A new recreation center is coming to West Birmingham

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CITY OF BIRMINGHAM

New Family Fun Center

Birmingham City officials announced plans for a state-of-the-art westside facility

Earlier this month, Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announced plans for a new, city-owned family fun center, set to open in 2024 on the CrossPlex property located in West Birmingham.

On Halloween evening, Mayor Woodfin and his team met with a group of neighborhood leaders and District 8 Councilor Carol Clarke to discuss the proposal and get feedback. The meeting ended in a unanimous endorsement of the project. Several attendees noted that the fairground area’s original purpose was as a gathering space for the westside community, and the new center will restore the space to its intended purpose.

“I am thrilled to honor our West Birmingham residents by bringing this into their community,” said Mayor Woodfin. “The concept of sports and entertainment options under one roof will

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be a game-changer for our families, our children, and our visitors.”

The plan includes a 20,000-square-foot facility with a skating rink, jump park, e-sports center, bowling alley, a food court, and more. “I envision this being a major hub for family fun and plan to make sure it is a state-of-the-art facility because our community deserves it.”

The city has already allocated $2 million for pre-construction, made available for the CrossPlex redevelopment through the refinancing of commercial development bonds; this was approved by Birmingham City Council in September 2020. To meet the target opening date of 2024, Mayor Woodfin commissioned the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO) to expedite the construction timeline.

Administration officials are expected to provide additional plans, cost estimates, and collaboration details with surrounding neighborhoods, as well as city council approval, in the coming weeks.

For city updates, follow along at facebook.com/ cobmayorsoffice, or text “BHAMREADY” to 888777.

COPY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARMEN JOHNSTON / BESPOKEGARDENPLANS.COM & CARMENJOHNSTONGARDENS.COM

10-Minute Centerpiece

Try this easy, beautiful idea to elevate your seasonal table

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and with all the stress the holidays can often bring, I want to share a quick (10 minutes!) Thanksgiving centerpiece that will take your dinner table to the next level. The centerpiece as a whole might look complicated at first, but once we break it down, you will see how simple it is to dress up your décor for this special holiday! Experiment with colors that you wouldn’t typically consider “fall” shades—like coral and lime—and pair with deep greens and autumnal reds. Most of the supplies can be found at your local grocery or crafts store! (Watch the tutorial at https://youtu.be/ Va5sdYpA6xY.)

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Ornamental cabbages • Caramel watermelon heuchera • Any fall color roses • Pyra canthus branches • Dried putka pod mini pumpkins • Small pine cones • Dried decorative limes • “Personality” containers: 5 medium, 5 small, and 5 extrasmall • Okatsune scissors • Fall tablecloth • Place settings: plates, napkins, silverware, glasses, etc.

Choose a vibrant tablecloth that can tie in with several aspects of your centerpiece. For my table, I chose a coral cloth with an apricot table runner. My table runner is actually sewn into the tablecloth—it makes setup so much easier! I set my tablecloth out several days in advance to let gravity take care of all the wrinkles. Hooray for no ironing! The plants I used include ornamental cabbages, caramel watermelon heuchera, roses in fall colors, and pyra canthus branches. The decorative pieces are dried limes, dried putka pod mini pumpkins, and small pine cones. These are just some suggestions; make your table yours with the plants and decor you already have on hand or can easily find locally. The key is to combine live and cut plants and decorative pieces across the table.

Give your plants a good drink before getting started! This will allow them to stay fresh without having to water them daily. Start by gathering your materials. (Ornamental cabbages can sometimes even be found at your local grocery store.) Just stuff and shove them into some gorgeous containers and top dress with moss to cover. These red plants are gorgeous caramel watermelon heuchera. I love using these because, as the weather gets colder, the hue gets brighter! I think everyone should own what I call “personality-driven containers,” ones that can be used for a number of occasions and go with almost everything! Mine are ceramic pots with a beautiful gold inlay. I have used them for so many weddings and other events. I always use an odd number of containers because it gives a better look to the overall design.

I started with a large cabbage in the center and layered in the heuchera in a zigzag pattern. There is no right or wrong way to do this! Then, nestle containers of rosebuds throughout the cabbages and heuchera. It helps to use zip ties to hold the rose stems together before putting into vases. I like to weave pyra canthus branches between the vases; be careful with these, as they have thorns. They are well worth the extra effort! Finish up by layering greenery throughout to add softness to the overall design.

I always try to add a contrasting color to my centerpieces, and this is where the dried limes come in. They have a gorgeous green color that will brighten up the whole look! Just scatter them across the table to add variety and texture. I do the same with mini pine cones and the putka pod mini pumpkins. Simply tuck them in throughout the table to add a natural look to the florals. If your event is in the evening, add some candles for a pretty glow and to soften the edges of the arrangement. This entire centerpiece can last for three to four days, and then the cabbages and heuchera can be planted outside when you are done! When setting your table, use a combination of chargers with plates to give another layer of texture. Invest in a set of flatware to use for occasions, along with glasses or goblets to accent your table. I love my flatware set with bamboo handles, and the wicker chargers are another textural element that look pretty with the tablecloth, too. Cloth napkins will really take your table up a notch, as well! Find a signature fold, add some place cards, and you are set! Thanksgiving is such a beautiful time for family to come together and celebrate all that we have. With loved ones coming into your home, be sure you dress up your table to impress. This tutorial will make it a cinch! Just remember: Make it your own, and find the plants that bring out the most in your decor. Happy decorating!

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