The Winn-Dixie in Cahaba Heights is slated to close In a statement given to Bham Now from Southeastern Grocers the Vestavia Hills store located at 3925 Crosshaven was listed as one of the four locations statewide that will be shuttered between late April and mid-May The four stores are not part of the Winn-Dixie-ALDI conversion plans The other three locations are in Mobile and Phenix City “…These closures are anticipated between late April and mid-May While this is not a part of ALDI’s conversion plans or the beginning of a larger trend of store closures the decision aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our business.  We recognize the impact this decision has on our associates and we are fully committed to supporting them through this transition All affected associates who are eligible and wish to continue their careers with us will be given the opportunity to apply to transfer to open positions at neighboring stores Those who do not elect to transfer to another Winn-Dixie location will receive severance as they transition from the company Our focus remains on ensuring the long-term success of our business and continuing to provide the high level of quality and service our customers expect and deserve We will work through this process with care and we are grateful for the support and understanding of our valued associates Senior Director of Communications & Community at Southeastern Grocers In 2023, popular German multinational family-owned discount supermarket chain ALDI acquired roughly 400 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket locations across the Southeast from Southeastern Grocers Three local Winn Dixie stores in Pinson Bessemer and Chelsea have either been converted or are in the process of becoming ALDI stores With the closing of the Cahaba Heights location only four Winn Dixie locations remain open in the  Birmingham-Metro area Are you going to miss the Cahaba Heights Winn-Dixie? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment on social media at @bhamnow Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards All content on this site is Copyright ©  Rushing Waters Media LLC/Bham Now 2016-2025 Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person — Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights is celebrating a century of educational excellence marking its 100th anniversary with a community celebration this week who taught at the school from 1971 to 1994 expressed her pride in the school's history "It's just really exciting," Brackett said recalled the school's role as a beacon for educational progress "We worked to address new learning disabilities and so we had a unit here that was one of the first three in the county," she said Current principal Kim Polson emphasized the long standing community involvement and teacher support seen over the years "One thing that's stayed the same is the community involvement originally part of the Jefferson County school district was long believed to have opened in the 1930s recent research by the Cahaba Heights community revealed that the original facility opened in 1924 "This centennial celebration represents a remarkable achievement for our school community," Polson said our school has been part of the fabric of Cahaba Heights and we’re excited to share this momentous occasion with the entire community." The school opened a Living History Museum that featured timelines from students as well as historical artifacts from alumni and the community Current students ended the celebration by burying a time capsule for the next generation to find A new restaurant and bar is coming soon to Vestavia Bham Now met with Chefs Jessica Armstrong and James Bennett to learn more about Miss Astrid’s Tavern an exciting new addition to Cahaba Heights A veteran of the local culinary scene with years of experience at Greystone, Vestavia and Anniston Country Clubs, Chef Jessica Armstrong has had her eyes on the former Fig Tree Café space for nearly a decade Chef Armstrong began gathering partners to help bring her dream to life One of those partners is Chef James Bennett who worked alongside local chef Haller McGee helped open The Fennec and worked at the Birmingham Country Club “With our shared background in the country club environment Chef Bennett and I want to give our guests the country club experience—without having to pay the dues Chefs Armstrong and Bennett are working with Denise Boley (owner of the neighboring Resultz Day Spa) and her business partner the name Miss Astrid’s Tavern pays homage to Richard’s mother “Miss Astrid was one of my favorite clients She was nurturing and no-nonsense—and who could forget her beautiful British accent we wanted to do something to honor her and who she was.” When Denise suggested naming their beer garden/tavern after Miss Astrid Miss Astrid’s Tavern is a hidden gem in Cahaba Heights The space offers both indoor and outdoor dining and the walls are adorned with pieces from local artists Miss Astrid’s Tavern will be open for lunch Tuesday through Friday with Brunch offered on Saturday and Sunday Dinner service will be available Wednesday through Saturday “I’ll be heading up Miss Astrid’s lunch and brunch menus with signature dishes I’ve been cultivating during my career One highlight of the dinner menu for Miss Astrid’s Tavern is a crispy skin-on halibut with Algerian harissa sauce Miss Astrid’s Tavern will include a bar with a full drinks menu designed by a talented local mixologist Miss Astrid’s Tavern will offer specialty cocktails designed to pair with each dish and garnished with herbs from its onsite garden The Miss Astrid’s Tavern teams plans to add a beer garden in the back in the near future the team is putting the finishing touches on the restaurant and plans to open Miss Astrid’s Tavern within the next three to four weeks “We’re all extremely excited to be coming to the scene and highlighting the culinary skills that our team has to offer We invite everyone to come experience Miss Astrid’s Tavern!” Excited to visit Miss Astrid’s Tavern? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know Cahaba Dermatology officially held its grand opening in Cahaba Heights on November 7 Keep reading to get the inside scoop on all the exciting things the new location offers Cahaba Dermatology & Skin Health Center proudly opened the brand-new Cahaba Heights location with one thing in mind: prioritizing skin health This expansion brings the local community a comprehensive range of dermatology and spa services offering the same expert care and dedication that patients in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa have trusted for years I can’t tell you how excited I was to stop by the new Cahaba Dermatology location in Cahaba Heights The practice is just minutes from my house and offers all my favorite skincare products and services The trusted professionals at Cahaba Dermatology’s Hoover location are the same ones you’ll see on your visit to the new location in Cahaba Heights They offer a wide range of services suited to your unique skin needs Check out the full list of what’s offered below: I know how to spot a good skincare product when I see one Cahaba Dermatology’s new location has a huge selection of skincare lines to choose from aestheticians and massage therapists have outdone themselves Whether you’re stopping by for a treatment or picking up a product to-go Book your first appointment at Cahaba Dermatology in Cahaba Heights today it’s a great time to show some support for our city’s local businesses From an exciting new grocery store coming to Hoover to a locally-owned beer garden coming to Cahaba Heights check out what’s new and coming soon to The Magic City join us in saying goodbye to two businesses we’re sad to see go Dave’s Hot Chicken, one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America with a cult-like following Known for its take on Nashville-style Hot Chicken Dave’s has a short and sweet menu of chicken dishes with heat levels ranging from “No Spice” to the eyewatering “Reaper.” Located at the Vestavia City Center, it is the popular hot-chicken joint’s first location in Alabama Last Friday, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato announced that there will be a new Trader Joe’s location coming soon to the area The popular grocery store will be located in the former Bed Bath & Beyond on Montgomery Highway and Lorna Road The new store will be the Birmingham area’s second Trader Joe’s it might be time for a closet clean-out before the holidays A new Goodwill donation center and store is opening tomorrow A new restaurant and bar is coming soon to Cahaba Heights Miss Astrid’s Tavern, the brainchild of local culinary veteran Jessica Armstrong, will be a place to eat, drink and gather—”the country club experience, without having to pay the dues,” says Armstrong a cozy little tavern on Cahaba Heights Road Miss Astrid’s Tavern will be open for lunch Tuesday through Friday A new contrast therapy studio called SWTHZ It’s a unique combination of infrared saunas and cold plunge tubs where guests can relax Moving between a high-heat sauna to a cold plunge can improve circulation boost metabolism and even boost energy and mood It also features a Vitamin C-infused shower Five Points’ longtime music venue and bar Zydeco has closed after 35 years. The closure, according to a recent Instagram post by Zydeco is due to increased costs and upkeep on the 115-year-old Phoenix Club Building where the bar was located The bar is actively seeking a new home to relocate. In the meantime, it’s goodbye for now for one of our city’s most iconic venues Hillside Music & Que on Highway 31 in Vestavia Hills has closed According to the Vestavia Voice the eatery also provided a local venue for live music shuttered in late October Owner Skip Davis told the publication that the current economic climate made it difficult to run a family business Which business are you most excited to see in Birmingham the Cahaba Valley Fire Department responded to reports of a possible apartment fire in the 2000 block of Cahaba Forest Cove at The Trails at Cahaba River also known as the Inkwell on Grandview Apartments firefighters discovered smoke emanating from a breezeway Three apartment units sustained significant damage while three others suffered smoke and water damage The fire was brought under control after 30 minutes Crews remained on scene for nearly two extra hours to ensure complete extinguishment and assess any remaining dangers Several pets were evacuated from the affected units The cause of the fire is currently under investigation A large tree fell on a moving car during Sunday night's storm in the Cahaba Heights neighborhood It's loud noise brought neighbors out of their homes The front of the SUV was crushed and the back passenger door left jammed open Neighbors checked on the family in the car and even took them into their home for shelter Stephanie Ginsburg saw the occupants of the car and told us: "there were two adults in the car with a baby and a dog." SEE ALSO: Birmingham faces deadliest month since 2018 SEE ALSO: Negotiations underway regarding status of property where mass shooting happened "they were in my neighbors house they were okay they weren't hurt but I'm sure they were super shook up." a path has been cut so one side of the road is open allowing traffic through But some driveways are still blocked by debris or the downed power lines along a large section of the drive "I can't get in and out of my driveway and garage because the powerline is still covering.. it but I'll take that over the house or a human being getting hurt." Taking care of your skin is a lifelong journey That’s why I’m so thankful to have trusted dermatology offices in Birmingham The skin experts at Cahaba Dermatology continue to make quality skin care available to people across Birmingham and beyond Keep reading to learn more about the practice and explore its expansion into Cahaba Heights and Tuscaloosa the first Cahaba Dermatology opened in Hoover back in 2012 this location has been home to skin enthusiasts across Birmingham you’ll want to check out Cahaba Dermatology’s new Cahaba Heights location The space had its grand opening this year and is already making a huge impression on skincare-lovers like myself Self care is not only important to me while I’m in town—it’s a must while I’m away from home as well Cahaba Dermatology’s Tuscaloosa location helps me get my glow on before a big football game Professional treatments are one of the quickest and most effective ways to get your skin in tip-top shape Cahaba Dermatology offers a wide variety of services fit for all skin types Cahaba Derm has you covered for all your quality You can choose from some of my favorite brands like: Cahaba Derm has served Central Alabama and their skincare needs Dedicated to helping patients look and feel their best with expert treatments and personalized care there’s a reason this local company remains a premier destination for skincare Stop by any Cahaba Dermatology location to achieve happy Four Alabama Winn-Dixie stores are slated to close between late April and mid-May the company plans to shutter the following stores: The four stores are not part of the Winn-Dixie -ALDI conversion plans eight Winn Dixie locations statewide have been converted Below is the company’s statement about the closures  In 2023, popular German multinational family-owned discount supermarket chain ALDI acquired roughly 400 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket locations across the Southeast from Southeastern Grocers Want more like this in your inbox? 