exams

By ERIC TAUNTON

Vestavia Hills High School Principal Tonya Rozell reported to the Vestavia Hills City School Board of Education that 86% of Vestavia Hills High School students received a qualifying score on Advanced Placement exams for the 2021-22 school year, which is the school’s highest percentage in five years.

A qualifying score on an AP exam is a 3 or higher, Rozell told the board at the Aug. 29 meeting.

“When our data came back, there was quite a lot of glee, joy and shouting in the counseling suite, which is right down the hall from my office,” Rozell said. “I was like ‘What in the world?’ They said ‘Go look in the dashboard, you have to see,’ and

I understood why they were excited.”

In other business, the board:

► Approved spending to support the “One Rebel, One Future” initiative that will be used to promote the school system

► Approved a licensing agreement with Cummings Promotional to promote the school system

► Agreed to hire Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. to assist with tax initiatives

► Approved the job description for career coaches in the school system

► Revised the salary/supplement schedule

On Sept. 12, the board also approved the fiscal 2023 budget. For more on the budget, see the story in this month’s issue. For more on this meeting, visit vestaviavoice.com.

ELEVATING EDUCATION

Students dialogue in German in Laura Bruder’s class at Vestavia Hills High School, which recently saw 86% of students receive a qualifying score on an AP exam for the 2021-22 school year. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Alabama School of Fine Arts is a state-funded public school for grades 7-12 providing specialty-focused education in the arts, math, and science.

Board of Education passes fiscal 2023 budget

By NEAL EMBRY

The fiscal 2023 budget will bring some raises for Vestavia Hills City Schools teachers and increases in both revenues and expenditures.

Courtney Brown, the chief school finance officer for the district, said expenditures are up about $5 million from fiscal 2022’s budget and revenues are up about $4.2 million. This year’s budget, approved Sept. 12 by the Board of Education, is a “tight” one, she said.

The budget includes a 4% mandated state raise for teachers.

The school system receives local, state and federal funds, in addition to a few other reve nue sources, according to Brown’s presentation to the board. Those local funds pay for 110 teachers, eight counselors and eight nurses, Brown said. The rest are state-funded. Local revenues, gathered mostly from ad valorem tax and some sales tax, make up 53% of the district’s revenues.

The top three areas in budgeted expenditures are: instructional services, 56%; instructional support, 19%; and operation and maintenance at 10%.

The state increased their funding for nurses by about $85,000, and their funding for trans portation operations by about $38,000.

Here’s a breakdown of the increases in expenditures compared to fiscal 2022:

► Instructional services increased about $2.4 million to $55.1 million to fund the salary increase and benefits, along with step increases.

► Instructional support increased about $1.3 million to $15.2 million, due to teacher raises and benefits.

► Operations and maintenance increased about $400,000 to $10.3 million, due to the increase in utilities, security services and jan itorial supplies.

► General administrative services increased about $250,000 due to the increase in insur ance and professional fees.

Inflation has impacted the district, as it has everyone else. Brown said there are increases in janitorial expenses, fuel, food and utilities.

The school district’s liability insurance has also increased by 28% due to the economic impact on insurance carriers.

The impact of inflation has also been felt at the end of fiscal 2022.

“It definitely resulted in a lower budget sur plus,” Brown said.

While the district budgeted $1.5 million in a surplus, the projected surplus is about $844,000, Brown said. There are some

concerns that if the state passes another teacher pay raise, which Brown said is unlikely, it could impact how much the district has in reserves.

In order to ensure the district has enough funds, the ad valorem revenue projections are “conservative,” Brown said, and while the dis trict may not have two months of reserves as they would like, they should end fiscal 2023 with 1.2 months of reserves, a little more than the one-month requirement by the state.

Following years of capital projects, there are no major capital projects for the fiscal 2023

budget, Brown said. The newest projects are listed as part of the 1Rebel 1Future proposal put forth by Superintendent Todd Freeman, but before those projects start, residents will have to vote on and approve a tax increase. The amount the school system will ask for is not yet known. For more information on that proposal, read this month’s cover story.

Brown said even with inflation, the school system remains in good shape.

“We have a very strong property tax base,” Brown said. “We’ll manage with the funds we receive.”

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Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

For the father who has parenting regrets

One huge challenge for every parent is admit ting the mistakes we’ve made.

If you have regrets as a father — in how you’ve treated your family, disappointed your family or deserted your family — know that it’s not too late to try and make things right. Owning up to your past takes humility, and God can work miracles with a humble, open heart.

At the same time, it may not be a quick fix. Depending on the pain you’ve caused, your loved ones may resist your efforts to connect and make repairs. Don’t get mad or prideful, and don’t give up. Reconciliation takes time, and since you're the adult, it is your job to be proac tive and act mature. It is your job to pursue the heart of your child like God pursues us, regard less of whether we love Him back.

In Alcoholics Anonymous, there is a concept called “sweeping your side of the street.” It means cleaning up your messes and doing your part, even if others don’t. You can’t control your child or make them forgive you (that’s their side of the street to sort through) and if you try to control them, you’ll push them away. You’ll deepen the divide and amplify pain. You can, however, focus on making good choices and owning up to bad ones.

And how do you stay strong when you’re sweeping your side of the street yet seeing no progress? How do you keep trying to earn back trust when a situation feels hopeless? By letting

God love you as you love your family. His love is transformative because it changes you, equips you and strengthens you from the inside out.

My friend Rachel is a psychologist who had a rocky start with her dad. His job and ambition kept him away from home, and when she was 10 years old, her parents divorced. When Rachel became a teenager, her pain mixed with teenage angst magnified her feelings. She resisted her dad’s efforts to make amends, so he started to write her letters.

They weren’t just any letters, but rather, eight-page to 10-page letters with life lessons she didn't care about. As a teenage girl, they made her roll her eyes. Still, her dad kept writ ing, even when Rachel didn’t respond.

When Rachel went to college, her dad made new efforts to connect, and this time she was ready. She was willing to put in the work as they spent time together and had deep conversations. Rachel started to visit her dad on weekends. They’d go on long walks, cover every topic imaginable and talk on the phone for hours. She realized they had a lot in common, and slowly, she began asking hard questions about his ear lier choices.

