Vestavia Voice vol 1 iss 3 july 2013

VestaviaVoice.com

July 2013

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Volume 1 | Issue 3 | July 2013

2013 Vestavia Belles

For Vestavia Hills residents, it’s a matter of national pride. And free swimming.

I Love America Day returns The city’s I Love America Day celebration kicks off July 3 at Wald Park. But, if you miss that evening of fun, mark your calendar for August 16, as the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce will do the whole thing over again. Find out more about the events all your friends will be attending inside on page 11.

The 2013 Vestavia Belles were recently announced. Inside, meet the city’s newest class of official hostesses.

Community page 12

Dressing Southern Earlier this year, five friends at Vestavia Hills High School found a niche in the market for their own brand of clothing. But Everything Southern’s story started long before with a hunter in a field.

Community page 13

Character driven Vestavia Hills Elementary East joined a short list of schools recognized nationally for the character of their students.

School page 16

INSIDE City ..................... 4 Business ............ 6 Food ................... 7 Community ....... 10

School House .. 16 Sports ............... 16 Faith .................. 17 Calendar ........... 18

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Residents fill Wald Park for the 2012 I Love America Day Celebration. This year’s event will feature a Kid’s Zone, free swimming at the Wald Park pool, more than 40 sponsors and vendors offering refreshments and giveaways and a free movie. Photos courtesy of Deloye Burrell Photography / the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.

The new man upstairs Downes approved as next city manager

Jeffrey Downes, introduced in June as Vestavia Hills next city manager, is pictured with his family in the City Council Chambers.

From left are Downes’ wife Penny, son Chad, daughters Sydney (back) and Alex and son Harrison.

Photo by Jeff Thompson.

By JEFF THOMPSON Eight-year-old Alex Downes sat on the row in front of her father. Periodically, she’d break from entertaining her brothers and sister to peek over the back of her chair and survey the crowd.

They were all new to her that evening, but pretty soon she’ll know most by name – if not by title.

In June, about 50 people gathered in the Vestavia Hills City Council Chambers to welcome her father, Jeffrey Downes of Montgomery, to their city. During the Council’s regular meeting, members unanimously approved Downes to become the next city manager.

“I’m honored,” Downes said following the vote. “I’m a humble individual. Anybody who knows me knows my humility and knows when I enter something new I’m very cautious. I’ve talked to others about it already – the No. 1 characteristic I want to bring to this

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opportunity is the ability to listen and to collaborate.”

Downes will be the executive leader of the city, forming the point of the pyramid for city administration.

His position rests just beneath the mayor and Council.

Under his contract, Downes is slated to earn $150,000 annually and receive an automobile allowance of $500 per month. He will also be reimbursed up to $7,500 to relocate to Vestavia Hills, and $6,500 for two house-hunting trips. The contract

commences on July 15 and expires after two years.

In the position of city manager, Downes’ responsibilities will be similar to those in his current role as chief of staff/deputy mayor for the City of Montgomery.

Downes said that position, which he has held for 10 years, identifies the city’s chief nonelected official accountable for oversight of all operations.

“So, I’ve carried the role, just not the title,” he said.

In applying for the city manager position in Vestavia Hills, Downes said he sought to sell the Council

See MANAGER | page 15

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2 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

About Us Photo of the Month

Support our Community Partners Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (7) Ascension Episcopal Kindergarten (15) Birmingham School of Music (9) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (4) California Closets (4) Children’s of Alabama (5) Collage (6) D1 Sports (11) Defining Home (10) Eco Three (13 ) Four Corners Custom Framing (11) Hair By Maryam (12) Indian Springs School (12) Lili Pad/Gi Gi’s (Susan Day) Mattress Warehouse (3) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (8) Re/MAX Advantage - Terry Crutchfield (12) RealtySouth - Becky Hicks (6) Red Mountain Theatre Company (10) Royal Automotive (20) Sarver Orthodontics (8) Secondhand Rose (15) Sew Sheri Designs (19) SouthStar Properties (9)

The Vestavia 10 year old National League All Star team became the champions of the Pre Metro Tournament. Front row: Cole Turner, Grant Uldrich, Jackson Halla and Sam Culbertson. Back row: Knox Romeo, Carter Tyus, Grayson Dobbins, Trey Faulkner, Cole Nolan, Bryce Littleton, Gabriel Sanford and Marshall James Newsom.

The Ridge Eat & Drink (7)

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden When I was nine years old, my dad, a Canadian native, gained American citizenship. As a third grader, the significance of his naturalization didn’t fully register.

I remember him explaining that he could now enjoy all the privileges granted to American-born citizens, except the right to hold public office.

And I remember my earnest reply, all full of schoolgirl my-father-the-hero bravado. “But you’re my daddy. Of course you can be the president!”

I remember a party at the house, with lots of people milling around our back deck, which, overflowing with red, white and blue streamers and balloons, looked like a campaign kick-off bomb had exploded there. And I remember cake.

Oh that cake! Festooned with sparklers! It was topped with a Rawlings baseball, a miniature 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and a ceramic apple pie topper. And I remember the not so subtle warning from my mother, who in no uncertain terms declared that she’d chop off little fingers if my brother or I so much as sneezed near it.

Fast forward 20 something years, all ten fingers still intact, thank you very much, and my reflections on Dad’s naturalization are quite different.

Particularly around Independence Day, when, as with so many other nationally observed “holidays,” the focus seems to be more on bargain-priced appliances and barbecue than the day’s original intent.

Did you know the civics portion of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization exam

once again try to make a includes 100 questions?

“Flag Cake” a la magazine Candidates are only perfection, which in reality asked 10, but must be becomes a soggy mishmash knowledgeable about all of icing-tinged berries.

100 to prepare adequately But on July 5, and in the for the test. Take a quick days that follow, long after skim through that list Lee Greenwood leaves the of questions, and your airwaves and the fireworks reaction to them might trailers disappear from embarrass you, as it did the roadside, wouldn’t it me. How many can you be wonderful if families confidently answer?

Walden did more? Making care (No Googling allowed.)

What I take for granted, my father had packages for soldiers, even for the families they have left behind. Running to work deliberately to earn.

For what I take for granted, my a lemonade stand and donating monies father-in-law had to endure much. I to Soldiers’ Angels of Alabama. will never fully understand what he Helping hang an American flag at experienced as a 1st Lieutenant in the home or outside, and learning the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army in proper etiquette for caring for the single Vietnam, but I will remember the pain most powerful symbol of our nation’s in his eyes as he told me what it felt like freedom. At a minimum, walking up to returning to U.S. soil, only to be met a person in uniform and saying “Thank with vitriolic, spitting protestors full of you for your service.” These are simple disdain for the sacrifice made by he and acts we can easily do with our children, our grandchildren, or on our own, pretty fellow soldiers.

While my own children (ages 4 and much anytime.

This year, let’s celebrate Independence 2) aren’t yet old enough to understand the solemn significance of this day – Day as a time to relax with family and what it means personally for our family friends, but also to remind us to live daily or what it means for them as American- in service and gratitude for those who are born citizens – that doesn’t mean they far away from us, keeping us safe. are too young not to be made aware.

This year, as we always do, we will Blessings, participate in the typical Fourth of Rebecca July rituals in our community. We will slather on sunscreen and make the bounce house rounds at I Love America Day. There will be swimming, sparkler holding and embarrassingly large amounts of pork consumption (blame it on the sauce from Moe’s). And I will

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July 2013 • 3

4 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

City Mayor’s Minute

By Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza

Summer is here and relaxation is on everyone’s minds, but now is as crucial a time as any to remind our residents about an important safety issue.

One of the biggest problems we are seeing right now is with car break-ins. I use the term “breakins” loosely because, according to a study from the Vestavia Hills Police Department, 90 percent of the cars people enter are unlocked.

Theft incidents have been triggered by valuables in plain sight – items like laptops, cameras and expensive sunglasses. These people are coming in the middle of the night and checking car doors for easy access, then grabbing anything of value they can find in the cars.

This has been going on for two years at least, and we need to do our part to put an end to it.

