SEPTEMBER 2020
VOLUME 5
IRON CITY
ISSUE 4
INK A SEASON OF CHANGE X
Pandemic alters landscape of City Center office spaces, but area momentum still strong. 10 INSIDE
CITY BEAT
What’s New Across the City? XFL talks; Legion FC unites with BCRI; World Games update; outdoor dining options expand; and neighborhood revitalization. 6
BUSINESS
SIPS & BITES
HAPPENINGS
ARTIST
Pepper Place Gets Sweeter Lakeview complex continues to grow as a destination for foodies with Jeni’s, Blueroot additions. 12
FACES
NECK OF THE WOODS
DISCOVER
Plus Special Content Need an introduction to area educators and practitioners? Check out our Private School Guide and our Fall Medical Guide. 13
Growing to meet your needs. Southview Medical Group, PC is excited to welcome two internal medicine physicians to our practice. Call today to schedule an appointment for your primary care. DR. LAKISHA MOORE-SMITH
(205) 933-4410 DR. STEPHEN STUART
Dr. Lakisha Moore-Smith
Dr. Stephen Stuart
(205) 933-4675
To learn more about Southview Medical Group PC, please visit southviewmedical.com
Exciting civil service career opportunities within the Merit System of Jefferson County.
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ABOUT
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BUSINESS
SIPS & BITES
IRON CITY INK
HAPPENINGS
SEPTEMBER 2020
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10 A SEASON OF CHANGE: Pandemic alters landscape of City Center office spaces, but area momentum still strong.
CITY BEAT
SIPS & BITES
SPECIAL CONTENT
LEGION FC UNITES WITH BCRI: Players wear limited-edition uniforms with the BCRI logo — which were later auctioned — during season-opener in July. 6
PEPPER PLACE GETS SWEETER: Lakeview complex continues to grow as a destination for foodies with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Blueroot additions. 12
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE 13 FALL MEDICAL GUIDE 16
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ON THE COVER: Zach Ivey, partner at Bridgeworth Wealth Management, and Bridgeworth CEO DeLynn Zell stand in the multipurpose room at the company’s new office location at the corner of 25th Street North and First Avenue North downtown. Photo by Erin Nelson.
SEPTEMBER 2020
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ABOUT
EDITOR’S NOTE
B
efore the coming of COVID-19, Birmingham’s City Center was booming. Several months into the pandemic, some signs of that boom remain, with numerous construction projects and renovations still underway. But many downtown offices are largely unoccupied as employees work from home. And there’s been a noticeable effect on small businesses — especially bars and restaurants — as many of their patrons stay away. There’s been discussion in the national media as to whether the demand for traditional office space could be permanently reduced given the effectiveness of remote work and lingering fears about the virus. At Iron City Ink, we wondered about the long-term health of the downtown office market in Birmingham and whether the City Center can recover its vibrancy when the
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pandemic ends. For our cover story, we talked to REV Birmingham, some local development professionals and the CEO of Bridgeworth Wealth Management, which recently moved its headquarters downtown. Reporter Ingrid Schnader contributes a “Sips & Bites” feature about two new food purveyors at Pepper Place: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, which opened recently, and Blueroot, which plans to open its flagship location at Pepper Place in early 2021. And remember, the pandemic isn’t over. Wear face coverings, practice social distancing and be safe.
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City Beat: Lots of sports, plus sidewalk dining, neighborhood work
W
By JESSE CHAMBERS elcome to another installment of City Beat, a regular feature we began last month. City Beat is designed to be an eclectic and, we hope, entertaining recap of recent news items in Birmingham. We plan to present a wide variety of topics, including sports, entertainment, community items and news from City Hall. This month, City Beat is heavy on sports, including hopes for another professional football team in Birmingham, a partnership between the Birmingham Legion FC and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and updates on The World Games 2022.
XFL FOR BIRMINGHAM?
Birmingham has seen more than its share of professional football franchises, going back to the World Football League in 1974-75. In spring 2019, the city welcomed the Birmingham Iron, a team in the financially
troubled Alliance of American Football. The team had a 5-3 record and drew about 15,000 fans per game at Legion Field, but the AAF folded before it completed its first season. Birmingham City Council President William Parker announced in early August he was seeking a meeting with the new leadership of the XFL to discuss a franchise for Birmingham. Film star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently bought the XFL for $15 million. The league filed for bankruptcy in April after failing to complete its first spring season due to COVID-19. The XFL, at press time, had made no announcements about plans for a 2021 season. “Over the years, we’ve worked hard to position Birmingham as a sports destination,” Parker said. “By having the XFL at Legion Field, we’d be able to keep major sporting events at the historic stadium year round since the league plays in the spring.”
THE LEGION AND THE BCRI
While the Magic City has coveted professional football, it seems the Birmingham
Two Birmingham Legion FC soccer team players model the special uniform worn in July. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Legion FC.
Legion FC professional soccer club is earning a place in the hearts of local sports fans. After a four-month delay due to COVID19, the Legion is playing its second season in the United Soccer League. At press time, the Legion — which earned a spot in the USL playoffs in 2019 despite a losing record — had an impressive slate of 5-2-1. The team also began a community partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
When the Legion opened the season in July at BBVA Field in a game televised by ESPN2, the players wore a limited-edition uniform with the BCRI logo on the back. Following the match, each of the gameworn, player-signed jerseys were put up for auction, with proceeds going to the BCRI. “We’re honored to partner with an organization as distinguished as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,” Legion FC President and General Manager Jay Heaps said in a club news release. A few weeks later, the Legion announced the auction raised over $9,000 for the institute, including the $1,050 the club added in support. The Legion is now a corporate member at the institute, the release stated. For more information, go to bhmlegion. com.
BIRMINGHAM HOSTS THE WORLD
The World Games 2022 Birmingham will take place July 7-17, 2022, at more than 25 venues around the metro area. About 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to compete in 33 sports.
