Vestavia Hills Magazine, October/November 2020 by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

HAPPY CITY BOXES PIVOT • DESIGNS INSPIRED BY BRAYDEN MOORE • A MIDCENTURY RENOVATION

BEYOND THE POND MEET THE “DUCK FAMILY” OF LIBERTY PARK

REBEL WITH A CAUSE

BUDDY ANDERSON’S LEGACY ON & OFF THE FIELD

more than OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 VestaviaHillsMagazine.com Volume Four | Issue Five $4.95

CURLS

ADVOCATING FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY ONE STYLE AT A TIME

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 1

4 October/November 2020

Your health can’t wait. Your Safe Care is Our #1 Priority At Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, we go above and beyond to help ensure that our hospital is safe for you. We’re here for emergencies 24/7 with the quality and expertise that makes us a community built on care. If you’re not feeling well, don’t ignore your symptoms or downplay your pain. Taking care of your health now may prevent greater health risks in the future.

Social Distancing

Wear a Mask

Clean Environment

For more information, visit

Separate Covid-19 Areas

www.BrookwoodBaptistMedicalCenter.com

FEATURES

DUCK TALES How the “duck family” of Liberty Park came to care for countless animals around them.

Kisa Powell speaks out to bridge the deaf and hearing communities, as both a stylist and an advocate.

6 October/November 2020

PHOTO BY LAUREN USTAD

BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

PHOTO BY MARY FEHR

arts & culture

13 Live Like Brayden: Heat-Press Designs Inspired by a Brave Boy 20 Read This Book: Pop Politics

schools & sports

21 Rebel with a Cause: Buddy Anderson’s Legacy On & Off the Field

food

& drink

27 Built on Science: Delivering Happiness in a Box

in every issue 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 8 The Question 9 The Guide 58 Out & About 62 Marketplace 64 My Vestavia Hills

34 Five Questions For: Chick-fil-A’s Pandemic Pivot

home

& style

35 Wickford Redo: The Stevenses’ Midcentury Renovation

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 7

contributors EDITORIAL

Alec Etheredge Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Scott Mims Emily Sparacino

CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Askins Aliza Baker Lauren Brooks James Culver Mary Fehr Sara GĂźven Mary Alayne B. Long Christiana Roussel Lauren Ustad

DESIGN

Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan Green Connor Martin-Lively

Lauren Brooks, Writer

Lauren and her husband, Joel, moved to Birmingham 24 years ago for Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and never left. An Atlanta native, Lauren is a graduate of The University of Georgia and has worked for Southern Living, Oxmoor House, Birmingham Home and Garden, and Alabama Gardener magazine. Three daughters and Redeemer Community Church keep her busy most days.

Sara GĂźven, Writer

Sara graduated with honors from Vestavia Hills High School and attends The George Washington University, where she plans to major in journalism and political science. She is an avid reader and writer, and loves to listen to podcasts, cook and watch movies in her free time. Sara loves to picnic in Byrd Park and visit local coffee shops throughout the Vestavia Hills community.

MARKETING

Darniqua Bowen Kristy Brown Kari George Caroline Hairston Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Viridiana Romero Lisa Shapiro Kerrie Thompson

ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Daniel Holmes Stacey Meadows Tim Prince

Mary Alayne B. Long, Writer

A native of Heflin, Alabama, Mary Alayne is a mother, a housewife and a sassy Southern writer. She and her husband, Rick, have two children, Jake and Sadie Sue, and they all make their home in the Heart of Dixie. You can follow Mary Alayne and her unpredictable adventures on Instagram @thealabamahousewife.

Christiana Roussel, Writer

Christiana is a Birmingham-based food, travel and lifestyle writer who loves nothing more than meeting new people, discovering new things and finding ways they all work together. Sharing these stories with a wider audience through print feeds her passion. Recent stories have run the gamut from shotguns to flower arranging, and gallery openings to aquaculture.

Vestavia Hills Magazine is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Vestavia Hills Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Vestavia Hills Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Vestavia Hills Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Vestavia Hills, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit VestaviaHillsMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $16.30 for one year by visiting VestaviaHillsMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@vestaviahillsmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

8 October/November 2020

from the editor

ON THE COVER

CODA Curls

After growing up as the child of deaf parents, Kisa Powell has a passion for providing services for hearing-impaired people at her salon. Photo by Mary Fehr Design by Kate Sullivan Green

“Acknowledge that you remember. Remember anniversaries. Grief is always in the background.” These are the words I started my editor’s note with in our first issue of Vestavia Hills Magazine three years ago. Author Nancy Guthrie had imparted this wisdom to me on walking with others through grief, and in that first issue that’s just what we did as we shared the legacy of Andrew Van Long, who had passed away as an elementary student a decade earlier. We’ve told a lot of powerful and inspiring stories in the issues since then, but the ones I’ll always remember the most are where we share memories of community members this Vestavia Hills has lost. John Wyatt’s legacy lives on the family construction business his wife, Mary, now runs. Countless families will always remember Bennie Watson’s legacy coaching youth football and baseball. And Thomas Dooley’s untimely death inspired his father Tom to develop an anti-anxiety medicine that could help students with similar struggles to his son. In this issue, though, we introduce any of you who didn’t know him to Brayden Moore, whose charming smile inspired many even though he lived under three years. His bright presence lives on in the heat press designs his mom Jenna creates and in book carts at Children’s of Alabama, among many other ways. Be sure to read his family’s story on page 13. Speaking of legacies, we had to tell the story of VHHS Head Football Coach Buddy Anderson as he prepares to retire at the end of this fall’s season. You’re sure to be inspired by the ways he has developed character in decades of students who are quick to share many of the lessons they still remember from their years on Anderson’s winning teams. As for the rest of this issue, 2020 has been a heavy one, so we wanted to send plenty of pure feel-good tales your way. In our feature well, you’ll meet the “duck family” of Liberty Park and hear some of their stories of caring for animals of all kinds (as told by a talented 2020 VHHS graduate), as well as a hair stylist, Kisa Powell, who grew up as the child of deaf parents and now caters to the hearing impaired in her salon. Before you get to those page in the magazine, you’ll find happiness in a box full of locally made products and the pandemic pivot story behind them, as well as a home renovation story with pops of modern designs. Here’s to taking in these stories of the people doing inspiring things around us as we soak in the fall weather that should have arrived by the time this magazine in your hands! And feel free to send me story ideas for future issues any time.

madoline.markham@vestaviahillsmagazine.com

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 9

â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;? THE QUESTION

In the midst of the hardships of 2020, what has brought you the most joy? My daughter getting through a transplant surgery and how quarantine allowed us to focus on her healing and new learning curves of a type 3c diabetic. Alissa Meng Padgett

Vivid reminder of what is most important and lasting in life, and where my priorities need adjusting. Jason-Aren Williams

Gardening! We have (fruits and vegetables) and 16 types of herbs. We also planted a pollinator garden. I picked these flowers for a teacher. Kristen Collins Machen

Adopting Brinkley Boo, a rescue mixed breed that needed a forever home. Candy Hamilton Hacker

10 October/November 2020

Instead of my grandkids attending camps, I saw them almost daily. Amongst all the changes during the past months, their sweetness, love and goodness always shined. Sharon Sorrell McMichael

Watching all four of our kids (ages 4-14) become content with the simple things: riding bikes, taking walks, fishing, sprinklers and popsicles. Amy Pattillo

Driving through the neighborhoods and seeing children out playing and families sitting in giant circles with their neighbors having conversations. Bradley Gilbert

No need for makeup, jewelry, fixing hair or wearing wedges!

Missy Updike Lemons

THE GUIDE

CAHABA HEIGHTS OPEN HOUSE DATE TBD Shops of Cahaba Heights

Get a head start on holiday shopping when businesses stay open late throughout Cahaba Heights. Find more details on the event closer to the date on the “Shop Cahaba Heights” page on Facebook. VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 11

THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN OCT. 9-25

Virtual Heights Heroes 5K Run a 5K anywhere of your choosing to benefit Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights teachers, staff and students. Participants can run, walk, or crawl the race distance wherever they want during the race dates. You can also find their typical, sanctioned route on the signup website for anyone wanting to complete it. Register at runsignup.com.