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All content on this site is Copyright ©  Rushing Waters Media LLC/The Bama Buzz 2020-2025 Privacy Policy StyleBlueprint Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Highway 280 is Cahaba Heights a charming haven for shopping and dining in Vestavia Hills Create your free profile or log in to save this article was a rowdy hotbed for moonshine production and bootlegging Cahaba Heights is enjoying some time in the sun as a bustling retail and dining destination Whether you’re looking for an upscale night out These are a few of our favorite spots — keep this list handy for exploring one of Vestavia Hills’ most charming neighborhoods from blistered shishitos to crispy fried catfish George credits the many local farmers who supply his ingredients Take your sweetheart to this beloved spot on Wednesdays when they have half-off select bottles of wine End your night on the shortbread crumb and toasted meringue Old World flavors marry with modern sensibilities at Satterfield’s this elegant space opened its doors in 2005 and has attracted locals looking for a fine-dining experience ever since Satterfield’s is the ideal setting for first dates and celebratory anniversaries Make sure to ask the knowledgeable staff for a drink recommendation If you want to go where the locals hang out, take your date to The Olive Branch The family-owned restaurant is bursting with charm and rarely empty You can thank Rana Shunnarah and her family for the restaurant’s authentic Mediterranean menu which features all the cultural classics like gyros Naimeh’s grandson, Alex Shunnarah, says being in Cahaba Heights has only strengthened the restaurant’s authentic feel. “Most of the menu is family recipes,” he offers. Arrive early and settle in for a leisurely dining experience, and don’t forget to order the sampler platter, which you can enjoy on the patio if the weather permits Craving a sweet or savory biscuit? Biscuit Love has you covered Enjoy a delicious and unique menu of biscuit dishes and more breakfast favorites like tart cherry oatmeal Specializing in some of the best Southern cuisine around, the Fig Tree is a foodie haven the Fig Tree is the perfect place for impressing the meat-lover in your life Chef Jon Holland specializes in game meats The restaurant’s ambiance provides the romance factor From Creole favorites like shrimp po’boys to shrimp and grits this hidden gem is a Cahaba Heights favorite If you’re in the mood for pizza, look no further than Troup’s Chef Terrill Brazelton is a pizza master with the accolades to prove it including being named one of the Best Chefs in Birmingham (right behind Frank Stitt and Chris Hastings!) in 2017 Troup’s creative menu includes pies you won’t find elsewhere like the ‘Blazer,’ which features hot chicken Comfort food that tastes just like mama made it — and maybe even a little bit better — is what Ashley Mac’s specializes in Now with five locations open in Birmingham the Cahaba Heights store offers a go-to for local families looking for good Ashley and Andy McMakin started the restaurant as a catering service out of their Homewood home business skyrocketed as the demand for Ashley’s nostalgic dishes — like chicken salad sandwiches and strawberry cake — couldn’t be met fast enough Dine in or grab a family meal to bring home from Ashley’s Gourmet To-Go options Stop by Local Roots for a tasty bite fit for the whole family The menu is filled with classic salads and delicious sandwiches You can also indulge in chicken finger baskets or a selection of Piadines which are yummy Italian flatbread sandwiches this is the ideal spot to satisfy your meat-and-three craving Myra’s favorite meal is pork with a side of chess pie and she won’t deny her visitors of a large serving of the sweet stuff No place satisfies a sweet tooth quite like Cookie Fix This beloved coffee shop opened its second location in Cahaba Heights after notable success in Homewood It features a rotating seasonal menu of cookies baked fresh daily They also offer take-home dough to enjoy when the craving hits We highly recommend the Healthy Peanut Butter cookie If you want to spice up your night out on the town, head to El ZunZún for traditional Latin cuisine This laidback restaurant boasts a friendly neighborhood vibe and serves up authentic dishes full of flavor and variety From small plates and tacos to delicious desserts you will surely find your new favorite meal at this Cahaba Heights gem This restaurant has Cahaba Heights’ earliest settlers — the Creek Indians — to thank for its distinctive name. Characterized by its swampy, muddy conditions due to heavy rains, the Creeks first dubbed this patch of land “Mudtown.” The moniker proved to be a good marketing ploy for what would become Mudtown Eat & Drink — a casual restaurant known for its inviting atmosphere and flavorful food This is the perfect spot to stop after a long day of family fun from burgers and fish tacos to the Conecuh dog When the Alabama heat becomes too much to bear, Cahaba Heights locals flock to Doodle’s Doodle’s has become a mainstay for residents looking for a cold treat Doodle’s offers a large selection of flavors to satisfy the whole family Alabama Biscuit Company was built on the simple mission of making a darn good biscuit with the best ingredients Offering heaps of both savory and sweet options Alabama Biscuit Company has something on the menu for everyone Entice your kiddos with the pecan butter and honey biscuit — made with house-milled organic pecan butter and drizzled with local honey mom or dad might have to sneak a bite when no one is looking Before embarking on your Cahaba Heights adventure, swing by Magic Muffins Bakery Magic Muffins is a must for families looking to carb up for a big day of adventure Get an assortment of tasty baked treats that we promise will both satiate and satisfy This open-air space is a no-frills, family-friendly restaurant that offers Tennessee-style smoked meats over coal and hickory wood. You can also snag incredible sides made from family recipes, and don’t skip the yummy desserts! From briskets and smoked wings to the eatery’s famed redneck tacos, there is something for everyone. Add Martin’s to your Cahaba Heights to-do list After getting your grub on at Martin’s, head next door to satisfy your sweet tooth at Bendy’s With a winning combination of delicious cookies and yummy ice cream Bendy’s has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike Bendy’s moved into its first brick-and-mortar location in early 2019 — and it’s still serving up some of the best cookies and ice cream to the Cahaba Heights community You’ll be the best dressed at your next dinner party or night out Cahaba Heights’s newest addition, B. Happy Owned by Beth Dorsett and Krista Dickinson Happy came to life over tacos and margaritas at Taco Mama Shopping for teenagers can be challenging. But thanks to GiGi’s Tween you can find fashion-forward clothing that works for any occasion Known for its variety and a long list of sought-after brands Gigi’s is the one-stop shop for teens and tweens wanting to look — and feel — their best Stop by and peruse the selection of clothing Serendipity Boutique has everything you need for upcoming celebrations and the change of season The on-trend selection of women’s clothing offers something for everyone Want the designer look without the designer price tag? Head to Second Hand Rose Cahaba Heights’s go-to spot for the best consignment finds As Birmingham’s longest-running consignment shop Second Hand Rose is the place to find a great deal on a great piece of clothing Stocked with some of the latest trends and popular designers you should allow ample time to sift through the impressive selection of clothing and accessories Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or something special for yourself, The Blue Willow has it Known for its wide selection of tasteful home decor this sweet boutique won’t let you leave empty-handed Clothing, gifts, and home goods abound at Clover + Bee Started by three sisters who are also moms Clover + Bee was created to offer expecting and seasoned moms a place to shop for clothing that fits and flatters their ever-changing bodies They also offer gifts and accessories to make your shopping experience even more fun and fulfilling and unique decor for a fun-filled day of shopping with your girlfriends For the best of the South delivered straight to your inbox every morning, subscribe to StyleBlueprint The Jefferson County Commission has reached an agreement with the Cahaba River Society to end a 1996 consent decree requiring the county to fix its sewer system the groups filed a joint request to terminate the 28-year-old consent decree which also included the Environmental Protection Agency.  the county committed to completing several extra capital improvement projects by early 2027 These projects are planned to further reduce sewer overflows.  The settlement confirms that Jefferson County has met the goals for improving the system’s infrastructure operations and maintenance under the decree achieving industry best practices to minimize sewer overflows.  The Federal District Court must approve the request before it is final the Cahaba River Society and private citizens sued Jefferson County for permit violations the violations centered around unpermitted discharges of wastewater containing raw sewage into the Cahaba + Black Warrior Rivers as well as their tributaries The groups entered into the decree with the County and the EPA to bring it into compliance The county manages more than 3,100 miles of sewer lines and treats more than 100 million gallons of wastewater per day five of the county’s facilities and all the sewer lines leading to them have reached compliance and are no longer subject to the consent decree Did the sewer consent decree result in cleaner water for residents?  The groups that took part in the decree wholeheartedly believe it has made a huge difference “Jefferson County’s sewer system is now light years ahead of where it was in the 1990s Everyone in the county is benefiting from cleaner water quality in our creeks rivers and neighborhoods because of Jefferson County’s hard work and creative approaches.” Southern Environmental Law Center’s Alabama Office Director Barry Brock credits the water protection groups for diligently making sure the decree was enforced “The vast improvements to the County’s sewer system that this resolution represents would not have happened without twenty-eight years of devotion and hard work put in by the Cahaba River Society supported by Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Cahaba Riverkeeper.”  