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CITY BEAT The World Games 2022 Birmingham is offering fans the opportunity to help support the event by purchasing an official Alabama specialty license plate. Photo courtesy of The World Games 2022 Birmingham.
The World Games 2022 is now offering fans in the state the opportunity to help support the event by purchasing an official Alabama specialty license plate. The World Games plate costs $50, with $48.75 of each purchase going to support the planning and execution of the games. The plate, approved by the Alabama Legislative Oversight Committee, is available for pre-purchase at twg2022.com/ plate. In addition, the program at The World Games in Birmingham will include one sport that’s very familiar to Americans: flag football. Local organizers, along with the International World Games Association (IWGA),
the National Football League (NFL) and International Federation of American Football (IFAF), made the announcement in mid-July. The flag football competition at Legion Field will feature eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams from around the world. The NFL will serve as the presenting sponsor. The reigning world champions — the U.S. men’s and women’s teams — both pre-qualify, and the remaining squads will be selected through the IFAF qualifying process. “Football is a staple of Southern sports and will be a welcome addition to The 2022 World Games lineup,” Birmingham
Mayor Randall Woodfin said. “Adult flag football is a very competitive and growing sport globally,” council president Parker added. “This partnership with the NFL is just the beginning of a long-term relationship that the city plans to develop with the league.”
TAKE IT TO THE STREETS
The Birmingham City Council voted Aug. 11 to temporarily allow restaurants in the city to apply for a special Shared Space permit and expand seating onto sidewalks and into parking spaces. The measure is intended to allow eateries to seat more diners while still practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is to be no disruption to city streets or traffic, according to the ordinance, which was also approved by the Public Safety Committee chaired by Councilor Hunter Williams. ”This is going to be good for Birmingham restaurants, and that will be good for the city,” Williams said at the meeting. Throughout the pandemic, the City Council has been seeking ways to lessen the economic impact on businesses in the city, according to a news release. Those seeking to apply for a permit
should call the Department of Transportation at 205-254-2450.
REVITALIZATION A ‘TOP PRIORITY’ Mayor Woodfin provided an update on neighborhood revitalization efforts in the city during an Aug. 4 appearance at a newly demolished, blighted structure in East Lake. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodfin said neighborhood revitalization remains his “top priority” and cited statistics to show the city’s progress in several categories. For example, Woodfin said 945 blighted houses have been taken down by city crews and contractors, and another 110 have been demolished by property owners since January 2018. Work is nearing completion on more than 23 miles of street resurfacing, which represents a $6.7 million investment by the city. Bidding has ended for the first year of a sidewalk repair plan, with work expected to begin after approval by the City Council.
LET US HEAR FROM YOU
If you have ideas for items you’d like to see in City Beat in print or online, write us at jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
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UAB is planning to build a new Science and Engineering Complex costing $78.5 million. There will be 145,784 square feet of space for teaching, laboratories and offices, according to UAB Media Relations. The new com-
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The Birmingham City Council also voted July 28 to authorize the use of the city’s power of eminent domain to acquire a temporary construction easement and fee simple title to a right of way consisting of about 0.037 acres of property at 940 Pike Road, The purpose is to allow for the completion of the Belview Heights Neighborhood Gateway Beautification Project on Avenue I from Pike Road to 40th Street. The project is to include pedestrian lighting, decorative sidewalks and landscaping.
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The Dobbins Group is investing $16.5 1 million in a 96-unit multifamily residential project at 4211 and 4241 Third Ave. S. in Avondale, just off the main commercial strip in the popular neighborhood, according to a news release from the Birmingham-based real estate investment firm. The project will consist of two buildings containing 48 units each and should be completed by fall 2021. “Avondale continues to be known as one of the fastest growing and most desirable neighborhoods in all of Birmingham,” Thornton Ratliff, Dobbins Group vice president, said in the news release. “The influx of breweries, restaurants, music venues, office space and community gathering areas over the last 10 years has made it prime for new multi-family development.” Arlington Construction Services will serve as general contractor.
The Birmingham City Council voted July 28 to authorize Mayor Randall Woodfin to execute an agreement with Sixth Avenue Center LLC under which the city will obtain a temporary construction easement on property on Sixth Avenue South near the intersection of First Street South for construction activities related to the Bus Rapid Transit project. The city will pay a fee of $10.
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BUSINESS 50,664 square feet and expects to move in by late 2020 or early 2021. Birmingham AIDS Outreach will also move into the building. Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor, Farris Properties is the developer and KPS Group is the architect. Work continues on the renovation of the historic former New Ideal department store downtown for use as The New Ideal Lofts, consisting of 44 micro, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units and 3,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. H2 Real Estate is the listing company for the project.
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The new $19.2 million UAB Technology Innovation Center is under construction at 17th Street South and Ninth Avenue South. The center, measuring 40,000 square feet, will house campus internet connectivity and technology infrastructure and is set to open in early 2021, according to UAB Media Relations.
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Work is underway on the new program services campus for United Way of Central Alabama, located at 3600 Eighth Ave. S. in Avondale. The nonprofit is renovating the former Overlook Building at 3620 Eighth Ave. S. adjacent to the UWCA headquarters. The UWCA purchased the 35,000-square-foot building, formerly the offices of Ram Tool, in 2018. Stewart/Perry is the general contractor. Studio 2H Design is the architect.
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Construction continues for a new $25 million arts campus for Red Mountain Theatre Company. The campus is located at 1600 Third Ave. S., adjacent to Regions Field. LIVE Design Group is the architect. Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor. Harbert Realty Services will manage the project. Construction should be complete in summer 2021.
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Renovation work is underway at the historic Carver Theatre, now known as the Carver Performing Arts Center, at 1631 Fourth Ave. N. downtown. The former movie house, built in 1935, is also home to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which manages the facility. Studio 2H Design is the architect and interior designer on the project, and Stone Building is the general contractor.
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which was demolished in 2019.
