Vestavia Voice March 2021 by Starnes Media

March 2021 | Volume 8 | Issue 11

VESTAVIAVOICE.COM

VESTAVIA HILLS’ COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE

Lasting Legacy

FULL SPEED AHEAD

From leading UAB to leading the city of Vestavia Hills as a two-term mayor, Dr. Charles “Scotty” McCallum seldom made the work about him.

See page A12

Strong Bonds

Sean Calhoun, the Vestavia Hills High School head football coach, stands at the 50-yard-line at Buddy Anderson Field. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Rebels leaning on big senior class as they enter into 2021 softball season.

See page B7

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Events ............. A22 Schoolhouse......B4 Sports.................B6 Real Estate Guide..............B11

Sean Calhoun feels like he’s a ‘good fit’ to take over Rebels football program By KYLE PARMLEY

cattered across Sean Calhoun’s desk in a makeshift office are somewhere around a dozen sticky notes. On those sticky notes are reminders of all the different things Calhoun needs to do that day: send an email to parents, call an interior designer,

talk to last year’s team mom, figure out how to transport the ninth grade football players to the main campus … the list goes on and on. There is plenty to do for Calhoun, the new head coach of the Vestavia Hills High School football program. Calhoun is the first new head man for the Rebels in 44 years and just the seventh head coach in program history. Buddy Anderson retired last fall after 43 extremely

successful years leading the Rebels, amassing 346 wins along the way. Calhoun began his tenure Jan. 19 and has been full speed ahead ever since. “The only way I know how to do stuff is jump in the deep end and jump right in,” he said. “It’s been an awesome journey so far, and I know it’s

See CALHOUN | page A27

2 longtime Vestavia Hills pastors announce retirement

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By NEAL EMBRY

Danny Wood, the longtime pastor at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, sits in the front pew of the worship center. Photo by Erin Nelson.

After more than 20 years serving their respective churches, Gary Furr and Danny Wood are stepping away this year, with the former retiring from Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and the latter from Shades Mountain Baptist Church. Furr retired Feb. 28, while Wood will retire in August.

DANNY WOOD

When Wood and his wife, Janice, moved to Mobile in 1983, they built their dream house, Wood said. “This is where we’ll be forever,” Wood recalled saying at the time. Six months later, Wood resigned his position with the former South Central

See PASTORS | page A26

A2 • March 2021

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March 2021 • A3

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Vestavia Voice

About Us Editor’s Note By Neal Embry As a child growing up in Vestavia Hills, I remember the day we met the mayor of the city, Scotty McCallum. The mayor was kind and welcoming to us, taking time out of his day to speak to us about his job. Decades later, as editor of the Vestavia Voice, I regret not getting to meet McCallum while in this role before he passed away Jan. 16. While I did not know him personally, other than the wonderful, brief interaction I had with him as a small child, others speak highly of the man who served the city as its mayor for eight years. He previously served all of the Birmingham area, and really the entire state, as the president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. For this month’s paper, we’ve taken

time to speak with those who knew the former mayor best and written about the legacy he leaves behind. In other news this month, new Vestavia Hills High School head football coach Sean Calhoun, from

Carrollton, Georgia, has come to take the reins of the Rebels. Sports Editor Kyle Parmley talked with the new coach for this month’s cover story, and we wish him and his family all the best as he gets started on what is hopefully a long and successful career leading the Rebels on and off the field. Also on this month’s cover is a feature on pastors Gary Furr (Vestavia Hills Baptist) and Danny Wood (Shades Mountain Baptist), who recently announced their retirement from the ministry.

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Publisher: Dan Starnes Managing Editor: Nick Patterson Community Editors: Neal Embry Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Leah Ingram Eagle Ingrid Schnader Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Digital Editor: Cathlene Cowart Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Page Designers: Kristin Williams Ted Perry Contributing Writer: Lauren Denton Account Managers: Layton Dudley Ted Perry Content Marketing Manager: Erica Brock Graphic Designer: Emily VanderMey Local Sales Manager: Senior Business Development Exec.: Business Development Exec.: Client Success Specialist: Marketing Consultants:

Gregg Gannon Michelle Salem Haynes

Don Harris Anna Bain Warren Caldwell Jamie Lester John Yarbrough Lincoln Reeves Business Administrator: Anna Jackson

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

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

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

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A5

A PUBLIC NOTICE FROM ALABAMA POWER E

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TREE CREWS WORKING IN VESTAVIA HILLS THROUGH SPRING 2021 Alabama Power crews are working in several Vestavia Hills 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 2021. As we work in communities to meet the needs of our customers, please maintain a safe social distance of six feet from our crews and field representatives to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Also, you can visit alpwr.co/vm for more information about these safety and reliability measures and for recommendations about planting the right tree in the right place.

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

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A6 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

City Community Spaces among projects reviewed at planning session By NEAL EMBRY The bulk of the Community Spaces Plan should be completed by the end of 2021, including the tennis facility at the newly renovated Wald Park, city officials say. At its annual strategic planning session Feb. 11 and 12, the Vestavia Hills City Council verbally agreed to stick with the original plans for the tennis facility, rather than make changes and expand the scope of the project as had been discussed. That decision came in large part due to the results of a citizen survey, which asked for the priorities for those who would use the facility. Very few people asked the city to prioritize a pro shop and air-conditioned indoor space, as discussed in the expanded plan. The estimated cost for the planned facility is about $440,000, but the additional work would have increased the cost to about $910,000. The city expects to seek bids for construction of the tennis facility in late April, and it should be completed no later than Thanksgiving, said Ken Upchurch with TCU Consulting, the project manager. In other Community Spaces Plan news, Upchurch said interior work and some landscaping is being done at the new New Merkel House, with an opening planned sometime in March. At Wald Park, a dog park and the tennis facility are the next items slated to be completed, but a playground is currently under construction, too, Upchurch said. The work at the amphitheater is nearly done, and previously completed projects include the aquatic complex and ball fields, he said. Work on the future community building has begun, with foundational work being completed in mid-February, Upchurch said. The building should be completed by the fall, TCU said.

Capt. Scott Phillips of Fire Station 5 in Cahaba Heights shows off the new heavy rescue unit that’s now used by the Vestavia Hills Fire Department. Photos by Neal Embry.

The other remaining Community Spaces project is Crosshaven Drive, with roadway improvements being completed now. Upchurch said his team is aware of the “mess” the project is at the moment, and said at some point, portions of the road will have to be completely shut down to finish improving the road and installing sidewalks.

OTHER CITY PROJECTS

Director of Public Services Brian Davis gave an update on a future dog park at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, which he said should be completed by the fall. City Engineer Christopher Brady gave an update on three intersection improvement

projects: Columbiana Road at U.S. 31, Rocky Ridge Road at Dolly Ridge Road, and Blue Lake Drive at Sicard Hollow Road. At the first intersection, Brady said Jefferson County crews are willing to help in constructing improvements, and the work, which will mostly consist of striping and signage, is estimated to cost about $370,000. The construction of a turn lane from Rocky Ridge Road onto Dolly Ridge is estimated to cost between $185,000 and $220,000, plus more money to obtain right of way and relocate utilities. At Blue Lake Drive and Sicard Hollow, the city is examining the possibility of constructing a roundabout. It would cost about $2.2 million,

and the county has offered to pay half of that. The council expressed some concern about the possibility of spending that much money, though city engineers said a roundabout presents the safest option due to reduced sight lines and speeding problems at the intersection. Sidewalk work is largely complete on East Street, as well as Poe Drive, and will soon begin on Mountain View Drive, Brady said. Sidewalks are on pause on Rocky Ridge Road because the city is coordinating the construction of sidewalks with the improvement project at Dolly Ridge Road. Preliminary design work for sidewalks on Cahaba Heights Road is underway. In addition to improving drainage on Oakview Lane, Kyle Lane, and Southwood Road at Sunset Drive, Brady said the city is working to complete state-funded projects as well. The bid opening for the long-awaited pedestrian bridge project, which would see a pedestrian walkway constructed over U.S. 31 connecting the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest and Wald Park, was set for Feb. 26. The city will pay about $500,000 of the project, plus a potential addition of roughly $170,000 in utility relocation costs, Brady said. The city is working to acquire right of way on Massey Road, but no bid date has been set by the Alabama Department of Transportation, Brady said. The city is trying to work with 21 property owners to ensure it has the land it needs to rebuild the retaining wall, widen the road on both sides, make improvements and build sidewalks. The Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex tunnel project is delayed due to utility issues, but Brady said work should be done by this summer. Brady also reminded the council of the city’s

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A7

efforts to pave about seven miles of roadway this year as part of the city’s three-year road resurfacing plan, which started in 2019.

POLICE AND FIRE

Twenty new police vehicles were recently purchased by the Vestavia Hills Police Department, a major part of the city’s fiscal 2021 budget. The cars should arrive one per week as they get prepared for service, Capt. Shane Ware said. The cars include an array of technological advancements that make it easier for officers to do their job, officers said during the strategic planning session. Vestavia continues to see a decrease in crime, Lt. Joe Dease said. Only two crime categories increased from 2019 to 2020. There were four robberies in 2020, compared to three in 2019, and vehicle thefts increased from 27 to 29. All other categories saw a decrease or, in the case of murder and kidnapping, remained at zero. For the second year in a row, the city saw its lowest number ever for burglaries — 47, Dease said. The department plans to split up coverage of Liberty Park into two beats to have better coverage, Dease said. He cited concerns over longer response times due to the size of Liberty Park, which is roughly the same size as Homewood, as well as safety concerns with officers often having to file reports in their cars. Chief Dan Rary said that, as senior officers retire, there should be enough money in the budget to hire four additional officers, in addition to two additional officers whose positions were budgeted for this year. He asked the council to go ahead and approve that move. In the Fire Department, Chief Marvin Green also expressed concern about the future coverage of Liberty Park, which continues to grow. The department needs to reduce the arrival time of second and third fire engines to maintain a low ISO rating, he said. Green also gave an update on the cost of the fire training facility, which is being leased from the county along with the Rocky Ridge Fire District. The total cost of the project, including the remodeling of the facility, is just under $600,000. The facility is mobile, has moveable walls and ventilation props and allows the department to have its own place to train and improve, Green said.

FINANCES

City finances are in great shape, City Manager Jeff Downes said. There has been an increase in both sales and property taxes, allowing the city to remain stable despite the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Downes told council members they may want to consider splitting the city’s roughly $2.8 million surplus between the general fund and capital fund reserves. The surplus currently goes solely to the general fund’s unassigned reserves. Splitting it would raise the capital fund reserves from about $4.3 million to $5.7 million, while the general fund unassigned reserves would decrease from about $5 million to $3.6 million. The council made a similar move last year. Downes also recommended enacting a 1% cost of living adjustment for city employees this year, something that wasn’t done last year. Lastly, as the Community Spaces Plan comes to a close in the next 12 months, Downes told council members they may want to consider how they will use the 1 cent additional sales tax revenues that, right now, go to the Community

The new Vestavia Hills police cars are displayed at Vestavia Hills City Hall in early 2021.

Spaces Plan. With sales tax revenues on the rise, Downes said the question will continue to come up of what to do with that money once Community Spaces is finished. In the Finance Department, Finance Director Melvin Turner announced that Assistant Finance Director George Sawaya is planning to retire at the end of 2022. The department is working on a succession plan and hopes to have someone in place in time to work with Sawaya for a year before he leaves.

SANITATION SERVICES

After Amwaste took over the city’s sanitation contract in October, the city has been very pleased with the company’s service, Downes said. Rick Sweeney with Amwaste said only 80 pickups were missed in January, out of 27,000 pickups each week. Downes said there is always room for improvement, and the city is evaluating whether to alter routes to be more efficient.

PARKS AND RECREATION

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is getting ready for the new community building and the completion of other Community Spaces projects, improving its software and exploring partnerships to maximize the city’s new resources. With new software, patrons now can check availability of rooms, request facility reservations and sign up for memberships and classes, and the city can track those numbers. Tonia Whatley with the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau talked about the possibility of a partnership with the organization to help market the new community building, which will be one of the largest event spaces in the area at 10,000 square feet. She said the city should be able to reach its goal of

having the space rented 45 days a year. In conjunction with Cinnamon McCulley, the city’s communications director, the department is also looking to rebrand in 2021, creating new logos and a new website, helping people take advantage of the new amenities that have come and are coming soon to the city. McCulley said she’d also like to create a seasonal activity guide that will highlight city amenities and activity options, as well as a book that would highlight the city as a whole. The city is also considering changing Christmas lights around the city. While the council decides whether to spend the money for the lights, the city is working to fix the streetlights that don’t work and improve that infrastructure. Replacing 150 light fixtures would cost $75,000, and the new lights would be brighter and more updated than the current options. One option might be to partner with the city of Hoover, which is considering purchasing new Christmas lights. Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato spoke to the council about possible partnerships in the areas of sanitation and small-cell technology, though nothing specific was agreed upon.

OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS

The Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest is working on a strategic plan, Director Taneisha Tucker said. In preparing a new plan, Tucker and her staff are researching various libraries around the country that are innovative in their approach to serving their communities, she said. Tucker said she hopes the plan renews excitement and increases the library’s patronage. The plan is due to the state by the end of the year. In the municipal court, Court Director Umang Patel said the court has started using a new credit card processing company, as well as a new kiosk that improves efficiency and limits

physical interactions during the pandemic. However, with the courts closed for a while last year, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases handled per week, from 400 this time last year to 700 now, Patel said. Cases have already been scheduled through September 2021, he said. Patel said he’s hopeful with employees set to receive the vaccine March 5 that things will improve and asked the council to consider improving the court’s software to help improve service.

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

The council briefly discussed issues that may come up during this year’s legislative session, including the possibility of a bill to extend sanitation contracts from three years to five years, which would help cities retire capital contracts over a period of five years, decreasing yearly payments. The city also plans to keep an eye on how the state handles the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), which allows online retailers to opt in to paying a flat 8% sales tax on all online transactions, which is then distributed across the state. Some leaders have asked to change the way the money is distributed to counties and cities. Other legislation that may come up includes whether to legalize gambling and fund casinos, and whether to extend the terms of currently elected officials so their term does not end during a national election year, as well as bills dealing with small-cell technology and medical marijuana. City Clerk Rebecca Leavings announced there was a change in voting locations: Voters who previously voted at Horizon Church will now vote at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, and work is ongoing to find a new location for voters at Town Village.

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A8 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Mayor’s Minute By Ashley Curry You have all heard the expression “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” The oldest known written reference to the “lion/lamb” proverb comes from English author Thomas Fuller, who included it in a 1732 volume of proverbs, wise sentences and witty sayings. March of 2020 came in like a lion as we began to grapple with this unknown entity called the coronavirus. Here we are a year later, and we are still waiting for this lion to become the lamb and leave us so we can return to normal. The virus certainly affected city operations. City offices were adapted to accommodate citizens and maintain public health directives about masks and social distancing. The first virtual City Council meetings were conducted via online meeting software. City events such as the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, I Love America Day, the Veterans Day event, the Christmas tree lighting and others were either canceled or scaled down because of the virus. I am optimistic that, with the continued vaccination of citizens, we can get the virus under control and be able to host events that we were not able to do last year. Our Community Spaces Plan is moving right along. Cahaba Heights Park is completed, and Wald Park is not far behind. The opening day for baseball was Feb. 27, and the inaugural Miracle League season started March 1. The completion of the “Grand Lawn”

with the playground should be completed by April. The Vestavia Hills Aquatic Complex, already completed, will open this year on Memorial Day weekend. We would like to have a grand celebration of all of these amenities in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and I Love America Day on June 24. Each year our Vestavia Hills Garden Club and the Men’s Garden Club “spring” into action and begin their projects for the year. Both clubs are perfect examples of examples of how volunteers make a difference in our city. Starting in February, we solicited input from our residents by way of a citizen survey. The survey asked residents to rate the “level of satisfaction” with city services. By March, the findings will be shared with our department heads and our City Council members. Our police department, our fire department and our library continue to receive high ratings. We anticipate improved ratings on quality of streets as a result of the Community Infrastructure Plan. Our sanitation services are undoubtedly better under our new provider. Let’s hope that the “lion” has become the “lamb” as you read this message in March.

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A9

Above: A group of Vestavia Hills firefighters is recognized at the Feb. 8 City Council meeting for their recovery efforts following the Jan. 25 Fultondale tornado. Left: Mayor Ashley Curry speaks as Vestavia Hills police Officer Daniel Holly is honored for his rescue of an elderly motorist Jan. 12. Photos by Neal Embry.

City honors policeman, firefighters for rescue, tornado relief By NEAL EMBRY The Vestavia Hills City Council on Feb. 8 honored a police officer who, while suffering from appendicitis, helped save a man’s life after his car went into the Cahaba River, and a group of firefighters who responded to the tornado that brought extensive damage and one death to Fultondale on Jan. 25.

OFFICER DANIEL HOLLY

On the night of Jan. 12, Officer Daniel Holly, 25, was working in Cahaba Heights when he got a call at 8 p.m. that a car had gone into the Cahaba River near Overton Road. Unable to find the car in the Vestavia Hills city limits, Holly went into Mountain Brook where he was flagged down by a relative of the driver who pointed out where the car was. Holly said he handed his phone and wallet to her and jumped in the water, which was 41 degrees that night. The air temperature was 28

degrees. “It was freezing,” Holly said. Holly was able to open the door and found the driver waist deep in water. Thankfully, the water wasn’t extremely swift, and he was able to get the man out of the car and safely to the bank, he said. Once Holly got back to shore, his supervisor, Lt. Joe Dease, arrived and immediately realized Holly didn’t look right. Holly told Dease his stomach had been hurting him during his shift, but he had not wanted to tell him because he didn’t want to be sent home. Dease took him to Grandview Medical Center, and an hour after saving a man’s life, Holly was in surgery to have his appendix removed. The surgery was a success, and Holly has recovered. “I was just doing my job,” said Holly, who has been with the department for a little more than two years. Dease said Holly told him the rescue was no big deal. “It speaks of his character.”

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Capt. Shane Ware said the rescue was just one example of what Vestavia officers do on a regular basis.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

When a tornado ravaged Fultondale on Jan. 25, neighboring cities went to help, Vestavia included. The heavy rescue unit quickly mobilized and assisted the Fultondale Fire Department with search and rescue and tornado damage assessment. One of the places where firefighters responded was at the home of Arnoldo Vasquez-Hernandez, who works as a contract custodian at Vestavia Hills City Hall, according to the city’s communications director, Cinnamon McCulley. Vasquez-Hernandez was trapped in his home after a tree fell on it, and access was difficult due to terrain and numerous other downed trees. UAB medical personnel had to amputate Vasquez-Hernandez’s leg on site.

Deputy Chief Ryan Farrell said once Vestavia personnel got on scene, they quickly went to work stabilizing the structure, having to walk the length of almost three football fields between the structure and the necessary equipment, as their truck could not get any closer due to damage. That work was going on while Vasquez-Hernandez’s leg was being amputated. Ten to 12 off duty Vestavia fire personnel also responded to the affected area and assisted in the operation, the fire department said in a statement. “The department is very proud of the personnel that responded and commend them for the incredible work they performed,” the department said. Farrell said the teamwork between the different departments on scene played a huge role in being able to keep people alive that night. “This whole story is a story of teamwork,” Farrell said.

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A10 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Four new homes can be built on this property at 3412 Ridgedale Drive after the Vestavia Hills City Council rezoned the property Jan. 25. Photo by Neal Embry. The Vestavia Hills Fire Department Station No. 4 in Liberty Park. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Council rezones property behind El Poblano Council approves funding for

exhaust system at fire stations By NEAL EMBRY The Vestavia Hills City Council on Feb. 8 agreed to pay $17,250 to supplement a federal grant to install a new exhaust system at all Vestavia Hills fire stations. The total cost of the project is $189,900, and the city is getting $172,550 in federal grant money to cover most of it, Fire Chief Marvin Green said. The new system helps reduce carcinogen exposure for firefighters. Instead of diesel exhaust filling up the stations as fire trucks come in and leave the station, Green said the new system captures the exhaust gas until the trucks leave the station, allowing the gas to blow into the outside air instead of exposing those still at the station to the fumes.

The council also approved an alcohol license for Taco Mama in the Vestavia Hills City Center. The restaurant was expected to open March 1, offering a fast-casual environment and featuring an array of Mexican food. A representative with the restaurant assured the council that employees would be trained to check IDs, spot fake IDs and not over-serve guests. He said he was unaware of any previous issues with minors being served alcohol at any Taco Mama location. Councilman Paul Head announced the Parks and Recreation Board recently approved dog park rules and said those should be coming before the City Council in the future. City Manager Jeff Downes said sales tax numbers are looking good just after the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

By NEAL EMBRY

Four new homes can be built at 3412 Ridgedale Drive after the Vestavia Hills City Council rezoned the property Jan. 25. The council rezoned the property from low-density residential units to a planned residential community district (Vestavia Hills R-1 to VH R-9), and the move was met with opposition from neighbors, who expressed concern about the development’s impact on privacy, traffic and drainage. One resident said the homes will be right in front of her home, which is “just weird,” and doesn’t leave much distance between her property and her soon-to-be new neighbors. Another neighbor said with the already increasing density in Rocky Ridge, the move just creates more problems. Jason Kessler and KADCO Homes are developing the property. Kessler told the City Council that under the R-1 zoning, they still could have built two homes, but requested the

change so they could build four homes. The property is in disrepair, and Kessler said he believes this will be an improvement and will be a good transition from the nearby residential zoning into the commercial district below the property, which includes El Poblano, Twisted Root and other businesses. Runoff water will be buried and stored in underground chambers, Kessler said, helping with existing drainage issues, and the company is working with the city to possibly widen Ridgedale Drive in front of the property. In other news, the council: ► Approved a funding agreement with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham for the purpose of purchasing a bus for the city’s senior programming. ► Approved the purchase of a new police vehicle to replace one that had been totaled. ► Heard from City Manager Jeff Downes, who said the city has begun the repaving of streets around the city as part of the three-year resurfacing plan.

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March 2021 • A11

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Open land in front of Medjet, across the street from Aspire Senior Living, is planned for luxury hotels and condominiums with retail space by Christopher Architecture and Interiors, seen Feb. 2. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Hotel, condos expected to break ground in Patchwork Farms in 2021 By NEAL EMBRY Developer Chris Reebals of Christopher Architecture and Interiors is building a large, mixed-use development in Patchwork Farms that will include a hotel, condominiums, retail space, and food and beverage options. Reebals said construction for the project, which will sit in between Aspire and Medjet, should start this year, and the project will complete the “lion’s share” of Patchwork Farms’ larger development pieces. More than 30 condos are planned, along with about 15,000 square feet of retail space. The roughly $60 million development will also offer 10,000 square feet of conference and event space, which Reebals said will be especially helpful because conference and event space that was previously located at the former Cahaba Grand Conference Center will be eliminated as Church of the Highlands builds Highlands College on the property. Reebals said an independent study showed his project could bring more than $1 billion in revenues to the city of Vestavia Hills. In addition to the economic impact, Reebals said the project meets a need. “We recognized Vestavia Hills does not have a Class A, four-star hospitality component,” Reebals said. The location is conveniently located near Grandview Medical Center, Southern Nuclear, U.S. 280, Interstate 459 and The Summit shopping center, Reebals said. “Our proximity to those is the most strategic in Birmingham,” he said. “We just feel it’s a very, very strong and strategic location.” The hotel will include 126 rooms and will be a signature, independently branded hotel, offering a nice outdoor space, a rooftop restaurant and bar, a dog park, outdoor pool and cabanas, and a luxury spa, Reebals said. The hotel will also include amenities such as a putting green, a movie theater and a roughly 175-space parking deck. The idea is to also build a connection between the hotel and the condos, providing

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a live-work component where those who live in the condos could also work in a business at the development. Reebals said he hopes the project is more communal, with a “symbiotic connection” between the hotel and condos, with condo owners being able to utilize hotel services. “We want to consider the hotel an extension of your living room,” Reebals said. The hotel rates will be comparable to the Grand Bohemian in Mountain Brook and the new Valley Hotel in Homewood. “It will give Vestavia Hills a complementing product to attract folks to the city,” Reebals said. The development will have a “nice community feel,” and will bring a regional and national draw to the city, he said. Reebals also said he hopes the hotel will be able to provide lodging for people going to or visiting Aspire Physical Recovery. Retail spaces are up for sale, and Reebals said he plans to have a coffee shop and bakery on site. After construction begins, Reebals said he estimates construction will last 18 to 20 months. Negotiations are ongoing between Reebals and the city of Vestavia Hills as to whether there will be incentives provided for the project. If the money for any incentives isn’t in the city’s budget, any extra appropriations would have to be approved by the Vestavia Hills City Council.

