Boulware settles in as police chief
By SARAH OWENS
Just over two months into the job, Thomas Boulware is settling in as Mountain Brook’s new police chief — following more than 20 years of service within the department.
Boulware was selected unanimously by the Mountain Brook City Council from among four internal candidates and a handful of others who applied for the position. His appointment followed a multi-round interview process involving Mayor Stewart Welch, City Manager Sam Gaston, Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Steve Boone, and council members Gerald Garner and Graham Smith. The top two candidates met with the full council before the final vote.
Boulware, a Mountain Brook native, officially assumed the role during the April 14 council meeting.
“I'm proud to have seen this department growing up and interacting with Mountain Brook officers. They had an impact on my life growing up, and I was no angel,” Boulware said with a laugh. “A few officers early in my days had an impact on me, and so it's nice to be a part of this organization now. The chiefs before me left a legacy of excellence, and they really have done a great job with this department. I just hope that I can uphold that tradition going forward.”
See BOULWARE | page 23
By KYLE PARMLEY
Ty Davis didn’t just want to play college basketball; he wanted to do it at the highest level possible.
The former Mountain Brook High School star had a host of options, including power conference and mid-major offers, but he found a home in Omaha, Nebraska, at Creighton University. Now as a rising sophomore guard, Davis is not only living out his basketball dreams; he’s adjusting to a rapidly evolving world of college athletics.
“The reason I chose Creighton was because of how amazing the coaching staff was … All of the players were very similar to myself, and I could see myself fitting in with them really well,” Davis said. “The community and how much Omaha loves Creighton basketball was a big factor, too.”
His first year on campus brought milestone moments — from starting games to competing in March Madness — and bonds with teammates. But it also brought challenges — on and off the court.
Thomas Boulware pays respects at a remembrance ceremony for Sgt. Freddie Harp in August 2024. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Police Department.
Ty Davis is entering his sophomore year at Creighton University. Photo courtesy of Creighton Athletics.
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Preservan techs complete most projects in less than 36 hours, saving clients the stress and delays of major renovations.
Edwards is also proud of Preservan’s positive environmental impact.
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For example, if that homeowner replaced all of his windows, the originals would have been discarded.
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remove and then discard them,” Edwards said. “When researching Preservan as a franchise option, I came across the statement that really resonates with me: The most sustainable approach is to repair what we already have.”
Edwards’ love of restoration began when she was a child and watched her parents restore a 1912 vintage farmhouse. She later worked with nonprofits, including a year serving with Americorps at Habitat for Humanity.
“I became enamored with homes and renovation,” Edwards said.
From 2006 to 2016, Edwards and her husband lived in Greece and where
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This month, we sat down with Thomas Boulware, Mountain Brook’s new chief of police. He’s settling in quickly — focused on safety, connection and building on the strong foundation already in place. His vision for the department is on this month’s cover.
Also featured is part two of our college athletics series, where we explore how NIL deals and the transfer portal are reshaping the student athlete experience.
In city news, take a look at the new pollinator habitat in progress at Memory Triangle. In school news, we celebrate the careers of this year’s Mountain Brook Schools retirees.
In business news, meet the new owners
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Home Instead leads the way
Home Instead is a long-established, locally owned business that offers the finest, most compassionate non-medical, in-home care services for seniors and their families in the Birmingham area.
Owner Dan Pahos was inspired to open Home Instead by his personal experience – caring for his own aging parents in Minnesota. He quit his job selling industrial supplies and opened the Birmingham franchise of Home Instead – the first in Alabama – in 1997.
His driving purpose in running the business hasn’t changed in 28 years.
“Our mission is to enhance the lives of seniors and those who love them,” Pahos said. “We give families a way to allow an aging loved one to age in place, in the comfort of their own home, wherever that may be.”
Based in Vestavia Hills, Home Instead stands apart from its competition, in part due to its extensive employee training. “Each CAREGiver receives a two-day, in-person, instructor-led training on all the equipment used in a home, and we know of no other non-medical agency in town that provides that level of initial training, as well as ongoing training,” Pahos said.
Home Instead offers the best customer service, with highly trained client service managers, including a social worker, who develop detailed care plans and provide ongoing case management. “This is all included for free in our hourly rates,” Pahos said.
Home Instead also has loyal, dedicated employees.
“Our administrative staff have an average tenure of 11 years, and several have been with me for 20 years,” Pahos said. “Many of our CAREGivers stay with us for 10 or even 15 years. We have the expertise and experience to help you deal with your eldercare situation, be it short or long term.”
“We have the best staff,” said Director of Operations Andrea Martin, who joined Home Instead in 2009. “We wouldn’t be able to run an effective, caring business without them. Each staff member matters and is so vital to the success we have with each client.”
Home Instead offers a wide range of services for seniors, including personal care, home helper, transportation and companionship services, as well as hospice support. The company also cares for seniors with dementia, chronic illnesses, arthritis and diabetes.
For nearly three decades, Pahos has found great satisfaction in his work at Home Instead.
“I've met so many of our wonderful elderly clients who still have so much to offer but just need a little help, as well as their families,” he said. “We feel it’s truly a privilege and an honor to be able to help families who desire for their loved one to age in place
• Where: 2059 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills
• Call: 205-822-1915
• Web: homeinstead.com/bham
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with our seasoned, responsive staff that is available 24/7, 365 days a year,” he said.
“It’s so rewarding to know we can make a difference for seniors and help them age in place in their home,” Martin said.
Home Instead in Birmingham won the Caring Star Award for excellence in home care in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Mountain Brook plants pollinator garden at Memory Triangle
By SARAH OWENS
The Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation Department, Environmental Sustainability Committee and a group of dedicated volunteers have joined forces to create a pollinator garden at Memory Triangle.
They recently began the planting process, building on the city’s designation as the first Bee City USA affiliate in Alabama, awarded in February 2023.
Mountain Brook earned the Bee City recognition after a series of community-driven efforts to support native pollinator species. Those efforts included installing a native plant pollinator garden at City Hall, forming the Environmental Sustainability Committee, launching an educational component on the city’s website about native habitats and hosting events to raise awareness.
As part of its second year as a Bee City USA affiliate, the city is transforming the formal gateway to Crestline Village — Memory Triangle — into a thriving native habitat for pollinators.
“The habitat will provide nectar, pollen and shelter for a variety of native insects and birds, and will support the pollinators through their entire reproductive lifecycle with a mixture of native plants that will bloom from early spring through late fall,” said Dana Hazen, the city’s director of planning, building and sustainability.
“I'm very excited about the opportunity to use the Triangle to raise awareness in the community about the importance of native habitats to our ecosystem.”
The intersection has recently been under construction as Jefferson County undertook a major sewer repair project along the area’s perimeter. In the midst of this work, the city saw an opportunity to reimagine the triangle as a native meadow that supports biodiversity and ecological health.
The redesigned landscape takes on a more relaxed, natural appearance, shifting away from the traditional manicured lawn. The seed mix includes native grasses and wildflowers chosen to support native bees, butterflies, moths and birds. This natural habitat will also help sequester carbon in the soil and stabilize the ground in and around Memory Triangle.
Some of the native species to be introduced include black-eyed susans, butterfly milkweed, gray goldenrod, Indian blanket and Maryland golden aster.
Hazen hopes the project will set an example and promote an interest in and appreciation for a more relaxed feel in individual landscape design
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WHAT TO EXPECT
► Topsoil addition and site prep: The first couple of months will involve soil conditioning and preparation to reduce weed seeds and encourage healthy meadow growth.
► Seed Mix: A native grass seed mix including millet, purple lovegrass and side oats grama will be planted.
► Wildflowers: A blend of 14 native wildflowers will be broadcast to take advantage of natural cold stratification.
