OCTOBER 2020
ENGAGING KIDS WITH
ART PAGE 26
Create & Inspire Family businesses hatch in Homewood PAGE 8
Keep child athletes safe PAGE 32
9th Annual
Thursday, October 8 th
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
$50 Non-members $45 (Members of
The Taste of Hoover celebrates the variety of culinary styles found throughout our city. Enjoy an autumn evening strolling through Aldridge Gardens, listening to live entertainment, and of course, sampling delicious dishes from some of Hoover’s best restaurants and Aldridge Gardens’ preferred caterers.
Aldridge Gardens)
Rain Date Thursday, October 15 th.
3530 Lorna Road | Hoover, AL 35216 aldridgegardens.com
2 Bham Family October 2020
Specializing in children’s wear gifts & accessories
Offering shoe fitting appointments and curbside service Keeping you safe with CURBSIDE PICKUP! Downtown Homewood on 18th Street Sikes - (205) 879-3433 Jack N Jill - (205) 879-7681
Bham Family October 2020 3
W
EDITOR’S NOTE
ith cooler temperatures come fall sports. This issue examines some of the top concerns of parents as their kids return to athletics so that you can have peace of mind. Dr. Tin Vuong from Precision Sports Medicine and Orthopedics discusses the types of injuries that commonly occur (“Back in Action, p. 28), and Dr. Grantier from Southlake Orthopaedics shares tips for keeping your student athlete safe— and healthy—in “Sports Safety” on page 32. And for a look at how COVID is impacting children and the doctors who serve them, be sure to check out Dr. Elizabeth Peter’s thoughts (“A Day in the Life of a Doctor During COVID, p. 34.) From keeping your family safe to keeping your family engaged, this issue has something for everyone, including stories of how local families have used the extra time during the coronavirus outbreak to build thriving businesses (Color Your World, p. 8).
You can also learn what new businesses have come to Helena and how best to enjoy this quaint town’s activities in “Old Town Charm” on page 36. Also, don’t miss our private school guide (p.16), which highlights the area’s top institutions and gives you a glimpse into what makes each school unique. You can also check out information about the recently opened Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (p.24)—one more example of innovation in our state. Do you know of an innovator who we should highlight next? I look forward to hearing from you!
Jeana Durst Content Director and Mom
The little shop with the GRAND effect!
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Komeh Davis, owner “Bakers vs. Fakers” star on
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MADISON and VESTAVIA locations now open!
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O U R A DV E RT I S I N G PA RT N E R S These folks are the ones to thank for our magazine’s success — spend your money with them, and tell them you saw them in Bham Family! Aldridge Gardens Applause Dancewear Backyard Adventures Brookwood Baptist Health CakEffect Children’s of Alabama Compact2020 Creative Montessori School Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama Highlands School Hoover Met Complex Indian Springs School Jackie O’Neal School of Dance Kasey Davis Dentistry McWane Science Center Painted Personalities
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Pediatric Smiles Saint Rose Academy Shelby County Arts Council Sike’s Children’s Shoes / Jack n Jill Single Barrel Barber Shop Southlake Orthopaedics The Altamont School The Grove School The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop Then Again Consignment Urgent Care for Children Vineyard Family Services Virginia Samford Theatre Vulcan Termite & Pest Control WAY-FM Wrapsody bhamfunandfamily.com bhamfamily.com
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3336 Rocky Ridge Plaza | Vestavia Hills (205) 822-6212 | jackieoneal.com 6 Bham Family October 2020
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RECYCLE RECYCLE ME! ME!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURE STORIES
Families in Business Family businesses create custom crayons. p.8
Special Private School Guide Get the facts on the area’s top private education opportunities. p.16
Food Review Hoover’s Front Porch combines community with savory fare. p.10
Sports safety A Southlake Orthopaedics doctor discusses how to keep student athletes healthy. p.32 Doctor’s life during COVID Dr. Peters reminds us that combatting the coronavirus is a marathon, not a sprint. p.34 Old Town charm Helena’s growth hasn’t taken away from its small-town feel— visit this family friendly town to see for yourself. p.36
Faith Food for Our Journey brings meals to those in need. p.12 Just for Dads Ward Williams talks kids and money. p.13 Schoolhouse Updates from The Hoover City School District. p.14
24
Education Our state responds to technology needs with new magnet school. p.24 Arts The Birmingham Museum of Art reaches families with innovative ideas this fall. p.26 Medical Spotlight Sports medicine helps people get back on their feet. p.28 Healthy Living Join in a virtual walk to end epilepsy. p.30 Kids Who Shine A 10-year-old Homewood girl launches a business that’s getting noticed. p.38
26
36
LESSONS FOR ALL AGES
Painting | Sewing | Music | Pottery | Drawing | and more!