In today’s world, you can’t leave your house unlocked, and you

can’t leave your cars unlocked.

Please make sure your valuables are secured in the trunk of your car, or inside your house. Locking doors would be such a deterrent to this kind of activity that has no place in Vestavia Hills.

In other news, everyone of course by now has heard about the hiring of our new city manager, Mr. Jeff Downes. I hope residents will make plans to stop by and visit personally with Jeff during a reception we are hosting in his honor on July 15. The reception will take place in the Community Room of the Library in the Forest from 6-8 p.m. Please join us for light refreshments and to welcome Jeff into his new role as city manager.

From an economic standpoint, several indicators are healthy. Our sales tax is up, as are business licenses. While ad valorem is down a bit, from an overall budgeting standpoint this year, we are still in very good shape.

I look forward to seeing many of you at I Love America Day festivities on July 3. If there is anything my office can do to be of service to you, please let us know.

Butch Zaragoza

Vestavia Chamber hosts Gov. Bentley for June luncheon

In June, more than 250 guests flocked to Vestavia Country Club to hear Gov. Robert Bentley as the keynote speaker for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon.

Bentley talked to the crowd about his

forthcoming trip to the Paris Air Show, a trip he made in late June with Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield. Much of Bentley’s remarks focused on the priority of he and Canfield share to spur economic development for the state.

Pictured: Gov. Robert Bentley and Deloye Burrell. Photo by Rebecca Walden

Police encourage residents to lock doors Vestavia Hills officials are encouraging residents to remember to lock their vehicle doors and hide valuables following a string of 21 car break-ins.

Chief of Police Dan Rary discussed the break-ins at the regular City Council meeting June 10.

He said the evening of June 6

through the morning of June 7, residents reported valuables were removed from 20 unlocked cars and one vehicle was stolen. All incidents occurred in the same area, the neighborhood behind City Hall near the Vestavia Country Club.

Rary said police apprehended sus-

pects in the case, who allegedly drove to Vestavia Hills from Fultondale in a stolen car.

“I don’t know what else we can do except go door-to-door,” Mayor Alberto Zaragoza said. “Lock your car, tell your neighbors and lock your doors.”

July 2013 • 5

VestaviaVoice.com

Meet Your City Council John Henley, Place 2

What is the major focus for the City Council right now?

The next big issue is finalizing the relocation of City Hall. We’re working to finalize that deal and see if it will actually come to fruition. Following that, our top priority becomes budget preparation for the 2013-14 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

With regard to budget status, right now department heads have begun looking over budget priorities for next year, and our finance director Melvin Turner is making preliminary projections. If residents have any questions or want to look into funding ideas, now is the time to ask. All budget hearings will be announced as they are scheduled, and they will be open to the public.

What are the top priorities from City Council members now that we’ve hired a new city manager?

One of the next items will be working with new City Manager Jeff Downes to set into motion the new zoning for the Highway 31 plan. That is really the next piece of the puzzle – to determine how we will set up our zoning for property in the lower 31 area.

We’re also expecting fruitful collaboration between Jeff and Fred Baughman. With the new economic incentives policy developed under Fred’s leadership, the time is ripe for new and existing businesses to consider Vestavia Hills. We’re headed in the right direction; Jeff is really coming in at a great time.

That said, we are also looking to Jeff to help the City become a place where residents want to shop. For years we’ve put that burden on the citizens stressing this message: “The more people shop here, the more tax dollars stay in the city.” We have to create the kind of community where residents will want to shop locally – not because we begged them to do it. We have had tremendous support from the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce over the years to keep this message in front of the public. The message is working as sales tax receipts in the last fiscal year set a record, and we are on pace to increase this in the current year.

I’m sad to see Greenbriar closing, and I hate to see us lose Pier 1, too. Yes, we have to encourage our residents to shop in Vestavia Hills as much as possible, but that goes hand in hand with thoughtful design, amenities and access. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’re excited to welcome Jeff to City Hall.

While much of the focus is on economic development, how is city administration supporting the continued excellence of Vestavia City Schools?

Safety is the most prominent concern on everybody’s mind, and this issue is being

addressed proactively by the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. The Board of Education and the City have worked together to put a long-term plan in place including the placement of police officers in all of the schools when students returned to school in January 2013.

This effort will continue in the future as there will be a school resource officer in every school, every day for the duration of the school year and moving forward.

There also will be significant security changes. It’s not like the old days where you can just casually come in and say hello to your student.

We have a great working relationship with Dr. Jamie Blair and the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. The educational system in Vestavia Hills is our “crown jewel,” and we will continue to work closely with them in the future.

You are the freshman council member. Why did you run, and what legacy do you wish to leave?

This is a transitional time for the city going to a new form of government. If we go through the next four years and work out the kinks of this transition, that will be a success – to make this work.

Vestavia Hills is not a small city anymore.

We’ve got to make sure this form of government is set up the right way and is working the right way for our city to grow long term. This city has so much potential – I don’t think we even know it. Having the right team of administrators, including Jeff to be the chief administrator of the city and really tie everything together, that’s critical to our mission in this new form of government.

Helping achieve the right leadership team and seeing our economic development plans realized? That’s the legacy I want to leave.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My wife is Gina, and we’ve been married 18 years. We have two daughters. Our oldest, Katharine, is 15, a rising sophomore at VHHS, where she is a Rockette and will be part of the Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills program this fall. Lily, our youngest, is 13 and a rising eighth grader at Pizitz. She is an avid softball player and was part of the Pizitz team that won both the regular season and Metro Tournament this year.

My family comes first in my life. My wife is very involved in the community and is a great example for our daughters. I’m a very lucky guy to have such an amazing family to support me.

I love Vestavia Hills. I love the people and the educational opportunities for my children.

At the end of the day, it’s just home.

6 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

Business Spotlight

Snapper Grabbers

512 Montgomery Highway, Suite 101 824-9799 snappergrabbers.com Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM The seafood business is a club-style affair around Birmingham.

Before it was a seafood market, Snapper Grabbers was the name of a fishing club in Birmingham in the 1950s. A black and white photo of its members hangs in the middle of the wall across from the seafood counter in the market by the same name. Today some of the children of club members come to the store in U.S. 31 and point out a parent in the image.

Ten years ago, one of those children, Lee Cary, opened Snapper Grabber’s seafood market. He would go on to sell the market to Sandra Tidmore. And last year, Tidmore sold it to Kent Scott.

Scott is also a sort of seafood club member.

He grew up in his dad’s restaurant, River Fish Market in North Birmingham, and ran the store and restaurant (he has a culinary degree) himself until he sold it in 2005. He had no intention of getting back in the business until he ran into Tidmore at Lowe’s last year. But the itch to do what he had always known came back, and as of last November, the business became his.

In many ways, the business is still in the same hands it’s always been. Tidmore still works behind the counter, and Cary still makes fish deliveries to the market as a wholesale distributor.

“I’m trying to keep things the same, but I have added a little more cooking,” Scott said of the store since he bought it.

The storefront now serves up ready-toeat crab cakes, gumbo and seafood chowder;

Fresh fish and shellfish, along with homemade sauces, set on the ice inside Snapper Grabbers’ seafood cases. Photos by Madoline Markham.

Owner Kent Scott, left, works with lifelong friend Keith Pollard, right, behind the seafood counter.

dips like blue crab and Cajun; and homemade remoulade, tartar and cocktail sauces.

Fresh seasonings are made by Exotic Foods for Snapper Grabbers in flavors including

blackened, Greek and lemon pepper.

On any given day, there are up to 18 kinds of seafood in the case — Gulf shrimp, sushi-grade tuna, at least four kinds of grouper and more.

Most fish and all shrimp come from the Gulf, but some varieties are Fed-Exed in from farflung coasts. King salmon, sockeye salmon, halibut and rock fish are flown in from Alaska, and mahi mahi, Tasmanian salmon, ahi tuna, hebi spearfish, moonfish and blue marlin come from Hawaii.

No matter the place of origin, the fish arrives on U.S. 31 within 24 hours of coming off the docks.