► Native buffalo grass border: A 10-footwide strip of buffalo grass will frame the
garden, providing a more intentional edge to the softer meadow center.
“The city acknowledges that the conversion of a grassy area to a meadow is a new, experimental project for us,” said Hazen. “The departments of Parks/Recreation and of Planning/Sustainability are learning the ins and outs of this type of landscape installation as they go. It is exciting that the city would go out on a limb to do something new, in this very visible location, to support pollinators.”
The city is also planning to build a roundabout at the intersection, but that project will not take place for at least three years and its impact on the new garden is unknown at this time.
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The Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation Department, Environmental Sustainability Committee and a group of dedicated volunteers have joined forces to create a pollinator garden at Memory Triangle. Photos by Sarah Owens
More Than Land
Grit Land Co. builds a legacy through faith, integrity, and rural real estate
Grit Land Co. is an exciting new Alabama real estate brokerage focused on hunting tracts, recreational properties and investment land, as well as other residential and commercial properties. Based in Mountain Brook, the company was founded by B.J. Davis and David Marshall. The experts at Grit Land Co. market, identify and develop real estate investments that are safe, valuable and designed to multiply in both financial return and meaningful impact.
One of Grit’s land agents is Kevin “Cheeto” Marlowe, who sells recreational, hunting, farm and timber properties. Cheeto began selling land in 2022, but he’s an avid outdoorsman with many years of land management and development experience.
“I'm excited about Grit Land Co. because selling land is what we do, building people is who we are,” Cheeto said. “We’re not just land agents. Our goal is to influence men into a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. We want to build lasting value in people's land for generations to come.”
Cheeto enjoys serving his clients. “I’m a highly motivated seller, a go-getter and a true people person,” he said. “I get energy from connecting with others. I also approach every deal with integrity and passion. I’m not just here to sell someone a piece of land. I want it to be the right piece. My goal is to help people find land
that aligns with their vision and dreams, something that can grow into a legacy for their family for generations.”
Cheeto helps clients navigate complex transactions with confidence. “From detailed property videos to deep knowledge of rural tracts, we showcase land in a way that truly highlights its value,” he said. “I’ve built strong relationships with both land and residential agents, and we often collaborate to make sure each client is working with someone who understands their specific goals – whether that’s a home, acreage, commercial property or a combination of all three.”
A Birmingham native, Cheeto grew up in Cahaba Heights and earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian studies at Mississippi College, where he also played football. He and his wife, Beth, live in Chelsea with their children, Sullivan, age 9, and Hannah Rylee, age 5.
Cheeto’s Christian faith is a big part of his work. “As a land agent, my mission is to provide exceptional service to my clients with integrity, honesty and a heart centered on the values Christ instilled in me,” he said. “I strive to honor people above profit, build trust through transparency and guide each transaction with fairness and respect – no matter my clients’ beliefs. Through it all, no matter how big or small the deal, my prayer is that people see Christ in the way I serve, work and treat others. My goal is to create lasting relationships based on service, not just success,
Kevin “Cheeto” Marlowe, GRIT Land Co. land agent
ensuring that every client feels valued and supported throughout their journey.”
Co-founder Davis is Grit’s principal broker and has a strong background in land development and conservation and a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Co-founder Marshall is an experienced business leader who partners with land owners and investors on strategic land acquisition, development and portfolio growth.
For more information, call 205-447-7456 or go to gritlandco.com.
In the Classroom
MBS adds district administrator
By STAFF
Donald Clayton is stepping into a new role as Mountain Brook Schools new Director of Administrative Services and Assistant Director of Personnel.
Clayton was appointed to the role by the Mountain Brook Schools Board of Education after serving as the principal of Mountain Brook Junior High since 2013.
Clayton will work alongside Director of Personnel Susan Cole, assisting with administrative tasks involving human resources, onboarding, recruitment and retention.
“The people in our school system are our strength,” MBS Superintendent Dicky Barlow said. “With that said, Donald understands our culture of hospitality and will work to make our school system a home away from home for everyone who is a part of Mountain Brook Schools, as he has at Mountain Brook Junior High for the past 13 years.”
As he closes the chapter on his MBJH career, Clayton praised his colleagues saying, “Mountain Brook Junior High is an exceptional place with special students, superior faculty and staff members, devoted parents and a vibrant culture. The past 13 years have been my favorite of my professional career. At the same time, I am thrilled for this new
opportunity to help the entire school district and school community.”
As Clayton steps into the new role, Mountain Brook Schools has approved MBJH Assistant Principal Derek Kennedy to be the next Principal of the school.
ACCOLADES
Mountain Brook Schools celebrates retirees
By STAFF
Mountain Brook Schools recently held its annual retirement tea to conclude the school year, celebrating 28 dedicated educators who are retiring with a combined total of more than 781 years of service in education. Of these honorees, seven individuals spent their entire careers exclusively within the Mountain Brook Schools system, contributing a collective 501 years of service to the district. Retirees are listed below by school.
BROOKWOOD FOREST ELEMENTARY ► Claire Tynes
Elsie Alexander CHEROKEE BEND ELEMENTARY
Cynthia Echols
Carol Francis
Libby Pittman
Bethany White
Lawson Hollans
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BUSINESS
Business Buzz
Gardendale, Irondale, Trussville, Leeds, Moody and Birmingham. 205-879-3036, raypoynor.com
NOW OPEN
Luna is now open in Mountain Brook Village. Located at 2721 Cahaba Road, Unit 120, the clothing boutique celebrated its grand opening last month. The shop offers women’s clothing and accessories in store and online. Based on their website, prices range from $22 basics and jewelry to over $100 for dresses, sets and sunglasses.
205-568-4177, lunabhm.com
Ray & Poynor recently opened a new office in English Village. Located at 600 Olde English Lane, Suite 124, the office will serve as a brick-and-mortar hub for the real estate firm. The firm has been serving the Birmingham metro area since 2010, selling homes in Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Pelham, Helena and Chelsea. They have also sold homes in
PERSONNEL MOVES
Bradley Moore recently joined The Welch Group as an advisor, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services field, including 17 years in commercial banking. As an advisor, he will help individuals and families gain lasting peace of mind through thoughtful, personalized financial planning.
205-879-5001, welchgroup.com
ANNIVERSARIES
Vaughan and Company is celebrating five years in their Mountain Brook storefront. Located at 73 Church St., this eatery in Crestline Village offers food delivery, curbside pickup and catering of casual comfort food. They are located in the space formerly occupied by Dinner, a foodto-go restaurant.
205-999-9097, vaughantogo.com
Crestline Pharmacy owners Amanda and Matt Leach are celebrating their fifth year with the pharmacy, located at 60 Church St.. The pharmacy offers prescription pick up and delivery, provides traditional over the counter medicine and sells other gifts and goods. 205-871-0317, facebook.com/crestlinepharmacy
Real & Rosemary, located at 75 Church St., is celebrating 3 years in their Crestline location. Real & Rosemary is an upscale fast-casual restaurant that serves fresh, healthy home-cooked meals. The eatery has a location in Homewood, and they recently closed their location at The Summit. 205-757-4096, realandrosemary.com
Do you have news to share about a business in Mountain Brook or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
Village Living is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration here: go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight
LAH Real Estate, located at 2850 Cahaba Road, Suite 200, is celebrating 33 years in business. LAH is a boutique luxury real estate brokerage specializing in representing the buyers and sellers of extraordinary homes throughout Alabama. They have over 150 real estate agents and offices in Mountain Brook, Homewood, Hoover and Crestline.