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A12 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

REMEMBERING ‘SCOTTY’ Former Vestavia Hills mayor, UAB president loved by many By NEAL EMBRY For all that he achieved in his life, from leading the University of Alabama at Birmingham to leading the city of Vestavia Hills as a twoterm mayor, Dr. Charles “Scotty” McCallum seldom made it about him, his son Chip said. The father of four boys, McCallum, even when he was at his busiest, went to all of his sons’ games. If he was on the West Coast for work, he’d simply take a red eye flight to catch the game, Chip said. McCallum also made it a point to build relationships with and recognize even the lowest-level employee, his son said. “He knew no status,” Chip said. “He felt like every person was equal to him.” When he was serving as Vestavia’s mayor, McCallum would be at work at 6:30 a.m., Chip said. He arrived at City Hall and would begin looking over the police reports when the only other people in the building were custodians. One day, after making a pot of coffee, McCallum asked a custodian, “How about a cup of coffee?” Assuming McCallum was asking him for one, he quickly said, “Yes sir, I’ll get you a cup of coffee,” Chip said. McCallum stopped him, told him to pull up a chair, got him a cup of coffee and sat and had a conversation with him. The custodian said it was the first time in 20 years anyone had ever gotten him a cup of coffee. “He was truly an important guy who did not know he was important,” Chip said. McCallum, who led UAB as its third president from 1987 to 1993 and served as Vestavia’s mayor from 2000 to 2008, died Jan. 16 at the age of 95. “His impact on the city of Vestavia Hills will be felt for many, many years,” said current

Above: Scotty McCallum gives a “thumbs up” in this undated photo. McCallum, Vestavia mayor from 2000-08, died Jan. 16 at the age of 95. Left: From left, George Pierce, Scotty McCallum, Butch Zaragoza and Chip McCallum pose in this undated photo. Photos courtesy of Chip McCallum.

Vestavia Mayor Ashley Curry in a statement at the time of McCallum’s death. “He leaves a tremendous legacy.”

15 MINUTES AHEAD

Born in Massachusetts, McCallum was a star hockey player, played baseball against President George H.W. Bush, and while in Naval pre-flight school was coached in football by Bear Bryant, who later became his patient. At the end of World War II, his parents convinced him to forgo Naval aircraft carrier flight training to pursue his academic interests, the family wrote in his obituary. Before being named UAB’s third president, McCallum served as vice president for health affairs, dean of the School of Dentistry and chair of the Department of Oral Surgery. McCallum came to Birmingham in 1951 as

an oral surgery intern and earned his medical doctorate in 1957 from what was then known as the Birmingham medical school, UAB said in a statement. When McCallum took over the university, it was a four-block extension school. It now stretches more than 100 blocks. McCallum continued his own oral and maxillofacial surgical practice, doing rounds at night, Chip said. “There was not really a wasted moment in his life,” Chip said. Chip attributed his father’s ability to accomplish more than most to the fact that he set his clock 15 minutes ahead. “Maybe it gave him an extra 15 minutes to get stuff done,” Chip said.

‘SELFLESS LEADERSHIP’

During his tenure as president, McCallum

formally established UAB football and also recruited the late basketball coach Gene Bartow to UAB from UCLA. Coach Bartow once wrote Scotty was “the best college president any athletic director could ever have,” the family said in his obituary. Current UAB President Dr. Ray Watts called McCallum “one of the finest and friendliest men I’ve ever met.” The two met when both served on the committee that chose UAB’s first president, Joseph Volker. Watts was a student representative while McCallum was on the faculty. Watts said Volker, his successor Dick Hill and McCallum helped set UAB on a trajectory that made it the world-class medical research facility and university it is today. Watts said McCallum knew how to lead and set an example for future leaders to follow,

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March 2021 • A13

The McCallum family is seen in this undated photo.

embodying “selfless leadership.” “If you emulate Scotty McCallum, you’ll have some great attributes,” Watts said. As UAB has grown over the years, Watts attributes much of that success to McCallum. “We wouldn’t be where we are without him,” Watts said. After leaving UAB, McCallum became the mayor of Vestavia, leaving a legacy that is, like his legacy at UAB, still felt today. “He was the quintessential gentleman,” Curry said. While it wasn’t formally approved until after he left office, the idea of having a council-manager form of government began with McCallum, Curry said. The former mayor introduced the idea in his second term, and during the second term of his successor, Butch Zaragoza, the city officially transitioned to the council-manager form of government, which has been lauded by both City Council members and Curry.

Zaragoza served as fire chief in McCallum’s administration and said it was impressive to be around him because he had contacts around the state and country.

GROWING VESTAVIA

Some of McCallum’s most significant accomplishments include the annexation of Cahaba Heights, acquiring property for city parks, installing sidewalks and beginning the pedestrian bridge project, Zaragoza said. “He just made things happen,” Zaragoza said. “Every time you look around Vestavia Hills, you’ll be able to say … ‘He brought that about.’” The annexation of Cahaba Heights connected the city, as Liberty Park and “old” Vestavia weren’t contiguous without it, Chip said. McCallum held public meetings and addressed many residents’ concerns. He called Cahaba Heights a “jewel,” and said the people there were a “jewel.” The move has paid off,

as Cahaba Heights has become home to numerous successful businesses, as well as the highly regarded Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights school. “It was a natural thing to do; it made sense,” Chip said. Along with annexing Cahaba Heights, Curry credited McCallum with the number of volunteers that help out around the city. “He empowered citizens to go out and make these things happen,” Curry said. City Manager Jeff Downes said McCallum laid the groundwork for the city’s growth and success. “Many of the successes we see today are a direct result of the foundation laid by Scotty McCallum,” Downes said in a statement. “He was a fine man and an influential member of our city government. His many contributions to the city of Vestavia Hills will continue to benefit our residents for years to come.” Longtime city attorney Pat Boone said McCallum was his “hero.” “Getting to know him and work for him was one of the greatest and most powerful experiences of my life,” Boone said. McCallum was a great leader, increased employee morale and “just a tremendous person,” Boone said. “He left a great legacy. … He always made it better.”

FAMILY MAN

As a father, McCallum gave his sons an incredible childhood, Chip said. McCallum would often gather together the neighborhood families and go play football at Wald Park. Chip recalled going to get Icees after games, covered in mud, with broken bones and worn-out dads. The McCallum boys would come home. and their mom, Alice, would have an amazing dinner ready, Chip said. His father also taught him the importance of giving back to the community and thinking about the impact one person can have on the life of others, Chip said. McCallum met Alice when he was teaching at UAB’s dental school and she was an RN at UAB Hospital. Alice was from Albertville, while McCallum’s family hailed from New England. “They were kindred spirits,” Chip said. “Their flame never dipped.”

Alice, who died 11 years ago, cooked huge meals to feed everybody at family gatherings, and no matter how many people were there, whether six or 25, they were going to eat together, Chip said. Her service to the family didn’t go unnoticed by her husband, Chip said. “He knew he couldn’t do what he did without her taking care of the home,” Chip said. McCallum’s family also included his longtime assistant, Kitty Robinson. McCallum performed jaw surgery on Robinson when she was 19 years old, and her mother asked him to give her a job. Kitty became McCallum’s assistant, though her first day didn’t exactly go as planned. The weekend before she began work as the secretary of oral surgery at UAB, Robinson went ice skating with friends and broke her left arm. She showed up to work on Monday, and McCallum said, “Well, at least it’s your left arm.” Robinson responded, “I know, but I’m left-handed.” Robinson made it through the broken arm and followed McCallum through his career at UAB and through his time as Vestavia’s mayor, and said she learned a lot in the years she spent working for him and enjoyed being able to get to know so many people through him. “He was one of a kind,” Robinson said. “It was work, but it was fun work.” Chip said even during the last six years, as his father’s health declined, Kitty was picking up his lunch, doing his bills and taking care of his correspondence. “She’s been the most devoted, loyal person in the world to us,” Chip said. Robinson said after decades of working for him, McCallum became more than just a boss. “You work for someone that long, you’re family,” Robinson said. “He was the kindest person I’ve ever met.” McCallum always said it was his mission in life to “serve people and make the world a better place,” Chip said. “And he did,” Chip said. “He got up every day on that mission.” Boone perhaps summed up the feelings of so many following McCallum’s death. “He was just a great person,” Boone said. “I sure am going to miss him.”

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A14 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Vestavia Hills alumnus pursues rugby career VHHS alumnus Collin Hughes recently participated in the World Tens Series, where he played for the London Royals rugby team. At the World Tens Series, the first professional 10-a-side rugby series, Hughes was one of 10 Americans given a contract and played alongside established professionals from leagues across the world. Photos courtesy of Collin Hughes.

By NEAL EMBRY When Collin Hughes moved to Atlanta in 2016, he wanted to become a professional athlete and was determined not to let anything stand in his way. Fast-forward to 2020, and Hughes, a 2009 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School, was playing in the World Tens Series of rugby, having achieved his goal of being a professional athlete as a member of the London Royals rugby team. At the World Tens Series, the first professional 10-a-side rugby series, Hughes was one of 10 Americans given a contract and played alongside established professionals from leagues across the world. Hughes said some of the players with whom he played last fall at the World Tens Series participated in the Rio Olympics in 2016. Playing in Bermuda and benefiting from coverage provided by ESPN+ while honing his skills was a great experience, he said. “I had a great time; it was beautiful,” Hughes said. On his team, Hughes said most of the players had taken up rugby when they are about 6 years old, compared to Hughes, who began playing in 2019. “It was a huge learning experience just sitting around the table with them,” Hughes said. Hughes, who now lives in Newnan, Georgia, went to Louisiana Tech University, where he powerlifted and cheered before transferring to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he briefly worked as a walk-on for the football team. After moving to Atlanta, Hughes, who has trained as a sprinter and power lifter, worked out with four-time world champion long jumper Dwight Phillips. After deciding to pursue rugby, Hughes stepped up his workouts, too. “Every day, I would run hills,” Hughes

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March 2021 • A15 Hughes said he has always prioritized physical fitness, going back to his time in Vestavia schools. “Nothing feels better than being strong and healthy,” Hughes said. “Your limits are beyond what you think they are.”

said. “I started doing crazy stuff.” He’d run 23 times up a hill, then push it to 30 or 40 times in a day, in addition to running in reverse up the hill. “I just started pushing myself harder than I ever had,” Hughes said. Hughes said he has always prioritized physical fitness, going back to his time in Vestavia schools. “Nothing feels better than being strong and healthy,” Hughes said. “Your limits are beyond what you think they are.” Hughes said rugby is like football with endurance training, and said the tackling isn’t as reckless, which is why rugby players don’t wear the pads seen in American football. “Rugby guys laugh at pads,” Hughes said. Earlier last year, Hughes went to an event focused on finding professional athletes. At the rugby tryouts he attended, Hughes said more than 100 guys came out for just 10 contracts. In NFL combine-style tests, Hughes had to do more long-distance and sprinting than he was accustomed to doing because rugby requires players to be fast “over many different distances,” he said. Hughes won the broad jump competitions and placed top three in every test, including “The Bronco,” where participants run from the goal line to the 20-yard line and back, from the goal line to the 40-yard line and back, and from the goal line to the 60-yard line and back, five times, a total of 1,250 meters. That work led to him receiving an opportunity with the London Royals. With the World Tens Series hoping to expand, Hughes said he hopes to play again this year and hopes he can earn a spot on a Major League Rugby team. He’s also been applying for management positions with different gyms while training daily for rugby. For those wanting to improve their fitness, Hughes said “proven and solid methods” are the best way to go. “Quit looking for secret answers to obvious answers,” Hughes said. “You want to clean up your diet. Get your priorities right; be honest with yourself. No excuses.”

