vestavia voice march 2015

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By KATIE TURPEN It’s hard to ignore excavators knocking down buildings and bulldozers moving dirt on the central U.S. 31 corridor. Residents who have been hungry for growth can now physically see it happening. Over the next 18 months, Vestavia Hills will experience $125 million worth of construction. These projects include the new Sprouts Farm- ers Market with companion retail, new City Hall, America’s First Federal Credit Union and Patchwork Farms development. Once completed, City Manager Jeff Downes said the city anticipates an increase of more than $2 million in annual revenue. Volume 2 | Issue 11 | March 2015 facebook.com/vestaviavoice Sponsors...............A2 City .......................A5 Business ..............A8 Community ........A14 School House......B10 Sports ..................B14 Real Estate...........B16 Calendar ..............B17 INSIDE See page B2 See page A18 Community awards Countdown to camp Inside, find the Vestavia Voice’s guide to the best summer camps for kids. From art to sports to outdoor adventures, we break down area programs. Every community has a person and organization that stand out and make a difference. This issue includes a ballot for our cause and community member of the year. Cast your vote by March 10. C OMMUNITY M EMBER OF THE YEAR Referred for a reason. Proudly keeping homes cleaner and healthier since 1987 871-9338 www.MAIDS.com SPRING CLEAN. YOU’RE THINKING We think that SPRING CLEAN. YOU’RE THINKING SPRING CLEAN. YOU’RE THINKING AT EVERY CLEAN. AT EVERY CLEAN. AT EVERY CLEAN. Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830 Several members of the Vestavia Hills Garden Club stand in front of the Sibyl Temple. The group was formed in the 1940s and is responsible for maintaining the grounds around the temple with help from the city. Photo by Katie Turpen. City Manager Jeff Downes stands on the top floor of the new City Hall and surveys the progress of construction along the central U.S. 31 corridor. Photo by Katie Turpen. See CONSTRUCTION | page A23 See SYMBOL | page A23 By KATIE TURPEN Eight white columns welcome drivers home as they reach the top of the hill on U.S. 31 near Shades Crest Road. The Sibyl Temple stands where it is today thanks to one local garden club. Efforts are underway to make sure the landmark remains a proud symbol of Vestavia Hills. The Ala- bama Historical Commission recently awarded the city a $2,500 grant for improvements to the structure. Many residents may be unaware of its history, which dates back to 1925 when George Ward, former mayor of Birmingham, completed his home on the crest of Garden club shares Sibyl’s history Moving forward Construction projects totaling $125 million to fuel city development

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Page 1: Vestavia Voice March 2015

By KATIE TURPEN

It’s hard to ignore excavators knocking down buildings and bulldozers moving dirt on the central U.S. 31 corridor. Residents who have been hungry for growth can now physically see

it happening.Over the next 18 months, Vestavia Hills will

experience $125 million worth of construction. These projects include the new Sprouts Farm-ers Market with companion retail, new City Hall, America’s First Federal Credit Union and

Patchwork Farms development.Once completed, City Manager Jeff Downes

said the city anticipates an increase of more than $2 million in annual revenue.

Volume 2 | Issue 11 | March 2015

facebook.com/vestaviavoice

Sponsors...............A2

City .......................A5

Business ..............A8

Community ........A14

School House......B10

Sports ..................B14

Real Estate...........B16

Calendar ..............B17

INSIDE

See page B2

See page A18

Community awards

Countdown to camp

Inside, find the Vestavia Voice’s guide to the best summer camps for kids. From art to sports to outdoor adventures, we break down area programs.

Every community has a person and organization that stand out and make a difference. This issue includes a ballot for our cause and community member of the year. Cast your vote by March 10.

COMMUNITY

MEMBER

OF THE YEAR

COMMUNITY

CAUSEOF THE YEAR

Referred for a reason.

Proudly keeping homes cleaner and healthier since 1987

871-9338www.MAIDS.com

SPRING CLEAN.YOU’RE THINKING

We think thatSPRING CLEAN.YOU’RE THINKING SPRING CLEAN.YOU’RE THINKING

AT EVERY CLEAN.AT EVERY CLEAN.AT EVERY CLEAN.

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Several members of the Vestavia Hills Garden Club stand in front of the Sibyl Temple. The group was formed in the 1940s and is responsible for maintaining the grounds around the temple with help from the city. Photo by Katie Turpen.

City Manager Jeff Downes stands on the top floor of the new City Hall and surveys the progress of construction along the central U.S. 31 corridor. Photo by Katie Turpen.

See CONSTRUCTION | page A23

See SYMBOL | page A23

By KATIE TURPEN

Eight white columns welcome drivers home as they reach the top of the hill on U.S. 31 near Shades Crest Road. The Sibyl Temple stands where it is today thanks to one local garden club.

Efforts are underway to make sure the landmark remains a proud symbol of Vestavia Hills. The Ala-bama Historical Commission recently awarded the city a $2,500 grant for improvements to the structure.

Many residents may be unaware of its history, which dates back to 1925 when George Ward, former mayor of Birmingham, completed his home on the crest of

Garden club shares Sibyl’s history

Moving forward

Construction projects totaling $125 million to fuel city development

Page 2: Vestavia Voice March 2015

A2 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 3: Vestavia Voice March 2015

March 2015 • A3vestaviavoice.com

Page 4: Vestavia Voice March 2015

It is with sweet relief that I greet the month of March.

I’ve always found the first two months of the year excru-ciatingly boring and, accord-ingly, slow to pass. Shout out here to a certain “sunny” kin-dergarten class that allowed me to teach Junior Achieve-ment to them last month. Keeping the company of a classroom of inquisitive five year olds while breaking down the concepts of financial literacy, entrepreneurism and work readiness made for an amusing February indeed.

Even so, I’m beyond ready to march into this month of rapid change.

Bring it all on – the good (daffodil blooms, garage sales), the bad (erratic temperatures, anyone?) and yes, the ugly (bathing suit shopping, insert tears and gnashing of teeth here).

Even though “springing forward” on March 8 means I’ll likely be too body clock rocked to fully appreciate the first day of spring when it arrives on the 20th, at least it’ll be here. Along with my sudden urge to weed and mulch our home’s exterior, and to purge as much inte-rior “stuff” as my family will allow.

Stuff for stuff’s sake is suffocating. The older I become, the more strongly I feel that the “things” in our home ought to be there for a useful purpose. For me, it’s a beautiful sight indeed to see a charitable donation truck on our street, taking underutilized, awe-some things and providing the items to those who actually need them.

No sooner will have I purged vast amounts of distracting clutter from our

homestead than it will be time to dive deep into Holy Week. Without the fan-fare (or stress) of Advent, Lent is far and away the liturgical season when I grow the most on my faith journey. No matter how tired some may find the metaphori-cal references between the spring season and personal renewal, that message still resonates powerfully for me. It’s embod-ied perfectly in one of my favorite hymns (written by C. Michael Hawn): Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

A most beautiful, hopeful time of year is upon us.

As we march into this loveliest of sea-sons, may you find your spirit refreshed and renewed.

About Us

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden

Photo of the Month Please Support our SponsorsA Little Something (B18)Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (A17)Alabama Outdoors (B11) Alabama Power (A3)ARC Realty (A2)At Home Furnishings (A3)BAM Sports Grill (A10)Bar 31 (A8)Barganier & LeCroy Dentistry (B17) Batts’ Chimney Services (A14)Bedzzz Express (B20) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (B15) Birmingham Heart Clinic (A15)Birmingham Museum of Art (B5) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A11)Bistro V (B15) Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (B9) Cabinetry Refinishing & Restoration (A1)Case Remodeling (B17) Classic Gardens (B14) Conour Insurance Inc. (B16) Construx (A13)Cottontails Village (B13) Donatos (A7)Eye Do (B14) Eye See Optical (B11)Fancy Goods Variety (B19) Fi-Plan Partners (A13)flip-flops & what nots (A15)Granite Transformations (B13) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (A17, B16) Homewood Toy & Hobby (A12)Hoover Title Mart (A10)In Shape MD Wellnes Clinic (A2)Issis & Sons (A23)John Henley State Farm Insurance (B13) King Acura (B1) Monograms Plus (A14)Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware (A19)Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (B16) Pappas’ Grill (A14)Pars Gallery of Fine Oriental Rugs (A21)Planet Fitness (A21)Primrose School at Liberty Park (B8) RealtySouth Jana Hanna (A7)RealtySouth Marketing (A5)Red Mountain Theatre Company (B5) Remax Southern Homes - Becky Hicks (A11)Rocky Ridge Learning Center (A8)Royal Automotive (A24)Samford Summer Camp (B6) Sarver Orthodontics (B8) Stephanie Steinmetz DDS (B18) Tangles Hair Salon (B18) The Altamont School (B2) The clothes tree (A16)The Maids (A1)The Pit Crew (B8) The UPS Store - Cahaba Heights (A16)UAB Department of Psychiatry (B10)Uptown Nail Spa (B12) Vestavia Hills Lutheran Church (A9)Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (B7) Vestavia Sunoco and Tire Express (B12) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A12, A19, B9) Water Drainage Solutions (A9)Weigh To Wellness (A6)Whale of a Sale (A9)YMCA Camp Cosby (B3) YMCA of Greater Birmingham (B4)

Walden

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

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In February, KultureCity, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to families affected by autism, presented VHEW with two special sensory toys and a $500 donation to the school’s resource room. On hand for the presentation were VHEW special education teacher Kem Bennett, VHEW Principal Kim Hauser, Diane Zaragoza and Dr. Michele Kong. Photo by Katie Turpen.

A4 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 5: Vestavia Voice March 2015

As we move forward into March, Vestavia Hills is on the move.

Many of you have likely seen the activity in and around the site of the new City Hall. Across the street, the Ruby Tuesday and Pizza Hut buildings are coming down as we make way for Sprouts, which will start their excavation work shortly. Nearby, the old library is also down and America’s First Federal Credit Union is preparing their construction.

The new City Hall itself is progressing well too. As of this time, the project is on time and within budget. We anticipate completion by September.

Many of you have also been following the progress of the Library’s new parking lot. We have experienced a delay in moving a utility pole and the weather has not been very cooper-ative lately, but aside from those issues, we are hoping for a fi nish date by the end of March.

Out in the Cahaba Heights area, we are carrying forward with the new Zaxby’s, and Daniel Corporation is moving forward with the Patchwork Farms development; this includes the Aspire Rehab Facility, and three other offi ce buildings, including both retail and multi-family housing.

At this time I’d also like to update you on

Highway 31 paving. This is a project that ALDOT is moving forward on; they expect to start by the middle of March. With regard to city street paving, the City Council went ahead and approved $1.2 million in paving projects, which will encompass approximately 13 miles. Dunn Paving is about halfway through with this project.

Lastly, as we move closer to spring, I hope residents will notice the improved southern gateway entrance to the city, coming from Hoover. Workers have started there and we should be completed with it towards the end of March. In addition, we’ve hired a fi rm, Specialty Turf, to come in and handle fi eld maintenance inside the fences of all our ath-letic complexes. This includes working with the infi elds, fertilization of the outfi elds and overall grooming of the fi elds. You should see a big improvement in the overall appearance of our fi elds as a result.

Your Mayor,

Alberto C. “Butch” Zaragoza

City

Mayor’s Minute By Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza

Your Mayor,

Alberto C. “Butch” Zaragoza

City Manager Jeff Downes spoke at a recent meeting. Photo by Katie Turpen.

Vestavia Hills ranked as safest city in Alabama

By KATIE TURPEN

During a January City Council meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes announced that Vestavia Hills was recently ranked as the safest city to live in Alabama by Motovo Real Estate, a real estate research site.

Movoto Real Estate recently released their 2015 list of the safest places to live in Ala-bama based off of the recently updated 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Vestavia Hills placed fi rst on the list in a tie with Helena. According to Movoto’s article, Vestavia Hills had the lowest number of crimes per person in the state. For more information on Movoto’s list, click here.

“We are extremely proud of our police department,” said Downes, who recognized Lieutenant Brian Gilham during the meeting.

Also during the meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes gave an update on several ongoing

projects throughout the city of Vestavia Hills. Downes announced that three fi elds at Wald Park have received improvements and other fi elds in the city will be worked on soon.

“We are glad work has been done in ear-nest,” Downes said.

Downes also announced that erosion mea-sures have been put in place at the site of the future Sprouts Farmer’s Market on U.S. 31 and the trees are currently being planted at the city’s southern interchange.

Also during the meeting, the council: } Passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of radio equipment for the police and fi re departments.