She told her dad how his choices impacted her. He helped her understand his journey, and through these conversations, the most power ful thing happened: He apologized. He allowed Rachel to see how much pain he’d held onto

and admitted that he’d change everything if he could. This admission was a game-changer for their relationship.

In the years that followed, they grew closer, and her dad was by her side as she graduated from college, got married and finished her doctorate. Then, two years after Rachel fin ished school, her father died unexpectedly. In an instant, the letters he wrote her gained new value and significance.

One of his last letters he wrote said, “At the end of our days, the most lasting legacy we can hope for is to be remembered with love and appreciation by those we have loved, encour aged, helped and inspired.” Her father accom plished this and more.

Rachel misses her father every day, yet she knows he’s with her because his lessons live inside her. He spent most of his life building his idea of perfection, yet the greatest gift he gave her was learning from his imperfection.

The moral of the story is this: It’s possible to finish strong as a parent even if you’ve made big mistakes. Love conquers a multitude of sins, and while the enemy wants you to stay stuck in regret — or to believe that you've made your bed, so it's no use even trying to restore what is broken — God created you for more. He created you to parent with a spirit of strength, not defeat, and to be the father your family needs.

Who you’re becoming today matters more

than who you’ve been in the past, and even if you’ve made mistakes or got a rocky start, you can choose to step up and finish strong. You can commit to sweeping your side of the street … and doing it exceptionally well.

Every child longs for the love of their father. Your kids may not admit it or even know it, but they crave your company, your love, your presence and your approval. If you’re ready to make changes, yet you’re not sure how, start by keeping your motives pure and asking God to lead the way. Get creative if you must, like Rachel's father who wrote long letters that would ultimately open doors and become her lifelong treasure.

We all have regrets in life, yet the worst regret is knowing you didn’t try to restore a crucial relationship. Even if your kids are wary, or keeping up a guard, you can find peace in doing your part. You can discover that your life journey is really a faith journey in becoming the person and the father you hope your kids will remember.

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 every where books are sold. Join Kari on Facebook and Instagram, visit her blog at karikampakis. com, or find her on the Girl Mom Podcast.

Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

Unseen Good

I saw you. It was at an old Piggly Wiggly. The kind with swinging doors and neon letters that don’t all light up. I watched you open the door for an old woman who used a walking cane.

You couldn’t have been older than 12. You swung the door open, then wheeled an empty shopping buggy toward the lady.

You said, “Here you go, ma’am.”

She thanked you. You blushed. It was a fine moment.

I also saw you when you stopped traffic to help that dog. You were driving your FedEx truck, making your route. It was a mutt. Tan and white. A pup with hardly any meat on its bones.

You ran across three lanes of traffic, waving your hands at the cars.

I could read your lips. “Stop! Stop! Please!” you were saying.

Three lanes of traffic rolled to a halt. Our vehicles formed a stand-still line while you coaxed a scared animal out of the center lane.

Once, I saw you help a child in the Home Depot find his mother. The boy was lost. He walked beside you.

When you found his mother, he ran to her. It was a Hollywood-style ending. You stood back several feet to take it all in, smiling.

And, by God, I saw you.

I saw you pay for that woman’s meal in the Mexican restaurant. The waitress seemed sur prised when you suggested it.

She answered, “You wanna do WHAT, sir?”

You whispered, “I wanna pay for that lady’s meal.”

Then, you pointed to a woman across the restaurant. She wore a Hardee’s uniform. She had three kids. They were loud, rowdy, sipping dangerous amounts of caffeine and carbonated sugar.

You paid, then stood to leave. You never got

to see the woman’s reaction. But I did. She was shocked. It was all over her face. Before she left, she placed a tip on the table.

Everybody won that day. Even me. It was something to see, sir. Yes, indeed.

Sometimes, I worry that you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle — whoever you are. You might believe the things you do go unnoticed. And for all I know, maybe you’re right.

After all, the world has its eyes glued to glowing screens. News outlets obsess over explosions and blood.

Turn on the TV. Read a paper. Another day; another dogfight between angry old men wear ing Italian suits and lapel pins.

But if you ask me, it’s all a bunch of horse pies. And I mean the whole thing. The scandals, the mass hysteria, the gore, the infomercials.

You don’t care about those things. And good for you. You’re after bigger fish.

You care about old people, homeless vets, lost boys, terrified mutts, single parents, drug-addicted infants, prison baptisms, elderly chaplains and animal shelters.

Friday-night art classes for the sexu ally abused, battered women’s shelters and childhood cancer victims. Hard-working women in Hardee’s uniforms. Old women at supermarkets.

I know you. And I want you to know you’re a lot more important than you think. In fact, you’re the only bright thing left in this damned old world.

And I want you to know that I see you.

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

1REBEL 1FUTURE CONTINUED from page A1

The plan was first introduced at the July 25 Board of Education meeting, where Freeman said he would be asking Vestavia Hills voters to approve an ad valorem tax increase. As of press time, the amount of the requested increase is not known.

“We have limitations on our ability to pro vide our students with an opportunity to learn without limits,” Freeman said.

The plan centers on two initiatives: to invest in “profound learning experiences” and create “safe and dynamic facilities,” Freeman said.

While Vestavia Hills is highly regarded for its school system, there is always room for improvement, and the areas in need of improvement now include STEM and world languages, Freeman said. Right now, STEM classes are available for middle- and highschool students, and this proposal would add it as a “special” for elementary students, Freeman said. Specials are classes held once a week and currently include things like art, music and a day in the library, Freeman said.

“This is a meaningful path for them,” Free man said.

There are currently five world languages taught at the high school and three languages at the middle school level. Similar to the pro posals with STEM, Freeman said he wants to add world languages as a “special” at the ele mentary level. Teachers and course resources would need to be added for those classes, and the school system is still developing what particulars would look like.

