The Community News February 2015

FEBRUARY 2015
Vestavia Hills
C OMMUNITY N EWS
A joint publication of the City of Vestavia Hills, Vestavia Hills City Schools and Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Happy New Year,
everyone! The staff and
elected officials of the
City of Vestavia Hills
are excited about the
positive
happenings
in our community that
are planned for 2015, and we want to
share them with you. Listed below are
just samplings of the positive efforts you
will see very soon. Please note that your
City leadership is focused through
implementation of its strategic plan
that has emphasized improvement
in its recreational and trail facilities,
sidewalk and road infrastructure,
economic growth opportunities and
continued effort to provide transparent Vestavia Hills broke ground on a new City Hall in 2014. The facility is supposed
communications. We have based that on to open this fall.
the overwhelming response to our 2014
citizen survey. However, we will continue supporting, at a very high level, the core elements of City services, such as Police,
Fire and Emergency Medical services that enjoy a very high level of customer satisfaction. I look forward to seeing our City
continue its positive growth many years into the future with these projects serving as a foundation for that growth.
1. Recreational and Park Amenity Projects
a. Completion of a new bridge and trail system at McCallum Park
b. Completion of Phase I of the Sicard Hollow (SHAC) Park and Trail system (A part of the Parks and Recreation
Foundation “Partnership in Healthy Living Campaign”)
c. Begin design of Sicard Hollow Tunnel Connecting SHAC and Liberty Park
d. Complete Cahaba Heights Neighborhood Park on Dolly Ridge Road
e. Complete Hwy 31 – I-65 Interchange Landscaping and Beautification project
Manager’s Report continued on page 5
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
On behalf of the City Council, I want
to wish everyone a happy and prosperous
new year. The City Council, City Manager
and City Staff worked on the Strategic
Plan this past year. In that initiative, we
looked at:
• Redevelopment and Infrastructure
• Community Recreation
• Governing through Electronics
I’m pleased to report that we have made great strides
in these areas and had a very positive year. There is more
information from our City Manager, as well as some of our
goals for 2015, in this newsletter,
I would like to congratulate David Myers and Anna Curry
Gualano on their appointments to the Park & Recreation
Board and Library Board, respectively. Many thanks to
Blaine House and Sara Robicheaux for serving on these
Boards.
Dunn Construction Company is making progress on
the City’s Paving Program. We hope that they will begin
resurfacing Highway 31 about the middle of February.
If anyone at City Hall can be of assistance to you, please
feel free to call 978-0100.
– Mayor Alberto C. “Butch” Zaragoza
FEBRUARY 2015
2
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
The first half of our school year was
exceptional. It has been a personal
blessing to see the change that is in the
air and to see our students take their
education and futures to new heights
through our schools.
We are making progress toward
positive change through strategic planning and our community-led action teams. We have renovated facilities at Vestavia
Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights, and we’ve begun new
and exciting construction projects at Thompson-Reynolds
Stadium. We’re reviewing our policies, aligning our middle
schools, and developing system-wide goals to ensure that we
are prepared for continued growth.
We are training our faculty and staff to meet the needs
of every child through a renewed focus on professional
development and a revamped technology conference. We are fighting drug abuse through the implementation
of a community-driven Drug Awareness Team and a
Voluntary Drug Testing Program. We are increasing the
methods by which we communicate with the public so that
everyone can see first-hand the wonderful things happening
here.
Through it all, our students have led through their
example. We’ve seen elementary children give of their talents
to honor our veterans, middle schoolers who have penned
full-length novels in days, and a record number of high
schoolers who are earning some of the nation’s top academic
honors. Our students have raised money for innumerable
causes while simultaneously raising test scores to their highest
levels in years. They motivate all of us in the work we do each
day. They have set a standard of excellence, and in 2015, we
will work to meet that standard in all we do.