} Gave conditional use for home occupation at 702 Hampden Place Circle.

} Changed the date of the regularly scheduled council meeting for May 25, 2015 to May 28, 2015 in observance of Memorial Day.

March 2015 • A5vestaviavoice.com

Page 6: Vestavia Voice March 2015

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Despite several recent reports and arrests for thefts from vehicles, Lt. Brian Gilham of the Vestavia Hills Police said the city’s car break-ins are actually lower than normal.

From Nov. 1 to Jan. 22, Gilham said there were 22 reported vehicle break-ins, a slight decrease from the same time period last year. There was no pattern of areas being hit, but Gilham said most of the thefts occurred during the day. Several took place in gym parking lots because of people leaving their purses or wallets in vehicles while exercising.

“Thieves are keenly aware of the practice and that these are potential target-rich envi-ronments,” Gilham said.

During the same time period, Moun-tain Brook experienced 20 car break-ins, Homewood experienced 36 and Hoover

experienced 115, including one in which a resident exchanged fire with the burglar. Hoover and Mountain Brook police have also said their city’s reported break-ins are not higher than normal, though Homewood is experiencing a surge.

While there has been speculation that these break-ins are the work of a local gang called Goons Taking Over (GTO), Gilham said the Vestavia Hills Police have no evidence link-ing the group to any of the crimes.

The Vestavia police have made one arrest in conjunction with the break-ins. Gilham said residents should be careful with their valuable items and noted that most of the crimes could have been prevented if vehicle owners locked their doors and removed or concealed any valuables.

To report suspicious activity, call the Vestavia Hills Police at 823-1153.

Car break ins not on the rise, police say

By KATIE TURPEN

During the Feb. 9 meeting, the Vestavia Hills City Council adopted an ordinance accepting the Cahaba Heights Village Plan, which is an amendment to the 2008 Cahaba Heights Community Plan.

In early December, the city held a town hall meeting at Cahaba Heights United Meth-odist Church with more than 100 people in attendance. Discussion focused on develop-ment options for the commercial district sur-rounding Pump House Road, Cahaba Heights Road and Dolly Ridge Road. Input from the meeting was taken and categorized to form the Cahaba Heights Village Plan.

Opportunities include proposed Cahaba Heights Methodist Church redevelopment and a proposed civic center that would include a civic building and civic green. Connectivity, a longtime concern of local residents, is also addressed in the plan. Opportunities include extending Pipe Line Trail to The Summit and creating pedestrian connections to retail on Crosshaven Drive and Green Valley Road.

“This is an illustrious masterpiece of what could be and a guiding principal of what Cahaba Heights should be,” said City Man-ager Jeff Downes, adding that the plan will serve as a guide for the Planning and Zoning Commission moving forward.

UAB football player Timothy Alexander shared his personal journey with the City Council during the Feb. 9 meeting. Photo by Katie Turpen,.

Council passes UAB football resolution

By KATIE TURPEN

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the Vestavia Hills City Council passed a resolution urging the University of Alabama Board of Trustees and UAB president to reconsider the can-cellation of the UAB football program.

“This is not a resolution we have taken lightly,” said Mayor Butch Zaragoza. “UAB has a major impact on our city.”

The resolution states that several citizens of Vestavia Hills attend, have attended or work at UAB, and the mayor and the City Council believe in the values of the com-munity which athletics provide to the col-lege environment and experience.

The resolution asks the UA Board of Trustees and UAB president “to reconsider the discontinuation of the athletic programs that were recently canceled” and encour-ages them “to be more transparent in their decision making that not only affects the University, but the municipalities that sup-port athletics and academics at UAB.”

Several council members spoke about the importance of a governing body

showing transparency in decisions.“UAB is a public university with public

funds. It should be very clear what is going on,” said Councilman Steve Ammons. “This hits very close to home for me.”

Several UAB football players also addressed the council during the meeting. Percy Coleman, a 1997 VHHS graduate, spoke about his time playing for Buddy Anderson at VHHS and going on to play football at UAB.

“I know that my success has been related to football,” Coleman said. “I will always be a Vestavia Hills Rebel and a UAB Blazer at heart.”

UAB football player Timothy Alexander also shared his personal journey with the council.

“I was the only guy on the team that was paralyzed from the waist down. I just wanted to play football,” Alexander said. “I’ve talked to a lot of guys from the Vestavia Hills community. This is import-ant, and I wanted to come here and thank you all for what you are doing.”

Council adopts Cahaba Heights Village Plan

A6 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 7: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Vestavia Hills honored at Addiction Coalition Breakfast

By KATIE TURPEN

For its bold and honest approach to substance abuse in the community, Vestavia Hills has become an inspira-tion to communities across the state of Alabama.

On Thursday, Jan. 29, the Addiction Prevention Coalition hosted a “Wake Up” breakfast to a packed house at Vestavia Country Club. The event focused on the drug and alcohol cul-ture among local youth and how to better prevent substance abuse.

The Addiction Prevention Coalition is a grassroots organization that helps prevent substance abuse by fostering community collaborations, facili-tating student-led drug prevention programs and expanding access to ser-vices across Alabama. The coalition is planning to partner with Vestavia Hills High School in the coming year.

During the event, Addiction Pre-vention Coalition Executive Director Sandor Cheka presented the city of Vestavia Hills with the Community Impact Award, honoring the city for its efforts in fighting substance abuse.

“As we’ve watched this community, we’ve been inspired,” Cheka said. “What’s going on in Vestavia Hills is people being proactive together.”

During the breakfast, VHHS grad-uate Brad Blount shared his story of addiction and recovery. Blount was on his high school’s football, base-ball and wrestling teams. In 2008,

he began taking painkillers after a shoulder injury crushed his dream of playing college baseball.

Blount was in emotional and phys-ical pain, but when he took a Lortab he immediately felt a weight lifted. Eventually, Blount was taking pain pills every two to four hours and became all too good at hiding it from his family and friends.

“If I ever thought signs were notice-able I would do whatever I could to protect my addiction and cover it up,” Blount said. “There was a time when

I thought I would never take a sober breath again.”

Blount’s addiction to pain pills eventually led to heroin addiction. Heroin deaths are on the rise, accord-ing to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. Deputy Coroner Bill Yates reports there were 129 confirmed heroin deaths last year, compared to 58 in 2013.

Luckily, through the support of family and friends, Blount was able to overcome his addiction. He has now been clean for a year and a half and

is sharing his story with parents and students everywhere.

His advice for parents is to not let their emotions get the best of them when speaking with their children.

“You don’t need to say things like ‘I didn’t raise you this way.’ They already know that you didn’t raise them that way,” Blount said. “It’s important not to minimize what they are going through.”

Blount encouraged parents to regu-larly communicate with their children and to watch for suspicious behaviors

such as frequent unexplained disap-pearances, a drop in grades and loss of interest in activities.

“Don’t risk the life of your child by letting things slide,” said Blount. “You can’t alter a choice a child is going to make, but you can give them every reason possible to make the right decision.”

Upcoming Help the Hills event

On April 7 at 6 p.m. at Vestavia Hills United Method-ist Church, Help the Hills will host a session with parents and children. Dr. Stephen Taylor will be the speaker. For the past 19 years, Taylor has worked as a licensed, board-certified general, child/adolescent, and addiction psychiatrist. He is also certi-fied by the American Board of Addiction Medicine as a spe-cialist in addiction medicine.For more about the Addiction Prevention Coalition, visit addictionpreventioncoalition.org. For more about the Help the Hills initiative, visit lead-ershipvestaviahills.com.

Addiction Prevention Coalition Executive Director Sandor Cheka presented the city of Vestavia Hills with the Community Impact Award, honoring the city for its efforts in fighting substance abuse. Photo by Katie Turpen.

March 2015 • A7vestaviavoice.com

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Page 8: Vestavia Voice March 2015

280

31

18 S

tree

t S. Rosedale Dr

28th Ave S

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280

Lakeshore Dr

W Lakeshore Pkwy

149

Green Springs Hwy

W O

xmoo

r Rd

Oxmoor Rd

W Valley Ave

Valley Ave Oxmoor RdIndependence Dr

Montgomery

Hwy S

65 149

65

Columbiana Rd

Rocky Ridge Rd

459

Cahaba Heights Rd

Blue Lake Rd

Overton Rd

Alford Ave

Shades Crest Rd

Rock

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n Rd

Liberty Pkwy

459

Overton Rd

Vestavia Hills Business Happenings

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A8 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

The Best Meat

& Veggies in Vestavia

On Hwy 31 Across From Arby’s1485 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, Al

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Lunch Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm

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Page 9: Vestavia Voice March 2015

New OwnershipThe Ranch House, 2931 Columbiana Road, is under new ownership and

is now called Ranch House and Makarios Kabob & Grill. The restaurant features many of the same dishes that have been available for years while also offering Mediterranean dishes from Makarios Southside restaurant.979-6495

News and Accomplishments

Steel City Pops, 329 Summit Blvd., is now selling Cookie Pops, which feature

a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie or brownie frozen inside of a traditional pop. Flavors include Vanilla Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Brownie, Chocolate Brownie and Coffee Brownie.969-8770, steelcitypops.com

Hirings and Promotions

RealtySouth’s Over the Mountain-Acton Road offi ce, 2409 Acton Road,

Suite 137, has welcomed Steven Bailey as a new Realtor.978-9000, realtysouth.com

AnniversariesKwik Kopy Printing, 2017 Canyon Road, Suite 111, celebrated its 30th

anniversary in December. The shop offers multi-color printing, black-and-white and color copies, laminating and binding along with graphic design. It is owned by Jim Anderson.979-5247, kwikkopy.com

The UPS Store, 732 Montgomery Highway, celebrated its 15th anniversary

in December. The store offers packing and shipping, black-and-white and color copies, mailbox rental, notary and fax service, passport photos, offi ce supplies, laminating and binding. It is owned by Jim Anderson.978-0770, [email protected]

Fancy Goods Variety, 2512 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 102, celebrated

its third anniversary in February. The store carries a wide variety of gift items, toys, party supplies and more.978-1451, fancygoodsvariety.com

The Blue Willow, 3930 Crosshaven Drive, will have its 16th anniversary

on March 8. The store will host an anniversary

celebration on March 10 during normal business hours.968-0909, thebluewillow.com

ClosingsAlabama Psychiatric Services, with a location at 2868 Acton Road, has

closed all its clinics.968-8360, apsy.com

Now OpenLice Clinics of America is now open at 3118 Belwood Drive, Suite

102. LCA is a science-based lice removal clinic offering a variety of options for treatment.968-1239, lcabirmingham.com

Angela M. Hayes, a licensed counselor in Alabama and

a National Certifi ed Counselor, has opened an offi ce at 4268 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 122. She has worked with both children and adults and provides individual, family and group counseling.222-9574

Coming SoonThe Bar Method, 1072 Montgomery Highway, will

be opening soon. The exercise studio specializes in the bar exercising technique.barmethod.com

NobleBank & Trust plans to open its fi rst Birmingham-area branch

at 361 Summit Blvd., Suite 100, in mid-March.noblebank.com

Relocations and Renovations

The Cahaba Heights Winn-Dixie, 3925 Crosshaven Drive, has

completed a total renovation of its store.969-2307, winndixie.com

Banana Republic at The Summit has moved to a new location in

the shopping center between Chuy’s and The Cheesecake Factory. The store has a “revolution” design with a boulevard down the center and small, boutique-like rooms with their own themes. Trader Joe’s will move into Banana Republic’s former space between Belk and Barnes & Noble.298-0260, bananarepublic.com

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Page 10: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Chamber

By REBECCA WALDEN

Bespectacled, tall and inquisitive looking, Gary Warner exhibits every bit of the collegiate professor persona you’d expect. Less expected? The fact that he counts the FBI, the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security among his clients. He operates from a facility recently overhauled by Facebook — with funding they received from a summary judgment against cyber criminals, thanks to the advanced security work conducted by Warner and his malware analysis team.

During his Feb. 10 presentation at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Warner captivated the audience with several stories about how his team has engaged with national and international law enforcement to outfox

some of the world’s most aggressive and elu-sive cyber criminals. He also revealed some of the ethical dilemmas that arise in his work, one of which is the concern that through the courses he teaches on this subject at UAB, he may be training some who will go on to conduct cyber-crime themselves.

