Vestavia Voice January 2016 by Starnes Media

Volume 3 | Issue 9 | January 2016

ART HEART

Special Section

n e m o W f o A I V A T VES 2016

FROM THE

From retail and food to health care and ﬁtness, our annual Women of Vestavia feature is a chance to get to know some of the faces behind the success of many of the businesses in our area.

Top award recognizes Jamie Kolb’s teaching of Vestavia students

See page B9

Mentors at City Hall

By RACHEL BURCHFIELD At Vestavia Hills Elementary West, the bell to start the school day rings at 7:45 a.m. From then until the last bell of the day at 2:35 p.m., Jamie Kolb is going nonstop. “The classes are back-to-back with little breaks in between,” she said. “It’s fast-paced and the days ﬂy. I look up, and it’s 2 p.m. and the last class leaves. It’s go as fast as you can go.” Kolb is the only art teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary West and sees 810 students come through her classroom, Room 118, every week. She teaches 42 art classes — 11 each for kindergartners and ﬁrst-graders, and 10 each for second-graders and third-graders. “Teaching as many classes as I do is not common,” she said. “I teach more than anyone I

Vestavia Hills city employees take time to mentor middle school students through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

See page A16

INSIDE Sponsors ..............A4 City .........................A6 Business .............. A10 School House ......A17

Community ........... B2 Sports ....................B4 Real Estate...........B17 Calendar ...............B18

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Jamie Kolb teaches art at Vestavia Hills Elementary West. She was recently named the Alabama Elementary Art Educator of the Year for 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.

YEAR IN PREVIEW

What’s in store for 2016? New retail, residential growth and road work By GRACE THORNTON

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830

See KOLB | page A23

The new Chick-ﬁl-A restaurant opening on Highway 31 may be residents’ most anticipated new construction, but City Manager Jeff Downes said there are many more projects on the way this year.

FIRST QUARTER

► Sprouts Farmers Market, a grocery store specializing in fresh, healthy foods, will open on Highway 31. ► America’s First Federal Credit Union, which will

open its ﬁrst Vestavia Hills location, will open on the site of the former library on U.S. 31. ► PT Orthodontics, which is currently under construction at the corner of Manor Brook Drive and Dolly Ridge Road, will open. ► Heights Dermatology, an established practice, will move to Cahaba Heights from the former Trinity Hospital area. ► A development of retail stores will open at the

See PREVIEW | page A20

MORE INSIDE: Retail rolls in ......................A20 Liberty Park boom ............ A21 Altadena residences ........ A21 Road work ahead ............. A22 City events........................... A22

APSA-1006_2.pdf 1 8/18/15 A2 â&#x20AC;˘ January 2016

11:29 AM

Vestavia Voice

A PUBLIC NOTICE FROM ALABAMA POWER

TREE CREWS WORKING IN VESTAVIA THROUGH EARLY 2016 Alabama Power crews are working in several Vestavia neighborhoods, removing trees and other vegetation that threaten the safety and reliability of our electrical system. As part of this process, Alabama Power goes to great lengths to talk with individual property owners. Company representatives are going door to door, leaving notices at locations where work is needed. If you have any questions before crews come by your home, please call Alabama Power at 205-257-2155 and ask for someone in the Vegetation Management Group to contact you. Or you can email us at apcvm@southernco.com. Work in Vestavia and nearby areas is expected to continue through early 2016. Also, you can go online to alpwr.co/vm for more information about these safety and reliability measures, as well as resources for property owners who would like recommendations about planting the right tree in the right place.

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your business. Vegetation Management Group 205-257-2155 | apcvm@southernco.com

ÂŠ 2015 Alabama Power Company.

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January 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ A3

A4 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. For me, I prefer to make changes in my life as soon as I realize they need to be made. I’m afraid that if I delay those new steps for weeks or months, I’ll forget or laziness will kick in and the change will never happen. I actually began a new exercise routine in the beginning of November. Believe me, if you can keep up even minimal exercise through Thanksgiving and Christmas, there’s nothing you can’t do. However, I still like the things that New Year’s represents: a fresh start, a chance to reflect on experience and learn from it. Some people need the definite starting point of Jan. 1 to begin improving themselves, and I think that’s great, too. The fact that you’re embracing change and working toward it is more important that what day you start. As we step into the first days of 2016, I would encourage you to think

big as you set your resolutions. Where do you want to be this year? What do you want to see? When December rolls around again, what will fill you with regret if you haven’t done it? Every year, I try to pick a person who exemplifies what I want to be but am not. Many years it has been Mr. Rogers, who had a kindness, calmness and generosity of spirit that I’m not sure any

other human can achieve. This year it’s my grandfather, who passed away in October but lived his entire life full of adventure, exuberance and joy. On the days when I am tired, grumpy and just want to do the bare minimum to get through the day, I remind myself of that person and try to end the day as a better human being than when I started. Pick whatever lights a fire in you – a person to emulate, a goal to achieve – and strive for it in 2016. Help those around you who are striving for goals of their own, as well. May your memories of 2015 be sweet, and your goals for 2016 be bold.

BEHIND THE LENS By Frank Couch

Macro Photography sounds easy enough right? The term refers to making a close up photography resulting in an image that depicts the subject larger than life. Digital cameras often have a Macro setting giving the least experienced photographer a shot at making an interesting picture. Whether you use a DSLR or compact camera good lighting and a narrow

depth of field will be our best friend when shooting macro. To make a really captivating image you have to slow down and closely examine what you are going to photograph. Be ready to discover some of the intricate details not so easily seen at fi st glance or from a distance. For this month’s Behind the Lens I decided to look at signs and markers in the cities we cover. Many are carved into stone or made of metal and rest at landmarks we often drive by in our daily commute. This coming year I hope we all make the time to stop and closely examine some of the great places we have in our backyard. Much like Macro Photography you might just be surprised at what you can see when you take a closer look. The entrance of Sibyl Tempel in Vestavia Hills. Camera Data: NIKON D810, Lens (mm): 60, ISO: 1600, Aperture: 7.1, Shutter: 1/60 Contributing Photographer: Frank Couch Intern: Sam Chandler Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen

Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Video Editor Page Designers: Community Reporters: Sports Reporter: Staff Writer: Associate Editor: Copy Editor:

Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Cherie Olivier Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Ana Good Erica Techo Jon Anderson Kyle Parmley Emily Featherston Lucy Ridolphi Louisa Jeffries

Contributing Writers: Kari Kampakis Rick Watson Leah Ingram Eagle Marienne Thomas Ogle Steve Irvine Rachel Burchfiel Chris Megginson Jesse Chambers Grace Thornton

Sales and Warren Caldwell Distribution: Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes

Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith James Plunkett

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: Vestavia Voice PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@280living.com

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

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

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Please Support our Sponsors Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia/ Pawms Pet Resort (B15) Alabama Power c/o AL Newspaper Advertising Service (A2) Alys Stephens Center, Art Play (A10) Amy Lawson, RealtySouth (B11) Angela M. Hayes (B11) Anytime Fitness (A23, B15) Anywhere Fitness, Personal Training (A21) ARC Realty (A18) Barganier & LeCroy Dentistry (A15) Batts’ Chimney Services (A23) Becky Hicks, Remax Southern Homes (A12) Bedzzz Express (A24) Birmingham Bake & Cook Co. (B14) Bistro V (A20, B12) Brookdale University Park (A10) Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (B4) Cabinetry Refinishing & estoration (A1) California Closets (B3) Copy & Photo Café (A21) Dawson Music Academy (A6) Dermatology & Skin Care Center of Birmingham (B9) Dirty Hippie (B13) Doorstep Delivery (B3) Dry Clean City (A12) ERA King Real Estate Homewood (B4) Fancy Goods Variety (A14, B15) Frances Knox (A9) Gardner Landscaping (A6) Harris Doyle Homes (A1) Hutchinson Automotive (A20) Impact Family Counseling (A8) Issis & Sons (A3) Jana Hanna, RealtySouth (B14) JJ Eyes (A19) Klinglers Cafe & Catering (B13) Korduroy Krocodile (B8) Liberty Park (B7) Manda Luccasen, Re/MAX Southern Homes (B9) Montclair/Heights Dermatology & Aesthetics (B12) Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware (B1) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (B8) Oasis Nail Spa (A13) OB/GYN Associates of Alabama (B8) Pappas’ Grill (A21) Petro Facial Plastic Surgery and Medspa (B10) Planet Fitness (B17) PlumCore (A22) RealtySouth Marketing (B19) Red Pearl Restaurant (B5) Resolute Running Training Center (A13) Rosalie Pribbenow, ARC Realty (B7, B12) Royal Automotive (B20) Sarver Orthodontics (B5) Sentry Heating & Air (B2, B14) Spink Dentistry (B11) State Ballet Theatre of Russia (A16) The Blue Willow (B16) The Cook Store (A22) The Maids (A11) Tom Williams BMW (A5) United Car Care Center (A8) Uptown Nail Spa (A13, B13) Vestavia Hills Lutheran Church (A22) Vestavia Hills Public Library (A14) Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (B18) Vestavia Sunoco and Tire Express (A7) Vestridge Animal Clinic (B16) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A5, B16) Water Drainage Solutions (A11) Webster Electric (A9) Weigh To Wellness (A17) YMCA of Greater Birmingham (A3)

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A5

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A6 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

City Sale of Public Works property could bring Freddy’s Frozen Custard to Vestavia Hills By EMILY FEATHERSTON The Vestavia Hills City Council heard the first reads of several resolutions and ordinances at their Monday, Dec. 14 meeting, including one that may result in a new retail development. The city will consider an ordinance to sell the Public Works property at 1280 Montgomery Highway for $1.2 million. If approved, the development would be anchored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. Prior to the meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes said that of the four offers for the property the city considered, Freddy’s family-oriented atmosphere and its parent company BAMA Custard, LLC’s willingness to further develop the site were the deciding factors. Freddy’s will take up 3,700 square feet of the 10,100 square-foot space, and the remaining space will be divided and leased to other retail businesses, as approved by the city. The ordinance will go before the council on Dec. 28, and there will be a public hearing. If the sale of the property is approved, the buyers will be required to apply for the property to be rezoned to B-2, or a General Business District. Currently, it is zoned as Institutional, which does not allow for the property to be used for restaurants and retail. If the sale and process go smoothly, Downes said he anticipates construction to begin in late 2016. Other council business included: ► The council approved the purchase of 100 firearms for the Vestavia Hills Police Department. ► The council accepted a negotiated bid and authorized further expenditures for a CWSRF park project at Little Shades Creek. ► The council approved the funding from Special Fund 11 for RMS computer-aided dispatch software through New World. ► Jim Bartlett was appointed to the Vestavia Hills Library Board. ► Earl Lawson was appointed to the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board. ► The council voted to accept bids for Fire Department dress uniforms, as well as a bid for Nomex fire-resistant uniforms. The council also heard the first-reads of several ordinances, including:

The exterior of a Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Burgers. Photo courtesy of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Burgers.

► An ordinance for conditional use approval for an addition and the housing and raising of six urban hens at 2565 Mountain Woods Drive. ► A resolution allowing the city manager to repair the Wald Park Swimming Pool. ► Four resolutions allowing the City of Vestavia Hills to enter into a multi-jurisdictional project to improve Cahaba River Road. ► An ordinance to allow the mayor and city manager to deliver a sales contract for the purchase of land to be used as an alternate access point to the former Altadena Country Club. ► An ordinance to authorize the operation of transportation network companies in the City of Vestavia Hills.

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Mayor’s Minute

By Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year and that your beginning of 2016 will start well and continue through the year. An update on Chickfil-A: The city and Chick-fil-A closed on the former city hall property, and demolition is scheduled to begin around Jan. 4. Construction is expected to be completed in early June. I know the citizens and I are excited about having Chick-fil-A in our community. Other ongoing projects in the city are progressing. Sprouts, Chipotle and Supercuts are shooting for a February opening, and America’s First Federal Credit Union will be along the same timeline. We look forward to these businesses opening in Vestavia Hills. From a financial standpoint, the city continues to see growth in our sales tax, ad valorem, business licenses and new construction, both residential and commercial. We continue to see growth in use of the car tag renewal program. I would like to remind residents that from January to October, there is an alphabetic system in place to determine when car tags need to be renewed. If you have questions, contact the Finance Department at 205-978-0127. If you have questions about city business, we encourage you to please contact our office, and we will be glad to share any information with you. Sincerely,

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A7

Vestavia Hills officials are planning to build a sidewalk on the south side of Massey Road between Columbiana Road and U.S. 31. This map shows the plans near U.S. 31. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in July. Photo by Jon Anderson.

1456 Montgomery Hwy 31 Vestavia Hills

823-1213 823-1261

Massey Road sidewalk work set for July start By JON ANDERSON Officials hope to begin construction of a sidewalk on Massey Road between Columbiana Road and U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills in July, engineers working on the project for the city said. Design work on the project, which is about 8/10 of a mile, was 40-45 percent complete in mid-November, and right-of-way acquisition should begin once design plans are 65 percent complete and environmental impact studies are finished, said Jennifer Peace, the senior project manager for the Neel-Schaffer engineering firm. The sidewalk is needed to help connect existing sidewalks on Columbiana Road and U.S. 31, Peace said. The project also involves rebuilding a portion of Massey Road and a retaining wall close to Columbiana Road that is failing and unstable, she said. The entire stretch of road also will be repaved with asphalt. The sidewalk will stretch 4,100 feet on the south side of Massey Road and will be 5 feet wide, and the new retaining wall will stretch about 1,300 feet and vary in height from 4 feet

to 14 feet, Peace said. The preliminary cost estimate for the project is about $1.2 million, City Engineer Christopher Brady said. That includes $900,000 for construction, $160,000 for engineering, $80,000 for right-of-way acquisition and $80,000 for utility relocation, but each of those is only an estimate, Brady said. Eighty percent of the money will come from the federal government through the Alabama Department of Transportation, and the city will provide 20 percent, Brady said. Portions of Massey Road will have to be closed for the construction work, Peace said. Once construction starts, it likely will take 12 to 16 months, Brady said. Vestavia Hills Mayor Butch Zaragoza said Massey Road is a busy road and adding more traffic to U.S. 31 could create some major problems. He asked the engineers to coordinate with school officials about any rerouting of traffic to help minimize disruptions. Councilman George Pierce said he knows residents are excited about the opportunity to have a sidewalk there.