– Sheila Phillips, VH School Superintendent
VHPD 2014 Recap
A few other notable occurrences of 2014
As we kick-start the new year, VHPD would like to take this
opportunity to reflect on the past year and simply say “thank
you” to the community for your consistent support. All of us at
VHPD are keenly aware of how fortunate we are to work and
serve in such a wonderful community. Throughout the year,
we routinely receive kind e-mails, letters, treats and other
expressions of thanks. Recently, our bulletin boards were
decorated with Christmas cards and every table was covered
with tasty gifts from caring neighbors. All of these simple
gestures remind each of us why we chose this profession.
In this article, we will try to highlight some of the keynote
occurrences of 2014, as it proved to be an extremely exciting
and progressive year for our Department. We attribute all
of the progress to the great people in this community and
partnerships we share.
One highlight of 2014 included progress on the new City
Hall and Police Department. We conducted numerous site
visits to other police departments and twice as many more
planning sessions with the team at Williams Blackstock
Architects. We were determined to ensure that the new facility
meets the immediate and future needs of our ever-growing
City. We are extremely grateful to the City leaders for their
vision of our City’s future and all of the team at Williams
Blackstock Architects for allowing us an opportunity to have
input in the design.
Most notable for 2014 was the significant reduction
in crime in our City. The 2014 crime statistics were at
the lowest in over a decade. In comparison to 2013, residential burglaries were down 39 percent and theft from vehicles,
32 percent. We are extremely humbled by these results and
pledge to do all we can to ensure they continue to decline. We
can offer no guarantees; however, we do understand that we
absolutely can’t do it without your continued support.
•
Our Special Investigations Unit made 157 felony
narcotics distribution cases and seized in excess of
$80,000 in illegal proceeds.
•
We partnered with Federal law enforcement agencies
and assigned officers to the US Marshals Fugitive Task
Force and the FBI Human Trafficking Task Force. These
partnerships greatly expand our resources and serve as
force multipliers in any critical incident or high profile
investigation.
•
We also entered the second year in our partnership with
the Vestavia Hills Board of Education, whereupon each
of the City’s eight campuses has a sworn police officer
assigned, including two to VHHS.
•
National Night Out, held in October, once again
surpassed all expectations in community support and
continues to grow each year, thanks to our National
Night Committee and local sponsors.
•
The Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club lent their support
to our National Night Out “Project 365” entitled “All
for One” that promotes the safe disposal of unused
prescription medication. They graciously donated
two additional RX dropboxes for neighboring police
departments.
•
•
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and CVS Pharmacy
gave generous grants to our Community Policing Division
in support of the initiative.
A Code Enforcement Officer position was created to
address a variety of City ordinance issues that have a
negative impact on the City.
Our goals for 2015 are fairly simple: continued
planning and preparation for our move into the new facility,
maintaining/lowering the crime rate, listening to the needs
of the community and responding accordingly. Our pledge
and creed is to serve and protect you. All we ask is that you
never hesitate to call us if we can be of service to you.
FEBUARY 2015
3
New Vestavia Belles
Hannah Ayers
Emily Bendall
Madeleine Bishop
Rae Brown
Maron Burris
Millie Cadden
Kendall Calamusa
Jessica Compton
Ally Cross
CC Daniels
Francis Dazzio
Mary Frances
Garner
Julia Giardina
Rachel Glasgow
Carlie Hale
Maddie Hankey
Kacie Hines
Kate Jessup
Sophia Kamburis
Amy Kampworth
Emma Grace
Kerlin
Mary Grace
Lathem
Elizabeth Link
Abby Mashburn
Madison Mildrum
Katie Nash
Emma Palmer
Gracie Powell
Katie Powell
Grace Redden
Ashley Relfe
Zoe Tenner
Stephanie Tunnell
FEBRUARY 2015
4
LIBRARY in the FOREST EVENTS
CHILDREN (April Moon 205-978-0158)
ADULTS (Terri Leslie 205-978-3683)
Tween Scene
Mondays @ 3 pm (grades 2-6)
Lit Lunch Bunch Book Group
February 3 @ 12 p.m. All the Light We Cannot See by
Anthony Doerr; bring your lunch.