The 1Rebel 1Future plan also seeks to upgrade the system’s facilities, making them not only safe and secure, but energy effi cient and able to meet the needs of students, Freeman said. There are many aging facilities throughout the system, Freeman said, and system leaders are thinking about spaces that will be needed to meet the needs of expanded academic offerings. Freeman said it’s also important for campuses to be comparable to each other. While Vestavia Hills Elementary East and West have large student populations, they have the smallest gyms and don’t have the

meeting spaces other campuses do, Freeman said.

The existing gym at West would be turned into new classrooms for art, music and meeting space, with the existing Vestavia Hills Cham ber of Commerce building being turned into gym space, as chamber offices will move to the new Vestavia Hills Civic Center. There would also be office space and community meeting space in that building as well, Freeman said.

Each elementary school in the plan would have a gym that has the capacity to expand, Freeman said.

At Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge, the kitchen would receive a much-needed expansion, Freeman said, and East would receive an expanded gym.

At the middle school level, Liberty Park Middle School would receive an auxiliary gym. While that school has fewer students than Pizitz Middle School, it has the same number of teams and programs and needs more space. Pizitz would receive more dressing room space, Freeman said.

Vestavia Hills High School would receive the bulk of the changes in the plan, and is set to receive upgrades in the areas of arts, STEM and athletics. Choir would move into the existing band space, with a black box theater moving into the existing choral space. The band would move, along with dance, into a new space, with STEM and arts classes moving into existing spaces that would be ren ovated, Freeman said. The band space would also include a new kitchen and expanded caf eteria and would connect to a new plaza area

“

We have limitations on our ability to provide our students with an opportunity to learn without limits.

TODD FREEMAN

Dietrich

Melissa Cooper BIRMINGHAM 205-356-2476

Susan Melvin BIRMINGHAM HUNTSVILLE 205-317-9872

Makayla Melvin HUNTSVILLE 205-532-2689

Amanda Hughes MontgoMery 334-467-6677

Rhonda Scoggins DAPHNE, FAIRHOPE 251-716-1807

Christine Buzhardt BirMinghaM 205-913-4955

Arlene Hicks BIRMINGHAM AUBURN 205-410-9260

that goes into new arts and athletic spaces.

A new indoor facility, located in the open field behind the competition gym, would include 50 yards of artificial turf that could be used by athletic teams and the band, and it would also include a new weight training area for all sports, a new locker room and a new wrestling area.

Athletic Director Myra Miles said these changes represent real needs, not wants. Existing facilities are “so far behind” in giving students the best they can be given, she said. One of the most reputable programs, for exam ple, is wrestling, but they have what might be the worst facilities, Miles said.

The school system’s space for athletic training is a quarter of the size of other overthe-mountain schools, Miles said. There is also a need for more storage space.

“You can never have enough storage,” Miles said.

Miles said the possibility of these changes and the new, privately funded jumbotron make it an exciting time for Vestavia Hills athletics.

“We can take a big step forward,” Miles said. “These kids deserve to have the best.”

Oliver Aaron, who oversees the boys’ tennis program, said he thinks it will be a good thing for the system.

“Any time you can get facilities is going to be a good thing,” Aaron said.

The new tennis facilities will include six courts and a center court. They will comple ment the city’s addition at Wald Park, he said.

Having the center court will allow the program to have exhibition matches and get finished more quickly, Aaron said. Being able to be done earlier is a big help for tennis

players, many of whom are high-achieving academic students.

The new facility would also allow the city to host tournaments, something that has never happened in Vestavia Hills.

To make room for these changes, parking would be eliminated between the band door on the side of the school and Thompson Reynolds Stadium. But the lost parking would be recouped in the hills where some student parking already exists, as more spaces would be created, Freeman said. There would also be more parking spaces added where the tennis courts are now, as the courts would move behind the former Vestavia Hills Elementary Central campus, added to the Shawntel Dixon Jones Memorial Track. More parking would also be added at the track, making parking safer in that area.

FUNDING

Freeman said he’s aware of the economic pressures facing everyone right now, and it’s important to acknowledge that. Inflation has also impacted the school system, leaving them unable to raise salaries as much as they wanted to, Freeman acknowledged in a previous board meeting. Inflation has also caused the system’s insurance and utility costs to rise by 25% and 10%, respectively.

The amount of the proposed property tax increase will be released later this year, with the hopes of an election held in late spring 2023, Freeman said. He previously said the amount would not be 10 mills, the amount raised in Mountain Brook for similar projects.

The 1Rebel 1Future plan is an attempt to move the system forward by making a longterm investment, Freeman said.

“It’s about the value we give our kids,” Freeman said.

Freeman plans on providing board reports each month, taking a deeper look at parts of the plan. There will also be some community input meetings later this fall, he said.

The proposed tax increase would be the first ad valorem increase since 1990. If it isn’t approved, Freeman said the system would con tinue to use the existing level of funding to the best of its ability and would prioritize pieces of the plan incrementally.

If the plan is passed, the system wants to be “aggressive” in completing the projects and, while they would have to be phased in such a way as to not interfere with the learning pro cess, Freeman anticipates a three- to four-year schedule for new construction.

“

We can take a big step forward. These kids deserve to have the best. MYRA MILES

The practice field behind the Vestavia Hills High School gymnasium. Photo by Erin Nelson.

He began working construction, playing music at his church and teaching music lessons at night — doing whatever he could to piece things together. It was out of that searching and survival that Mason began turning his music les sons into a sustainable business model.

When Mason Music first began in 2012, everything was free, and the teachers were vol unteers. As time went on, he spoke to people who worked in the nonprofit world and real ized he wanted to build something that was sustainable.

“When you just rely on volunteers, there is not as much commitment long term, and these kids need people who are going to be in their lives for the long haul,” Mason said. “We had to do something to make a difference.”

Mason said one of the benefits of having the Mason Music Foundation already in existence is that all the processes were already ongoing for managing music lessons, studios, hiring teach ers, contracts and policies. To support that, they began raising money to pay the teachers enough to earn their living teaching music.

Mason Music now has 77 employees and anywhere from 900 to 1,100 students at a given time.