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Rezoning hearing for mixed-use development now late January By JON ANDERSON A rezoning hearing concerning a controversial mixed-use development next to Vestavia Hills Cahaba Heights Elementary was postponed once again — to Jan. 25. The developer, BREC Development, asked for the extension so as not to interfere with people’s Christmas holiday plans, Mayor Butch Zaragoza said. BREC Development is proposing to build a mixed-use development that includes apartments and retail space between Dolly Ridge Road and Oakview Lane. The proposal drew intense opposition from residents and school officials

alike, but it was approved by the Vestavia Hills Planning and Zoning Commission in September. Complaints have included concerns about increased traffic flow, additional students at the elementary school and safety for children. The developer at first proposed a four-story building that included 150 apartments and retail space. It required special “conditional use” approval because of the height of the building. However, BREC Development amended its proposal, reducing it to three stories with 81 apartments and more retail. The Jan. 25 rezoning hearing is now set to take place at the new Vestavia Hills City Hall at 1032 Montgomery Highway at 5 p.m.

Demolition of old City Hall to begin Jan. 4 By JON ANDERSON

Chick-fil-A plans to start demolition of the former municipal center building Jan. 4. Photo by Frank Couch.

The city of Vestavia Hills closed on the sale of the former City Hall property to Chickfil-A, clearing the way for construction of the restaurant. The city put the net proceeds from the sale — $1,229,371 — in its capital reserves account, City Manager Jeff Downes said. Chick-fil-A plans to start demolition of the building Jan. 4 and be open by June 2, Downes said. The new City Hall is at 1032 Montgomery Highway behind Red Lobster.

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A8 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

New apartment developments raise concerns about schools By ANA GOOD As the decision on whether to allow a hotly debated mixed-use development to be built in the shadows of Cahaba Heights Elementary looms, residents and parents continue to express concern over the plan’s potential consequences. This month, the Vestavia Hills City Council will hold a rezoning hearing on the development, a proposed apartment and retail space mix between Dolly Ridge Road and Oakview Lane. Due in part to the development’s proximity to the elementary school, Vestavia Hills parents such as Kimberly Barlow Cook were quick to rally against the proposed plans. Concerned residents packed City Hall during a planning commission meeting in September to voice their opposition to the plan, including Cahaba Heights Elementary Principal Kay Cooper. When the Planning Commission recommended the plans to the City Council, parents and residents increased pledges to a nonprofit, the Cahaba Heights Community Foundation, through a GoFundMe page that has now raised nearly $10,000 to be used for potential legal fees in the fight against the development. Like many of the parents opposed to the BREC Development proposal, Cook is concerned about the potential influx of students the school could receive if the apartments are constructed, as well as the potential for increased traffic in the area and the type of residents an apartment complex might attract. “Generally speaking, I am against apartments being put so close to schools,” Cook said, “because it ties up lands that could be used by the schools for expansion.” Cook, who has had two children graduate from Vestavia Hills schools and whose third child is enrolled in a city school, said she has been following the growth of the city and its

The proposed development next to Cahaba Heights Elementary has sparked parent concerns about apartments’ effect on school safety and crowding. Photo by Frank Couch.

impact on schools even before the proposed Cahaba Heights development came to light. “When the city announced the plans for Patchwork Farms,” Cook said, “I raised concerns then.” What bothered Cook about Patchwork Farms, she said, were plans to construct apartment buildings and some single family homes along with the retail development. “I asked what was going to be done about crowding at the schools,” Cook said. “More apartments could mean more crowding at our schools. We don’t have any business building more housing. What we need to be doing is expanding our schools.” Cook said the crowding she has seen at city schools since her oldest child — now graduated from college — attended the schools is not so much a class size problem, but an overall facility problem. Crowding in the hallways, multiple lunch periods to accommodate all the students and fights in tight spaces are all issues Cook said

she has seen throughout the years. Whit McGhee, communications and media specialist for Vestavia Hills City Schools, said the school board is aware of its growth needs around the city. The school board, he said, meets regularly with the city to discuss how developments may potentially impact the school system. Based on the city’s projections concerning the planned Patchwork Farms and Altadena residential developments, McGhee said, the school system does not anticipate “a significant impact on enrollment.” Still he said, the school board understands that because of the popularity of the city’s schools, it must plan ahead. Earlier this year, McGee said, Superintendent Sheila Phillips held public forums focused on capital plans to expand city schools. “We know this is an attractive city to residents in part because of our schools,” said McGhee. “As we continue to see growth and economic development we have to ensure the schools will be able to meet those needs.”

Projects at several schools, including those at Liberty Park, Cahaba Heights and along the U.S. 31 corridor are already in the works, McGhee said. “This will continue to be an ongoing discussion,” he said. As far as the proposed Cahaba Heights development, McGhee said the school board continues to align itself with the statement released earlier this year by Superintendent Phillips. In it, Phillips said she “urged the City Council not to approve this measure due to potential negative impacts related to property supervision, students who walk to and from school, impact on carpool lines, safety and security and future campus design.” The board’s concern over the potential negative effects of that particular development have not changed, McGhee said. City Manager Jeff Downes said he cannot comment on the proposed Cahaba Heights development because of the pending public hearing, but did comment on the ways the school board and city work together. “The City of Vestavia Hills and the Vestavia City Schools continue to have regular communication at the highest levels of both organizations,” Downes said in an email. “We have mutually committed in the past and commit in the future to share information with each other and work together on items of interest and concern that effects both organizations. This communication comes in many forms and between various leaders of both organizations.” The City Council will discuss the proposal at its Jan. 25 meeting. The developer, Steven Hydinger, at first proposed a four-story building that included 150 apartments and retail space. It required special “conditional use” approval because of the height of the building. However, BREC Development has amended its proposal in response to some public concerns, reducing it to three stories with 81 apartments and more retail.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A9

Senator: ‘It all boils down to money’ By ANA GOOD Alabama still has a tough road ahead when it comes to balancing its budget, several state leaders agreed during a Nov. 19 legislative forum. However, they said, there are currently no plans to ever again shift funds away from the education budget and into the General Fund. Sen. Slade Blackwell, Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Rep. David Faulkner and Rep. Jack Williams agreed that while it was an uncomfortable solution to the General Fund deficit in 2015, it was a necessary one. During the 11th annual legislative forum hosted by the Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills PTO Councils, all four state leaders voiced their opinions and projections on the state’s education issues. Each took turns answering preselected questions on everything from home-schooled athletes participating in sports to charter schools and the possibility of changing teacher retirement funding. Superintendents Dicky Barlow of Mountain Brook and Sheila Phillips of Vestavia Hills, as well as Superintendent Bill Cleveland of Homewood, were also in attendance and chimed in to the discussion from time to time. Each participant stressed that as the time approaches to enter into the next legislative session, they’ll welcome input from their constituents. Here’s a summary of the topics covered:

GENERAL, EDUCATION FUNDS

Part of what caused the General Fund deficit, Waggoner said, was the lack of revenue going toward it. Though it was “uncomfortable” and “very painful” to take the $80 million from the education fund and use it to plug the deficit in the General Fund, Waggoner said that because he and others were not going to allow taxes to be raised, it was something that had to be done. Faulkner said that what is “killing our General

what may come. “You are talking about their futures,” said Cleveland. When asked about teacher raises, Waggoner said there is more conversation on the topic than ever before. “I’ll venture to say that there will be a pay raise this coming year which would make it effective in October of 2017,” Waggoner said. Williams said while he does see a pay raise coming, he doesn’t anticipate it to be a big raise in one year, but rather modest raises over a twoto three-year period. Blackwell said it “all boils down to money.” “If revenues are up,” said Blackwell, “there’s a good chance there will be raises, and all indications are that revenues are up.” Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills’ PTO Councils hosted a legislative forum to discuss education issues with state leaders Sen. Slade Blackwell, Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Rep. David Faulkner and Rep. Jack Williams on Thursday, Nov. 19. Photo by Ana Good.

Fund is Medicaid and the corrections department.” There are no growth taxes there, he said, yet the costs are skyrocketing. Williams said the budget could have been passed without taking the money from education, but it would have caused a domino effect in other areas. Medicaid would have been damaged, he said, which helps countless children, as would have funding for troopers and jails. In the end, said Blackwell, only about $30 million was actually taken from the education budget because of the backfills that took place. The backfills, said Blackwell, in conjunction with the changes made to the Rolling Reserve Act — which will lower the percentage of money that must be put away from 20 percent to 7.5 percent — will help the education fund. Asked if taking money from the educational fund will happen again, Waggoner said he doesn’t ever see it happening again, though he expects passing the budget to once again be a problem next year.

Williams said the polling numbers he has seen indicate that such a thing would never happen. Blackwell said he is opposed to the idea. “The problem with merging them,” said Blackwell, “is that with Medicaid and prison costs going up, you’d be naïve to think that funding those things from the same account wouldn’t take away from education.” Faulkner explained that putting the two budgets together wouldn’t create more money. “Having a separate education fund,” said Faulkner, “protects those funds.”

PENSIONS, RETIREMENT, RAISES

Blackwell said there is a task force looking into the workings of pensions and retirement. “Before we pay a single teacher or buy any books,” Williams said, “we pay $1 billion a year to prop up the retirement system.” Homewood Superintendent Bill Cleveland added that his employees are concerned about

HOME-SCHOOLED ATHLETES

Blackwell said that with “100 percent certainty” he is opposed to the idea of homeschooled students participating in school sports. “It’s a huge disadvantage to kids in school,” said Blackwell, “when home-schooled kids have the ability to train as much as they want. Then the kids who have to go to school are forced to compete against elite athletes.” Asked about all the rules in place for homeschooled athletes, Blackwell said he doesn’t see a credible way to police those rules. “It’s not a level playing field,” said Blackwell.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Because Alabama was so late in the game to allow charter schools,” said Faulkner, the state had the opportunity to study what worked and what didn’t work. Faulkner said he does not see charter schools popping up in areas like Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills or Hoover. “Will it affect us?” said Faulkner referring to his constituents. “No. There are people in Alabama who do not have access to great schools. Charter schools are about helping those in the state where public schools were failing them. They needed another option.”

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Now Open Heights Dermatology & Aesthetics (formerly Montclair Dermatology) is now open in their new building at 4325 Dolly Ridge Road in Cahaba Heights. 591-2169, heightsdermatology.org

Copy & Photo Café, 3950 Autumn Lane, is now open. The store offers photo scanning, printing services and more, as well as a coffee shop suitable for meetings or securing a Wi-Fi connection. 518-5775, copyandphotocafe.com

Coming Soon Iron Tribe Fitness will open its ﬁrst location in Vestavia Hills this month at 1014 Montgomery Highway, in the building formerly occupied by Soccer Locker USA. 226-8669, irontribeﬁtness.com

Vestavia Reserve, a new apartment community, is coming soon and will be located at 4800 Cahaba River Road. The complex will feature one-, twoand three-bedroom units and will include hardwood ﬂoors, walk-in closets, gourmet kitchens, available private garages and many other amenities. The complex will be jointly developed between Daniel Corporation and The Rime Companies. 991-3555

Relocations and Renovations 5

Alabama Pain Physicians has relocated from Montclair Road to 2868

January 2016 • A11 Acton Road. 332-3160, bamapain.com

Hirings and Promotions Saint Mark United Methodist 6 Church has hired Alissa Simpson as director of its kindergarten/preschool program and its Mothers Day Out [K.I.D.S.] program. She follows Janet Nebrig, who retired in December after 14 years in the same post. 822-1312, saintmarkumc.org

“When it rains, we drain!”

John Mattioli, owner of Dry Clean City, 1008 Vestavia Pkwy., has hired Pete Polizos as its general manager. Polizos was with Zöe’s Kitchen for the past six years. 823-1265, inthehamper.com.

Anniversaries Pearly White Dentistry, 3145 Green Valley Road, Suite 101, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month. 970-7292, blackwelldmd.com

The ofﬁce of Jaclyn Terry, Attorney at Law, 2820 Columbiana Road, Suite 210T, is celebrating its second anniversary this month. 267-1119, jaclynterryesq.com

Closings 10

Yogurt Lab, 633 Montgomery Highway, has closed.

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A12 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Kool Korner Sandwiches returns to Vestavia Hills By ANA GOOD When Ildefonso Ramirez’s customers call him this month, he will finally be able to tell them to come on over. Kool Korner Sandwiches, a local staple for six years, has a new location in the Vestridge Commons retail center on U.S. 31. Speaking in his native Spanish, Ramirez said since the original Vestavia Hills Kool Korner closed in June, he has received at least six phone calls a week from customers asking when their favorite sandwich maker would be back. “The recipes are all my own,” Ramirez said during a December interview in the new space. “I get help in the kitchen these days, but the recipes remain the same.” They’re also a closely-guarded secret. Ramirez said he won’t write down the recipes to his finger-licking Cuban foods, including a classic Cuban sandwich, black bean soup, tamales and bread pudding. “I wouldn’t want just anyone getting their hand on the recipes, he said. “Instead, I’ll work in the kitchen showing others how it is done.” Everything is made in-house, except for the bread. That, which Ramirez said is an essential part of the sandwich, he still buys from the same bread-maker in Atlanta he’s bought from for decades. “I tried to buy it from local bakers and didn’t like it,” he said. “Making Cuban bread is a lot of work.” The now 93-year-old Cuban immigrant said he’s loved to cook since he was a young child. “I was only 4 or 5 and was already in the kitchen making things up,” he said with a laugh. “My mother wasn’t always very happy about it.”