Most range from $14.99-21.99 a pound; large shrimp are $11.49 a pound.

“Prices are high, but it costs a lot to keep top quality,” Scott said. “People understand that and don’t mind paying a little more to get the best.”

Fish is typically good for up to three days, Scott said, and then he recommends freezing it.

Scott likes to grill, broil and blacken fish best. He eats seafood at least three times a

week himself and said he’d eat more if his wife would let him.

“People try to make it hard to cook fish, but seafood is one of the easiest things to do,” he said.

Shrimp is his favorite, but red snapper, flounder, halibut and salmon come next. What he cooks is not just about his preferences, though.

“My wife doesn’t like salmon, but she likes king salmon,” Scott said. “It has a finer texture and no fishy taste at all.”

For the easiest seafood preparation for the customer, Snapper Grabbers will steam shrimp in a seasoning of the customer’s choice.

“There’s no telling how many pounds of shrimp we steam a day,” he said.

Scott is quick to talk about how the Vestavia neighborhood supports his specialty shop, noting some customers come in two to three times a week.

“It’s a healthy neighborhood,” Scott said.

“People eat a lot of salmon and tuna.”

July 2013 • 7

VestaviaVoice.com

Food

Homemade Oreo Ice Cream

By AMY JASON Nothing says summer like homemade ice cream. Turning sugar and cream into pure heaven tastes like nothing else on earth.

If we are going all out and making this delight of summer, we want a lot of it! I recommend a one-gallon “real” ice cream maker over the little four cup automatic ones. Consider the extra time it requires an investment in family time! Target, Walmart, and Amazon are good places to look for one.

Our family looks forward to our favorite homemade Oreo Ice Cream on Memorial Day weekend, July Fourth and Labor

Day. We never make it just for us; lucky friends, neighbors and family are always happy to get an invitation to join us.

This recipe is better than anything store bought for obvious reasons, but what puts it over the top is the fact that it’s not just vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream with crushed oreos stirred in. Every bite tastes like Oreo because the paddle in the ice cream maker crushes up the Oreos and distributes them in every bite.

To top it off, when the ice cream maker has done its job, you stir in more broken up Oreos by hand to make it all the more chock full of Oreos. I guess you could call it “Oreo Oreo ice cream”!

Amy Jason, a Vestavia wife and mother of three, is an avid baker and cookie connoisseur. She believes that sharing “a little sacka sugar” from your heart and from your kitchen is the sweetest way to spread some smiles. She doesn’t always know what’s for dinner, but she always knows what’s for dessert! Check out Amy and “Little Sacka Sugar” on Facebook and at the Urban Cookhouse Farmer’s Market at The Summit this summer on Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. Amy can also be contacted at amy. jason@att.net.

,

Recipe

OREO ICE CREAM

Makes 1 Gallon Ingredients • 2 cans Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk • 1 quart half and half • 2 cups whipping cream • 1/2 t. salt • 1 T. vanilla • 3 rows of Oreos, broken into quarters with hands, divided • 1 cup whole milk Amy Jason’s children always look forward to eating Oreo Ice Cream during the summer. Photo by Amy Jason.

Mix the Eagle milk through vanilla and two rows of Oreos and place in an ice cream freezer container; add the whole milk to the mixture until it reaches “fill line.” Freeze according to ice cream maker instructions.

Unclog the paddle (I used a dinner knife to poke out all the Oreos that have gotten stuck in the paddle) and add the remaining row of Oreos; stir in well.

With this Oreo ice cream, the ice cream is not totally frozen, but the Oreos clog the paddle and keep it from being able to turn anymore.

Remove the paddle, unclog it, add the remaining row of broken up Oreos; stir well with a long wooden spoon, and put in your freezer to continue freezing. Now is a great time to sample! For the BEST results, continue freezing for several hours, but not overnight, or it will lose its perfect homemade texture.

Let harden or “ripen” in your freezer for a few hours — several hours is best!

Ice Cream Tips • Use a lot of rock salt and ice.

• After putting the filled canister in place, start layering about 3 inches of ice with a generous sprinkling of rock salt.

Repeat the process until the canister is full.

• Keep checking it every 10 minutes or so to add more ice and salt as the ice melts.

• When the motor stops, it is ready.

• The Peanut Butter Oreos are a delicious alternative to plain Oreos.

8 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

Restaurant Showcase

Read previous Restaurant Showcases at VestaviaVoice.com

Billy’s Bar and Grill

By WILL HIGHTOWER A combination of fresh food, a lively atmosphere and astute ownership kept the original Billy’s restaurant in English Village a popular lunch and dinner spot for years after it opened in 1979.

Those same ingredients are working just as well in the Liberty Park location, which has thrived since its opening in March of 2008.

Owner Terry Humphryes, an accountant, purchased Billy’s in the 1990s after finding success in the restaurant business in Orange Beach. Humphryes, whose son Paul is the VP of Operations for all the restaurants, made some key changes to Billy’s that made the restaurant what it is today.

“When Terry bought the restaurant, it had a very sandwich-type menu,” Marketing Director Leigh Ann Callaway said. “It was very limited in what it had. It had mostly bar-type food. We got our corporate chef in here and worked to revamp the menu and add several items.”

Chef Richard Showers, along with the help of Humphreys, decided to make everything on the menu fresh, meaning that Billy’s never serves frozen food. Even appetizer items such as cheese sticks, chicken fingers and onion rings are cut, battered and fried in the restaurant.

“Our food is definitely a different quality because it’s homemade,” Callaway said. “Food quality definitely sets us apart.”

The most popular item on the menu, and one

that Callaway says is her favorite, is the classic chicken sandwich. The grilled marinated chicken, topped with lettuce and cheese, usually served with French fries, is the kind of simple,

4520 Overton Road, Suite 104 956-2323 Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. billysbarandgrill.com

delicious dish for which Billy’s is known.

Other popular menu items include the Greek seafood nachos, which top shrimp and crawfish served with WonTon chips and a spinach cheese sauce; the award-winning hot wings; and the Santa Fe salad. And that’s not to mention the banana pudding.

The Liberty Park location is especially busy during the summer because of the outdoor seating and live music every Wednesday and Friday night. Billy’s is also open on Sundays, 11-3, serving brunch.

“Listen to good music and split a bottle of wine with somebody – what’s better?”

Callaway said. “The patio is a great draw during the summer.”

Another busy time? Football season. Billy’s has 11 TVs in the restaurant.

“Sports are a big thing here,” Callaway said.

“But it’s nice because if you don’t care about the sports, it’s not in your face. If your husband wants to watch the game, he can keep an eye on it without it being offensive. There are plenty of TVs so you definitely see what you want to see, but it’s not all over like it is at some other places.”

Billy’s welcomes young children and their parents coming from their baseball games at the ballpark, teenagers eating out, young professionals coming in after work, and everyone in between.

To see the restaurant for yourself, find it by Dairy Queen off I-459.

July 2013 • 9

VestaviaVoice.com

Get to know Author Julie Johnstone

Vestavia Voice asked Julie Johnstone, romance novelist and mother of two, about the art of writing and how she came to be a published author.

How did you get your start?

I started creating stories in my head as a young girl. I was, of course, always the heroine in my stories who won the guy, the job and all the glory.

I had no idea I wanted to be a writer, though. In college, I did write quite a lot of poetry and short stories, but other than publishing one or two in anthologies, I never did anything with them. I graduated in advertising and fancied myself to be the next big Nike ad creator, but a few years after graduation, I realized I couldn’t stand writing ads!

Naturally, I went back to school for a graduate degree, still not realizing my true calling would be writing novels. I spent the next eight years teaching school. One summer, I read my first historical romance novel, and I just fell into love with the genre. I honestly think all my years writing poetry, short stories, ads and then teaching English were the beginning of learning how really to be a writer.

Once I decided to actually write a novel, my skills were honed through countless hours of writing, re-writing, critiques by other published writers, contests where I got more critiques, and always, always continuing to chase that dream by sitting down in front of the computer and writing some more.

critique partners. I see most of these women once every two years or once a year if I’m lucky, but my critique partners are some of my best friends.