Maker Mondays
Mondays @ 6:30 pm. electronics, robotics, fashion design,
animation, weaving, pottery, etc.
Together with Twos
Tuesdays @ 9:30 am & 10:30 am (ages 18 mo. – 35 mo.)
PJ Storytime
Tuesdays @ 6:30 pm (except on Family Nights)
Story Friends
Wednesdays @ 10:30 am (ages 3 & up)
Skit-torytime!
Wednesdays @ 3:30 pm
L.I.F.T. (Library in the Forest Time!)
Thursdays @ 9:30 am playtime with special play
equipment
Book Babies
Thursdays @ 9:30 am (birth-12 mo.); 10:30 a.m.
(13 mo.-18 mo.)
Lego Wars
4th Saturdays @ 11 am (School age, but parents must
remain with those 7 and under.)
Preschool Pals: I Love the Zoo!
February 13 @ 10:30 am; favorite animal tales
(preschoolers)
Family Night with Jr. Madness
February 17 @ 6:30 pm; fun tunes; supper 6 pm; show
6:30 pm (all ages). Register for meal.
TEENS (Daniel Tackett 205-978-3683)
Filmmaking in the Forest
February 4 @ 4:30 pm
Open Gaming
February 6, 13, & 20 @ 4 pm
Sweetheart Cinema
February 10 @ 4 pm. Fandom Tuesday; you decide
which film we should screen.
Writing Group
February 11 & 25 @ 4 pm
Otaku Time!
February 17 @ 4 pm
Studio 1221
February 18 @ 4 pm. Anti-Valentine’s Day; make a
twisted Valentine.
Anime Night
February 24 @ 4 pm
Mario Kart 8 Tournament
February 27 @ 4 p.m.
NeedleWorks
February 6 @ 1 p.m. Bring your supplies.
Cahaba Heights Book Group @ BAM Sports Grill
February 12 @ 6:30 p.m. Station Eleven by Emily St. John
Mandel.
OLLI Bonus Program: Beer, Chemistry & the Art of
Zymurgy
February 12 @ 1:30 p.m. Dr. Tracy Hamilton, UAB Assoc.
Professor of Chemistry, will discuss his passion for beer &
fermentation—zymurgy.
Adult Trivia Night: Lord of the Rings
February 13 @ 7 p.m. Beer served; prizes for trivia &
costumes. Must be 21 or older; no charge.
Coen Brothers Movie Series: Fargo
February 14 @ 3 p.m. Must be 17 or older; ID required.
Friends of the Library: Local Author Event
February 26 @ 10 a.m. Rebecca Walden: Images of
America-Vestavia Hills; book sale & signing
TECHNOLOGY CLASSES
Call Rick Moody (205-978-0164) for more information.
For a complete list of Library programming,
please visit www.vestavialibrary.org
Dinner & Diamonds
February 28 • Regions Field
Benefitting the Schools Foundation
Live Music • Food • Auction
Tickets $80 • 205.978.8808
Roofing & Painting Contractor
Oswaldo Sialer
Specializing in Residential Quality Work
State Licensed & Insured
Work (205) 966-0393 • Home (205) 989-9317
oswaldosialer@bellsouth.net
Visa, MasterCard, American Express & Discover Accepted
FEBUARY 2015
5
VHHS Adds 12 Business Ed and Arts Electives
Students who began planning their fall schedules last month at Vestavia Hills
High School had more than a dozen new electives to choose from.
Students can now enroll in four new courses in the Career & Technical
Education Department and 12 new courses in the Arts Department. Courses will
be taught in the 2015-2016 school year.
The new Career & Technical Education courses will provide students with
instruction in software development, Java programming, college accounting,
and management principles. The classes are targeted toward students who plan
to pursue degrees in business, accounting, computer science, and technology,
according to Career & Technical Education Department Chair Deana Goodwine.