Jefferson County not only complies with the Clean Water Act—it goes beyond it “Exiting the Consent Decree is the culmination of significant effort by many County employees to improve our infrastructure and not only meet our compliance obligations under the Clean Water Act We have made remarkable progress in reducing overflows and improving water discharge quality throughout the region the decree set aside $30 million dollars for the acquisition and protection of open space lands along creeks and rivers in the County This was done instead of the county paying fines and penalties The Freshwater Land Trust was also established as a result of the decree 129 miles of trails in Jefferson County have been built and over 12,000 acres of land in Jefferson and surrounding Central Alabama counties has been conserved A major water main leak repair off Highway 280 is expected to cause low or no water pressure for several hours Thursday Birmingham Water Works (BWW) said the 24-inch leak repair is near the Shades Mountain Filter Plant and the Summit The impact on water is expected to begin after 10:00 p.m Cahaba Heights and Rocky Ridge Road may be impacted For customer assistance you can call 205-244-4000 Nothing beats destressing better than a day or two of being pampered at a wellness retreat, soaking in a hot spring, or just relaxing in nature in cabin comfort. Alabama's tranquil environment of beautiful mountainous scenery and natural springs Let the power of nature and fabulous experts revive your life's reason Retreat from the city within the city at The Retreat Day Spa, hidden in Cahaba Heights, Birmingham with expert practitioners who are intuitive about their clients' needs and wishes As a Certified Green Spa from the Eminence Organics program their services include Spa packages from one to three hours The Retreat Day Spa does not provide accommodation Birmingham has many top-class accommodations nearby such as the Hassinger Daniels Mansion Guest House a mansion listed on the National Historic Registry in 1976 Finding empathic experts who have walked the same path and can help clients emotionally and spiritually is rare Stepping out of the vehicle at The Yurt Garden's 15 acres of woodland the pine and cedar scent guarantees a refuge of peace and healing healing touch energy and crystal chakra work Lynn teaches her clients how to use their electromagnetic fields daily Near The Yurt Garden is Timberline Glamping which completes a natural and spiritual experience Every woman is entitled to a relaxing day or two away from family, work, and stressful responsibilities. Serene Sand Retreats, a women's all-inclusive at Orange Beach complimented by the nurturing sound of the ocean offers a luxury beachfront retreat to revive the body Besides a room with a spectacular ocean view at the Beachhouse Also provided are courses in Botox Training or ACLS/PALS/BLS Recertification CEU Retreats clients arrive without worrying about driving to and from accommodation relax on the veranda with a cocktail and let the ocean's calmness still your soul or walk along the beach while breathing healthy fresh air so bird lovers will be delighted with the variety of woodpeckers Numerous wildlife can easily be spotted in the pristine park along the walking trails The park has several picnic areas and a playground blending with the sight and sounds of nature the Bladon Springs State Park will suffice admirably or spend the night under the tall trees and stars at the campsite an escape was created for them and those who booked at the Escape Day Spa in Birmingham The spa accommodates every need by offering aesthetic treatments and balancing therapies for healing and natural organic products that are unharmful to their clients and the environment Services provided at Escape Day Spa include holistic relaxation techniques Also included in their wide range of services are hair removal Book a spa party for the perfect quality time with friends and family for a bridal shower Accommodation nearby is the Hilton Garden Inn Teresa and Shawn Staggs have taken their many traveling experiences and encounters and culminated them into the exquisite The Soak House & Soapery in Guntersville It's more than a day spa; it's a rejuvenating spa that soaks away stress and ailments reserve a luxury lodging at the La Maison de Soak House Besides the usual facial and massage treatments The infrared sauna with carbon heating panels has many benefits Other therapies include cryotherapy (localized) and halotherapy (salt therapy) a spa package can be customized to suit the client's needs you could relax in the spa lounge wrapped in a plush robe and sip a refreshing drink touch-up hair and make-up with in-house hair accessories like dryers Clients feel like a million dollars when leaving The Soak House & Soapery Total Freedom Spa provides an authentic all-in-one body rejuvenation in Prattville they offer body contouring and weight loss programs The Inch Loss Body Wrap uses The Swedish Miracle Body Wrap System which uses natural ingredients from northern Europe and Egyptian pressure wrapping The Swedish Miracle products include amino nutrients and natural sea clay that tightens 30 minutes in the Far Infrared Sauna enhances weight loss The benefits of the body wrap and infrared sauna are numerous The Total Wellness Spa aids in discovering their client's body freedom The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel is 17 minutes from the spa for an overnight stay Wellness is not necessarily visiting a retreat or a spa. Camping, spending hours on a lake in a kayak, fishing, and sleeping under the night sky are also wellness. Lakeshore Cabins & RV on the Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper Lakeshore Cabins' family-owned business ensures the wellness of its visitors A small island on the lake invites visitors to picnic or nap while the warm sun replenishes the body with vitamin D Relax in this serene lake and natural environment of 21,000 acres the stars in the night sky are more than the mind can ever imagine Sleep in a cozy cabin or outside under the stars and let the evening's small creatures' music send you to a restful Disappear from life's chaos in 40 acres of natural opulence. Stay in unusual, not-the-everyday-type accommodations, such as treehouses, glamping tents, cottages, or cabins strategically placed along Lake Guntersville Revive the body and mind at Retreet's hot tubs and firepits or with cold and hot therapy at the Nordic Cycle Wellness Station; soak in the aromatic cedar soaking tub with panoramic views of the spectacular landscape is the ultimate space for events like weddings or special celebrations Retreet Resort & Spa is an all-in-one venue for the utmost relaxation Wellness is imperative for survival in a busy Whether being outdoors surrounded by sublime nature or pampered at a spa or retreat and lakeside cabins to escape to for much-needed relaxation and recovery photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com The Vestavia Hills City Schools Board of Education voted to transfer Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Principal Lauren Dressback to the Alternative school and declined to explain the public why The meeting was tense between board members and the community and their frustration about the lack of answers "I stand with Lauren." Former students felt it was important enough to show up What is happening to her is absolutely ridiculous They are trying to come up with some reason to get rid of an absolutely exceptionalstaff member of Vestavia Hills High School she has given her entire life to this school system,said Lillian Colburn in her classroom is the only place I felt safe in school "I want to clearly state that we have not and will not make personnel decisions based on an individual's race religion national origin or disability," explained Superintendent Dr This statement did not stop the public from believing that is the reason behind the transfer The board's attorney advised it to not speak on personnel matters "It is unfair to the employee to make public comment the board in question here have respected that process and I think every lawyer who represents a government would all say That did not stop the public from demanding answers during the vote Some in the room were even confused as to how many members of the board voted and who went on to second the motion approving the transfer The board members nor their attorney would clarify the vote very concerned as to why the principal was removed after her three-year contract was extended Sending our children to school in 2024 is one of the most dangerous places we can send them you are putting us at risk and withholding information." I need to know the whys and wherefores of the major decisions impacting my child and if the accountability cannot be achieved Many at the meeting believe the transfer stems from Dressback's sexual orientation "If she had done something criminal or put the kids in harm you would not allow her to teach or be principal at the alternative school I believe it's because she homosexual." stating they could be doing the right thing None of the board members or the superintendent answered any of our questions about the transfer or the reasons as to why They walked out without answering or responding to any of the public's concerns "They think that if they say nothing we will just walk out of here and go on with our lives we can't forget this and we won't." The assistant principal atVestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights will now replace Dressback Dressback's contract is still in effect until June 2026 This story about Vestavia Hills was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter — Principal Lauren Dressback didn’t think about it after it happened the custodian at Cahaba Heights Elementary School She called him “the mayor.” She said that he knew her two children asked about her family almost daily and made a point of interacting a huge bear hug,” she recalled.  asked Smith to come into the nurse’s office and shut the door and then shared three photos on her phone of who she had just started dating “I just moved right on about my day.” But the 2-minute and 13-second exchange — captured on video by the nurse — would prove fateful.  would go from Vestavia Hills City school district darling to controversial figure after she came out as gay Within days of showing the custodian the photos she was ordered to leave the building and was barred from district property she found herself facing a litany of questions from district leaders about a seemingly minor issue: employee timesheets she was officially placed on administrative leave and sent to run the district’s alternative high school It matters that this story is unfolding in Vestavia Hills The city’s motto is “A Life Above,” and the municipal website declares that it “exemplifies the ideals of fine southern hospitality.” At that school board meeting, as he had for weeks, Todd Freeman, the superintendent, refused to offer an explanation, even to Dressback. Rather, at the beginning of the meeting, he read a statement that “we have not and will not make personnel decisions based on an individual’s race national origin or disability.” (When contacted Vestavia Hills City Schools spokesperson Whit McGhee said the district would not discuss confidential personnel matters and declined to make Freeman available for an interview He provided links to school board meeting minutes district policies and Alabama educator codes without explaining how they applied in Dressback’s case Freeman and two other district officials involved in the situation did not respond to emails requesting interviews or a list of detailed questions.) Despite Freeman’s assertion regarding personnel decisions, many people in the community believe differently. So many, in fact, that “the Dressback situation” has lit up social media (one TikTok post has more than 313,000 views) spurred supermarket conversations and online chatter — and challenged allegiances.  “The entire situation has divided the community,” said Abbey Skipper are “trying to label everyone who is on the side of Dressback as leftists or Democrats or radicals” and assuming “everyone who supports the superintendent and the board is a Republican — which isn’t true.”  A private Facebook group, “We Stand With Lauren” quickly gathered 983 members, while a public Facebook post by a fifth grade teacher at Cahaba Heights complained of the “news frenzy and whirlwind of social media misinformation” and stated that “To do our jobs to the best of our ability we trust the people who have been charged to lead us.”  but Butler has vowed to reintroduce it next session The bill was one of dozens introduced or passed in states around the country restricting classroom discussion of gender identity books with LGBTQ+ characters and displays of pride symbols The laws have contributed to a climate in which “every classroom has been turned into a front” in a battle which advocates for LGBTQ+ individuals in K-12 education every administrator now has to be on that front line every single day,” she said “We’re seeing educators leave because of the strain of the job made worse by the political moment we’re in and we’re also seeing because of the political moment we’re in educators being targeted for their personal identity.” a professor at Millersburg University in Pennsylvania who studies the experience of LGBTQ+ educators said right now many “are very on edge.” Wright and her colleagues have surveyed LGBTQ+ teachers and principals four times since 2007 with new 2024 data to be released in November While the past decade has seen strides toward acceptance “the regional differences are huge,” she said “Folks in the South definitely felt less safe being out to their communities and students.” November’s presidential and statewide elections could yield even sharper differences in LGBTQ+ protections between red and blue states.  While quite a few states long had laws barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, it took a 2020 Supreme Court decision, Bostock v. Clayton County That changed landscape spurred Dressback to engage lawyer Jon Goldfarb who filed a complaint alleging work-based discrimination with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission he expects to file a separate federal civil rights complaint “I’ve had a lot of people that have come to me and complain about being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.” Until Bostock A review of Dressback's personnel file shows no reprimands until June when she received an evaluation questioning her professional conduct that followed her EEOC complaint (Goldfarb said that he later amended the complaint to allege that the district retaliated against her for the filing) This raises a question: Why was she removed?  more than one-third of those who lean Republican say homosexuality should be accepted.nb  a local attorney and high school classmate of Dressback’s a T-shirt and a Vestavia Hills baseball cap when we met at the public swimming pool where he’d brought his kids We sat at a picnic table; the squeals of children released to the joys of summer carried in the warm Alabama air He said he understands why some people may not be comfortable with a gay elementary school principal certain people all over the country,” he said “it does become a bigger issue to people.” Politically DeMarco tends “to swing right,” but sent Dressback a message of support on Facebook “Everybody that knows Lauren knows she is a good person,” he said Dressback’s case has spurred public outrage because so many people do know her She attended Vestavia Hills Public Schools — Class of 1997 — and her mother was a popular high school English teacher and yearbook adviser She followed her parents into education (her father was a geography professor) and returned to teach social studies at the high school.  In 2015, she was named secondary teacher of the year; in 2017, the graduating class dedicated the yearbook to her. She moved into administration and advanced; in 2022 she was appointed principal of Cahaba Heights Elementary School. She was awarded a three-year contract In December — weeks before she was told to gather her things and was escorted off school grounds — she was given a positive write-up by an assistant superintendent who observed her running a meeting of teachers about the school’s “core values.” It also matters that this story is unfolding in Vestavia Hills. The city’s motto is “A Life Above,” and the municipal website declares that it “exemplifies the ideals of fine southern hospitality.” The community was born as a post-World War II subdivision and incorporated in 1950 with 3,000 residents (it now has 38,000) It is an effortfully attractive place with well-kept painted brick homes and clipped lawns the exotic estate of former Birmingham Mayor George C The 1930s-era news accounts describe lavish parties with male servers draped in togas Vestavia Hills is also one of the “over the mountain” suburbs of Birmingham When you drive over Red Mountain out of the urban core with its reminders of steelmaking and jazz away from streets where shabbily dressed men push wheeled contrivances where pride flags fly and breweries sprout where drag queens coexist with affirming churches Birmingham is a Black city; Vestavia Hills is 86 percent white.  And like surrounding white suburbs of Mountain Brook, Homewood and Hoover, Vestavia Hills competes on lifestyle, including its public schools. Alabama is hardly an education leader, yet the four districts earn mention in U.S. News rankings Church is also central to life here; biographies for public officials name which they attend.  “You move a child into the school system there’s two questions they’re asked,” Julianne Julian a resident and another Dressback high school classmate said when we met at a coveted rear table inside the Diplomat Deli “Who are you for as far as football — Alabama — and what church do you go to?” Dressback’s 1996 junior year high school yearbook includes a photo of students at a rally waving massive Confederate flags “It was just kind of the way we were growing up,” said DeMarco who in high school displayed a Confederate flag on his Nissan pickup (Mess with one Rebel and you mess with us all They are still called “The Rebels,” but simply use the letters “VH.”) she answered the door to her apartment wearing a T-shirt that read “love kindness.” She looked like she could use every one of those things. She was welcoming She had not spoken publicly since she was escorted out of Cahaba Heights Elementary in February We sat at her dining table — I brought an Italian sub Dressback’s regular order — and in our conversations then and later she appeared to believe the best about people Others in Vestavia clearly believe the best about her: Since things erupted “Thank you for making an impact on my life,” said one of the many that she shared with me “You stood up for me in class when someone made fun of me for having depression and I’ll never forget that,” wrote another but I had you as a teacher during my time at VHHS and even when I was not your student I still saw you as a person who cared for all students not just the ones on your roster.” (Dressback said she has “not received any negative messages parents noticed her gift for calming children with behavior issues A mother of twins who got tripped up by transitions (drop-off is “the hardest part of our morning”) said that “We didn’t have that struggle this year at all.” Sometimes Dressback would slip on a wig or costume — Santa among others; before winter breaks she donned an elf outfit and climbed atop the brick marquee in front of the school to the delight of arriving children and passing cars She wanted to remind everyone that school is fun “Her love for the children just reached every square inch of the school,” said Skipper the Cahaba Heights parent of a second grader who moved to the neighborhood specifically for the school Shane Dressback told me that he struggled with the news he said that God told him to love her “no matter what.” The next day “I was going to love her unconditionally and unconventionally.” The marriage ending was painful “I know she loved me for 23 years,” he said “There was nothing fake there.” Dressback shared that she sensed she was gay in high school but said that “it sort of felt clear to me that I couldn’t have that life here.” The only gay people she knew well were two family members When her Uncle Dennis died of complications from HIV and her cousin Robyn died by suicide The tragedies coincided with her time at Samford University the private Baptist college where her father taught “It’s one of the most religiously conservative schools in the nation,” she said “You go to Samford to not be different.” And it was there in a geography class that she met Shane Dressback when the two arrived early one day and “started chit-chatting.” They were engaged the next year “I met Shane and did very genuinely fall in love with him,” she said “He is a wonderful man.” They had two children — Kaylee graduated from college in May and is playing semi-pro soccer and Tyler is a senior in high school — and were consumed with family life as she approached becoming an empty nester Dressback began having panic attacks around being gay feeling that “I’ve pushed this down for a really long time.”  They didn’t speak for more than 24 hours she texted him to say she was going to church Both of us cried the whole way through it.” “There was nothing fake there.”  The two held hands as they told their children and parents sold their home and rented apartments near one another They still have family dinners and Shane cooks; leftovers of “Daddy’s Jambalaya” were in the refrigerator of Lauren Dressback’s apartment when I visited Throughout Dressback’s ordeal with the school district “Lauren is a child of God and should be treated as such,” he said as we sat at a friend’s brewery during off-hours He knows her to be professionally excellent; her personal life should not matter “It was no one’s business what was going on in our bedroom beforehand and I don’t think that’s anybody’s business now,” he said “People have drawn a line in the sand where I think it needs to be more about Shane was the one who urged Dressback to attend a brunch in early February organized by members of a LILLES Facebook group a former medical operations officer in the U.S Army and law student (she graduated in May) The two began a relationship that appears to charm and steady Dressback at the end of a one-on-one meeting in January in the spirit of transparency But the incident that appears central to Dressback’s removal unfolded just after Valentine’s Day to come into the office of nurse Julie Corley whom she described as a close friend at the time Dressback said it was Corley’s idea to show Smith the photos to see his reaction He was in the lunchroom near Corley’s office The brief exchange between Dressback and Smith was captured on video (Dressback said she did not initially notice Corley filming something she now regrets.) Corley did not respond to several interview requests by email and text said she was not interested in speaking and hung up Dressback said she has not had any communication with Corley since being removed “You shared something about your past I was going to share something with you,” Dressback says to Smith in the video “Do you want to see a picture of who I’m dating?” She and Whitlock had had their third date on Feb “He’s my ex-husband.” Smith appears surprised “April Fool?” and asks how long they were married “23 years.” He expresses disbelief “You and him broke up?” Dressback holds out her phone to show a photo of her and Whitlock Several times Smith states that he doesn’t believe it “Bullshit!” he exclaims as he looks at the three photos There is one of Whitlock kissing Dressback on the cheek one with their faces cheek to cheek and one in which they are sitting at a bar with Dressback’s arms around Whitlock I’m sorry,” and pulls her into a hug Dressback’s lawyer said that an affidavit the district obtained from Smith “appears to be in conflict on several points with what the video shows,” including a claim that he was made uncomfortable by the encounter “I made no type of statement” even as district officials were “coming at me” seeking to query him “I hadn’t talked to nobody about the incident.”  