Though he worked as a chemist in Cuba, Ramirez said that by the time he arrived in the United States in 1972 at the age of 50, there weren’t any labs looking to hire him. “I was old to them,” he said shrugging his shoulders, “but it allowed me to pursue my passion for cooking.” Ramirez opened the original Atlanta-based Kool Korner sandwich shop in 1985, and it quickly gained recognition. In its 25 years in Georgia, the sandwich shop racked up awards and was even named in Garden and Gun’s "100 Southern Foods You Absolutely, Positively Must Try Before You Die." “Some days, we’d sell between 300-400 sandwiches,” he said. “The line sometimes wrapped around the block.” When his former landlord sold the building that housed the original restaurant, Ramirez, who had also lost his wife by then, moved to the Birmingham area to be closer to his son, Bill. In 2009, Ramirez opened shop in the Publix Shopping Center in Vestavia Hills, where it remained for six years. Asked what about the restaurant business made him want to come back not only in the Birmingham area, but right back to Vestavia Hills, Ramirez said it was the people. Now located at 1360 Montgomery Highway, Ramirez said he is excited to see his customers, his friends again. “There are good people here,” he said. “They’ve always been kind to us.” Ramirez, still young at heart and in his mind like he says, has no intention to retire. “I know that if I just stay at home, I won’t last long,” he said. “Kool Korner allows me to be sociable, to see my friends everyday.”

Ildefonso Ramirez (left) and his son Bill are reopening Kool Korner Sandwiches in a new location. Staff photo.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A13

Left: The women of Saint Mark UMC who plan the annual Holiday Market decided to name their cafe after Claire Roane this year, in honor of her tireless work for the event. Photo courtesy of Peggy Patterson. Above: Claire Roane was heavily involved in her church, including the annual Holiday Market, prior to her death in July. Photo courtesy of Peggy Patterson.

A life spent in service By GRACE THORNTON Claire Roane had a way of leaving her mark on things — especially at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Vestavia. That’s what Peggy Patterson says of her 50-year-old fellow church member, who died in a car accident July 10. “At Saint Mark, she did all sorts of things,” Patterson said. Patterson gave a laundry list: children’s programs, discovery weekends, singing in the choir, serving on the finance committee and running the sound system. Roane served as secretary of the church council for a time. She taught the teenage girls how to dance with liturgical sticks. She sponsored an orphanage in Russia. She worked with Habitat for Humanity, and she worked with the

special-needs adults who attended the church. And if Roane wasn’t doing those things, you might find her in the neonatal unit of UAB Hospital, where she worked as a research nurse coordinator, holding a premature baby. “She would visit our knitting groups and hold up a fist to show the size caps she needed for some of the newborns,” Patterson said. “Then she’d take them up to the hospital and put them on those babies she’d been holding. She’d read research that being held helped those babies. And so every time she had a spare minute, she would go hold them.” Sandra Adair, another Saint Mark member, said that was just how Roane lived life — always engaged and helping people. “In her profession and in her private life, she was focused on serving others with no expectation of receiving anything in return,”

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Adair said. And when it came time for the church’s annual Holiday Market, Roane would be at the church at 3 a.m. baking muffins from scratch to serve at the market’s coffee shop. “She arrived before daybreak, and by the time other people began arriving, the halls were filled with the aroma of freshly baked muffins,” Adair said. So after Roane’s tragic death, Adair, Patterson and others knew exactly what they needed to do — they named this year’s Holiday Market café after her. And they baked the delicious homemade muffins for which she was known. Patterson, who served as chairperson of the market, said the hole where Roane should have been was felt. She always contributed heavily to the market, and she was well loved. “We miss her,” Patterson said. “It’s not past

tense — it’s ongoing.” But on Nov. 14, Claire’s Café was bursting at the seams with market visitors enjoying muffins made from her recipe as well as the soup she used to serve. As they browsed the booths of handmade goods, Christmas wreaths, sweets and edible gifts, the aroma of Roane’s food lingered in the air. And the proceeds from the market will go back to some of the things Roane cared most about: funding church outreach and house projects. “She was just a special person to contribute in so many different ways to the church,” Patterson said. “It was a loss — she was young.” But, Adair said, Roane’s legacy will continue to linger. “We all miss her, and renaming the cafe was just a very small way to keep her memory alive,” Adair said.

A14 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

A FIT new year

By GRACE THORNTON As Vestavia Hills folks gear up this January with new fitness resolutions, fitness-related businesses in the city have a few bits of advice on how you can make that decision, what your options are and how you can make it stick.

Kiva Hot Yoga provides classes for all skill levels. Photo courtesy of Kiva Hot Yoga.

Kiva Hot Yoga 300 Old Towne Road

U.S. Taekwondo Academy 790 Montgomery Highway, Suite 124 Jean Choung of U.S. Taekwondo Academy says the great thing about martial arts is that you can start anytime and see sweeping personal benefits. The Academy has been around for a decade. Why are martial arts beneficial? It’s not only for physical fitness but also for building confidence, strength and discipline. We have classes for all ages, and we have students from age 3 to 69. Our youngest class, the tiny tigers, is for 3and 4-year-olds and focuses on basic forms and techniques. But we have classes for adults taught by my husband, Tiger, who is a three-time world champion in taekwondo, which is Korean martial arts. And we have family programs, too. So families can come in and do this together? Yes, parents and children can come in and learn together. There’s a saying — you kick together, you stick together. All three of my children are doing it with us — they are all black belts, and they help as assistant instructors here.

The whole Heaton family practices at U.S. Taekwondo in Vestavia Hills. Photo courtesy of Jean Choung.

The community aspect is one thing that Kate Jenkins, owner of Kiva Hot Yoga in Vestavia Hills, says she loves about yoga classes. What’s the benefit of yoga to you personally? It’s brought me to an amazing community of people. We’re close here, friendships are built here and it’s just a great environment to get healthy in. And the best thing about it is that it takes the place of your doctor, your physical therapist and your psychological therapist. It’s all of that in one trip, because it works every system in your body, not just your skeletal and muscular. You say that sometimes people get confused about what yoga is. Can you elaborate on that? Some people worry that it conflicts with

their Christian faith, but we are a faith-based business, and nothing we do is outside of our faith tradition. We want to know that everybody’s got a healthy spirit, body and mind. And with yoga, you’ll start to notice that it’s working on everything, all your systems — reproductive, digestive, immune, endocrine, everything. What would you say to someone who has never done yoga before? Your first goal for your first class is to breathe and stay in the room. It’s like starting anything for the first time — just come in and do what you can. You don’t have to be a master at it. It’s a lifelong process, and we have classes specifically for beginners. We also have people of all ages, even into their 70s.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A15

Cahaba Cycles 3179 Cahaba Heights Road

The Fit Over 50 class is one of many offerings at LifeTime Fitness. Photo courtesy of Steven Gum.

LifeTime Fitness 3051 Healthy Way Zach Davis of Cahaba Cycles rides regularly with his wife, Emily, and in-laws Danny and Jen Flack. Photo courtesy of Zach Davis.

Everyone knows how to ride a bike. So goes the old saying — and Zach Davis of Cahaba Cycles says it holds weight. The key, he says, is just deciding that this is the year to get on one. Isn’t cycling kind of intense for someone just starting out with new fitness resolutions? Not at all. It’s very low impact as opposed to something like running. It’s a very easy entrance into fitness, especially for someone overweight or older who is worried about the impact on their joints. There are so many different kinds of bikes too — road bikes, cruisers, even electric pedal-assisted bikes that help you do the work but still

allow you to get some exercise. And bikes have some expense up front, but you aren’t going to pay every time you go out after that, like you would with a gym membership or to play golf. When and where do you personally like to ride? I try to ride to work pretty often, because it’s easy to get rolling that way. But my favorite is mountain biking. Is it good for group fitness, too? Yes, there are so many riding groups in the area of all different types and ability levels that are great for accountability and community. There’s a list of them on our website at cahabacycles. com.

Steven Gum, member services manager at LifeTime Fitness, said the idea of community fitness is a core value at the 110,000-square-foot luxury fitness facility, which offers classes, workout equipment, basketball and tennis courts and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, to name a few things. People sense it from the get-go, he said. Tell us a little bit about the community aspect of LifeTime Fitness. Well for instance, in our Fit Over 50 class, we had an awards ceremony recently and heard a lot of great stories from our older population about how much the gym had impacted them. There’s a very active social component — people feel like they are part of something special here. What would you say to someone who’s

a little bit intimidated about walking into such a big place for the first time? When they come here and get a new membership, we set them up for success. We help them build a plan. They meet with a fitness professional for an hour, talk about their goals and go through a personalized 45-minute workout. That way, when they come back to do it themselves, they have a starting point and know the things they need to do to start working toward their goals. And we have ways for them to get other kinds of coaching and follow up without spending any additional money. So anybody can do it? Absolutely. We’ve got all the tools you need to achieve success. We like to say we have the best people at the best place. You’ve just got to come give it a try.

A16 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Mentors at City Hall City employees to participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters By SYDNEY CROMWELL The key to Vestavia Hills’ success as a city is its employees’ willingness to think differently, City Manager Jeff Downes said. So when he asked that at least 10 employees commit their time to mentoring at Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2016, he was pleasantly surprised when 25 stepped up. “I’ve had a great bit of enthusiasm from the employees who volunteered,” Downes said. This spring, Downes and those 25 municipal employees will start an on-site program with Big Brothers Big Sisters, matching with middle school students in Birmingham City Schools. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham will transport the “Littles” to Vestavia City Hall to meet with their big brothers and sisters for an hour twice a month and for planned group and individual activities. “These are meant to be relationships that are not your typical Big Brothers Big Sisters relationships,” Downes said. “They haven’t experienced what our employees have to give.” The participating employees include five members of the fire department, three from the finance department, one from the city garage, one from the inspection department, six police officers, two from the city clerk’s office, four from the library, two from public services and two from city administration. They will be matched with the same child from early 2016 until May 2017, the end of the next school year. As a participant in Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1990, Downes said city employees will benefit as much as their “little siblings.” He still keeps in touch with the first child he mentored, who is now living in Montgomery with his wife and two children.

Participants in the City of Vestavia Hills’ worksite program with Big Brothers Big Sisters include (left to right) Bo Seagrist, revenue officer; Jeff Downes, city manager; Stacey Miles, BBBS Proof Positive program coordinator; Melvin Turner, III, finance director; Christopher Brady, city engineer; and Brian Davis, public services director. Photo courtesy of Melissa Hipp.

“As much as you give of yourself… in return the self-fulfillment, the good feeling and the sense of accomplishment is returned to you in blessings as well. So I think it’s a two-way street,” Downes said. Director of Public Services Brian Davis is one

of the participating employees. He has never taken part in Big Brothers Big Sisters but has mentored others in his life. He said he wants to provide “whatever they need to fill the gaps” to his little brother, whether that’s guidance, life knowledge or an open ear. Davis said that he

hopes to draw from experiences with mentors in his own life. “They’ve always instilled in me their life lessons,” Davis said. Melissa Hipp, an assistant to the city manager, said she is looking forward to being a Big Sister because of the “fun factor, because I know we’ll have a great time.” Like Davis, she is a first-time participant in the program but has experience with six nieces and nephews. Hipp said that during the awkward middle school years, she hopes to help her little sister develop confidence and see future possibilities. “So many people here [at the city] have mentored me,” Hipp said. “It’ll be great to pass some of that along.” Finance Director Melvin Turner has personal experience that prompted him to participate in the worksite program. Turner said he was raised by a single parent in a government housing project and knows how hard that can be on a growing child. “Given the less than desirable environment in which I was raised, it was common to gravitate to the ways of the streets, which eventually led to drug use or drug trafficking, high school dropout and incarceration,” Turner said. “If I can offer any assistance and encouragement for kids and/or teenagers who are being raised in similar living conditions as I was, I feel it would be beneficial.” Vestavia Hills is one of only a few organizations in Birmingham to create a worksite program like this. Downes said he hopes employees will be willing to continue beyond May 2017. “I would like to continue it for the long haul,” Downes said. “Living this life above means sharing the blessings we’ve been given as employees.”

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A17

School House Students at East participate in Santa’s Workshop

A student places snacks in a bag that will go to a student in a Birmingham City school. Photos by Erica Techo.

By ERICA TECHO Vestavia Hills Elementary East students took time out of their normal P.E. time to play the part of Santa’s helpers. The students participated in Santa’s Workshop, also known as Santa’s Snack Shop, a yearly event where East students pack snack bags that are then taken to a Birmingham City school. The snacks are geared toward helping students who might face food insecurity when they’re out of school. “We have all this food to give away to boys and girls who might not have as much food when they go home from school or when they go home for Christmas break,” said Laura Tucker, a PTO member in charge of the event.

Before students began filling their goodie bags with snacks, Tucker discussed the importance of giving. She thanked the students for donating food during the week of giving in November, no matter the amount. She also said if they did not donate, that is alright, and they are still able to use Santa’s Snack Shop to give. Merryl Cooper, PTO president, said the fact that all students can participate — no matter if their families were able to donate —is one of the best things about the activity. Students went through tables in the school’s gym and selected food such as mac ‘n’ cheese, granola bars, raisins and fruit cups. They topped off the snack bag with a stuffed animal. After filling the bags, students were able to color and personalize cards to go with the bags.

Students participate in Santa’s Workshop at Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Students filled snack bags for students from Birmingham City Schools.

A student grabs a stuffed animal to place in a bag for a student from a Birmingham City School.

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A18 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice Vestavia Hills Spanish teacher Lisa Garrison leads students in a grammar activity. Photo by Emily Featherston.