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TrustCare Urgent Care recently opened at 708 Montgomery Highway, Suite 100, in the former Rite Aid space in the Vestavia Hills City Center. The urgent care center sees patients for numerous ailments and is also offering COVID-19 tests. 205-203-8282, trustcarehealth.com

Relocations and Renovations 2

Satterfield’s, 3161 Cahaba Heights Road, recently reopened after interior renovations and menu development. It has also hired

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VestaviaVoice.com a new executive chef, Chris Harrigan. The new dinner menu focuses on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients and highlights elevated Southern fare with an international twist. Satterfield’s is also now serving lunch Tuesday through Saturday and will offer soups and salads, as well an array of main plates with two or three sides, depending on preference. A joint collaboration by Creative Design Properties and Jessica Brasfield Mackin of Nadeau Birmingham, the new décor at Satterfield’s combines modern sophistication with a relaxed approachability. Those not ready for indoor dining can enjoy a meal on the heated patio. 205-969-9690, satterfieldsrestaurant.com

News and Accomplishments Boulo Solutions, a Birmingham startup launched in 2018, has completed a Regulation D seed round of funding, which propels it beyond the minimal viable product stage and will fuel its expansion into five new markets in 2021. This early-stage funding indicates confidence from local investors in Boulo’s strategy to offer women, many who left the workforce due to COVID-19, and local employers more hiring options and flexibility, CEO Delphine Carter said. Boulo Solutions is a digital staffing platform that helps businesses diversify their workforce by matching them with women, mostly mothers, rarely found on other platforms. Boulo’s current customer base is focused on small- to medium-sized businesses with a flexible culture, seeking experienced accountants, marketers, administrative professionals, sales representatives, creatives, project managers, copywriters and more. Protective Life, O’Neal Steel, Therapy Brands, Bronze Valley, Immediate, to name a few, have all hired women from Boulo Solutions. 205-543-8058, boulosolutions.com

ChannelE2E, a digital media website published by After Nines Inc., has named Warren Averett Technology Group, 2500 Acton Road, Suite 200, to its list of the top 250 public cloud managed service providers list for 2020. The list and research identify and honor the top managed information technology service providers that support customers on Amazon Web Services (AWS),

March 2021 • A17 Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and more. The rankings are based on ChannelE2E’s 2020 readership survey combined with the digital media site’s global editorial coverage of managed cloud services. 205-979-4100, warrenaverett.com

Personnel Moves Abbas Merchant has joined Regions as chief marketing officer, replacing Michele Elrod, who retired in January after a 37-year career with the bank. Merchant comes to Regions after serving at M&T Bank as group vice president of consumer and business marketing and customer analytics and sciences. There, he developed the company’s marketing and communications vision and strategy. Before his 12 years at M&T, Merchant led analytics and other marketing operations at U.S. Bancorp and the Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. Regions has local branches at 3390 Morgan Drive, 529 Montgomery Highway and 3172 Heights Village. regions.com

Anniversaries Swaid Vestavia Medical Center, 1021 Montgomery Highway, recently celebrated its first anniversary in Vestavia Hills. The Swaid Vestavia Medical Center is a 40,000-square-foot center and contains the Surgical Institute of Alabama, a freestanding, state-of-the-art surgical center; Vestavia Diagnostics, a full-service diagnostic center with MRI and CT scanner; Swaid Clinic, a neurosurgical practice; Bramlett Orthopedics; Birmingham Vascular Associates; Pain Management Services; Lab First; and Champion Physical Therapy. 205-379-7776, vestaviamedcenter.com

Closings Moe’s Southwest Grill, 716 Montgomery Highway in the Vestavia Hills City Center, closed Jan. 26 after 19 years of business.

Continental Florist, 3390 Morgan Drive in the Rocky Ridge Shopping Center, has closed its doors and will not renew its lease after more than 30 years of business.

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Vestavia Voice

Bringing North to the South Italian restaurant North Italia opening at The Summit Meatballs

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The Summit is home to an Italian restaurant once again. After Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill both closed months ago, North Italia was scheduled to open March 3. The restaurant, which was founded in 2002, will serve brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner and is the 24th location in the United States and the first in Alabama. Jaie O’Banner, general manager at North Italia Birmingham, said the restaurant’s first priority is always to open up a great restaurant with and for great people and that is where the search for locations begin. “Over the past two years, we’ve opened several locations in the South and have always had real love for the Birmingham community,” O’Banner said. “When this space became available, bringing North Italia to The Summit made perfect sense. It’s the destination not only for people in Birmingham, but in the surrounding areas as well due to the fact that it has an amazing array of shops and restaurants, putting us in a position to attract a lot of great guests and employees alike.” O’Banner said from his experience, people come to North Italia for many reasons, including a quick lunch, an intimate dinner, a fun brunch with the family or a girls’ night out. “People will find a variety of things that appeal to them, from uncompromised meal presentations and quality to unparalleled levels of service where people cater to your every need and consideration, which resonates across the brand in every market that I’ve been to,” he said.

White Truffle Garlic Bread North Italia restaurant is set to open at The Summit on March 3. Located next to Athleta, the restaurant only uses the freshest ingredients, and their chefs create a variety of modern Italian dishes with pasta that is made from scratch daily. Photos courtesy of North Italia.

They will adhere to state and local regulations to have a 50% capacity mandate for the time being inside the restaurant and will also have a patio with drop down shades. Reservations and online ordering for carry out will be available. Delivery via DoorDash is also an option. The restaurant only uses the freshest ingredients, and its chefs create a variety of modern Italian dishes with pasta that is made from scratch daily. The menu features small plates, salads, pizza, sandwiches, fresh pasta and an extensive selection of beverages. O’Banner said some of the most popular dishes (and his favorites) include the White Truffle Garlic Bread, hand rolled tortellini stuffed with burrata, any of the

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pizzas, Squid Ink Mafaldine and the Italian Farm Salad. “We have something for every taste and mood,” he said. While there aren’t any immediate plans to open any other locations in the Birmingham area, O’Banner said the restaurant is excited to join the community and build a home in Birmingham. North Italia will be located at 225 Summit Blvd., Suite 1100, next to Athleta near Gus Mayer. It will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit northitalia.com/ locations/birmingham-al.

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A19

O’Henry’s Coffees to open in Patchwork Farms, Mt Laurel By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE It’s been 28 years since Dr. Henry Bright opened a coffee shop in Homewood. The retired orthodontist noticed the lack of places for people to come together and connect. So, he learned how to roast coffee beans, found a spot on 18th Street and opened the original O’Henry’s Coffees location in 1993. Six years later, he sold the business to Randy and Mary Adamy. In 2019, Blake Stevens had the opportunity to become the third owner of the wellknown establishment and was excited to do so. Stevens worked for both of the previous owners at O’Henry’s while in college at Samford from 1996 to 2001 as a barista, chef and manager. Stevens then went to work opening Starbucks locations in new markets for 14 years before coming back to Birmingham in 2014 to work as a human resources director. “In 2019, this opportunity came about, buying it from second owner for me to become the third owner,” Stevens said. “I’m so fortunate to have been able to work with Dr. Bright and see his passion and his connection to community and his drive for connection and consistency in fresh roasted coffee.” He said the Adamys continued Bright’s legacy, opening up more stores and making them a great place to connect around coffee. Stevens is continuing that expansion in 2021, opening two new locations: Patchwork Farms and Mt Laurel. The decision to expand to Shelby County came after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and O’Henry’s began delivering pounds of coffee to customer’s houses. He said the 35242 ZIP code was a high traffic area for them, and the data showed a tremendous number of

their deliveries were going to residents of Mt Laurel and surrounding areas. “We were sending a lot of coffee to Highland Lakes, Greystone and surrounding areas,” Stevens said. “Listening to the communities and leaders, we knew it was the right spot for us.” O’Henry’s will be located next to ACE Hardware in Mt Laurel on Dunnavant Valley Road (Shelby County 41). Following the opening of the Mt Laurel location, another will soon follow at the Patchwork Farms shopping center located behind the Colonnade, in the former Chronic Tacos space in mid-spring. That will make six locations total for the business, including the original in downtown Homewood, Brookwood Village, Highland Park and Stadium Trace Village in Hoover, plus one on the Samford University campus. Each location employs 15 to 20 team members, in addition to their roasting facility. Stevens said coffee brings people together, and O’Henry’s is committed to high quality coffee roasted consistently every time. They enjoy being in the middle of the communities which they serve. In addition to coffee and other beverages, the menu will feature sandwiches, salads and soup options. “We are really fortunate as we grow and look for different communities to be a part of, that’s what we’re looking for,” he said. “We understand we are a 28-year-old brand that is highly rooted in Birmingham and Homewood areas, but we’ve got to steward that. Success is not an entitlement. Our job is to ensure we are hiring and developing great people and getting to know our customers and growing in the community in which we serve.”

A look inside the Hoover location of O’Henry’s Coffees at Stadium Trace Village. Two new locations will open this spring in Mt Laurel and Patchwork Farms behind the Colonnade. Photos by Leah Ingram Eagle.

A20 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

The Sanders Trust leaders honored for lifetime achievement By JESSE CHAMBERS The Sanders Trust, based in Vestavia Hills, is one of the nation’s leading health care real estate investment and development companies. In December, the company announced two of its longtime leaders had earned the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from Healthcare Real Estate Insights. The Sanders Trust President and CEO Rance Sanders, a long-time Mountain Brook resident, and the late Bart Starr, the NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and coach, were chosen for the honor because of their significant contributions to the development of the health care real estate industry since the late 1980s. “On behalf of myself and my late friend and mentor, I am sincerely humbled and grateful to be given this award and recognition,” Sanders said in a company news release. The Sanders Trust develops and acquires medical office buildings, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, specialty hospitals and other healthcare facilities nationwide. Since Sanders and Starr started the company in 1989, it has developed or acquired medical properties in 29 states. Healthcare Real Estate Insights selects the Lifetime Achievement Award based on industry leadership, excellence in strategy and innovation, professional awards and significant contributions to the sector. Sanders and Starr were nominated for the honor by Ben Ochs and James Schmid, managing partners of Anchor Health Properties located in Charlottesville, Virginia. “Thanks to their leadership in the development of medical facilities, and particularly inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, the property type has become an institutionally recognized asset class, creating meaningful capital markets liquidity for the sector,” Schmid said in the news release. “When Bart and I began, this was a small, fragmented industry with an overlooked asset class,” Sanders said. “During our 30-plus years,

The Sanders Trust founder Rance Sanders, left, with his late partner and friend, Bart Starr, at the company’s offices. They were honored with the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from Healthcare Real Estate Insights. Photo courtesy of The Sanders Trust.

the industry has become widely appreciated by large institutional investors for the exposure to low-risk, recession-resistant properties.” Sanders talked to Vestavia Voice recently about the formation of Sanders Trust; his long friendship and professional relationship with Starr, who died in 2019; the philosophy that guides him in running the company; the family life that helps sustain him; and some of the newest projects he has underway. Sanders, who grew up in Bluff Park, graduated from the University of Alabama in 1980 with a degree in finance and earned his law degree at the university in 1983. He was college roommates with Bart Starr Jr. and met his father while he was head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Starr played for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1950s and won five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls as Packers quarterback

in the 1960s. He then served as head coach at the legendary professional franchise from 1975-83. After law school, Sanders remained close friends with Bart Starr Jr. and approached the older Starr in 1989 about creating a company to develop health care real estate properties nationwide. “I perceived that this was an underappreciated property type and that the industry was very fragmented,” Sanders said. “There were virtually no national developers at that time. “ Their company was originally called Starr Sanders Properties and quickly opened regional offices in Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles, as well as San Antonio, Texas, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Bart served as chairman and was responsible for establishing corporate policy and managing client relationships.

In 1997, the company made some structural changes and became The Sanders Trust, and Starr served as vice chairman. “Bart and I were together side by side finding new opportunities and managing our rapid growth,” Sanders said. The success of Sanders Trust is part of a huge transformation in its industry sector in recent decades, Sanders said. “The health care real estate community has grown from our early pioneering days in the late ’80s to now include thousands of professionals focused solely on the property type,” he said. “Institutional money, including large pension funds and sovereign funds, has poured into our business as healthcare has become noticed as a mainstream investment, especially with the graying of our population.” The professional and personal relationship Sanders enjoyed with Starr was important to the younger man for a variety of reasons. “From dear friend, mentor, childhood hero, to business partner, Bart taught me untold lessons on life, people, hard work and grace,” he said. Sanders still feels Starr’s loss nearly two years after his death. “I certainly miss Bart and — as with any loss of someone close to you — I am grateful for all the priceless memories and for the impact he had on me and my family,” he said. He can also take solace in his family life. Sanders has been married to his wife, Angie, for 40 years. They met in high school, and Angie also attended the University of Alabama. Their daughter, Casey, lives in Guatemala with her husband, Simeon Sandkuhl. “They are doing mission work there to help educate orphaned children, and they are in the process of adopting two very lovely kids, who will be our first grandchildren,” Sanders said. In the meantime, The Sanders Trust continues to develop new projects, including new inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in St. Louis, San Antonio and Fort Smith, Arkansas. For more information, go to sanderstrust. com.