205-870-8580, sothebysrealty.com/lahsir/en
Oak Street Garden Shop, located at 115 Oak St. in Crestline, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Owner Billy Angell started the shop in a temporary structure in spring 1990 before opening a permanent building in fall 1990. The shop offers seasonal plants and flowers, garden shrubs, herbs and vegetables. They specialize in container gardening, creativity and instruction. 205-870-7542, oakstreetgardenshop.com
CLOSING
Post Office Pies planned to close its doors for the last time on June 29, marking an end to the pizza spot that once earned a spot on the New York Times list of best pizza places in the country. Its first location opened in 2014 in the former Avondale Post Office building, but that spot closed more than a year ago. The final location in Mountain Brook closed as co-founder and chef John Hall reported their lease would have renewed at $14,000-$15,000 a month, a steep price tag for the independent operators despite their year over year growth.
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A new chapter for a beloved classic
Tommy and Lizzie Hiltz take the helm at Crestline Bagel
By SARAH OWENS
Tax Day might usually be a mundane occasion, but for Tommy and Lizzie Hiltz, this April 15 was full of excitement as they officially became the new owners of Crestline Bagel. “That was not intentional,” Lizzie said with a laugh. Though unexpected, the date marked the beginning of a heartfelt new chapter in Mountain Brook’s culinary story.
Lizzie, a Birmingham native, holds decades of fond memories tied to the community staple. “I grew up here. I’m from Birmingham, and spent my whole life coming to Crestline Bagel, I have really fond and important memories coming with my family, and particularly my dad on the way to school in the morning, and we’ve always loved this place,” she said. “Tommy and I lived in Boston for five years, and prior to that, this was the very last place that we ate. We had the moving truck that we parked over by the tot-lot so we wouldn’t get towed and came here as our very last spot.”
Despite both working outside the restaurant industry — Tommy in finance and Lizzie as a physician — the opportunity was one they couldn’t ignore. “I remember so vividly Tommy calling me and said, ‘There’s a restaurant that I want to buy.’ And my first thought was, you have always said that you would never buy a restaurant. And he said, ‘Well, when you hear what it is,’ he told me it was Crestline Bagel.
And my first instinct was, ‘You absolutely have to buy this,’ because I don’t want anyone to change it or sell it off for parts.”
“The fact that it’s such a heritage business for us, you know, it’s a fixture in the community … I think Birmingham has a small and diminishing number of what I would consider sort of heritage, especially restaurants,” Tommy said. “The opportunity to be able to be part of one of those was really compelling for both of us.”
Their respect for the legacy of Crestline Bagel is matched by their commitment to its people. “One thing that I think makes Crestline
feel so special is the amount of retention and longevity that a lot of our staff members have,” Lizzie said. “If you come into any of our stores, you’ll probably recognize familiar faces, for people that you’ve seen, not only for months, but years.”
The couple has kept all existing staff. “So far, knock on wood, we had no turnover during the transition, which was very exciting,” Tommy said.
Though they’re not planning any major changes, small enhancements are in the works. “We’re doing some revamps like that, you know, we’re looking at our online stuff. We’re
looking at how we order through the app, and whether there’s going to be delivery options,” Tommy noted. “All these things that I think can make it better without fundamentally changing anything that’s been great.”
For Lizzie, she wants the community to know it’s personal. “I think just general reassurance that we love and care about this brand too,” she said. “We feel a great sense of responsibility and stewardship to maintain the integrity of the brand … and we’re just excited to meet people.”
“Stewardship is really what we feel about it … we don’t want to change everything,” Tommy said. “It’s not a museum, we’re going to try to update here and there. But the metric that we’ve been using when we sit and talk about what changes we might do is like, is it going to enhance the customer experience?”
Tommy and Lizzie Hiltz officially became the new owners of Mountain Brook’s beloved Crestline Bagel chain on April 15. Crestline Bagel specializes in handmade bagels and other baked goods. Photos by Sarah Owens.
Save the Date
THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN
► Where: Vulcan Park, viewing locations around Birmingham-metro
► When: July 4, 9 p.m.
► Web: visitvulcan.com/event/ thunder-2025
► Details: During the annual Vulcan Park and Museum celebration, Pyro Shows of Alabama will launch more than 2,500 fireworks shells and effectas in a 20-minute show synchronized to a patriotic soundtrack. Music will be broadcast on iHeartMedia Birmingham radio stations, including 102.5 The Bull, 103.1 The Vulcan, 103.7 The Q, Magic 96.5, News Radio 960 WERC, and La Jefa 98.3. The show will also air live on WBRC FOX6 News for viewers across the Birmingham metro area.
IDENTIFYING AND ERADICATING INVASIVE PLANTS
► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
► When: July 17, noon to 1:30 p.m.
► Web: bbgardens.org/event/identifyingand-eradicating-invasive-plants
► Tickets: $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers
► Details: Chinese wisteria, English Ivy, periwinkle, nandina, and kudzu are only a few of the invasive, non-native plant species that threaten the Alabama landscape. Join Director of Land and Water Conservation for Jefferson County Greenways, Charles Yaeger to learn how to correctly identify invasive species and develop an effective treatment plan to tackle invasives threatening your home landscape.
JULY 4TH FESTIVAL
► Where: Downtown Homewood
► When: July 4, 5 p.m.
► Web: homewoodparks.com/ special-events
► Cost: Free entry, unlimited attractions wristband $10
► Details: The city of Homewood and the Homewood Parks & Recreation Board host the event in downtown Homewood to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Two blocks of 18th Street South and one block of 29th Ave South will be blocked for pedestrian traffic and make way for rides and attractions. There will be inflatables/ rides and a DJ will provide music and interactive activities. All activities will end at the beginning of the “Thunder on the Mountain” fireworks show.
MOUNTAIN BROOK MARKET DAY
► Where: Mountain Brook Village and Lane Parke
► When: July 19, all day
► Web: business.mtnbrookchamber.org/ events
► Details: Mountain Brook shoppers can score some good deals at the 24th annual Market Day event. The shopping event began in the early 2000s as a way to commemorate the French holiday Bastille Day. It has since morphed into a highly anticipated summer event that highlights Mountain Brook retailers. Shoppers can browse the European-style sidewalk sale and enjoy discounted prices that many of the featured merchants will offer all day.
► For more events news, connect with Village Living online by sccanning the QR code.
► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Sarah Owens at sowens@starnesmedia.com.
TOUR DE CAHABA 2025
► Where: Cahaba Cycles Homewood, 1724 27th Court South
► When: Sunday, July 13. Start times: 7 a.m. for 34, 45, and 65-mile rides; 9 a.m. for 10 and 20-mile rides and Slow Roll
► Web: cahabacycles.com/pages/ tour-de-cahaba-2025
► Cost: $35–$45 for 20–65 mile rides; $20 for 10-mile ride; Slow Roll: $15 adults, $10 kids 6–18, free under 5
► Details: Join over 700 riders for this annual community cycling event, featuring six route options ranging. The event includes full SAG support, rest stops at all Cahaba Cycles locations (except Gadsden), and a post-ride cookout with BBQ, pizza, music and drinks. Proceeds benefit the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers.
OFFICIAL MEETINGS
July 1: Arts Council. 6 p.m. at City Hall.
July 3: Board of Zoning Adjustments. 6 p.m. at City Hall.
July 3: Park Board. 6 p.m. at City Hall.
July 7 and 21: Finance, Planning and Development, Public Safety, Public Works and Special Issues Committees. 5 p.m. City Hall.
July 8: Planning Commission. 6 p.m. at City Hall.
July 8: Historic Preservation Commission. 6 p.m. at City Hall.
July 14 and 28: City Council. 6 p.m. at City Hall.
July 15: Environmental Commission. 6:30 p.m. at Homewood Community Center.
July 17: Beautification Board. Noon at City Hall.
LIBRARY EVENTS
Tuesdays: Gentle Yoga with Marie Blair, Round Auditorium. 10–11 a.m.