They are the people I want to tell first when anything good or bad happens in my writing career.

What are your professional goals for your future work as a novelist?

I’d like to write a book that makes the New York Times bestseller list! I would also like to write a book that someone tells me has changed their life or made them want to become a writer.

Author and Vestavia Hills resident Julie Johnstone.

What led you to take the leap of faith into finishing a manuscript and seeing it through to publication?

I’m not sure I ever had a choice not to take the leap of faith in finishing the first manuscript and seeing it through to publication. I stumbled upon something I loved to do, realized how lucky I was to have actually found something I had a passion for, and knew I would always regret not trying to make it more than trying to make it and failing.

What has been the most unexpected part of your journey into professional writing?

I never considered what a strong bond and amazing friendships I would develop with my fellow

What advice would you give to other aspiring writers?

Write every day. Write when you don’t want to, don’t think you have time to or think you have nothing to say. Never give up. Know you will be rejected, but no matter what, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and learn from the rejection if you can.

How do you balance “mom guilt” with pursuing this professional passion?

Oh, that’s a hard one! But I think I have found something that usually works for me. I do not write once I pick up my kids from school, nor do I usually write on the weekends. And I don’t ever write on vacation. I used to try to do all of the above, and the guilt ate at me day and night!

Author and Vestavia Hills resident Julie Johnstone with her husband, Inge, and sons Davis and Graham.

Is there anything else you want to share?

The process itself is crazy if I really think about it. Or at least mine is. I plot out a novel, start to write it and almost always end up changing

the plot, sometimes significantly.

Sometimes, I wonder why I bother to plot, but I have come to realize it is just my way of really starting my wheels turning about my story.

Once the wheels are turning, they often take me on roads I never

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expected, but the journey is always an amazing one!

To learn more about Johnstone’s work, visit juliejohhnstoneauthor. com or email juliejohnstoneauthor@ gmail.com.

10 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

Community

Escape to independence For one Russian emigrant, the Fourth of July is the most important day of the year

By JEFF THOMPSON The black walnut is a powerful symbol in the life of Peter Kirchikov.

Many years ago, he’d walk the fields of Russia during the fall months and stuff his pockets with the heavy nuts, then green and fresh from the trees. He’d dry them on shelves and in desk drawers and would wait for Christmas to arrive, when he’d finally crack them open.

Today, living in Vestavia Hills, Kirchikov hasn’t changed his ways. Although he’s free of the grip of Communist Russia, the bookshelf in his office is still lined with drying walnuts.

“They remind me of where I came from, of what I lived through,” Kirchikov said. “For me, it’s a strong image.”

In 1996, Kirchikov began the long process of putting that image into print, and in May he published the work. Walnuts On My Bookshelf: Memories of Living in Communist Russia, 19521991 is Kirchikov’s account of his life, from birth to escape, in a hostile land.

Kirchikov was raised in a Christian home, though his parents were not allowed to publicly show their religious beliefs for fear of persecution. After leaving his parents’ house, he attended college at Izmail State Teachers’ Training College in Ukraine, USSR, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English.

His career soon took shape as a professional linguist, writer and interpreter for the Russian government, where he said he found himself “in the epicenter of the major events that led to the collapse of the empire.” He said that, as a writer, he “had to employ self-censorship, self-editing and no privacy to survive in the Iron Curtain country.”

Kirchikov said he always felt he was under surveillance and his whereabouts were monitored.

The KGB – the Committee for State Security – always knew the exact time of his arrival at his destinations and kept a list of people he associated with, including friends, family and other writers.

The KGB often tracked his movements and placed conspicuous operatives outside residences he’d visit, he said.

In April 1986, the catastrophic accident at the Cheynobyl Nuclear Power Plant claimed the life of one of Kirchikov’s sons. Although he was aware that his family, going back to his grandfather, had tried to emigrate from Russia, the incident caused Kirchikovs to try harder to get out.

Oppression lingered though, and the Communist regime prevented his family from leaving until September 1991, nine months after the USSR had begun to dissolve.

Kirchikov now works as a paralegal, but he has also dedicated much of his time to educating his new countrymen on Russian culture under Communist rule. He taught weekly classes at Bluff Park United Methodist Church on subjects from Russian holidays to the KGB. “Peter Kirchikov has had as interesting and challenging a life as anybody I know,” said Bluff Park UMC Senior Minister Reid Crotty in a release about the book. “He has seen a lot and learned a lot along the way. Peter has presented numerous programs and classes for our congregation, and they have broadened our understanding of the world in wonderful ways.”

Kirchikov’s determination to preserve these memories – both with his book and the actual walnuts on his shelf – is designed to serve as a reminder of how different life is when freedom replaces oppression. He said that these days he celebrates more on the Fourth of July than his own birthday. “‘The Russian Dream’ was to find a legal way out of the country for a better life in a Western country,” Kirchikov said.

“The American Dream is still alive and well, and my family is blessed to call America our home, sweet home.”

For more information or to order on Walnuts on My Bookshelf, visit peterkirchikov.com or call 970-0765. Kirchikov said the book would be released in digital format this month.

July 2013 • 11

VestaviaVoice.com

An evening of red, white and blue 32nd Annual I Love America Day Series starts July 3

By REBECCA WALDEN On Wednesday night, July 3, the fields at Wald Park will be awash in red, white and blue, as residents splash, snack and sway their way into the Fourth of July holiday.

The July 3 event is the first of two I Love America Day events taking place this summer (the second will be the evening of Friday, Aug. 16). Both events are organized by the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce. Rain dates are respectively scheduled for July 12 and Aug. 17 at the same location.

The fun begins at 6 p.m., with a Kid’s Zone plentifully filled with bounce houses and field games, and free swimming at the Wald Park pool. Elsewhere on the grounds, more than 40 sponsors and vendors will greet guests with refreshments, giveaways and other freebies along the entrance to the evening’s main attraction – open-air seating for a patriotic performance from Vestavia’s own Shades Mountain Baptist Orchestra. The concert begins promptly at 7 p.m. Following the show, festivities will continue with the final event of the evening, an at-dusk screening of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.

While four-legged friends (and other pets) will need to stay home, event planners are encouraging residents to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and sunscreen, to enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors.

“We have consistently had good turnouts not just from Vestavia but from surrounding communities, too,” said Jim Frazier, who manages the Mobile Rec program for Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, which has sponsored the Kid Zone area at I Love America Day for more than a decade.

“When I first started, they were holding I Love America Day in the parking lot by the pool from 1-4 in the afternoon and charging

Vestavia residents enjoy festivities at last year’s I Love America Day.

for carnival rides,” said Frazier. “I remember it being very hot. At some point we realized it needed a fresh start, and we came up with the idea of a night event with a movie and a laser light show. Shades Mountain Baptist said they would provide the patriotic music, and VHUMC said we would provide the children’s area. We threw in a free swim at the pool, and the rest is history.”

Community response has warmly embraced the change, with families scurrying over to Wald Park as fast as they can leave work and

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For Katherine Bear, despite the demanding travel schedule she maintains as a sales executive for CVS Caremark, I Love America Day is a can’t-miss event.

“This is one of the few times that the city of Vestavia Hills truly gets together and enjoys fellowship, food and fun as a community in celebration of the wonderful country where we live,” she said. “You’ll find my son, Emory, in line for the tallest bounce house there, as always.”

12 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

2013 Vestavia Belles presented

Senior Belles Haley Evans, Rachel Caskey, Hannah Moss - all seniors. Haley and Hannah will attend Auburn University in the fall, and Rachel will attend Wake Forest.

The Vestavia Belle Presentation was held in April at Vestavia Country Club.

Rita Greene, Belle chairman, welcomed family and friends to the garden setting held in the Ballroom. Anne Boston, chairman of The Vestavia Hills Beautification Board, is the co-chairman of the Belles.