Shelby County Arts Council
To enroll, call (205) 669-0044 or visit shelbycountyartscouncil.com Bham Family October 2020 7
FAMILIES IN BUSINESS
COLOR YOUR WORLD Family businesses create custom crayons
BY LAUREN DOWDLE Kids and crayons are the perfect match. But why buy the regular ones when there are crayons in different shapes, colors, and designs made just for them? That’s exactly what two local, family owned businesses offer with their customized crayons. LOLLY CRAYONS Lauren “Lolly” Tucker started creating crayons in the shape of her two children’s names back in April while they were quarantined. “The kids loved them so much that I quickly decided to begin making them for gifts and taking orders from parents in Birmingham and beyond,” Tucker says. It didn’t take long until stores were interested in her products, and she began offering them in retailers as Lolly Crayons. Tucker can create just about any crayon design a customer can imagine. That includes letters, numbers, shapes, animals, vehicles, and party-themed designs like Toy Story. Children also like the build-your-ownshape box where they can choose their shapes inside a gift box. “My own children, ages 2 and 4, have colored with Lolly Crayons almost every day since April, and they still love using them,” Tucker says. Beyond creating crayons, Tucker also enjoys giving back. In August, she was able to give 150 children back-to-school puzzle piece crayons, thanks to an anonymous donor. Five teachers were also chosen for Lolly Crayons’ “Tag a Teacher: We All Fit Together” giveaway. In October, she will be giving back a portion of all sales to benefit The Brayden Moore Foundation at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Lolly Crayons can be found locally in Homewood Toy & Hobby, Learning Express, Monograms Plus, Smith’s Variety, and Wrapsody — and in more than 20 stores across the country. Online ordering is available at lollycrayons.com or by emailing lollycrayons@gmail.com. OXFORD COLORS Homewood neighbors Julie and Gabe Harris and Amanda and Clay Rogers opened Oxford 8 Bham Family October 2020
Colors in June. They thought it would be a fun idea and something different for party favors and gifts. “As parents, we’re always looking for gifts that are useful but fun,” Julie says. Oxford Colors are available in the shapes of letters, numbers, and all kinds of objects from butterflies and footballs to ice cream cones. They also offer the option to add glitter to the crayons, which is especially popular with their unicorns. In addition to the unicorn shape, the train set is also popular. But, the best sellers are letters to form names. Customers can tell them the exact colors they want or leave it up to them. “We put a lot of thought into the colors to be included in each piece,” Julie says. “Once the colors are selected and melted and the crayons have cooled, it’s so exciting to pop them out of the mold to see the finished product. Our 7-year-old daughter even gets in on the crayonmaking.” While all of the owners of Oxford Colors enjoy creating the products, their favorite part is partnering with local elementary school PTOs. “Because of the pandemic, the yearly fundraiser at our daughter’s school was cancelled, leaving a huge deficit in the PTO budget,” Julie says. “We wanted to help, so we partnered with several area elementary schools to conduct a fundraiser throughout the school year. Customers just mention the name of a participating school in their order, and a portion of the proceeds are donated to that school’s PTO.” Unlike regular crayons, these have different colors in them, so there’s always something new as the child uses them. “Children love to color, create, and use their imaginations,” Julie says. “Crayons check all of those boxes,” Julie says. Customers can request custom colors and designs, and orders and be shipped or picked up locally. Oxford Colors can also be custom ordered at B. Bayer & Co. Monogramming and Gifts in Homewood and Crestline Pharmacy in Mountain Brook. Their crayons can also be purchased on their website, oxfordcolors.com, or by contacting them on Instagram, Facebook, or email, oxfordcolors@ gmail.com.