LANGUAGE OF

SUCCESS Seal of Biliteracy program encourages language learning with certification By EMILY FEATHERSTON For Vestavia Hills High School Spanish teacher Lisa Garrison, knowing a language should mean much more than introducing yourself and counting to 10. Her upper-level students receive class instructions almost completely in Spanish, and some are on the path to attaining an official certification of their skills. The Seal of Biliteracy program, introduced in September, will certify proficiency in more than one language, and give participating students a way to prove that to colleges and employers. “By having the Seal of Biliteracy, they are proving that they can read and that they can write at a certain functional level,” Garrison said. Students who are able to show proficiency in Spanish, French, German, Latin or American Sign Language, as well as English, will receive an official seal on their diploma when they graduate. “Being able to show proficiency in more than one language is critical,” Garrison said, adding that with an increase of international business in Birmingham and beyond, she and others think the program will help students with finding and applying to colleges, as well as finding a job. “We want to make sure that we have our students as prepared as possible for post-secondary life, whether it takes them to the university level or whether it takes them into the workplace.” Garrison said that with so many increases in technology and global business, “the world is a much smaller place,” and for schools, it’s important to put an emphasis on teaching world languages. “We don’t have even where foreign language is required anymore in the state of Alabama,” Garrison said, and said that was part of the reason Vestavia Hills teachers wanted to join the Seal of Biliteracy movement. Across the nation, 13 states and the District of Columbia have state laws regarding the Seal of Biliteracy and four have the program under construction. Another 10 states, including nearby

Tennessee and Florida, are in the early stages of creating statewide programs. Executive Director of the Alabama World Languages Association Heather West, who is a world languages professor at Samford University and was also part of planning the Seal program, said Vestavia Hills High School was chosen in hopes that it would inspire other Alabama schools. “They’re a really good school system,” West said, “and we thought that if they laid the groundwork and got the Seal approved by their board, other schools, certainly in the Birmingham area, if not other really good public schools or private schools, other schools in the state might want to follow suit.” Vestavia Hills students applying for the Seal will be required to prove, either through test scores or other assessment programs, that they are not only able to speak a language, but that they can read and write at an acceptable level. “Part of our process has been what kind of tools we’ll use to assess those languages,” Garrison said. She said students must show English literacy through their grades in English Language Arts classes in high school, as well as their English ACT scores. For their chosen world language, students can show proficiency by scoring a three or higher on Advanced Placement tests, which are taken in the spring semester.

While the testing is done during high school, Garrison said the journey to learning a language can and should start much earlier. She said that middle schools in the Vestavia Hills systems offer “exploratory” classes for sixth graders, after which students can start language curriculum in Spanish, French and German. Latin is only offered in high school, but can still be considered for the Seal. “You see these kids that are following and really embracing the language, and you want to give them an opportunity to share with others ‘this is what I have accomplished,’” Garrison said. Garrison said the program also aims to embrace students that already speak more than one language, or who are learning English for the first time in school. Garrison said that while the program will hopefully open the door for students when they are looking for employment, she and others hope it will inspire an overall desire to learn a language. “Even if you take the language part and put it to the side, being able to culturally interact with people appropriately is huge, because you don’t know who you are going to come into contact with,” she said. “It makes them much more responsible as far as being global citizens after they graduate.” The program will officially kickoff in the fall at the start of the 2016-2017 school year, and all qualified VHHS students are encouraged to apply.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A19

Members of the Liberty Park Middle School Scholar’s Bowl team, from left: Sarah Chapman, Maya Bridgwaters, Bailey Smith, Reid Smith, Gress Hickman, Sam Smith and Micah Roberson. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Isbell.

Liberty Park Middle students wrap up Scholar’s Bowl season The Scholar’s Bowl team at Liberty Park Middle School consists of seventh- and eighthgrade students who love having knowledge of a variety of information. Once a week, from September to January, the team competes against other schools in the area. Students are asked general knowledge questions, and they have to buzz in and correctly answer them. Competitions happen at Liberty Park and opposing schools.

In order to prepare for these competitions, the LP team has morning team practices and a Google Classroom page where the team sponsor, sixth-grade social studies teacher Jennifer Isbell, posts assignments. The team did well heading into its final month of competition, defeating teams such as Chelsea and Simmons along the way. - Submitted by Jennifer Isbell

Vestavia Hills High choir members take home Best of Festival award The VHHS choir recently won several awards at a choral and theater festival. Photo courtesy of Whit McGhee.

The VHHS choir traveled to Dothan, Alabama recently to participate in the sixth annual Fall Choral and Theatre Festival, which included more than 2,000 students representing 40 schools across Alabama, Georgia and Florida. In Dothan’s Cultural Arts Center, the high school Honor Choir was named Best of Festival for receiving the highest overall score, and the different Vestavia Hills choirs took home awards in several divisions:

► 1st place, Division 5: VHHS Women’s Ensemble ► 2nd place, Division 5: VHHS Just Singin’ ► 2nd place, Division 6: VHHS Singers Show Choir ► 1st place, Division 7: VHHS Men’s Choir ► 2nd place, Division 7: VHHS Acafellas ► 2nd place, Division 8: VHHS Women’s Advanced Choir - Submitted by Ann Cotton

Schools to ‘pitch in’ for education The five Vestavia Hills elementary schools will once again participate in the Pitch In Campaign from January to March to fundraise for the school system. The campaign raises money for the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation’s education endowment, which goes back to the schools through grants and other projects each year. Last year, the Pitch In Campaign raised over $36,000. Students at each school will have a Pitch In canister to fill with change and bills. Foundation pledges made during the Pitch In Campaign period will also go toward a particular student’s classroom total. The class at each school that raises the most money will get a Bruster’s ice cream party and a $50 grant for the teacher. The elementary schools are fundraising on the following days: ► VHE Central: Jan. 25-29. Contact Alissa Padgett, Alissa_padgett@yahoo.com. ► VHE West: Jan. 25-29. Contact Allison Herr, allisonwhiteherr@hotmail.com. ► VHE Cahaba Heights: Feb. 1-5. Contact Leigh Arden Pike, leighardenrpike@gmail.com. ► VHE East: Feb. 22-26. Contact Emily

A student unloads Pitch In canisters at Central Elementary. Photo courtesy of Ashley Thompson.

Fulton, epfulton@gmail.com. ► VHE Liberty Park: Feb. 29-March 4. Contact Penny Downes, pennydownes@gmail.com. For more information, visit vestaviafoundation.org. - Submitted by Ashley Thompson.

A20 • January 2016

2016

Vestavia Voice

YEAR IN PREVIEW

WHAT’S TO COME Know what to expect in Vestavia Hills this year, from retail and commercial openings to construction of new subdivisions and continued road work.

The Sprouts and Chipotle retail center will open in the ﬁrst quarter of this year. Courtesy of city of Vestavia Hills.

PREVIEW

CONTINUED from page A1 Prominence Shops at Liberty Park. ► A small medical ofﬁce development will be completed on Blue Lake Drive.

SECOND QUARTER

Chick-ﬁl-A will begin demolition soon on the former city hall site. Photo by Emily Featherston.

► The new Chick-ﬁl-A will open on Highway 31. ► The Rime-MedJet corporate headquarters will move from the Urban Center to Patchwork Farms off Cahaba River Road. ► A new retail development next to Heights Dermatology will open on Dolly Ridge Road.

THIRD QUARTER

► Aspire Rehabilitation, a 120-bed physical rehabilitation facility, will open at Patchwork Farms off Cahaba River Road.

FOURTH QUARTER

► Resort Lifestyle Senior Living, a 130-unit luxury senior living residence, will open at Patchwork Farms off Cahaba River Road. ► A 100,000-square-foot retail development anchored by a grocery store, expected to be Publix, will open across from Lifetime Fitness at Patchwork Farms off Cahaba River Road. ► The current public works facility may become the site for a new 10,000-square-foot retail center.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A21

YEAR IN PREVIEW

Planned neighborhoods break ground this winter Two new subdivisions are planned for construction in Liberty Park this year. Courtesy of Liberty Park Joint Venture.

By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE Residents of Liberty Park and those visiting the area will see a number of changes throughout 2016. A first quarter construction start is planned for a 9,000-square-foot building adjacent to the Prominence Shops at Liberty Park, said developer Brooks Sanders, vice president of Sanders Capital Partners. Located across the parking lot from the Prominence Shops, the new structure will contain a mix of restaurant and retail tenants with Your Pie, a fast casual pizza restaurant, already committed to a 2,500-square-foot space. “There will be another two to three shops and we will probably target one additional restaurant, possibly a coffee shop,” Brooks said. “Building completion is planned for summer with the first tenant opening in the fall.” The cost of the project will be approximately $2.5-3.5 million, he said. “We’re excited about the prospect of bringing this project to Vestavia Hills and to Liberty Park,” Brooks said. “With the Prominence Shops of Liberty Park being the only shopping area within the neighborhood and 100 percent occupied, we think there is great demand for additional space.” The Liberty Park Joint Venture will open two new neighborhoods in 2016, said Shawn Arterburn, Joint Venture vice president. The Enclave, adjacent to Heritage Hills, will feature nine homes designed for empty nester living with a ranch style flavor. Pricing

will be in the high $500,000 range and development is set to begin in late winter, with a presale scheduled for late summer. Scheduled to begin in concert with the Enclave, the Overlook will have 50 homes, some of which will be lakefront. Priced in the low $500,000 range, the houses will be traditional, craftsman and Tudor styles with two and three-door garage options, he said. According to Arterburn, there is a shortage of homes in Vestavia Hills that the Joint Venture wants to address. In addition to new homes, Arterburn said plans are in the works for a retail location. “Somewhere down the road this year, we hope to introduce a convenience store site at the corner of Liberty Parkway and South Liberty Lane to serve those who live, recreate and work in Liberty Park,” he said. “There will also be additional office and retail space with condos above.”

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The Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation has its sights set on the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex Park as its primary focus in 2016. The nonprofit organization’s most recent project includes the transformation of 40 acres adjacent to the Liberty Park Athletic Complex into a passive park. According to Leigh Belcher, foundation executive director, members expect phase one of the park to be turned over to them and the city in early 2016. Belcher said plans for phase one include a three-mile trail system, pavilion, bathrooms, splash pad, and playground and exercise equipment. The parks and recreation foundation will also work this year to raise money to fund phase two of the park. Those plans include an amphitheatre and dog park, with a price tag of about $500,000, Belcher said.

Altadena Ridge, new entrance to park in works By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE The earth will begin to move in Altadena Park in early 2016. Work on Altadena Ridge, a 60-home, gated community, is scheduled to begin in the first months of this year, said developer Brooks Harris, CEO of Harris Doyle Homes. Home construction should begin mid-to-late summer with the first residences completed in mid-fall, he said. The new subdivision is adjacent to 60 acres donated to the City of Vestavia Hills last year and designated for a public recreational area that will include athletic fields, canoe launches, fishing ponds and trails. Jeff Downes, Vestavia Hills city manager, said the primary goal in 2016 is to improve access to the future site of the recreational area — currently only reached via Lakeland Trail — a project that logistically can begin only after the Altadena Ridge site work is complete. “Creating an additional entrance off Acton Road will involve purchase of two land parcels and significant land moving,” Downes said. According to Harris, Altadena Ridge homes will be higher end with a unique look but consistent with the market in Vestavia Hills. “Our residents will have immediate access to the city’s new recreational area in a prime location centrally located in the city,” Harris said. According to Downes, the goal for completion of the city park is 2-3 years. “Once the entrance and the homes are built, we will begin an incremental build out of the Old Altadena Country Club recreational area based on the master plan,” he said.

A22 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

YEAR IN PREVIEW

Rocky Ridge Road construction, improvement studies planned By EMILY FEATHERSTON The city of Vestavia Hills is working on several projects throughout the area to improve roadways through both construction that will take place this year, as well as studies for work to be done in the future.

ROCKY RIDGE ROAD

The stretch of Rocky Ridge Road from Highway 280 to Lorna Road will see construction throughout the first half of 2016. City Engineer Christopher Brady said the project, which is being funded through ALDOT, will utilize the services of Mid-South Paving. The first stage, which began in the fall, includes shoulder and guardrail improvements, which will continue throughout the next two or three months. The resurfacing stage of the project will begin in late March or early April, depending

on weather conditions and project progress. Brady said that at that time, there will be signs encouraging drivers to find alternate routes or plan for significant travel-time allowances. He said at certain points, the project will require traffic be shut-down to one lane, and drivers will be led by a pilot car through the one-lane area. The project does take into account high-volume times, and Brady said the contract requires that no lane closures occur before 8:30-9 a.m. and after 3:30-4 p.m. “Be aware, be patient,” Brady said. “This is a necessary evil to get the road repaired.”

SICARD HOLLOW ROAD

A multi-jurisdiction project between Vestavia Hills, Jefferson County and the city of Birmingham is in the design phase of improving and repaving Sicard Hollow Road. Brady said the project will seek to improve road conditions from the Blue Lake Drive area to Grants Mill Road.

He said the project has a six-month design process to determine exactly what changes will be made, and will likely begin in late spring or early summer.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT STUDIES

The city is working on two road improvement studies to be done over the course of 2016. One, an APPLE study, which is another Jefferson County led project, will focus on Acton Road from Interstate 459 to Camp Horner Road. Brady said the project is a six-month process to look at the stretch of road and determine what updates need to be made. The project will focus on the demands created by new developments, such as those at the old Altadena Country Club. “That will be to see what those plans and those developments, what kind of effect they would have on the widening project the county had already planned to do,” Brady said.

Paving and other improvements on Rocky Ridge Road will take place from Highway 280 to Lorna Road. Photo by Emily Featherston.

