COMMUNITY NEWS OF VESTAVIA HILLS

DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
OF VESTAVIA HILLS
COMMUNITY NEWS
A LIFE ABOVE
A joint publication of the City of Vestavia Hills, Vestavia Hills City Schools and Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
As we close the year and look forward
to a bright 2016, I want to emphasize a topic
that is crucial to the well-being of our community—the Vestavia Hills City employees. I
regularly refer to the City employees as “the
City’s greatest assets” in providing a quality
of life that we can call “A Life Above.” Oftentimes, public employees get a bad rap. Our
employees distance themselves from that stereotype. In a career
that has spanned 28 years, I can say that Vestavia Hills has the
most professional and knowledgeable group of City employees
that I have ever seen. The characteristic that stands out the most
is that they care.
They are focused on providing services that are second to
none. This was evident as we adjusted our organization to respond to property complaints in a more efficient manner. The
result has been an increase in the number of complaints worked
in an annual period from 52 to 460. Formerly, each of them
was resolved in 34 days and today each one is resolved in an average of seven days. Our City has a nicer appearance, thanks to
the employees involved in that effort. During the last year, our
Public Services employees adjusted the way they respond to road
complaints by working in zones. As a result, we handle pothole
issues on average within five days. All of these actions are the
result of employees attempting to respond in a more efficient
manner. You can see this throughout the City—not just in these
instances. Our employees’ caring nature even extends beyond
their work-related tasks.
For the past several years, our employees have given their
resources to support the Birmingham Area United Way in an
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Vestavia Hills is a unique community that is a wonderful place to live, shop,
work and play—“A Life Above.” We are a
progressive city that captures southern hospitality in many ways. We have an eclectic
mix of shopping choices, which includes
the Vestavia Hills City Center—big-name
retailers and specialty shops offering both value and style.
We are excited about what is going on at the City Center.
The growth of that area includes approximately 49,000 square
extraordinary way. Their efforts placed them at the top of the
municipal-giving list when adjusted for the size of our organization. During the most recent series of employee meetings, once
again they showed their giving spirit by agreeing to participate in
the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Program of Greater Birmingham.
We have 25 employees who have volunteered to serve as a mentor for a needy young person in our larger community. What a
message that sends about Vestavia Hills!
My commitment is to continue to support the efforts of
these employees as they strive to provide you, the resident, the
best service they possibly can. When you recognize our employees furthering a noteworthy characteristic, please tell them thanks.
I am proud of them and hope you will be too. Best wishes to you
and your families for a most wonderful Holiday Season.
– Jeff Downes
feet of new leases in the last 12-15 months. At the present
time, the Publix complex and the center phase are 90 percent occupied and the Stein Mart area 94 percent. There are
several prospective leases that should be finalized in the near
future.
Now that the Holiday Season is upon us, we hope you
will shop in Vestavia Hills and then relax while eating at one
of our fine restaurants.
May you and your family have a joyous and safe Christmas and a happy, healthy, and rewarding new year.
– Mayor Alberto C. “Butch” Zaragoza, Jr.
DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
2
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
As we embark on the second semester of the 2015-16 school year, I reflect
on the many accomplishments of our
schools. I think of the new and innovative
opportunities we’ve added such as MakerSpaces, Genius Hour, and Programming
and Robotics. I think of curriculum and
instruction achievements such as the Seal of Biliteracy and
staff training from national teaching experts. I think of our
faculty learning from each other through instructional rounds,
a new academics blog, and professional learning events such
as vXchange15. I think of the many ways we’re engaging our
public through parent awareness meetings, student-led community service, and a redesigned district website.
I think of amazing educators like Jennifer Brown, Alabama Teacher of the Year; Jamie Kolb, Alabama Elementary
Art Teacher of the Year; Joy Bragan, Alabama Middle School
Physical Education Teacher of the Year; Lisa Garrison, who
led us in becoming Alabama’s first school district to offer our
students the Seal of Biliteracy; Pam Hickman, who is sponsoring our first VHHS Robotics Team; and Marla Hines, who
was honored by the White House with the Presidential Award
for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. I am
reminded of the leadership of our students who donated more
than 26,000 cans of food to stock local shelters, raised money
to fulfill holiday wish lists for patients at Children’s Hospital,
and worked selflessly and tirelessly during the city’s inaugural
Helping Hands Day.