Mason Music has five locations throughout Birmingham, with studios in Cahaba Heights, Mountain Brook Village, Bluff Park, Greystone and Woodlawn.

The company offers private lessons in guitar, piano, voice, drums and violin to students of all ages and skill levels, along with music camps, group lessons and Rock Band League.

Mason said part of the reason teachers like working for Mason Music is that all of the administrative components are handled and they just get to be teachers and build relationships with their students.

MASON MUSIC FEST

In the summer of 2021, an end-of-summer celebration was held for students and their fam ilies. This year, Mason wanted to do something bigger to celebrate the 10-year anniversary.

“I had a vision for making that into something bigger,” Mason said. “We really wanted to do something that our team could be really proud of and celebrate the fact that we’ve made it 10 years. Instead of putting two events together, we said, ‘Let’s just make an amazing music fest and go big.’”

Last month’s Mason Music Fest, held at Avondale Brewing Co., featured nine bands, all with a Mason Music connection. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event went directly to the Mason Music Foundation to pro vide scholarship funds for students.

“As funding for the arts in public education continues to decline, we are stepping into the gap to raise money for music education schol arships with Mason Music Foundation,” he said. ‘We wanted our guests to have a blast at the event and feel good knowing their ticket was helping to pay for someone else in Birmingham to have music lessons.”

As for making it an annual event, Mason said it was a massive undertaking and he would follow up with his team and get their feedback to make sure they felt it was a worthwhile cause. If so, he said they have a solid game plan moving

forward, and it will be much easier the second time around.

PAST AND FUTURE

Looking back over the last decade, Mason did not hesitate when asked what gives him the most pride: his kids.

While he didn't push them to do music, they've been in it from the time they were born.

“I built this business, and I get to enjoy my students learning and growing, and I can see them playing at recitals, and I feel really proud,” he said. “To see students get up on stage and just rock is such a rewarding thing. But it doesn't compare to watching my daughter play. She was [initially] nervous and shy, but she came out of the first Rock Band League practice and was like ‘That was awesome!’ And now her band, those are people, her best friends, and they're playing amazing music. Building something my kids love and being a part of, that I get to enjoy from the perspective of a parent now. I’ve been on the other side of the business as an owner and now get to see first hand the joy these kids get from being part of Mason Music.”

Up next for Mason is the opening of the Woodlawn Theater. Coming in late fall, the venue can accommodate 250 people and will also house the Woodlawn Mason Music studio, with class space for up to 200 students per week.

He said he wants this to be a place for devel oping artists, and there will be shows taking place on a regular basis. The location is geared more toward original artists and will be a tick eted-show venue similar to Saturn or Workplay, but on a smaller scale. It will also be available for private events, including weddings, corpo rate events and birthday parties.

Mason said looking back on his life, he can see how everything that happened worked to lead him to where he is today.

“I’m a person of faith, and so a lot of my meaning that I ascribe to life is through that lens,” he said. “So every kind of inflection point in my life, I can see God directing it. We have this unique opportunity to be a child’s first impression of music. It's really important to build those connections early on so students will stick with music. That's a really unique reward for a decade of teaching.”

Above: Will Mason plays alongside Brianna Walter, an up and coming singer songwriter, at the inaugural Mason Music Fest at Avondale Brewing Company on Aug. 13. Left: Abby Hurst, 9, warms up during a piano lesson with Grant Earl at Mason Music Studios in Cahaba Heights on Aug. 30 Photos by Erin Nelson.

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Rebels bolstering Friday night production

By KYLE PARMLEY

A Friday night at Thompson Reyn olds Stadium, home of the Vestavia Hills High School football team, looks a little bit different these days.

Vestavia Hills has a rich history of football success, much of which is rooted in tradition and consistency.

But these days, the Rebels aren’t resting on those traditions and are pushing forward into the future while being thoughtful of the past.

The 2022 football season has brought about plenty of change at Vestavia. Robert Evans is in his first year as the head coach. A new, privately-funded video board has replaced the traditional scoreboard. And the broadcast team for the high school football games has been bol stered in a major way.

This season, Vestavia Hills put together an all-star crew of media professionals to broadcast its foot ball games, which can be seen via YouTube, Facebook or through the NFHS Network.

Scott Griffin and Chad Pilcher handle the commentating duties, John Virciglio is a director and han dles instant replay, John Rockett is a director and BJ Millican is the side line reporter. Many of those names are familiar to people in the Birming ham area sports scene.

“When Robert [Evans] was hired, we had a lot of goals and a

big vision,” Vestavia Hills athletic director Myra Miles said. “He and I see eye to eye on so many things. The broadcast was a big thing. We wanted to do something we felt like we could do better than most.

“We wanted to do something bigger and better than it’s ever been done before.”

Griffin has worked in local tele vision and radio, spending 15 years at WJOX. Pilcher is in his 18th year

calling games, whether it be high school or college. Rockett spent over 26 years in television at WBRC and ABC 33/40. Millican has worked in television and in athletics for many years as well.

Vestavia Hills has been broadcast ing sporting events for several years now, with the voice of Steve Bendall bringing the Rebels to the commu nity for 20 years.

Virciglio was a part of those

broadcasts as well, doing much of the prep work that nearly always goes unnoticed. Miles gave huge credit to him for what he’s done in the past and how he is continuing to contribute to the new setup.

“It’s a really talented group of guys that our kids are being fortunate enough to be able to get some great experience with,” Miles said.

Miles emphasized that, despite the hiring of professional talent,

Vestavia Hills students involved in VNN (VHHS News Network) are still part of the production. Miles gave credit to Morgan Jones for her work with VNN over the years and to Abby Jaillet, the current VNN sponsor and a first-year teacher at Vestavia Hills.

Jaillet said there are six or seven broadcast students at the games each week, assisting in a variety of ways, such as running different cameras for the broadcast.

“They’re excited to be a part of it,” she said. “More than anything, it’s reinvigorated the excitement around this program.”

They are constantly learning new things as well, such as how to use the new video board at the stadium. Miles lauded assistant AD Laura Casey for her work in getting that new piece of equipment up and run ning in time for the first game of the season in August.