OCT. 4 BHM 26.2 Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K & Fun Run Railroad Park OCT. 10 Running for the Bulls 5K & Fun Run Benefitting Bama Bully Rescue Red Mountain Park OCT. 10 Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run 5K & Fun Run Downtown Homewood OCT. 14-25 Shop Save & Share Shops Throughout Vestavia Hills & Birmingham ShopSaveandShare.net OCT. 16 Babypalooza Virtual Baby Expo babypalooza.com 10 a.m.-1 p.m. OCT. 18 Handmade Art Show + Pickinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the Park Homewood Central Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. OCT. 23-24 Buck Creek Festival Helena

SCHOOLS

50 YEARS STRONG Aug. 31, 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of when Vestavia Hills City Schools opened its doors for the first time. What started as two campuses and 2,500 students now has nine campuses and more than 7,100 students. To celebrate the school system will announce the inaugural class of the Educator Hall of Fame this fall that will be selected committee of stakeholders based on nominations that were received. 12 October/November 2020

OCT. 24 Paws for the Cause 5K Benefitting Shelby Humane Society Veterans Park, Hoover OCT. 24 BOO Run for Down Syndrome 10K, 5K & 1-mile Fun Run Red Mountain Park NOV. 2 Dia de los Muertos Pepper Place

THE GUIDE NOV. 7 Virtual Walk to End Epilepsy walktoendepilepsy.org/ birmingham NOV. 7-8 Moss Magic: Moss Rock Festival + Magic City Art Connection The Preserve, Hoover NOV. 11 National Veterans Day Parade Downtown Birmingham NOV. 14 A Southern Christmas Bazaar Pelham Civic Center 9 a.m.-4 p.m. NOV. 16-22 Market Noel Virtual Marketplace Benefitting the Junior League of Birmingham marketnoel.net

NOV. 20

Magical Marketplace Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church 9 A.M.-4 P.M. Already dreading what to buy that impossible-to-buy-for special someone in your life? Not to fear. Shop more than 80 vendors selling arts and crafts, baked goods, candles and scents, housewares, wooden items, toys, jewelry and more at this annual market. Find update on the event at vhumc.org or on the Magical Marketplace page on Facebook.

SCHOOLS

A SCHOOL YEAR LIKE NONE OTHER The Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation gave second largest donation in the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 24-year history.to support the school systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reopening efforts. All nine Vestavia Hills campuses will receive a portion of the $130,000 in grant funds for individual student supply kits for math,

music and art classes; face shields and resonance masks for students in speech and choral classes; disinfection supplies for band instruments; and screen recording software for Remote Learning Model instruction. Since its founding in 1996, the foundation has donated more than $1 million to Vestavia Hills schools.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 13

&CULTURE

ARTS

LIVE LIKE BRAYDEN

Heat-press designs are just one symbol bearer of a brave little boy's lasting impression on his family and countless others. BY LAUREN BROOKS PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 15

16 October/November 2020

Even though he only lived two and a half short years, frequent hospitalizations, but she rose to the occasion. Brayden Andrew Moore made quite an impact on those “He made me who I am,” she says. “As a mom, you have around him. From birth, Brayden charmed everyone to be strong.” Given the circumstances, some mothers might be he saw with his smile and passion for life. As his father, Andy, puts it, Brayden had an innate ability to make prone to be overly protective, but as Andy boasts, Jenna people smile and add joy to their lives, and he greeted wasn’t a helicopter mom and operated very differently. people with fist bumps and high fives. Employees in “She let him have freedom to interact with other people, every department of Publix and post office workers which gave him and them joy,” he says. As time and treatments went on, doctors found that knew him, and nurses would fight over who got to care restricted arteries were also affecting some of Brayden’s for him. So it’s no surprise that he was the inspiration for his other internal organs. This made his heart have to work mom, Jenna’s, line of heat-press children’s clothing harder, and he struggled consistently with high blood pressure. “He needed a designs. “Would he like this?’ marathon runner’s heart, not she’d ask herself. Jenna often a body builder’s,” Andy says. photographed Brayden “It was just one thing after wearing one of her creations another.” and would post it to her Jenna and Andy say they Instagram account, which were blown away by the helped launch her business. doctors and nurses at She loved the combination of Children’s of Alabama who being at home with her son became like family and loved while using her talents and and cared for Brayden as if he interacting with other moms were their own child. With and customers. that in mind, the idea to start When he was nine months raising money to help them be old, though, Brayden began Brayden Moore with a able to serve and help other having unexplained seizures. donation made in his honor families came to the couple After countless tests, scans, naturally. MRIs and appointments with The Moores began in a small way through a Facebook specialists, he was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, an extremely rare condition where the arteries leading fundraiser on Andy’s birthday. So many people got to the brain progressively narrow and blood flow to the involved that they raised more than $4,000 for the Brayden Andrew Moore Fund at Children’s of Alabama. brain is restricted. Brayden was a fighter and continued to meet They have designated that monies from the fund be developmental milestones despite having to have divided out among three departments that especially frequent hospitalizations and treatments. Amazingly, cared for Brayden: cardiology, nephrology and he took his first steps three days after major brain neurology. But despite the best care that medical professionals surgery. Jenna never imagined that she would have to give were able to offer, ultimately, the toll the disease took her son daily injections, constantly monitor on his heart proved to be too much, and Brayden passed medications, adhere to a regimented schedule and have away on October 29, 2019, at just 2½ years old. VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 17

All @jenna_moore_designs heat press designs have angel's wings in memory of Brayden on the back.

18 October/November 2020

In lieu of flowers, the Moores asked for donations to Children’s of Alabama and Moyamoya research. They were blown away by the generous response from family and friends. “After thinking through everything that happened, we realized God chose us to be Brayden’s parents, and we wanted to share his story and the impact he had on others,” Andy says. “We had spent months up at Children’s walking the halls and watching other children and families who don’t have the resources we have. So, we kept raising funds in his name for Children’s Hospital.” Family members and friends have helped the Moores celebrate and remember Brayden’s life in many ways. In April 2020, Jenna’s sister helped organize a 3-mile walk on what would’ve been Brayden’s third birthday. Martin Advertising, where Jenna used to work, organized a sponsorship for the fund as part of the BHAM 26.2 race series benefitting Children’s. Other friends thought outside the box with a tangible way to touch other patients at Children’s in Brayden’s honor. In July, they surprised the Moores by donating book carts to be set up at Children’s of Alabama and filled them with new copies of Brayden’s favorite books to give out to other patients (see more

details on that in the sidebar on page 18). Then, in August this year Children’s helped the Moores sponsor a golf tournament at Greystone Golf & Country Club in honor of Brayden to benefit the hospital. At press time, more than $70,000 had been raised through it. "We've been blown away by our incredible support systems," Andy says. "And all of this even during a pandemic. The outpouring support from people we know and those we don't even know speaks volumes for how a 2½-year-old child can affect others in such a short amount of time." Brayden’s full name was Brayden Andrew Moore, so his friends and family often called him by his initials, BAM. But more than that, the Moores say BAM makes a statement about the effect their son had on others. They use #BAMStrong for fundraising, remembering their son, and just pressing on in life themselves. The Moores often remind themselves to “Live like BAM,” and it’s become a mantra for others too. In fact, a friend of Jenna’s designed a special logo of angel wings with a tiny heart and halo to represent Brayden and to remind others to live as joyfully as he did. Before long, those angel wings would find their way back to heat-press designs too. Jenna had put her