To get the word out about the new course offerings, the department hosted an
“open house” in January at VHHS. “This is an opportunity for students to find a
place of belonging here and get the edge on some of the most highly-demanded
college degrees,” Goodwine said.
The new career and technical offerings join with the Arts Department, which
recently received approval of a dozen new courses in visual and performing arts.
VHHS arts teachers led design and creation of the new classes, some of which
carry unique titles like “The Perfect Portrait” and “Let’s Get Crafty.” The idea,
according to Arts Department Chair Faith Lenhart, is to teach art concepts in a
more practical setting.
“We think these classes will appeal to a lot of kids,” Lenhart said. “They’ll
make projects like you see on Pinterest and teach art fundamentals and creative
problem solving at the same time.”
Lenhart, who works directly with performing arts students, said elective classes
like the new ones being offered this fall provide students with incentive to attend
school every day.
“Attendance in my classes is almost always 100 percent,” she said. “These
courses give them something to hold onto and be a part of. It gives them a sense
of ownership and pride in what they do.”
Manager’s Report continued from page 1
f. Complete construction of Grand Lawn at the new
City Hall
g. Continue median beautification along Hwy 31
h. Reconstruct select ball field playing surfaces and
implement turf grass/infield management program
with private contractor
i. Continue planning effort for Wald Park and
recreational center
2. Sidewalk and Infrastructure Program
a. Complete 13-mile residential paving program
throughout Vestavia Hills
b. Develop specifications for internally managed and
executed sidewalk construction program
c. Complete Library parking lot expansion
d. Complete engineering and design and begin some
construction efforts on major, multi-jurisdictional
roadway improvements, including Rocky Ridge
Road, Massey Road, Highway 31, Tyler/Columbiana Road
3. Economic Development
a. Begin construction of new 34,000 sq. ft. Sprouts
anchored retail center
b. Begin construction of new Chick-fil-A along
Highway 31
c. Complete construction of Cahaba Heights Zaxby’s
d. Begin building program at Patchwork Farms that
will include $100 million construction during 2015
e. Begin construction of new retail and office development in Cahaba Heights along Dolly Ridge Road
f. Continue planning of the next phase of development at Liberty Park
g. Complete construction of new America’s First
Credit Union building along Highway 31
h. Continue implementation of City branding effort
i. Completion of Cahaba Heights Winn Dixie
renovation
4. General Governmental Improvements
a. Complete the new City Hall
b. Implement and complete a new City website with
improved online services
c. Continue growth of social media effort as a means
of increasing resident communication
– Jeff Downes
FEBRUARY 2015
6
Around Campus...
PMS Creative Writing Students Rise to National Novel Writing Month Challenge
The idea of writing a novel of at least 10,000 words in
one month would be a daunting challenge for most anyone.
But just before the holidays, students in Stratton Brock’s creative writing class at Louis Pizitz Middle School did just that.
When the word counts were tallied at the end of the
month, three students had each written more than 50,000
words. Two of those students wrote more than 125,000
words. By comparison, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit checks in
at 95,000 words.
The challenge was all part of National Novel Writing
Month, or “NaNoWriMo,” a nationwide competition that
challenges adults and children to write the great American
novel during the month of November.
“The majority of students who compete in the competition
are in high school, so it’s unique to see the participation
of my middle school creative writing students,” Brock said.
“Most adults can’t even do this.”
Brock said he encouraged his students to turn off their
“internal editor,” a common obstacle that stops many writers
from putting words on a page. “I tell them to give in to their
writing, and for most of them, that’s a ‘zen’ moment where
their output suddenly rises. As they write, quality stories
emerge,” he said.
Those quality stories that students penned during
NaNoWriMo can even be published through a special
agreement with Amazon, Brock said. Some of his students
are editing their stories right now to prepare them for submission.
“These students are fiercely motivated,” Brock said. “Now,
when I give them a writing assignment, they’ll write twice as
much as I ask of them. These kids are really good.”