The City Council approved funding the city’s portion of the project at their meeting in October. In addition to the APPLE study, another study will be done on sections of Cahaba River Road. The study will focus on the area from around Grandview Medical Center to Acton Road. Brady said the project will be another multi-jurisdiction project, and will likely be a one-year process. Brady said both studies will look at overall improvements at road conditions and traffic flow, and will look specifically the implementation of turn lanes to help traffic flow more freely.

Several city events to moving to new home at City Hall facilities By EMILY FEATHERSTON Not only are the new Vestavia Hills City Hall facilities home to offices and the city council, they will soon be the new home of many iconic city events. The new facilities, located at 1032 Montgomery Highway, offer multiple areas for community events. “The design of the new City Hall was very intentional to try to support some of these events,” City Manager Jeff Downes said. Downes said there are three to four main

activity areas. The oval-shaped lawn and multilevel amphitheater set-up in front of the buildings make up just over an acre of usable event property, and Downes said are ideal for large events. So far, the annual Christmas tree lighting already took place in the area, and Downes anticipates other large events, such as Wing Ding, to make use of the space as well. There is also an approximately 1,000 squarefoot multi-purpose and kitchen area adjacent to the upper lawn behind the buildings. Downes said the upper lawn is around half an acre, offers

views of Oak Mountain and is adjacent to a walkway that connects the two buildings. There are also indoor spaces that can be used as “contingency spaces” in the event of inclement weather, as well as for smaller receptions and dignitary events. Downes said he hopes many of the city’s “signature events” will be making the move to the facilities, including I Love America Day, Art in the Hills, the Leadership Vestavia Hills graduation, the Sunrise Rotary First Responders Picnic and more.

“We hope that the new city hall and the community space becomes the go-to space for these signature events,” Downes said. While he said the city is still working through some of the logistics, community members interested in planning an event at the facilities are welcome to inquire. Outdoor event space is firstcome, first-served, and indoor space availability will depend on administrative needs. Anyone interested should contact the city’s administrative offices and ask for the City Manager’s Office for more information.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • A23 Art teacher Jamie Kolb uses a hot glue gun as part of an art project. She teaches all 810 students at Vestavia Hills Elementary West each week. Photo by Frank Couch.

KOLB

CONTINUED from page A1 know in the state.” This, along with Kolb’s philosophy of holistic teaching — focusing not just on art, but on the child as a whole — contributed to Kolb’s recent win as the Alabama Elementary Art Educator of the Year. Kolb was recognized at the Alabama Art Education Association’s conference in Fairhope in October. “I was giddy,” Kolb said. “It was humbling. I just kept shaking my head and saying, ‘Is this really happening?’” Kolb said she was surprised by the win. The award is given out by the professional organization AAEA. Anyone can be nominated for the award, Kolb said, and the AAEA Board of Directors votes after nominations are gathered. Kolb was recognized at a banquet at the conference, and the award came at a critical moment in her career and in her life. “It was a pivotal moment,” she said. “I’d been praying and asking for a sign that I was on the right track. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.” Kolb received her art education degree from Birmingham-Southern College, and her first professional job was at Vestavia Hills Elementary West, where she has been since 2001, save for a two-year break she took to be with her son, Hendry, now 10. “It’s all been right here,” she said. Her earliest students 14 years ago are now students in college, and Kolb has seen Vestavia Hills Elementary West almost double in size since she began teaching there — she had just 450 students in 2001. Even though Kolb interacts with so many children every week and has for 14 years, she remembers her students, even if they have been gone from Vestavia Hills Elementary West for years. “Last fall, I was at Party City of all places,” she said. “I saw a teen working, I saw his face, and I said, ‘Do you remember who I am?’ He said no, and I said, ‘I was your art teacher at West.’” The young man had a difficult time socially in elementary school, Kolb said, and couldn’t believe she remembered him.

“How would I not remember somebody I truly cared about?” she said. Kolb’s care for her students reflects her teaching philosophy. “I teach the whole child, not just the artistic part,” she said. Kolb said she loves when her classroom becomes a child’s safe space. Even though they might be struggling in other classes, in Kolb’s room, they shine. “Seeing them in their element feels so good,” she said. “When a kid says art is their favorite class — I want them to reach for creativity and for this to be a fun zone. You can be yourself here; you can learn and have fun.” Kolb said every project her students do is based in the art elements: color, line, value, shape, space and texture, which are delineated on the wall in her classroom for students to remember. Kolb said her classroom is based on

consistency rather than uniqueness. She does many of the same lessons every year with each grade, trying something new now and again. “Some become favorites, and some we’ll never do again,” she said. “You learn as you go.” Students learn technique but also art history and vocabulary. Kolb said parents are impressed when their kindergartners learn Picasso invented Cubism. More than anything, Kolb teaches students how to tap into their creativity. “I want them to find themselves, and I want to celebrate differences,” she said. “Art is your own and can be what you want it to be. I give an example, but students can make it their own way. What makes it unique is what is important to me.” Third-graders in Kolb’s class recently had the option of choosing one of five seasonal portraits — a snowman, an elf, a reindeer, Santa or the Nutcracker — but they could interpret their selection any way they chose.

“We are very structured, but sometimes I let them choose the direction it goes in,” she said. In addition to teaching art to children all day, Kolb also teaches an adult art class at her church, The Station. She is also an artist herself and does commission work while raising her son with her husband, Ivan, and taking care of her two beloved dogs. She has a sign hanging on the wall by her desk of a quote from the Pixar movie “Finding Nemo” that reads “Just Keep Swimming,” advice she herself takes on the busiest of days. “The kids keep me going no matter how I feel,” Kolb said. With her newly minted award, Kolb received nice recognition and a pat on the back for the work she does to enrich the lives of Vestavia Hills’ children. “I don’t need the recognition, but golly, it sure is nice for my colleagues to say that I am doing a great job,” she said.

SECTION B Community B2 Sports B4 Real Estate B17 Calendar B18

AN ELF FOR THE

EARTH Vestavia Hills, Hoover men opt to use green transportation

By JON ANDERSON Marty Robinowich is no celebrity, but it’s not unusual for people to take pictures of him when he’s riding around town. It’s not the 64-year-old Vestavia Hills man that’s the focus of their cameras. It’s his vehicle. The retired telecom engineer and financial advisor frequently can be seen riding around Vestavia Hills, Hoover and other nearby areas in an egg-shaped mango orange and wasabi green vehicle with three wheels — two in the front and one in the back. The vehicle, called an Elf, looks a bit like a small car because it’s partially enclosed, but it’s legally a three-wheeled bicycle. Marty Robinowich, a 64-year-old retired engineer from Vestavia Hills, loves driving his Elf bicycle around town for errands and for exercise. He even commuted to work in it before he retired. Photo by Frank Couch.

See ELF | page B8

B2 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Community Minter to speak at Legacy League luncheon By ERICA TECHO Kelly Minter, a Christian author, musician, Bible study creator and speaker, is this year’s guest speaker at the Samford Legacy League’s Scholarship Luncheon. The luncheon will be Thursday, Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at Vestavia Country Club. Minter has written several books and Bible studies, including a memoir about her trips to the Amazon jungle titled Wherever the River Runs: How a Forgotten People Renewed my Hope in the Gospel. Her Bible studies have also been used by Beth Moore, a Bible study teacher and founder of Life Proof Ministries. In addition to writing, Minter has recorded several albums. Her most recent record is Hymns & Hallelujahs, which was released in September. Minter also recently launched the event Cultivate: A Women’s Gathering Around the World, which works to bring women together through Bible study, prayer, mission and worship. “The invitation to be on a mission with God, both here and abroad, is one of the greatest in

Kelly Minter will speak at this year’s Samford Legacy League Scholarship Luncheon. Photo courtesy of Lynn Parrish.

my life,” Minter said. Proceeds from the Scholarship Luncheon go toward scholarships for students with significant financial need and challenging circumstances. The luncheon is open to the public, the cost is $50, and $25 of that cost is tax deductible. Reservations can be made at samford.edu/legacyleague now through Jan. 22. For more information, visit the website or call 726-2247.

The members of the Samford Legacy League Scholarship Luncheon Committee. Photo courtesy of Lynn Parrish.

VHHS senior Laney Parks signs with Samford By ERICA TECHO Laney Parks is set to stay in the Birmingham area as she continues playing softball. Parks, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, signed her National Letter of Intent

for Samford University on Sunday, Nov. 15. Parks also received a softball scholarship from Samford. Parks has played softball since she was 9 years old and traveled around the U.S. looking at schools before deciding to go to

Samford, said Parks’ mother, Clare Parks. “We’re extremely proud,” Clare said. “She spent a lot of time and sacrificed a lot to get to this point, and traveling year round, it’s difficult being a teenager, but it paid off in the end.”

Laney Parks signs her letter of intent with her mother, Clare Parks, and father, Ryan Parks. Photo courtesy of Clare Parks.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B3 Front row: Kitty Whitehurst, Lucy Lewis, Anne Setzer, Willard Yarbrough, Becky Bolton, Howard Sigmon, Jerri Barnhill; Back Row: Rick Goff, Rudy Duda, Edward Mauter, Mason Lewis, Robert Alverson, Brian Davis, Ray Shrout at a Veterans Day celebration. Photo courtesy of Rick Goff.

Poinsettia honorees, from left, Mary Amanda Hall, Mary Frances Yeilding, Susanna Bagwell, Paige Burleson and Allison Pounds pose for a group photo. Photos courtesy of Debra Pounds.

Poinsettia debutantes ready for annual ball Poinsettia Debutantes and their fathers are preparing for the 48th annual Poinsettia Debutante Ball. The debutantes were presented at the ball on Dec. 29, and the 10 Poinsettia Debutantes began waltz lessons at a party on Nov. 22. Tammy Towns, owner of Jackie O’Neal Dance Studio in Vestavia Hills, guided the debs and their fathers. Guests received monogrammed commemorative plates and a ballgown cookie.

Debutantes from Vestavia Hills include Mary Amada Hall, escorted by her father David Hall; Mary Frances Yeilding, escorted by her father John Yeilding; Allison Pounds, escorted by her father James Pounds and Joan Leslie McGill, escorted by her father Bradley McGill. The party was hosted by Donna Bagwell, Joanna Burleson, Stacy Hall, Debra Pounds and Mary Margaret Yeilding. - Submitted by Debra Pounds.

New Merkle Center honors veterans with patriotic program, luncheon The New Merkle Community and Senior Center celebrated Veterans Day with a patriotic program, historical memento display and luncheon on Monday, Nov. 9. Over 30 seniors attended, and 14 veterans were recognized. Brian Davis, director of public services for the City of Vestavia Hills and a 12-year army veteran, served as Master of Ceremonies and greeted all in attendance. Lucy Lewis represented Rosie The Riveter Association and shared her experiences working in factories to support the war effort during World War II. Becky Holcombe Bolton also shared her book, Hometown Heroes: Veterans of Montevallo, Alabama.

Rick Goff, an army veteran representing Bugles Across America, presented a history of Veterans Day as well as a history of Taps. He also played Taps, honoring fellow veterans. Joe Brasher led the group in singing “God Bless America” and a blessing in thanksgiving for veterans and the meal. A historical display of military mementos which included uniforms, medals, photographs and newspaper articles was created by Melanie Perry, director of New Merkle Center. Lunch was provided by Affinity Hospice, whose CEO Ray Shrout served in the U.S. Army. Flowers were provided by Murphree’s Market. -Submitted by Rick Goff.

B4 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Sports Vestavia wrestlers close out 2015 with home tournament By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Vestavia Hills senior pitcher Sonny Potter signs his letter of intent to play for the University of Alabama. He verbally committed to the Tide the same day he received his offer. Courtesy photo.

Potter commits to Tide By SAM CHANDLER The wait is finally over for Vestavia Hills senior pitcher Sonny Potter. After verbally committing to play baseball for the University of Alabama at the conclusion of his stellar sophomore season in 2014, the star southpaw solidified his college commitment on Wednesday afternoon, signing his National Letter of Intent (NLI) to join the Crimson Tide on an athletic scholarship. “When the day finally came, it was just a dream come true,” Potter said. A 2015 Super All-State selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) who started for the North in July’s prestigious AHSAA North-South All-Star game, Potter posted a 6-1 record and 1.15 ERA last spring, recording 66 strikeouts over the course of 66 innings pitched. Armed with a fastball that hovers between the high 80s and low 90s, along with a confounding

curveball and deceptive changeup, Potter first garnered college attention in March 2014. Selected to take the mound against a Chiles High School (Fla.) lineup that would eventually advance to the FHSAA 7A State semi-final, Potter, then a sophomore, tossed a no-hitter. The pristine performance, which was just one walk away from a perfect game, drew the attention of big-time schools from across the state and region, as Mississippi State, Alabama and Auburn all began to express interest. Although his grandfather, Jimmy Sidle, was an All-American dual-threat quarterback and 1963 Heisman Trophy finalist at Auburn, Potter’s decision was a no-brainer. A lifelong Alabama fan, he verbally committed to the Tide on the same day he received his offer. “I had known from the time I was six years old that if I got the opportunity I’d take it,” Potter said, “and as soon as I knew it was there, I wasn’t letting it get out of my reach.”

The VHHS wrestling team hosted its Heart of Dixie Invitational on Dec. 29 and 30, inviting teams from across Alabama and the Southeast. Coach Steve Gaydosh said two top-ranked teams would be making the trip to Vestavia Hills for the tournament: Brandon High School from Florida, which has won the last 10 Florida state championships, and San Marino High School from California, which has three nationally-ranked wrestlers on the team. The first two weeks of December were

very bust for the wrestling team, Gaydosh said. This included a trip to South Walton High School in Florida for the Border Brawl Invitational on Dec. 5. The VHHS team won by a margin of 39.5 points against 23 other teams that entered. Gaydosh said six of those teams had placed in the top five in their home state last year. The VHHS wrestlers also brought home three champions from the invitational: Hayden Hill, George Dazzio and James Edwards 220. Zach Nelson placed 2nd in his weight class.