“The students are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this,” Jaillet said.

Miles said the feedback she has gotten from the community has been great.

“Our community sees all of this and there’s so much pride right now. Our kids play hard for their coaches, for their school, but for their commu nity, because they feel that support. I’ve had more people come up to me and say it’s a great feel,” she said.

OCTOBER IS

TherapySouth is proud to help patients regain control of their lives through restorative movement and wellness as part of our Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Our PTs work with you and your medical doctor to create an individualized and comprehensive

plan to restore the physical strength and sense of well-being that you may have lost during treatment. We’d love to be part of your team!

The Vestavia Hills broadcast team during the matchup against Thompson in the press box at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Sept. 2. Photo by Erin Nelson.

A BETTER WAY TO PROTECT & SERVE

I believe that individuals dealing with a mental health episode or drug addiction should have access to treatment. Jail shouldn’t be the only option. This is an important step towards bridging the gap. — Sheriff Mark Pettway

•

Scheduled to open in October 2022, the new Crisis Diversion Center for Jefferson County provides an alternative to jail for individuals with mental illness and/or addiction issues who need treatment rather than incarceration.

We made Crisis Intervention Certification a requirement for our deputies so that they can recognize and respond to mental health issues. We provide training to all deputies for this certification; currently, two-thirds of deputies have completed training.

Our efforts have resulted in Sheriff Mark Pettway earning 2022 Law Enforcement Executive of the Year honors from Crisis Intervention Team International.

The Mental Health Crisis Center will be located at 401 Beacon Parkway West in Birmingham on the bottom level

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

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

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.

Sports

Above: Vestavia Hills has mixed things up this year under first-year coach Robert Evans. For the first time, the Rebels’ helmets feature graphics on them, with a logo on one side and jersey numbers on the other. Against Hoover, the Rebels also unveiled a white helmet.

Right: Houston Owen (18) has been a pivotal player for Vestavia Hills so far this season. He has been one of the defense’s leaders, including leading the team with 6.5 tackles in the win over Homewood. He also scored on a 1-yard run against Hoover, taking snaps from the Wildcat formation.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

The high school football season is in full force, with Vestavia Hills’ games featuring plenty of standout performances and electric moments. Here’s a look at some of the biggest moments from the first few games of the year. Photos by Laura Chramer, Erin Nelson and Barry Stephenson.

Above left: Jay Daniels (3) made the most of his two grabs in a rout of Homewood on Aug. 26. The Rebels completed 11 passes during the evening, with two of them going to Daniels for touchdowns of 13 and 75 yards.

Above right: John Paul Head (13) has been the signal caller for Vestavia’s new-look, up-tempo offense. He had one of his most impressive performances against Homewood, as the senior threw for 174 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to rushing 10 times for 49 yards and a pair of scores.

Left: Keown Richardson (8) has been the go-to wide receiver for Vestavia Hills so far this season. He started the season with a big night, catching eight passes for 111 yards and a 10-yard touchdown reception that got the Rebels on the board in the Aug. 18 game against Mountain Brook.

Starting

Journey With

We were touched when Jordan and Kelsey told us they drove all the way from Florence to shop the superior selection here at Royal Volkswagen. We couldn’t send them home with anything less than the best; that’s why we matched them with VW’s largest offering to date, the spacious, powerful Atlas SUV. We just know this first VW won’t be their last!

For every first step, there’s Royal!

The VW Atlas is defined by its imposing stature. Boasting nearly 97 cubic feet of cargo space, the Atlas is outstandingly adaptable. An available panoramic sunroof opens up the interior with an enviable view for all three rows. An impressive array of tech comes standard, like the VW Digital Cockpit, which puts driver information front-and-center in an elegant HD display. Find or reserve an Atlas of your own at the corner of I-65 and Highway 31 in Vestavia.

31 | 3010 Columbiana

Jordan and Kelsey Smith with their new 2022 Volkswagen Atlas.

Rebels wrap up regular season

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Vestavia Hills High School foot ball team will conclude the inaugural regular season of head coach Robert Evans’s tenure in October.

Three of the Rebels’ four games will be on the road, and three of them will be against Class 7A, Region 3 foes.

Through September, Vestavia Hills has played four region games, with the final three coming over the first three Fridays in October. The Rebels get the month started with a trip to Hewitt-Trussville on Oct. 7.

Vestavia Hills has a 13-4 edge in the all-time series against Hewitt-Truss ville, but the Huskies have had the better end of things in recent years. Hewitt entered matchups the last couple years as favorites, but Vestavia put forth tremendous efforts to make the games close. In 2020, Hewitt won 42-35, while the Huskies won 49-35 last fall.

Vestavia’s last win in the series was in 2019, but the Huskies won the previ ous two before that as well. Those wins snapped the Rebels’ 12-game winning streak over Hewitt-Trussville.

The following Friday, the Rebels make a trip to Oak Mountain for a game that could be for a playoff berth in Region 3. Vestavia has similarly dominated this series, winning 13 of the 18 games the two programs have played against each other. Oak Moun tain has won each of the last two years, winning 24-14 last year and 35-28 the year before.

Vestavia Hills finishes up region play Oct. 21, as the Rebels host Tuscaloosa

County in what will be the final regu lar season game at Thompson Reyn olds Stadium for the year. Vestavia has a 12-6 lead in the series between these two foes, but they have flipped the series with seven straight wins over the lowly Wildcats in recent years.

Last fall, a 50-0 win over Tuscalo osa County was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Rebels, as they earned their first win of the year after a tough 0-4 start. It was the first win for Sean Calhoun in his lone season leading Vestavia Hills.

The Rebels close out the regu lar season on Oct. 28 with a visit to

Helena, a strong Class 6A foe. The two teams played in 2016 and 2017, with the Rebels winning both of those contests. Helena put forth a 9-1 regu lar season last fall and will be a tough matchup for Vestavia.

Vestavia Hills hopes the Helena game will serve as a playoff tune-up. Finishing in the top four of Class 7A, Region 3, would allow the Rebels to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2019. After being a play off fixture for many years, Vestavia has made the playoffs just twice since 2013, but Evans hopes to turn that tide back in the other direction.