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BRAYDEN’S BOOKS Brayden Moore loved books and being read to by his parents, so in July friends and family surprised the Moores by starting an ongoing program called Brayden’s Books. Two carts filled with nearly 500 books now roll the halls at Children’s of Alabama, and children can keep titles off the cart. Jenna says their hope is to keep these carts replenished so that any child who comes through the hospital can have access to books and enjoy reading just as Brayden did. #BAMStrong is stamped inside each book’s cover as a reminder of Brayden’s legacy and story for any child or parent who reads the book. Many of them are Brayden’s favorites: All About Trucks, I Wish You More, The Moon Sees You and Me and The Pout Pout Fish. Any new children’s picture books can be donated to the carts. Children’s of Alabama can only accept new and unused children’s picture books that are shipped directly to the hospital. Books can be shipped to: Children’s of Alabama Foundation Attn: Grace Graffeo 1600 7th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 20 October/November 2020

design business on hold when Brayden passed away, but after a few months, Andy encouraged her to start back up. “At first, making kids’ clothes was the worst job for me even though I missed it,” Jenna says. “I decided to continue to do it because I needed the creative therapy for myself and also knew it could be another way we could raise funds for Children’s.” Today a portion of the proceeds from every one of Jenna’s sales goes to the fund at Children’s. “I’m not going to stop. If we can help one child or one family not have to struggle as much or have as much heartbreak, that’s what it’s all about,” she says. “I decided to re-engage and tie it all in with Brayden. I started this for fun, but it’s turned into more than just a side business—it’s a passion.” Even though it takes more time and effort, Jenna puts Brayden’s angel wings logo on the back of every T-shirt she sells as a reminder to herself and others. Customers often take photos of their children wearing Jenna’s designs and will send them to her. At first, seeing the images was painful for her, and even now when she works on a 3T shirt, the size Brayden would be wearing, she gets teary. But, in the end, the work brings her fulfillment and helps her keep going, and she loves seeing others enjoying her designs. In the midst of grieving, healing, fundraising and pressing forward, the Moores found out they are expecting their second child, a daughter who they plan to name Holland Bray, after her big brother and guardian angel. Jenna was surprised when she found out her due date: October 29, the day Brayden passed away. “This date symbolizes for us that we can be happy again,” Jenna says. “Although she will never be able or expected to fill the pieces of our hearts that are missing, she is already providing our hearts with love and we are so grateful to have her.” Find Jenna Moore Designs on @jenna_moore_designs on Instagram. You can donate to the Brayden Andrew Moore Fund at Children’s of Alabama at give.childrensal.org/ bamstrong or bam-strong-memorial.webnode.com. VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 21

ARTS & CULTURE

READ THIS BOOK

Pop Politics Recommendations from

Jennifer Sides English Literature Teacher

An election season can be emotionally taxing as we are bombarded daily with political messaging, arguments and mudslinging from both sides of the aisle. You might not want to read books about politics and government in this climate, and you might not have time to digest dusty, dense presidential biographies. Perhaps though, there is a way to honor the election cycle with some light-hearted books that remind us of the uniqueness of our republic without breaking our emotional ballot box. Here is a book flight I call “Pop Politics” that will spark your imagination and rekindle your love for the United States as we approach election day 2020.

Most Likely

By Sara Watson Four best friends traverse the difficult days and decisions of their senior year in high school, but one of these young ladies has a future she could never imagine—a home in the White House as the first female president of the United States. You will have to follow them all the way to the final pages of this young adult novel to find out who takes the Oath of Office.

You Never Forget Your First

By Alexis Cole Did George Washington really have wooden teeth? Find out the truth about the legend and many more in this quirky, engaging and fast paced look at our first president.

I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations

By Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers Sarah and Beth model for us how to have civil, wise and productive political discussions on their weekly podcast “Pantsuit Politics.” In this book they lay out how we can all practice this as we navigate difficult conversations with our family and friends.

Worst of Friends

By Suzanne Jurmain Two of our most beloved founding fathers were different in almost every aspect of their lives, yet they found common ground when it mattered most: the good of the nation. Never underestimate the power of a children’s book to teach us all a valuable lesson.

American Royals

By Katharine McGee What if President Washington chose to remain in office and the nation crowned him king of the United States? In this alternate history fiction, follow the lives of Washington’s children as they deal with the pageantry and publicity of being a royal family.

22 October/November 2020

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

REBEL WITH A CAUSE

Buddy Anderson has shaped the lives of nearly five decades of football players on and off the field. BY MARY ALAYNE B. LONG PHOTOS BY KAREN ASKINS VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 23

In January of 1972, three Vestavia Hills High School coaches decided to head off campus for a quick lunch. Sadly, it would be their last. As a truck traveling down Highway 31 lost its brakes and barreled through an intersection, those three lives were cut short in a tragic event that still shakes the entire community when it is mentioned. While the school was distraught, they had to carry on. One of the first things they did in their efforts to move forward was to hire Buddy Anderson as their head football coach. Coach Anderson had been taken on as a student teacher in December of 1971, and this was most certainly not the way he wanted to receive a promotion. Although he was still young, he was already a strong leader to step in as students and athletes struggled through the crisis though. Fast forward to 2020: Coach Anderson has been still setting a solid example and leading young men to victory on and off the field for nearly 50 years. Now he has plans to retire from coaching after this fall’s football season. That young newlywed who brought his bride to Vestavia Hills all those years ago has since raised three daughters, all graduates of VHHS, and is now grandfather to seven. He is quick to tell anyone who will listen that he was called by God to coach football on January 12, 1968. His father coached high school ball for 31 years, and it was not difficult to make the decision to follow in his footsteps. He studied both physical education and math at Samford University, and while he spent many years in the classroom, his heart has always been on the football field. That’s where he bonds with the players and really connects with them. In the spring of 1973, Coach Anderson and his wife, Linda, made their first trip to a National Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) conference. It wasn’t something they had planned to do, and they weren’t really sure how they would find a way to attend. At the last minute, things worked out, and that trip would lay the foundation for years of service through FCA. It’s also the place where Linda says she first felt God speak to her about football. “I know God called you to

24 October/November 2020

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 25

coach football, and this week he called me to be a coach’s wife,” she told her husband. Through the years Linda has been a school teacher, a stay-athome mother, a private tutor and worked for Alabama Public Television as well as in the ministry field. All that while being a loving coach’s wife— which is a job in itself—and she does it all with a big smile on her face. That first trip to FCA camp started a yearly tradition that lasted over 40 years until the camps ended. Coach Anderson says that those FCA camps helped to keep their marriage strong for decades, and it’s also where he got the idea to start an FCA group in his home. Since the early ‘70s, on Wednesday nights his house has been full of athletes who want to learn more about God. As we were writing this article, he was working on a socially distanced version, and there’s no doubt he will find a way to keep the tradition alive. Today eight coaches at VHHS are Anderson’s former players too. One of them, Jeff Segars, took over as the school’s athletic director in 2015 from

Anderson, who started in the role in 1981. When I asked Jeff to share a lesson he learned from him as a player, he said: “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. The lessons you learn in athletics last longer than the actual event itself.” Now as a coach, his biggest lesson from Anderson is: “The student is more important than the athlete. Continuing their education through athletics is a priority.” While his focus was always on the students, Coach Anderson saw many wins in his tenure too. In fact, he has the most wins of any high school football coach in the entire state of Alabama, and his 342-153 record speaks for itself. He and his father are also one of only two father-son pairs to be inducted into the Alabama High School Hall of Fame. And countless former players went on to be successful in college athletics. Some went on to the NFL, and former player David Jordan was a member of the 1986 Super Bowl winning New York Giants team. Beyond his players, Coach Anderson has had a

A CHAT WITH THE COACH What would you say to someone who is going into

What’s one good thing about high school athletics in

Coaching is a commitment to working with kids. It’s not

A lot of things are still the same and haven’t changed. Kids

coaching now?

2020?

just a job. Mine was a calling, and maybe somebody else

want to belong to something bigger than their self. They

is going into it for other reasons. But you’ve got to care

are looking for a group.

about the kids. What is one great lesson you’ve learned as a coach?

In the total scheme of things, relationships matter most.

What’s one bad thing about high school athletics in 2020?