Swimmer signs with Georgia Southern Vestavia Hills High School senior Anna Moers accepted a full scholarship to swim at Georgia Southern last week. Moers signed her National Letter of Intent with Georgia Southern on Thursday, Nov. 12. She is a 2015-16 U.S.A. Swimming All-American and a U.S.A. Junior National Qualifier. In the 2014 Alabama State Championship Swim Met, she placed second overall in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. Moers is also captain of this year’s VHHS swim team and competed in sectionals and the state championship in November.

Vestavia Hills High School senior Anna Moers accepted a full swimming scholarship at Georgia Southern. Photo courtesy of Jeff Segars.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B5

Liberty Park celebrates with Christmas parade By ERICA TECHO Sunday, Dec. 13 weather did not feel a lot like Christmas, but Vestavia Hills managed to get into the holiday spirit. With the temperature staying in the low 70s, some community members opted to wear shorts with their Santa hats. Hundreds of residents lined Liberty Parkway as the annual Christmas Parade drove by. Members of the Vestavia Hills High School band marched by, followed by Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other community members tossing candy into the crowd. The procession started at Liberty Park Middle School, looping around to Alston Meadows Park for more holiday activities.

A few four-legged friends joined the annual Christmas Parade in Vestavia Hills. Photos by Erica Techo.

Mayor Butch Zaragoza rides in the annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 13, 2015.

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Members of Girl Scout Troop 546 pass out candy in the annual Christmas Parade.

B6 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Tree lighting held at new City Hall Photos by Ron Burkett

ain moved the celebration indoors, but Vestavia Hills still R came out to watch the annual lighting of the city Christmas tree on Dec. 1.

The evening included songs from school choirs, a visit from Santa, a short performance of the Nutcracker and the annual tree lighting.

Clockwise from ornament: Rain caused the ceremony to move inside, but the lighting drew a large crowd in spite of the weather. Local dancers perform Act II of “The Nutcracker” ballet. Vestavia resident Olivia Cates visits Santa Claus for the ﬁrst time. Members of the Vestavia Belles pose with Santa Claus. The Vestavia Rockettes performed during the tree lighting festivities.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ B7

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B8 • January 2016 ELF

CONTINUED from page B1 It’s powered either by good old-fashioned foot pedaling or by a battery that can be charged with the solar panel on the roof or by plugging it into an electrical outlet. Riders also can use a combination of pedaling and battery power. The Elf, manufactured by a company in Durham, N.C., called Organic Transit, can go about 17 miles before it needs to recharge if using the battery only. Riders who supplement the battery power with pedaling can extend their trip to about 25 miles before the battery needs recharging, Robinowich said. It takes about 2½ hours to recharge the Elf with electricity, or seven hours of sunlight. Of course, you can pedal it as far as you can go, but it weighs about 160 pounds, and it helps to have the battery power when going uphill, he said. Robinowich has always been an avid cyclist and competed in bike races in the 1960s and ‘70s. Years ago, he rode his bicycle to work at BellSouth on U.S. 280 until he got run off Dolly Ridge Road in 2005 and decided it was too dangerous. As an engineer, he had been tinkering with the idea of something like the Elf for more than two decades, but “my design wasn’t very practical,” he said. “It would not have worked.” Then his wife found the Elf on the Internet and showed it to him. They drove to the Elf factory in North Carolina. “I tested it and said I had to have one,” he said. He ordered it, and five or six months later it was delivered to Vestavia Hills in February 2014. He’s had it for nearly two years now and has put more than 5,000 miles on it, he said. When he retired at the end of 2014, he was riding the Elf to his financial advising job at the Colonnade. It was an 8-mile trip from his home in Derby Downs, using the back roads, he said. He’d pack his tie, work shirt and dress shoes in the Elf’s trunk, change clothes when he got to work and change again before riding home, he said. The roof protects you from the sun and keeps most rain off you as long as the wind is not blowing too much, he said. Now that he’s retired, he uses the Elf to run

Vestavia Voice

I take the Elf to the absolute limit. ... I really ride this thing hard.

”

MARTY ROBINOWICH

The Elf weighs about 160 pounds and has a frame made of aircraft aluminum and stainless steel, with a body made of Trylon recyclable composite material. Photo by Frank Couch.

errands and do most all of his grocery shopping, she said. “It’s got a huge trunk in the back,” he said. He also rides it to an American Red Cross office on Caldwell Mill Road to donate platelets on Saturdays, he said. Organic Transit advertises that the Elf has a top speed of 30 mph, which means it can’t be driven on interstates. However, Robinowich said he’s gotten his up to 45 mph on Columbiana Road. “I go really, really fast going downhill because I like it,” he said. “I take the Elf to the absolute limit … I really ride this thing hard.” The Elf has brake lights, turn signals and headlights, but it doesn’t require a car tag, insurance or license because it’s legally a bicycle, Robinowich said. Hoover police at one point told him he needed a vehicle tag, but when he went to get one, the people at the tag office said he didn’t need one because the Elf doesn’t come with a vehicle identification number, he said.

As an engineer, Robinowich is always tinkering with his Elf. He retrofitted it with front suspension, put a new seat in that’s easier to adjust, put in a more efficient solar panel and a quieter and faster motor, and installed a meter that tells him how much charge is left in the battery. “Retired engineers have to amuse themselves,” he said. But at the beginning of December, he took it back to the factory in North Carolina for an upgrade since he had bought one of the earlier models. They moved the transmission from the rear wheel to a point behind the seat and added a rear disc brake and new, much brighter headlights, he said. People are very curious about the Elf when he’s out driving it, he said. They’ll take pictures and ask him a lot of questions about it because most people have never seen one, he said. Organic Transit has sold more than 500 Elfs, but Robinowich is only aware of six in Alabama,

including his. There is one in Guntersville, one in Montgomery, one in Mobile, one in Irondale and one in Hoover, he said. Woodie Comer, a 71-year-old Bluff Park resident and retired pharmacy technician, saw Robinowich riding his Elf at the Publix off U.S. 31 in Hoover in June 2014. The next month, he met Robinowich and took a test drive and decided to get one himself. Comer found a couple in Guntersville who had bought two Elfs. The couple are in their 80s, and the Elf was too much for the husband, so they wanted to sell one of them, Comer said. The base price for an Elf is $5,495, but with extras, a typical new one costs $7,000 to $9,000, Robinowich said. Comer said he was able to get his used one for $4,000. He’s had it since August 2014 and thoroughly enjoys it, he said. “It’s fun to drive,” he said. “It’s an interesting little gadget. I think it’s very practical … I try to get it out at least once a week.” He frequently rides his to the Piggy Wiggly and other stores at Shades Mountain Plaza but doesn’t take it out on the main roads, he said. People often take pictures of it, and some people have followed him home to ask questions about it, he said. But he still can’t get his wife, Peggy, interested in riding it, he said. He likes the fact that he doesn’t have to buy gas for it, he said. Robinowich said he likes the exercise aspect of having an Elf. He has lost 40 pounds since he started riding it, he said. But he’s also an environmentalist. “I just think it’s great for the environment,” he said. “It’s called saving the planet.” For more information about the Elf, go to organictransit.com.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B9

Women of

TION C E S L

VESTAVIA

n e m o W

SPEC

A I V A T S VE 2016 Running a business takes ambition, smarts and a lot of drive. The women who run businesses in Vestavia Hills have all three, plus a passion for what they do. From retail and food to health care and ﬁtness, our annual Women of Vestavia feature is a chance to get to know some of the faces behind the success of many of the businesses in our area.

MANDA LUCCASEN RE/MAX SOUTHERN HOMES Manda Luccasen of RE/MAX Southern Homes is an award-winning real estate professional with over 15 years experience. She has a thorough knowledge of contract negotiations, marketing skills and is a local real estate market specialist. Luccasen is consistently a top-producing agent in the Vestavia area with a proven track record. She has been awarded RE/MAX Platinum Club, Hall of Fame Club, Club of Excellence & 100% Club honors. She strives to uphold a superior level of integrity, honesty and sound judgment for her clients. “I love working with ﬁrst-time home buyers, families looking to move up or down, and the continued referrals of my past clients,” she said. “My philosophy is to make my clients friends for life.” Manda attributes her success to her commitment to clients and her love of real estate.

RE/MAX SOUTHERN HOMES

Icon indicates additional video feature at VestaviaVoice.com: Businesswomen discuss what drives them.

► WHERE: 903 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 205-283-0380

DR. JULIE C. HARPER THE DERMATOLOGY AND SKIN CARE CENTER OF BIRMINGHAM Julie C. Harper, MD, is with The Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham, which has been in Vestavia for eight years. Harper was drawn to her profession as a result of her own skin concerns as a teenager suffering with acne. Her dermatologist helped her so much that it inspired her to do the same for others. She spent seven years in practice at UAB, but, after having a family, found that her own practice allowed her to have more control of her work schedule. Her work enables her to give back to her patients and the community. “I strive to offer really superb, comprehensive dermatological care to my patients. I like to be a supporter of the Vestavia community. My faith prompts me to really love my patients and to treat them even better,” she said. Dr. Harper is a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where she practiced full-time for seven years before opening her own practice in Vestavia Hills. She received her medical degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine, and went on to complete an internship in Internal Medicine. She completed her dermatology residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia and her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University. Dr. Harper is founding director of the American Acne and Rosacea Society and the Society’s president-elect. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Acne Work Group and recently co-authored national guidelines for the treatment of acne. Dr. Harper speaks nationally on the subjects of acne and rosacea and has recently been invited to both Germany and Brazil to share her expertise.

Women of

VESTAVIA

THE DERMATOLOGY AND SKIN CARE CENTER OF BIRMINGHAM ► WHERE: 2470 Rocky Ridge Road ► CALL: 205-978-3336

B10 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Women of

VESTAVIA

MELANIE L. PETRO PETRO FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDSPA Melanie L. Petro, M.D., is the founder of Petro Facial Plastic Surgery & Medspa, which has moved to a new, larger facility at 905 Montgomery Highway. From the state-of-the-art operating suite to the breathtaking views from the lavish Medspa, Dr. Petro’s new facility offers the perfect amount of seclusion without sacrificing the convenience of it’s Vestavia Hills location. “The opportunity to expand my practice was irresistible,” says Petro. “We have two floors, one dedicated to surgery, and the top floor for the Medspa.” Petro is board-certified in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Otolaryngology, Cosmetic Surgery, and

Venous & Lymphatic Medicine. Dr. Petro and her excellent support staff make Petro Facial Plastic Surgery and Medspa the place to start your journey back to your best self. “Our team is going to give you the very best advice, education, advocacy, experience and the results that you desire. In addition to facial plastic surgery, we offer patients a wide array of services, including lasers, facials, injectables and Coolscultping. “Our practice is rooted in a sincere, honest desire to provide the best care possible. I love helping people look as young as they feel. I want people to know they can come see me, and I will tell them

PETRO FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDSPA ► WHERE: 905 Old Montgomery Highway, No. 101 ► CALL: 205-420-8043

the truth and help them decide what, if any rejuvenation, is best for them.” By taking a personal, individualized approach to each patient’s wants and needs, Dr. Petro instantly makes her clients feel truly cared for. Petro’s compassion and understanding for her patients delivers results that are more than skin-deep; they boost conﬁdence from the inside out. Dr. Petro ﬁnds inspiration in helping patients look and feel their best. “You have one life to live, and I’m here to help you feel beautiful – the very best version of you.” To learn more about Petro Facial Plastic Surgery please visit www.petromd.com.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B11

MEREDITH SPINK

Women of

VESTAVIA

SPINK DENTISTRY Meredith Spink, with Spink Dentistry, is going on her eighth year of being a dental assistant at her father’s dental office, specializing in same day crowns. Her formerly part-time job went full time when Dr. Spink invested in their E4D system which is same-day crown technology. “We purchased our system back in 2009, and shortly afterwards, I did extra course work and exams to receive my CDD (Certified in Digital Dentistry) accreditation. A couple years later, I became a Certified Integration Specialist (CIS), which is through E4D Technologies, in Dallas, Texas. Being an integration specialist allows me to travel the country and train other dental offices on this software. I really enjoy training other assistants, like myself, and watching them learn, and I enjoy what I do every day for our practice here in Birmingham,” she said. She loves working in Vestavia. “I was born and raised here, so it is very familiar to me, and our patients feel like family. I also never knew how much I would enjoy the opportunity to work for my dad, ‘Dr. Spink.’ My favorite thing to do is to listen to patients complimenting him when he leaves the room, not knowing that I am his daughter. I just smile real big and say, ‘thank you,’” she said. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family, especially her little girl, Laney, who is 3 years old. “We love being on the water, whether it’s the beach or the lake. We also enjoying cheering for our Auburn Tigers!”

SPINK DENTISTRY ► WHERE: 4005 Crosshaven Drive ► CALL: 205-967-8555

Women

VESTAVIA

ANGELA HAYES ASSOCIATE LICENSED COUNSELOR Angela Hayes, MS, ALC, NCC, a clinical mental health counselor, provides counseling services for individuals, adolescents, couples and family. She received her Masters Degree from Capella University and has a certiﬁcate in couples and family therapy. She will receive a certiﬁcate in addictive behaviors this spring. “God placed in my heart in 2010 the desire to be a counselor. My practice provides a safe and non-threatening environment for clients to seek counseling,” she said. Her goal is to make counseling more accessible. She will be presenting a Parent Awareness at the Vestavia Hills School Board on Jan. 27, 2016, from 12-1 p.m. This will aid parents in dealing with anxiety in children. “Helping people heal because it’s possible is my vision statement for my practice. I believe people can survive the hurdles and traumas of life with support, empathy, non-judgment and quality interventions. These factors will enable people to heal.”