We have much to be thankful for in Vestavia Hills, and
we have much to look forward to in 2016. Our work in the
new year will continue to reflect our mission: to ensure that
each student learns without limits by pursuing knowledge and
igniting curiosity about the world.
– Dr. Sheila Phillips, VH School Superintendent
Relay Places 2nd in U.S.
Vestavia Hills High School’s Relay for Life was recognized
in November for raising the most money of any Relay in the
Mid-South Division. For their efforts, the American Cancer
Society honored VHHS Relay for Life in November as an
Ambassador of Hope Top Event and the No. 2 youth event in
the nation. VHHS raised more than $260,000 at its last Relay in
April 2015.
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Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Foundation
Seeking Executive Director
The Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Foundation is seeking applicants for a part-time executive director who works in partnership with the Board of Directors to provide leadership, vision and direction for the organization. The director will also
work to develop organizational strategy and lead fund-raising efforts for the Foundation.
Founded in 1997, the VHLF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advocacy and leadership to promote the
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest as a vibrant, indispensable community center that enriches the lives of citizens in all seasons
of life. Additionally, it seeks public and private partnerships to sustain a perpetual endowment that complements, but does not
supplant, the City’s funding of library operations. Endowment funds support long-term growth, address emerging community
needs/trends and enhance lifelong learning through diverse programming.
For a full job description, visit: http://vestavialibrary.org/about/employment-at-the-library/.
Applications should be submitted by Dec. 30, 2015 via e-mail to VHLF2015ED@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
3
Calendar of Events
Tree Lighting Festival
December 1
Vestavia Hills City Hall, 6:00 pm
1032 Montgomery Highway
Bring the whole family to see the lighting of
the city’s Christmas tree and enjoy
performances by Vestavia Hills City Schools
choirs and dancers, and give-aways and
activities from our merchants.
Visit with Santa and play in the snow!
Breakfast with Santa
December 12
Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 7:30-10:00 am
1975 Merryvale Road
Join us for a pancake breakfast
and a visit with Santa.
$1 Suggested Donation
Alabama Real Estate Investors Association
Alliance Publishing Group-Vestavia Hills Living
America’s First Federal Credit Union
Annabelle’s/Vestavia Apothecary
Artists Incorporated Gallery
Ascend Web Development
BB&T
Birmingham School of Music
Bradford Health Services
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Butler Snow
Cahaba Fitness
Cellular Sales of Verizon Wireless
Collage Designer Consignment
CORE, A Pilates & Cycling Studio
First Partners Bank
Vestavia Hills Christmas Parade
& Celebration
December 13
Liberty Park Sports Complex
to Alston Meadows, 2:00-4:00 pm
Enjoy the city’s official parade followed by the
Liberty Park Christmas Celebration with
children’s activities, refreshments, music,
pictures with Santa and more!
Visit www.vestaviahills.org for
an extended list of events
Presented by the City of Vestavia Hills &
the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce
Gold’s Gym
Jackson, Howard & Whatley, CPAs
Jimmie Hale Mission
John Henley State Farm Insurance
Liberty Park Joint Venture
Mary Kay Cosmetics-Susie Serio
Oliver Square
OnTime Service
Regions Bank
Snapper Grabbers
Spectrum Reach
Stein Mart
Stephanie Steinmetz Pediatric Dentistry
Summit Express Urgent Care
Vestavia Voice
Xceligent
DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
4
VHECH Holds SOCKtober
Save the Date
Vestavia Hills Elementary
Cahaba Heights held its first annual
SOCKtober sock drive in October.
The school collected a total of 961
pairs of socks! The socks will be
donated to First Light, a homeless
shelter in downtown Birmingham.
Pictured are fifth grade members of the
Serve Team showing just a few of the
children’s and adults socks that were so
generously donated.
Region’s Field
7:00–11:00 p.m.
Music by:
Fountain City Players
Tickets on Sale:
January 4, 2016
Sponsorship Opportunities:
www.vestaviafoundation.org
Teaching Service at VHEW
Students and faculty at Vestavia Hills Elementary West
are reaching out to those in need during the holiday season
through several service projects coordinated by school
counselor Dawn Norris. During the week of November 16,
students collected canned food and other non-perishable food
items to benefit local families in need. In 2014, Students collected more than 3,700 items.
In December, West’s annual Book and Toy Tree project
will encourage students and their families to donate books,
toys, and money to make sure each child in need has a Christmas filled with joy.