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A21

Chamber UAB infectious disease doctor shares update on COVID-19 vaccine, pandemic By NEAL EMBRY Dr. Rachael Lee, who works in UAB Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases, encouraged people to get a COVID-19 vaccine when they can and said she hopes UAB can continue to receive and administer more vaccines daily. Lee, speaking to the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 9, said that according to medical data, no one had died from the vaccine or had severe side effects from the vaccine, and no one had died from COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine. Having more people receive the vaccine will help lower the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and eventually will help the nation reach herd immunity, protecting those who do not receive the vaccine, Lee said. The goal is to have about 75% of the nation vaccinated to make that happen, she said. Lee said the hope is that UAB eventually will get to receive 15,000 vaccines daily. The good news, she said, is that hospitalizations, the number of confirmed COVID19 positive cases and COVID-19 deaths in Alabama were going down. Lee reminded listeners of COVID-19 symptoms, which include headache, fatigue, loss of taste and/or smell, shortness of breath, nausea, coughing and sore throat. Most people are experiencing mild to moderate cases when they have COVID19, but around 15% of cases are severe, and the number of deaths from the virus has disproportionately affected the Black and Hispanic communities, Lee said. About 40% of positive cases are asymptomatic, which is concerning, Lee said. Also, more than 40% of transmissions occur

before symptoms are first noticeable, she said. Lee also discussed the three variant strains of COVID-19, which hail from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. The U.K. strain seems to be more infectious, and the South African strain is more resistant to antibodies, Lee said. The Brazilian strain is the most concerning because people who have had COVID-19 and have antibodies do not seem to be protected, she said. More data should be coming about the efficacy of the various vaccines to these strains, Lee said. The vaccines will protect those who receive them for at least three months and most likely longer, with some studies showing eight months, Lee said. However, people who have received the vaccine should still wear masks and social distance because it is not clear if those who have been vaccinated can still transmit the disease, even if they do not get sick themselves, she said. People who already had had the virus should still get the vaccine, provided they are 90 days removed from the time they were sick, Lee said. The vaccine does not affect fertility, and there is no evidence that getting the vaccine makes people more susceptible to other illnesses, Lee said. For those with an already weakened immune system, Lee said there is no harm in taking the vaccine, though it may not provide the full effect. Still, she said, some effect is better than no effect. People who are UAB patients and 75 years of age or older can call their doctor and make an appointment at a UAB vaccination site, and people who are not UAB patients can contact the Jefferson County Department of Health.

Dr. Rachael Lee with UAB Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines at the Feb. 9 Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce virtual event. Photo courtesy of UAB University Relations.

A22 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Community

Events

Have a community announcement? Email Neal Embry at nembry@ starnespublishing.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

VHHS senior Rishabh Lingala achieves Eagle Scout rank Rishabh Lingala achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at Dawson Church Troop 83 in December. Rishabh’s leadership roles in the troop included Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Chaplain’s Aide and Instructor. He earned 21 merit badges. Rishabh has earned the Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout. Rishabh completed many high adventure trips, including Sea Base and Philmont, on which he was the Chaplain’s aid. For his Eagle Scout project, Rishabh renovated a powder room to be used for storage by The Sanctuary Apostolic Pentecostal Church. He removed everything from the powder room including sink, plumbing, mirror and tile. He put up drywall and painted. Rishi also built and painted wooden Rishabh Lingala achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at Dawson shelves for the room. This Church Troop 83 in December. Photo courtesy of Marilyn Henry. project allows the church to be able to have a storage room for equip- School and is a member of the Speech and ment and supplies to support the activities of Debate Team. the youth program. His parents are Vomsi and Sudha Lingala. Rishabh is a senior at Vestavia Hills High – Submitted by Marilyn Henry.

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Artwork made by Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest patrons is shown. In the teen department, the library will be celebrating art in March. Photo courtesy of Eden Pfaff.

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest hosts community scavenger hunt By NEAL EMBRY Children can take part in a community scavenger hunt hosted by the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest during spring break March 22-26. Each day, a clue will be posted on the library’s front window, and it will lead participants to a business in the community that is part of the scavenger hunt. Participants will be able to collect a prize from that business. Patrons also can learn how to create their own face mask. On March 30, at 3 p.m. on YouTube, a workshop will be held showing how to create unique face masks at home. Adults also can learn to make their own “spring wreaths” with material from upcycled book pages. Free take-and-make bags are available while supplies last at the library, and bags can be reserved by calling 205-978-4678

or emailing terri.leslie@vestaviahillslibrary. org. The event will be March 11 at 3 p.m. on YouTube. Library staff will lead an event for all ages in the Makerspace area March 26 at 3 p.m. on YouTube. It’s being called “Makercade” and will feature projects that combine science, technology, engineering, math and gaming. In the teen department, the library will be celebrating art, hosting an art group March 24 at 4 p.m. via Zoom, where participants can learn how to play drawing games and learn basic drawing exercises. Teens also can enjoy a literary version of “March Madness” on March 17 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Teens will work with their friends to solve “bookish puzzles.” For more information on library events, visit vestavialibrary.org.

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A23

Open the blinds or shades and let the sunshine in to naturally heat your home. For more ways to stay energy efficient when at home, visit alabamapower.com/tips. APC-EEF 02/2021

A24 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

As days turn warmer, it’s time to start thinking about summertime at last, and no summer is complete without a camp experience. Peruse our guide to learn more about which programs best fit your child’s personality, interest, age and availability. No matter which you choose, it’s time to jump in for fun and adventure this summer.

THE ALTAMONT SCHOOL Summer is a time when it’s easy for kids to fall behind. When days are spent streaming TV and movies and playing video games, the days run together and then summer is gone. At Altamont, we know it’s important to decompress and unwind from school, but we also know the value of using the summer months constructively so that your child’s time isn’t wasted. With Summer at Altamont, your next adventure is on top of the hill. Whether you’re looking to get ahead, sharpen your skills or have fun with your friends at camp, we have everything you need to make this a summer you’ll never forget.

Rising 3rd-7th Graders

Summer camp for rising 3rd-7th grade students includes English and math enrichment classes.

Rising 9th-12th Graders Summer camp for rising 9th-12th grade students includes driver’s education and ACT prep. A new offering this year is Strengthening Higher Math Skills for students entering Algebra I and 2, Geometry or PreCalculus in Fall 2021.

Summer at Altamont 2021 Day Camps | Credit Courses Grades 3-12 | June & July Registration & Information: summerataltamont.org

Credit Courses High school credit courses for rising 9th-12th grade students include Public Speaking, Honors Ancient and Medieval History and Honors Geometry.

Questions? Contact Summer Program Director Dr. Josh Barnard at jbarnard@altamont school.org. Registration and course information available at summerataltamont.org.

The Altamont School is one of the nation’s premier college preparatory schools for students in grades 5-12.

Photo taken prior to COVID-19

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A25

MASON MUSIC Mason Music has something for everyone this summer, from Summer Safari Preschool Music Camp for students ages 3-5 to advanced musicians age 13-18 in Overdrive Rock Band Camp. Since 2012, Mason Music has designed camp experiences tailored to every child’s age group and stage of musicianship to make sure they have something exciting, fun, and educational to do each summer. Mason Music’s staff of professionally trained musicians love working with kids on developing talent and exploring musical interests. “Our camps are designed to help your child grow as a musician,” said Nicole Patton, director of marketing. The Mason Music Camp for Beginners is a great starting point for younger students who are interested in learning more about the guitar, piano, voice, drums and violin. “They get a full week of in-depth introduction to all five of our main instruments,” Patton explains. Students participate in both one-on-one time with the instructors and small group learning sessions. At the end of the week, the camp’s instructors offer parents feedback on what instrument their child may enjoy pursuing in private lessons. “Playing with other young musicians is the best way to grow and have fun,” Patton said, “so we offer two rock band camps where students are placed in a band with other musicians like them.” Campers learn songs together and perform publicly for friends and family at the end of camp. The Awesome 80s Rock Band Camp is for students age 10-18 who already have a grasp on their instrument and Overdrive is for students who’ve been playing their

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instrument for at least two years. All Mason Music camps feature COVID safety protocols and guidelines, including limited availability, so sign up today!

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A26 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

PASTORS

CONTINUED from page A1 Bell company, and moved his family to Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after feeling that God was calling him into Christian ministry. Fourteen years later, Wood returned to Shades Mountain Baptist Church: the church he had once called home, the church in which he had been married and ordained, and the church from which he’ll retire in after more than 20 years as lead pastor. “He was the best pastor I ever worked with,” said Keith Habermas, who worked with Wood for 14 years as executive pastor at Shades Mountain. “Danny was a great visionary.” Wood succeeded Charles Carter, who also served as pastor at Shades Mountain for more than 20 years. “Anytime you follow a legend, it’s challenging,” Wood said. Wood said he learned the necessity of balancing making changes and looking to the future while honoring the church’s past. Coming from a business background helped Wood as he entered the ministry, he said. “I really had a good understanding of leadership,” he said. He also had a good understanding of finances and understood how to take risks while also being smart, taking what he called “God-sized steps.” This was especially helpful as the church underwent four capital campaigns, with the entire campus being redone over the years, Wood said. It’s been “pretty satisfying” to see each building renovated or replaced, he said. Wood said his favorite part of ministry has been the people, including at Shades Mountain. “It’s a very loving congregation,” he said. There’s never a concern about whether a need will be met when one arises in the church, and the congregation consistently looks for ways to serve others, Wood said. In addition, they consistently step out in faith to go on mission trips. In the last 19 years, Shades Mountain has done ministry in 80 countries, 21 time zones and all 50 states and takes 35 trips each year, Wood said. They have panted 15 churches internationally and 38 in North America. It was something the church grew into upon Wood’s arrival. Church members had always given to missions but took a step forward in going on mission trips, Wood said. “We love to be able to advance the kingdom of God,” he said. Wood takes pride in how the church has continued to grow in its emphasis on missions. It has become part of the church’s DNA, he said. Habermas said Wood has a great sense of humor, which is needed in ministry. “You need humor to get you through situations you encounter,” he said. Wood is also a man of integrity, Habermas said. During his time in ministry, Wood said he has learned that he is totally dependent on God. “If it’s in my earthly power, it’s not going to get done,” he said. Wood also said he’s had an incredible staff that he believes could run a small country and has a forward-looking attitude. While he will miss the camaraderie with his fellow staff members, Wood said he’ll still live in the area. He said he chose to retire this year because he’s nearing 70 years old, and he didn’t want to pastor past that age. Knowing the church would have to make long-term changes coming

Above: Gary Furr, the longtime pastor at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, sits on the steps in the sanctuary Jan. 18. Photo by Erin Nelson. Below: Shades Mountain Baptist Pastor Danny Wood preaches in October. Photo courtesy of Shades Mountain Baptist Church.

out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wood said retiring now allows the church to find a pastor who can shepherd the church through those changes and cast a new vision for the church. The church has hired an executive search firm to assist their pastor search committee, and Wood hopes to have someone hired by mid-summer, though they would not start until August so they could have time to wrap up their ministry at their previous church. As he steps away, Habermas said Wood leaves a legacy of impacting many lives locally, through counseling, preaching and leadership, as well as impacting the world through missions.

So, what’s next for Wood? “I will rest, recalibrate,” Wood said of his pending retirement. After that, Wood said he’ll look forward to the next chapter of his life. “I know I’ll be doing something.”

GARY FURR

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Furr said he saw firsthand the devotion of the people in his congregation at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. “We didn’t have to hold up the church,” Furr said. “They wanted to hold up their church.” It wasn’t a new trend for the church Furr

pastored for roughly 27 years. He said the congregation has always been loving. “We have really enjoyed one another,” he said. Furr came to the Vestavia Hills Baptist in 1993 following what he called a “strong conflict” over worship, with separate congregations eventually forming away from Vestavia Hills Baptist. “The church went through a lot of soul searching,” Furr said. Still, Furr said it was a “great fit” for him to come to the church and said the last 27 years have been wonderful. Furr was instrumental in Mike McBrayer’s decision to come join the staff of Vestavia Hills Baptist 20 years ago. “I knew Gary was the kind of minister I wanted to serve under,” said McBrayer, now the administrative pastor. McBrayer said it has been great to be part of a congregation that has Furr’s pastoral presence. The church has always been “open-spirited,” Furr said, saying Vestavia Hills Baptist ordains women for ministry and was also one of the first churches to integrate in the 1970s. Being in the suburbs, Furr said he’s had to learn that people are coming and going all the time, and that is OK. For those who do find themselves living in the city, they’ve found a wonderful community, Furr said. “People love their school and their community,” Furr said. “People have been the best part of living here.” McBrayer said Furr has shepherded his congregation through all the ups and downs of life. “I’ve seen Gary care for our church members in circumstances across the gamut,” McBrayer said. He’s also helped the church keep the “main thing the main thing,” uniting members around their shared faith in Jesus Christ while allowing for differences of opinion in lesser things, McBrayer said. Furr was part of the inaugural class of Leadership Vestavia Hills and remains an active member of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce. “I have loved the people,” Furr said. “I have loved the sense of family.” Furr said the most difficult part of ministry is helping those who are in pain, but who may not show it. That’s compounded by the busyness of life. “So much of people’s lives are outside of the church,” Furr said. “Keeping fellowship is a challenge.” In his time in ministry, Furr said he has learned that God is at work “vastly beyond” everything of which he is aware, and he’s also learned to be grateful. “You’re just an instrument God can use for the good of other people,” Furr said. Furr said he’ll be 67 years old in August and knows it’s time for a younger pastor to take over. “My mind is still young, but my body is not,” Furr said. “There comes a time you need to move on and let someone else take over.” Furr said he’s ready to spend more time with his family, but he said he will continue his work with the Alabama Coalition of Healthy Mothers and Children. Furr said while he may have been the pastor for more than 25 years, it isn’t his church, and that’s reassuring. “It’s God’s church,” Furr said. “And it will be here long after I’m gone.”