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FOOD REVIEW
MEET ME ON THE PORCH
Hoover’s Front Porch combines community with savory fare BY JULIA SAYERS GOKHALE Nestled in a quiet area of Hoover, Ross Bridge is a family-friendly neighborhood that also happens to be its own thriving community. And what’s a community without a restaurant gathering spot? Two longtime Ross Bridge residents thought the same thing when they decided to open an eatery in the area’s quant downtown. Realizing Ross Bridge lacked a causal, family-focused gathering spot, owners Jeremy Hackney and John Griffin opened Front Porch in March 2016. The restaurant, located on Grand Avenue at the heart of Ross Bridge, consists of a spacious and bright dining room, large outdoor patio, and a statement-making wood bar with subway tile backsplash and hanging pendant lights. On any given day—lunch or dinner—you’ll find families nestled in the blue leather booths inside, couples lingering on the patio, or friends chatting on barstools. Front Porch caters to a varied crowd, as the menu offers options for everyone. With a focus on American and Southern food, Front Porch’s dishes are unique but accessible. Take the Candied Bacon Bombs for example. This inventive appetizer teases the meal with meaty kielbasa sausage pieces wrapped in candied bacon and served alongside flash-fried Wisconsin cheese curds. It’s sweet, salty, and cheesy—what more could you want? Other appetizers to note include the Low Country Dip (a cheesy baked dip with turnip greens and smoked sausage) and the Burrata Cheese served with tomatoes, cucumbers, and balsamic drizzle. Moving on to the main course, Front Porch offers a large variety of burgers and sandwiches perfect for lunch or a lighter dinner. If you like a little spice, try the Pimento Cheese Burger with spicy pimento cheese and bacon or the Buffalo Chicken Wrap with crispy chicken tenders coated in hot sauce and ranch. Vegetarians can choose from a Veggie Burger or a Portabella Sandwich, in addition to salads and grain bowls. All sandwiches are served with your choice of crispy battered fries or sweet potato fries with caramel drizzle. 10 Bham Family October 2020
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRONT PORCH
Kids and adults alike love the pizzas at Ross Bridge. Specialty creations include a Conecuh sausage pizza and the Grand Avenue pizza with pepperoni, sausage, red peppers, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, garlic, olives, and basil. If you’ve got picky eaters, they can build their own pizzas from a selection of meats, veggies, cheeses, and sauces. One of the great things about Front Porch is its affordability. There isn’t an entree on the menu more than $17, and most fall between $12-15. One of the best deals is the Porch Plate, which is $13 and includes your choice of wild rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, or roasted potatoes; a side salad; and your choice of one protein, from options including grilled mahi, grilled flank steak, chicken kabobs, grilled shrimp, and more. And don’t forget dessert! Popular items include White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake served in a jar. After a great meal at Front Porch, you’ll feel like you’re part of the community, too. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant is offering curbside pickup in addition to socially distanced dine-in service.