We’ve become such an instant society. With technology

I’m competitive and I like to win, but relationships that last

our kids are exposed to so much. There are so many

a lifetime, and for eternity. That’s what really matters.

predators out there and it’s scary to me. Also, parents don’t need to make it all better all the time. Kids need to stand on their own two feet and learn how to be productive for themselves.

26 October/November 2020

strong and positive influence on other coaches through the years. Ryan Herring, head coach in Pierce County, Georgia, is another secondgeneration football coach whose dad became friends with Coach Anderson back in the early 1970s when they were both coaching in Birmingham. “They were alike in so many ways: both strong Christian men, both strong citizens in their communities and both coached over 40 years,” Ryan shares. “My dad was always my coaching mentor in life, and around 2007 I gained Buddy Anderson as another mentor. I called him a lot and visited him several times picking his brain for football advice. He never once put me off or was too busy to help a young coach. When my dad passed away, he was one of the first to call, and we talked for over an hour. He is definitely in a league of his own. I love Buddy Anderson. He is a real man.” Coach Anderson’s impact reaches far and wide throughout the community and across all sorts of professions. Everyone knows he’s an unbelievable coach, 1982 VHHS graduate Mitch Allen, will tell you. “I was fortunate to be a part of one of his state championship teams,” Mitch says. “But to me and the thousands of young men that got to play for him during his career, his biggest value was in the impact

Coach Buddy Anderson's wife, Linda, has walked by his side since he started coaching at VHHS in the early 1970s.

Featured Artist: Kimberly Paige

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VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 27

he had in our lives as husbands, fathers, Christian leaders, friends and really, just as people living in our communities. Everyone who knows Coach Anderson knows that this is why he did it, and what he cared about most—positively impacting the lives of everyone around him. He sure had a big impact on me and my life, and I am grateful for him.” 2010 graduate Austin Whitt speaks to a similar influence on his life. “Coach Anderson was such a great high school coach not only because of his coaching ability but because he cared more about the men he was ‘raising’ by coaching them,” he says. “At a time when you’re figuring out who and what you are as a boy, and in a sport that takes so much time, effort, sweat and constructive criticism, it was so beneficial to have a coach who understood his players. In any given day we were arguably with our coaches more than our parents, so it’s really important to have a coach you can see as a father figure.” My own son played for Coach Anderson and never missed a single one of those FCA meetings. I asked 28 October/November 2020

him to share a great lesson he’d learned from Coach that he carries with him still today. “Life is like football,” he told me. “It’s a game that teaches you lessons you can’t learn in a book. When you get knocked down, you get back up. When you get your nose bloodied, you get back up. When the breaks of the game go against us, we don’t let up, we go harder.” Finally, I asked Coach Anderson what led him to choose 2020 as his last to coach high school ball. He shared that when he finally decided to retire, he prayed about it a lot. A whole lot. “I probably would have closed it out last year, but it didn’t feel right with the way school ended,” he says. “Enough had happened already, and I didn’t want to add to everything by leaving my players. This year felt right. And I know God still has a plan for me, I just don’t know what all it will be yet.” I don’t know what that plan is either, but I know it is a great one. And I know that Buddy Anderson will carry on making a difference in the lives of young people.

&DRINK

FOOD

BUILT ON SCIENCE How the pandemic inspired event planner Barbara Kenyon to deliver happiness in a box. BY CHRISTIANA ROUSSEL PHOTOS BY MARY FEHR VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 29

The first thing you notice upon meeting Barbara Kenyon is her smile. Her easy smile looks effortless and that may be true but, she has also built a business upon the science of delivering happiness. As the owner of Happy Event Company, Barbara has more than two decades of conceiving, designing, creating and executing events—for brides, corporate get-togethers and gatherings of all sizes. By tapping into the body’s four key happiness drivers— dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins—she crafted joy-inducing events from Birmingham to London that tap at least one or more of those drivers. Just as we have always heard that we eat with our eyes before we taste our food, Barbara has found that we are capable of feeling happiness before even

30 October/November 2020

recognizing its source. Her smile is just one indicator of that ability to be in tune with those emotions. Her signature events draw on music, food, flowers, smells—signaling each of our five senses that we’re in a special place, experiencing something truly unique, thoughtful and intentional. But even before the pandemic hit earlier this year, Barbara’s spideysenses were telling her to be thinking about another, more individualized way to deliver happiness to customers. She wanted to be able to deliver happiness in smaller packages, to more recipients. When businesses ground to a halt or at least a crawl in early spring, Barbara reached out to local business owners and friends, asking them how they were experiencing this seismic shift. Many had surplus inventory of

Barbara Kenyon designs Happy City Boxes with local products from the Magic City.

items that were no longer being bought because of the shutdown and social-distancing measures. Her brain went into over-drive, trying to find a way to connect these products that she already knew brought so many people happiness, in a new delivery system. She struck upon the notion of the Happy City Box, and her idea grew legs. So she started filling brightly colored boxesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in her signature yellowâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with items from local retailers, ones that specifically tapped into connecting with one of those four emotional drivers, and with that she has been delivering happiness to a whole new crowd, while enabling many local businesses to continue operations. Boxes include items that immediately connect with your sense of smell

(candles and scented lip balms), touch (the softness of a new T-shirt), action (the act of preparing coffee), and connection (pre-stamped cards to be mailed and continue the ripple effect of this joy.) When so many people were in lockdown and feeling so isolated this spring, Happy City Boxes delivered connection and a window into a brighter place. Local real estate agents are sending Happy City Boxes to new homeowners, instantly tapping into the joy of their new purchase. A local recruiting firm that partners with Birmingham employers seeking to attract and retain high-level candidates has mailed or hand-delivered Happy City Boxes to new Birmingham hires. No matter who sends it, the contents of these boxes not only spark joy and release VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 31

WHO’S IN A HAPPY CITY BOX? While Barbara remains committed to supporting the local vendors she has been using to fill her Happy City Boxes, she is always on the lookout for new and unique ideas. At press time, these were some of the local makers she featured: Ashley Mac’s*

Hunter’s Cleaners

New York Butcher Shoppe*

The Happy Olive

Better Kombucha

Inverness Country Club

OHenry’s Coffees

The Trak Shak

Crestline Bagel*

Leaf & Petal*

OvenBird

Vulcan Apparel Company

Dakster Design

Magic City Organics

R&R Wine & Liquor

Wax & Tin Candles

Domicile Homewood

Magic City Woodworks

Shalla Wista Studio

Freedom Soap Company*

Manhattan South*

Sonthe’s Kitchen

32 October/November 2020

*Retailers with Vestavia Hills locations

endorphins (“A package? Just for me!?”) but are also teeming with useful products that will instantly connect recipients to small business owners all across the Magic City. The signature salted-chocolate granola from Crestline Bagel delivers both dopamine and serotonin in the form of chocolate and complex carbohydrates. Coffee from OHenry’s also delivers dopamine as well as oxytocin in the mere act of brewing something special. Cooking Bare Naked Noodle pasta can release serotonin. These acts become cyclical in nature as well. The sender feels joy in the act of gifting something special, retailers get excited moving product, and recipients most certainly feel excitement in an unexpected thoughtful delivery and by each product within. Since this spring, Barbara’s original Happy City Box has expanded to include an array of offerings, including one specifically for women or men, for a new baby girl or boy, as well as a golfer’s box. While no one can handdeliver a hole-in-one on your next golf outing, that new YETI Titleist tumbler can make you look pretty cool. Corporate customers who might have—in nonpandemic times—hosted large golfing events for clients or associates have found these boxes are a meaningful way to stay connected to participants, even if it is not in person. Other corporate clients are finding that they

Barbara, wearing her signature yellow color, holds one of her Happy City Boxes.

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Barbara's sons Rivers and Shields help her assemble boxes at their Cahaba Heights home.