Mistress of Ceremonies was Clare Stewart Huddleston, a former Belle and now a reporter for Good Day Alabama. Music was provided

by Casey Skewes O’Dell, also a Vestavia Belle and member of the Beautification Board. The Vestavia Belles are sponsored by The City of Vestavia Hills and the Beautification Board.

The new Belles were escorted by their fathers as follows: Emma Ayers, Jason Ayers; Elizabeth Bennett, Bill Bennett; Gianna Blaudeau, Francois Blaudeau; Rachel Brooks, Scott Brooks; Katie Brown, Dane Brown; Maria Christine, Brian

Christine; Bradley Copeland, Jeffrey Copeland; Claire Corcoran, Jim Corcoran; Haley Dellaccio, Charles Dellaccio; Hannah Echols, David Echols; Catherine Faught, John Faught; Claire Hand, Jonathan Hand; Lucy Hart, Miles Hart; Madison Harvey, Gary Harvey; Amelia Haston, Tripp Haston; Bailey Holston, Scott Holston; Emily Kaiser, Tim Kaiser; Kathryn Kennedy, Phil Kennedy; Rebekah Kennedy, Phil Kennedy; Claire Kidd, Greg Kidd; Mary Katherine Leos, Pete Leos; Paris Malensek, Frank Malensek; Elizabeth Mize, Chad Mize; Anna Cate Parker, Andrea Parker; Lowrey Patterson, Tom Patterson; Isabel Sandoval, Phil Sandoval; Lillie Stephens, Scott Stephens; Margaret Ann Vice, Mike Vice; Hannah Yarmowich, Brian Yarmowich; and Madeline Zaragoza, Chris Zaragoza.

Belles introduced will continue to serve as the City’s hostesses for the following year.

Congratulations and Best Wishes, Indian Springs School Class of 2013!

Indian Springs congratulates its newest alumni on being accepted to colleges and universities nationwide and around the world— and on receiving more than $6.1 million in scholarship offers from these fine institutions.

indiansprings.org

Allegheny College, American University, American University of Beirut, Auburn University*, Bard College, Barnard College, Beloit College, Berry College*, Birmingham-Southern College*, Boston College, Boston University*, Brown University, California State University–East Bay*, California State University–Long Beach, Carnegie Mellon University*, Case Western Reserve University*, Centre College*, Claremont McKenna College, Cleveland State University, Colby College, College of Charleston*, College of William and Mary*, Colorado College, Connecticut College, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Davidson College, Dickinson College, Duke University*, Earlham College, Eckerd College*, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Emory University*, Florida Atlantic University, Fordham University, Franklin and Marshall College, Furman University*, Georgia Institute of Technology*, Goucher College*, Grinnell College, Harvey Mudd College, Hendrix College*, Howard University*, Ithaca College*, Johns Hopkins University, Lafayette College, Landmark College, Lawrence University*, Loyola University New Orleans, Lynn University*, Marquette University, McGill University, Middlebury College, Millsaps College*, Mississippi State University, Morehouse College, Mount Holyoke College*, Muhlenberg College, New College of Florida, New York University*, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University*, Oxford College of Emory University, Pennsylvania State University, Queens University of Charlotte, Reed College, Rhodes College*, Rice University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Samford University*, Savannah College of Art and Design*, Sewanee: The University of the South*, Skidmore College*, Sophia University (Japan), Southern Methodist University*, Southwestern University, St. John’s University, Stanford University, Syracuse University, Texas A&M University*, Trinity College, Troy University, Tufts University, University at Buffalo The State University of New York, University of Alabama*, University of Alabama at Birmingham*, University of California at Davis, University of California at Irvine, University of California at San Diego, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, University of Denver*, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Evansville, University of Hawaii, University of Houston, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign*, University of Maryland–College Park, University of Massachusetts–Amherst*, University of Memphis, University of Miami, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, University of Mississippi, University of Montevallo*, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill*, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Notre Dame, University of Oklahoma, University of Pennsylvania*, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rhode Island, University of Rochester, University of South Alabama*, University of Southern California*, University of Tampa*, University of Tennessee–Knoxville, University of Texas–Austin*, University of the Pacific, University of Toledo, University of West Florida, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Vanderbilt University*, Villanova University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Wake Forest University, Warren Wilson College, Washington College, Washington University in St. Louis*, Wheaton College, Wofford College *Asterisks = two or more students have been accepted. Bold type = where students are matriculating.

Vestavia Belles Mary Jane Young and Grace Baker.

July 2013 • 13

VestaviaVoice.com

A new brand of Southern Vestavia graduates start T-shirt company

The Everything Southern team sports their T-shirts designs: Thomas Woods, Aaron Fine, Stuart Jacobs, Founder Jake Long and Chad Gordon.

By WILL HIGHTOWER Picture a man standing in the middle of a field, holding a shotgun in his hand with the ease of a seasoned hunter. He is leaning slightly to the right as he surveys the field for doves and wears an old cap.

Jake Long discovered this picture of his grandfather following his unexpected death. As Long was searching for a way to honor his beloved role model, the image became the inspirational spark for Everything Southern, a clothing line now making the picture of his grandfather iconic.

“That photo is precious to my entire family, and I think using it now is the perfect way to honor my grandfather and the legacy he left for me,” Long said.

Long and four of his friends sold their first T-shirt in March and have since expanded to sell hats, tank tops, koozies and car stickers.

“I had been observing what’s going on with shirts and what has

been popular recently,” Long said. “These companies like Southern Tide and Southern Proper just make these shirts that are pretty simple, but people really like them. I had made shirts in the past for events like Relay for Life that people liked, so I thought I could do that myself.”

Long and his buddies were sitting around one night discussing the possible business venture when someone made the comment that everything they did had to be southern. With that, “Everything Southern” was born.

The all-important centerpiece of these companies? The logo.

Everything Southern’s logo of Papoo next to Jake’s dog provides a recognizable, simple design around which all of their products are built.

After the name and logo were decided, the guys ordered 15 shirts for themselves and their families. The shirts were just white with a rough outline of the logo. But when people saw the shirts on the company’s Twitter page, demand climbed.

“We sold 10 of those 15 shirts before the shipment even came

in,” Long said. “They weren’t anything special, but people seemed to like them. So we got excited about it and decided to order three new colors and we refined the logo a little bit.”

Long, who plans to attend The University of Alabama in the fall as a business major, was the one to get everything off the ground. He played football through high school and was involved in SGA and Relay for Life. Long’s dream job is being a football coach.

Once business began to pick up, the others started taking on more responsibility.

“In the beginning, it was just easier for me to do everything,” Long said. “But now everyone is doing something.

For example, Chad is in charge of social media. I had gotten the website up and functional, but he’s the one that really made it what it is.

It looks great because of all the pictures he got.”

With Jake as the CEO, Stuart Jacobs as CFO, Thomas Woods as COO, Aaron Fine as Director of Online Sales, and Chad Gordon as Director of Marketing, the group seems to have everything organized as they attempt to grow their brand.

The Pants Store sells Everything Southern shirts in Crestline, Leeds, Trussville and Tuscaloosa. The Blue Moon Boutique in Newnan, Ga. has also picked up their clothing. Lastly, they sell their products online on their website, everythingsouthern.us.

Long said the focus right now is to build their client base and make good products so they can expand their brand. He is managing the company while taking summer classes in Tuscaloosa, and will attend Alabama along with Fine and Woods. Jacobs will enroll in Auburn in the fall, and Gordon will be at South Alabama. The group has discussed making polo and button down shirts in the future.

Other future plans include giving a certain percentage of their sales to charity, something that Long says came from everyone in the group’s Christian background.

But whatever is in Everything Southern’s future, one thing will remain at its core: the hunter and his dog.

14 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

Competing for a good cause in Iron City Chef Competing chefs are:

Jeremy Downey, chef at Bistro V, returns to defend his 2012 Iron City Chef Title. A Bayou La Batre native and former University of Alabama football player, he is no stranger to competition.

Four of Birmingham’s most popular chefs will compete at the fifth annual “Iron Chef-Style” culinary cook-off Saturday, July 13. The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will be he held at 2013 at Jefferson State’s Culinary & Hospitality Institute at its Shelby Campus on Valleydale Road.