“This came up during an NSA event I attended, and I asked for guidance on it,” said Warner. “The gentleman I spoke to asked me how many American students I typically have in my class, which at that time was around 38. He then asked me how many international stu-dents I have, which averages around six. His final advice to me was to keep at it. At that rate, as long as I am training six times as many of us as I am them, particularly when the talent pool for this field is in such a deficit, I should keep

doing it.”Citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statis-

tics, which puts cyber IT security at a 490% manpower gap, Warner added that he’s actively looking for talented, highly engaged undergrad-uates, and in some cases high school students, interested in gaining exposure to the field via his lab this summer. He cited the pay at $800 per week, and encourages those who think they have the attributes and aptitude for this type of experiential summer learning experience to con-tact him at [email protected].

“Many of my students have gone on to work in this field within the government, at corpora-tions like Microsoft, and in finance,” he said.

Warner’s presentation concluded with numer-ous questions from the audience, not the least of which was personal protection. Specifically,

audience members showed concern about how to best protect themselves from the kinds of stealth spam and malware programs that oper-ate undetected.

Besides recommending a rock-solid backup program and a hybrid anti-malware combination of free and licensed software (he was clear that neither are 100 percent effective on their own), Warner was blunt.

“It’s what we’re working on in the lab right now,” he said. “One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was to tell a chief of police that he had to pay money to a Russian cyber criminal to get his files back.”

The Chamber’s monthly luncheon series will reconvene on Mar. 10 with guest speaker John Norris, an economist with Oakworth Capital.

Cyber security expert educates, entertains crowd at February Luncheon

2015-16 Chamber Chair Angie McEwen of Butler & Snow, Gary Warner, UAB Director of Research in Computer Forensics, Vestavia Hills Mayor Butch Zaragoza and Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Karen Odle.

Virginia Boliek of Dominic, Feld, Hyde, Cindy Lambert of Land Title Company and Lois Weinblatt of True North Business Development..

LeArden Pike of ELM Construction and Amanda Parker of Liberty Park Joint Venture. Photos by Rebecca Walden.

A10 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 11: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Leslie Self, daughter of Fancy Goods Variety owners Ed and Diane Clower, is busily preparing for the store to enter its fourth year of operation. 2015 highlights will include the store’s second ever Arts on the Plaza event, featuring unique goods from local artisans. Photo by Rebecca Walden.

By REBECCA WALDEN

Tanglewood resident Diane Clower longed to open a business all her own even though she was in a seemingly perfect job at the helm of Virginia College.

In February 2012, she, along with her husband, Ed, and daughter Leslie Self, made that a reality when they opened Fancy Goods Variety in Rocky Ridge Plaza.

“My mother thought that within this area, there was room to sell gifts, particularly toys and party favor-type supplies,” said Self, who manages day-to-day operations and is the face of the store for many of Fancy Good’s regulars.

The store boasts a large selection of Melissa and Doug items, kitchen towels, tote bags and inspirational gifts, including ornaments, crib crosses and stationery.

It also offers complimentary gift wrap and provides monogramming services with a four-day turnaround.

In-the-know parents have made Fancy Goods Variety a must for

custom-made party favor bags, which can be assembled with a unique and affordable array of items, and wrapped in coordinating party colors.

Self said the store’s wrapping materials, including their wide range of colored raffia and cellophane bags, in hard-to-find-elsewhere sizes are a steady staple for shoppers.

Clower also designs décor wire mesh bows per customer specifica-tions, which range in price from $10 to $50, and are available within a two to three day turnaround.

For Self, who spent two decades of her career working in real estate law, the retail setting is a refreshing change.

The store’s commitment to civic activities is a particular passion for her.

“During the 2014 Vestavia Hills Elementary East Halloween Carnival, we donated $500 worth of toys,” she said. “Leading up to Veteran’s Day, we also donated a portion of proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project, which supports Lakeshore Rehab’s programs for vets.”

Self plans to continue with other

A little bit of

everything

events in 2015. The mission is import-ant for Clower as well.

“Our customers are the best around,” she said. “We enjoy partic-ipating in community activities and seeking ways to enhance our contri-bution to Vestavia Hills and the sur-rounding communities.”

In its three-year existence, the store has evolved its inventory from small toys and party favors to include higher end items, including several lines of custom-made jewelry. Their most popular lines are Freshie & Zero out of Nashville, Belle Vita from Little

Rock, Arkansas, and Hoover’s own Majestees.

In addition to sourcing new ideas from her twice-annual trips to the Atlanta market, Self networks with area artisans to carry their items as well.

From this effort, Fancy Goods hosted its first-ever Arts on the Plaza in December 2014. The event featured a dozen local artisans and by Self’s account, was a huge success in terms of bringing new foot traffic to the shopping district.

Fancy Goods Variety is located in the Rocky Ridge Plaza Shopping

Center. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

For more information, call 978-1451.

Fancy Goods Variety978-14512512 Rocky Ridge Roadfancygoodsvariety.com

March 2015 • A11vestaviavoice.com

Page 12: Vestavia Voice March 2015

In 1956, Tommy and Betty Watkins opened the first Watkins Cleaners in Homewood and later added more locations in Vestavia Hills. Photo courtesy of Jane Sharp.

Taking the time to love

Celebrating the lives of Tommy and Betty Watkins

By KATIE TURPEN

For many residents, “Watkins Cleaners” is more than just the name of a familiar dry cleaner. It’s a name revealing a lasting legacy.

Tommy and Betty Watkins started the business in 1956 and have left a notable impact on the Vestavia Hills community they tirelessly served.

On Jan. 8, Betty Watkins passed away at age 84. She was born in Birmingham where she spent her entire life. She married high school sweetheart Tommy, who passed away in 2000 at age 70. The couple was married for 53 years and had five children, Mark, Steve, Johnny, Danny and Jane. They also had 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Tommy built the family’s home in 1958 on Frontier Drive in Vestavia Hills. Their daughter Jane and her husband, Jim Sharp, still live in the home today. In 1956, the couple opened the first Watkins Cleaners in Homewood and then added more locations in Vestavia Hills.

Jane recalls all the hard work and love that her

parents poured into the family business.“It was back in a time when small businesses

were truly respected,” said Betty’s daughter Jane. “It was truly a family effort to run the business.”

Jane also remembers sit-down family dinners and her parents taking the children and grand-children on trips across the United States in the family’s large RV. They would travel to places such as a Christian camp in Arkansas and her mother would do the cooking inside the RV.

Jane believes her father instilled in her a love of the outdoors.

“I always appreciated my mother letting me play with Dad,” said Jane. “We would go moun-tain biking and do other things outside.”

Betty and Tommy were both charter members of Liberty Church in Hoover as well Saint Marks United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills. Betty loved to play the piano, sing, dance and play poetry. She was also a member of the Birming-ham Civic Chorus and Sweet Adelines, a world-wide organization of women singers.

At her mother’s memorial service, Jane recalls

many women approaching her with memories.“She played such a vital role in women’s lives.

She had a passion for ministry.” Jane said. “She took time loving and praying for people.”

Jane credits her parents for her hard work ethic as well as serving as role models for a happy marriage.

“She let me know what a good marriage looks like,” Jane said. “I truly know what it is like to love someone more everyday.”

Jim, a longtime member of the Vestavia Hills City Council, remembers his mother-in-law

fondly. He now runs Sharp Cleaners, which he bought from Tommy and Betty.

“She always accepted me as her own son and made me feel comfortable,” Jim said.

At Betty’s service, the family passed out a book of poetry containing poems that Betty had written mostly in the middle of the night when inspiration struck her.

“Her service was truly a celebration of her life,” Jane said, recalling the crowded room. “What blessed me is just how many people remembered her.”

A12 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

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Spring for a new look

March 2015 • A13vestaviavoice.com

Page 14: Vestavia Voice March 2015

By KATIE TURPEN

State Rep. Jack Williams of House District 47, which covers the cities of Vestavia Hills and Hoover, has plans to introduce a bill in Montgomery that would restore UAB football.

Williams believes the bill would have a positive impact on Vestavia Hills and Hoover. He said he knows of multiple students from these areas who have gone on to play football at UAB, such as Vestavia Hills High School graduate Dan Burks, who even went on to the NFL.

“The UAB roster is littered with our kids from our over-the-mountain communities,” Williams said. “This has a direct impact on them.”

Furthermore, Williams said UAB’s growing enrollment plays a large role in the property value of surrounding real estate. He believes the removal of the football program would hinder economic development in the mid-town area.

“Reestablishing the program would be a very positive thing,” Wil-liams said. “We have the opportunity to do some healthy things for our community.”

Williams said legislative interven-tion in football has happened before, citing a resolution passed in 1948 asking the University of Alabama and Auburn University to resume play-ing each other in football after a feud ended the series.

“Heritage in our state is richer because they play each other,” he said.

Williams also plans to introduce two bills concerning the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. One bill would mandate annual training in Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) standards and compliance for any public univer-sity or college board member and would create a mechanism removing anyone from the board who does not follow the appropriate guidelines. The second bill would add members to the board.

“The board is very Tuscaloo-sa-centric right now,” Williams said. “We need to put enough voices on the board so that when issues are raised, there is fair representation.”

CommunityCollage Designer Consignment hosting fourth annual PromPalooza

Collage Designer Consignment will present PromPalooza on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m.-noon. All proceeds from the fourth annual prom gown charity event will go to My Sister’s Closet of the YWCA. This clothes closet is designed to assist women who are in need of career clothes for job interviews and new employment.

For many years, My Sister’s Closet has given away prom gowns to girls in need. They have now partnered with Collage by combining Col-lage’s annual gown event with MSC’s gown giveaway. While some girls will have vouchers for a free gown, anyone can come buy a prom

gown for just $20.15. Hundreds of gowns have been donated to MSC, and all the girls will be able to choose from a wide selection of gowns. The event is also sponsored by radio station 103.7 The Q. Last year’s event lasted four hours and brought in more than 1,000 people.

Collage Designer Consignment is located at the Vestavia City Center. For more informa-tion, visit ShopCollage.com or facebook.com/PromPaloozaVCC.

Collage owner Tracy True Dismukes can be contacted at [email protected].

PromPalooza 2015Saturday, March 79 a.m.-noonCollage Designer Consignment at the Vestavia City Center

Photo courtesy of Tracy True Dismukes.

State Rep. Jack Williams

Vestavia legislator to introduce bill mandating restoration of UAB football

A14 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 15: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Vestaiva residents attend Gala for cancer research

Dr. Larry Lemak was the honoree of the Fourth Annual James Bond Gala held at The Club on Feb 7. The event was hosted by ROAR (Regional Oncology Active Research), a club helping to eradicate cancer through UAB research.

Dr. Lemak shared how doctors at UAB cured his throat cancer and how the progress of oncol-ogy research helped in his cure. He also praised the patients who had previously been treated for his type of cancer that gave him their sup-port. Coach Pat Sullivan was a member of the distinguished host committee.

Others in attendance included Swaid Swaid, Charlie Tickle, Chris Gray, Keith Granger, Nick Sellers, Norman Tynes, Bruce Gordon, Mike Ross, Jabo Waggoner, Justin Kaplin, John Lemak, Charlie Waldrep, Brian Skelton, Gary Ivey, Jim Thompson, Scott Appell, Tracy Causey, Bruce Gordon, Justin Kaplan, Randy Lott, Amanda Martin and Nick Sellers.

Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Marilyn Waggoner and Dr. Larry Lemak. Photo

courtesy of Ann Bishop.

Mary T. Miller

Vestavia resident named PAA executive director

The Parkinson Association of Ala-bama (PAA) recently named Vestavia Hills resident Mary T. Miller as its executive director.

Miller is a 1999 graduate of Sam-ford University and has a degree in biology. She worked for 10 years for Cumberland School of Law, Sam-ford University, where she was the director of alumni. Her passion, skills and experience will help move PAA forward in research, fundraising and awareness.

In her free time, Miller enjoys run-ning and playing tennis, and she is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. She has been married to Bud Miller for 13 years, and they have two children. Win is in fourth grade at Vestavia Hills

Amanda Leblanc. Photo courtesy of The Style Network.

Vestavia business owner featured on The Steve Harvey Show

In January, The Steve Harvey Show featured Amanda LeBlanc, professional lifestyle organizer. She discussed organizational systems that save money, maximize time and lose weight with an organized kitchen.

“Organizing your home with systems that work for your is important to alleviate stress and function in your everyday life,” said LeBlanc. “The tips pro-vided on The Steve Harvey will help you to jump-start the New Year with a new you.”