declined to provide answers to specific questions including regarding the apparent affidavit from Smith.)  the district’s director of personnel the assistant superintendent who had given Dressback the positive write-up in December arrived at Cahaba Heights for a surprise meeting Dressback said they told her that someone had complained that she shared “explicit” details of her relationship at a meeting with teachers “I kind of relaxed because I was like that absolutely did not happen,’” she recalled They questioned her in a way she found confusing ‘explicit.’ And I’m like Like are you going to tell me what they said I said or what?” They asked if she showed Smith photos of her and her girlfriend “There is a picture of Shane and me kissing on our lips at our wedding on the bookshelf right behind them.” (Hanson and Rainey did not respond to interview requests or to a list of detailed questions for this story.) Dressback says she was then told to gather her belongings and that she was being placed on “detached duty,” requiring that she work from home which she said made her feel “like a criminal.” She expected to be gone for a few days.  Dressback was informed of a new problem: timesheets she had met with staff to remind them about clocking in and out (everyone must clock in and paraprofessionals must clock out during lunch).  while still barred from the Cahaba Heights campus Rainey and Hanson in the conference room at the central office to discuss timesheets she was to fire two employees for irregularities on their timesheets She said that she had already discussed with Hanson not renewing him at the end of the school year.  a paraprofessional who worked with students with severe disabilities including those requiring help with feeding and diapering Robinson often stayed in the classroom during her lunch breaks to aid the special education teacher because one student had as many as 30 seizures a day she acknowledged to sometimes forgetting to clock out or in or not being able to do so if she was attending to a child’s needs “If I’m in a massive diaper situation I’m not going to remember to clock out or if I’m helping a kid that’s having a seizure or one that’s in crisis,” Robinson told me.  was that shortly after Dressback was escorted out of the school and placed on “detached duty,” requiring she work from home Robinson faced 45 minutes of questioning by Hanson and Rainey about Dressback’s dating life that she says “felt like an interrogation.” After confirming that she and Dressback were close Robinson says she was asked questions such as What do you want to know?” They pressed: “Well what does she say happens after that?” Robinson insisted “I don’t ask her how her date ended.”  Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter Robinson received a text from Hanson asking her “to start your day at the Board of Education” instead of Cahaba Heights As soon as she arrived at the central office she saw Dressback in the room; Dressback said Freeman had told her to fire Robinson “I could tell she’d been crying,” said Robinson ‘It’s OK.’” Robinson recalled Dressback saying ‘It’s my recommendation to the board that your contract be terminated immediately.’” Robinson texted the parent of one of her students uses a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy told me that she’d appreciated how Dressback had welcomed her child to the school a few years earlier “‘What do we need to do to make your kid feel comfortable?’ and recognized her as a child,” and not a set of legal educational requirements to meet Despite Robinson’s key role in her daughter’s education Smith said she was not officially notified until March 19 — nearly two weeks later — via email that “Mrs Robinson is no longer working at VHECH,” district shorthand for Cahaba Heights Yet an email of district documentation shared with me states the date of Robinson’s leaving as April 5 the district continued to pay her for the rest of the school year which she said felt “like I was being paid off because they knew what they did was wrong.” She is now a clinical research data coordinator for University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine responded to email requests seeking comment on why Robinson was fired Dressback emailed Freeman asking to be reinstated to her position at Cahaba Heights “I believe the action the system has taken against me is discrimination because of my sexual orientation filed the EEOC complaint. (Goldfarb said that he later amended the complaint to allege additional discrimination and that the district retaliated against her for the filing.) Dressback received a letter signed by Freeman officially placing her on administrative leave It states that she is “not to contact any employees of the Vestavia Hills Board of Education related to your or their employment or relationship with the Vestavia Hills City Schools.” The letter does not state a reason for the action That’s really sad,’” said Lindsay Morton two of Dressback’s classmates from high school posted videos on social media.  “Where is Principal Dressback???” a schoolmate and friend, Karl Julian, titled a video on his YouTube channel. It has been viewed more than 11,000 times. Lauren Pilleteri Reece, who as laurenpcrna has 228.7K followers on TikTok, posted several videos narrating Dressback’s battle; the first has more than 313,000 views and 3,400 comments Reece has known Dressback since high school When the Vestavia Hills School Board called a meeting five days later, on May 2, to take up Dressback’s employment, everyone seemed to know about it. People rallied outside the district headquarters holding posters with messages such as “We Stand with Principal Dressback” and “Love is Love.” Many people wore green Local TV and news reporters showed up.  It is not just a Vestavia Hills issue anymore,” said Rep the only openly gay member of the Alabama Legislature signals “to your students who might be LGBTQ that they don’t matter.” even tearful Cahaba Heights Elementary parents former classmates and others who knew Dressback I just know she had been wronged,” said Jim Whisenhunt attended Vestavia Hills public schools.  fearing that she could not keep her composure But before public comments were permitted or a vote was taken Freeman read the prepared statement in which he said he wanted “to address personnel decisions made by the board.” He went on to say that they “have not or disability” and that “all of our decisions are vetted thoroughly and thoughtfully.” He added that “district employees contribute to academic excellence and are committed to our mission to provide every child in our schools the opportunity to learn without limits.” Then over the objections of many in the audience who demanded a chance to comment before a vote was taken the board officially transferred Dressback from Cahaba Heights Elementary to the alternative school.  “We may color outside of your lines a little bit but coloring outside of your lines at no point does that ever mean that we are unprofessional Lauren did not become unprofessional overnight,” said a charged-up Reece “You started looking at her as unprofessional overnight.”  stated that he “felt compelled to drive straight here” after “a long week in Montgomery” even though it is not his district It is not just a Vestavia Hills issue anymore,” said Rafferty minister of the Unitarian Universalist Churches of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa “You are sending her a message that in Vestavia Hills it is not OK to be LGBTQ,” she told the board and superintendent “You should not be punished in your job in 2024 because of who you love.” Conrady told the crowd “that there are consequences here for all these people I want you to get pictures of every single name and vote them the hell out!” (The school board is appointed by the City Council who said she was “a conservative Republican,” focused on what seemed to make this issue explode: the silence The superintendent and board had given no explanation “When you wait this long,” said Cornelius “it puts this person in this black cloud.” Her point underscored a question others raised at the meeting to a board that largely remained silent: If Dressback did something so egregious as to require she be escorted from school and barred from district property why was she suitable to lead the alternative school The district declined to answer this question The board and superintendent did not provide an explanation for their decision is now director of learning and development at a large construction firm He did not respond to multiple interview requests Danielle Tinker came to Vestavia Hills after more than a dozen years in Birmingham and Jefferson County schools first as assistant principal at Liberty Park Elementary she was selected as principal of Cahaba Heights felt unwelcome at the school where the teaching staff was nearly all white The day she was introduced as the new principal saying that “Cahaba Heights is a family” and that “today was hard on this family,” according to a copy of the email that she shared with me Tinker said she was told by staff that the faculty had wanted a different principal; a later inquiry confirmed that staff felt “blindsided” when she was selected over that individual over student articles in a fall 2021 newsletter They were titled “Anti-Racist Kids: Leading the Way to New Beginnings” and “Learning About Racism: How It Can Change Lives.” Tinker told me she feared those articles would be “more fluff than addressing the actual challenge” with claims such as “Racism is part of our lives but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing if we are the ones ending it.” Rainey agreed to pause publication of the newsletter which she said upset several teachers who wanted it published.  several hours after Tinker told teachers that publication was being paused Tinker emailed Hanson raising an “employee concern” after one of the teachers “stormed down the hallway” and was “pointing at me and yelling,” according to a copy of Tinker’s emails exchanges that she shared with me Tinker received a letter from Freeman stating that he was recommending she be transferred to the alternative school Tinker filed a complaint of racial discrimination with the EEOC and resigned using her remaining personal time to cover her pay for the remainder of the school year she and the district reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount She is using the money to attend law school did not answer questions about Tinker or Burgess; Rainey and Hanson also did not respond.) Dressback gave me a guided tour of Vestavia Hills Dressback’s high school classmate with the large TikTok following showed off a new tattoo on her left forearm a red Buick Encore whose license plate reads “DBACK.” Reece hopped in back a favorite Dressback fast-food spot since high school the spot at Vestavia Country Club with a panoramic view where kids still take prom photos.  