Sell-out crowds for the past four events enjoyed gourmet dishes prepared by the chefs and students at the Institute, a festive atmosphere, and a silent auction featuring fine art and other major items sure to attract active bidding. An ample wine tasting featured by Western Supermarkets is a favorite feature of the evening. Jerry Tracey with WVTM 13 will serve as the master of ceremonies, and “Sweet Licks” will provide entertainment throughout the evening.

Each of the four chefs will prepare an entree and a dessert of their choice for about 300 dinner guests, who will vote on their two favorites to meet in the finals.

Proceeds from Iron City Chef benefit the Vestavia Hills Math and Debate programs, local Rotary Club District Disaster Relief Fund, Rotary International’s END POLIO NOW and Clean Water for the World projects.

Through the generosity of the community and corporate sponsors, the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club has donated more than $600,000 over the past 25 years.

The Rotary Noon Club meets for lunch every Friday at the Vestavia Hills Board of Education, and the Sunrise Club meets every Thursday morning 6:45 at the Shops of Oak Park on Rocky Ridge Road Tickets, which are $55 each, can be purchased at rotarytoast. org or through a member of the Vestavia Rotary Club, Vestavia Hills Debate or Math Teams.

-Submitted by Kent Howard

James Pruitt, chef at the Todd English PUB, has joined the competition this year. Todd English Pub is located in the new Westin Hotel located in Birmingham’s Entertainment District.

Haller Magee,

chef at Satterfield’s in Cahaba Heights, discovered his love of cooking while playing hookie from school.

Sean Butler, chef at

Studio B, started looking really hard at the food his family was eating and inspired his motto “where nature meets the kitchen.”

Last year’s competing Iron Chefs: Jeremy Downey of Bistro V, Angela Schmidt of Chef U, Sean Butler of Food Studio B and Brittany Garrigus of The Club.

Vestavia seniors to compete in Distinguished Young Women

Last year’s Distinguished Young Woman first alternate Hannah Moss, winner Madeline Cawley and second alternate Chandler Kitchens were all Vestavia High School students.

Twenty-one rising seniors from across Jefferson County will compete for college scholarships in the 2014 Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County on July 19 and 20 at Samford University Wright Center.

In addition to college scholarships, the participants will be competing for the chance to represent Jefferson County at the state program in Montgomery.

Eight of the 21 participants attend Vestavia Hills High School. The Vestavia girls are Stephanie Feng, Kierra Goins, Judith Hornsby, Cailyn Levant, Olivia Mims, Grace Pike, Rachael Snow and Hayden Yendle.

In addition, last year the winner, first alternate and second alternate were all students at VHHS. Last year, Distinguished Young Women provided more than $108 million in cash and college scholarship opportunities to

participants at the local, state and national levels. Previously known as America’s Junior Miss, the program announced a new name in June 2010.

The Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County program is open to the public, and tickets may be purchased in advance through any participant or at the Wright Center box office, which will open one hour prior to each performance.

The preliminaries will be Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 1 p.m. Finals will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for each preliminary are $15, and tickets for the finals are $25. For more call 907-0210 or email jefferson@distinguishedyw.org.

Members of the Class of 2015 who are interested in participating in next year’s program may visit distinguishedyw.org or email jefferson@distinguishedyw.org.

Traylor to lead local Colonial Dames lineage society Barbara Traylor of Vestavia Hills is the new president of the Colonial Dames George Maris Chapter. At its May meeting at the Country Club of Birmingham, the chapter installed new officers for the coming two-year term.

Nationally the organization numbers 12,000 members who are descendants of early colonists in this country. Members honor the hardships and heroism of those who sought spiritual and economic freedom in the wilderness of this new world.

Leslie Kirk, librarian; Frances Logan, historian; Judy Arthur, registrar; Barbara Traylor of Vestavia Hills, president; Annette Smith, State President; Marlene Lawley, recording secretary; Donna Morris, chaplain; and Phoebe Robinson, treasurer.

July 2013 • 15

VestaviaVoice.com

MANAGER

Wing Ding scene

from page 1

Vestavia Hills residents gathered at Vestavia City Center on a sunny Saturday in June for the second annual Wing Ding. The event featured live music, kids’ activities and lots of wings to sample. Proceeds benefitted the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Hagler

on his strengths, one of which is his success in developing retail.

He said he and his team were responsible for the development of the Montgomery Riverwalk, which has served as the lynchpin in the city’s downtown revitalization.

Downes said his first and only goal once in the position would be to listen to the needs of Vestavia Hills’ residents.

“The best thing I can do is be open to what the community’s desires and wishes are,” he said. “I want to clearly understand from my bosses – the mayor and Council – what their priorities are and work hard to accomplish them.

Downes added he’s had success with this method in the past.

“One of things that’s unique with me, I’ve worked with four different mayors, and I think you’ll find I was always very reactive to their priorities,” he said. “I always found a way to accomplish the mission at hand.”

When Vestavia Hills officially moved to the Council-Manager form of government in 2012, it completely restructured city administration. According to Lori Lein of the Alabama League of Municipalities, Vestavia Hills joined only Auburn and Tuskegee as the only cities in the state that use this form of government, defined by a legislative act passed in 1982.

Lein said many other communities in the state have hired city managers to oversee operations, but they still operate under the Mayor-Council form of government where the mayor retains authority as the chief

executive officer of the city. A nearby example of this form is found in the City of Mountain Brook.

According to a release from the City of Vestavia Hills, Downes began his career with the City of Montgomery in 1987 as a college intern in the finance department.

His role as an intern included supplementing staff roles in all divisions of the finance department and implementation of special projects under leadership of the director of finance. In April 1989, Downes was hired permanently by the City of Montgomery as its first risk manager.

In that role, he created a workers compensation management system, a fully integrated employee assistance program, a drug-testing program, a self-insured liability program and a flexible spending account program. Then, in 2003, Mayor Bobby Bright tapped him to serve as one of his Executive Assistants.

“Since it went public, I think I’m both a little nervous and excited,” Downes said. “For the first time in many a day, I shed a tear from the sadness of leaving my friends, family and colleagues.

But it’s also exciting that the news has been well received by so many individuals in Vestavia Hills.”

During the Council meeting, Downes was commended for his performance in interviews, as were all four of the City’s candidates for manager.

Along with Alex, Downes will move to Vestavia Hills with his wife Penny, sons Chad and Harrison, and daughter Sydney.

“I will work harder than anybody has ever worked to take (Vestavia Hills), the great city that it already is, and move it forward.”

16 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

School House

East Elementary recognized as National School of Character Vestavia Hills Elementary East recently became one of 29 schools across the nation recognized by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) as a National School of Character (NSOC). Each school or district is recognized for its commitment to character education and for fostering a positive environment for social and academic learning.

“Schools of Character are places that foster more than just academic growth — these are nurturing educational communities that support parents in their most important job — raising good kids,” said NSOC Director Lara Maupin.

Most of those selected as National Schools of Character demonstrate growth in terms of academics (increasing or high test scores), behavior (reduction in disciplinary actions), and climate (survey results show students feel safe and respected).

Vestavia Hills Elementary East Principal Mark Richardson credits this partnership among school, parents and community for the school’s success.

“Our students come to us with outstanding character from the beginning,” Richardson said. “Parents, preschools and churches have been integral in teaching our students from the time they’re born how to work and play

Vestavia Hills Elementary East Principal Dr. Mark Richardson, center, and Assistant Principal Cindy Echols, right, the hold the National School of Character award for 2013.

Pam Morgan of Character at Heart is pictured on the left.

well with others. Our secret to continued success is to purposefully continue to teach values that have already been instilled. This

starts for us with The Golden Rule.”

All staff at East focus on the idea of treating others that way you wish to be treated in all

aspects of the school. There is also a focus on four core values, which include kindness, responsibility, honesty and service.

“The number of service projects that our students take place in during their four years at East numbers in the dozens,” Assistant Principal Cindy Echols said. “These include such activities as adopting Angel Tree families during the holidays, writing letters to our military men and women, and donating blankets and newspapers to the local animal shelter.”