Openings/Closures Local Source Market & Grocery, which offers meats, dairy and produce sourced from area farms, has opened at 2009 15th Ave. S. in Five Points South. Open seven days a week, it is located next to Zydeco and shares space with Near To Me CBD, according to a news release from the store. Produce and meat suppliers include Ireland Farms from Alpine, Marble Creek Farms from Sylacauga and Mountain Sun Farms from Mentone. The shop will also stock the work of local artisans, such as canvas and leather goods from Biscuit Leather, wooden utensils from Spoon Man and ceramic tableware from Balefire Studios.
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Terrific New Theatre (TNT), which remains temporarily closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, announced in July it would vacate its space at Pepper Place effective Aug. 8. TNT, a nonprofit, moved to Pepper Place in 1991. “We came to the conclusion that TNT needed to go into a hibernation of sorts until it is feasible to re-open for business,” board President Thom Satterfield said in a news release. TNT temporarily ceased operations March 14 due to the pandemic and subsequently suspended the remainder of its 2019-20 season. TNT Executive Director Tam DeBolt said the theatre will reopen when the time is right. “Rest assured, TNT is not going anywhere — well, except to a new location,” she said in the release.
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Woodlawn Cycle Cafe at 5530 First Ave. S. — one of the symbols of the gradual revitalization of Woodlawn — closed permanently Aug. 2. The cafe was a popular place for coffee, pastries, desserts, breakfast and pop-up dinners and drew loyal patrons from Woodlawn, Crestwood, East Lake and elsewhere. The dining room had remained closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, but the cafe had offered curbside pickup several days a week. “We have encountered amazing people come through these doors in the last five years — staff and customers alike — and we are beyond grateful for the support and the memories made here,” the owners said on the cafe website in announcing the closure.
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Work continues on the renovation of the eighth and ninth floors of the 34-story Shipt Tower at 1901 Sixth Ave. N. for use by Shipt, the fast-growing online grocery-delivery service based in Birmingham. The company placed its new logo on the top of the building, formerly called the Wells Fargo Tower, in May. Shipt began leasing space in the building in 2019 and plans to move more personnel into the building when renovations are complete. The general contractor is Wiggins Building Corporation. Shipt will retain its current space in the John Hand Building.
Little Savannah Restaurant & Bar at 3811 Clairmont Ave. S. in Forest Park Village, is closing after 17 years. Co-owners Cliff Holt and Stephanie Rogers announced the closure “with a heavy heart and profound sadness” on Facebook on Aug. 2. “The spirit and essence of the dream that was Little Savannah Restaurant is no longer sustainable,” they said in the post. They also said they hope to reopen soon in a new location and will continue offering in-home cooking classes, private dinners and catering.
Construction was finished this summer for Town House Park, a new park built by UAB at the corner of University Boulevard and 20th Street South, according to UAB Media Relations. Help phones are to be installed, and commissioned lighting artwork will be installed at a later date. The park is on the site of the old UAB Townhouse facility,
Restaurant chain Wing It On! is looking for franchisees in Alabama, including Birmingham, as part of a broader expansion in the Southeast, according to AL.com. The chain is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and offers takeout wings with 24 flavors, dipping sauces and several different chicken sandwiches.
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HAPPENINGS
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COVER: Pandemic alters landscape of City Center office spaces, but area momentum still strong
A SEASON OF CHANGE
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By JESSE CHAMBERS
hen Bridgeworth Wealth Management decided to make the move from the Colonnade to its new headquarters on 25th Street North near the Red Mountain Expressway, things were looking good in Birmingham’s City Center. Consider this from REV Birmingham: Since 2010, more than $2.5 billion had been invested in more than 75 projects downtown; just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 5 million square feet of retail, office and residential space was built or under construction. In addition, the City Center office market was strong, having closed 2019 as one of only two out of five office submarkets in the region with positive net absorption, REV Birmingham CEO David Fleming said. This means that more space was leased downtown than was vacated or newly created. “We were inspired and excited to see the millions of dollars being invested in the downtown area and the revitalization of the city,” Bridgeworth CEO and co-founder DeLynn Zell said. “We feel that for the entire community to thrive, Birmingham has to thrive, and we wanted to be a part of that revitalization.” Like other downtown areas, that revitalization came to a halt in mid-March with the onslaught of COVID-19. But while city centers across the country, including the Magic City, are facing economic headwinds, Birmingham development professionals who spoke to Iron City Ink also expressed faith in the long-term health of the City Center and its office market. “We have not seen widespread breaking of leases or ceasing operations,” Fleming said. “Everyone is going through the same thing.”
CHANGING LANDSCAPE
When businesses began shutting down, it was a precipitous drop, Fleming said. “By March, when social distancing and remote working went into effect, we saw a dramatic decrease in the numbers of employees present in the City Center, dropping from around 85,000 regular employees to 34,000,” he said. Fewer employees means less foot traffic,
Patti Black, partner and certified financial planner, works in her new office space at Bridgeworth Wealth Management, seen at top, at the corner of 25th Street North and First Avenue North downtown on July 8. Photos by Erin Nelson.
which has a negative impact on small businesses, including bars, eateries and retail, which depend on downtown workers and other visitors. However, the City Center is still a place where companies will want to be, said Lochrane Smith, director of leasing and business development for Sloss Real Estate.
“Tenants value having an office that makes their employees want to come to work,” Smith said. “There is even more demand for unique office space and offices large enough to accommodate social distancing. As more restaurants, coffee shops, apartments and fitness studios open in the City Center, more companies will consider the [Central Business District] an ideal
location for their headquarters.” This is true despite the pandemic and the protests, she said. “Birmingham residents have a strong sense of pride in the city,” she said. “Following the protests, people came downtown specifically to see murals painted on commercial buildings and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ sign on First Avenue South. To comply with COVID safety protocols, downtown restaurants and bars are expanding their patio seating onto sidewalks and parking spaces. Downtown Birmingham has maintained a sense of vibrancy throughout this unprecedented time. Office tenants like working where the action is.” In addition, “the City Center workstyle is infinitely more vibrant than anything in the suburbs,” said John Boone, a co-founder and principal at development firm Orchestra Partners. “Young professionals crave activity and connections,” Boone said, citing the growing number of amenities downtown, such as bars, restaurants, gyms, galleries and outdoor recreation, as well as new residential and retail options.
DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY
That vibrancy helped attract Bridgeworth, a firm with more than $1.5 billion assets under management and one of the largest groups of certified financial planners in the Southeast, to its new
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FACES like downtown with its amenities; and that downtown is a convenient location for everyone in the region to access,” Fleming said.
REMOTE WORK VS. OFFICE SPACE
A view of the sidewalk along 20th Street North, seen Aug. 11. As more employees of downtown businesses work from home, foot traffic has decreased for restaurants, bars and retail.
headquarters. “We saw many other businesses coming down here, and we just wanted to be a part of the community,” Zell said. “We’re excited to be here.” The location offers Bridgeworth “ease of access, parking, visibility in the downtown business community” and proximity to many of its clients and other professionals, said Zach Ivey, Bridgeworth chief investment strategist. Bridgeworth moved in March to 101 25th St. N. The firm leases 18,000 square feet downstairs, and Intermark has the upstairs, Zell said. The headquarters has 52 offices, collaborative work spaces, a flexible 90-seat meeting space with catering capabilities and nine client meeting rooms. COVID-19 made the firm’s move more difficult than planned. It had its office equipment moved into the new space March 28, but employees had begun to work remotely March 16.
That continued until June 1 — the day after substantial protests downtown — when Bridgeworth moved half of its people into the office. The new location is a good fit for Bridgeworth, said Robert Simon, president and CEO of Corporate Realty, which manages the building. “It is always smart for a headquarters to consider the City Center,” he said. “For a long time, they have been recognized as a leader in the city, and this building puts the firm in a great location for existing and future clients.” REV is excited to have Bridgeworth, saying any decision to move a headquarters downtown is “a positive reflection on the attractiveness of the market.” “It shows that forward-thinking companies like Bridgeworth recognize several things: that downtown gives off a progressive modern image; that the best location for companies to attract the future workforce is in walkable urban locations
There’s been speculation in the media in recent months as to whether the sudden shift to remote work and lingering fears about the coronavirus will cause permanent changes in the U.S. office market. “It doesn’t appear that many companies are rushing their employees back into the office,” Fleming said. “We hear from a lot of companies that they have learned how much business they can still accomplish while remote working.” “Well-managed” remote work doesn’t reduce productivity, and there’s evidence that remote work helps boost employee morale due to increased work/life balance,” Boone said. However, there are limits to the value of remote work. “Employees expect the flexibility of working from places outside of the office building, but working exclusively from home hurts the spirit of collaboration and culture companies need to be successful,” Smith said. Zell said she believes companies will continue to maintain traditional offices. “When the pandemic hit, you started seeing articles about people not wanting office space anymore and working from home,” Zell said. “Quite frankly, I don’t believe that is going to be widespread. What we’re beginning to see is that people are getting a little fatigued working at home and having Zoom meetings.” Zoom meetings might be productive, but they don’t allow person-to-person interaction, which can be so important, Smith said. “The purpose of the traditional office is to create an environment where a company can be successful,” she said. “Much of that success comes from the camaraderie among employees who like where they work, whom they work with and what they do for work.” “You can better understand how to best collaborate with your coworkers when you have consistent interpersonal communication,” Boone said. Remote work doesn’t foster community among team members, Fleming said. “The thing that gets sacrificed is company culture,” he said. “There is no replacement for being together sometimes and getting to know each other for more than the office functions we serve. We believe there will still be demand for office space as companies seek to build teams and culture.” Zell agrees, saying her employees have enjoyed moving back into an office environment this summer. “We, like others, have been able to get our jobs done, but it is harder to build and
maintain culture in a remote environment,” she said. “Our best ideas come when we are together and feeding off each other’s ideas. I don’t see innovation happening in the remote environment.” “Technology is great, but isn’t able to replicate the total in-person experience,” Ivey said. The pandemic might result in differently designed office spaces, Fleming said. “We believe COVID-19 is causing people to rethink how they may want to office together going forward and how to design office space,” Fleming said. “A trend had been to get more people into less space. Post-pandemic, we may see a return to designing for more distance between people and larger mass meeting spaces. This could net out to less of a reduction in actual rentable space than you might anticipate.” “We are thankful that our space is large and designed in the way so that we can all work in the office and be socially distanced and safe,” Ivey said.
LONG-TERM PROSPECTS
There is some uncertainty built into any assessments of the downtown office market given the unknowns about the pandemic, Fleming said. “In the short term, it has impacted office location or renewal decision-making for many until we understand the pandemic and its potential length,” he said. Boone said there are some questions to be answered in assessing the long-term health of the downtown office market. “We’ll have a better idea of City Center office growth once the office market in general decides what it wants to be,” he said. “Are we going to try and refill the towers or convert them to residential? Will people start working more from home after COVID? Which large firm will leave their office park for downtown in order to attract the next generation of talent?” That said, Boone said he is “not worried” about the effects of a COVID-induced recession on the downtown office market. “There simply isn’t a lot of office growth in the metro area for a recession to stymie,” he said. Zell believes COVID-19 and other recent events should not have a long-term negative effect on downtown. The pandemic “will change some things, but I think with the momentum Birmingham has had, I just don’t think everyone will turn and abandon the downtown area,” Zell said. “I think there was too much momentum to completely reverse.” The increasing number of people living downtown is a positive factor. “I don’t see them all picking up and moving out,” Zell said. “We know there have been and will be more businesses closing, but we believe the demand will bring others back,” Ivey said.