LeBlanc is a professional organizer and designer with more than 12 years of experience organizing and 10 years owning her own organizing firm. She is a member of the National Association of Profes-sional Organizers. In 2012, LeBlanc’s business made its television debut on the Style Network in a reality show named after her business, The Amandas.

LeBlanc is a member of the Vestavia Hills Cham-ber of Commerce and is active in the community donating to Habitat for Humanity and local schools and organizations.

Elementary Central, and Ella Kate is in preschool at Covenant Presbyte-rian Day School.

March 2015 • A15vestaviavoice.com

Page 16: Vestavia Voice March 2015

VHHS senior and 2015 Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County Hannah Walter, a Cahaba Heights native, won the title with zero experience in such scholarship programs. Photo courtesy of Leigh Blackwell/Distinguished Young Women Program.

A leap of

faithVHHS senior refl ects on experience with Distinguished Young Women

By REBECCA WALDEN

It was just another rehearsal at Birmingham Ballet when a chance conversation sparked a desire in Hannah Walter she never knew she had --the desire to become the title holder in the Distinguished Young Women program.

“One of the girls I really looked up to at the studio, Gina Maiola, began talking about the program,” said Walter, who watched her friend eventually advance in the program to win Jeffer-son County in 2012.

In that moment, the seed was planted.It was then that Walter’s mother, Oeith Walter,

told her daughter of her own experience with the program, formerly known as America’s Junior Miss, as a teen growing up in Clarke County, Alabama.

“She opened up to me about her experience and what a great time she’d had in the program,” said Walter, adding that her mother won for over-all academics and was named second runner-up overall.

For Walter, enrolling in the program was

jumping headfi rst into an experience unlike anything she’d ever done before.

While Walter was comfortable commanding the stage as a dancer (this past December she per-formed as the Snow Queen and the Spanish solo-ist in Birmingham Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”), it did not come easily to be the center of attention when the focus was on verbal self-expression.

“Getting the chance to speak on stage with confi dence was great,” said Walter, who admits she stumbled during the self-expression por-tion, leading her to believe she’d lost her shot at the title. “Throughout the interview process I became more comfortable with myself and who I am. In the end, that translated not only on stage but also in the friendships I made with girls I never would have met otherwise.”

After being named the 2015 Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County, Walter went on to compete for the state title in Montgomery this past January.

While the outcome was not what she’d hoped, Walter still speaks highly of the experience.

“Hey, I can now do push-ups!” she said,

divulging one of her other reasons for entering the program. “I really wanted to win the fi tness preliminary. Going in, my family loved pick-ing on me, saying I couldn’t do so much as one push-up.”

To those young women who scoff at the notion of such a program, who feel that they are too shy or not talented enough or not pretty enough to compete, Walter offered this:

“This program is defi nitely for them,” she said. “It is all about who the girl truly is and how she showcases that to the community. There are no tiaras.”

In July, Walter will pass the torch to the new Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County before she heads down to Auburn, where she intends to major in microbiology and start a career in genetic counseling.

A16 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 17: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Thanks to the vision of two Vestavia mothers and the financial and volunteer support of more than a hundred local residents and business owners, Ascension Day School now has a completely overhauled playground. Photo by Laura Maddox.

Taking actionLocal residents give makeover to Ascension Day School playground

By REBECCA WALDEN

Last summer, as Ascension Episco-pal Kindergarten (AEK) moms Rachel Lowther and Dana Sheheane were walking together, their conversation turned to the school’s playground. Their eyes lingered on the once pris-tine playground equipment.

“Despite the playground’s won-derful space, the equipment was 25 years old and simply out of date,” she said. “Rachel and I felt like the play-ground needed to reflect the theme of the school, which is creative play. We are here, and we know it’s the great-est place ever, but we also wanted to be sure that people visiting the school from out of town would have a favor-able impression, and the existing playground needed to embody that as well.”

Not long after, Lowther and She-heane were in the office of the newly minted AEK director, Laura Maddox, pitching their idea.

By August 2014, the three had formed a playground committee, obtained support from the Episcopal Church of the Ascension’s Rev. Ste-phen Hood, and calculated final proj-ect costs, which totaled $20,000. To meet their deadline of having the play-ground ready by January, all funds had to be raised before Christmas 2014.

Fellow AEK mom Ivy Holmes drafted a campaign letter, issued in

October to everyone in the community with past or present ties to the school.

By the beginning of December, the committee had obtained not only its $20,000 requirement, but also several unexpected displays of community support.

“We had 114 individuals and local

businesses contribute,” said Maddox, adding that Rocky Ridge Hardware donated money as well as supplying paint and cleaning materials for the project. “[This is] thanks to the gen-erosity of AEK parents, grandparents, alumni, church members and area neighbors.”

Several employees of Mugshots Grill & Bar were among those who ended up using that paint, refurbishing the playground items that remained.

“They told us that this project is helping them as much as it helping us,” said Lowther. “For them, it is an opportunity for team building and to

give back through a community ser-vice project.”

Jimmy John’s, which had not yet opened, also stepped up to support the playground project.

“It was so sweet to see people so generous,” said Sheheane. “Let’s be honest. No one likes to ask for money. No one. And you know these busi-nesses are hit up all the time. Yet no one balked at all. There was genuine excitement about this project.”

As the installation took shape, AEK alumni also showed up to lend a helping hand. Kacey Venglik, whose children have long since aged out of the program, was among them; she worked tirelessly to paint the play-house that is a popular feature of the refurbished playground.

Maddox added that by late spring, the site will also have a covered sand-box, thanks to the chosen project of Eagle Scout candidate Reid Hodges. Hodges, who attends Briarwood, selected the site through his affilia-tion with troop leader and AEK church member Loring Jones.

“I came up here on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and saw five families up here enjoying the grounds,” said Sheheane, who lives nearby off of Canyon Road. “It is truly a neigh-borhood gathering place, and it was a neighbor-helping-neighbor effort to bring it up to date.”

March 2015 • A17vestaviavoice.com

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Page 18: Vestavia Voice March 2015

No

min

ees

Winners will be announced in our April issue with a feature story. The winning cause will also receive a cash prize donation. Nominee descriptions were submitted by community members.

After surviving the loss of their brother Paul the young age of 33, the Meyers family decided to honor his with the creation of the Paul Meyers Foundation. The foundation funds agencies and individuals that support medical treatment for underprivileged people, safety and rehabilitation to victims of human trafficking, and importance of early and continual screening for heart disease.Golf4paul.com

Julian Maha and his wife, Dr. Michele Kong, founded KultureCity in 2013 after their son Abram was diagnosed with autism at age two. Run from the couple’s Vestavia Hills home, the organization provides networking and resources for those affected by autism and has now reached hundreds of families across the world.KultureCity.org

Paul Meyers Foundation

Birmingham AMBUCS is a nonprofit organi-zation that donates custom-made bicycles and tricycles to children with disabilities. Each bike is specifically made to fit each child’s disability. The organization, which moved to Vestavia Hills in 2010, also conducts regular bike fairs around the area to train therapists to help children use the bikes. Birminghamambucs.org

Cooking with Cancer, located on Laurel Road, was founded by Vestavia Hills oncologist Dr. Luis Pineda. Pineda researches and develops beneficial recipes for cancer patients as well as their families, friends and caregivers. He has compiled well researched recipes into a Cook-ing with Cancer cookbook with a goal to give a free copy to every cancer patient who wants one.Cookingwithcancer.org

Birmingham AMBUCS

Magic City Nutcracker

Autism Society of Alabama

Trips for Kids Birmingham

The Magic City Nutcracker is a nonprofit, organization that uses local community talent to provide a holiday tradition for the city. The pro-duction is a result of the efforts of Vestavia Dance members Stephanie Thompson, Kelly Avery and Angel White. This past December, the organiza-tion hosted a Sugar Plum Fairy tea.Magiccitynutcracker.org

Located in Vestavia Hills, the Autism Society of Alabama collaborates with various state and local agencies to increase autism awareness in the community, schools, and in the medical and professional arenas. The organization promotes education and understanding to encourage the early diagnosis of autism.Autism-alabama.org

Founded by Tanglewood resident Doug Brown, Trips for Kids Birmingham loans bicy-cles and safety gear to children in the Birming-ham area and teaches them to ride trails at Oak Mountain State Park. Through the organization, students ages 10-15 from inner-city Birmingham are invited to join volunteers on the trails as a reward for improving their attendance records.Tripsforkidsbirmingham.org

Help the Hills

Reel Life International

Urban Purpose

Help the Hills was born out of two classes of Leadership Vestavia Hills to fight against drug and alcohol abuse among children. The organiza-tion’s goal is to foster open dialogue with parents, educators and community leaders by providing information, tips and strategies to help parents have those necessary conversations.Leadershipvestaviahills.com

Founded by local resident Michael O’Neal, Reel Life International endeavors to serve orphans and impoverished families by mobilizing people and resources for sustainable and empow-ering assistance initiatives. The work of Reel Life has grown to reach several countries, including Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Cuba, Haiti and Guatemala.Reel-life.org

Formed in 2010 by Vestavia Hills resident Jim McFarland, Urban Purpose provides food, cloth-ing, shelter, employment opportunities, drug and alcohol recovery to those in need in Birmingham. In addition, every Sunday afternoon the group travels downtown to serve a meal to anywhere from 40 to 120 people.Urbanpurpose.org

KultureCity

Cooking with Cancer

by M

arch

8

Vestavia Hills is full of people making a difference in our community, and we need

your help to give them the recognition they deserve.

Go online to cast your vote for Vestavia Voice’s

Cause of the Year.VOTE

vestaviavoice.com/award

C O M M U N I T Y

MEMBEROF THE YEAR

C O M M U N I T Y

CAUSEOF THE YEAR

A18 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 19: Vestavia Voice March 2015

March 2015 • A19vestaviavoice.com

Page 20: Vestavia Voice March 2015

No

min

ees

Winners will be announced in our April issue with a feature story. Nominee descriptions were submitted by community members.

President Elect of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation

Kristin is president elect of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation, education vice chair for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Vestavia Hills Beautifica-tion Board. She graduated from Vestavia Hills High School and Furman University.

Executive Director of Vestavia Hills City School Foundation

Ashley serves as the executive director of the Vestavia Hills City School Foundation. The nonprofit organization maintains an education endowment that provides grants and enables schools to have access to funds that go beyond the local, state and federal resources.

Kristin Tunnell

Community Volunteer

During the 2014 snowstorms, Local resident Kelly Garner helped stranded motorists stuck in the icy conditions on U.S. 31 and miraculously survived a fall down a 40-foot-deep ravine. He has since trained for several races around Birmingham and is writing a book about his experience tenta-tively titled The Night that Changed My Life.

President of Obligation, Inc.

Jim is president of Obligation, Inc. a child ad-vocacy organization that has worked national-ly to remove harmful advertising from public schools. He also successfully campaigned for a change in Alabama’s ethics law that ended the practice of public officials receiving free Iron Bowl ticket.

Kelly Garner

Tracy Thornton

Steve Ammons

Jack Williams

Group Fitness Coordinator at the Shades Valley YMCA

Tracy is a group fitness coordinator at the Shades Valley YMCA. Her hobbies and pas-sions include fitness, spreading awareness of Down Syndrome, supporting The Bell Center and Mercedes Marathon, and raising money for brain tumor research.

Vestavia Hills City Councilman

Steve is the president of Bullet Inc. an employ-ment screening service located in Vestavia Hills, and a member of the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board as well as the City Council. He is a coach for a Vestavia boys’ lacrosse team and is a parent to two Vestavia students.

District 47 State Representative

Jack served as president of the National Repub-lican County Officials and was a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. He helped to found the Southern Republican Ex-change, a conservative think tank dealing with state and local issues.

Joe Perez

Brandi Vickers

Julie Ellis

Owner of Wild Birds Unlimited

Joe Perez is a board member of Rotary Club of Vestavia Hills, trustee in the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and a graduate and former board member of Leadership Vestavia Hills. He is also an active member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Joe and his wife Bon-nie have lived in Vestavia Hills since 1982.

Community Volunteer

Brandi has three children who attend Vestavia City Schools. She leads several committees and helps to raise money for local schools. She vol-unteers fro PALS of the Library in the Forest, where she is heading the auction committee for Casino Night.

Director of Marketing and Business Development at Bridgeworth, LLC

Julie and her husband, John, have two boys. She is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Vestavia Hills. and is on the Board of Directors. Her class project evolved into Help the Hills – a program aimed at raising awareness of drug and alcohol use by young people.