34 October/November 2020

can work with Barbara to custom-create happinessinducing boxes for customers and clients alike. She loves being able to inspire that joy in purchasing local products to share the bliss these products induce. Her limited run Mother’s and Father’s Day boxes were huge hits with welcomed feedback from givers and receivers alike. One customer who received an original Happy City Box from his employer noted feeling a genuine sense of connection with his workplace and teammates, even though they were all working from home. He felt valued and safe in an otherwise scary few months. This employee was able to share the contents of his box with his family and tell them, “This is what it means to be a part of a team that values you. This is why Daddy does what he does and why he chooses to work for this company.” When you think about the present work climate today, could those emotions be any more valuable? We think not. Along the way, Barbara has been able to have this same experience in her own home too. When the pandemic first hit, this Cahaba Heights mom sat down with her two sons, Rivers (10) and Shields (7), to explain the changes they might be experiencing in the world around them. They had always known her

to be someone who produced large-scale events, and now she was going to be pivoting. She explained to them that this new business would continue to be an income stream while providing an authentic outlet for local businesses to sell the products that make them special here in the Magic City. The boys not only embraced the idea but wanted to pitch in. “They had their own ideas for what would go into a Happy City Box – gaming keyboards and whatnot,” Barbara says. “While we’re not producing a gaming box, I loved that they immediately got the idea of what we were doing and were engaged.” The boys have been great about pitching in as needed and are very adept at putting boxes together, Barbara adds. As for what the future holds for Happy Event Company and Happy City Boxes? Barbara will be the first to tell you she doesn’t see large gatherings happening again very soon, so she is grateful to have developed a way to still elicit smiles, both near and far. She is toying with the idea of creating Happy City Boxes in other cities but, for now, is content to just focus on making these the very best they can be—and relishing life with her boys in this corner of Birmingham she is so proud to call home. Learn more about ordering Happy City Boxes at happyeventco.com.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 35

FOOD & DRINK

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Rodney Jackson & Lyndsey Jackson Chick-fil-A Operator & Marketing Director PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

If you drove down Highway 31 after the COVID-19 quarantine began this spring, you probably noticed the Chick-fil-A drive-thru line was anything but short. In fact, the operator of the Vestavia Hills location told us that pre-pandemic they thought of themselves as a dine-in business with a drive-thru, and now they have discovered they are actually a drive-in with a dining room attached. To learn more about how they have pivoted this year, we chatted with that location’s operator Rodney Jackson and marketing director Lyndsey Jackson. What do you remember about the early days of COVID this spring and how you adjusted your operations? Rodney: It was scary for us and scary for everybody. Our first thought was we had to close, but our government officials saw people had to eat and then we had to adjust. We already knew how to move cars quickly though our drive-thru, but we had to ask, “How do we address more capacity than in the past? Do we have systems in place that are scalable?” If we were using two order takers before, we now use three or five. We did more refining afterward, asking how we can get better each day. There were daily debriefs after peak periods, and we would adjust to those. We are using three times more team members post-COVID than before COVID. Chick-fil-A corporately was also really proactive with us with new safety standards and what we needed to reemphasize that’s already in place. Lyndsey: Rodney was proactive about getting tents up and rotating team members to keep them out of the sun. We are having an employee appreciation team next week to thank them. 36 October/November 2020

How did all of this affect your sales numbers? Rodney: Initially we were down about 30 percent of sales. As people started to realize they can get out safely, then we saw our business continue to grow steadily to where now we are back to where we were pre-COVID and maybe more over our sales. Pre-COVID we were probably doing 60 percent of business in drive-thru, 15 percent was curbside or catering or third party delivery, and 25 percent was dining room. Post-COVID 85 percent of our business is drive-thru, 10 percent is curbside, and the other 5 percent is combination of third party and catering. It was a huge shift in the way we had to do business.

We feel like we are meeting needs, so there is no reason to add that layer of risk to our guests and to open our dining room. What are some new menu items or ones that most people might not know about? Lyndsey: We are introducing chocolate fudge brownies as regular menu item, and mocha cream cold brew will be in stores September through Nov. 4 or while supplies last. Keep a look out for mac & cheese we added a year ago. People who try our spicy items—the Spicy Chick-fil-A sandwich and our Spicy Southwest Salad—love them. And the chocolate chip cookie is the most underrated menu item.

What’s something about Chick-fil-A What is the current status of your dining that people might not know about? Lyndsey: The app has been critical in room as of late August? our success. In our store the app grew 30 Rodney: The kitchen has had to keep percent last year. You get rewarded, and more in stock. Our dining room has been a storage room because we have had issues we send treats randomly to let them know with supply chain like when people who we know their favorite menu item or drive trucks who get sick. Corporately we about new menu items. We encourage decided dining rooms are too big of a risk. people to try the app.

&STYLE

HOME

WICKFORD REDO

The Stevens family added all the more modern and midcentury accents to their ranch home in its renovation. BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 37

Exterior

When Sarah Stevens graduated from Samford University with an interior design degree, she knew she had a penchant for midcentury design, but she didn’t know just how it would play out in her home décor until she took each step that lay ahead. Nine years ago when she and her husband, Drew, were house hunting, though, they were drawn to one on Wickford Road that was built in 1957 and had a ranch style and spacious yard, and it just so happened to be down the street from where Drew lived in early childhood before moving to Tanglewood too. Over time the couple made gradual updates to the home, redoing a bathroom before their first child was born among other projects. After adding two daughters to their family, it was time for more space though. So when their across-the-street neighbors and good friends renovated their house and knew they were there to stay, the Stevenses decided to do the same. Sarah and Drew knew architect Joe Ellis from church and enlisted his expertise to add a modern flair to a renovation and addition to the home. Practically speaking, they knew they wanted to open up the kitchen to the dining room, add on a

38 October/November 2020

To add midcentury style to the front of the home, Sarah designed black double doors to fit the space and they added horizontal railings to create a unique, clean and timeless look. Architect Joe Ellis also suggested a cascading staircase to make the porch wider.

spacious master suite, and create both a screenedin porch and a garage in place of the existing carport. Joe also worked with them to incorporate angular modern design elements in the exterior and interior alike, and the Stevenses got creative with ways to incorporate brick and paneling from the original carport in the laundry room area just inside the garage. Inside they kept the color scheme simple with Benjamin Moore White Dove—the same color as the exterior—on all the walls except the girls’ bedrooms, which are Benjamin Moore Melted Ice Cream pink. The neutral walls provide a canvas for Sarah’s blend of modern furniture and antique family pieces as well as new light fixtures that add more pizzazz to each room. Out front the family added planters to add a pop of color and had the landscaping redone, and they had the garage doors matched to the stain on the railing and screened-in porch to help them blend in more. Two years ago they moved back into their freshly renovated home on Labor Day weekend— the same holiday weekend they’d moved in on seven years before—this time with a fresh touch of modern design they enjoy day in and day out today.

Entryway Sarah added a pop of modern flair with a gray patterned wallpaper, sunburst mirror and midcentury console just inside their front door. VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 39

Girl's Bathroom The original pink bathroom tile and tub in the home were actually fitting to keep for their two daughters who wanted pink rooms, but to update the space, the Stevenses replaced the vanity with new cabinets topped with cosmos white zen quartz and the flooring with penny tile. They picked the grey hue of the walls to match the grey specks in the tile.

Master Bathroom A two-story window adds a dramatic element to this new master bathroom behind the soaking tub. To mix things up, Sarah also selected a mixture of black hardware and gold hardware as well as an eternal Calacatta gold Silestone countertop for the space. 40 October/November 2020

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Girl’s Bedroom Sarah hung a set of floating bookshelves to hold her daughters’ favorite reads. Their bedrooms also feature twin beds that were Sarah’s great-grandparents (not pictured), one of many family pieces in the home that are sentimental to her.

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Living Room + Dining Room Back before the Stevenses bought this house, Sarah found a midcentury dining table and chairs at a thrift store at the beach for $200, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still one of her favorite pieces in their home. Behind them hang portraits of her daughters, each at age 5, by Barb Logel-Black. Sarah also likes to mix modern pieces like it with traditional family furniture like the china cabinet she got from her parents.