“It’s so gratifying to see young students reaching out to help their classmates who may be having a bad day,” said Guidance Counselor Judy Stoppelbein. “We also are regularly invited to after-school fundraisers such as bake sales that are initiated by students to raise money for worthy causes.

Seeing kids internalize this character instruction in this way means the world to us.”

East was recognized as Alabama’s first State School of Character in January of this year. The school is the second Alabama school to achieve the distinction of National School of Character. Shades Cahaba Elementary in Homewood received the honor previously.

-Submitted by Vestavia City Schools

Rockettes for upcoming school year announced The 2013-2014 Vestavia Hills High School Rockette dance line members have been announced.

The Rockettes are the featured dance line with the Vestavia Hills Marching Band under the direction of Jerell Horton.

New Rockettes are: seniors Kierra Goins, Erika Issis, Alisa Lamar, Kelly McCollum, Olivia Mims, Anna Sims and Bizzy Thomas; juniors Emma Ayers, Rachel Brooks, Catherine Faught, Claire Hand, Bailey Holston, Emily Kaiser, Kathryn Kennedy, Rebekah Kennedy, Alex Larson, Sarah Lovell and Lillie Stephens; sophomores Andrea Burris, Channing Freeman, Katharine Henley, and Caroline Ousley; and freshman Emma Palmer.

Reneé Lamar directs the Rockettes.

Vestavia Hills High School’s Rockette dance line performs last fall with the school’s marching band.

Sports Girls selected for national lacrosse academy Julia DeCarlo, Isabella DeGaris, Elizabeth Link and Rachel Robb have been named as 2013 Brine National All-Stars and will represent the Southeast Region at the 2013 Brine National All-Star Lacrosse Academy and Brine National Lacrosse Classic to be held in Boyds, Md. this summer.

DeCarlo, the daughter of Arthur and Dawn DeCarlo, and Elizabeth Link, the daughter of David and Ingram Link, are both rising freshmen at Vestavia Hills High School. DeGaris, the daughter of

Annesley and Ashley DeGaris is a rising freshman at Mountain Brook High School. Robb, the daughter of Jack and Jennifer Robb, will enter Oak Mountain High School in the fall.

The Brine National All-Star Lacrosse Academy brings the top middle school lacrosse players in the country to one venue, where regional teams will compete to become the 2013 National Champion and regional teams are coached by NCAA lacrosse coaches.

Julia DeCarlo, Isabella DeGaris, Elizabeth Link and Rachel Robb

VestaviaVoice.com

Pastor’s corner Jesus in a Coke float

By STEVE WEST Senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills When I was a child, my exclaimed, “Oh! I remember father served as pastor of a you! I used to hear you all church in Fayette, Alabama. the time, standing out in the The church was right next door carport crying at the top of to our home. On the opposite your lungs.” She mimicked side of us lived a woman I the sound of my wailing. knew only as “Mrs. Eileen.”

“One day I just couldn’t stand I don’t remember a lot it anymore, so I opened up about life in Fayette because my fridge and asked myself, we moved away when I was ‘What can I give that boy four. But I do remember a few to keep him quiet?’ And all images: the large steps in front I could find was some ice

By STEVE WEST of the church, the playground, cream and a bottle of Coke!” the kitchen and den of our home, and of course Until that moment I had no idea why she Mrs. Eileen. What I most remember about had been such a person of warm hospitality! her is that she was always ready to invite me She had shown me Jesus in a Coke float. in for a Coke float. And I loved Coke floats. There is something incarnational, something I have always had a lingering image in my wonderfully mysterious about self-giving love mind of her gracious hospitality, with glass in the name of Christ. and spoon in hand.

Most of us roam around in life, crying out in Years later, I had the opportunity to go back pain. The child in us is screaming, sometimes to Fayette to preach as a guest in that church. loudly, sometimes silently. We expect I was curious about Mrs. Eileen and asked somebody to take the pain away but no person one of the church leaders what had become of can, not really. her. He said she was still alive and lived in the But what we can do for others is share the nursing home. love of Christ, who is “made known to us in “Would you like to go see her?” he asked. the breaking of bread” (Luke 24:35b). When I was delighted. we share the love of Jesus in a Coke float, a I’ll never forget this visit. The church leader smile, or a gesture of care with somebody who brought me to Mrs. Eileen’s room and told her is hurting, it makes all the difference. there was somebody that wanted to see her.

Steve West is a husband, father, minister, Her eyes turned to me with anticipation. musician and writer. He serves as senior pastor I reached out my hand and said, “I’m sure of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in you have no idea who I am, but my name is Vestavia Hills. His blog, Musings of a Musical Stephen West.”

Preacher, can be found at stevewestsmusings.

She immediately threw her head back and blogspot.com.

July 2013 • 17

Faith Spring festivities at Saint Mark

Above: Luke Snowden finds that standing still for face painting at the Saint Mark Kindergarten Spring Fling is not an easy task. Tedd Gacheru eagerly waits his turn, while Heather Pinkham paints Luke. Left: Zoe Gandy and Molly Mac Sharp enjoy festivities at the Spring Fling at Saint Mark Kindergarten.

Saint Mark Kindergarten recently held a Spring Fling, where students played games, won prizes and experienced special motor activities.

The children left with tattoos, painted faces and a bag full of prizes, and the parents enjoyed mingling with other parents.

Summer Fun Photo Contest

Capture the fun of summer with your camera, and send us your favorite shots of the backyard, lake, beach, mountain, neighborhood, and wherever you and your family are.

Our staff will choose the images that most colorfully capture a summer experience.

Prizes will be awarded to contest winners.

Category One: Any summer fun photo Category Two: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of Vestavia Voice wherever you are To enter, email your photos in a jpeg format to contests@vestaviavoice.com.

Please send high quality images and include a caption and photo credit.

Only four entry photos are allowed per person.

Deadline for entries is August 1, 2013. We will publish the winners in the September issue as well as post them on our Facebook page and VestaviaVoice.com

18 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice

Community Calendar Library in the Forest

City meetings Visit vestaviahills.net July 4: Municipal Center closed July 8: City Council. 5 p.m.

July 11: Planning & Zoning Commission. 6 p.m.

July 15: Historical Society. 2 p.m.

July 16: Parks & Recreation Board. 7 a.m.

July 18: Board of Zoning Adjustment. 6 p.m.

July 22: City Council. 5 p.m.

Children’s Programs July 3: “The Secret Garden.”

Outdoor amphitheater, 10:30 a.m.

Performed by Hampstead Stage Co. July 4: Library closed.

July 11 “The Pied Bag-Piper of Hamelin.” 11 a.m. Performed by Atlantic Coast Theater.

July 18: The Magic of Reading! 11 a.m. Magician Russell Davis. Alternate showing: Liberty Park, 3 p.m.

July 25 “Rumplestiltskin.” 11 a.m. Performed by Stevens Marionette Puppets. Alternate showing: Liberty Park Elementary, 3 p.m.

July 1-5: National LCMS Youth Gathering - “Live Love(d).” Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills.

July 3: I Love America Day. Wald Park, 6-10 p.m.

July 3: All-American Night. Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.

July 7-12: Youth Camp. Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.

July 8: Senior Citizen Luncheon.

Dogwood Room, Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

July 8: Mom’s Night Out. Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 6:30 p.m. Email nancy@ vhbc.com.

July 8-18, July 22-Aug. 1: Mitchell’s Place Summer Camp.

Liberty Park Elementary School, 9 a.m. -2

p.m. $500. 957-0294 July 8 - 12: Upward Basketball Camp. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 9 a.m. -noon. Rising third-fifth graders. $60.

July 9: Tennessee Aquarium Trip.

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Email nancy@vhbc.com.

July 12: Opening Reception for Larry Allen. Artists Incorporated Gallery, 3365 Morgan Drive, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nationally known potter, Larry Allen. Call 979-8990.

Adult Programs July 2: Kindle Training. 10 a.m. Call 978-0164 to register. 10 people per class.