Ashley Thompson

Jim Metrock

C O M M U N I T Y

MEMBEROF THE YEAR

C O M M U N I T Y

CAUSEOF THE YEARby

Mar

ch 8

VOTEVestavia Hills is full of people

making a difference in our community, and we need

your help to give them the recognition they deserve.

Go online to cast your vote for Vestavia Voice’s Community

Member of the Year.

vestaviavoice.com/award

A20• March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 21: Vestavia Voice March 2015

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Page 22: Vestavia Voice March 2015

32 4“Davenport’s Pizza on U.S. 31 across from Greenbriar.”Katherine McLean Taylor

“The old Sol Azteca at bottom of the hotel.” Ashley Bragan Brazelton

“The Amico gas station and Taco Bell off Morgan Drive.”Shannon Goff Flanagan

1“Growing up playing pinball at Mack’s Quick Sack.”Molly Spink Packard

“You know you live in Vestavia Hills when you remember...”

5

10

11 12

7 8 9

“Walking to Baskin Robbins (where Walgreens is now).”Kelley Smith Evers

“That the City Center use to have Parisians...Yieldings...Sears...Sneaky Pete’s. Then there was the strip mall where Western Supermarket was.” Alice Neville Krug

“You were one of the fi rst classes at VHHS and you have Vol. 1 of the Revielle but were only in the sixth grade. Grades 6-12 were in the same building.”Pam Cook

“Driving by Moe’s Original Bar B Que and you remember when it was a Taco Bell and there was a gas station in front where all the kids hung out in high school and you could buy Jolt Cola.”Taylor Hill

“That the Vestavia Hills Library used to be in the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, across the street from where it is now.”Rachel Flowers Harwell

“There were actually two different drive-ins on U.S. 31. One where the Red Lobster is and the other one adjacent to the bowling alley.”Vicki Oliver

“Friday concessions at PMS included sheet ice. Big B Drug’s was the local drugstore. Showbiz was the best place for parties.”Valerie Guthrie

6“There use to be a Burger King about where the car wash ( by Honey Baked Ham) on U.S. 31.”Rachel Flowers Harwell

A22 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 23: Vestavia Voice March 2015

“It’s always been our economic development strategy that we need to get in the game,” he said. “When you start seeing heavy equipment moving earth, you can show that.”

Downes added that last year, the city had more than $700,000 in build-ing permits paid for new construc-tion. This year, with the $125 million worth of construction projects, the city anticipates close to a million dollars in additional building permits.

The new City Hall is expected to be complete by September 2015. Sprouts Farmers Market is set to be operating by the end of the first quarter of 2016, with companion retail in the develop-ment plans.

“When you look at where every-thing is going to happen, you realize it’s all happening there at the center, the commercial corridor of Vestavia Hills,” Downes said. “And with that comes the excitement that others have about development potential along that corridor as well.”

Developers have taken notice of Patchwork Farms, located off U.S. 280 between Cahaba River and Caldwell Mill Roads on the edge of the city. This past November, the City Coun-cil approved the Patchwork Farms Master Plan, which included pedes-trian-friendly development including a nature park and residential units.

Downes said that contracts have been signed with Daniel Corporation and site contractors to begin mass grading in preparation for develop-ment of the parcel around Life Time Fitness.

“Things are happening in all parts of the community,” Councilman John Henley said. “Our goal is to increase revenue coming in to the city.”

Although exciting, these projects

BL Harbert International, a privately owned construction company with roots in Vestavia Hills, is leading the City Hall project. Photo by Katie Turpen.

Shades Mountain. Ward’s home sat on 20 acres and was surrounded by gardens.

The Sibyl Temple was built as a gazebo in one of the gar-dens as a replica of the Temple of the Goddess Vesta in Tivoli, Italy.

When Ward passed away, his home fell into ruins. In 1958, Vestavia Hills Baptist Church bought the land to build its church, but the Sibyl Temple remained standing. In 1972, the Vestavia Hills Garden Club’s president, the late Barbara Spradling, met with the dea-cons of the church and offered to buy the Sibyl Temple.

The garden club wanted to preserve this landmark, and the task of moving the temple began. Between 1973 and 1974 the temple was dismantled from one location and moved piece by piece to its current home on Montgomery High-way and Shades Crest Road.

The Sibyl Temple has been the special project of the Garden Club since that time. In 1985, it was named a Historical Landmark by the Alabama His-torical Commission.

The Sibyl Temple Founda-tion was formed in 1992 with members of the garden club serving to help restore, main-tain and beautify the temple.

“The Sibyl Temple is the landmark of Vestavia Hills and a legacy for our community,” said Vestavia Hills Garden Club President Dawn Bendig.

In 2003, the foundation, in

partnership with the Vestavia Hills Garden Club, began a fundraising campaign to restore the temple. Using these funds, the temple was restored in 2004.

The foundation and garden club continued their fundrais-ing efforts in order to re-land-scape, expand the property and construct restrooms.

“We want the grounds to be gorgeous,” said Sibyl Temple Foundation President Celeste David. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of the Vestavia Hills community and support of donors.”

In September 2013, light-ing was installed to illumi-nate the temple blue as part of the Vestavia Hills Police Department’s Operation Blue Shield traffic fatality awareness initiative.

Through the years, it has been the site of wedding pro-posals, picnics and other com-munity events.

The Sibyl Temple Foun-dation is inviting residents to leave their mark around the landmark by purchasing one of the bricks that surround the temple. The bricks are 4-by-8 inches and are $75 each.

“It can be a memorial, honorary, wedding, whatever you want,” said garden club member Sarah White. “All money goes to support the Sibyl Temple.”

To purchase a brick, contact White at 823-0052.

CONSTRUCTIONCONTINUED from page A1

SYMBOLCONTINUED from page A1

haven’t happened without a few set-backs. Downes said with the construc-tion of Sprouts, some buffer areas have been disturbed. Landscape plans are in place to put those buffers back. Furthermore, the businesses along the edge of the entryway to the new City Hall have had to go through some pain of a realigned entryway.

“Whenever you have to grow, you have to shake the status quo a little bit,” Downes said. “As a city you have to be very sensitive to that, and as issues arise we have tried to address them.”

Downes said the growth will gen-erate revenues that can allow the city to start considering quality-of-life opportunities. The city is gearing up in efforts to improve Wald Park as well as sprucing up ballfields and

creating more trails. They are also in the process of exploring an internally run sidewalk expansion program to make the community more pedestrian friendly.

Other ongoing improvements include the southern gateway improve-ment project and expansion of the library lot, which is expected to be finished by the end of March. Zax-by’s in Cahaba Heights is expected to be complete by this summer, and the Winn-Dixie is already complete.

“A lot of these things could not have been done by themselves,” said Downes, citing development con-straints with the America’s First Fed-eral Credit Union and Sprouts sites. “This kind of construction is some-thing we haven’t seen in years. This is a proud moment.”

March 2015 • A23vestaviavoice.com

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SECTION BSchool House B10Sports B13Calendar B17

Crimson Tide baseball player Georgie Salem, who started all 61 games last season and has in fact started every game in his college career, has been working on his hitting in the offseason. Photo courtesy of UA Athletics.

Ex-Rebel Salem eager for Bama’s season

at the MetBy DAVID KNOX

University of Alabama center fielder Georgie Salem didn’t make an error last season. It will be crucial that the fleet and sure-handed Salem performs to that level this season as the Crimson Tide plays its 2015 home season in the expansive spaces of the Hoover Met outfield.

Salem, a Vestavia Hills High graduate, is look-ing forward to playing in front of home folks as Alabama’s on-campus stadium, Sewell-Thomas Stadium, undergoes a $42.6 million renovation and expansion. Alabama will play 30 games at the Met, including all of its SEC home games.

“I think it’s going to be a pretty cool expe-rience,” Salem said. “I grew up as a kid going to watch the Barons, and it always seemed like whoever played in that stadium was just a super-star. Kind of cool to have the opportunity to play there, in my hometown, and where I went as a kid to watch the pros play.”

Of course, it won’t quite be like playing on

campus, and no doubt student attendance won’t be what it would be at “The Joe.”

“I hope a lot of Vestavia, as well as the rest of the metro Birmingham crowd, comes to support Alabama,” Salem said. “Even if they’re not Ala-bama fans, if they’re Auburn fans, just to come out and watch some good baseball. We’ve got some good SEC teams rolling in there so there are going to be some fun games to watch.”

As beneficial as it is to Birmingham-area Tide fans to not have to make the trip down the inter-state to Tuscaloosa, it does create some logistical issues for the baseball team.

“Fifty-six road games,” Salem said wryly. “It’s definitely a challenge, but I think we’ve got a pretty good team that is groomed for success and can handle the situation.”

The Crimson Tide will bus up on Friday Fird-mornings for the three-game sets it plays against Southeastern Conference teams. The team will

See BASEBALL | page B8

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Page 26: Vestavia Voice March 2015

The Altamont School offers a variety of enriching and entertaining experiences for students each summer.

Summer programs are a great way for pro-spective families to learn about Altamont and current students to get ahead for the upcoming year.

High school students can take a variety of credit courses. Standard classes such as such as Geometry and Health are offered in addition to more unique subjects such as Speech, Lab Techniques, and Ancient and Medieval Cul-tures. Noncredit review classes in Algebra are also available.

Day camps for third through eighth-grad-ers offer grade-level appropriate enrichment. Among other offerings, fifth through eighth-grade students can register for a three-week afternoon course that teaches outdoor pho-tography as well as a week of dramatic study focused on Shakespeare.

For kids with athletic interests, a basketball camp is offered June 8-11 or June 22-25, and a soccer camp will run May 26-29. And for kids

Academics, sports and music enrichment at Altamont

Altamont School High School Credit Courses

Day Camps for Grades 3-8

Sports Camps

4801 Altamont Road South

June 1-July 10

altamontschool.org/summer

who prefer music, Band Camps offer fifth to eighth-graders an opportunity to learn to play an instrument, and sixth through eighth-graders who have completed a year of band wanting to improve their playing to the next level.

Whether a child participates in an academic or athletic experience, they will experience acceleration and enrichment at Altamont.

B2 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

As days turn warmer, it’s time to start thinking about summertime at last, and no summer is complete without a camp experience.

Whether your child likes to swim, dance, act, paint, play or learn, opportuni-ties abound in our area and beyond for daytime and overnight camps. Peruse our guide to learn more about which programs best fit your child’s personality, interest, age and availability.

No matter which you choose, it’s time to jump in for fun and adventure this summer!

Summer Camp GuideSpecial Advertising Section

Page 27: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Children always come back with a story to tell after their summer adven-ture at YMCA’s Camp Cosby. From zip lines to time on the lake, the camp offers something for everyone.

YMCA Camp Cosby offers a one-week, co-ed safe experience for kids ages 6-15 on the shores of Logan Martin Lake. The camp gives kids a chance to play hard, make new friends, and have the adventure of a lifetime in a safe, fun,

and structured environment. “My summer at Camp Cosby was so

much fun,” said one camper about the summer experience. “I jumped off the blob and got soaking wet, I got to ride the zip line and splash in the lake, and I made a ton of new friends.”

The camp’s 93rd season will open on Sunday, June 7, and camp gates will open at 3 p.m. Children can choose from eight week-long camp experiences. Each

camp week concludes at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The camp’s cost is $595 a week with a $50 discount for YMCA members. For 5 and 6 year olds, a three-day program called Buckaroos is offered. Its cost is $275 for YMCA members and $325 for nonmembers.

For registration information, email [email protected] or visit camp-cosby.org.

Embark on a summer adventure at Camp Cosby

Camp Dates:June 7-13, 14-20, 21-27, June 28-July 4, July 5-11, 12-18, 19-25, July 26- Aug 1

2290 Paul Bear Bryant RoadAlpine, Alabama256-268-2007campcosby.org

YMCA Camp Cosby

March 2015 • B3vestaviavoice.comSpecial Advertising SectionSummer Camp Guide

Page 28: Vestavia Voice March 2015

At the YMCA of Greater Birming-ham, children are invited to participate in a variety of summer day camps at each of nine YMCA locations. The YMCA believes that education is important for every child, and has com-bined learning and fun together for its summer programs.

Examples of specialty camps offered include Lego Camp, Drawing Camp, Photography Camp, Future Inventors Camp, Outdoor Adventure Camp, Super Hero Science Camp, Sports

Camp and Clowning Around Camp. The YMCA Hargis Retreat, located

on 200 scenic wooded acres complete with hiking trails, a pool, fields for games and lake, is an ideal backdrop for traditional camp activities. Day Camp activities at Hargis Retreat include swimming, archery, arts and crafts, chapel, canoeing, hiking, field games, fishing, rock climbing, inflat-able toys, mountain biking, outdoor survival and fishing. Weekly sessions are from May 26-Aug. 1. There will

also be open houses on site on March 29, April 11 and April 26 from 2-5 p.m. each day.