YOUR STORY MATTERS WOMEN’S MINI-CONFERENCE
► Where: Mountain Brook Community Church
► When: July 15, 4 to 9 p.m.
► Web:mbcc.us/yourstory
► Tickets: $20
► Details: At this mini-conference — led by StoryTellers Live speakers Katie Dunn and Lindy Walker — you’ll discover why your life matters, how your story reflects God’s heart, and why the story you carry is worth sharing. The schedule includes light bites from Ashley Mac’s, worship, two work sessions, dinner from Homewood Gourmet and an iced coffee and dessert bar from O’Henry’s.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Open Maker Lab — Rainbow Suncatchers, Makerspace. 2–5 p.m.
Tuesdays: Patty Cake Storytime (0–18 mos), Children’s Story Room. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Tuesdays: Library Out Loud Story Adventure (grades K–2), Children’s Program Room. 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: Toddler Tales (18–36 mos), Children’s Story Room. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
July 12: Crafterday Meetup — Bring Your Own Project, Round Auditorium. 10 a.m.–noon
July 14: Great Short Stories Book Club — “My Friend Flicka,” Round Auditorium. 6:30–7:30 p.m.
July 15: Library Board Meeting, Boardroom. 8–10:30 a.m.
July 16: Sewing Workshop, Makerspace. 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
July 23: Reading Café Book Club, Makerspace. 2–4 p.m.
By SARAH OWENS
Crestline Village is gearing up for a favorite summer tradition as Otey’s Fest returns for its 16th year on Saturday, July 26. Hosted by Otey’s Tavern, the beloved neighborhood event combines live music, good food, local beer, and community connection in a laid-back outdoor setting that’s more cookout than concert — by design.
Originally launched in 2008 by owner Will Haver as a way to thank loyal patrons and inject new energy into the tavern he had just purchased, Otey’s Fest has grown steadily over the years without losing its intimate, community-focused feel.
“Every year I sit there and go, ‘Is this worth doing?’ And then when you pull it off and see everybody have such a great time, you say, ‘Yeah, it’s worth doing,’ and you forget how hard it is to pull something like that off,” Haver said. “Otey’s Fest for us has always been just a party. It’s been something that we’ve never really wanted to blow up to a huge festival. We’ve always liked just to keep it the outdoor cookout that it is, and the people that support Otey’s come and have a good time.”
Haver emphasized that while the event has expanded, the goal has always been to keep it relatively small and personal.
“Everybody thinks bigger is better,” he said. “And we really haven’t thought that way. We’ve never been like, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna make this thing this huge thing.’ We really like how lowkey it is.”
This year’s event features a strong music lineup, headlined by the Yacht Rock Schooner band, alongside performances by 8 Track Country and T.U.B. The sounds will range from classic yacht rock to upbeat country and party rock staples.
Otey’s famous cheeseburgers, grilled by Rodney, will be sizzling out front of the tavern, and a local beer tent will keep attendees refreshed. As always, the stage will be set up in the parking lot, with the space surrounding the tavern transformed into a block-party-style celebration. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the event is rain or shine.
Haver estimates the crowd typically ranges from 800 to 1,200 people, with the “sweet spot” being about 1,000.
“Otey’s is really small. It’s 1,500 square feet roughly in there, but we have a great patio and block off the front parking lot,” he said. “We’ll put a stage in the parking lot, block off the parking lot, and between it being connected to Otey’s and blocking off the parking lot, it’s the perfect size for that larger crowd.”
While Otey’s Fest is not designed to be a major moneymaker, it has always carried a philanthropic mission. This year, proceeds will benefit the Phoenix Club of Alabama, an organization
that provides developmental opportunities for young professional men to become social, business and philanthropic leaders in the community.
Year after year, Otey’s Fest draws people who appreciate its casual, friendly vibe.
“People look forward to it every year, and it’s just friends hanging out,” Haver said. “It’s so fun because the majority of people know each other, but you meet new friends.”
For tickets and more information, visit oteystavern.com.
Will Stewart performs at the 13th annual Otey’s Fest, benefiting the Phoenix Club of Birmingham, at Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village in 2022. Staff photo.
SPORTS
All-South Metro Baseball
Diddell, Barnett named 1st team
By KYLE PARMLEY
The quality of high school baseball in the Birmingham area is elite, and the 2025 season was no different. The annual Under the Lights All-South Metro Team is packed full of talent and could almost pass as an all-state team.
This year’s Player of the Year is Hewitt-Trussville shortstop Steele Hall, who has potential to be a high pick in this summer’s Major League Baseball Draft. Hoover’s Will Adams is Hitter of the Year, although he is another great twoway player for the Bucs.
Aiden Hughes of Chelsea and Jack Ross of Homewood share the Pitcher of the Year honors. Hughes led the Hornets to the state championship series, while Ross notched 10 wins to cap off a terrific career at Homewood.
Michael Stallings is the Coach of the Year, taking Chelsea to the state finals for the second time.
► Player of the Year: Steele Hall, Hewitt-Trussville
► Hitter of the Year: Will Adams, Hoover
► Pitchers of the Year: Aiden Hughes, Chelsea, and Jack Ross, Homewood
► Coach of the Year: Michael Stallings, Chelsea
1ST TEAM
► Pitcher: Aiden Hughes, Chelsea; went 9-0 with a 0.94 earned run average, while racking up 59 hits at the plate.
► Pitcher: Jack Ross, Homewood; won 10 games, while hitting .402 with nine homers and 49 RBIs.
► Pitcher: Bryant Diddell, Mountain Brook; one of the top strikeout pitchers in the area, punching out 85 hitters.
► Pitcher: Jackson Price, Chelsea; went 8-1 with a 1.74 ERA for the state runner-up.
► Catcher: Parker Daniels, Briarwood; led all catchers with 39 hits and finished with a .482 OBP.
► First base: Will Dobbins, Homewood; knocked in 34 RBIs and stole 16 bases.
► Second base: Cam Simpson, Hewitt-Trussville; finished with an impressive .514 OBP, knocking in 30 RBIs and swiping 20 bases.
► Third base: Gavin Smith, Vestavia Hills; hit .422 with five homers and 40 RBIs.
► Shortstop: Steele Hall, Hewitt-Trussville; an upcoming high draft pick, capping off his high school career with a .484 average, 60 hits, eight homers, 35 RBIs and 33 stolen bases.
► Infield: Charlie Taaffe, Vestavia Hills; hit .369 with five home runs.
► Infield: Noah Eady, Oak Mountain; picked up 36 hits and drove in 28 RBIs.
► Outfield: Will Adams, Hoover; got on base at a .608 clip and hit eight home runs as the top hitter in the area.
► Outfield: Jack Bland, Homewood; stole 39 bases and finished with 39 hits.
► Outfield: Cross Tonsmeire, Vestavia Hills; got on base at a .526 clip, scoring 34 runs and stealing 21 bases.
► Designated hitter: Jaxson Wood, Hoover; one of the top players in the area, hitting eight homers with 43 RBIs.
► Designated hitter: Seth Staggs, Briarwood; racked up 50 hits.
► Utility: Christian Helmers, Hewitt-Trussville; one of the top all-around players in the area, going 9-1 on the mound, while hitting .322.
► Utility: Caleb Barnett, Mountain Brook; last year’s Hitter of the Year put forth another strong year, posting a 1.61 ERA and getting on base at a .521 clip.
2ND TEAM
► Pitcher: Hudson Mitchell,
Hewitt-Trussville; led the area with 11 wins, posting a 1.11 ERA.
► Pitcher: Jude Davidson, Mountain Brook; went a perfect 7-0 with a 1.48 ERA.
► Pitcher: Ivan Hand, Briarwood; posted eight wins without taking a loss, with a 1.46 ERA.