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Pepper Place welcomes Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, anticipates opening of Blueroot HQ
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By INGRID SCHNADER irminghamians have flocked to Pepper Place to grab an Instagram-worthy scoop of ice cream since Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams opened its first Alabama location there in June. Jeni Britton Bauer is a James Beard Award-winning chef, and she started her ice cream business in Ohio while in art school. But she said she always had Birmingham on her mind. “I knew some of the history of Birmingham, but I had never been until a few years ago,” she said. “I was on a road trip … and stopped in Birmingham for a couple of days. And I really just fell in love with this city.” Bauer takes a different approach to making ice cream. Her team only uses fresh ingredients, and they avoid things like stabilizers and chemicals that can be found in ice cream from other vendors. “We actually make ice cream with just milk proteins that give it body and texture,” she said. “So we don’t use egg yolk either. It’s just really fresh, really beautiful, very simple ice cream. But it’s so flavorful that then we can put all these other beautiful experiences on top of it, like pralines or brown butter or coffee.” Many ingredients come from bakers and suppliers that her team knows personally, and this makes it even better, she said. It’s more than just the ice cream though, Bauer said — it’s how customers feel when they’re in the space. “We’re just a very creative, very open company,” she said. “The idea of flavor is very important to us, like celebrating everyone’s flavor. We just love people so much, and I think that’s so much a part of it.” Depending on the season, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will have between 16-22 ice cream flavors for customers to choose from, and more flavors are sometimes available by the pint. “Everytime you go there, there should be something new, if not a few things,” Bauer said. Bauer eats a few scoops of her Brown Butter Almond Brittle almost every single night, she said. Tart flavors are also some of her favorites, she said, because she uses a buttermilk that’s made from a small dairy just for her team. “It brings tartness to the cream and the milk, and it just has an extraordinary texture,” she said.
Above: A pair enjoys ice cream in a waffle cone outside Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Pepper Place. Above right: A double scoop Frosé sorbet. Photos courtesy of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
To celebrate joining the Pepper Place community, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams also partnered with Birmingham Candy Company to create a limited-edition flavor, Praline Pecans. Birmingham Candy Co. sent Bauer and her team an order of pralines, and then Bauer perfected an ice cream flavor that tasted similar to the Birmingham pralines. Making caramel ice cream flavors can be a complex, even dangerous process, Bauer said, but it’s one of her team’s specialties. “It’s a good one to taste — it’s very emotional,” she said. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is open daily from noon to 11 p.m. Visit jenis.olo.com for more information.
BLUEROOT COMES FULL CIRCLE
The Blueroot Company will also soon make its way to Pepper Place. The healthy
meals company had been operating out of a commissary kitchen in Irondale, and it just opened a pick-up window in Mountain Brook Village. The Pepper Place location will be the company’s flagship location, offering customers a fast-casual dining experience. “Blueroot was born at Pepper Place at the farmer’s market a year ago, so it’s really special that we’re coming full circle,” owner Jennifer Ryan said. “It was an important place for us to debut, one because of our partnership with local farmers … and when we thought of the location of our flagship, the city of Birmingham itself was a very important component in the decision. We’re really excited about what Pepper Place has to offer.” The menu will include customizable salads and green bowls. There will also be breakfast options, smoothies and a line of
superfood snacks. Customers can walk in and sit at a table, or they can order online and do curbside pickup. The 1,750-square-feet space is directly below the Dr. Pepper sign, and it will be fully equipped with a kitchen, unlike the Mountain Brook location. Ryan said she hopes to build a clean, airy and open space that is reminiscent of California. Vegetables will be sourced locally, she said. “We’re focused on three things,” she said. “We’re focused on delightful food that tastes amazing. We’re focused on making sure every bite is packed with nutrients. And we’re focused on an experience that is very convenient.” Growing up in southern California had a big influence on Ryan’s view of health and nutrition. “I harnessed early lessons about eating whole foods for energy and sustenance, and tried to apply those lessons while playing Division I athletics, working full time in New York or traveling for my job,” Ryan said in a news release in June. “When my husband and I moved to Birmingham, we celebrated the burgeoning food scene, but lamented the lack of healthy, convenient choices. Blueroot was born to bring a bright and healthy option to our Birmingham community, especially for those on the move.” Tom Walker, chief operating officer of Sloss Real Estate, added: “Blueroot represents another successful graduate of the Market at Pepper Place taking brickand-mortar space inside Birmingham’s city limits.” Ryan said she anticipates the flagship location will be open by early 2021. Visit bluerootco.com for more information.
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Creative Montessori School.......................................... 13 Indian Springs School..................................................... 14 The Altamont School..................................................... 15
Creative Montessori School
Founded in 1968 by Barbara R. Spitzer, Creative Montessori School is Birmingham’s first Montessori school; the first local private school to be racially integrated from inception; and the first to offer science, world geography and foreign language to preschoolers. The school is proud to have recently celebrated 50 years of excellence in Montessori education. Convenient to both downtown Birmingham and over-the-mountain suburbs, CMS offers its students an unparalleled private school education in a warm and loving Montessori atmosphere where the focus is on the individual child. Our teachers value each child’s unique potential and nurture our students’ inherent ability to meet challenges with divergent thinking skills, self-confidence, adaptability and resilience. Children at Creative Montessori learn the same things that children in a traditional school will learn — plus practical knowledge such as conflict resolution, social responsibility and environmental stewardship. It is how they learn and how they feel about learning that is quite different and truly valuable. Montessori classrooms are designed to foster intellectual curiosity by facilitating individualized, independent, purposeful work within a peaceful
○ Grades: 18 months to eighth grade ○ Where: 2800 Montessori Way
Homewood, AL 35209
○ Call: 205-879-3278 ○ Web: cmskids.org setting. The result is children who fall in love with learning. Students are allowed to learn at their own pace under the caring and thoughtful guidance of a professionally trained Montessori teacher. CMS enrolls 250 students from 25 zip codes and is located on a 2.5-acre campus in the heart of Homewood. Our affordable tuition makes exceptional education accessible to families with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Prospective parents are invited to call the administration office to schedule a tour.