Register online for camps at ymcabham.org/summerdaycamp2015 or ymcabham.org/hargisretreat. Note that parents will still be required to complete all required paperwork when registering online. There is a $25 per child registration fee due at time of registration.

Enjoy fun all summer long with the Y

Camps will be offered at Hargis Retreat and the following YMCA locations:

Alabaster, Greystone, Hargis Retreat, Hoover, Northeast, Pelham, Shades Valley,

Trussville,Western Area, Youth Center

Visit ymcabham.org/summerdaycamp2015 for specific dates for each location.

YMCA of Greater Birmingham Summer Day Camps and Hargis Retreat

B4 • March 2015 Vestavia VoiceSpecial Advertising SectionSummer Camp Guide

Page 29: Vestavia Voice March 2015

For kids who feel like all the world’s a stage, Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Broadway Bootcamp provides the opportunity to hone singing, dancing and acting skills.

With five different levels, this camp is not just for the experienced actors. The Basic and Blast Bootcamps are non-auditioned. Basic Bootcamp is geared toward children age 4-6 for the development of their creative skills. Each week, students will use music, crafts, dance and drama to explore a different theme such as oceans, superheroes or fairytales. The other non-audition type camp is Blast Boot-camp, which teaches kids and teens age 7-18 all the basic skills of musical theatre through music, dance and acting.

Students can audition for the Recruit, Inter-mediate and Advanced Bootcamps on March 14 and 15. Recruits, age 7-18, will learn spe-cialized skills like improvisational comedy, jazz dance and choral singing. This camp focuses on enhancing the performance skills of all young artists. Intermediate Bootcamp is for students, age 9-15, who are ready to take their theatre training to the next level. Students

Play a part

Broadway Bootcamp June 1-19

Red Mountain Theatre Company

redmountaintheatre.org/broadway-

bootcamp.html

[email protected]

324-2424

will gain skills in intermediate dance steps and song interpretation.

Advanced Bootcamp is for students, age 13-18, who will focus on learning complex production numbers straight from the Broad-way stage. Students train for three weeks to become triple-threat performers, becoming experts in singing, dancing and acting. This elite camp is for those who want to be the best of the best.

Summer Art Camp is returning to the Bir-mingham Museum of Art.

The experience gives campers immediate access to the museum’s collection of original artworks from around the world and is sure to fill them with endless inspiration.

Camps are offered for two age groups. Young Artists camps are for rising second through sixth-graders and run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. It costs $250 for museum members or $300 for non-members for the weeklong program.

Students who have completed 5K and are entering first-grade can participate in Little Masters camp from 9 a.m.-noon. It costs $150 for museum members or $180 for non-mem-bers for the weeklong program.

After-care from 3-5:30 p.m. is also available for

Explore the museum at art camp

Summer Art CampBirmingham Museum of ArtYoung ArtistsJune 15-19 or 22-26July 6-10 or 13-17Little MastersJuly 20-24 or 27-31

campers for an additional $50 per child per week. For more information or to regis-

ter, call 254-2571 or visit artsbma.org/museum-studio.

March 2015 • B5vestaviavoice.comSpecial Advertising SectionSummer Camp Guide

Page 30: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Samford University 800 Lakeshore DriveVarious dates in June and Julysamford.edu/programs/summer-programs/

Adventures in the arts and more at Samford

When classes end for the summer, the fun begins at Samford University. The campus hosts a variety of learning experiences for students of all ages in June and July. From music to arts to medicine, there’s a place for everyone.

For a musical experience, there are options for any age. All Aboard for Music Camp teaches children ages 3-6 through movement, song, rhythm, instruments and performance. Piano and voice students in grades 1-12 can enhance their solo and ensemble performance, music history and theory knowledge through Adventures in Music Camp. Grades 7-12 can also further their performance abilities while increasing general knowledge of music in a Piano and Chamber Music Institute.

For the budding actor or actress, Imagine! offers a one-week (for grades K-5) and two-week (for grades 6-12) opportunity to plan, create and participate in a theatre production. The older stu-dents will perform in Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit by Jonathan Rand.

Young artists can join artist Carolyn Wass to explore expression through drawing, kiln-fired clay, acrylic and watercolor painting techniques, printmaking and paper marbling in Academy Art Summer Camp for grades 7-12.

There are also a variety of enriching options for high school students. A Summer Debate Insti-tute will emphasize 21st century debate skills for grades 9-12, and a Minority Youth Science

Academy offers college preparation and men-toring for students interested in science. Ani-mate, scheduled for June 29-July 3, offers an intergenerational workshop on worship and the arts for young artists and their mentors.

For juniors and seniors looking to explore future careers, a J.D. Calling program June 24-27 features a mock trial, analysis of legal case and advice about law school application; M.D. Calling features pre-medicine advis-ing, expert panels, networking; and Bulldog Pharmacy Camp allows them to participate in hands-on pharmacy science lab demon-strations and tour local health-care facilities. Those interested in literature can also engage in lively discussions about great books through the Great Ideas Summer Institute July 5-10 or 12-17, and for the math-minded, another insti-tute allows students to study mathematical and analytical methods used in modern finance.

B6 • March 2015 Vestavia VoiceSpecial Advertising SectionSummer Camp Guide

Page 31: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Summer of soccer, fun and development

Vestavia Hills Soccer Club Spring Break & Summer Camps Spring Break Camp: March 30-April 2Pre-Tryout Camps: May 12-14 & 26-28Summer Camps: July-AugustSicard Hollow Athletic Complex & Liberty Park Soccer Complexvestaviasoccer.com

At Vestavia Hills Soccer Club, coaches and staff want their players to learn more than soccer. “[We want them to] develop soccer skills including dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, crossing as well as an increase the player’s game and self-awareness as a person,” Coach Jason Woodall said.

Vestavia Hills Soccer Club is a nonprofit organization in Vestavia Hills established to promote soccer for children in age divisions 4-19. The club has offered soccer camps FOR OVER 15 YEARS focusing on personal devel-opment, soccer skills, and the individual player! Several camps offered at different skill levels give any player the chance to learn something new about soccer and life!

Spring Break Camp is offered March 30-April 2. Players age 4-14 at competitive and recreational levels will have a great time working on skills, playing small-sided games and having FUN over the break. Registration is

$100 before March 1 and $120 after March 1.The Got Skillz Summer Camps are the first

open summer camp of the season. Offered in two sessions throughout July, this camp is for players of all skill levels age 4-14. The camp will focus on building soccer skills and main-taining the soccer fun over the summer break. Come learn some great skills and tricks and and have fun this summer at Got Skillz! Reg-istration before June 5 is $135. Late registration is $150.

The soccer club’s Pre-Tryout Camps will take place May 12-14 and May 26-28. Players in the U9 to U18 age categories will get the best speed, agility, strength and coordination training with the help of SoccerFit. This camp will help players prepare for their tryouts for the club’s competitive play. Registration for this camp is $60.

The Keeper-Striker Camp will be held July 17-19 for competitive players age 9-19. The

soccer club’s executive director Rocky Harmon as well as guest coach Marine Cano will coach the camp! Coach Cano currently coaches at Soka University in California and previously coached at University of California at Irvine for 13 years. He is the 11th all-time winningest women’s coach in Division I history. Regis-tration before July 1 is $155. Late registration is $175.

The final camp offered in the summer season will be the University of Soccer Camp July 20-23. Players at levels U9 through U14 from all clubs are welcome to attend. College coaches from around the country along with Vestavia Soccer’s excellent full-time staff will be on hand. Each camper will receive a Univer-sity of Soccer jersey, participate in the popular World Cup Tournament each afternoon, and hear team talks after lunch with guest speakers and review sessions and more. The focus is on learning both the game of soccer and to learn

something about the self! Registration before June 20 is $225. Late registration is $250.

Players of all camps will have plenty of water breaks and snacks. Camps will have a low ratio of coaches to players and players will be split into small groups for training, increasing the level of fun. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the official sponsor for Vestavia Hills Soccer Club camps.

March 2015 •B7vestaviavoice.comSpecial Advertising SectionSummer Camp Guide

Page 32: Vestavia Voice March 2015

At Primrose Summer Adventure Club, imag-inations are launched farther than ever thought possible.

The camp organizers know what it takes to fuel a child’s natural curiosity about the world. That’s why they provide a fun, hands-on experience including engineering design chal-lenges, outdoor exploration, creative play and much more.

The Primrose Day Camp builds active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts. Camp-ers participate in fun activities that simultane-ously reinforce important skills such as reading and math, keeping them engaged and learning. Fun and learning go hand-in-hand. Campers play with ideas, build friendships and exercise their bodies and imaginations. With creative weekly themes and stimulating activities, Primrose campers engage in exciting lessons

Find an adventure in Liberty Park

Summer Adventure ClubPrimrose School at Liberty ParkMay 26-Aug. 7Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.1800 Urban Center Parkway Primroselibertypark.com969-8202

on a variety of topics. From music to math to sports, campers foster a love of learning.

Get ready. The countdown to excitement begins today. Call 969-8202 for a tour.

This summer, imaginations take ffl light.

Off Site Field Trips • Snacks & Lunch IncludedWeekly Fun Themes • Dates are Customizable

Experience the excitement of our Summer Adventure Club where imaginations are free to run wild. Get ready for engineering design challenges, discoveries, outdoor

exploration and more. It’s going to be one epic summer. Fun for ages 5 – 10.*

Learn more at PrimroseSummer.com.

Each Primrose School is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools is a trademark of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2015 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. *Ages for Summer

Adventure Club programs vary by location.

Primrose School at Liberty Park1800 Urban Center Pkwy | Vestavia Hills, AL 35242

205.969.8202 | PrimroseLibertyPark.com

SNEAK PEEK MARCH 30-APRIL 3 SPRING BREAK CAMP

B8 • March 2015 Vestavia VoiceSpecial Advertising SectionSummer Camp Guide

BASEBALL CONTINUED from page B1

stay in a hotel for the weekend before busing back down to Tuscaloosa after the Sunday afternoon game. For midweek games, the Tide will bus up and back the roughly 100-mile round trip.

The junior, who started all 61 games last season and has in fact started every game in his college career, has been working on his hitting in the offseason. Not that he was a slouch at the plate last season — he tied for the team lead in hits with 73 and batted .282 with a pair of home runs and 22 RBIs.

“I hit well, but there’s a lot more in the tank,” Salem said. “I’ve been really trying to dial my swing in where it needs to be, and also working a lot on base running and stealing bases. That’s been my priority.”

As for the defensive aspect, playing outfield at the Met brings its challenges.

“Taking bases away is a pretty big deal in the outfield,” Salem said. “If the ball gets by you it’s a triple for the most part and could turn into a home run, so taking proper angles to balls that are in the gaps and keeping the ball from getting to the fence is a pretty big deal.

“But we’ve got a very fast outfield so I’m not too worried about it. I think we’ll be in good shape.”

Page 33: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Role with itStudio’s

performance-rich repertoire keeps

ballerinas on point

By REBECCA WALDEN

Even after her 16th hour of weekly rehearsals, the norm for any junior or senior company dancer with the Bir-mingham Ballet, you’ll still find Pizitz eighth-grader Olivia Martin with an exhausted smile on her face.

“We put so much work into these rehearsals and shows because we love it,” she said. “It’s a huge part of our lives. I wouldn’t be me without dance.”

That passion permeated Martin’s two-role performance in the studio’s most recent production, Swan Lake, which wraps March 1 after a three-day run at the BJCC. And it’s already got her focused on training for her next performance — the Birmingham Ballet Spring Showcase.

Though this is only Martin’s first year with the studio’s senior company, the substantial stage performance time she’s already received is core to the culture of Birmingham Ballet, estab-lished in 1991 and directed by Cindy Free.

“The performance opportunities are wonderful here,” said VHHS sophomore Linnea Blakemore, who is in her eighth spring season with

the Birmingham Ballet. “And that includes the opportunity to gain solo-ist experience.”

It was Free’s philosophy that ini-tially attracted Blakemore to the studio.