The discussion jumbled together past and present reminding these childhood friends — both of whom came out as adults — how much has changed When we reached Vestavia Hills High School Dressback stopped near a small sign at sidewalk level that reads “Alternative Placement” with an arrow I descended metal stairs that span a rocky embankment; the alternative school Yet when I returned to the car, Dressback told me she saw the alternative school as an opportunity rather than an exit. The school has often operated without a principal (Tinker never stepped inside or interacted with students, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic). At that late May school board meeting Freeman could not say how many pupils attend the school he spent time at the alternative school; he could have used someone like her “I’m not gonna just go and sit and read a book I can’t do that,” Dressback said as she pulled out of the high school driveway She wanted to make it a place less about punishment and more about connecting with kids for whom the traditional school is not a fit It should not be a dumping ground for educators or for kids “My mindset is I’m gonna go and I’m gonna make this the best damn alternative school in the state.” Most damning are six bullet points of claims One alludes to Robinson’s employment and the timesheet matter The most explosive is cast as “failure to demonstrate moderation and civility in dealing with employees” and includes salacious assertions including “public displays of affection and of photographs which would not be tolerated even among high school students” — presumably a reference to the photos shown to Smith It includes a charge Dressback had never heard before: a claim of “remote activation by your husband of a sexual toy on your person while you were in a school meeting.”  which she asked to have filed with the state Department of Education in response to Freeman’s report and I would never do that.” The very idea of “remote activation” of a sex toy by her husband was absurd “I wouldn’t think that I would need to remind you that my ex-husband and I are divorced and that I am now in a committed relationship with a woman,” she wrote She wrote that she “cannot imagine why you would credit this slanderous and irresponsible allegation” and include it in her personnel record “other than to retaliate against me” for the EEOC filing.  Her lawyer said in an email that the performance review “is further retaliation and an attempt to create further pretexts for the adverse employment actions the Board has already taken against her.”  after the state Department of Education had reviewed the evaluation submitted by Freeman the agency stated in a letter addressed to Dressback that it had “examined information regarding an investigation in the Vestavia Hills City School System” and “decided to not take action against your Alabama Educator Certificate.” The same day Freeman said in a letter to Dressback that she would “no longer be on administrative leave and may return to work” at the alternative school It has been baffling and infuriating to some in the community as to how such charges surfaced so soon after Dressback was given a three-year contract extension last year.  The mystery that remains is why some people — people who were eager for her to continue leading the elementary school — now want her gone The battle has been drawn up and is now readying to be fought Dressback told me that beyond feeling driven to “defend my name and my integrity,” she wants to speak up for others who come after — or who are now silent.  Dressback had hoped this could all be avoided “I tried to just be the good employee,” she told me “I thought if I just do what they ask me to do this is gonna get wrapped up and I’ll go back to work” at Cahaba Heights.  for Vestavia Hills and its school system.  “Maybe I shouldn’t feel the allegiance I feel,” she said when we spoke over Zoom several weeks ago It’s where I grew up and it’s where I chose to plant my career I just can’t turn my back on the system.” Rather This story about Vestavia Hills was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.  Laura is founder of The New Haven Student Journalism Project and author of School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics and the Battle for Public Education.  Copyright © 2025 Salon.com, LLC. Reproduction of material from any Salon pages without written permission is strictly prohibited. SALON ® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark of Salon.com, LLC. Associated Press articles: Copyright © 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person, another injured The transfer of the principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights will be discussed by school officials Thursday. According to the Vestavia Hills City Schools Board of Education meeting agenda, Lauren Dressback is recommended to be transferred to the district's alternative school. Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Assistant Principal Kim Polson is recommended to move into the school's principal role. The changes, if approved, will be effective Friday, May 3. VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WBMA) — Vestavia Hills City Schools held its weekly school board meeting Tuesday. This was the first meeting since the board decided to reassign formerVestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Principal Lauren Dressback to district's alternative school. There was a large turnout at the meeting, and during the public comment period community members addressed the board looking for answers regarding Dressback. Following the large turnout at the last board meeting, the city fire marshal set an occupancy limit for the meeting room. This meant a number of people were forced to wait outside. Dressback did have her contract renewed last year, that's a point being made by the community, saying it makes no sense as to why Dressback was transferred. Speculation within the community ties back to Dressback's personal life. "You have one of the best principals in the state of Alabama, and you've treated her in a way that if she was my client I would be shopping for house renovations for my mother because I would know just how rich I was about to be," said James Butts, a community member. Speakers say if Dressback did something wrong she would have been terminated. Another item of note at Tuesday's board meeting, superintendent Todd Freeman's contract was renewed. "People actually think of Lauren Dressback when they think of, 'what is Vestavia?' and you're kicking her out," said Julianne Julian, a community member. "And Todd Freeman, I don't know where you came from but it's not from here and I can't wait to see you move on." We asked Freeman after the meeting about Dressback no longer being listed on the school system's online staff directory. He directed us to board minutes, saying you can find anything you want about personnel there. Freeman could not answer any other questions. Dressback was not on the agenda at Tuesday's meeting, and the board has a policy allowing them not to address public comments. Lauren Dressback has declined to speak publicly on the matter. President Donald Trump makes a major sports announcement. The announcement comes amid reports Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft. On this tenth anniversary of the April 27 tornados Cahaba Heights in Vestavia Hills is one neighborhood still visibly different from that day “There’s a cross on the church and it’s still leaning,” said Katherine McRee “The skyline behind us was filled with trees and it’s now Lots of people are starting to replant trees and still rebuild.” McRee is co-owner of the Lili Pad in Heights Village and President of the Cahaba Heights Merchant Association “I remember just the sound and the smell of the tornado,” she said After seeing the storm knock down trees through her yard McRee rushed to her store in Heights Village the normal ten minute drive took two hours “The site of that- what just happened at your house and then to come to your business was something and a feeling I will never ever forget,” she said Mcree says it took the village time to recover The center's facade had to be rebuilt many businesses like hers are still standing strong today almost a sense of family when you go through something like that as a community,” she said Brandon Harder showed us the houses destroyed and now rebuilt on his street “We did have a big oak tree in the backyard that came through the dining room window,” he recalled is a once shaded neighborhood is now filled with newly planed trees The most felt difference is a closer community it brought everyone outside during cleanup and this neighborhood is so fun and so tight There's been an ongoing effort to replant trees in Cahaba Heights Several classes of Leadership Vestavia Hills fundraised and planted trees for the community balloon animals and family-friendly fun—the 2nd annual Magic City Carnival is coming to Cahaba Brewing on Saturday Benefiting Pathways a shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness in Birmingham this event is the perfect way to support a great local cause while having fun at the same time Here’s a sneak peek of what this exciting event has in store: There will also be a Silent Auction with top-tier prizes Pathways has been supporting women and children experiencing homelessness since its start in 1983—making it the oldest continuously operating shelter of its kind in Birmingham The team at Pathways is committed to serving Birmingham’s unhoused community of women and families through three ideals: hospitality To assist them in their journey to security and stability Ready for Pathways’ 2nd annual Magic City Carnival on August 24? Admission is free, but you can save time by grabbing your carnival tickets in advance. All content on this site is Copyright ©  Rushing Waters Media LLC/Bham Now 2016-2025. All Rights Reserved.  From the family that brought the beloved Zoë’s Kitchen comes a brand new endeavor, Marky’s Kitchen. Here’s what we know about Cahaba Height’s new addition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marky's Kitchen (@markyskitchenbhm) According to a press release, Marcus and Zoë Cassimus got into the restaurant biz in 1995 with the opening of Zoë’s Kitchen the Birmingham-based Greek and Mediterranean hot spot (and one of my favorite places on Earth) Marcus and Zoë’s son John brought his entrepreneurial spirit to the family business—founding local favorites like Maki Fresh the family is opening their newest spot in dedication to their dad: Marky’s Kitchen “Helping my father open a restaurant with his name on the sign will be one of the highlights of my life I’ve seen what it’s like to see my mom’s name on the steps of the New York Stock Exchange and now it’s Dad’s turn.” Moving to the former Local Roots location in Cahaba Heights Marky’s Kitchen is inspired by Marcus Cassimus’ undeniable love and dedication to the restaurant industry in Birmingham and beyond Marky’s Kitchen will combine signature items with certain family Cassimus family favorites If the food is anything like the family’s other restaurants The grand opening date is coming soon—stay tuned for all the info Get more updates like this when you sign up for our FREE newsletter We know the right way to start a morning in the South is with a biscuit. You can get that delicious goodness at Biscuit Love a brunch spot that officially opened today Read on to learn about this Tennessee-based restaurant and what’s on the menu Biscuit Love has made Alabama its home sweet home with the newest location in Cahaba Heights You’ve probably guessed what their signature dish is—that’s right This is your sign to grab your pals and chow down on yummy food at this breakfast spot You know you’re in the South when there’s an abundance of biscuit dishes on the menu It’s truly so hard to pick one dish to order which are fried biscuits tossed in sugar with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote Other scrumptious dishes on the menu include: I’d go for a mimosa or iced brown sugar oat milk latte—yum Are you excited to eat at Biscuit Love? Be sure to let us know @BhamNow on Instagram + Facebook If you haven’t ventured into Cahaba Heights recently  The once sleepy community nestled behind the Summit off 280 is buzzing with change The creation of a new Cahaba Heights entertainment district as well as ongoing efforts to make the area more pedestrian friendly have catapulted the community to new heights it’s only just beginning — the recent boom