Let us help spread the news! Email nembry@starnespublishing.com to submit your announcement.

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • A27 fundamentals of coaching and running a successful program with loyalty, honesty, hard work, pride and being committed,” Calhoun said. “A man is not going to be somewhere 43 years as the head coach unless he’s doing things the right way.” Although, Calhoun knows he cannot do things exactly the way Anderson did things. Each person is unique and leads in a different manner. But the pillars that the Rebels’ program has been built on will not change, he said. “The things you see on Friday night may look a little different, but the effort is still going to be the same. The commitment to winning is still going to be the same,” Calhoun said. One of those pillars is putting the wellbeing of the players first, no matter the situation. “Everything is focused on our players,” Calhoun said. “First and foremost, that’s improving them as a person, then attacking the athletic side of it is second. If I come in doing the reverse, I’m doing them a disservice.”

CALHOUN

CONTINUED from page A1 only going to get better.” There’s much to do to get ready for the Aug. 20 season opener against Mountain Brook, so the sticky notes serve as a sort of to-do list for the new coach. “Has it been overwhelming at times? For sure. You’ve just got to stay organized and prioritize certain things for that day,” he said.

THERE AND BACK

Calhoun’s football life has taken him to places near and far, but his new gig will be his first experience in the state of Alabama. Growing up in Lawrenceville, Georgia, he knew from an early age he wanted to be a football coach. He walked on at Valdosta State University, coached then by current Samford University head coach Chris Hatcher. Calhoun was the backup quarterback on the 2004 team that went on to win the Division II national championship. Following his playing days, Calhoun landed in Aberdeen, South Dakota, as a graduate assistant at Northern State University, where he met his wife Kellie. Calhoun then spent two years on the staff at his alma mater, with Valdosta State winning a national championship in 2007. Calhoun stepped into the high school ranks in the state of Georgia after that, serving as an assistant coach at Berrien, Collins Hill and Colquitt County — coached by former Hoover High School head coach Rush Propst — before landing his first head coaching job at Carrollton. He was the offensive coordinator for a Colquitt County team that went 30-0 across his two seasons there, winning a couple state titles along the way. At Carrollton, he won 51 games over the last five years, each year advancing to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.

NEW TERRITORY

Vestavia Hills presented the perfect opportunity for Calhoun, his wife and their three kids. “To sum it up, they are just awesome people,” Calhoun said of his first impressions of the community. “On the staff, there’s some really good coaches. But more importantly,

Formerly the coach at Carrollton High School in Georgia, Sean Calhoun was hired Jan. 13 as the new head coach for the Vestavia Hills High School football team. Photo courtesy of Sean Calhoun.

they’re good people, good family men and they love this place.” There has been no shortage of new names and faces for Calhoun to learn in his short time in Vestavia, from his players to coaches to school faculty to community stakeholders. He had each of his players fill out an information sheet in an effort to get to know them deeper than a line on a computer spreadsheet. Calhoun’s values line up with what Vestavia Hills was searching for in Anderson’s successor. He was recommended to the Board of Education by a search committee including Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Todd Freeman, Vestavia Hills High School Principal Tonya Rozell, Athletic Director Jeff Segars and Assistant Superintendent Patrick Martin. “Coach Calhoun has dedicated his career to investing in the lives of young men through the sport of football. His values and commitment to excellence are aligned with those of our school system and community. His successful experiences have prepared him to lead our football

program and build on the legacy established by Coach Anderson and his teams. Coach Calhoun and his family will be a wonderful addition to Vestavia Hills,” Freeman said. Like Anderson, Calhoun does not shy away from his Christian faith. For years, Anderson and wife Linda have hosted Bible studies at their house for anyone on the team who desired to do so. “I’m a good fit for this place, when it comes to being open about your faith,” Calhoun said. “You never know where the good Lord takes you.”

FOLLOWING A LEGEND

No matter who took over at Vestavia Hills, following the legendary career and legacy of Anderson would be no small task. Although he has never coached in this area before, Calhoun is getting brought up to speed quickly on how Anderson was able to have such a strong impact on his players and the community. He has no desire to alter that foundation. “I’m going to continue the foundation and

A DESIRE TO WIN

Calhoun admits that the Rebels’ playing style will look different than the run-heavy, optionbased offense that Anderson’s team employed to such great success over the years. But his motives behind such a change are geared toward being successful on the field any way possible. “We’re going to do what our kids can do,” he said. “I’ve had years where we threw it a lot, because that’s the personnel we had. There’s been other years where we really ran it a lot more because we didn’t have that same personnel.” But there is an attribute that will remain from the way the Rebels have always played. “We can’t lose that toughness. We know how to run the football here. We have that mentality. I love that. At any level, teams that can run the football are going to win a lot more than you lose,” Calhoun said. Calhoun is eager to add a third state championship title to the Rebels’ trophy case to go alongside the ones earned by the 1980 and 1998 Vestavia squads. It’s on his to-do list at Vestavia Hills, so perhaps it will be on a sticky note soon. “Roll your sleeves up. Let’s get to work. That’s the only way I know,” he said.

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Guide B11

FROM BOYS TO MEN

Leaders form group to teach character, integrity to boys at VHECH

By NEAL EMBRY

There aren’t many men on staff at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights, but the men who are there are focused on making a difference in the lives of the boys at the school, Assistant Principal Jason Bostic said. It started with an idea from instructional aide Xavier Bryant to bring together fifth grade boys and have them meet with male leaders so they could learn about leadership, integrity and what it means to be a man. “How can we help motivate them to be strong, young men?” said Bostic, one of the group members along with Bryant, custodians Orenzo Hardy and Wesley Smith, and school resource officer Andy Chapman. Bostic said it’s important for the kids to know that their family situation doesn’t define them and that they can set their own destiny. So, multiple times throughout the year, the staff has lunch with the boys in each fifth grade class, answers their questions and talks with them about an important character trait, such as integrity, Bostic said. During the first meeting in December, the group talked about respect, and the boys were asked what it feels like to be respected or disrespected, Hardy said.

Custodian Orenzo Hardy, right, speaks with fifth grade students at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights. Male staff at the school have been meeting with fifth grade boys since late 2020 to teach them about leadership and being a man. Photo courtesy of Jason Bostic.

Bryant said he realized there was strength in numbers, leading to the boys meeting as a group, instead of individually. Meeting in a group also keeps one student from feeling isolated and allows students to talk

openly and learn from each other, Hardy said. “Iron sharpens iron,” Bryant said. As an assistant principal, Bostic said when he meets with the boys, he isn’t coming as their assistant

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principal. The hat comes off, so the boys can be honest with him, he said. “We lose the titles when we come in,” Bostic said. “I’m there to support them.” The conversations about what it

means to have character are important for the holistic development of the child, something on which the school tries to focus, Bostic said. “It’s just extending on what we’re doing schoolwide,” he said. Hardy said in his meetings with the boys, he has realized they are very intelligent and willing to learn and grow. “It’s a good foundation,” he said. Students learn that it’s “cool” to be respectful and nice, and adults are able to see when students need their help, Hardy said. It’s something that, over time, the students have gotten excited about and are living out on a daily basis. “They ask when we are going to do it, how to be better,” Hardy said. “They’re holding each other accountable.” Bostic said the boys also learn that character counts outside of school walls and that the community is watching them. The groups have been productive, even in just a few months, Hardy said. “It’s very rewarding in such a short time to see the impact on the boys.” Bryant said he can already see a difference in behavior. The groups will continue, and Bostic said there are plans to start meeting with boys in fourth grade classes as well.

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B2 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

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March 2021 • B3

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B4 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Schoolhouse Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Neal Embry at nembry@starnespublishing.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Students take lead at freshman campus Students change classes at the freshman campus of Vestavia Hills High School. Assistant Principal Jennifer Brown said a group of students has helped create a leadership team, which has led student initiatives such as creating new clubs. Photo by Erin Nelson.

By NEAL EMBRY Students at the new freshman campus of Vestavia Hills High School have been growing into leaders as they prepare to join their peers at the main campus next year, school officials said. A group of students has helped create a leadership team, which has led student initiatives such as creating new clubs, Assistant Principal Jennifer Brown said. Assistant Principal David Howard said now, school officials want to encourage these leaders to pass on that example. Later this year, he’ll give coins to the 24 students and encourage them to find students who are “going above and beyond,” whether at school or in the community, and give them a coin. That kind of leadership helps prepare students for the next level, school officials said. “I have been amazed at the will and the desire students have to lead,” Brown said. Principal Tonya Rozell praised the leadership of Howard and Brown and said the excitement at the campus is palpable when she visits and said everything is going well. The freshman campus, located at the former Pizitz Middle School, is in its first year. Superintendent Todd Freeman recently gave the school board an update on student attendance as it relates to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Freeman said as of Jan. 22, the school system had had 6.2% of students test positive for COVID-19 at some point during the school year, but only 0.25% of students have tested positive after close contact at school, which Freeman said continues to be an important indicator of how well the school system is handling the virus.

Since returning from the winter break, the school system has seen a steady decline in the number of daily positive cases, according to data provided to the board. Fifty-seven students reported being positive Jan. 6 and 7, and 59 students reported positive cases Jan. 8. Cases have steadily fallen since, with only 10 students, 0.16% of all students, reporting positive Jan. 22. For employees, Freeman said the school system is monitoring the distribution of vaccinations and is working to make sure there

are no misconceptions out there regarding the vaccines while they await the opportunity to protect teachers and other staff. “As soon as we are able to distribute or allow employees to get the vaccine, we want to do it,” Freeman said. Freeman said he’s not sure if groups that typically take overnight trips in the spring will be able to so this year. Those trips are currently on hold, he said, and it is unclear if state and national organizations that typically sponsor those events, such as cheer, dance and other

competitions, will host their normal gatherings. The board also approved the extension of provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act under the Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act through March 31, allowing employees to use an additional 10 days for COVID19 related leave, in addition to their regular FMLA leave. The school’s chief financial officer, Courtney Brown, also announced the school system would be receiving $650,000 in funding from the state to reimburse COVID-related expenses.

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March 2021 • B5 Students stand with items they collected to donate to Jessie’s Place homeless shelter for women and children. Photo courtesy of Kellie Knight.

Vestavia Hills Elementary West was named a 2021 Alabama State School of Character by character.org. Photo courtesy of Whit McGhee.

Vestavia Hills Elementary West named Alabama State School of Character Vestavia Hills Elementary West is being recognized statewide for its emphasis on character education and development. Character.org, a national organization advocating for character education in schools, on Jan. 27 named Vestavia Hills Elementary West a 2021 Alabama State School of Character. VHEW was one of only three schools, and the only elementary school in Alabama, chosen for the award this year. Each of the State Schools of Character were chosen based on demonstrated excellence in eleven principles of character education and development. For VHEW, those principles were found in programs such as the “West Way” which emphasizes kindness, respect and responsibility; involvement of parent advisory teams and character development teams; and numerous initiatives throughout the school to ensure students have positive relationships with their peers. A press release from character.org issued Jan. 25 said: “It is evident that Vestavia Hills Elementary West is intentional about creating a culture of character based on the West Way.

This school has been successful in its mission.” VHEW received character.org’s Promising Practices award in 2020 for its “Connect 5” program, which connects students in need of social and emotional support with five staff members in the school. Those employees regularly check in with students and provide encouragement and support, ensuring students feel connected to multiple individuals beyond their classroom teacher. Staff members provide feedback to the school’s counselors to ensure each student receives the attention and assistance they need from professionals. “We’re honored to receive an award that recognizes what goes on at West every day,” said VHEW Principal Kim Hauser. “Our motivation to teach character is a cornerstone of the school, and this award is a great way to honor the people here who work so hard to instill those values in our students.” The school will now be considered for character.org’s highest distinction, National School of Character. Winners of the national awards will be announced in May. – Submitted by Whit McGhee.

Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge participates in ‘kindness challenge’ Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge participated in the “Great Kindness Challenge” during the month of February. Each grade level adopted a community kindness project in order to spread kindness around Vestavia Hills. Kindergarten and second grade classes collected canned foods for the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church food pantry. VHUMC partners with Vestavia schools throughout the year to provide needed resources for families within the schools. First grade classes collected tennis balls, pet toys and newspapers for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Third grade classes made cards for the residents at Morningside of Vestavia Hills Nursing home.

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Fourth and fifth grade students partnered together to collect hygiene items for Jessie’s Place homeless shelter for women and children. Throughout the month, counseling lessons along with morning meeting time in the classroom have been centered around the Dolly Ridge Core Value: Serve and Respect Others, with an emphasis on kindness. “It has been a joy to see children eagerly bringing their kind donations to the drop off boxes with a smile,” counselor Kellie Knight said. Research has confirmed that acts of kindness can reduce the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, all while increasing self-esteem, energy and optimism. – Submitted by Kellie Knight.