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42 October/November 2020

arcrealtyco.com

BEHIND THE SCENES Architect: Joe Ellis, Dwelling Architecture

Builder: C & E Real Estate and Construction Plumbing Fixtures & Hardware: Southern Bath & Kitchen Tile & Flooring: Issis & Sons, Wolbach Flooring Lighting: Inline Lighting Stone: Surface 1

Family Room The brick wall that can be seen in both the kitchen and the family room is original to the house, but the Stevenses had to remove stone to reveal the corner fireplace. On the family room side, they added ceramic fire balls and a floating cedar mantle, and on both sides they painted it Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray to brighten the space over its original reddish hue. Sarah painted the acrylic and gold leaf abstract that hangs above the fireplace herself, and framed acrylic and watercolor pieces by their daughters hang on the opposite wall (not pictured).

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 43

44 October/November 2020

DUCK TALES How the “duck family” of Liberty Park came to care for countless animals around them. By Sara Güven Photos by Mary Fehr VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 45

A large rabbit sits comfortably in the Loftin family’s front yard as the sun sets. It’s a beautiful twilight hour, and cicadas chirp serenely from the woods. But that’s nothing out of the ordinary for them. Ducks, geese, rabbits, tortoises, deer and more have all pleasantly relaxed near their home. The Loftins’ passion for animals is especially prevalent in what has come to be their defining role in the neighborhood: the “duck family” of Liberty Park. Stacy and Dave along with their older daughter Abigail and twins Ella and Will moved to their Liberty Park home seven years ago, and they quickly realized they were close to the pond on Lake Parkway—and the family of eight ducks that lived there at the time. Over time, the ducks all started coming to their yard every morning to eat. The family observed that the domesticated breed, Swedish black ducks, were quite terrible at raising offspring. “The female ducks would lay the eggs, but they wouldn’t sit on (the nest). They’d sit on it for a couple hours, then they’d get back in the pond,” Dave recalls.

Abigail particularly loved to watch the ducks. One day, about four years ago, she noticed a female duck coming out of the bushes. Following a prompt investigation, the family found a nest with 12 eggs. The female’s nest was dangerously situated across a busy road, so they decided to bring the eggs to their home. “Well, they’re not going to make it anyways,” Dave recalls thinking—so they decided to give it a shot. At first, they really didn’t know what to do with them. “A lot of people ask us, ‘How do you know so much about ducks?’ I’m like, ‘Well we don’t really know so much about ducks, but you can Google anything!’” Dave says with a laugh. So, armed with the knowledge of the internet, they set out to care for the animals. To make sure that they would develop properly, Stacy, who teaches at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, borrowed incubators from some science teacher friends. In the incubators, the eggs had to be turned at least twice a day, so the family incorporated it into their daily routine. Ella turned them in the morning, Will did

Dave and Will Loftin feed ducks at the pond by their Liberty Park home. The family also installed the duck house in the center of the pond.

Ducks are frequent visitors in the Loftin yard. Here Ella feeds them a form of food that's healthy for their duck friends.

48 October/November 2020

after school, and Abigail had the night shift. After a period of cautious care, the family came home on the day of the twins’ birthday party to find the ducks starting to hatch. “It was a school day the next day. I was like, ‘I am not missing out on this!’ so I took that whole incubator to school,” Stacy recalls. “My whole class sat like this the entire day,” she says as she mimics her students peering over the container, “and looked over the little window in the top to watch them be born.” Out of the original twelve, the family successfully hatched six healthy ducks. Sadly one did not make it, and the rest were not fertilized. “That’s pretty good for people that didn’t know what they were doing,” Dave says. “No clue,” Stacy follows up. At first, the ducks stayed in a small box with a heat lamp, but they nearly doubled in size every week. The family constructed a corral in their garage with a pen, complete with two baby pools, and after eight weeks, the ducks were almost at their full-grown size. “It felt like a really long time when you have to shovel their poo every day,” Stacy adds. But Ella objects: “It was fun!” There was no need for any other entertainment in that time. “We all just sat in tailgate chairs and looked at what the ducks were doing,” Stacy recalls. “We didn’t even watch television that entire summer.” The Loftins continually had to learn how to properly care for them. As ducks’ wings grow, they can start to grow outwards if they don’t have the exact balance of nutrients and proteins in their diet, a condition commonly known as “angel wings.” When one of the ducks exhibited this, the Loftins consulted with a veterinarian friend and of course Google. To treat it, they had to wrap athletic tape around the duck. “This was an operation. One person’s holding the duck, holding their wings down in the right position, and the other’s wrapping this wrap around the duck,” Dave describes. “It looked like a bowling pin with legs.” After a week though the duck in concern was totally fine. The Loftins even purchased, constructed and stained the floating duck house that currently sits in the pond. “We wanted them to lay their eggs in there so they would be safe. We know the turtles love it, but the ducks get on there every now and then!” Stacy says. Dave also expressed his thankfulness for the Liberty Park Homeowners Association for their support and allowing the duck house to be in the pond. “They were very nice to let us do that,” he says. Back to the duckling tale, at the ten week mark, the ducks were old enough to be released into the pond, having grown their complete set of feathers. The day of the release was no small affair. “It was really special for my students. We invited all my class to come down, and all of the dads from my class carried the big heavy house, and we were all carrying a duck down the street,” Stacy says. The transition to the pond was not smooth though. “When you first put the new ducks in water, they’re scared to death. You put them in and they want to get right out,” Dave says. At dinner that night, even after watching the ducks all day, Dave was still concerned about if they would make it through the night. He

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VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 49

Dave, Will, Abigail, Ella and Stacy Loftin—the "duck family" of Liberty Park—are all dedicated to the ducks who live near their home.

EVERYONE’S DUCKS The Loftins truly believe that the ducks are not just theirs, but a part of the Liberty Park community. They welcome anyone to come to their yard to say hi if the ducks are at the house. “We don’t mind if they come up here and visit them or feed them!” Stacey adds. The Loftins also often take healthier food down to the pond to share when they notice people feeding the ducks, as bread is actually unhealthy for the animals.

50 October/November 2020

as can be,” Stacy adds. “I’m holding the wing down and I just clip the hook, and pull it right out. It was fine,” Dave continues. Today the Loftins have taken care of so many animals that they have lost track, but their care has its limits. Once Dave was tagged in a Facebook post about an injured raccoon. “Look, I draw the line at ducks,” he says with a laugh. Three ducks that currently reside in the pond came about through Dave’s colleague. His family had been raising a flock of chickens for eggs, but the farm supply store had been completely out of chicks and they had come home with ducklings instead. The Loftins gave them advice and helped care for the ducks, and when the time was right, they came to live in the Liberty Park pond. Dave defended the newcomers against the territorial previous inhabitants via water gun for the first few days, but after that period of adjustment, they now get along comfortably. Not surprisingly given the back story, the Loftins admit that they’re attached to the ducks. Every time they drive past the pond, they automatically look and count to make sure everyone’s there. And could they ever move? “We’ve thought about (it) but we can’t,” Stacy says.

knew that the ducklings had to join “Daddy Duck,” as the family called the duck’s surviving parent, in order to adapt to the wilderness. So he went down to the pond and helped unite the ducklings with their parent with the help of a bucket of food. Daddy Duck was not too thrilled. “He went all around the pond, and they’re swimming in a line chasing him,” Dave says. Once the older duck finally got out, the ducklings followed suit and stayed with him as a flock from that point on. “I walked back to the house and said, ‘They’re going to be fine,’ and they were,” Dave recalls happily. As the story of the ducks spread around neighbors and Stacy’s students, the newly minted “duck family” started receiving all sorts of animal-related calls. One was about a goose with a fishing lure stuck in its wing. Facing viciously defensive adult geese, the family sneakily corralled the flock into a corner, and with the help of a large piece of netting, separated the parents from the goslings and captured the injured goose. Dave describes the anything but simple affair: “We throw this net over, and we catch the baby goose and bring it in the garage. The door’s open, I go and I get these pliers. Stacy’s holding it down, the geese are all out here throwing a fit.” “Oh, mad

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BETWEEN TWO W

Kis a Powell sp e aks out to bridge the de af and he aring c ommunitie s, as b oth a stylist and an advo c ate. By Aliza Baker | Photo s by Mary Fehr 52 October/November 2020

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com 53

Kisa Powell, who specializes in working with people who are hearing impaired, styles hair from her salon inside Salon Suites in the Vestavia Hills City Center.