Empowering children to reach their unique potential through a Montessori education. Call to schedule a tour. 205-879-3278 • cmskids.org 18 months - 8th grade
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Private School Guide
Special Advertorial Section
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Indian Springs School
Welcome to Indian Springs School, where some of the finest students from across Birmingham, throughout the country and around the world come together to learn by living, exploring and partnering with accomplished faculty as part of a supportive community of scholars and individuals. We opened our doors in 1952, and since that time our creative campus, curriculum and community have set us apart. Our boarding and day program brings together a diverse and vibrant cohort of just under 300 students in grades eight through 12 on a 350-acre campus where nature serves as both inspiration and laboratory. Students from eight states and four countries work together with faculty in a model of shared governance to discover their passions by taking part in everything from athletics to our acclaimed choir and student-run scholastic, service and special-interest clubs. Our faculty are dedicated to teaching and mentoring young people and nearly all have advanced degrees. Our beautiful, cutting-edge classrooms and innovative independent study options combine to enhance the great teaching
○ Grades: Eighth through 12th ○ Where: 190 Woodward Drive, Indian Springs, AL 35124 ○ Call: 205-988-3350 ○ Web: indiansprings.org that opens doors to new ideas and new possibilities. Led for its first 20 years by forwardthinking educator Dr. Louis E. “Doc” Armstrong, Indian Springs has roots in the progressive educational philosophy of John Dewey, who inspired our motto: “Learning through Living.” Our mission is to develop in students a love of learning and creativity, a sense of integrity and moral courage, and an ethic of participatory citizenship with respect for individuality and independent thought. Indian Springs aims to connect, value and include young people whose origins, identities, beliefs and experiences reflect the rich and instructive diversity of our global society. That means learning at Indian Springs is both an individual
pursuit and a collective endeavor, in which we deeply understand our world and one another. One of our best known alumni, the author and educator John Green, ’95, has said that Indian Springs is where “all at once, I became a learner ... because I found myself in a community
of learners.” Indian Springs exists far beyond our striking campus; it is a passionate extended community of alumni, parents and friends that spans the globe and generations. We invite you to imagine how you might be transformed by, and contribute to, our extraordinary community of learners.
Private School Guide
Special Advertorial Section
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The Altamont School
The mission of The Altamont School is to improve the fabric of society by graduating compassionate, well-educated individuals capable of independent thinking and innovative ideas. The school attracts, nurtures and challenges students whose commitment to truth, knowledge and honor will prepare them not only for the most rigorous college programs, but also for productive lives. Altamont is a family of 360 students in grades 5-12 with socio-economic, ethnic and religious diversity. Altamont is a good choice for students who want greater breadth and challenge in all areas of school life. We combine a college preparatory program with a personalized college search program. Students participate in arts, world languages, community service, clubs, class projects and athletics. They also
○ Grades: Fifth through 12th ○ Where: 4801 Altamont Road South
Birmingham, AL 35222
○ Call: 205-879-2006 ○ Web: altamontschool.org benefit from a 1-to-1 laptop program, an advanced computer science curriculum and unparalleled service leadership opportunities through Altamont’s Miree Center. Attend an Open House or schedule a campus tour to learn more.
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She’s taking on
Madison, pediatric cancer survivor
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life Because she’s taking on cancer Julie Wolfson, MD
The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the top pediatric cancer programs in the nation. Our team of over 300 dedicated pediatric healthcare professionals is committed to exceptional patient care and innovative research. At Children’s, we’re safely serving children — providing essential care just as we have since 1911.
Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center........... 17 UAB Medicine........................................................ 18 UAB’s All of Us Research Program....................... 20 Our Center treats more than 90% of Alabama’s children with cancer and blood disorders. Learn how you can help at: ChildrensAL.org/committedtoacure
Patrick Odum Family Dentistry............................. 22 The ROME Study – UAB Department of Preventive Medicine........................................ 23
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TOTAL SKIN & BEAUTY DERMATOLOGY CENTER 2100 16th Ave. S., Suite 202, Birmingham, AL 35205 Q: Please describe Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center’s area of expertise. A: Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center began as a small dermatologic clinic treating skin diseases and performing cutaneous surgeries. Since its beginning 40-plus years ago, it has evolved into a specialty, fullservice comprehensive clinic for dermatologic skin care. A dedicated team of six boardcertified dermatologists, three physician assistants, two nurse practitioners and a staff of 85plus employees offer patients the ease of complete care conveniently located under a single roof. Our facility provides patients of all ages the following: dermatologic medical and surgical care, a phototherapy center, an aesthetic center for cosmetic and laser procedures, a research department that conducts clinical trials for a
205-933-0987
totalskinandbeauty.com dermal fillers, resurfacing treatments, laser therapy, top quality skincare products and much more. Our research department conducts clinical trials for a wide variety of medications, treatments and devices, and our Superficial Radiation Center offers a noninvasive treatment option for certain skin cancers.
wide variety of medications, treatments and devices, as well as a superficial radiation center for non-invasive treatment of skin cancers. Q: What type of services do you offer? A: Full dermatologic medical and surgical care:
Comprehensive solutions for conditions such as acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, skin cancers, lesions, etc. We also offer Mohs Micrographic Surgery, which is the most advanced method of skin cancer treatment, offering the highest cure rate available and the smallest surgical
wound possible. We offer phototherapy treatment, which is the treatment of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo and severe eczema. Our Cosmetic & Aesthetic Center provides the latest skin rejuvenation and antiaging treatments such as neuromodulators (Botox®),
Q: What do you most want potential patients to know about you and your practice? A: The skin is our largest organ. It is your first line of defense against disease, protects your other organs, warms you up and cools you down, and sends messages about how healthy you are inside. Our dermatologists are expert medical doctors and skin surgeons with the unique skills and experience to offer the best personalized care for the organ that cares for you, for a lifetime.