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Bham Family October 2020 11
FAITH
NOURISHING THE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FOOD FOR OUR JOURNEY
BY LAUREN DOWDLE Not everyone who needs food is able to go to a shelter or food bank, which is where Food For Our Journey comes in to help. The idea for the organization came about two years ago when Kelly Harden Greene and her husband, Joe, became empty nesters. Their family had been involved with different ministries through the years, primarily feeding the homeless, but the couple wanted to do more. “One of the issues we saw with the homeless was if they couldn’t get to the stationary site during the time food was served — because of weather, work, or transportation — they couldn’t get food that day,” she says. “If we could remove that mobility requirement for them when necessary, that would be huge.” That’s how they came up with using a food truck to take meals to the homeless and food insecure around the city. Greene reached out to her friend, Christine Golab, who was teaching at Our Lady of Sorrows at the time. Golab immediately said she wanted to be a part of the mission, and they got the ball — or tires, in this case — rolling. “The concept would be to eliminate food waste by partnering with restaurants that were unable to donate leftovers,” Greene said. The health department doesn’t allow restaurants or caterers to give out leftover food, but they can donate it to a nonprofit organization like Food For Our Journey. “It’s perfectly good, untouched food,” she says. “We were able to use it, plate it, 12 Bham Family October 2020
Soul
Food For Our Journey brings meals to those in need
and give it to the homeless.” At first, they served meals out of Golab’s minivan and Greene’s father’s Ford Expedition. Then in January of this year, they raised enough funds to purchase a van. They originally planned to deliver food twice a week using the van, only targeting people who were unable to reach current food bank locations. However, when COVID hit and stationary locations closed, they soon began hitting the streets six days a week to meet the growing needs. The nonprofit’s mission is to deliver meals to the hungry, putting God’s love into action. However, they also use it as a way to learn about people’s goals and needs, like if they need help getting a driver’s license or signing up for unemployment. “By sharing a meal and nourishing the person, we get to know them,” Greene says. “We can use this as an outreach tool to get them plugged in.” Food For Our Journey hands out about 200 meals for breakfast every morning, a minimum of 200 lunches during the afternoon, and about 2,800 water bottles during the week. They start each day at 9 a.m. picking up breakfast and taking it to Brother Bryan Park at 10 a.m. “We can offer almost a small buffet: breakfast casseroles, fresh fruit, donuts, kolaches, cinnamon rolls, and more,” Greene says. “They can pick and choose what they want.” After breakfast, they pick up the lunches from different restaurants and volunteers and start delivering them along their route. Meals include hot dogs, chips, sandwiches, BBQ, macaroni and CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
cheese, fresh fruit, desserts, and many other tasty items. “That’s when we can talk to people, hand out masks, give them hygiene bags, give them their food, and help them connect if they don’t have a phone,” Greene says. They receive donations from restaurants and groups including Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila, Brennan’s Irish Pub, Shipley Do-Nuts, Dreamcakes Café and Dreamcakes Bakery, Grace Klein Ministries, Redmont Hotel, Dave’s Pizza, Trinity United Methodist-Student Ministry, Ross Bridge Resort, and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Our Lady of Sorrows also allows them to use their parking lot on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a food drive — though, it’s grown into much more than that. People come to drop off water, hygiene bags, small toiletry items, masks, feminine products, socks, and more. On Sundays, families and groups cook hot dinners for the people in need. One meal included BBQ pork, a hot dog, macaroni and
cheese, baked beans, watermelon, and dessert. “It’s really an outpouring from the community,” she says. “Everyone has bonded together to make sure people have what they need.” It’s those people, both volunteers and the ones she meets on the streets, who give Greene joy every day. Some of her best memories come from the relationships she’s built with the people she brings food to. They celebrate birthdays — bringing them cake and candles — pregnancy announcements, and other exciting moments in their lives. “They see our van, we wave, we talk,” she says. “They invite us in, and it’s such a blessing.” Food For Our Journey has impacted more than just the people it serves, though. This organization has had a lasting impact on Greene’s and Golab’s families, who are also involved with the ministry. “We get to be part of their lives, which is such an honor,” Greene says. People can help support their mission by donating money and resources, like bagged meals and hygiene items. To volunteer, donate, or learn more about Food For Our Journey, visit foodforourjourney.org.