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DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
5
LIBRARY IN THE FOREST EVENTS
CHILDREN (April Moon 978-0158)
TEENS (Daniel Tackett 978-2160)
Maker Mondays – Mondays @ 6:30 pm; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Together With Twos Storytime – Dec. 1, 8, 15; every Tuesday in
Jan. @ 9:30 am & 10:30 am; ages 35 mo. and under
Knight School Chess Tournament – Dec. 1, Jan 5 @ 5:30 pm;
grades K-9
Family Storytime – Dec. 1, 8; Jan. 5, 12, 26 @ 6:30 pm
Story Friends – Dec. 2, 9, 16; every Wed. in Jan. @ 10:30 am
Book Babies – Dec. 3; Jan. 7, 21, 28 @ 10:30 am; registration
required.
L.I.F.T. (Library Time in the Forest) – Dec. 3, 17; Jan. 7, 21, 28
@ 9:30 am
WHY? – Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18; Wed. & Fri. in Jan. @ 3:30 pm;
school age welcome.
Lego Wars – Every 4th Saturday @ 11 am; grades K-6
Preschool Pals: DIY Gifts – Dec. 10 @ 10:30 am; ages 5 and
under
Family Night with Santa Land – Dec. 15 @ 6 pm; call to register
for dinner. Everyone welcome!
Special L.I.F.T. Program with Fiddlesticks Music – Dec. 17
@ 10 am; preschoolers
Preschool Pals: Inside Out Fun – Jan. 14 @ 10:30 am;
ages 5 and under
Family Night with Puppeteer David Stephens – Jan. 19
@ 6 pm; register for dinner. Everyone welcome!
Teen Art Group – Dec. 2, Jan. 6 @ 4 pm
Open Gaming – Dec. 4, 11, Jan. 8, 15, 22 @ 4 pm
Star Wars Fandom Night – Dec. 8 @ 4 pm
Writing Group – Dec. 9, 23, Jan. 13, 27 @ 4 pm
Extended Library Hours – Dec. 14 – 16; open until 9 pm
Exam Study Breaks – Dec. 14 – 16 @ 3, 5 & 7 pm
Towerfall Ascension Tournament – Dec. 18 @ 4 pm
Otaku Time! – Dec. 22, Jan. 19 @ 4:30 pm
Anime Night – Dec. 29, Jan. 26 @ 4 pm
Merlin Fandom Night – Jan. 12 @ 4 pm
Studio 1221 – Cookie Wars; Jan. 20 @ 4 pm
Super Smash Bros. Tournament – Jan. 29 @ 4 pm
ADULT SERVICES (Terri Leslie 978-4674)
OLLI Bonus Program & Social: Chemistry and Coffee –
Dec. 3 @ 1:30 pm
Friends of the Library Annual Holiday Luncheon –
Dec. 18 @ 11 am
TECHNOLOGY (Rick Moody 978-0164)
Visit www.VestaviaLibrary.org
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Around Campus...
6
“We’re thrilled
with the turnout and
the opportunity to say
‘thanks’ to our wonderful veterans,” LPMS
principal Kacy Pierce
said. “We’re always
looking for ways to bring people into our school to share the
great things our students and teachers do every day. I’m so
grateful that we could open our school to the veterans and
serve them after all they’ve done to serve us.”
VHEC 5th Graders Travel to Environmental Camp
LPMS Honors Veterans at Luncheon
Liberty Park Middle School held a special luncheon in November to thank some local American heroes.
More than two dozen veterans of the armed forces attended the
school’s Veterans Day luncheon on Nov. 6. The event, organized by teachers Kirk Spence and Courtney Burger, gave LPMS
students an opportunity to express their appreciation and spend
some time with relatives and family friends who served. Amy
Long and the school’s nutrition staff prepared a special meal for
the honored guests.