“When my mom first met with

Cindy, one of the big questions she had concerned body type, and if the students must weigh in,” said Blake-more. “Cindy said, ‘No. We accept them for who they are. Body type doesn’t matter to me. They are danc-ers and artists, and that is what we are

trying to foster here.’”That atmosphere has clearly struck

a chord, with low turnover in the studio’s full-time student roster, an average season comprising three major performances, numerous ensemble and community outreach

performances, and a growing base of would-be community cast mem-bers participating in spring and fall auditions.

VHHS freshman and senior com-pany ballerina Kathleen McCrary said the supportive atmosphere has helped her further develop her technique.

“Sometimes you have your heart set on one role but that’s not the one you are given,” she said. “But the positiv-ity here is amazing, and the role you receive always ends up being a better role than you thought it would be. You are supported throughout, and that’s a good thing because we see each other more than we see our families!”

And like family, Free encourages her dancers inside and outside the studio.

Birmingham Ballet has had three of its dancers go on to become Jef-ferson County’s Distinguished Young Woman.

“As I’ve watched our seniors par-ticipate in the Distinguished Young Woman program, it’s been awesome to see the teachers work with them on their variations, and pushing each one of them to be better,” said Blakemore. “When we have to miss a rehearsal for the ACT, whenever we have any kind of major life event, they are just really invested in our lives and treat us as if we are their children.”

For more information about Bir-mingham Ballet’s Spring Showcase, May 2 at the BJCC, or to purchase tickets, visit birminghamballet.com.

Swan Lake, the most recent performance by the Birmingham Ballet, featured five dancers from Vestavia Hills. Pictured from left to right are Linnea Blakemore, Olivia Martin, Grace Ahnert, Kathleen McCrary and Haley Lockhart. Photo by Rebecca Walden.

March 2015 • B9vestaviavoice.com

Page 34: Vestavia Voice March 2015

School House

In January, students had the opportunity to enroll in four new courses in the career & tech-nical education department and 12 new courses in the Arts Department. Courses will be taught in the 2015-2016 school year.

The new career & technical education courses will provide students with instruction in soft-ware development, Java programming, college accounting, and management principles. The classes are targeted toward students who plan to pursue degrees in business, accounting, com-puter science, and technology, said Department Chair Deana Goodwine.

The new career and technical offerings join with the Arts Department, which recently received approval of a dozen new courses in visual and performing arts.

VHHS arts teachers led design and creation of the new classes, some of which carry unique

titles like “The Perfect Portrait” and “Let’s Get Crafty.” The idea is to teach art concepts in a more practical setting.

“We think these classes will appeal to a lot of kids,” Arts Department Chair Faith Lenhart said. “They’ll make projects like you see on Pinterest and teach art fundamentals and creative problem solving at the same time.”

Lenhart, who works directly with performing arts students, said elective classes like the new ones being offered this fall provide students with incen-tive to attend school every day.

“Attendance in my classes is almost always 100 percent,” she said. “These courses give them something to hold onto and be a part of. It gives them a sense of ownership and pride in what they do.”

-Submitted by Vestavia Hills City Schools

New elective courses at VHHS

As a reward for finishing a chemistry unit, students in LPMS teacher Nathan Baker’s science classes worked together to bake a variety of dishes. Photo courtesy of Linda Rummell.

Seventh grade students at Liberty Park Middle School in Vestavia Hills recently participated in a mock trial. The students were assigned this activ-ity as an introduction to argumentative writing. Students were given a case and then assigned to the defense, prosecution, or jury. The students spent both class time and out-of-class time pre-paring their cases with claims, evidence, rebut-tals, and opening and closing statements.

Each team, either the defense or the prosecu-tion, presented their case to a jury of students who had participated in their own jury prepara-tion to get them ready to take an unbiased look at the evidence. The jury then had to decide who presented the best claim with the strongest

support of evidence. Seventh grade English teachers Lindsay Corley and Leigh Mathews stated that this activity engaged students in argumentative writing outside just the normal essay paper.

In addition, the teachers said that the activity served as a great team-building exercise as stu-dents had to figure out how to put aside their dif-ferences and find common ground for the sake of their cases. Because of this assignment, Corley and Mathews believe that students will be better prepared to begin working on thesis statements and the argumentative writing process that will be introduced in class in the coming weeks.

-Submitted by Linda Rummell

Students make baking video

As a reward for finishing a chemistry unit, students in LPMS teacher Nathan Baker’s science classes worked together to bake a variety of dishes. The students applied measurements, chemical mix-tures and experienced thermodynamic transformations through the application of heat to these mixtures.

Some of the items that they cre-ated were bacon-wrapped cinnamon rolls, bacon-infused waffles with bacon syrup, chocolate cupcakes with

homemade peanut butter icing with a chocolate drizzle and a double-decker carrot cake with homemade cream cheese icing.

The students used the kitchen equip-ment at the school but brought ingredi-ents and other items that were needed to complete the assignment. They were graded on the video that they created while cooking and were judged on the taste of their dish.

LPMS students participate in mock trial

B10 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

Page 35: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Vestavia Hills High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Skills USA officers attended the Joint Leadership Development Conference at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in November. Students joined almost 8,000 students from across the state to plan for their future and to enhance their leadership skills. Among the guest speakers was Winston Groom, author of “Forrest Gump.” Groom challenged the students to contact him in five years with their success stories. Photo courtesy of Deana Goodwine.

VHHS students attend leadership conference

In January, Vestavia Hills Elementary Central students participated in the 2014-15 VHCS Spelling Bee. “Ancillary” was this year’s winning word, spelled correctly by Zeeshan (front row, second from left), who will represent Vestavia Hills in the upcoming county competition. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills City Schools.

VHEC hosts spelling bee

Kindergartners enrolled by April find a surprise on their mailboxes as VHEW’s PTO

builds excitement for incoming students. Photo courtesy of Alice Elmore.

Enrollment for VHEW kindergartners and new students now open

If your child will be entering kindergarten or attending Vestavia Hills Elementary West for the first time this fall, enrollment is now open. Kindergarteners must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2015.

You can enroll your child at VHEW’s school office, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day. If circumstances make it necessary for you to enroll your child on a Friday or beyond these designated hours, please call the school to make arrangements. VHEW is located at 1965 Merryvale Road behind the Board of Education. The school phone number is 402-5151.

A parent or legal guardian must bring the following items to the school in order to enroll

a student: } Blue Alabama immunization form } Proof of age to include but not limited to birth certificate, religious, hospital, or phy-sician’s documents showing date of birth; a baptismal certificate; an entry in a family Bible; an adoption record, an affidavit from a parent; previously verified school records, etc.

} Current and valid lease, warranty deed, set-tlement statement, mortgage statement, or current property tax notice

} A utility bill in your name for the current month showing your residence property address.

} One other item that ties you to the residence,

such as proof of residency from the county registrar of voters, a current vehicle regis-tration showing residence address, one other bill mailed to you at your residence address, or a canceled check in your name for the current month showing residence property address

} If legal custody of a child is split between two parents, you must attach a certified copy of the court order identifying each parent’s respective award of physical custody.

March 2015 • B11vestaviavoice.com

Page 36: Vestavia Voice March 2015

March adventuresVestavia City Schools students share their plans for Spring Break

B12 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

“I am probably going to Tennessee with all my cousins.” Ella, Liberty Park Middle School

“I will go to Texas to see my sister.” Alba, Liberty Park Middle School

“We are going to San Diego.”Matt, Liberty Park Middle School

“I will probably go to New York.”-Andrew, Liberty Park Middle School

“I plan to go to Florida and watch spring training baseball.”Aiden, Liberty Park Middle School

“I’ll go to the pool.” Mary Laslie Pike, Cahaba Heights Elementary School

Page 37: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Sports

The Liberty Park Middle School competitive cheerleading team composed of seventh and eighth graders advanced to the Nationals after clearing a State and Regional Qualifier. Nationals were held at the Wide World of Sports/ ESPN in Orlando, Florida. They advanced from the morning preliminary morning session to the evening finals and ended up placing 15th out of 28 teams. (Back row) Claire Sexton, Izzy Hicks, Julianna Perrigo, Raegan Goodreau, Coach Jenny Williams, Kalah Hester, Arlana Spencer and Julia Holmes. (Front row) Anna Crim, Madeline Dodd, Reagan Gwin, Katie McKenna, Madison Chatwood and Sydney Downes.

LPMS cheerleaders win state competition

LPMS launches bowling team

Liberty Park Middle School began a new tradition this year with the addi-tion of the LPMS bowling team. The Alabama High School Athletic Asso-ciation began recognizing bowling as a sport for the 2014-2015 school year, and LPMS was one of the first schools in the state to accept the challenge. The team had a successful season and participated in ten matches, Thomp-son’s Warrior Classic tournament and Vestavia’s Rebel Roll tournament.

The 2014-15 girls bowling team members are Mackenzie Abts, Gabby Blue, Taylor Brown, Suha Mohiuddin, Emma Robertson, Chloe Ruggiero and Zoe Woodrow.

The 2014 boys bowling team members are Evans Crane, Jeffrey Deneen, Hayden Green, Matthew Hardwick, JT Helms, Campbell Miller, Cameron Monistere and Phillip Zuccala. Photos courtesy of Jack Munger.

March 2015 • B13vestaviavoice.com

Page 38: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Just keep swimming Vestavia residents prepare for junior national meet

By JESSA PEASE

A swim season of hard work and dedication has paid off for two Vestavia residents as they prepare for the junior national meet in March.

Birmingham Swim League com-petitors Jason Hsu and Anna Moers will take their events to one of the top 25 meets in the country for swimmers 18 years and under. Athletes from all over the country will participate in the meet, but BSL coach Mike Davidson says his swimmers have a great shot at finals.

“It’s fun because where we are now, we’ve got a lot progress that can be made,” Davidson said. “For me it’s fun because I know we can get there. We can become a lot better and place a lot higher. To me it’s exciting because there’s really only one way to go, and that’s up.”

Leading the way is BSL’s break-out swimmer, Moers, who will be swimming the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Davidson also hopes to get the 17-year-old Vestavia Hills High School student a qualifying time for her 200 backstroke as well.

“Anna Moers has been just a break-out surprise,” Davidson said. “She has a senior national cut, but she got it too late. She’s just had one heck of a year.”

She swims an impressive 23.82 50

freestyle versus the 24.39 national cut, and her 100 back sits at 56.31 against the 57.99 qualifying time. Davidson describes her as a strong swimmer who’s comfortable with her events.

“This season I have dropped about four seconds in the 100 back, which

is a pretty substantial amount,” Moers said. “It’s become one of my best events, and last season it was nowhere near one of my best events.”

That’s probably why she’s most excited to compete in the 100 back-stroke at the competition.

“I feel very confident,” she said. “We’ve worked really hard this season and I just feel like all the hard work is going to pay off.”

Right there with her is fellow VHHS student Hsu. The 18-year-old swam at the Grand Prix Arena USA

Swimming event in Minnesota previ-ous to the national meet, which will be in Orlando March 17-21. Davidson said Hsu has a great shot of making the finals if they taper and rest him properly.

“He’s made this junior nationals meet in Orlando and he’s going off to college next year, so he’s working his tail off,” Davidson said.

Hsu will be swimming the 200 and the 100 butterfly and the 100 back-stroke. His 100 butterfly time sits at 51.99, which is only one-tenth of a second above the 51.89 qualifying time. He swims a 1:53.48 200 fly against the qualifying time of 1:54.89, and his 100 backstroke time of 53:48 is also tenths of a second from the 53.09 qualifying time. He will be swimming the 100 back and 100 fly as bonus events.

He said he feels comfortable and confident in his list of events. He’ll be swimming the 100, 200 and 500 free-style, along with the 100 butterfly. His 100 free time is at 46.80 against the 47.09 qualifying time, and his 200 sits at 1:39.29 versus the national quali-fying time of 1:43.09. Just as impres-sive are his times for the 500 free and the 100 fly. He swims a 4:28.66 500 free whereas the qualifying time is 4:39.59, and his 100 fly time is 50.51 versus the 51.89 qualifying time.

Anna Moers works on her kick at a recent practice before the state meet. Photo by Jessa Pease.

B14 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

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Page 39: Vestavia Voice March 2015

The Alabama Soccer Association recently named Vestavia Hills Soccer Club’s Frank Hernandez as their 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills Soccer Club.

Frank Hernandez named Volunteer of the Year

The Alabama Soccer Association recently named Vestavia Hills Soccer Club’s Frank Hernandez as their 2014 Volunteer of the Year.