JUST FOR DADS Dave Ramsey once said that grandparents never talked about money or their romantic relationships, but had a lot of both. These days we talk about money and romantic relationships often, yet don’t have much of either. Ward Money is something that Williams fascinates most of us from an early age. Each of my children and my nephews have inquired about how much money we make, if we are rich or poor and how to become rich. My answer to how much money we have has always been, “We are in the middle of the middle class.” Money can often be the cause of fighting, divorce, or even the end of friendships. Decisions involving money are often driven by emotions and not logic. In the U.S., we are provided opportunities for upward economic mobility, but what we do with that is up to us. It’s important that we teach our kids that we have the ability to impact our future to avoid costly, lifelong mistakes and behaviors. One way to so that is to teach our kids the value
of an education and developing employable skills— and how to develop a healthy work ethic. To support this, we must also help our children avoid developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol that can hinder their goals. Finally, we must teach our kids to plan for their own family and the importance of being able to support their own children before they have them. They have to be able to avoid the lure of easy money to avoid the catastrophic effects of being weighed down with a criminal record. Teenagers, by nature, are impulsive and have a hard time thinking about a long-term perspective. It is a difficult concept for them to understand how important prevention is to secure a positive outcome. That’s why you must start young when teaching kids about money and wise choices. My advice: Find financially wise people to mentor your children. Once, at a nonprofit fundraising conference, I heard the presenter say to stop coming to nonprofit conferences for counsel on how to raise money. He suggested that poor people take too much advice from others, and the result has been that they stay poor. Wise counsel is a must, but knowing how to make a good plan for yourself and your own circumstances is an equally important piece to the puzzle. Bham Family October 2020 13
S C H O O L H O U S E NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS
RC3 student recognized by New York Times Mariam Abdelhalim, a student at the Riverchase Career Connection Center, was a national honoree in the New York Times student podcast contest. Her podcast was entitled, “A Dream to See Fireworks That Light Up the Sky, Not the Shooting Missles That Fly.” The podcast was based on her mother’s experience living in Iraq.
Historic Bluff Park school building to be renovated The historic Bluff Park school, adjacent to Bluff Park Elementary, will undergo extensive renovations. Part of the historic building, which is in sound structural condition, will be renovated, while other parts will be demolished. The school system will take bids for the work in November, with expected completion by summer 2021.
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S C H O O L H O U S E NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS
HCS students named National Merit semifinalists Students from Hoover and Spain Park High Schools have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, representing 10% of all semifinalists in Alabama. From HHS: Cullen Blanton, Luke Clark, Wesley Crenshaw, Katelyn Heglas, Ria Shah, Peter Shen, Isabella Torres, Srija Vem, and Nathan Williams. From Spain Park High School: Megan Amrine, Benjamin Deas, Kruthika Dheeravath, Adam Ebrahim, Usman Farooqui, Samuel Harrison, Anna Morris, Zane Peacock, Advaith Vadlakonda, John Watson, Wyatt Williams, John Wilson, and Amy Yang.
OUR VISIT
NEW
Dad Brigade cleans schools The Hoover City Dad Brigade’s 6th annual cleanup was held Saturday, August 8. More than 300 people showed up to Hoover’s 16 schools and helped with outdoor chores. Due to concerns with COVID-19, no inside projects were allowed.
ION LOCAT
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HOOVERMETCOMPLEX.COM/EVENTS Bham Family October 2020 15
SPECIAL | PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
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 8 through 12, on a 350-acre campus where nature serves as both inspiration and laboratory. Students from 8 states and 4 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, cuttingedge classrooms and innovative independent study options combine to enhance the great teaching that opens doors to new ideas and new possibilities. Led for its first 20 years by forward-thinking 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 16 Bham Family October 2020
GRADES: 8-12 190 Woodward Drive Indian Springs, AL 35124 indiansprings.org (205) 988-3350 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. We invite you to learn more about Indian Springs by engaging with us at a virtual open house or on a guided virtual tour. Our virtual open houses are designed to provide prospective students and families with the opportunity to learn more about the admission process, meet and hear from some of our accomplished faculty and students, and discover what makes the Indian Springs School environment so special. Although our campus is currently closed to visitors, our guided virtual tour allows you to check out our 350-acre campus from the comfort of your home. Go to www.indiansprings.org/admission to schedule your visit today.