As an annual tradition, 5th Grade students from Vestavia
Hills Elementary Central recently visited Camp McDowell
Environmental Camp in Nauvoo, Alabama. Campers learned
curriculum aligned with Alabama State Department of Education learning standards. Science classes were held in indoor
and outdoor classrooms including standing in a cool, running
stream while students learned about the creatures that live
there. They were able to see and feel exactly what they were
being taught, all at the same time. The McDowell Environmental Center is a non-profit, educational organization which
provides one to five day outdoor learning experiences for
school groups. Their mission is to connect people to their
environment, teach respect for the Earth and its beings,and to
promote a commitment to lifelong learning. 5th grade teacher
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DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
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Shannon Fulton
was the lead
faculty organizer along with
Lorie Belski
and Heather
Hurt. VHEC
PTO volunteers
Barbara Bevill
and Jennifer
Cox were instrumental in organizing the event as well. Pictured here with VHEC students are 5th Grade teachers Betsy Darnall, Trisha D’Anna and Billie Jean Price with David “Big
Dave” Hollaway, McDowell Environmental Center’s Senior Naturalist. VHEE Teaches Students About Engineering
Kindergartners at Vestavia Hills Elementary East are getting
a glimpse of what a career in engineering is like, and they like
what they see. Jane Kemp, who serves as Instructional Technology Specialist at the school, has worked with colleagues to
develop a unit of study entitled “Introduction to Engineering.”
“We teach them that engineers apply knowledge to make life
easier for others, which is basically what technology is,” Kemp
explained.
The unit of study is divided into three lessons. The first
lesson focuses on the basics of engineering, explaining some of
CIVIC CENTER MEMBERSHIP
Membership includes use of the gym, showers, track,
and game tables.
Must renew residency information annually from date
of acquisition. Badge may be kept perpetually as long
as member maintains residency.
• Must show badge and sign in; lost badges may be
replaced for $5.
• Non-resident fee is $5/day and he/she must be
accompanied by a resident member. No more than
two non-residents/guests per member.
• No charge for Vestavia Hills residents; must provide
two proof of residency documents:
· Driver license or government issued photo ID
(required)
· Current and valid lease
· Current mortgage statement
· Current property tax notice
· Current utility bill
· Current voter registration from Jefferson County
Board of Registrars
· Current vehicle registration
the key functions of this profession. The second focuses on
how important the development
and use of the five senses is
for engineers. During the third
lesson, children get to put some
engineering design skills to use.
“I encourage the kids to
start observing different types
of chairs, focusing on how they
are put together,” Kemp said.
“For the last lesson they have
to use materials I give them, just paper and tape, to design a
chair to support Mrs. Potatohead. The critical thinking the kids
demonstrate is unbelievable.”
Throughout the unit, the children are led in conversation
and given a chance to share observations and design strategies,
as well as to ask questions about the engineering profession.
“All of my students were engaged and participated in all
parts of the lesson,” kindergarten teacher Blair Dorman said.
“Ms. Kemp was able to guide the students until they were asking
her some great questions.”
Principal Mark Richardson said that these were the kinds of
experiences that children remember at school.
“When kids are given experiences that involve intellectual
challenges, they learn to love school, and they begin to develop
specific career interests.”
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Call (205) 323-5878 • PO Box 10472 • Birmingham, AL 35202
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PERMIT #585
City of Vestavia Hills
513 Montgomery Highway
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
John Henley, Agent
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
DECEMBER 2015 | JANUARY 2016
December 1
Tree Lighting, Vestavia Hills City Hall,
1032 Montgomery Highway, 6 p.m.
December 8 Chamber Luncheon,
Vestavia Country Club, 11:30 a.m.
December 10
December 28
City Council, 5 p.m.
December 31
New Year’s Eve – City Hall closed
January 1
New Year’s Day – City Hall closed
Planning & Zoning Commission, 6 p.m.
January 11
Senior Citizens Luncheon
Dogwood Room, 11:30 a.m.
December 12
Breakfast with Santa
Dogwood Room, 7:30 - 10 a.m.
City Council meeting, 5 p.m.
December 13
Christmas Parade and Celebration,
Liberty Park, 2 - 4 p.m.
January 12 Chamber Luncheon,
Vestavia Country Club, 11:30 a.m.
December 14
Senior Citizen Luncheon
Dogwood Room, 11:30 a.m.
January 14
Planning & Zoning Commission, 6 p.m.
January 18
MLK Day – City Hall closed
City Council, 5 p.m.
January 19
Parks & Recreation Board, 7 a.m.
December 17
Board of Zoning Adjustment, 6 p.m.
January 25
Historical Society, 2 p.m.
December 18
Friends of the Library, 10 a.m.
City Council meeting, 5 p.m.
January 28
Friends of the Library, 10 a.m.
December 24, 25 Christmas Holidays – City Hall closed