From Soccerball (VHSC’s annual fund-raiser for financial assistance) to Liberty Cup Site Coordinator to Socctoberfest Volunteer, Hernandez is always first to help, first on site and always with a smile. We can only imag-ine what he brings to the table at his day job. We appreciate and know how lucky we are to know Hernandez, his family, and the great example he sets for all of us at Vestavia Hills Soccer Club.

Hernandez is truly a leader by example. Positive, outgoing, giving, caring, and the smartest hard worker we know. He is also a team manager for both his son and daugh-ter’s teams at Vestavia Hills Soccer Club. If you are a coach and lucky enough to have Frank, be ready to be pampered with cool towels in August, fruit by the foot and great organization.

The Alabama Soccer Association’s annual general meeting was held in January at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham |-Wynfrey Hotel.

-Submitted by Vestavia Hill Soccer Club

The VHHS volleyball team.

VHHS Volleyball finishes successful season

The VHHS Volleyball team had a record of 4-2 this past season and placed second in the area and top 16 in the state for Division 7A. Tryouts will be held May 4-7 from 3-6 p.m. The girls will need a physical, proof of insurance, and a concus-sion form in order to try out. Fundraisers include

Vestavia volleyball t-shirt and sweatshirt sales. T-shirts are $30.The team also holds a VHHS Volleyball Kid’s Camp in July.

For more information about the program, please contact at [email protected].

March 2015 • B15vestaviavoice.com

The Vestavia Lacrosse Organization hosted a Vestavia lacrosse family day in January. The day included a round robin tournament played by the Vestavia, Briarwood, John Carroll and Lower Alabama Lacrosse High School teams, and a youth “Shoot for the Loot” contest with the winner receiving a $250 gift card from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Pictured above is Vestavia’s Pete Turner facing off against the Lower Alabama Lacrosse’s Bayhawks. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Nance.

Vestavia Lacrosse hosts family day

Page 40: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Real Estate ListingsMLS # Zip Address Status Price

622474 35243 3513 Birchwood Lane New $565,000

622444 35243 2540 Dolly Ridge Road New $469,900

622277 35216 2624 Southbury Circle, 2624 New $104,900

622130 35216 3025 Panaridge Circle New $219,400

622114 35216 305 Vesclub Drive New $429,000

621984 35216 2933 Panorama Trail New $325,000

622081 35243 1808 Surrey Oaks Lane New $599,900

621962 35216 1729 Mountain Woods Circle New $299,900

621929 35216 2236 Sterling Ridge Circle New $289,000

621895 35216 613 Eastwood Place New $248,500

621854 35216 2036 Hulsey Place New $419,900

621818 35243 2625 Southminster Road New $399,900

3513 Birchwood Lane

Vestavia Hills

1808 Surrey Oaks Lane

Real estate listings provided by birminghamrealtors.com on Feb. 17.Agents and agency vary by property.

B16• March 2015 Vestavia Voice

SERVICE HOURS:MONDAY-FRIDAY 7AM-6PMSATURDAY 8AM-5PM(855) 878-2649

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From oil changes, alignments, and Alabama inspections tomajor repairs on your engine and drive train, our technicianswill take care of your car, truck or SUV like it was their own.

$25.00 OFFANY SERVICE OR REPAIR*Must spend over $50. Choose any service available in ourdealership. This exclusive offer not valid for insurance work,warranty, over the counter sales, other offers or service specials.Must be redeemed at one visit. Has no cash surrender value.Expires 4/15/15.

Page 41: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Calendar

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest1221 Montgomery Highway

978-0158

Kids

Mondays: Tween Scene. 3:30 p.m. Crafts, activities and volunteer opportunities.

Mondays: Maker Mondays. 6:30 p.m. Pick a station and create something amazing each week.

Tuesdays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Appropriate for toddlers with short stories, songs and lots of movement.

Tuesdays: PJ Story Time. 6:30 p.m. Come in your PJs and enjoy story time.

Wednesdays: Story Friends. 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs for preschool children ages 5 and younger.

Wednesdays: Skit-tory time. 3:30 p.m. Join Ms. Carol for skits, puppet shows and more. Designed for school-age children.

Thursdays: L.I.F.T. 9:30 a.m. Social play for preschoolers and their caregivers.

Thursdays: Book Babies. 9:30 a.m. birth-12 months, 10:30 a.m. 13-18 months. Story time for children and caregivers. Registration required.

March 13: Preschool Pals presents Doc McStuffins and Friends. 10:30 a.m. Bring

your favorite stuffed animal and visit Doc McStuffins.

March 17: Family Night with Magician Kevin Sanderson. 6 p.m. Magician Kevin Sanderson will astound with his special brand of magic. All ages.

March 28: Lego Wars. 11 a.m. Come build something based on this month’s theme and win a prize. All ages.

Teens

March 4: Filmmaking in the Forest. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Create short films for library events, for national competitions and for fun.

March 6: Open Gaming. 4-5:30 p.m. Enjoy the Wii, Xbox 360 and board games.

March 10: Otaku Time! 4-6 p.m. Read, discuss and exchange manga.

March 11: Writing Group. 4-5:30 p.m. Teens can build writing skills and provide feedback to one another.

March 13: Open Gaming. 4-5:30 p.m. Enjoy the Wii, Xbox 360 and board games.

March 17: Insurgent Release Party. 4-6

p.m. Celebrate the sequel to Divergent by discovering what faction you are in, eating themed snacks and enjoying a variety of activities.

March 18: Studio 1221. 4-5:30 p.m. Learn how to make belts and top hats with St. Patrick’s Day flair using duct tape.

March 20: Open Gaming. 4-5:30 p.m. Enjoy the Wii, Xbox 360 and board games.

March 21: Minecraft in the Forest. 1-3 p.m. Minecraft in the Forest returns with a St. Patrick’s Day twist.

March 24: Anime Night. 4-6 p.m. Watch anime with fellow otaku.

March 25: Writing Group. 4-5:30 p.m. Teens can build writing skills and provide feedback to one another.

March 27: Super Smash Bros. Tournament. 4-5:30 p.m. Fight to win a Gamestop gift card.

Adults

March 3: Lit Lunch Bunch Book Group. Noon-1:30 p.m. Will discuss Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast.

March 4: OLLI Presents: Legal Documents 101. 1:30-3 p.m. Attorney Jonathan Green covers everything you need to know about wills, power of attorney and other legal documents.

March 6: NeedleWorks. 1-2 p.m. Bring supplies and knit, cross-stitch or crochet.

March 10: Ms. Olivia’s Evening Reads. 6 p.m. Will discuss The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.

March 12: Cahaba Heights Book Group. 6:30-7:30 p.m. BAM Sports Grill. Will discuss Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal.

March 13: Adult Trivia Night: Game of Thrones. 7-9 p.m. How well do you know the world of Westeros? 21 and up.

March 21: Coen Brothers Movie Series: Inside Llewyn Davis. 3-5 p.m. Watch Coen movies and enjoy popcorn. 17 and up.

March 26: Friends of the Library: ABCs of Tea. 10-11:30 a.m. Learn categories, practices, rituals and history of tea from TeaTime magazine editor Lorna Reeves.

March 26: Greater Birmingham OLLI Social Events: Spring Beach Fling. 4-6 p.m. Celebrate Spring Break old-school style. Bring photos and mementos from spring breaks past.

March 2015 • B17vestaviavoice.com

Page 42: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Calendar

Vestavia Hills Events

March 6: Artists Incorporated First Friday Reception. 5:30 p.m. Artists Incorporated. Free. Visit artistsincorporated.com.

March 7: PromPalooza 2015. 9 a.m.-noon. Collage Designer Consignment. All proceeds will benefit My Sister’s Closet of the YWCA. Visit facebook.com/PromPaloozaVCC.

March 9: Vestavia Varsity Softball vs. Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m. Vestavia Hills High School Softball Complex. Visit vestavia.k12.al.us.

March 13-14: Vestavia Spring Softball Tournament. Vestavia Hills High School Softball Complex. Visit vestavia.k12.al.us.

March 17: Vestavia Varsity Baseball vs. Briarwood Christian School. 6:30 p.m. Sammy Dunn Baseball Complex, Vestavia Hills High School.

March 30-April 3: Vestavia Hills City Schools Spring Break. Visit vestavia.k12.al.us.

Vestavia Hills City Council513 Montgomery Highway

March 9: City Council Meeting. 5 p.m. Council Chamber Call 978-0131.

March 12: Planning & Zoning Commission. 6-7 p.m. Council Chamber. 978-0184.

March 17: Parks and Recreation Board.

7-8:30 a.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1973 Merryvale Road. Call 978-0166.

March 19: Board of Zoning Adjustment. 6-7 p.m. Council Chamber. Call 978-0184.

March 23: City Council Meeting. 5 p.m. Council Chamber Call 978-0131.

Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

1975 Merryvale Road823-5011

March 10: Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Vestavia Country Club. $18, $25 for late reservations. Reservations must be received by March 6.

March 11: ROI Professional Networking. 7:30-8:30 a.m. Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.

March 17: Business Development Committee Meeting. 8-9 a.m. Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Area EventsMarch 1-April 2: Cathedral Church of the Advent Lenten Lunch-es. Full service line 12:05-1 p.m. Express line 12:30-1 p.m. 2017 Sixth Ave. N., Downtown Birmingham. Lunches will be served weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday. Visit adventbirmingham.org.

March 2-April 3: Cathedral Church of the Advent Lenten Preaching Series. 12:05 p.m. Cathedral Church of the Advent. Series will feature preachers from all over the world. Visit adventbirmingham.org.

March 2- 4: Roller Derby Recruitment Workshop with the Tragic City Rollers. Monday 7-10 p.m., Wednesday 8-10 p.m. Free. Skates available for rental for $3. Visit tragiccityrollers.com.

B18 • March 2015 Vestavia Voice

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Page 43: Vestavia Voice March 2015

Cathedral Church of the Advent members Fontaine Pope, The Rev. Canon Deborah R. Leighton, Lynn Cassady, The Rev. Andrew C. Pearson, Jr. and Marcus Cassimus. The church will host Lenten lunches and a lecture series in March. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Lyles Dowdle.

March 3: Samford University Orchestra. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. Free. Visit samford.edu.

March 3: Shpongletron 3.1. 8 p.m. Iron City. Music performed by Simon Posford and Raja Ram. $20 in advance, $24 on the day of the show. All ages. Call 202-5483.

March 5: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5-9 p.m. Birmingham Historic Loft District. Monthly showcase of local artists. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.

March 9-March 14: Theatre UAB’s 12th Annual Festival of 10-Minute Plays. Monday-Friday 7:30-9:45 p.m., Saturday 2-4:15 p.m. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center. Visit alysstephens.org.

March 10: University of Alabama Baseball vs. Alabama A&M. 2 p.m. Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. $8 adults, $5 ages 18 and under. Visit secticketoffi ce.com.

March 10: The Lone Bellow with Odessa. 8 p.m. Workplay. $16 in advance, $18 day of show. Visit workplay.com.

March 13, 15: La Bohème. Friday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Presented by Opera Birmingham. Visit operabirmingham.org or call 322-6737.

Calendar

Area Events(continued)

March 14: Renew Our Rivers-Cahaba Cleanup 2015. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Amphitheatre Park, 816 County Road 52. Call 874-5623.

March 14: Oh, Happy Day Spring Market. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wynfrey Hotel. Shop for one-of-a-kind Easter, Mother’s Day, bridal shower and graduation gifts. Call 588-8962 ext. 705.

March 14: Guild Gala. 6 p.m. The Club. Black tie event with a cocktail reception, formal seated dinner, live auction emceed by JOX Roundtable and provided by 4 Barrel Funk. Visit theserviceguild.org.

March 14: Arc of Jefferson County Shamrock Shindig. 6 p.m. Avondale Brewery. Food by Rusty’s BBQ, music by DJ Mark Goldstein. All proceeds benefi t the Arc of Jefferson County. $30 per person, $50 per couple. Visit arcofjeff.org.

March 15: Santana. 8 p.m.-midnight. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. $58-$148.50 plus fees and service charges. Call 800-745-3000.

March 20-21: Lysa TerKeurst: Your Best Yes: What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Friday 7-8:15 p.m., Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. Canterbury United Methodist Church. Adults $30, students $20. Visit canterburyumc.org.

March 21: 5K for Kids. 9 a.m. Regions Field. Take small steps to end childhood obesity. $30. Visit jlbonline.com/5kforkids.

March 31: Sarah McLachlan. 8-11 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. $45-$85. Call 800-745-3000.

March 2015 • B19vestaviavoice.com

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Page 44: Vestavia Voice March 2015