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B6 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Sports

Unlike last year, Rebels return plenty of experience Vestavia Hills’ Alden Windham catches a throw at first base during practice Jan. 27. The Rebels have 16 seniors this year, a big class capable of making waves in Class 7A. Photo by Erin Nelson.

By KYLE PARMLEY The Vestavia Hills High School baseball team was just rounding into form last spring. The Rebels had to replace a dearth of experience from its 2019 squad, including the overwhelming majority of its innings from the pitching staff. After 17 games, Vestavia Hills had an 8-9 record but was beginning to figure things out. “We weren’t consistent yet, but we were starting to show flashes,” Vestavia Hills head coach Jamie Harris said. “That’s part of growing up and maturing as a team. We had a bunch of guys that had never played a varsity baseball game before.” Many of those guys are back in 2021, including an abundance of senior pitching. The Rebels have 16 seniors this year, a big class capable of making waves in Class 7A. “Like everybody else, they missed their whole junior season, and some of them were first-time starters, some of them it was their first time working their way into the lineup and some of them working their way into positions,” Harris said. Grant Cherry is back for the Rebels, as the Tennessee commit is set to anchor the pitching staff. “He’s got electric stuff,” Harris said. “When he’s right, he’s going to be really tough for high school hitters to handle.” Jack Hoppenjans has a big arm as well and will be one of the Rebels’ top arms. Recent Birmingham-Southern commit Carter Tyus is set to be a key pitcher as well. Jackson Halla was one of Vestavia’s most consistent pitchers a season ago. Jacob Newman and Brennan Cohen are two other seniors that will help out the pitching staff. Alden Windham is back from injury and will provide innings on

the mound and at first base. “We’re not returning the amount of innings we would be returning had we played a full season, but we still had a bunch of guys get a ton of experience,” Harris said. Joseph Sullivan will hit at or near the top of the Vestavia lineup this season as the team’s primary centerfielder. He’s the grandson of Pat Sullivan but is a left-hander committed to play baseball at South Alabama. Braden Glenn, the football’s team quarterback last fall, will be the second baseman. Harris said Glenn plays with class, is a good

athlete and is a leader on the team. Charlie Hughes played a good bit last year and will take the field for the Rebels following the conclusion of the basketball team’s likely postseason push. MJ Newsom, Knox Romeo and Gunter Walburn are senior outfielders. Owen Knight was a strong pitcher for the Rebels last season, but he is currently rehabbing an injury. The Rebels hope to get him back before the end of the season. Grayson Dobbins and Will Denton are battling for time at shortstop as well. Vestavia Hills competes in 7A, Area 6, which

features perennial contenders Hewitt-Trussville and Spain Park along with Gadsden City. The Rebels also challenge themselves with the likes of Chelsea, Briarwood, Oak Mountain and Thompson and compete in the Perfect Game High School Showdown in early March. That tough early schedule will pay dividends once the area schedule comes around. And that is ultimately what matters most. “We build our schedule to be really tough, especially early in the year,” Harris said. “We want a measuring stick, to see where we can get better.”

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March 2021 • B7

Rebels leaning on big senior class entering 2021 By KYLE PARMLEY The Vestavia Hills High School softball team was on a positive trajectory when the 2020 season was cut short. The Rebels were off to a 12-4 start to the season and beginning to put the pieces together. For the last few years, Vestavia Hills has had a roster largely comprised of young, talented players growing and maturing into consistent performers. “We were doing well, we were starting to jell in some spots, but it was early,” head coach Lissa Walker said. “We were on the right track to do what we needed to do last year.” Now, that once up-and-coming group is led by six players who are now seniors in 2021. “We have a pretty stout senior class,” said catcher Gwynnie Hornibrook, who has signed with Samford University. Hornibrook, Charity Bibbs, Lily Dunaway, Nikki Hammond, Annie Kate Parks and Sydney Harris have largely grown up and played together and they are eager to make the most of their final season in the red and blue. “Even though our season got cut short last year, we’re all together this year to play our senior season, so I think we’ll do really well. We’ve been working really hard,” Dunaway said. After that hot start last year, the Rebels graduated Arden Plugge and Mary Claire Wilson, two significant contributors. But the team also returns plenty of experience to the fold. “We know each other really well and we played really well together last year,” Hammond said. The bond with this year’s group is a strong one, they say. “The team has really good chemistry,” outfielder Parks said. “We can be serious but we also know how to have fun with each other.” Put all six of them in a room at once and it is clear how their personalities feed off each other. Each person’s style benefits the team in a unique manner. “We all lead in different ways,” said Harris,

Above left: Vestavia Hills’ Charity Bibbs (22) pitches during a game against Hoover in February 2020 at the Vestavia Hills Softball Complex. Above right: Vestavia Hills’ Annie Kate Parks (5) bats during the Rebels’ game against Hoover. Photos by Kyle Parmley.

an outfielder. Walker believes the team’s pitching staff and defense will lead the way at the outset of the season, given that Bibbs and Hammond have logged plenty of varsity innings the last few seasons. Bibbs has signed with Chipola College and Hammond is still searching for a college softball home. Freshman Tait Davidson is also expected to give the Rebels quality innings this year as well.

Outside of the top half of the order, Walker wants to see some other bats step up and provide depth to the Vestavia lineup. Kayla Franklin and Ella Gallaspy are two that could take on bigger roles. Lauren Green, Libby Pippin, Reese Johnson, Heaven Bibbs, Bella Nixon, Kylie Reid and Caroline Redden will also get their chances as well. Vestavia Hills competes in Class 7A, Area 6, arguably the toughest in the entire state.

The Rebels will tussle with 2019 state champion Hewitt-Trussville, perennial contender Spain Park and an always solid Oak Mountain team. The Rebels’ schedule also includes games against Hoover, Oxford, Sumiton Christian, Thompson, Springville and Chelsea to go along with tournament appearances at Hoover and Oxford. “If we stay focused, we’ll go far,” Bibbs said.

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B8 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Rebels track and field post several state records Right: Vestavia’s Crawford West leads in the girls 1600-meter run during the state meet Feb. 6 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Above left: Vestavia’s Ethan Strand grins as he finishes in first place in the boys 1600-meter run. Above right: Vestavia’s Alex Leath and John Stephens compete in the boys 400-meter dash. Photos by Erin Nelson.

By KYLE PARMLEY Vestavia Hills High School capped off the indoor track and field season with several highlights at the state meet Feb. 6 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The Rebels boys mounted a furious rally and finished second in Class 7A, finishing just 4.5 points behind state champ Hewitt-Trussville. Hewitt finished with 77.5 points to Vestavia’s 73. Hewitt and Hoover ran away with the girls competition and eclipsed 100 points, but the Rebels finished third with 51 points. The Rebels knocked down several state records on the day, with Ethan Strand, Alex Leath and Crawford West all shattering previous state meet marks. Strand and Leath finished 1-2 in the 800meter run, both breaking the previous state meet record time. Strand came across the line in 1:51.07 and Leath ran the same race in 1:52.72. Strand also set a state meet record in the 3,200, posting a blazing time of 9:15.39. West broke two state meet records, capturing the 1,600 with a time of 4:59.58 and blowing away the competition in the 3,200 with a 10:58.27.

Strand and West each claimed three individual state titles in a special day for both. They both came across the line first in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 races. Strand claimed a fourth title as part of the Rebels’ 4x400 relay team, which won in 3:25.32. The Rebels featured several other all-state performances on the day. Angelica Vines finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.31 seconds. Sam Culbertson was second in the boys high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches. Gabby Walls reached 5-2 in the girls high jump to also finish second. William Elliot finished sixth in the pole vault, setting a personal best of 13-6. Kennedy Moreland tied her personal best in the pole vault as well, clearing 9-6. Other Rebels scored points on the day as well. Bo Webb and Jonathon Wilson were fifth and eighth in the 60 hurdles, Azaria Wright was seventh in the girls 60 hurdles, John Stephens placed fourth in the 400 and the boys 4x800 relay team was fourth. Matthew Rainer was part of the winning 4x400 team. Will Jordan, Wyatt Raley, Matthew Coleman and Sally Isbell competed for the Rebels as well.

Rebels finish runner-up at state duals By KYLE PARMLEY The Vestavia Hills High School wrestling team finished second in the Class 7A state duals wrestling competition, which concluded Jan. 22. The Rebels finished as the runner-up for the second consecutive year, as Thompson defeated Vestavia Hills 33-25 in the duals final at Bill Harris Arena, located at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Thompson won the state title for the third straight year. The match began in Vestavia’s favor, as Zach Flurry won in the 115-pound weight class by a 2-0 decision. Thompson won the next two bouts, before Christopher Hays got the Rebels back on the board with a 7-6 victory by decision. But Thompson won two more to extend its advantage before Harris Mitchell won a 20-5

technical fall to bolster Vestavia. Vestavia Hills won the final three bouts of the day, but the Rebels’ deficit was too great to overcome. Bryce Littleton triumphed in the 222-pound class by a 16-0 technical fall and Jack McMurry won by fall in the 287-pound class. Mac Chandler earned three points for the team as well. The Rebels advanced to the final by accepting a forfeit victory over Grissom in the first round and beating Hewitt-Trussville 50-18 in the semifinals Jan. 19. Against Hewitt, 10 Vestavia wrestlers earned individual wins and earned points for the team. Leighton Reese, Jack Lamey, John Edwards and McMurry won by fall. Chandler, Hastings Roberts and Riggs Manown won by major decision. Littleton and Flurry won by fall, while Hays won by decision.

Vestavia Hills’ Mac Chandler earned three points for the Rebels in the state duals championship Jan. 22 at Bill Harris Arena. Photo courtesy of Dawn Harrison.

Varsity Sports Calendar BASEBALL

March 25-27: Oxford Tournament. Oxford. TBD.

March 4-6: Perfect Game High School Showdown. Hoover Met Complex. TBD.

March 29: vs. Vincent. 6 p.m.

March 9: vs. Hoover. 6:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

March 11: vs. Northridge. 5 p.m.

March 2: @ Thompson. 4:30 p.m.

March 12: Doubleheader @ Thompson. TBD.

March 4: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 4:30 p.m.

March 16: vs. Spain Park. 4 p.m.

March 5-6: Panama City Tournament. Panama City, Florida. TBD.

March 18: @ Spain Park. 6 p.m.

March 9: @ Spain Park. 4:30 p.m.

March 20: Doubleheader vs. Madison Academy, Hartselle. Madison Academy. 1:30 p.m.

March 11: @ Springville. 4:30 p.m. March 12-13: Hoover Tournament.

Hoover High School. TBD.

March 9: Girls @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6:30 p.m.

March 15: @ Oxford. 4:30 p.m.

March 9: Boys vs. Hewitt-Trussville. 7 p.m.

March 17: @ Hueytown. 4:30 p.m.

March 12: @ Gadsden City. Girls at 5 p.m., boys 7 p.m.

March 30: @ Sumiton Christian. 4:30 p.m.

SOCCER March 2: Girls vs. Hoover. 7 p.m. March 2: Boys @ Westminster-Oak Mountain. 7 p.m. March 5: Girls vs. Cullman. 7 p.m. March 5: Boys at Dalton Tournament. Dalton, Georgia. TBD.

March 16: vs. Spain Park. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m. March 19: Girls vs. Oak Mountain. 5:30 p.m. March 19: Boys vs. McCallie (Tennessee). 7 p.m. March 30: Girls @ Homewood. 7 p.m. March 30: Boys @ Oak Mountain. 7:30 p.m. March 31: Girls @ Thompson. 7 p.m.

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • B9

WE HAVE MOVED

NEW LOCATION COMING SOON! VISIT OUR TEMPORARY POP-UP SHOP 2707 Mamie L Foster / 18th Place S. Downtown Homewood Vestavia’s Walter Reed high-fives teammates in the semifinals against Hoover during the state bowling championships Jan. 29 at Oak Mountain Lanes. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Rebels advance to semifinals at state bowling tournament By KYLE PARMLEY The Vestavia Hills High School boys bowling team advanced to the semifinals of the Class 6A-7A state tournament Jan. 29 at Oak Mountain Lanes. The Rebels rolled through the opening round of the day, beating Mary Montgomery 1,6081,332. They had the top combined traditional round score of 1,111 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Vestavia ran into a stern test against Hoover and did not bowl its best, falling 1,594-1,428. The Rebels trailed 1,048892 after the traditional game and were never able to recover. “It’s a tough loss for our seniors, three guys who have given a lot to our program,” coach Todd Evans said. Walter Reed gave a great deal to the Rebels program over the last four years, bowling at a

high level his whole high school career. Riley Giardina joined the team this year, and Evans lauded him for his high character. Marshall Grayson also played in a support role for the team throughout the season. The Rebels won the state title in 2019 but were eliminated in the quarterfinals last year. Under Evans, the program has risen to the status of feeling somewhat disappointed with a semifinal finish. “It’s a good standard to have, but I don’t want them to be satisfied,” he said. Vestavia Hills advanced to the state tournament by finishing runner-up the week prior in the North Regional to Sparkman, which went on to win the state title. “Our kids just kept battling and battling, but there at the end, our lack of championship experience showed,” Evans said. “I’m still proud of them.”