VHEW 2nd Graders Celebrate Ancestry with Music
Second graders at Vestavia Hills Elementary West celebrated immigration from
the countries of their ancestors with a musical performance entitled “I am Proud
to be an American.” On Nov. 6 and 7, 2014, second-grade classes treated
classmates as well as family members to such musical selections as “You’re A
Grand Old Flag,” “I am Thankful to be an American,” and “Blue, White and
Red,” under the direction of West’s music teacher, Trudye Confessore.
The children sang of making a new home in America, and also honored our
veterans and our flag with moving tributes to both. During each performance,
veterans in attendance were asked to stand and be recognized in appreciation
of their service for our country. The students also incorporated
hand chimes, Orff barred instruments, sign language, as well
as dance movements.
Prior to the performances, the students researched their
ancestry, determining the countries from which their ancestors
immigrated. They selected a country and
crafted costumes for
the musical performances based on the
clothing their relatives
may have worn when
coming to America.
7
VHEC Art Students Publish to Artsonia
Students in Susie Caffey’s Art classes at VHEC juxtapose
technology and art by participating in Artsonia, the world’s
largest online kid’s art museum. Students develop a sense
of pride and accomplishment when they upload and see
their masterpieces published. Artsonia is a free education
tool offered to schools, families & communities worldwide to help promote creativity amongst young artists! Family and
friends view the artwork, join fan clubs and leave personal
comments for the artists. They can also purchase personalized items with a portion of the the proceeds going back
into the art classroom. Students pictured here with Ms. Caffey are in Mrs. Bindi
Visram’s class.
VHEW 3rd Graders Kick-Off Holidays with Music Performance
Festive music of the season filled the gym at
Vestavia Hills Elementary West on Dec. 11 and 12,
2014, as the third grade classes treated family,
friends, and fellow students to their holiday musical,
entitled “Celebrating Traditions Old and New.” Under
the direction of West’s music teacher, Trudye Confessore, the students entertained their audiences with
traditional carols as well as songs about Hanukkah
and Kwanzaa.
They sang lyrics in four different languages and
also in a wide range of musical styles, including spirituals, rounds, and partner songs. Some classes used
instruments to accompany their songs while others
featured dance styles from the ‘50s and ‘70s. Students also brought technology into the picture as they
sang “I’m Gonna Email Santa!”
At the program’s end, the third graders shared
their wish for peace with the beautiful “Dona Nobis
Pacem,” then sang their hopes that everyone would
enjoy a “Holly Jolly Christmas!”
FEBUARY 2015
FEBRUARY 2015
8
Vestavia Hills
C OMMUNITY N EWS
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PERMIT #585
City of Vestavia Hills
513 Montgomery Highway
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Unity Prosperity Family
•
•
John Henley, Agent
COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
February 2015
February 9
Senior Citizens Luncheon
Dogwood Room, 11:30 a.m.
City Council meeting, 5 p.m.
February 10
Chamber Luncheon
Vestavia Country Club,
11:30 a.m. Reservations required
February 12
Planning & Zoning Commission,
6 p.m.
February 19
Board of Zoning Adjustment,
6 p.m.
February 23
City Council meeting, 5 p.m.
February 26
Friends of the Library, 10 a.m.
February 28
Dinner & Diamonds, Regions Field
Order tickets - 205.978.8808
Schools Foundation Seeking
Applicants for Board of Directors
The Vestavia Hills City Schools
Foundation is seeking outstanding
community volunteers and leaders to
serve on its board of directors. This
leadership group is a working board
that exists to provide ongoing financial support to each Vestavia Hills
school through the Foundation’s endowment and to
protect and foster a standard of academic excellence
in our school system.
Board members serve a three-year term as active
ambassadors, fundraisers and leaders for the Foundation.
Applications will be available on the Foundation’s
website: www.vestaviafoundation.org. If you are interested in applying for the board and have questions,
please contact Ashley Thompson, the Foundation’s
executive director: director@vestaviafoundation.org
or call 978-8808.
Applications are due to the Foundation office by
March 2, 2015.