Sports Calendar

FOOTBALL

Oct. 7: @ Hewitt-Trussville. 7 p.m.

Oct. 14: @ Oak Mountain. 7 p.m.

Oct. 21: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 7 p.m.

Oct. 28: @ Helena. 7 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Oct. 4: @ Oak Mountain. 5 p.m.

Oct. 5: vs. Bob Jones. 5 p.m.

Oct. 6: @ Chelsea. 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 12-15: Area tournament. TBD.

Oct. 19-21: Super regional tournament. TBD.

Oct. 25-27: State tournament. TBD.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Oct. 1: Jesse Owens Invitational. Oakville.

Oct. 15: Randolph Invitational. Huntsville.

Oct. 27: Sectional meet. Veterans Park.

Vestavia Hills running back William Tonsmeire (1) runs the ball during the first half of a football game against Homewood at Thompson Reynolds Stadium on Aug. 26. The Rebels shut out the Patriots, 35-0. Photo by Laura Chramer.

Vestavia Hills grad sets Auburn record

Ryan Eshleman, a 2020 Vestavia Hills High School graduate and current redshirt soph omore on the Auburn University golf team, recently shot a 10-under par 60 in the first round of the Maui Jim Intercollegiate Tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona. That score broke Auburn's 18-hole low-round score record, tied the NCAA

18-hole low-round score record, and tied Mira bel Golf Club's course record. He had 11 birdies and one bogey during the round. He finished the tournament with rounds of 69 and 70 to finish tied for eighth, as Auburn won the event over Arizona State by five strokes.

– Submitted by Kelli Eshleman.

Ryan Eshleman is a 2020 Vestavia Hills High School graduate and current redshirt sophomore on Auburn University’s golf team. Photo courtesy of Auburn Athletics.

Metro Roundup

MOUNTAIN BROOK

Lane Parke wait is almost over

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

A long-awaited, much-anticipated project in Mountain Brook is nearing completion.

While some of the businesses in Phase 2 of Lane Parke have already opened, an event to celebrate all of them, originally planned for the fall, has been moved to early 2023.

Brought to you by our sister paper: villageliving online.com

“We will still have a lot of retailers opening this fall,” said Suzanna Edwards, vice president of marketing for Craw ford Square Real Estate Advisors, the group handling the leasing and management of the property. “There will be a lot of different grand openings leading up a large grand opening cel ebration once everything is open.”

The mixed-use development will include a blend of restaurants, clothing retailers and health-related businesses. It is anchored by the Publix Greenwise Market, the Grand Bohemian Hotel and 257 luxury apartment units.

As of press time, there were three of 18 total spaces still available for lease. The lineup of current tenants includes:

► Onward Reserve

► Mountain Brook Eyecare

► Basecoat on Fifth

► tasc Performance

► Crumbl Cookies

► Massage Envy

► Ladybird Taco

► Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

► Regions Bank

► Gunn Dermatology

► Starbucks

► MARO by Abhi

► Sons Donuts

► Little Buckhead Blue

► Melt

► Ignite Cycle

► Clean Juice

Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors CEO Sam Heide said the company has been involved with the Lane Parke project for several years.

“We leased and managed Phase 1 and have been responsible for attracting the tenants for

Phase 2 of the shopping center,” Heide said.

Heide said they were able to lease enough space in order for owners and developers to achieve their goals to break ground and begin construction after Phase 1.

Heide said that they were selective and thoughtful during the process, and he believes that is reflected in the quality tenants. They will continue to be selective in finding complemen tary tenants for the remaining spaces.

“Mountain Brook Village has really become quite a dining destination,” Heide said. “We feel we knew what the community wanted. The food and beverage offerings, apparel offerings

and health and wellness offerings coming to Phase 2 are really a nice fit and compliment to one another.”

Several of the stores, including tasc Perfor mance, Onward Reserve, Ladybird Taco and Little Buckhead Blue, are all the first locations of the franchises in the state.

“People have talked about this quite a bit for a long time, and I think the excitement level is pretty high,” Heide said. “I think people are really pleased to see it complete, I know I am. As a citizen of Mountain Brook, it’s a great compliment and completion of what's been a project a long time in the making.”

Jonathan Gaines, left, of USA Striping holds the measuring tape with his foot while Jeffery Scott marks the asphalt with chalk in order to stripe a crosswalk at Lane Parke, as Phase II of the project continues in Mountain Brook Village on Aug. 30. Photo by Erin Nelson.

When it comes to landscaping, Alabama has it made: There’s a broad variety of trees and shrubs to choose from here.

Now is the perfect time to try some out, according to the experts at Gardner Landscaping.

“Fall is often considered the best time of year to plant new trees and shrubs,” Grant Gardner said.

But how do you choose which ones? A lot of factors come into play when it comes to selecting the right plants for your landscaping, Grant said — factors like sun exposure, soil type, the slope of the landscape and your own preferences in color and type.

“At Gardner Landscaping, we take pride in coming up with a plan that meets the needs of each customer and landscape,” he said.

That attention to detail is one of the things that sets Gardner Landscaping

apart from many other landscapers. Another is that they have the personnel and resources to get your project completed quickly.

“We will normally provide you with the pricing for your project within one day from when we meet with you,” Grant said.

Gardner Landscaping specializes in trees and shrubs, and they can use trees and shrubs to create beautiful entertainment and privacy areas.

Grant said, “More customers are looking to spend more time around their homes now. We have the best prices in town on large and small trees and shrubs to have great looking landscapes, privacy screens, shade and curb appeal. We also do a lot of clean ups, drainage and landscape borders, as well to get your property where it’s managed correctly. Please call us today, we have the vision to create these enjoyable areas. We would love to help you!”

Find beautiful new window coverings for fall

The window covering experts at Budget Blinds take the time to understand you and your needs and provide custom window treatments that are perfect for your home.

Budget Blinds has any window covering you could ever want.

They offer blinds, including wood, faux wood, aluminum, vinyl and composite, as well as vertical blinds and vertical blind alternatives.