54 October/November 2020

Kisa Powell’s vibrant green curls make it obvious she knows a thing or two about hair. Even as a child, she was on the school playground playing with the other children’s hair—an outlet for her fascination with curly and natural locks. It’s fitting that Kisa would go on to open her salon for natural and curly hair in the Vestavia Hills City Center, C.O.D.A. Curls, but her work extends far beyond keeping her clients’ hair happy and healthy. The significance of Kisa’s work is hinted at in the name of her salon. C.O.D.A. stands for “child of a deaf adult,” a title that she is proud to represent considering two of the 70,000 people who are deaf in Alabama happen to be her parents. “I could listen to music as loud as I wanted to growing up,” she jokes. “There are some definite perks.” As a kid in Center Point, she never considered her family dynamic out of the ordinary. “I didn’t know any different,” she says. “It was the norm for

me. Sign language is my first language, and I started signing at six months old.” Kisa became more aware of her unique experience with deafness when she started elementary school, and her curious peers would ask all sorts of questions. It also became apparent that she communicated differently than the other students, and she engaged in speech therapy from preschool to sixth grade. “I jumbled up my words while my sister talked like Elmer Fudd,” Kisa says with a laugh. “We always got the Ws and Rs switched up, which is something really common in children with deaf parents.” As Kisa knows all too well, being a C.O.D.A. is a big responsibility, but being the oldest child is even more so. Her parents brought her to doctor’s appointments and important meetings, and it was her job to be the interpreter. “I’m my parent’s voice,” she says proudly.

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Kisa learned sign language growing up as the child of two parents who are deaf.

As Kisa got older, she knew that she wanted to use her voice to advocate for the deaf community, but she wasn’t certain how to fit that into a career. Luckily, life had a way of working things out. In 2008 while she was attending high school in Gardendale, she decided she wanted to be an auto mechanic, but when she told her guidance counselor that, she was promptly shut down. “They told me that I was ‘too pretty’ to go into that sort of thing, so they put me into cosmetology 56 October/November 2020

school instead,” she says bluntly. Looking back, Kisa admits that she’s grateful for the redirection— even if they could’ve been more delicate about it. After receiving her cosmetology license in 2009, Kisa started working at Supercuts, but she quickly realized that the minimum wage salary wasn’t quite going to cut it (no pun intended) to pay for college. So she enlisted in the U.S. National Guard in 2010 and two years later was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

HOW TO BE AN

TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY Here is a list of ways that you can learn more and get involved. WRITE IT DOWN: Taking the time to write with pen

EDUCATE YOURSELF: You can visit the Alabama

and paper if it seems like someone canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear you seems

Institute for Deaf and Blind, located in downtown

simple, but it is a huge help to the deaf community.

Birmingham, or aidb.org to learn more about the

SIGN IT: Learning American Sign Language is one

of the greatest ways to become more involved in the

community and ways to get involved. SILENT DINNERS: The Alabama Institute for Deaf

at the AIDB Birmingham Regional Center in downtown

restaurants around Birmingham. Anyone, deaf or hearing,

Birmingham. The classes meet once per week for six to

is welcome to come and show their support. You can visit

eight weeks, but spots fill up fast! Call 205-328-3989 for

their Facebook page @AIDBBirmingham for updates about

more information.

upcoming dinners.

Tic

s fes s + tiv Fes al. t E co m ntr

7-8

and Blind hosts occasional ASL Silent Dinners at various

No Tas 20 ve tin 20 ke ts L m gT oc ge tT al @ ber ra he il $3 Co Br mm 1 0 |w e ew 30 ww mor er .m ativ os e ies sro Gla

deaf community. You can sign up to take ASL classes

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58 October/November 2020

Deployment wasn’t enough to get in the way of doing what she loves though. In Kandahar, she would give military haircuts to men and touch up roots for women. Though the base had stylists, convenience was always prioritized over style. Kisa made it her mission to fix the array of bad haircuts so that everyone could feel more confident in themselves. “In the National Guard, you don’t wear any makeup, and you don’t really do any form of self-care,” she says. “So it’s nice to have at least one day to take care of yourself and pamper.” Kisa’s time in Kandahar pushed her towards putting her passions into action to open a deaffriendly salon back in the U.S. knowing full well the challenges she’d face. “You have to get a list of items or services so that they can actually see it or read it,” she says. “If someone is in the waiting room, go and tap them on the shoulder. Stand in front of them and talk to them or use your phone or pen and paper. You really have to take the time to sit down with deaf clients.” The biggest obstacle in this line of work is potential miscommunication. It’s hard enough for

hearing people to convey to the stylist that they want that trendy haircut they saw on Pinterest the other day. “They don’t speak our language, so it’s just a challenge,” she says. So it’s no surprise there are very few deaffriendly or deaf-owned businesses in the beauty industry. “There are hair stylists for people in wheelchairs, for little people, but there’s not anything for deaf people,” she says. “When you go to hair shows or education in classes, there’s not even an option for deaf people to go to beauty school. There are no interpreters or grants that pays for that, and there is no program.” As far as she knows, C.O.D.A. Curls is the only deaf friendly salon in Alabama—or at least the only one that openly advertises it. Kisa’s goal is to create more accessibility in the beauty industry for people who are deaf, and she plans to do everything she can to do so drawing on her unique qualifications. “C.O.D.A.s are unique because we are in two worlds,” she says. “We don’t fully speak perfect sign language, but we also have our own little nuances.”

OUT & ABOUT

CAHABA HEIGHTS PARK GRAND OPENING

PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

A ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration was held at the newly renovated park behind Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights on Aug. 14. 1. Mercedes Kelly and Michael Fox 2. Vestavia Hills Police Officers 3. Chad Long and Family 4. The Varner Family

5. The Callighan, Stechman and Allen Families 6. Paul and John Paul Head 7. Marquita Self and Lee Reese 8. The Burnett Family 9. Ribbon Cutting 10. Jeff Downes, Paul Head, Kimberly Cook, Mayor Ashley Curry with his grandson Luke, and George Pierce and his grandchildren 11. The Jones Family

60 October/November 2020

OUT & ABOUT

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OUT & ABOUT

MUNICIPAL ELECTION PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

Voters came out to Mountaintop Community Church and other polling locations to vote for Vestavia Hills city council members on Aug. 25. 1. Tony Munden 2. David Morrison 3. Jame Threatt 4. Michael Fllint 5. The Isbell Family 6. Joseph Shilling 7. Cindy Bartlett 8. Tawanna Salters 9. The Sanders Family 10. The Traylor Family

The Heart Knows There Is Only One Right Choice

Compassionate veterinary care, boarding & grooming

1471 Montgomery Hwy VestaviaAnimalClinic.com Paid for by John & Melody Greene

62 October/November 2020

(205) 823-7485

OUT & ABOUT

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MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Vestavia Hills Magazine • 205.669.3131

Need appliance or air conditioner parts? How about a water filter for your refrigerator? We have it all at A-1 Appliance Parts! Call 1-800-841-0312 www.A-1Appliance. com Mechanic needed. Must have own tools and five years experience. Apply in person: 1105 7th St N, Clanton. Or call for appointment 205-755-4570

HIRING EXPERIENCED FULL CASE ORDER SELECTORS $19.03 per hour plus production $$$ incentives. Grocery order selection using electric pallet jacks & voice activated headsets. Great benefits including Blue Cross health & dental insurance & matching 401k. Preemployment drug test required. Apply Online: WWW. AGSOUTH.COM Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry. Positions 64 October/November 2020

In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walkin applications accepted. Clanton (205)280-0002. Pelham (205)4449774. Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $13.66/ hour. Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at www.bc.com $2000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area. Must have Class A CDL, good driving record, 1 yr verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-668-3316.