ANGELA HAYES ► WHERE: 4268 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 122 ► CALL: 205-222-9574 ► WEBSITE: angelamhayes@icloud.com www.angelahayescounseling.com

AMY LAWSON REALTYSOUTH Amy Lawson, with RealtySouth, has been in the real estate business for over a decade. Though she started her career in law, she decided after starting her family that real estate might be a better ﬁt to balance career and family. As a Realtor, she ﬁnds her law degree often comes in handy in navigating the twists and turns of real estate deals. “I will look at all avenues to resolve any issue. I think my legal training helps me tremendously,” she said. Being a Realtor in Vestavia offers the best kind of challenge. “Sometimes the homes are just not available and my clients have to patiently wait. But, that is actually a good challenge!” she said. Lawson’s overall goal is “to make my clients happy. To see my clients accomplish their goal … nothing about a move is easy. But when it is all done, it is gratifying.”

AMY LAWSON, REALTY SOUTH ► WHERE: Over the MountainActon Road Ofﬁce ► CALL: 205-215-0284

B12 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

ROSALIE PRIBBENOW Women

ARC REALTY

Rosalie Pribbenow has been in real estate in Birmingham for three years. Pribbenow’s commitment to excellence has served her well in the real estate business. This attribute, combined with her integrity, honesty, professionalism and knowledge of the industry, has allowed her to continue to grow her business in the Birmingham area. She strives daily to fulfill clients’ needs and help them find the home of their dreams. It’s this focus on relationships and building trust with her clients that has allowed her find her niche in the Birmingham real estate market. “Treat people as you would like to be treated,” she said. Though every business has its challenges, Pribbenow’s positive attitude is key in making every day a success. “Being the best I can be every day keeps me striving forward. For me, I set the limits on what I can and cannot do, and being able to see what my business can be drives me,” she said. The joy of watching new homeowners is well worth any challenges. “I genuinely enjoy working with families looking to purchase homes, and being able to see the happiness it brings them is a satisfying feeling I can’t explain,” she said. She advises other entrepreneurs

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not to give up on their dreams and to stick with it. “I would say never give up. The ﬁrst year is always the toughest. So be sure to put your best foot forward and trust in God to do the same. Faith is what we all have in the end.”

ROSALIE PRIBBENOW, ARC REALTY ► WHERE: 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 200 ► CALL: 205-777-1282

Women

VESTAVIA

DR. RETNA A. BILLANO HEIGHTS DERMATOLOGY & AESTHETICS

EMILY TUTTLE-SHELL BISTRO V Emily Tuttle-Shell is a co-owner of Bistro V, a favorite dining spot for Vestavians and others in the Birmingham area. The restaurant has been in business ﬁve and half years, but Tuttle-Shell has worked in the restaurant industry for 22 years. She and her team take great pride in serving distinctive dishes made with quality ingredients for their customers. “We use the best ingredients available to create dishes that our customers rave about,” she said. “I think it is very important to use as many organic and local elements as possible. You can taste and feel the difference. When the produce and meats are the best, the outcome is more than delicious. It is respected.” They have been in their current location for year, which has allowed them to expand their space and increase their capacity. The restaurant also features a full-service bar with large screen TVs to complete the relaxed atmosphere.

BISTRO V ► WHERE: 521 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 205-823-1505

► WHERE: 4325 Dolly Ridge Road ► CALL: 205-591-2169

Dr. Retna A. Billano of Heights Dermatology & Aesthetics (formerly Montclair Dermatology) has been a dermatologist for almost 30 years, with 10 years in group practice and almost 20 years in solo practice. Her practice provides both medical and cosmetic procedures. “I’ve always been interested in dermatology,” she said. “This is a ﬁeld where you can combine medicine and beauty!” Dr. Billano is committed to improving her patients’ overall well-being with care for their skin and health. This is a result of working closely with patients. “I am here to practice good medicine and have one-to-one contact with my patients,” she said. She advises others to follow their dreams as well. “The key to success is simple,” she advises. “Focus on others, not on yourself. Go into the business believing in yourself and not expecting to depend on others. Practice good medicine, caring for patients and not thinking of proﬁting from it.”

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B13

IRMGARD ‘M’ KLINGLER, MICHELLE WITHERINGTON Women KLINGER’S CAFE & BAKERY AND CHLOE SELLERS of

VESTAVIA

Irmgard “M” Klingler was born and raised in Germany. She met Richard while he was stationed in the army and they married, bringing family recipes and traditions to Alabama. M always had a knack for baking. She was constantly being asked if she could make her “European Cheesecake” (amaretto almond) for special occasions. She never minded because she was fond of the amaretto and enjoyed “sipping” it while creating her masterpiece. Over the years, she would bake for restaurants, and her daughter, Michelle, would work on weekends and breaks from school. In 1991 they expanded and moved to Vestavia Hills. Richard later retired from his full-time job and joined the team, along with cake artist and baker Edith Webster, who has now been with them 22 years. Michelle has been involved in all areas of the business over the years but especially loves creating new products, designing menus and planning events. She also handles all of the catering and special events and has won numerous awards for her designs. In 2005, she married Chef Eric Witherington, who owns all of the Moe’s Original BBQ’s in Birmingham. She currently makes the cornbread for Moe’s as well, and her son, Cody, manages the Lakeview location. Chloe Sellers, Michelle’s daughter, began her stint full time with Klingler’s at the age of four months when a tornado destroyed her daycare at Vestavia Baptist Church. She stayed right by M’s side everyday at the register. Now a freshman at Vestavia Hills High School, she is right there with M on Sundays greeting and helping the customers.

KLINGLER’S CAFE & BAKERY ► WHERE: 621 Montgomery Hwy. ► CALL: 205-823-4560

Women

VESTAVIA

KIM NGUYEN UPTOWN NAIL SPA Kim Nguyen brings 23 years of experience to her business, Uptown Nails, which opened two years ago. The popular nail salon provides clients with excellent service in a comfortable environment. Not only do they provide excellent service, but they also create a luxurious experience for the customer. Services include pedicures and gel manicures, with a variety of colors to choose from. There are also a variety of special artist designs available. In addition, the team at Uptown Nails also offers acrylic nails, basic manicures and waxing. Nguyen prides herself on offering customers a beautiful and clean atmosphere. Pedicure spa tubs feature disposable liners. Nguyen’s attention to detail and customer service is the reason for her success and excellent reputation. Nguyen takes time with each client’s needs and desires. Her kindness and attentiveness to clients has earned her lifelong customers making Uptown Nails the perfect place for pampering.

UPTOWN NAIL SPA ► WHERE: 4851 Cahaba River Road ► CALL: 205-703-8290

PAIGE MORRISON DIRTY HIPPIE Paige Morrison, owner of Dirty Hippie, launched the retail boutique in December of 2014. “While I was planning for my business, thinking I would sell my [arts and crafts] creations at shows and festivals, I found myself inspired to sell already made clothing, gifts and accessories, so I decided to sell a combination of both,” she said. As her inventory grew, so did Dirty Hippie. Soon after, everything came together and she opened the store on Rocky Ridge Road. Morrison prides herself on providing a unique and eclectic array of items. “I want my customers to feel included and uplifted. I carry unique items that aren’t found everywhere else, we carry plus size women’s clothing, and when buying, items that are speciﬁc to diverse populations get priority over items that are more generic or ﬁt a more common mold. There really is something for almost anyone in the store.”

DIRTY HIPPIE ► WHERE: 2531 Rocky Ridge Road ► CALL: 205-874-6164

B14 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

LAUREN CONKLIN TRIM SENTRY HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, PLUMBING AND GENERATORS Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Generators was founded in 1987 by Charlie Conklin. Today, the family business continues to thrive. Conklin relies on his team that includes his wife Pam, who wears many hats in addition to running the accounts payable department. His daughter, Lauren Conklin Trim, joined the business when she graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in business and marketing. “I learned the basics when I first started so I could get my footing, but also had many ideas to help improve our business for the future. I am Sentry’s CIO, which means I handle all necessary internal information with our software and daily processes. Just like my mom, I wear many hats in our office, and all the women in our office help take part in making sure everything is running smoothly,” she said. That team includes Michelle White, service dispatch coordinator; Christina Howell, service agreement coordinator; Sissie Frank, administrative assistant; Denise Rice, accounts receivable and Frances Cole, project administrator. “At the end of the day, we all try to help each other with anything we can. We find it makes our week and day run much smoother when we communicate with one another and of course, we have lots of laughter in our office!” Lauren said. Their hard work pays off for clients. “Sentry prides itself in taking the time to do every job the right way the first time and going the extra mile to ensure every customer is happy of the work that was performed.”

Women of

VESTAVIA

SENTRY HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, PLUMBING AND GENERATORS ► WHERE: 2490 Rocky Ridge Road ► CALL: 205-979-9864

Women

VESTAVIA

JANA HANNA REALTYSOUTH Realtor Jana Hanna brings her more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience to Realty South’s Over the Mountain-Acton Road office, where she specializes in buying and selling in the Vestavia Hills home market. “I have a passion for Vestavia Hills and working with the families that live here,” she said. “I love being a part of this great community.” Her passion shows in success for her clients. In 2015 her listings averaged 23 days on the market and she was ranked in the top one percent in sales volume of all agents. Hanna holds a finance degree from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is married to Tyler Hanna, and they have two boys, Pierce, a sixth-grader at Pizitz Middle School, and Spence, a third-grader at East Elementary School. When she is not working, you can find her watching her children play youth sports in the Vestavia Hills community.

REALTYSOUTH ► WHERE: 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137 ► CALL: 205-835-6188

SUSAN GREEN BIRMINGHAM BAKE & COOK COMPANY Susan Green opened Birmingham Bake & Cook Company in 2008 and moved to Cahaba Heights in 2014. The independently owned culinary specialty shop provides everything for the kitchen. “We carry the best (and most interesting!) brands at the best price, and pride ourselves in helping people make the most informed, best decisions regarding their purchases. Our products include cookware, bakeware and baking tools, kitchen prep tools and gadgets, knives and knife accessories, textiles, electrics and more. Our services include Bridal Kitchen Showers and off-site Cookin’ Parties, knife sharpening and custom gift baskets,” Green said. Green garnered experience for many years in the food service/hospitality business where she specialized in merchandising, marketing and other aspects of the industry, which prepared her for her own business. She loves working with people. “Customer service is ﬁrst and foremost. Finding unique, useful and cool kitchen products for every level of cooking.”

BIRMINGHAM BAKE & COOK COMPANY ► WHERE: 3160 Heights Village ► CALL: 205-980-3661

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B15

LISA SMITH ANYTIME FITNESS Lisa Smith, with Anytime Fitness, began her career as a registered nurse working in open heart surgery. She currently works part time with her husband as a microsurgical assistant at Advanced Endodontics, P.C. Now, she is taking her nursing expertise into a new field at Anytime Fitness, which is owned by her son, Morgan Smith. “As a nurse, I make myself available to interested clients who may have health, exercise and dietary questions.” Her son, Morgan, became interested in the health and athletic recovery benefits of Whole Body Cryotherapy and installed a unit at his gym. Lisa, too, became interested and began a process of investigating the medical studies outlining the benefits of cryotherapy as a treatment for inflammatory diseases, including fibromyalgia, arthritis and other chronic pain conditions. On a personal note, she was suffering from chronic hip pain and tried cryotherapy as an alternative treatment. Pleased with the results of the treatment, she said, “I experienced almost immediate relief from pain. I know it works! Also at leading collegiate and professional athletic programs, Whole Body Cryotherapy is replacing the cold water bath in the training room for recovery from injury and to enhance athletic performance.” Anytime Fitness also offers sophisticated metabolic testing, VO2 max testing and body fat analysis. This enables them to provide a customized exercise and diet plan to their members. The staff at Anytime Fitness, Vestavia Hills, wants to assist you in achieving your personal health, wellness and fitness goals.

Women of

VESTAVIA

ANYTIME FITNESS ► WHERE: 1360 Montgomery Highway, Suite 120 ► CALL: 205-822-5955

Women

VESTAVIA

FANCY GOODS LESLIE SELF, VARIETY DIANE CLOWER, CARMEN CLOWER Leslie Self, her parents, Diane and Ed Clower, and sister-in-law, Carmen Clower, opened Fancy Goods Variety in 2012. The store offers something for everyone with a variety of kitchen towels, tote bags and inspirational gifts. “Our philosophy is to have a great selection of gifts for all ages and in a wide price range,” Self said. The store offers an extensive array of gifts for every price range. “We have over 300 Melissa & Doug toys to choose from — you can purchase a $5 sticker pad or a $100 giraffe. We have inspirational ornaments for $7.50 or a piece of local original art for $325.” Self loves hearing from customers. This feedback and a natural instinct are the basis of her thriving business. “Listen to your customer base, trust your instincts, and do not be afraid to change your mind. Remember that every new day presents an opportunity for absolute magic,” she said.

FANCY GOODS VARIETY ► WHERE: 2512 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 120 ► CALL: 205-978-1451

DR. TAMMY STUMPFF ADVANCED VETERINARY CARE OF VESTAVIA Dr. Tammy Stumpff, owner of Advanced Veterinary Care of Vestavia, has been practicing veterinary medicine since 1995. Dr. Stumpff and her top-notch team are committed to providing the community with compassionate veterinary care. They offer preventative care, emergency care, surgery and diagnostics including digital X-ray, ultrasound and bloodwork testing to surrounding communities. Originally from Newfane, New York, Dr. Stumpff received her DVM from Auburn University. She practiced in New York, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham prior to opening her own clinic. When asked about her practice, she says, “I love this community. My clients are truly special, wonderful people, and I love being their vet. Having formed friendships with them over the years of working in Vestavia, this community has made me feel welcome, watched my children grow up, as I have theirs, and shared in the many joys and sometimes sorrows of sharing our lives with pets.”