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B10 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

Above: Vestavia Hills’ Handley Venable (33) passes the ball in a game against Briarwood during the Rebel Yell Icebreaker Lacrosse Tournament on Jan. 23 at Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex. Below: Vestavia’s Aidan Behr (9) takes the ball downfield. Photos by Erin Nelson.

REBEL YELL ICEBREAKER

LACROSSE TOURNAMENT

Above: Vestavia’s Max Hull (3) looks to pass the ball. Below left: Vestavia’s Vince Visser (7) maneuvers past the Briarwood defense. Below right: The Rebels huddle after the first half of a game against Briarwood.

Vestavia’s Micah Moon (10) catches the ball.

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • B11

2021

REAL ESTATE

GUIDE: Vestavia Hills

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or seller looking to move to a larger space or to a new area, the real estate market can be intimidating. There are credit scores to check, financing options to consider and a never-ending list of details to review — granite countertops or butcher’s block; hardwood or carpet; tub or shower, or both? To make those first steps into the real estate market a little easier, Vestavia Voice has gathered information about homes in Vestavia Hills. In our annual Real Estate Guide, Vestavia Voice spoke to local real estate agents to get advice from the pros, compared how homes in different neighborhoods fare on the market and gathered a few tips.

INSIDE:

■ How did 2007 save 2020?................................................................................B12 ■ How much home can you get with $250,000?..............................B13 ■ How much home can you get with $500,000?..............................B14 ■ By the numbers: Vestavia Hills market....................................................B15 ■ How much home can you get with $750,000?..............................B16 ■ Great migration toward home......................................................................... B17 ■ Market trends..................................................................................................................B18

B12 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

HOW DID 2007 SAVE 2020? By MARSHALL MALONE It would be a stretch of the imagination to think that the 2007 recession was helpful to us as we face the last turbulent year in our rear view mirror. But with 2020 in hindsight, there is reason to think that some of the hardships we endured back then may have helped us as we faced the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 14 million people lost their jobs in three months between February and May of 2020 as a result of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. That is a greater loss than the two years of the Great Recession in 2007-08, which was followed by a collapse of the U.S. housing market. The 2007-08 recession took many businesses, including and especially many home developers. This directly impacted the number of homes being built in following years. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the number of contractors declined significantly after the recession, and housing production was unable to meet buyer demand. They report the number of new homes being built decreased nationally to a lethargic 519,000 in 2010, compared to over 1.5 million homes in 2020. Over the next decade fewer than normal homes were built as developers faced headwinds during the long recovery. Between 2010-19, only 6.8 million new single-family homes were built, (broken down as 1.53 million custom homes, 827,000 townhouses, and 300,000 single-family built-for-rentals according to NAHB). This means we are playing catch-up and that there are fewer homes available to sell. Buyers need to work harder, but it also means that vacant homes are not scattered across the landscape. With only 2.7 months of housing inventory on the market, (six months is considered normal) competition for each home has increased, meaning that the average home for sale could receive three or more offers before

closing. Home prices are going up, in many cases over 17%. This makes it less affordable for first-time homebuyers, which is a third of the market, though there are many lending programs available for these buyers. Yet despite the challenges of 2020, residential construction is set to evolve and expand throughout the decade ahead. This is a far cry from what we saw in 2010 when home values dropped, leaving many people upside down on their mortgages. Back then homes prices dropped 33%, and real estate was the catalyst of the recession. But now builders are trudging forward, and we see the real estate market leading the march. The V-shaped recovery we are seeing as we

start 2021 show full employment levels at 6.7% unemployed. Home refinancing is up 16%, and lenders are busier than ever. Real estate transactions are shifting in the tides of the pandemic as people begin telecommuting into the suburbs where home offices are more available. These are trends that cause an upward spike on the number of real estate transactions. In Vestavia Hills and Liberty Park, 954 homes sold in 2020; UP 11% from 2019. These homes sold for a median price of $416,887 (average price of $461,571), or 11.17% higher than the previous year, and were generally under contract within 5 days. Over 47% of these homes were at or over list price, meaning that competition was fierce. Expect a higher volume of

homes in 2020 as the pandemic gets under control, and the economy levels out. Inventory is tight, and most homes will have multiple offers prior to being placed under contract. These indicators point to new activity and a strong real estate market going forward with increasing home values and competition. New construction appears to be catching up, though buyers will most likely have the disadvantage for a while, barring a wave of foreclosures, which is most likely not going to happen. Meanwhile, this is still a sellers’ market and a good time to put a sign in your front yard. – Marshall Malone is a third-generation Realtor currently at RealtySouth.

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • B13

HOW MUCH HOME CAN YOU GET WITH $250,000?

SHALLOWFORD CIRCLE

MONTREAT CIRCLE CONDO

WISTERIA COMMONS

■ SALE PRICE: $234,900 ■ AGENT: Drew Taylor ■ COMPANY: RE/MAX Southern Homes ■ ACRES: 0.1 ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,841 ■ BEDS: 3 ■ BATHS: 3 ■ YEAR BUILT: 1987 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia Central

MONTREAT

■ SALE PRICE: $139,500 ■ AGENT: Diane Harrison ■ COMPANY: eXp Realty ■ ACRES: N/A ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,268 ■ BEDS: 3 ■ BATHS: 2 ■ YEAR BUILT: 1968 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia Central

WHITE OAK DRIVE CAHABA HEIGHTS

■ SALE PRICE: $225,000 ■ AGENT: Bart Stanley ■ COMPANY: Home Team Realty ■ ACRES: 0.58 ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,946 ■ BEDS: 3 ■ BATHS: 1 ■ YEAR BUILT: 1940 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Cahaba Heights SOURCE: GREATER BIRMINGHAM MLS

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B14 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

HOW MUCH HOME CAN YOU GET WITH $500,000?

PADEN PLACE

HIGHFIELD DRIVE

GREEN VIEW ESTATES ■ SALE PRICE: $499,900 ■ AGENT: Lisa Reuter ■ COMPANY: RealtySouth ■ ACRES: 0.5 ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,516 ■ BEDS: 6 ■ BATHS: 3 ■ YEAR BUILT: 1968 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia West

ALPINE CIRCLE

SOUTHRIDGE

■ SALE PRICE: $469,500 ■ AGENT: Ann Relfe ■ COMPANY: Relfe-Welden Real Estate ■ ACRES: 0.42 ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,794 ■ BEDS: 3 ■ BATHS: 2.5 ■ YEAR BUILT: 1958 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia West

CHEROKEE FOREST ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

SALE PRICE: $469,900 AGENT: Allison Sanders COMPANY: Red Hills Realty ACRES: 0.73 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,026 BEDS: 3 BATHS: 3 YEAR BUILT: 1990 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia East

SOURCE: GREATER BIRMINGHAM MLS

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • B15

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B16 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

HOW MUCH HOME CAN YOU GET WITH $750,000?

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SALE PRICE: $799,900 AGENT: Jana Hanna COMPANY: RealtySouth ACRES: 1 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,431 BEDS: 4 BATHS: 4.5 YEAR BUILT: 2006 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia East

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■ SALE PRICE: $719,900 ■ AGENT: Liz Phillips-Guest ■ COMPANY: RealtySouth ■ ACRES: 1.1 ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,031 ■ BEDS: 4 ■ BATHS: 3.5 ■ YEAR BUILT: 1986 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia Central

■ SALE PRICE: $756,000 ■ AGENT: Scott Perry ■ COMPANY: RealtySouth ■ ACRES: 0.2 ■ SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,785 ■ BEDS: 3 ■ BATHS: 2.5 ■ YEAR BUILT: 2020 ■ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Vestavia Central SOURCE: GREATER BIRMINGHAM MLS

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Vestavia Real Estate “Angela was a pleasure to have as our real estate agent. She’s personable, has great knowledge of the area, and is aggressive while still maintaining professionalism. This is our second time using Angela to sell a home and both times she’s been absolutely amazing. We’ve also been fortunate enough to have her as our agent in guiding us to find the perfect new home. Both buying and selling, she’s among the best. Angela is responsive, hard working, and has always gone the extra mile in our experiences working with her.” - Lutz Family

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VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • B17

GREAT MIGRATION TOWARD HOME

By MARSHALL MALONE If you punch an anthill it is amazing to witness how quickly they scatter to another spot to build a new home. There is no doubt about it: America has been punched by a pandemic and a tumultuous year of political strife. We are now in a market where everything apart from death and taxes has changed, and we are already showing our resilience is not unlike the ant. It is a challenge to say where the real estate market will end up, though there are indicators to suggest that the market is strong, active and will continue its positive aggression for some time. Not only is there a lot of migration in the market, but there is one feature dominating the wish lists of America’s home buyers: the home office. In a 2019 survey, 99% of employees responded that they would like to work from home, and the number of people who are actually doing so is skyrocketing. Before the pandemic it was estimated that 5 million people were telecommuting for work, compared to a number predicted to achieve 42 million by the end of 2021. That is an increase of over 700%. There is a great migration happening in the U.S. as people leave the turmoil of the city for rural pastures. Corporate leaders are having their epiphanies, and technology is speeding up to catch up. Cybersecurity is one of the downsides of this migration as hackers shift their targets from corporate firewalls to home offices where people are more slack. Phishing attacks are on the rise as they target quarantined remote workers. But the benefits to employers outweigh the risks as they see increased productivity, improved morale, increased loyalty, higher retention rates and finally the cost savings with less need for physical space. Telecommuting is liberating homebuyers to live in locations more desirable to their budget and lifestyle. We are seeing a migration from condensed cities where political strife and pandemic concerns make less populated rural communities and suburbs more appealing. Home renovations are on the rise, too, as homeowners are less likely to sell, staying an average of nine years instead of six years, according to The New York Times. Home

office product sales are also skyrocketing. With this great migration, Realtors might heed the changes and start staging homes differently as they prepare to sell; think living rooms as home office spaces. With many households having both parents working from home and kids taking Zoom classes, every square foot matters. Internet availability has recently become a mandatory new feature in Paragon, the software used by Realtors in Birmingham through MLS. This is because people want to query upload/download speeds as video conferencing becomes standard. The Pew Research Center suggests that one in five Americans moved due to the COVID19 pandemic or know someone who did. In Alabama there is anecdotal evidence impacting Alabama lakes, where people from Atlanta and other cities are looking to move for a more ideal location where they can work from home and enjoy the view. Birmingham Realtors are noticing this trend, and nine in 10 of them interviewed said home offices were high on the list of buyers. David Mele, president of homes.com, said: “The surge in the work-from-home population has rewritten the playbook for many home buying and rental decisions, from when and where to relocate, to what people are looking for in their next residence.” Larger homes with more rooms are also a target as working from home, learning from home and simply spending more time at home becomes a priority. Real estate is an impressive investment because it is an asset with a low fixed payment. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that until 2023, target interests rates should remain between 0% and 0.25% — meaning low interest rates for mortgages are not going away anytime soon. Unemployment could hit below 5% by the end of 2021. These are all positive indicators that America has not lost its buying power after a difficult year, and people are using this to their advantage. With one-third of aspiring homebuyers seeking dedicated office space, this seismic shift is beginning to look more a trend than a fad. – Marshall Malone is a third-generation Realtor currently at RealtySouth.

B18 • March 2021

Vestavia Voice

REAL ESTATE: MARKETING TRENDS

DOLLY RIDGE

CAHABA HEIGHTS Number of homes sold

Number of homes sold

150

5 0

2015

2017

2018

2019

2020

Average sold price $414K $400K

2015

2016

$312K

$250K

$300K $264K 2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

60 0

2015

$277K

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Average sold price $600K

$338K $341K

$268K $314K

2017

$350K

$300K

$359K

$250K 0

Average sold price

$450K

$350K

30 0

138

119

9 2016

150

103

40 6

115

120 47

150

LIBERTY PARK

$591K

$582K

$585K

$581K

2019

2020

$573K

$305K $550K

$556K

$259K

$289K 2018

2019

2020

$200K 0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

$500K 0

2015

2016

2017

2018

VestaviaVoice.com

March 2021 • B19

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