TOTAL SKIN & BEAUT Y DERMATOLOGY CENTER
Proudly welcomes to our practice
GENE STANCUT, MD Dr. Gene Stancut joins the Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology team as a highlytrained Mohs micrographic surgeon and board-certified dermatologist. His Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellowship, directed under Dr. Conway C. Huang at UAB (Birmingham, AL), is one of the largest and most reputable programs in the nation. Dr. Stancut’s specialization in Mohs micrographic surgery will provide patients the most advanced method of skin cancer treatment, offering the highest cure rate available and the smallest surgical wound possible. We are pleased and honored to have him on our team! MD: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC INTERNSHIP: General Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical Center/UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX RESIDENCY: Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
GENE STANCUT, MD
FELLOWSHIP: Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST, MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGEON
CERTIFICATION: American Board of Dermatology
NOW ACCEPTING PATIENTS AT OUR MAIN OFFICE LOCATION! CALL: 205.933.0987 OR REQUEST ONLINE: TOTALSKINANDBEAUTY.COM MAIN OFFICE
TRUSSVILLE
FULTONDALE
205.933.0987
205.380.6161
205.380.6162
2100 16th Ave. S., Ash Place Ste. 202 Birmingham, AL 35205
4913 Deerfoot Pkwy. Trussville Family & Urgent Care Trussville, AL 35173
339 Walker Chapel Plaza Ste. 109 Fultondale, AL 35068
BESSEMER/UAB MEDICAL WEST
Prof. Office Bldg. 2; Ste. 210 995 9th Ave. SW Bessemer, AL 35022
205.380.6163
TOTALS K INANDB EAU T Y.CO M
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UAB MEDICINE 800-UAB-8816 Q: What types of in-person and remote care are available? A: If you or a loved one needs health care, it’s important not to delay it during the COVID-19 pandemic. UAB Medicine is open for in-person care, including elective procedures. We also offer online care and video visits – for both routine and urgent medical issues – through UAB eMedicine telehealth services. UAB eMedicine offers three types of online virtual care: ○ Scheduled Clinic Video Visit: This option allows your UAB Medicine primary care or specialty care provider to perform basic physical exams, diagnose common medical conditions, manage complex care and provide personalized treatment plans “face to face” using video technology. If lab work or imaging (such as X-rays) is needed, it will be ordered and done at another time. A smartphone (preferred) or computer with web camera and Google Chrome installed is required. ○ On-Demand Urgent Care Questionnaire: Complete a short form and get a diagnosis and treatment (including any necessary prescriptions) for routine illnesses and common conditions such as cold/flu, sinus infection, female bladder infection, pink eye, vaginal yeast infection and more. The form is available 24/7, and a UAB Medicine provider will respond during these hours: 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am to 3 pm Saturday and 1-5 pm Sunday. A web camera is not required. You must be between the ages of 18 and 75, and the cost is $25. ○ On-Demand Urgent Care Video Visit: Visit “face to face” over video with a trusted UAB Medicine provider, similar to an in-office appointment. Providers are available 24/7 to evaluate symptoms, make a diagnosis,
uabmedicine.org or uabemedicine.com
recommend treatment and send prescriptions to your pharmacy. We suggest this option if you think you may have a more urgent common condition that may require a physical exam. The cost is $45, and you must be at least 18 years old. Q: What is your policy on wearing masks? A: All employees, patients and caregivers are required to wear a mask or face covering inside all UAB Medicine facilities. We encourage all patients and visitors to bring their own mask from home. Q: How do you keep your facilities clean and sanitized? A: To continue maintaining the highest levels of safety, UAB Medicine follows strict guidelines for cleaning our hospitals and clinics, and we are doing even more during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Environmental Services (EVS) staff use special commercial cleaning products and procedures and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, face shields or goggles, and gowns. They clean and sanitize more often than usual and in more places, paying special attention to “high-touch” surfaces such as handrails, door handles, elevator buttons and restrooms. Rooms that housed patients with COVID-19 receive a double cleaning, and they are sprayed with a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant mist that clings to surfaces. Q: What is your visitor policy? A: UAB Medicine is restricting visitors in our hospitals and clinics to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Exceptions may be allowed in situations where a caregiver’s presence improves the patient’s
safety, emotional well-being, physical care or end-of-life experience (compassionate care). Visit uabmedicine.org/visit to view our current visitor policy and see how we are keeping UAB Medicine clean. Q: What are some other steps being taken to protect patients and visitors from the COVID-19 virus? A: In addition to requiring masks, special cleaning measures and encouraging social distancing, here are a few other steps we are taking to reduce the spread of COVID-19: ○ Restricting visitors within our facilities ○ Temperature screening at entrances, for patients, visitors and employees ○ Limiting the number of passengers in elevators ○ Socially distanced seating in waiting rooms and common areas ○ Testing all patients for COVID-19 prior to elective surgery ○ Additional hand sanitizing/disinfection stations throughout our facilities ○ Pre-visit health screenings ○ Contact-free express check-in Q: How do I make an appointment? A: To talk with someone about scheduling an appointment with a UAB Medicine provider, please call 205-934-9999 (toll-free 1-800-822-8816). These same numbers may be used to schedule an eMedicine Clinic Video Visit with your provider or to reschedule an in-person appointment as an eMedicine Clinic Video Visit. To learn more about our services, please visit uabmedicine.org or uabemedicine.com.
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JoinAllofUs.org/UAB
allofus@uabmc.edu
Dr. Cora Lewis is the chair of the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and is the Co-PI for the All of Us Southern Network. Q: Why is the All of Us Research Program studying DNA? A: We know that certain changes in DNA can affect our health, but there is still a lot to learn. By studying DNA from All of Us participants, researchers could learn more about what keeps us healthy or makes us sick; identify which treatments work best for different types of people; and create medications to treat or prevent common conditions, such as chronic pain or diabetes. Q: How do researchers look at DNA? A: There are different things you can do with DNA. You can look at particular, specific genes that someone might have. You can do what they call genotyping, which means you look at what gene someone has and you see if those are related to certain traits. And then there are some genes we’ve known about for a while that can cause certain conditions, like sickle cell anemia, for instance, is due to a certain gene. Finally, there are conditions that are fairly common that are probably due to a number of different genes that each have small effects that add up, like high blood pressure, for instance. Q: Do you share study results with participants? A: There will be an online consent process that explains what the program will be doing with the DNA, and the participants can choose what results they get back. The program is committed to giving any results back to the participants. Q: Why is this study important? A: This is going to be a really big study. We’re looking for 1,000,000 people across the country. We’ve already signed up thousands of people. So this study will have the statistical power to do a lot of different analyses. You need very large sample sizes for some of this genetic work, especially if you’re looking at common problems, like high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. We have a lot to learn about those conditions and how the genetic makeup of a person will interact with certain medications. There is a lot to learn in this area, and that’s what All of Us is trying to do.