► Pitcher: Chase Rafferty, Vestavia Hills; went 6-2 for the Rebels.
► Catcher: Drew Ollis, Hewitt-Trussville; reached base in nearly half of his at-bats and hit .387.
► First base: Sam Estes, Mountain Brook;
knocked in 25 RBIs and got on base at a .418 clip.
► Second base: Finn Hecklinski, John Carroll; finished with a .476 OBP.
► Third base: Parker Johnson, Hoover; finished a strong year with a .491 OBP.
► Shortstop: Paul Barnett, Mountain Brook; finished with 35 hits and had a .453 OBP.
► Infield: Chase Lackey, Chelsea; knocked in 20 RBIs and stole 20 bases.
► Infield: Rhys Jones, Spain Park; put forth another solid season, finishing with
a .472 OBP.
► Outfield: William Tonsmeire, Vestavia Hills; got on base in half his at-bats, drawing 24 walks and swiping 18 bases.
► Outfield: Joe Cross, Spain Park; finished with 35 hits and 26 RBIs.
► Outfield: Will Weaver, Mountain Brook; knocked in 32 RBIs.
► Designated hitter: Cooper Huffman, Hewitt-Trussville; finished with a .351 average and 32 RBIs.
► Designated hitter: Will Langston, Vestavia Hills; hit .365 and drove in 31 RBIs.
► Utility: Houston Hartsfield, Briarwood; hit .327 and won four games as an all-around player.
► Utility: Levi Nickoli, Homewood; saved four games with a 0.98 ERA, while playing shortstop for the Patriots.
HONORABLE MENTION
► Pitcher: Cooper Anderson, Vestavia Hills; Wilson Szymela, Vestavia Hills; Will Daniel, Vestavia Hills; Colin Jones, Vestavia Hills; Patrick McQueeney, Spain Park; Charlie Kramer, Spain Park; Max Vinson, Spain Park; Baker Williams, Oak Mountain; Brady Sheppard, Hoover; Gavin Letcher, John Carroll; Jacob Francis, Hewitt-Trussville; Rylan Clark, Hewitt-Trussville.
► Catcher: Cooper Mullins, Homewood; Cade Mims, Chelsea.
► First base: Jacob Harris, Vestavia Hills; James Au, Hoover; Luke Neill, Chelsea.
► Third base: Blake Bales, Hewitt-Trussville.
► Shortstop: Cale McIntosh, Hewitt-Trussville.
► Outfield: Aiden Craven, Chelsea; Owen Edwards, Oak Mountain; Baylor Hardy, Hoover; Atticus Barton, Hoover; Cooper Dunn, John Carroll; Cam Graham, John Carroll; Will Clark, Briarwood; Koal Duckett, Hewitt-Trussville; Mack Breazeale, Chelsea; Noah Crosby, Mountain Brook; Carson Mann, Vestavia Hills.
► Designated hitter: William Yoder, Oak Mountain; Colby Durden, Hewitt-Trussville; Ben Roberts, Homewood.
► Utility: Garrett Barnes, John Carroll; Braxton Williams, John Carroll; Gabe Jones, Oak Mountain; Ben Heath, Oak Mountain; Paxton Stallings, Chelsea.
Above: Mountain Brook’s Caleb Barnett (9), Bryant Diddell (11), left and Will Weaver (1). Photos by David Leong.
Spartans rack up spring sports accolades
By KYLE PARMLEY
Spring sports postseason honors have been released, with several Mountain Brook High School athletes receiving recognition.
Mountain Brook had three players earn Alabama Sports Writers Association all-state baseball spots in Class 6A. Senior Caleb Barnett made the first team as a designated hitter, while junior pitcher Bryant Diddell and sophomore Paul Barnett both earned second-team honors as designated hitters.
Caleb Barnett hit five homers and drove in 28 runs, finishing with a .521 on-base percentage. Diddell went 5-3 on the mound, posting a 1.84 ERA and striking out 85 hitters. Paul Barnett also hit five homers, knocking in 29 runs.
On the all-state softball side, Mountain Brook’s Reagan Rape was named to the Class 6A second team as an outfielder.
Rape is the first Mountain Brook softball player to earn all-state honors since Rebecca Blitz in 2014.
Rape had an outstanding season for the Spartans. She hit for a .600 batting average, racking up 66 hits and scoring 54 runs. She finished with five home runs, 24 runs batted in and 41 stolen bases. She struck out only twice all year.
The postseason awards recognizing the top high school soccer players from the 2025 season have been announced, and Mountain Brook was well-represented on the all-state and all-metro teams.
On the boys’ side, senior defender Jude Smith earned first team honors across the board, making the overall all-state, Class 6A all-state and all-metro first teams. Junior midfielder Will Woodke was named first team 6A all-state, while also receiving honorable mention overall all-state and all-metro. Sophomore
defender Henry McGahey was selected for the second team 6A all-state, honorable mention overall all-state and second team all-metro.
Senior goalkeeper Griffin Lamkin also made the second team 6A all-state and earned honorable mention for both overall all-state and all-metro. Junior forward Carson Hahn and senior forward Thompson Jones each received
honorable mention on both the overall all-state and all-metro lists.
For the girls’ side, senior midfielder Langston Lilly had a standout season, earning first team honors on the overall all-state, 6A all-state and A Division all-metro teams.
Senior goalkeeper Laine Minich matched that recognition with first team selections in all
three categories as well. Sophomore defender Lorelai Wei was also named to the first team 6A all-state and A Division all-metro teams. Sophomore forward Anne Parrish Tucker received honorable mention for both overall all-state and A Division all-metro, while junior forward Sophie Hicks earned second team A Division all-metro honors.
Mountain Brook pitcher Bryant Diddell (11) throws a pitch during a game between Mountain Brook and Boaz on April 4 at Mountain Brook High School.
Photo by David Leong.
SPORTS
All-South Metro Softball
3 Spartans named 1st team
By KYLE PARMLEY
The 2025 Under the Lights All-South Metro Softball Team, published by Starnes Media, aims to recognize the top individuals from across the area.
The Player of the Year honors go to Hewitt-Trussville’s Corey Goguts, who tied for the state lead with an eye-popping 31 home runs on the year. Katie Hopson from Chelsea, a true utility player, takes Hitter of the Year honors after sparking the Hornets offense.
Hoover senior Haley Westhoven is the Pitcher of the Year, finishing her career by leading the area with 13 wins for the Bucs. Her coach, Trey Matlock, takes Coach of the Year honors after leading the Bucs to winning Area 6, arguably the toughest in the state.
► Player of the Year: Corey Goguts, Hewitt-Trussville
► Hitter of the Year: Katie Hopson, Chelsea
► Pitcher of the Year: Haley Westhoven, Hoover
► Coach of the Year: Trey Matlock, Hoover 1ST TEAM
► Pitcher: Haley Westhoven, Hoover; tied for the area lead with 13 wins, posting a 2.85 earned run average.
► Pitcher: Kelsey Crain, Oak Mountain; posted the lowest ERA in the area with a 2.24 mark, winning eight games.
► Pitcher: Jaley Young, Spain Park; led the area with 110 strikeouts, winning nine games.
► Catcher: Lindsey Westhoven, Hoover; one of the leaders for the Bucs, finishing with a .404 on-base percentage and 33 runs batted in.
► Infield: Claire Robinett, Mountain Brook; hit .417 in her senior season, finishing with 40 hits.
► Infield: Marianna Murray, Mountain Brook; hit eight homers and finished with a .458 OBP.
► Infield: Sheridan Andrews, Oak Mountain; put together another strong year, hitting .421 with 10 doubles.
► Infield: Mollie Hanson, Hoover; one of the top hitters in the middle of the order for the Bucs, driving in 32 runs.