in activity is expected to continue into 2019 and beyond Several plans are either in the works or underway to make the Cahaba Heights area entirely pedestrian friendly in the coming years According to City of Vestavia City Planner Jeff Downes the city is working with local developers to improve infrastructure and install sidewalks developers and city of Vestavia are all working towards the common goal of making Cahaba Heights completely walkable,” said Downes “There’s strong desire across the board to push across the finish line with this project.” areas of focus to add sidewalks include Crosshaven Drive as well as Pump House So, why should you care about sidewalks in Cahaba Heights? As the Washington Post points out it’s an incredibly effective way to boost the local economy as well as raise real estate property values It also creates a great opportunity to rollerblade to work Overton Road will soon become the home of Cahaba Heights’ first luxury condos – Overton Village Sandwiched between Cahaba Heights and Mountain Brook the development is sure to attract those looking for a luxury home without the hassle of home maintenance the condos boast contemporary finishes and plenty of amenities designed to make life a little easier Overton Village will be located across from the Overton Road Publix and walkable to many businesses such as local favorite Magic Muffins recently put the 23 condos and 7 townhomes up for sale Interested potential buyers should act quickly if they want to stake a claim to one of the condos set to break ground late spring You can get a sneak peek of the village at ARC Realty’s public open house this Tuesday The event will take place at ARC Realty offices at 4274 Cahaba Heights Court People are going absolutely HOG WILD over Martin’s Bar-B-Que, the newest dining establishment in Cahaba Heights. Joining other local standout restaurants like Miss Myras, Sextons, Satterfields in Cahaba Heights, the Tennessee based whole-hog BBQ joint has been packed every night since opening their doors in November  If you find yourself unable to choose which entree to order first the Whole Hog BBQ sandwich topped with house made coleslaw can’t be beat The pretty courtyard dining area is large and well lit – a definite plus for when the weather warms up Martin’s is located on the corner of Pump House and Cahaba Heights Road with parking behind the restaurant and above it on the hill As economic development continues in Cahaba Heights, the city is working with local developers to execute the Cahaba Heights Master Plan the plan has called for infrastructure improvements to allow for future development and better traffic flow the end result will be a flawlessly planned community with a village-like feel Businesses are liking what they see – there has been an uptick in companies migrating to the area The relocation of Encompass Health (formerly HealthSouth) and Southern Company headquarters to the Cahaba Heights area as well as the addition of commercial developments like Patchwork Farms are all signs that Cahaba Heights market is hot hot hot El ZunZún, Cahaba Height’s new buzzworthy Latin American concept restaurant as she is also the owner and Executive Pastry Chef of local favorite Satterfield’s Restaurant in Cahaba Heights El ZunZún has been attracting diners with authentic Latin American cuisine and libations Try the Hummingbird margarita; you won’t be sorry El ZunZún is located at  4105 Crosshaven Drive You’ll need to get your macarons first Check them out in the Heights Village shopping center Remember to mark your calendar for the Overton Village sneak peek Tuesday January 15 from 4PM to 7 PM at ARC Realty office 4274 Cahaba Heights Court What’s your favorite thing about Cahaba Heights Lots of positive business news out of Vestavia this week Two new restaurants and improvements to the entertainment district are coming to Cahaba Heights is moving forward as part of an overall plan to enhance the Vestavia community’s entertainment district As we reported in August Birmingham-based Cajun Steamer will replace Blackwell’s Pub Offering authentic Louisiana and Creole cuisine the new site will be the restaurant’s fourth in Alabama there are two local Cajun Steamer establishments in Hoover and Trussville.  In the same shopping center, local residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Basecamp Fitness. Once that happens, the shopping center, which is one of the “gateways” into Cahaba Heights will be at capacity. More good news on the Cahaba Heights restaurant and entertainment front — the Vestavia Hills City Council passed an economic development measure that will benefit a new restaurant concept called Miss Astrid Tavern while enhancing  the Cahaba Heights Entertainment District Here is how the Vestavia Voice described the initiative in their October 26th story: “Miss Astrid’s Tavern is a restaurant concept to be located behind The Fig Tree and is part of a larger plan to improve the Cahaba Heights Entertainment District The business will receive 50% of sales tax revenues generated from their business for up to six years The tavern will serve alcoholic beverages while using The Fig Tree’s kitchen will improve the on-site stormwater structures and improve parking which will serve not only that property but the entire area Another restaurant and outdoor venue concept is being planned next door and is being developed by Jared Lewis at Bluwater Properties while another two other adjacent property owners will grant easements to the city to allow for landscaping and the extension of sidewalks.” You can read the entire agreement and see the plans and renderings near the bottom of the agenda/Council packet titled:  “Special Economic Development Agreement.” One of Birmingham metro’s most eclectic commercial districts —Cahaba Heights in Vestavia Hills is on a roll.Check our Bham Now story from 2019 about this growing and hip community. Local Roots will soon open its second location in Cahaba Heights after the success of its first location in Tuscaloosa Following the success of the first Local Roots restaurant in Tuscaloosa owner Dustin Spruill is opening a second location in Cahaba Heights which features “Grandaddy fries” along with made-from-scratch burgers will go into the former Dairy Queen spot in Heights Village Spruill said the restaurant will use the existing building but it will undergo “extensive” renovations and will look similar to the Tuscaloosa location the goal was to eventually have multiple locations “It feels a little bit like a neighborhood.” with a drive-thru option as well as indoor and outdoor seating The “Grandaddy fries” are hand-cut and served with a sriracha aioli While Spruill said the restaurant is not a burger joint Other menu items include chicken tenders and a variety of sandwiches and salads “Everyone likes fried chicken,” Spruill said The Tuscaloosa restaurant opened in August 2020 after operating for years as a food truck and while opening in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic was not ideal but the two of them have come to enjoy their work in the business Construction is expected to take four to five months While there is no timeline set for the restaurant’s opening Spruill said Local Roots will open sometime in 2022 For more information, visit eatlocalroots.com Calling all biscuit lovers! Southern favorite restaurant Biscuit Love is opening its first Alabama location in Cahaba Heights by mid-December Keep reading for all the delicious details Biscuit Love is a beloved Nashville-based brunch concept known for its Southern brunch items made from scratch with ingredients from local and regional purveyors. The restaurant gained a loyal following and spread to three locations in Tennessee: Biscuit Love had yet to expand out of Tennessee—until now Earlier this year, Biscuit Loves announced its plans to open a new location in Cahaba Heights a long-time member of the Vestavia Hills hospitality community Biscuit Love’s menu includes breakfast and lunch favorites with a twist centered around biscuits Of course, not all Biscuit Love items include biscuits. The full menu can be found online at biscuitlove.com/menu.  Biscuit Love is planning to open their Cahaba Heights locations by mid-December Make sure to follow Bham Now on Facebook, Instagram and sign up for our newsletter for future updates regarding Biscuit Love’s new Cahaba Heights location.  and they expected to charge him Friday with capital murder in connection with the shooting deaths now of three people at a church potluck dinner Thursday evening The third person shot in the attack Thursday died Friday at UAB Hospital The police have not released the name of the 84-year-old woman at her family's request Shane Ware said the man in custody was an "occasional attendee" of the church He said police continue to investigate what led to the shooting has been charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting Vestavia Hills police posted on Facebook that Sicard Hollow Road was closed temporarily for the search of a residence in connection with the shooting at the church FFLscope.com lists Robert Findlay Smith as an ATF licensed firearms dealer giving the address of 4128 Sicard Hollow Road as the address for the licensed business Vestavia Hills police and fire departments responded to a call at 6:22 p.m Stephens Episcopal Church at 3775 Crosshaven Drive a church-goer had subdued the gunman — who will be identified after warrants are obtained — and was holding him for officers First responders found 84-year-old Walter Rainey of Irondale dead at the scene; Sarah Yeager was taken to UAB Hospital where she died of her injuries as did the third victim, an 84-year-old woman from Hoover the suspect and others were attending a small group gathering — a Boomers' potluck dinner — at the church when the suspect produced a handgun and started shooting we are waking up forever changed," a post Friday on the St Stephen's Episcopal Church Facebook page reads two very beloved members of our Saint Stephen’s community have died in the most senseless and tragic circumstances Still others who were present are now carrying the invisible All who knew them and who are at all connected with our church are impacted in innumerable ways.” especially those who are injured and the families of the deceased," the Rev He was in Greece; he said he was working to get back as soon as possible while the church staff worked to organize response and I cannot begin to fathom how painful this is for our entire church "There is much that will be shared in the coming days and weeks as we look to gather and process this tragic event." Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry asked for prayers for the victims and first responders affected by the senseless act of violence He said emergency responders acted in an exemplary manner and he expressed appreciation for the mutual aid provided by surrounding law enforcement agencies Burruss said clergy from the diocese and across the country have reached out in support Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com Water for the Soul: Perseverance and Praise Inside the Cahaba Heights location (Biscuit Love/Contributed) Biscuits are a way of life in the South. From fast food favorites to family heirloom recipes, there’s not a meal that can’t be made better by a hot, buttery biscuit. In December, Birmingham added another biscuit purveyor with the opening of Nashville-based, family-run breakfast and lunch spot Biscuit Love. The new spot on Dolly Ridge Road in Cahaba Heights is the fourth Biscuit Love—and first outside of the Nashville area—helmed by Karl and Sarah Worley, who started the venture from the back of a borrowed food truck in 2012. In the decade since, they’ve turned their back-of-a-napkin dream into a beloved brand.  “After that, I kind of waved my hands in the air and said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa—I have a 7-year-old daughter and I never see her,’” Sarah remembers. “If we keep expanding like this, I’ll see her even less. I just need to build a team around me that can sustain growth if we’re going to keep growing the concept, so that’s what we set out to do.” After several years of building out their team, the couple was finally ready to move forward with more locations, but then the pandemic hit. While they waited for the right time to expand, they got connected with Melanie Zauzur through one of their Birmingham-based business partners and immediately felt a kinship.  After 20 years building a community at the Starbucks coffee shop in Cahaba Heights, Zauzur was ready to strike out on her own. Becoming the local partner for the new Biscuit Love was the perfect fit.  “The store opened with a bang,” Sarah says. “I think the community was really excited to embrace what we were doing. Breakfast is a really fun segment to be in. We get people at the best part of their day.” “Bonuts” (Biscuit Love/Contributed) “We’ve been really excited to get to breathe life into some other small businesses and really get to support another local entrepreneur in the process,” Sarah says. “We had so many people who did that for us when we started, so being able to pass that torch is fun.” The biscuits at Biscuit Love are a variation of Karl’s grandmother’s recipe for angel biscuits that are made with yeast and baking soda for a double rise. In late 2019, Biscuit Love brought Chef Lisa Marie White on as culinary director, and she added a lamination process to the original biscuit recipe.  “Lisa Marie had served me some of her biscuits when she was in New Orleans, and I always said hers were my favorite,” Sarah says. “With the new biscuits, you get a flaky, peel apart layer by layer biscuit, but you still get all that buttermilk and butter flavor.” With their first out-of-state location successfully up and running, Sarah says the goal is to continue expanding in the Southeast, but to do so mindfully.  “When Karl and I talked about expansion, one of the things we’ve always said is we never want to walk into a Biscuit Love and not recognize it,” she says. “So, for us, we’ve been really dedicated to our in-house relations before anything else.” Karl and Sarah Worley (Biscuit Love/Contributed) All Biscuit Love employees are paid a living wage and have access to a staff care program that includes therapists and mental health assistance. Sarah says it all goes back to creating a place of belonging, kindness, and hospitality for their employees so they, in turn, can do the same for customers.  “It’s a really special space that we get to share with people,” she says. “So being able to do that in a way that benefits not only consumer but also the people working, means something to us.” Calling all chocolate lovers! Peterbrooke Chocolatier will open its Cahaba Heights location by mid July From truffles to caramels to cherry cordials a former University of Alabama student who fell in love with the chocolate shop during her time at college facilitated the development of the Birmingham storefront.  “While I was in college, Peterbrooke was the neighborhood chocolatier and that’s where you went when you wanted chocolate, if you had any events coming up, if you needed a gift or a little sweet treat,” Tharani told the Vestavia Voice Peterbrooke Chocolatier sells chocolate everything The menu includes: Additionally, the store will offer gelato which is true to Peterbrooke’s European style the Vestavia Hills neighborhood is definitely on the come up.  To stay up to date on openings like this one Get updates like this delivered to your inbox daily Sign up for Bham Now’s free newsletter today 2018 at 1:49 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}VESTAVIA HILLS AL - Ask Cahaba Heights resident Missy Turner about what she loves about living in her community for as long as she has and you will get a fascinating glimpse into the history of a community with a humble it is the present and future of the community that has drawn her concern Since being annexed into the city of Vestavia Hills in 2002 the community of Cahaba Heights has seen its neighborhoods change significantly - new businesses and bigger retail spaces more traffic - and by most measures those changes would be considered positive But the residents of the community seem split on whether or not "bigger and busier" equal "better." Cahaba Heights began as the town of New Merkle an engineer who spearheaded the building of a Birmingham Water Works' Cahaba Pumping Station in the area in 1887 and throughout the century maintained much of that same identity An unincorporated part of Jefferson County the community even considered starting its own municipal government on more than one occasion but with a limited tax base remained a part of the county with its gem of an elementary school being part of the county school system When the 1990s brought massive development along the U.S the community was destined to either become part of Mountain Brook or part of Vestavia Hills especially after the building of The Summit shopping center and the influx of traffic that brought through the community Mountain Brook began investigating annexing Cahaba Heights homes near its border as a way to access valuable commercial real estate The city was still considering it in November 2000 when a Jefferson County probate court ruled the community could not incorporate because it was too close to Birmingham But Mountain Brook didn't want all of Cahaba Heights 2002 for the citizens of the community to decide if they wanted to be annexed or not both the Cahaba Heights Citizens Association and the Cahaba Heights Incorporation Committee set up headquarters to try to sway voters The former was at 3138 Heights Village between the Heights Cafe and Yankee Pizzeria while the latter set up in The Briarwood Thrift Store on Dolly Ridge Road The election resulted in a 66 percent voter turnout with 1,618 votes for annexation and 862 against the community officially became part of Vestavia Hills "Vestavia is all about quality of life - education recreation and strong economics all within the safest environment in Alabama," said Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry the residents of Cahaba Heights immediately benefited from this culture and the rest of Vestavia benefited from the influx of new residents who make our community even more rich in diverse backgrounds." Curry said Cahaba Heights offered Vestavia "a real village feel for retail," and added that more retail growth is expected infrastructure improvement is occurring in the Cahaba Heights area with unique retail offerings growing in the area as well," Curry said Becoming part of the award-winning Vestavia Hills schools system was a plus for Cahaba Heights residents And that is the reason cited by most of the proponents of being part of Vestavia for why the community is better off today But one of the divides between those who feel Cahaba Heights is better post-annexation and those who feel it was better beforehand stems partially from why the people live in the community to begin with Those who recall fondly the days when Faulk's Drug Store Myra's and Cahaba Heights Hardware were the retail anchors of the community say they hardly recognize the community anymore Starbucks and the shopping mecca that is The Summit dominate the commercial aspect of the area But that may or may not be Vestavia's fault Cahaba Heights resident Robert de Buys moved to the community specifically because it had been annexed by Vestavia "Vestavia Hills meant better schools and that had a strong gentrifying effect making the area wealthier and adding more families," de Buys said "When we moved here most homes were occupied by young people in 'starter homes' and retirement aged people Up until three years ago Cahaba Heights was largely ignored by city hall Thanks to the last election cycle that has changed Our needs are being addressed and we're being taken seriously." de Buys said he feels the complaints that most of the longtime residents of Cahaba Heights have - increased traffic higher taxes - do not outweight the perks of being part of Vestavia "Cahaba Heights was fated to change even had it not been incorporated," de Buys said "The location if nothing else seals that fate If not for Vestavia there would be several hundred new apartments and possibly even more commercial development The bitter old timers are out of touch with reality." Turner said she feels the amenities of being part of Vestavia Hills are not worth the perceived loss of identity she has seen with the old neighborhood "Home values increasing is cause for celebration," Turner said "But from the perspective of someone who cherished the close-knit unpretentious community that Cahaba Heights used to be Turner said she takes offense to people who view the older homes older businesses and older residents of the community as outdated and an annoyance it feels as if I had a patchwork quilt handmade by my grandmother displayed in my house then a wealthier guest tells me to throw it out because it's old totally discounting that the quilt is cherished by me because my grandma made it and she is no longer around," Turner said not everyone who lives here desires a contrived 'village' like those in Mountain Brook a community in the truest sense of the word These are the folks who find the patchwork quilt more meaningful and just as beautiful." said one of her issues is that she feels the community is not getting anything better from Vestavia than it was from Jefferson County "When the discussion of annexation came up the first time my husband and I were very much on the opposite sides "I remember the first time we got our new tax notice What did we have different from county - garbage collection and recycle?" "So many of my husband's friends came back to CH to raise their children in the same environment that they had grown up in said some of the issues people have with how things have changed since annexation are not necessarily the fault of the annexation "I read and hear many who complain about the changes brought on by annexation when most of what they cite was actually already happening or going to happen irrespective of annexation," Wright said there have been changes and not all of them good but the docile little suburb of Birmingham called Cahaba Heights was changing whether we wanted it to or not Annexation allowed us the resources to control part of who we would become - without it we would have lacked sufficient resources to control anything I lament the smallness and loss of 'community' we felt here years ago but I also welcome and enjoy the benefits of being part of a thriving and very healthy city." Wright said he understands the plight of those who have lived in the community for decades and feel they have lost what they love about it "I supported the annexation and under the same circumstances "I have many friends here who stood in strong opposition and still wish it had never happened; I understand their views and respect their opinions - we’re still friends because there was no better alternative available to us Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Cahaba Heights Chick-fil-a is almost open located on Crosshaven Drive is opening this month and hiring now We’re still mourning the loss of the first Alabama Chick-fil-a, formerly located in the Brookwood Village mall A new location is scheduled to open in a few short weeks The restaurant will be located at 3949 Crosshaven Dr, Vestavia, AL 35243. According to the website It holds open interviews on site every Wednesday Those interested in serving up the signature nuggets sandwiches and waffle fries can text CAHABA to 205-512-9119 for more info Chick-fil-a loyalists will be familiar with their iconic program known as the First 100 the first 100 customers are awarded with something special—one CFA sandwich meal every week for a year But, don’t break out the tents just yet. According to their website the popular program is currently on hold due to COVID-19 the chicken chain is providing meals for a year to 100 people making an impact in our community