VestaviaHillsMagazine.com

Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com

inquiries only. Call 334-4090035 or apply on-line at www. Oxfordhealthcare. com

Operator •Shipping •Washer/Greaser •Calera •Alabaster Online: www. stellarstaffingllc.com Call:205-916-2860

Lancaster Place Apartments. Location, community & quality living in Calera, AL. 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments available. Call today for specials!! 205668-6871. Or visit hpilancasterplace. com

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Marble Valley Manor. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) •800-548-2546(T/ A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious

South Haven Health & Rehab NOW HIRING!!! •LPN’s & RN’s -$5,000 Sign-on Bonus for Full-Time shift •CNA’s Apply in person: 3141 Old Columbiana Rd Birmingham,AL -35266 Nursing assistant to care for high functioning quadriplegic home health patient in Jemison. Must have valid drivers license. Part-time. Call Mr. Wilbanks 205-9083333 NEED A JOB??? COME JOIN OUR TEAM OF GREAT PEOPLE!! Starting pay:$12hr-$14hr •General Labor •Heavy Equipment

Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectrical.com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205453-9327. FT 2nd Shift Security Guard needed for beautiful, gated community in No Shelby Co. Paid health insurance, $12hr, 3-11pm weekdays. Must have previous experience, gun permit & pistol. Qualified candidates should call Kim 9914654

MARKETPLACE have clean driving record/be 21/ pass background/ drug test. Training provided. Insurance/401K offered. M-F 7:004:30 + 1 Saturday/ month. Pay $13hr. Send resume to facsmith@charter.net

Servpro of Birmingham. We’re looking for quality people who want to work hard and make a difference. For this excellent career opportunity, email now! bmcrea@servproof birmingham.com

BIRMINGHAM AREA HEAT & FROST GROCERY STORE INSULATORS Burger King is MERCHANDISER LOCAL 78 now hiring. Please •$684 weekly Accepting apply online @ starting salary joinbkalabama.com applications •MUST be able for 4-year Service Tech, to travel at least Apprenticeship Inc. Heating & Air 3 nights per week Program. Conditioning AL •Use Plan-oApplications will Cert# 89282 Now Grams to reset be accepted merchandise in retail Hiring Full-Time Certified Technician Tuesdays only, grocery stores GENERAL LAWN 8:30am-2:00pm at •Must be physically •Minimum 5 CARE Specialist in 2653 Ruffner Road years experience large yards 2+ acres. fit and able to lift Birmingham, AL up to 60 lbs. •Store •Residential, Serving Chilton, 35210. 205-956Commercial and Coosa & many more locations within 2866 205-956Refrigeration 300 mile radius areas. Bi-weekly, 8101 etx.3 craig@ •Ipad Experience of Birmingham weekly or one-time insulators78.org •On-Call Rotation •Mileage services available. Applicants must Apply at: www. reimbursement •Flower Beds servicetechhvac.com be 18+, drug free, •Pine Straw •Mulch Great benefits have dependable including Blue Cross •Shrub Trimming transportation, ID & Western health & dental CALL NOW FOR International Gas & proof of age, high insurance, paid FALL SPECIALS! school diploma/ vacation & matching Cylinders, Inc SignCall Alex today for GED. Applicants will 401k. Apply Online: On-Bonus! Hiring details: 1-205-955be required to take SOLO & TEAM WWW.AGSOUTH. 3439 ~Military & math test & English CDL Drivers •2yrs COM Senior Discounts~ comprehension test. Exp•Pass D.O.T Physical/Background The Local 78 Joint Acceptance Loan Now hiring Apprenticeship & Check •Hazmat Company, Inc. RN's and LPN's Training Committee Endorsement Personal loans! Let throughout Apply Online: www. is registered us pay off your title Alabama! $250 with The State of drive4western.com loans! 224 Cahaba community referral Alabama Office EOE Valley Rd, Pelham bonus for RN's of Apprenticeship 205-663-5821 and LPN's. Sign-on and is an equal Experienced Bonuses available at Termite Technician opportunity select locations! For Come out of employer. or someone your comfort more information experienced in zone. Come please contact: route-service join our Crossfit Paige Gandolfi work and wants Family. Crossfit Call/text: 724-691to learn new Inferis. Individual 7474 pgandolfi@ profession. WorkUnlimited Monthly wexfordhealth.com vehicle/equipment Memeberships provided. Must $125. Couples drive straight-shift, Unlimited Monthly

Little Caesars Now Hiring Management & Crew Members. Calera, Greystone, & Chelsea Locations. To apply text "pizzacrew" to 85000.

Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedental assisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started! Popeyes Seeking friendly, motivated, dependable Crew Members. OPEN INTERVIEWS DAILY 2:00pm-5:00pm 3300 Pelham Parkway. Immediate Openings! Start work this week! Apply online: work4popeyes kitchen.com

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Membership $235. Active Military, Veteran, First Responder, Teacher & Student 15% Discount. Address: 993 Yeager Parkway. Pelham, AL 35124. Contact Us. Jonathan Luna 205-451-3095. Instagram: crossfit_ Inferis. Facebook: CrossFit Inferis

Home Instead Senior Care • CAREGiver / CNA Weekend Shifts Needed. Have you previously been a family caregiver? Do you want to make a difference in the life of a senior? Or do you simply have a special way of taking care of others? Expect to make a difference!! Requirements: 21 years of age, current drivers license, reliable transportation, lift, push, pull 25 pounds, clean criminal history & drug screen. Please apply at homeinstead.com/ bham

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MY VESTAVIA HILLS CINDY CHERRY

Help the Hills Coalition Co-Chair + Mom of Four

Sushi Time

Samurai Japan This is a weekly stop for us, whether just the family or dinner with friends. My absolute favorite is the Naruto Roll with spicy tuna. We love everyone there!

Buying Memories

Parisian In my life before children, I was a buyer at Parisian. This was my favorite job ever! One of the Parisian locations was in the Vestavia City Center, and you can still see where the junior department was behind the rounded windows that are now above the parking garage. I so miss Parisian and the traditional department store concept, as well as that fabulous customer service.

West Memories

Vestavia Hills Elementary West Auction Although my kids are no longer at West, this was such a fun night to visit with other West families, make lifelong friendships and support a wonderful school. One of my favorite items that I “won” was a pair of outdoor patio chairs that are still on my back deck—which happens to be one of my favorite hangout places to spend time with friends and family!

To Market

Gifts From A to Zebra Now that Parisian is closed, I am using those buying and marketing skills with my online company, Gifts From A to Zebra (giftsfromatozebra.com). This Vestavia-based online store specializes in trendy jewelry, accessories, gift ideas and stationery and sells this neoprene bag I am holding. Since I miss those trips to market, it gives me an excuse to go on buying trips!

For the Community

Help the Hills Coalition This wonderful coalition provides resources for the school system, community and parents to educate all on the dangers of alcohol and drugs, and we provide encouragement for keeping a healthy lifestyle. We are on Facebook and Twitter and have a website with a list of our Parent Awareness events.

66 October/November 2020

Fall is right around the corner

and now is the perfect time to purchase your next adventure. Fishing, hunting, or just enjoying the outdoors, Russell Marine is here for you. Fishing boats from Bass Cat, SeaArk, Key West and Crevalle Boats. Off-road vehicles from BRP Can-Am. We also offer Nautique, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Scarab, Supreme, Sea Ray, Bryant and personal watercraft from Sea-Doo.

Industry leader when it comes to ATVs and Side-by-Sides.

Longest operating bass boat builder in the industry.

View all of our inventory from the comfort of your home at RussellMarine.net or visit any one of our 6 locations. Financing is available. RUSSELL MARINE BOATING & OUTDOORS 256-397-1700 RIVER NORTH MARINA 256-397-1500 l THE RIDGE MARINA 256-397-1300 l SMITH LAKE 256-841-6365 KOWALIGA MARINA 256-397-1210 l REAL ISLAND MARINA 256-397-1200

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