► Infield: Charlee Bennett, Spain Park; capped off her career with a .411 OBP.
► Outfield: Madison Letson, Homewood; put together a great sophomore year, hitting .576 and driving in 27 runs.
► Outfield: Reagan Rape, Mountain Brook; caused havoc for opponents, hitting .600 and stealing 41 bases.
► Outfield: Reagan Lawson, Hoover; got on base at a .483 clip and stole 30 bases.
► Outfield: Evelyn Splawn, Vestavia Hills; hit .426, racking up 52 hits and stealing 23 bases for the Rebels.
► Designated hitter: Emily Williams, John Carroll; hit 14 homers with 52 RBIs.
► Designated hitter: Corey Goguts, Hewitt-Trussville; hit .521 with 31 homers and 78 RBIs, drawing 32 walks.
► Designated hitter: Sydney Carroll, Chelsea; hit seven homers and drew 20 walks as one of the area’s most feared hitters.
► Utility: Katie Hopson, Chelsea; hit .461 with 16 home runs, racking up 70 hits.
► Utility: Zaylen Tucker, Hewitt-Trussville; worked her way back from injury, hitting .448 with six homers and throwing critical innings in the circle.
► Utility: Marian Cummings, Oak Mountain; hit .402 and won nine games in the circle.
2ND TEAM
► Pitcher: Maxie Provost, Spain Park; had a brilliant eighth-grade season, going 10-6 with a 2.98 ERA.
► Pitcher: Larsen Cummings, Briarwood; posted a 2.48 ERA and struck out 102 batters.
► Pitcher: Alaysha Crews, Chelsea; the top pitcher for a strong Hornets team, winning nine games.
► Catcher: Anna DuBose, Oak Mountain;
capped off her career with a solid year and only made three errors in the field.
► Infield: Klara Thompson, Spain Park; hit six homers and stole 20 bases without being caught.
► Infield: Lorelei Beck, Chelsea; drove in 38 runs and was a solid pitcher for the Hornets as well.
► Infield: Peyton Hull, Hewitt-Trussville; the Montevallo signee registered 42 hits.
► Infield: Caroline Brown, Chelsea; the Kennesaw State commit hit .363 with six homers.
► Infield: Brooke Monosky, Oak Mountain; put together an impressive freshman season, with a .367 average.
► Outfield: Ava Hyde, Hewitt-Trussville; had a great senior year, with 60 hits and 29 stolen bases.
► Outfield: Presley Hull, Hewitt-Trussville; contributed heavily as a sophomore, hitting .403.
► Outfield: Cheyenne Conner, Hoover; finished with a .402 OBP with 39 hits and 18 RBIs.
► Outfield: Bella Williams, Oak Mountain; got on base at a .427 clip for the Eagles.
► Designated hitter: Mia Gonzalez, Homewood; hit .444 with 33 RBIs.
► Designated hitter: Allie Whitaker, Spain Park; hit seven homers for the Jags.
► Designated hitter: Makaila Hope, Hewitt-Trussville; drove in 21 runs and posted a .467 OBP.
► Utility: Kaylynn Nutter, John Carroll; posted a .521 OBP with 30 RBIs.
► Utility: Evie Andrews, Hewitt-Trussville; a versatile player for the Huskies who drove in 32 runs in a strong season.
► Utility: Allie Stuman, Homewood; the sophomore infielder hit .420 and drove in 49 runs.
HONORABLE MENTION
► Pitcher: Emma Parmley, Chelsea; Anne Hope Howell, Homewood; Kinley Poe, Hewitt-Trussville; Elizabeth Yother, Vestavia Hills; Caroline Chaney, Hoover; Aaliyah Hayes, Hoover.
► Catcher: EJ Bragan, Vestavia Hills; Chloe Wade, Spain Park; AT Goldman, Mountain Brook; Ashley Heinemann, Briarwood.
► Infield: Kindal Whistle, John Carroll; Erin Coleman, Hewitt-Trussville; Ryleigh Wood, Hewitt-Trussville; Lilly Ferguson, Vestavia Hills; Scout Staggs, Briarwood; Avery Chaney, Hoover.
► Outfield: Reagan Roberts, Spain Park; Jordan Weiner, Spain Park; Sophia Williams, Oak Mountain; Ava Robinson, Homewood.
► Designated hitter: Sydney Moore, Hewitt-Trussville; Tatum Lasseter, Spain Park; Edith Kaplan, Mountain Brook.
► Utility: Molly Shea, Mountain Brook; Kate Flanagan, Vestavia Hills; Darcy Hill, Hewitt-Trussville.
Mountain Brook’s Reagan Rape (22). Photos by Kyle Parmley.
Mountain Brook’s Claire Robinett (2).
Mountain Brook’s Marianna Murray (11).
Mountain Brook’s Ann Cade wins 50-mile Lake Martin 100 as fastest female finisher
By SARAH OWENS
Mountain Brook resident Ann Cade, 41, recently finished as the top female in the Lake Martin 100, a grueling 50-mile ultramarathon in Alexander City, Alabama. A single mother of three and founder of Ann Cade Wellness, Cade’s journey to the finish line was anything but traditional.
“As a single mother of three with sole custody of my children, I definitely run more carpools than miles, which makes training for a 50-mile marathon far from traditional,” said Cade. “While my competitors prepare with long trail runs, I squeeze quick workouts in between client meetings, soccer drop-offs and homework help. But I still finished — and won — the race, because I’ve learned how to care for my body in a way that actually works.”
Cade first tackled the Lake Martin ultramarathon in 2016. “The first time I ran the 50 mile race was in 2016 and I won it for females,” she said. “And I was like, this is kind of nice to feel like yourself again, you know, and not just be a mom and working.” She returned in 2018 and set the course record. “I set the course record, and I went under nine hours, and I just couldn’t believe that my body could do that.”
This year, Cade overcame sweltering heat to finish just under 10 hours. “It was so hot. It was 90 degrees,” she recalled. “I had to fill up my water bottle like every hour. I was putting ice in my vest, because you have to keep your body temperature down. So I knew, once I saw the weather forecast that I wasn’t going to set the record, but I didn’t even know if I was going to finish.”
Training while managing motherhood and a business required creativity and resilience. “I would run when my kids were at T-ball practice,” Cade said. “Just like little snippets here and there, and they just added up.”
In August 2023, Cade launched Empowered Nutrition, an online coaching business that has already served more than 500 women. “Women are balancing more than ever, and the last thing we need are more extreme diets, complicated
Mountain Brook resident Ann Cade is a mom of three, and her kids, Nathaniel, Eliza and Fitz, were there to support her as she crossed the finish line. Photos courtesy of Ann Cade.
nutrition rules, or elaborate meal prep plans,” Cade said. “My passion is creating clear, personalized strategies that fit into their life and work for their hormones, schedules and kids’ picky taste buds.”
She emphasizes realistic health and body-positive mindset shifts for her clients. “Even if we all ate the exact same thing and exercised the exact same way, all of our bodies would look different. And I think that’s a good thing,” she said.
Cade’s success on the trail echoes the mission behind her business. “Yes, I won the 50 mile race, but it wasn’t because I devoted my life to being an ultra runner,” she said. “It’s because that’s my whole career — how to fit in your health goals, your wellness goals, what makes you feel like you — into the life that you already have.”
To learn more about Cade and her business, visit anncadewellness.com.
Brookwood Hospital seeks new volunteers
By SARAH OWENS
As Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital begins a new chapter under Orlando Health, the changes aren’t just behind the scenes — the hospital is calling for more volunteers to bring fresh energy to its halls.
Brookwood already has a strong volunteer team made up of adults and college students, but leaders say they’re looking to expand the adult roster to ensure full support across departments.