CORA E. LEWIS, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Q: How long will volunteers be involved in the study? A: This is what’s called a cohort study. We sign up people over time, and we want to follow them over several years. The study plans to last 10 years. This way, researchers know where volunteers started out. They know things about the volunteers, such as weight, blood pressure, family history and information from the blood tests. Then researchers
look to see who develops certain conditions over time. They analyze the data they have, and then they can say something like, “People with this particular genetic makeup may be more at risk of having a stroke if their blood pressure is high.” You have to be able to keep following the same people and not lose track of them if you’re going to draw any conclusions from that kind of study.
Q: Who qualifies for this study? A: Pretty much anyone of the adult age. We have plans to start collecting children’s DNA at some point, but we haven’t done that yet. We’re looking for people who want to help others by joining a program such as this. Q: How can volunteers sign up? A: Visit joinallofus.org/UAB for more information and to sign up.
There’s Power in All of Us The All of Us Research Program brings together a unique group of participants who may change research to benefit the health of people in the future.
To start your journey, go to Participant.JoinAllofUs.org and: 1
$ 25 g ift ca
Create an account
2 Give your consent 3 Agree to share your electronic health records 4 Complete the Consent to Get DNA Results 5 Answer health surveys 6 Have your measurements taken
(height, weight, blood pressure, etc.) and give blood and urine samples, if asked
After completing these steps, you’ll receive $25.
To learn more and enroll, visit us at: JoinAllofUs.org/UAB (833) JOIN-UAB All of Us and the All of Us logo are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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22
FALL MEDICAL GUIDE
IRONCITY.INK
IRON CITY INK
SEPTEMBER 2020
PATRICK ODUM FAMILY DENTISTRY 2228 First Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 (at the corner of First Avenue North and 23rd Street)
205-251-8557
Dr. Patrick Odum has been a dentist for 38 years. He received a B.S. in mathematics and biology from the University of Alabama in 1977 and earned his DMD degree from UAB in 1982.
his brother had a law practice downtown for 35 years. Q: What do you like about downtown? A: I like the restaurants, and I like the way downtown has been coming back with all the lofts and apartments and vibrant activity.
Q: What types of services do you offer? A: We offer a wide range of services including cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, partials and dentures. Q: Do you offer any other specialized services? A: We do retainers and also make bleaching splints to help people whiten their teeth. We make night guards for people who grind their teeth. We provide sleep apnea appliances, or EMA devices. As far as cleaning teeth, we do deep or root planings for people who haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, have a lot of tartar or don’t floss.
Q: Do you have lots of patients who live or work downtown? A: We do, and we still have some customers who followed me from the old City Federal Building.
Q: Are you accepting new patients? A: We are, and they don’t have to wait long to get an appointment. We also accept walk-ins. Q: What age range of
patients do you accept? A: We take all ages, even children, which some dentists don’t. Q: What kind of roots do you have downtown? A: Dr. Odum was located in
the City Federal Building on Second Avenue North from 1982-86, then moved to his current location at 2228 First Ave. N. In addition, his family had a dry cleaning business downtown for 50 years called Cliff’s One-Hour Valet, and
Q: What’s your benchmark for success? A: I want to treat all our patients as I would want to be treated, as if they were my best friends — and we don’t keep patients waiting. I’m an old-fashioned dentist, and I like to use humor to put patients at ease.
PATRI CK ODUM , DMD FA M I L Y DENTIST R Y
Your Downtown Dentist since
1982 2228 1st Ave. N.
Corner of 1st Ave N & 23rd St.
Patrick Odum, DMD
(205) 251-8557
23
FALL MEDICAL GUIDE
THE ROME STUDY — UAB DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE 205-934-8821
moveforward@uab.edu
Q: What is the ROME study, and who will it help? A: The ROME study is designed to discover how exercise affects the gut microbiome and fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The study is funded by the National Cancer Institute.
BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS Often feel tired? If so and interested in exercising regularly under the supervision of exercise specialists, you may qualify for UAB’s ROME study.
Q: Can any breast cancer survivor participate? A: The Department of Preventive Medicine is looking DR. LAURA Q. ROGERS for breast cancer survivors who often feel tired and are not regular exercisers to participate in this with exercise specialists. research project. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 70 Q: How do I participate? with a history of stage 0, I, II or III breast A: For more information, contact cancer within the last five years. the Cancer Lifestyle Team at 205934-8821 or email moveforward@uab. Q: What will it involve? edu. All information is confidential and A: This study includes 10 weeks of participation is free. supervised, individual exercise sessions
Role of Gut Microbe Composition in Psychosocial Symptom Response to Exercise Training in Breast Cancer Survivors. Contact our staff to see if you qualify. 205-934-8821 (8am-5pm M-F) moveforward@uab.edu Funded by the National Cancer Institute
Do you or your organization have a neighborhood story to share? Iron City Ink is now accepting public submissions for our “Neck of the Woods” community section. • Items should not exceed 200 words and should be accompanied by a high-resolution photo. • We’ll use as many items as we can, space permitting. Before submitting, please email our Community Editor, Jesse Chambers, at jchambers@starnespublishing.com and request our guidelines, including photo specifications. Guidelines are also available at ironcity.ink/topics/community-submissions
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