July 22-26: ESPN (All-Sports Camp). Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 9 a.m.-noon. Rising third-fifth graders. Different sport each day. $75.

July 9: Seven Threats to Your Family’s Security. 10 a.m. Presented by The Greene Law Firm Call 746-2465 or visit ALassetprotection.com for reservations.

July 23: VSA Family Fun Night.

Wald Park, 5-8 p.m.

July 11: Basic IPAD. 3 p.m. Call 978.0164 to register. 10 people per class.

July 26 and 27: Mexico Mission Garage Sale. St. Mark Methodist Church, 7 a.m.-noon. Call 910-1597 or 907-5648.

July 12: Outdoor Summer Concert Series: Hunter Lawley Band. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Call 978-0164 to register. 10 people per class. Free. Bring chairs.

July 27: Ocoee River Baptism and Rafting. Mountaintop Church. Ages 12 and older. Register at mountaintopchurch.com.

July 13: Iron City Chef. Jefferson State Community College, 4600 Valleydale Road, 6 p.m. Dinner held by Vestavia Hills Rotary. $55.

Visit rotarytoast.com.

July 29-Aug. 1: Upward Soccer Camp. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 6 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Rising K4 -fourth graders. $50.

July 15: Welcome Reception for New City Manager Jeff Downes.

Community Room of Library in the Forest, 6 to 8 p.m.

July 30: Speed Networking Event.

Wynfrey Hotel, 8:30 -11 a.m. Includes Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Hoover and Greater Shelby County. Call 823-5011 or email chamber@vestaviahills.org.

July 20-23: Children’s Camp.

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. Call 979-5920.

July 2:The Hobbit: An Unexpected Party. 4:30 p.m. Hobbit food, games, puzzles and a big screen showing of “An Unexpected Journey.”

July 9: Beginning Microsoft Excel.

10 a.m.. Call 978.0164 to register. 10 people per class.

Vestavia Hills Events Tuesdays: Open Gym for children and a parent. Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Teen Programs

July 16: Kindle Training. 10 a.m. Call 978-0164 to register. 10 people per class.

July 17: Adult Book Group: “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich. 2-3 p.m.

July 18: Beginning Microsoft Word. 6 p.m. Call 978-0164 to register. 10 people per class.

July 23: Basic IPAD. 10 a.m. Call 9780164 to register. 10 people per class.

July 25: Nook Training. 3 p.m. Call 978-0164 to register. 10 people per class.

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VestaviaVoice.com

Community Calendar Greater Birmingham area events July 4: Jazz in the Park. Railroad Park, 6 p.m. Jazz artists Lao Tizer and Kim Scoot play an outdoor concert for all ages. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, seat cushions, coolers and food for the night. Free admission.

Visit magiccitysmoothjazz.com.

July 4: Independence Day 1776 Fireworks Show. American Village, noon.

Fireworks show plus costumed historical interpreters, interactive Revolutionary Army games and Full Moon BBQ. $5 admission. Free admission for veterans and military. Call 6653535.

July 4-8: Birmingham Barons vs.

Mississippi Braves. Regions Field, 6:30 p.m. (Thursday), 7:05 p.m. (Friday), 6:30 p.m. (Saturday), 3 p.m. (Sunday), 7:05 p.m.

(Monday). $7 general admission. Call 988-3200 or visit groups@barons.com for group tickets.

July 5-7: “Annie Get Your Gun.” Virginia Samford Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 2:30 p.m. (Sun). Directed by Jack Mann and choreographed by Carl Dean. $35 for center seats, $30 for right and left seats. Call 251-1206.

July 8-Sept. 30: The Stand Against MS. 813 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 100B. A fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Alabama-Mississippi Chapter presented

by Bud’s Best Cookies and Buffalo Rock.

Snack provided. Call 1-800-344-4867 or visit nationalMSsociety.org/alc to register.

July 9: America’s Most Wanted Festival 2013. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, 7 p.m. Starring Lil’ Wayne, T.I., 2 Chainz,

G-Eazy. $73-$441 admission. Visit concerts. livenation.com July 9-Aug. 30: In the Gallery Art Exhibition By Daniel Moore. Aldridge Gardens, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Artist Daniel Moore, famous for his Alabama Crimson Tide paintings, in a one-man art exhibition show and sale. Call 682-8019 or visit aldridgegardens.com.

July 11: Luke Bryan Concert. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, 7 p.m. $70-$87 admission. Visit ticketmaster.com.

July 11: Meet-the-Artist Reception with Daniel Moore. Aldridge Gardens, 5-7 p.m.

July 12: Corey Smith with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, 6 p.m. $54-$244. Visit ticketmaster.com July 13: McWane Science Center’s 15th Birthday Party. McWane Science Center, 10 a.m. Free admission for members.

For non-members, $12 for adults and $9 for children and seniors. Call 714-8300 or visit mcwane.org.

July 18: Newcomer Ice Cream Social. Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club, 144 Business Center Drive, 2 p.m. Call 560-0706.

July 19-20: Bridge Tournament for Newcomer/Intermediate Players.

Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club, 144 Business Center Drive, games at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call 560-0706.

July 19-21: “Beauty and the Beast Junior.” Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (Friday) and 2 p.m.

(Saturday and Sunday). The children’s version of the Disney classic performed by a cast all around the age of 12. $20 admission. Call 3242424.

July 19: Widespread Panic. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, 8 p.m. $77-$232 for admission. Visit ticketmaster.com July 20: 12th Annual Market Day. Mountain Brook Village, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sidewalk and tent sale flea market with discounts up to 75 percent off.

July 20: Christmas in July. Oak Mountain State Park, 10 a.m. Celebrate Christmas by making ornaments and other Christmas crafts. Free after park admission. Call 620-2520.

July 20: International Festival at the Birmingham Zoo. Birmingham Zoo, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The Zoo commemorates the Civil Rights Movement with an international festival.

Enjoy a wildlife show, unique foods and animal greetings. $14 adults, $9 for children and seniors. Call 879-0409.

July 20: “Aldridge Gardens Bird Walk” with Dr. Richard & Patricia Ryel. Aldridge Gardens, 8-10 a.m. Two-hour guided walk with Dr. Richard and Patricia Ryel to discover the birds of Aldridge Gardens. Visit aldridgegardens.com to register.

July 23-27: Birmingham Barons vs.

Mobile Baybears. Regions Field, 7:05 p.m. (Tuesday-Friday) and 6:30 p.m. (Saturday). $7 general admission. Call 988-3200. Visit groups@barons.com for group tickets.

July 23-27: Birmingham Children’s Theatre presents “Cinderella.”

Birmingham Children’s Theatre, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Recommended for ages 2-6. $10 for adults and $8 for children. Call 458-8181 or visit tickets.bct123.org.

July 25: Bowling for Rhinos. Brunswick Riverview Lanes, 6-10 p.m. Join the zoo to support rhino conservation. $15 registration fee includes four hours of bowling, shoes, access to door prizes, raffles and snacks. Visit aazkbfr.org.

July 25: Concert with Bo Barry, Tommy Stewart & J.J. Paterson, “Lou Rawls Review.” Aldridge Gardens, 6-8 p.m. Bring picnic dinner, refreshments, blankets and chairs. Tickets available at aldridgegardens.com or Renasant Bank locations.

July 27: Kids n’ Cameras. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. For middle school students looking to learn about their cameras and the art of photography.

Participants will bring their own lunch. $50 General admission. Call 414-3950.

July 27: Fresh Start 5K. West Homewood Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m. Registration ends July 13. $10 registration fee, or $25 with t-shirt. Visit westhomewood.com.

Alabama Theatre Summer Movies in July. Alabama Theatre. July 12, 7 p.m.

Blazing Saddles. July 14, 2 p.m. The Help. July 19, 7 p.m. Cool Hand Luke. July 21, 2 p.m.

To Kill a Mockingbird. July 26, 7 p.m. Grease (Sing-Along Version). July 27, 2 p.m. E.T. July 28, 2 p.m. Sound of Music.

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20 • July 2013

Vestavia Voice