They offer all kinds of shades, such as roller, Roman, cellular, bamboo, woven wood, pleated, sheer, graphic and solar.

Budget Blinds has wood, café and composite interior and exterior shutters.

In addition, many window coverings are now motorized and can be controlled remotely.

“You get the convenience of being able to control window coverings when you’re not at home, using the apps on your phone,” Budget Blinds co-owner Steve Thackerson says.

You can also tie motorized window coverings into your home’s automation system and control them using Alexa or preset them to open or close any time of the day or night.

In the fall, with colder weather, Budget Blinds can show you how to use window coverings — cellular shades, cellular shutters

and custom draperies — to help insulate your house.

“The cellular shade is the number-one rated insulator on the market,” Thackerson says.

The shades have small cell pockets on the side that prevent hot air or cold air from coming in, Thackerson says.

“Cellular shutters, when the louvers are closed, block out a

lot of the heat or cold, and the composite material is a very good insulator,” he says.

Customers can visit the Budget Blinds showroom or schedule a free in-home consultation.

And if a customer finds something they like in the showroom, the Budget Blinds staff goes to the customer’s home to take measurements and make

sure the product will work.

“Once you see a window covering in your home, that color or style might not match, or it might not fit the window properly,” Thackerson said.

Budget Blinds also provides custom, professional installation by experienced consultants.

Thackerson has an additional edge on his competitors because

Budget Blinds is an international company that is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

“We get the same products but better pricing and better warranties,” he says.

In fact, Budget Blinds “gets an extra warranty that no other retailer gets in the window covering industry,” Thackerson says.

In addition to the manufacturer’s basic warranty, Budget Blinds offers a one-time replacement warranty with no questions asked.

“We will replace all of the products one time, no matter what happens to them,” Thackerson says.

“During a storm, a dog may go crazy and tear up the blinds,” he says. “We can replace them at no cost to the customer.”

In addition to the Budget Blinds 30th anniversary, Thackerson and his wife, Michelle, the co-owner, have run their franchise for 28 years and enjoy serving their customers in Greater Birmingham.

They have one of the largest individual Budget Blinds franchises and one of the few franchises with its original owners, Thackerson says.

To learn more, call 205-8243300 or go to budgetblinds.com/ birmingham.

Mold & Mildew Solutions offers new basement waterproofing division

Mold & Mildew Solutions

205-252-9506

alabamamold.com

Lee Ramey, owner of Mold & Mildew Solutions, has inspected countless homes, basements and crawl spaces in Birmingham since 1985 in search of the mold and moisture that can damage people’s health.

“I’ve spent years perfecting a healthy way of removing mold from crawl spaces and homes, along with water management solutions to prevent mold,” Lee says.

“Wet, nasty crawl spaces can wreak havoc on your home and the health of your family,” he says, citing such conditions as allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Mold & Mildew Solutions offers a wide variety of services, including mold and moisture inspection, mold surface testing, indoor air quality testing, VOC (volatile organic compound) testing, mold remediation, crawlspace encapsulation, basement mold removal and prevention products, and moisture proofing for crawl spaces and basements.

The company is also opening a new basement waterproofing division, says Office Manager Candace Ramey, Lee’s daughter.

“We want to take care of your health and your possessions,” she says.

The company also follows rigorous industry standards and scientific principles. “We do

things the right way,” she says.

Lee says crawl spaces are not intended to be part of the breathing environment, but, because of the stack effect, air travels from the bottom of your home to the top.

In fact, 25% to 50% of the air we breathe on the first floor of our home comes from the basement

or crawl space, he says.

The moisture in your basement or crawl space can come from several sources, such as humid air, groundwater seepage and moisture from concrete walls and floors.

“This moisture can drift into your home by way of vapor,” Lee says. “The organic material your

house is made of sucks up the moisture and causes mold to grow inside your wall cavities.”

“High relative humidity causes rot, mold and energy loss, and attracts pests,” he says.

These problems are personal for the Mold and Mildew Solutions staff.

“Everybody who works here has

a personal story about how mold has affected them or one of their family members,” Candace says.

This includes her father, whose mother had respiratory issues.

Lee — known as “The Mildude” — even wrote a book, “Mold Does Not Have to be a Scary Subject,” that you can download from the company’s website.

Mold & Mildew Solutions also strives to earn the customer’s trust, Candace says.

“We start off with an inspection and build trust from there,” she says. “We find out where the issue is and focus on the solutions they need or what will be best for their situation and budget.”

Mold and Mildew Solutions will perform a thorough inspection of your crawl space, basement or home interior and provide you with a report — with digital pictures and thermal imaging, if applicable.

Lee also owns a second company in Birmingham, To The Rescue, which cleans rugs, carpets, upholstery, furniture and hardwood and offers water and flood damage restoration.

To schedule a consultation with Mold & Mildew Solutions, call 205252-9506 or go to alabamamold. com.

To contact To The Rescue, call 205-252-5326 or go to totherescuebirmingham.com.

Finished basements are like having a bonus room under your house. But when water affects your living space and, the health of your family, you have a bonus problem! Now it is time to call Mold & Mildew Solutions, LLC for water and mold management solutions.

Specialists say that up to 50% of the air we breathe comes from the crawlspace or the basement.

We strive to conduct the highest standards of dust containment, and mold control while installing permanent water management systems. We do not want to disturb your indoor air quality

WE CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF YOUR FAMILY!

We want to communicate with you well so that our employees will know how to respect your home, your valuables and more than anything YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

Provide healthy and dry indoor air for your family by trusting Mold & Mildew Solutions.

We care about your comfort. Basement Waterproofing is not a pleasant experience, but we can overcome the challenges together

For A Healthier Home with Water & Mold Management Solutions Call

205-252-9506 alabamamold.com

If you have seen your basement flood before, it will flood again.

Make your outdoor living space more luxurious

Hollywood Outdoor Living • 205-979-7727 • hollywoodoutdoorliving.com

How we started…

Hollywood Outdoor Living (previously Hollywood Pools) was founded in 1986 at its original location on Hollywood Boulevard in Homewood. As a familyowned business, we pride ourselves in knowing our customers, selling high quality products, and offering reliable pool and spa services.