Volunteers assist patients, staff and visitors throughout the hospital — greeting guests at the information desk, giving directions, delivering mail, managing the gift shop and more.
“I have the most fun job of any of the volunteers. I’m just going to tell you that right out,” said Andy Bernstein, a Mountain Brook resident. “I, for 19 years, have been volunteering in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and I am certified in infant massage.”
Bernstein, a former nurse, first joined the program after a hospital neonatologist called and asked if she could help. At the time, the NICU couldn’t afford to keep its occupational therapist for extra days. She’s been volunteering ever since — providing massages to infants with drug dependency or other medical challenges.
“If you have a baby that is in withdrawal and crying non stop, to have somebody come in and hold them and massage them — and I can calm them and put them back to sleep — I think that’s a big help for the nurses in particular, and for the baby,” Bernstein said.
She often steps in as an extra pair of hands for busy nurses, especially on weekends. Beyond providing comfort, her massages serve a therapeutic function as well.
“When we have chronic babies, not the tiny babies, because we have to limit their
stimulation, but chronic babies can get contractures, and when we are massaging, we’re gently straightening, straightening the limbs … the occupational therapist might leave a note for me, baby so and so needs some special attention if you have time.”
While she loves caring for the infants, Bernstein also finds joy in working alongside the NICU nurses — praising their skill, commitment and compassion. Her volunteer work doesn’t just help hospital staff and patients though, it helps her too.
“I love volunteering here,” she said. “If you’re having a bad day and you come in and you get to help somebody, particularly hold a baby. What is more wonderful in this whole world than a newborn, innocent life, if you get to hold this sweet newborn and love on it, and talk to it, sing to it. For me, it is mood elevating. It is better than anything else. I can just tell you, it just soothes my heart.”
One moment in particular still stands out for her — a reminder of the difference volunteers can make.
“We had a baby one time that was long term and chronic … feeding tube and, you know, IVs and oxygen. And I would see him consistently over five months. And I think the day that he got to go home, I wept that we had been able to help him and his family to the point that he actually graduated from the NICU.”
Not all volunteers work with infants though, as support is needed all across the hospital. Volunteers are often the first faces you see when entering the building, helping patients find their way to appointments or providing a listening ear for those going through a tough time.
To learn more about volunteering at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital, visit baptisthealthal.com/about-us/volunteer.
Andy Bernstein has volunteered at the hospital for 19 years. Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital, at right, offers volunteer opportunities to college students and adults form around the Birmingham metro area. Photos by Sarah Owens.
By TIM STEPHENS
Time’s almost up. When you read this, the weigh-in will be just days away — and I’ll be staring down the final miles of a goal I’ve been chasing since January.
The public goal was clear: lose 56 pounds by my 56th birthday. But that wasn’t the full story. Privately, the number I was chasing was 76. I had already dropped the first 20 before I ever went public. This wasn’t just about optics or vanity — it was about proving I could still summon the kind of focus and discipline that had once come easily.
But more is in play now than in my 30s or 40s. Back then, I could drop 50 — even 100 — pounds with pure willpower. The truth is, this is the hardest it’s ever been.
Part of that is physical. At 55, the metabolism doesn’t bend as easily. Recovery takes longer. The tools that used to work like magic now need coaxing.
There’s also something new: For the first time, I’m doing one of these sprints knowing I have ADHD. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 53 — which, looking back, explains a lot. There’s still a lot to unpack, but just understanding that has changed how I approach challenge and recovery.
A full-on ADHD burnout hit in the spring. I kept pushing — running six newspapers, navigating personal turbulence and refusing to slow down. I crashed hard. When I finally came up for air, there were just six weeks left — and I was still 30 pounds away from the public goal.
I could’ve written it off. Said it was too much. Blamed the schedule, the stress, the age. But instead of walking away, I reset. In
May, I got honest with myself. I built a plan — not just to push through the final stretch, but to do it smarter.
Here’s what the final sprint looks like:
► Nutrition: A high-protein, low-calorie liquid protocol — just 800 to 1,200 calories a day, with 240 to 260 grams of protein. It’s built around two large blended shakes a day (split into four servings), a combination of whey isolate and collagen.
► Training: Target: burn more than 1,600 active calories daily, on top of a 2,400 basal metabolic rate (BMR). That’s a 4,000-calorie burn target, driven by Hotworx sessions, kettlebell work, walking miles, and HIIT. The approach isn’t flashy, but it’s relentless.
► Tracking and recovery: I’m logging everything through MyFitnessPal. Whoop helps guide recovery. IV therapy at Prime IV helps support hydration and fat loss, while Hotworx saunas assist in both calorie burn and recovery.
Whether I cross the 56-pound finish line exactly or fall a few steps short, the real success has already taken shape. I’ve learned how to adapt — not just to age or to stress, but to the realities of neurodivergence. For the first time, I’m trying to win not with raw intensity, but with systems.
And maybe that’s the true milestone — not just what I lose, but what I learn to let go.
Join the Mission: Have you made a remarkable personal transformation of some kind or know someone who has? Nominate their story by emailing tstephens@starnesmedia.com.
Starnes Media General Manager Tim Stephens takes a progress selfie after a workout at Hotworx. Stephens is in the final days of his effort to lose 56 pounds by his 56th birthday. Photo by Tim Stephens.
THE NEW PLAYBOOK
CONTINUED from page 1
“Honestly, my experience has been pretty high the entire time,” he said. “I would say a low point would be when I had to leave home and my family … Whenever I was able to adjust to that is when everything started to kind of make sense and Omaha started to feel like home.”
Becoming a college basketball player and a college student is one thing, but now there are the additional pressures of doing so in a new world. The transfer portal has caused a spike in player movement from year to year, and players are now able to profit off their name, image and likeness.
Like many college athletes, Davis has embraced NIL opportunities. But he acknowledges the need for better structure.
“Getting paid like this is going to set us up for life,” he said. “We are very thankful and blessed to be getting paid and to play the game that we love …. But I am not blind to the fact that the transfer portal is getting out of hand, and I believe there should be some rules put in place to help police it.”
THE GAME JUST CHANGED
If you played Division I college sports in the last decade — or your kid did — this summer, money’s coming.
Not from boosters. Not from collectives.
From the university itself.
On June 14, a federal judge finalized House v. NCAA, a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that shatters the 119-year model of amateurism. For the first time, schools can pay their athletes directly — not for appearances, not through shell groups — but straight from university revenue.
If you are a fan of college sports, the games are now unlike anything you’ve known. And it starts now.
WHO GETS PAID – AND HOW
The House settlement triggers two historic changes:
Backpay: Any Division I athlete who competed between 2016 and 2024 can file for compensation. Payouts will depend on sport, tenure and school revenue — with football and men’s basketball expected to receive the largest shares.
Revenue Sharing: Starting this fall, schools can pay current athletes up to $20.5 million annually. The cap will rise each year over the 10-year agreement. Most schools are expected to split it like this:
► 75% to football
► 15% to men’s basketball
► 5% to women’s basketball
► 5% to all other sports
This is not NIL 2.0. This is something else entirely.
NIL was always about outside money — sponsors, side hustles, booster funds. The House settlement puts the money on campus. Schools will now pay athletes from the same pool used for coach salaries, facilities and scholarships.
That makes it bigger. And messier.
Only the Power 4 conferences — SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12 — were named in the suit. But all Division I schools must contribute to the backpay fund, even if they’ve never had a single NIL deal. Many smaller schools are already trimming rosters, adjusting scholarships and revisiting budgets. Some athletes will get paid. Others may get cut.
‘TRANSFORMATIVE LEGISLATION’
Birmingham entrepreneur and athlete advocate Jim Cavale has been tracking this shift from the beginning.