ADVANCED VETERINARY CARE OF VESTAVIA ► WHERE: 2509 Rocky Ridge Road ► CALL: 205-823-5433

B16 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Women

VESTAVIA

DR. ANNE ENGLAND VESTRIDGE ANIMAL CLINIC

ANNA BARNES

Dr. England and Braidy, a stem cell recipient.

Dr. Anne England of Vestridge Animal Clinic graduated summa cum laude from Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine and has been in practice for 31 years. She has owned Vestridge Animal Clinic for 10 years. “I decided to own my own veterinary hospital so that I could fulﬁll my vision of an individualized care-centered client/ patient responsive integrative medical practice,” she said. Her philosophy is simple: “Always do your best and treat every pet like it’s your own,” she said. Vestridge incorporates this philosophy into the care and treatment she provides each animal and has one of the few veterinary clinics in Alabama offering autologous stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapies. “What this means is that we take fat from your pet and harvest stem cells from that fat, then inject them back into the pet for treatment of osteoarthritis, allergies, kidney failure and many other inﬂammatory conditions in animals.”

THE BLUE WILLOW Anna Barnes is the owner of The Blue Willow, a boutique that offers unique gifts, including baby and home items, jewelry, candles, frames and seasonal décor. It also offers monogramming, etching, engraving and personalization. Barnes has been owner of The Blue Willow for four years, and the shop has been in business for 16 years. The relaxed atmosphere provides a home-like environment for customers. “We want everyone who comes through the door to feel welcome and special,” she said. “I am inspired daily to provide our customers with unique, special gifts for any occasion as well as allowing them to ﬁnd items for their own homes they love. I am driven to provide excellent customer service to our wonderful customers and want to provide people with a great local shopping experience.” She puts customers ﬁrst. “Our objective is to deliver quality customer service that exceeds the customer’s expectations.”

VESTRIDGE ANIMAL CLINIC ► WHERE: 1444 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 205-822-0210

THE BLUE WILLOW ► WHERE: 3930 Crosshaven Drive ► CALL: 205-968-0909

DR. FARAH SULTAN Women

VITALOGY WELLNESS CENTER AND MEDSPA Dr. Farah Sultan, MD, of Vitalogy Wellness Center and Medspa offers clients functional, integrative, holistic and regenerative medicine as well as aesthetics, bio-identical hormonal therapy for both men and women, metabolic weight management, and yoga with ﬁtness. “I have specialized training as a functional, integrative and regenerative as well as an esthetic medicine expert in order to help my clients achieve their overall wellness goals,” she said. Dr. Sultan has a medical degree from Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. After graduation, she trained in internal medicine at the Royal London Hospital and completed six months of residency training in general surgery at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She completed her family medicine residency at Baylor University in Houston and received her Board Certiﬁcation in Family Medicine. Sultan is passionate about getting to the root of a patient’s health issue and providing preventative care, which is what led her to creating a place that addresses health concerns in a holistic way. “I wanted to pursue my passion, and the best way to do this was to be an entrepreneur and start my own

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wellness center to provide for all of my clients’ wellness needs.” She gets great rewards watching the transformation as her patients respond to her protocol. “To see amazing results in my clients. If I help anyone reclaim their life back and restore their youth and vitality, then I feel I have done my part in restoring and optimizing their lives!”

VITALOGY WELLNESS CENTER AND MEDSPA ► WHERE: 2704 20th St. S. ► CALL: 205-413-8599

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ B17

Vestavia Hills Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

734855

35216

3098 Altaloma Cove

New

$469,900

735811

35216

2309 Pine Crest Drive

New

$249,000

735795

35216

2112 Montreat Lane #D

New

$77,900

735711

35216

2536 Woodmeadow Lane

New

$84,100

735431

35216

2454 Monte Vista Drive

New

$275,000

735383

35216

1693 Savannah Park

New

$152,900

735212

35216

2725 Cherokee Road

New

$464,900

735192

35216

3801 Ripple Leaf Circle

New

$214,900

735012

35216

436 Longview Drive

New

$559,000

734943

35216

1812 Old Creek Trial

New

$279,900

734894

35216

2208 Deerwood Road

New

$185,000

734547

35216

1844 Montclaire Drive

New

$459,900

735469

35216

3336 Castle Crest Drive

New

$399,000

734446

35216

2728 Southview Drive

New

$284,900

734394

35216

4190 River Oaks Drive

New

$149,900

734330

35216

1561 Bent River Circle

New

$219,900

734259

35216

1413 Panorama Drive

New

$399,900

734077

35216

3340 Altaloma Drive

New

$419,900

733969

35216

2200 Brookdale Lane

New

$262,000

733911

35216

1030 Vestavia Manor Drive #C

New

$194,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Dec. 14. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

3098 Altaloma Cove

3336 Castle Crest Drive

B18 • January 2016

Vestavia Voice

Calendar Vestavia Events Jan. 1: Commitment Day 5K Fun Run, LifeTime Fitness Vestavia Hills, 10 a.m. Commitmentday.com Jan. 2: C9 Challenge Group Fitness Jam, same location Jan. 3: Indoor Triathlon Hour powered by Iron Man. Same location, Indoortri.com.

Jan. 6 Health Expo. 3:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Shades Mountain Baptist Church. Featuring vendors and experts from all types of areas, medicine, senior living and care, ministries, counseling, and non-profits to give people an opportunity to expand their view of total wellness. Free. Visit www.shades.org/events. Jan. 6, 13, 20 & 27: Russia’s History Under Communism to Today. Vestavia Hills Senior Center, 1975 Merryvale Rd., Vestavia. 1:30

p.m. Presented by the Greater Birmingham OLLI. Peter Kirchikov, Russian teacher, author and speaker will speak. Four course session. Visit olli.ua.edu.

Jan. 17: Friendship Force of Birmingham Meeting. 2 p.m. Southminster Presbyterian Church, Hwy. 31 South.

Jan. 10 Birmingham Needlearts Chapter of Embroiderers’ Guild of America. 2 p.m. Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, Community Room. Featuring a display of our 2015 completed, stitched programs and 3 of the March Quilts. Visit bhamega. com.

Jan. 28: Samford Legacy League Leadership Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Vestavia Country Club. Featuring Kelly Minter, Christian author, musician, Bible study creator and teacher. Visit www. samford.edu.

Vestavia Hills Library Events Kids Mondays: Maker Monday. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Work with the electric circuits. Something for everyone, but adults must accompany children. Tuesdays: Together With Twos. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Cristina for a rollicking toddler time of stories, songs, finger pl ys and movement. Ages 18 mos. to 35 mos. Wednesdays: Story Friends. 10:30 a.m. Join Mrs. Lisa for great stories and songs plus a surprise visitor or two. Ages 3 and up. Wednesdays & Fridays: W.H.Y? 3:30 p.m. Join Miss Alicia for a craft program on Wednesdays and a movie and snack on Friday. We Hear Ya! Something for our school age kids.

Thursdays: L.I.F.T. (Library in the Forest Time). 9:30 a.m.-noon. Special play equipment in the program room for preschoolers and caregivers. Thursdays: Book Babies. 10 a.m. A new program just for babies, with small classes limited to 12 each, where we begin the journey toward a life-long love of books! You must register each week. Birth to 18 mos. Call 978-0158 to register. Jan. 12: Ms. Olivia’s Evening Reads. 6 p.m. Historical Room. Teens Fridays: Open Gaming. 4-5:30 p.m. Enjoy video games on the Wii U, PS4, board games to play with fellow teens. Snacks served. Jan. 6: Teen Art Group. 4 p.m. Historical

Room. Make and share artwork.

Adults

Jan. 12: Fandom Tuesday. Merlin Fandom Night. Community Room. Movies, crafts and themed foods.

Thursdays: Sunrise Rotary Club. 6 a.m. Community Room.

Jan. 13 & 27: Teen Writing Group. 4 p.m. Historical Room. Snacks served. Jan. 19: Otaku Time. 4 p.m. Historical Room. Jan. 20: Studio 1221. 4 p.m. Cookie wars. Make crafts and artwork. Teen Department. Jan. 26: Anime Movie Night. 4 p.m. Jan. 27: Writing Group. 4 p.m. Jan. 29: Super Smash Bros. Tournament. 4 p.m.

Jan. 8: Adult Trivia Night- Star Wars. 7 p.m. Community Room. Jan. 14: Cahaba Heights Book Group. 6:30 p.m. Pita Stop, Cahaba Heights. Discussing “The Secret Wisdom of the Earth” by Christopher Scotton. Jan. 22: Upcycle City/Makers in the Forest. 6 p.m. Community Room. Jan. 28: Friends of the Library Presents: Anne Bagwell. 10 a.m. Community Room.

VestaviaVoice.com

January 2016 • B19

Vestavia Hills High School Athletics Boys Varsity Basketball

Girls Varsity Basketball

Jan. 5: vs. Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5: vs. Mountain Brook. 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 @ Hewitt-Trussville. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

Jan. 12: @ Spain Park. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15: @ Mountain Brook. 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: @ Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19: vs. Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

Jan. 19: vs. Hewitt-Trussville. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 21: @ Helena. 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: vs. Spain Park. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: vs. Spain Park. 6 p.m.

Jan. 26: @ Pelham. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26: @ Pelham. 6 p.m.

Jan. 29: vs. Homewood. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29: vs. Homewood. 6 p.m.

Area Events Jan. 2: 5th Annual Resolution Run. 7:30 a.m. Red Mountain Park, 281 Lyon Lane. Featuring 5K, 10K and 20K courses. Visit raceroster.com to register. Jan. 2-3: Great Southern Gun & Knife Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday. $9 adults, $2 children age 6-11. Visit greatsoutherngunshow.com. Jan. 5-6: Gregg Allman. 8 p.m. Iron City Birmingham, 513 22nd St. South. $42.50. Visit ironcitybham.com. Jan. 7: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. 113 22nd St. North, downtown Birmingham. Meet local artists and performers. Artwork for sale. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Jan. 7: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Classical EDGE Series. 7:30 p.m. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. $16. Music of Wray. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Jan. 8: Bards & Brews Poetry Slam. Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place. Free admission, $5 to compete. Music and sign ups start at 6:30 p.m. Visit facebook.com/bardsandbrews. Jan. 8-9: Monster Jam. Legacy Arena at the BJCC, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $10-$60. Visit monsterjam.com. Jan. 8-9: Jim Norton. Comedy Club at the StarDome. Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $33-$38. Visit stardome.com. Jan. 10: Southern Bridal Show. BJCC Exhibition Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. $10 advance, $15 at door. Visit eliteevents.com. Jan. 14-16: Lyric Theatre Grand Opening: 3 Nights of Moderne Vaudeville. 7:30 p.m. 1800 Third Ave. North. $40-$60. Visit lyricbham.com. Jan. 15: Ron White. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. North. $50-$60. Visit tatersalad.com. Jan. 17: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Reflect & Rejoice: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 3 p.m. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. $9-$24. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Jan. 17: The SoHo Bridal Show. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square, 2850 19th Street South. $10. Visit engagedbirmingham.com. Jan. 16-17 BrickFair 2016. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. LEGO models, displays and trains. $12, age 3 and under free. Jan. 23: Red Shoe Run. 7:30 p.m. Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square. 10 mile, 5K or 1 mile fun run. $20-$45. Visit redshoerun-bham.org. Jan. 23: Samford women’s basketball v. Chattanooga. Pete Hanna Center, 800 Lakeshore

Drive. 2 p.m. $10-$15. Visit samfordsports.com. Jan. 24: Alabama Wildlife Center & Audubon Teaches Nature: Birds of Prey, Masters of the Skies. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 100 Terrace Drive, Oak Mtn. State Park, Pelham. Park admission $5 adults, $2 children. Jan. 21-24: Birmingham Boat Show. BJCC, Exhibition Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. Jan. 21-22 from 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 23 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 24 from 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. Visit bjcc.org. Jan. 19-24: Cowboy Bill Martin. Comedy Club at the StarDome. Jan. 19-22 at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. $9.75-16.50. Visit stardome.com. Jan. 22-24: La Traviata. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Presented by Opera Birmingham Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Jan 24 at 2:30 p.m. $20-$90. Visit operabirmingham.org. Jan. 26: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster & Friends Series: Russian Moods. 7:30 p.m. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive. $32. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Jan. 26: An Evening with Art Garfunkel. 7 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive. $50-$200. Visit tickets.samford.edu. Jan. 27-31: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Legacy Arena at the BJCC, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. Jan. 27-29 at 7 p.m. Jan 28-30 at 10:30 a.m. Jan 30 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. $16-$81. Visit ringling.om. Jan. 28: Peppa Pig Live! 6 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. North. $27.50 and $37.50. Visit alabamatheatre.com. Jan. 29 Alabama Symphony Orchestra Coffee Concert. 11 a.m. Carlos Izcaray conducts Tchaikovsky. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South $19-$33. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Jan. 29: New Works Concert. 8 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive. $8-$15. Visit tickets.samford.edu. Jan. 29-30: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Carlos Izcaray conducts Tchaikovsky. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. $24-$69. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Jan. 30: Samford men’s basketball v. Chattanooga. 6 p.m. Pete Hanna Center, 800 Lakeshore Drive. $10 -$15. Visit samfordsports.com. Jan. 28-30: Henry Cho. Comedy Club at the StarDome. Jan. 28-29 at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $16.50-$18.50. Visit stardome. com. Jan. 30: Jessica Lang Dance. 8 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive. New York City based dance company. $15-$25. Visit alabamadancecouncil.org.

BUICK GMC

CONGRATULATIONS, BRIANNE & BRAD! Brianne and Brad Winterberger drove away from Royal Automotive with their new 2016 Buick Enclave.

Thank you for being Loyal To Royal!

3010 Columbiana Rd · At the Corner of I-65 and Highway 31 in Vestavia

(205) 823-3100 · www.royalbuickgmc.net

Where you’re always treated like royalty!