Where we’ve been...

In 2000, we moved from Hollywood Boulevard to a building at 1020 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills. That same year, we acquired Casual & Custom Furniture and began to offer lines of luxury outdoor furniture.

After more growth in 2005, we renovated and moved into our facility at 1441 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia

Hills. In 2018, we continued to expand our pool and spa services through the acquisition of Alabama Pools.

Where we’re going…

In March 2021, we acquired Alabama Gaslight & Grill, a 52-year-old company that offered gas and charcoal grills, luxury lighting, as well as fireplace products and accessories. In 2022, the companies completed a rebranding and chose our new name: Hollywood Outdoor Living. Our company’s new identity reflects our growth and sustains our legacy of providing luxury pools, spas, grills, lighting, furniture, and fireplaces. Visit our new website (hollywood outdoorliving.com), come see us in the store, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter!

Relaxation Begins in the Backyard

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

One Man & A Toolbox • 205-823-2111 • oneman-toolbox.com

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

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.

Photo by Randy Fath

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash.

Ulch Mulch • 205-704-0880 • ulchmulch.com

If you need landscaping services at your home and want things done the right way, reach out to Drew Ulch, owner of Ulch Mulch.

The company goes the extra mile to do a great job and make sure each customer is satisfied, and its well-trained crews are “super detail-oriented,” Ulch says.

Founded by Ulch in 2019, Ulch Mulch offers a wide variety of services, including landscape installations, lawn and landscape maintenance, natural stone masonry, boulder walls and pavers, and grading and drainage.

“I feel like we do the best stone work in town,” says Ulch, a Vestavia Hills native and Vestavia Hills High School graduate.

Ulch keeps the company small, allowing him to provide customers with great

service and a personal touch.

“I keep my crews small, and by doing that I can spend a lot of time onsite with my guys and have a good relationship with the customer,” he says. “We don't get in and out really fast. It’s not like the bigger companies.

“My guys are diversified and really good in everything they do,” he says. “All of my employees take pride in their work.”

Ulch Mulch crews are also very clean, organized and respectful, unlike some contractors.

“A lot of people get lazy, so they don’t pressure wash driveways and gutters after a job or pick up trash at the end of the day,” he says. “It’s the little things we do that create a more enjoyable experience for the customers.”

Providing quality products at reasonable prices since 1982

Brewer Cabinets • 205-942-4000 • brewercabinets.com

From the time the doors opened in 1982, Brewer Cabinets’ goal has been to provide quality products at reasonable prices while being attentive to the individual needs of customers.

They offer residential and commercial cabinetry using high-quality cabinets and granite, quartz and laminate counters.

Brewer’s parents, Jim and Jan Brewer, started the business in their basement over 40 years ago with a vision in mind. Their dreams were brought to fruition through hiring people of integrity, offering cutting-edge products and providing a seamless buying experience for customers.

To foster an authentic customer experience, Brewer Cabinets bypasses the catalogs and instead features modern kitchen displays in their showroom and offers plenty of door samples to customers. At the first appointment, the designer gives customers an overview of the showroom layout then discusses with them their design or layout. Every step in between design and installation is structured to foster a smooth buying experience. By the end of the process, customers can rest assured that their

cabinets and countertops will be quickly installed and reflect their dream layout.

For Brewer Cabinets, business success directly translates to having good employees. “My parents did a fantastic job holding onto good people all these years,” the president and owner of Brewer Cabinets, Jason Brewer, said. “We equip employees to be direct and honest in all interactions with customers and do what we say we will.”

Since Brewer Cabinets is a detailsfocused business, they have a system for staying on top of each order, following up with customers and anticipating their needs. Brewer said their proactive approach ensures customers won’t have to track them down — their team approaches customers about fixing or refining anything that needs it after cabinet and counter installation. “We always get the job finished,” Brewer said.

Since it’s founding in 1982, Brewer Cabinets’ goal has been to provide a quality product at a fair price. Give us a call at 205-942-4000 with any questions or to schedule an appointment with our design team.

Homewood Carpet & Flooring offers the best selection in Birmingham

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

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.

Amy Lawson has the experience to get your house sold

Amy Lawson, RealtySouth • 205-215-0284

Amy Owen Lawson grew up around real estate her whole life. Selling homes is just a way of life for this yearly Top Producer for RealtySouth.

“Personally, I feel like I specialize in contract negotiations,” Lawson said, adding that knowing the market on the level she does goes a long way in helping clients. “Also, thinking outside the box when an issue arises, that’s another strength I incorporate into my business. I think my law degree and prior experience has really helped with that. I am also very accessible to my clients, which they always say they appreciate.”

Her dad, grandfather, aunts and uncles all worked in the business, and her family owned Owen Realty.

Even though she promised herself she would never sell real estate after watching her whole family’s time-consuming work schedule, Lawson couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement of assisting people in landing their dream homes.

She graduated from business school at the University of Alabama and proceeded to get her law degree from the university as well. Lawson was also an in-house attorney for the University of Alabama and

• amylaws@bellsouth.net

now volunteers as an advisor for AGD.

She’s also the president of the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation, which is currently campaigning to raise funds for Wald Park’s Miracle Field that will serve persons with special needs.

Lawson first got started selling vacation homes after building a lake house on Smith Lake. Clients started asking her to list their homes in Birmingham, so she eventually started predominantly listing and selling in the Birmingham area.

“My biggest homeowner tip for my Birmingham clients is to prioritize maintaining your property,” she said. “The Birmingham market is booming, and you will see the return.”

Scan with your phone’s camera to go to our specials page.

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pay

is issued by

Fargo Bank, N.A. Special terms apply to qualifying pur chases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the pro motional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accu rate as of 9/14/2022 and is subject to change. For current infor mation, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 108/10/2022.

**** Free base offer applies to Queen set purchase of $799 and above or King set purchase $999 and above. King base applies to either one horizontal King Base or one of two TXL bases.***** Free Delivery on mattress sets $699 and up, Local area.