“In just the first year — from July 2021 to July 2022 — we tracked $350 million in NIL activity,” Cavale said. “And 90% of that was donor-driven funds funneled through collectives to pay athletes to play.”
Now, he says, things are even murkier.
“The biggest issue athletes face is confusing and misleading contracts,” Cavale said. “These so-called NIL deals are often performance-based agreements in disguise.”
ESPN national analyst Tom Luginbill sees the same storm building.
“This is the most transformative legislation in college sports in the last 15 years, and it dropped with no guardrails,” he said. “[Resource-rich] programs like Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia can do whatever they want. Most
NIL vs. Revenue Sharing: What’s The Difference?
WHO PAYS? Third parties (boosters, brands, collectives) The school itself
STARTED July 1, 2021 Starts July 1, 2025
REGULATED BY? State laws, schools, and soon the College Sports Commission
NCAA settlement structure, new federal-style oversight
GUARANTEED? No. Athletes must negotiate their own NIL deals Yes. Schools can directly allocate a set pool of money
WHO BENEFITS MOST? High-profile athletes, especially QBs, skill players All scholarship athletes, potentially across all sports
STILL ALLOWED? Yes, but will face more scrutiny from a new enforcement body Yes. Can be used alongside NIL
Ty Davis recognizes he’s part of a groundbreaking set of athletes in college sports. With the transfer portal, NIL and now direct compensation, “it has changed the landscape of college athletics immensely,” he said Staff photo.
others can’t.”
And he’s worried.
“What’s coming is this: players getting paid big money, surrounded by bad actors. Agents want 20–30%. A kid enters the portal, takes bad advice, spends the money — and doesn’t go pro. That’s the reality.”
NEXT: CONGRESS AND COURTS
Just days after the House ruling, a bipartisan group in Congress introduced the SCORE Act
— a bill that would:
► Cap revenue-sharing and standardize disclosures
► Pre-empt state NIL laws
► Create a federal enforcement commission
► Affirm that college athletes are not employees
That last point might be the whole game.
The NCAA’s biggest fear isn’t payment; it’s employment. If athletes are ruled to be employees, everything changes: benefits, unions, workers’ compensation, labor law. The House deal opened the door to paychecks. Congress is now trying to close it before anyone says
the E-word.
But Cavale says the conversation still leaves out the people it claims to protect.
“These are being structured as NIL, not employment — and there’s still no agent regulation, no contract standards,” he said. “The athlete’s voice is missing. What’s really needed is collective bargaining.”
Meanwhile, legal uncertainty continues. The House settlement is not the final word — and may not withstand future challenges.
In June, eight current and former female athletes filed a Title IX lawsuit challenging the revenue-sharing model, arguing that its disproportionate distribution to men’s sports violates federal gender equity laws. More suits are likely. Title IX, employment law and due process could all play a role in shaping — or unraveling — the current plan.
NCAA leaders say that’s why congressional intervention is critical. The proposed SCORE Act would codify House into law, protect it from further litigation and preempt conflicting state-level NIL rules. But despite years of lobbying, no federal college sports law has ever
After starring for Mountain Brook, Ty Davis is now navigating the world of NIL as a member of the basketball team at Creighton University. Competing in the Big East Conference, Davis will be among thje first collegiate athletes in the country to be directly compensated by the university under the terms of the House vs. NCAA legal settlement. Staff photo.
House vs. NCAA Settlement Explained
WHAT IS IT?
The House v. NCAA antitrust settlement marks the official end of amateurism in college sports. Starting July 1, schools can pay athletes directly for the first time in NCAA history. The new model applies to current and future Division I athletes — not just those already on campus.
KEY TERMS
► $2.8 billion in back payments (2016-2024) to former D-I athletes
► The annual cap grows by at least 4% per year
► 10-year agreement: runs through 2035
► Roster limits: schools must reduce rosters to meet compensation caps
► Revenue sharing begins: schools can share up to $20.5M per year with athletes
WHY IT MATTERS
This formalizes athlete compensation, bringing college sports closer than ever to a pro model — and away from the 119-year “student-athlete” model.
passed. For now, the policy landscape remains a moving target.
WELCOME TO NIL GO
On June 17, a new layer of regulation arrived: NIL Go — a clearinghouse overseen by the Collegiate Sports Commission and run by Deloitte.
Athletes must now report any deal over $600. Each gets reviewed for “fair market value.” If Deloitte flags it as inflated, it can be denied or sent to arbitration. There is no legal standard for that value. No consistent appeal process. Just a new filter between athletes and the opportunities they chase.
And that’s happening as university-issued paychecks are set to hit.
The result? Confusion, whiplash — and change.
Athletes like Davis are currently weathering NIL, the transfer portal and scholarship uncertainty. Now they face something even stranger: a paycheck from the school for which they play. What that means — and how long it lasts — is still in question.
The checks start July 1.
The system? Still up for grabs.
Who knows where it goes from here.
“With the transfer portal and NIL being fairly new in the college world, it has changed the landscape of college athletics immensely,” Davis said.
To read part one of The New Playbook, go to VillageLivingOnline.com.
BOULWARE
CONTINUED from page 1
A CAREER GROUNDED IN SERVICE
Boulware’s path to law enforcement began after his service in the United States Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of sergeant and completed multiple deployments as a squad leader with the 1st Battalion 8th Marines and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). After leaving the military in 1999, he enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, earning a degree in Justice Sciences while beginning his career with MBPD.
Over the years, Boulware has held a variety of roles within the department, including patrol officer, tactical team leader, detective and training and hiring sergeant. He has served as a supervisor in all three divisions of the department.
After being promoted to lieutenant in 2020, Boulware led the Administrative Division, overseeing the department’s transition to Shelby County’s 911 dispatch, implementing new records software and managing facility upgrades. Most recently, he served as commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.
Throughout his career, Boulware has remained committed to ongoing training and professional development. He holds numerous certifications, including Tactical Operator, Computer Voice Stress Analyzer Advanced Examiner and Internal Affairs Investigator. He is also a recipient of the FBILaw Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy Award and has completed extensive coursework through the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police’s Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program.
A LEADER SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE
Boulware attributes much of his leadership approach to his time in the Marine Corps, and he’s excited for the continued leadership opportunities in his new role.
“The officers here work diligently with a goal of being excellent in everything they do, and I enjoy watching them work,” Boulware said, “but what I'm most excited about is having a hand in developing the future of law enforcement for this department.”
Among his proudest accomplishments are cases involving justice for victims of juvenile and financial crimes, many of which required months or even years of investigation.
“When you have somebody that's in a very bad spot or faced trauma or had something done to them, is the victim of a crime, and you can help them get justice for what's happened to them — it's very fulfilling,” he said.
Looking ahead, Boulware said residents shouldn’t expect sweeping changes under his leadership.
“If there's any change, it's going to be slow and incremental because what we're doing is working,” he said. “Chief Cook, Chief Loggins, before me, really made a lot of changes in the department. We're community oriented, and we're also very proactive in how we approach crimes and how we patrol the city to make sure that we keep our crime rates down. So there will be no major sweeping changes, because what we're doing is working.”
He does plan to continue the department’s investment in technology — such as camera systems, license plate readers and digital communication tools — to enhance community safety and communication. One area of particular focus is continuing the department’s efforts to make officers more accessible to the public, which Boulware said has played a crucial role in crime prevention.
Above all, Boulware said his primary mission is clear.
“My priority is maintaining the safety and security for the citizens of Mountain Brook, because that is our No. 1 mission,” he said. “We've been very successful at it over the years. And that's not because of me, that's because of the chiefs before me and the men and women that work here. We've been very successful in that regard. It takes a lot of work to maintain that, it doesn't just happen.”
Mayor Stewart Welch pins Chief Thomas Boulware at his swearing in ceremony on April 15. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Police Department.