INDIAN SPRINGS SCHOOL Day & Boarding | Grades 8–12
APPLY TODAY I N D I A N S P R I N G S .Bham OFamily R October G 2020
17
SPECIAL | PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
SAINT ROSE ACADEMY
Saint Rose Academy has an incredible group of students, parents, faculty, and staff who are all personally invested in giving of themselves completely to make this year a great success! The faculty has worked tirelessly to continue teaching their students both remotely and in-person since the start of the pandemic. Students have been diligent about following the new school protocol for distancing, washing hands, and wearing masks properly. In short, the students have adjusted to the new norms with grace and kindness. As Saint Rose Academy continues to pray for an end to this pandemic, students are grateful to the Lord for bringing good out of suffering. A few of the blessings received this year include an increased awareness in our children of the need to turn to the Lord who is always with them; gratitude for faculty and families and for the gift of a Catholic education; a concern for each other’s health and love of activities that keep us healthy, such as outdoor activities and keeping hands clean. Saint Rose has had an outpouring of resources in response to the times. Our parents have stepped up to assist in many ways: Tortorigi Construction cleared fields around the school to provide more outdoor space and classrooms. In the Primary Building which houses our 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, they repaired the surface of the parking lot and fenced in areas around the school for security and safety. Green Home Solutions provided COVIDcertified cleaning of classrooms needing deepcleaning at a hospital-grade level. Parent doctors 18 Bham Family October 2020
GRADES: Pre-K to 8th Grade 1401 22nd Street South Birmingham, AL 35205 strosebhm.org (205) 933-0549 and nurses trained the faculty and provided feedback to administrators in deciding protocols. Finally, Saint Rose Academy benefitted by public funding for health and instructional materials to welcome the students back to school safely and with the same standard of excellence, their families have come to expect. Yes, the 2020-2021 school year is a year of many differences and changes, but Saint Rose Academy is up for the challenge. Saint Rose is grateful for the opportunity to be a sign of hope in the midst of uncertainty and thanks God daily for bringing such goodness and generosity out of difficult situations. Saint Rose Academy is located at 1401 22nd Street South in Birmingham. The school is operated by the Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia Congregation based in Nashville, TN. To find out more about the school and its 3K to 8th-grade programs visit their website www.strosebhm.org or call (205) 933-0549. Saint Rose Academy, a home of exceptional intellectual and spiritual formation, challenges its children to embrace truth, uphold goodness, and contemplate beauty in the Dominican Catholic tradition.
FOUNDED 1956 PREK3 - 8TH GRADE
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
SACS / CASI ACCREDITED
Vineyard Family Services 1401 22ND STREET S BIRMINGAM, AL 35205
Feeding Kids in Need, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Helping Families in Crisis Donations help us: WWW.STROSEBHM.ORG Feed children in need and provide other essential items Deliver family emergency food boxes Aid fathers and mothers with parenting programs Support incarcerated families and children Provide at-risk teens important life skills
205.933.0549
SAINT ROSE www.vfsdads.com
ACADEMY
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SCHOOL 2019”
Bham Family October 2020 19
SPECIAL | PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
THE ALTAMONT SCHOOL The mission of The Altamont School is to There are many opportunities for students to improve the fabric of society by graduating develop multiple talents by participating in arts, world compassionate, well-educated individuals capable languages, community service, clubs, class projects, of independent thinking and innovative ideas. To and athletics. Students also benefit from a 1-to-1 this end, the school attracts, nurtures, and challenges laptop program, an advanced computer science students whose commitment to truth, knowledge, curriculum, and unparalleled service leadership and honor will prepare them not only for the most opportunities through Altamont’s C. Kyser Miree rigorous college programs, but also Ethical Leadership Center. for productive lives. Altamont is located five Altamont is a small family of minutes from downtown approximately 360 students in Birmingham on the crest of Red grades 5-12 with socio-economic, Mountain. Our campus features ethnic, and religious diversity. Cabaniss-Kaul Center for the Altamont is a good choice for Arts, Pharo Art Studio, Lacey-Day students excelling in their Photography Studio, newly present schools who want renovated athletics spaces, greater breadth and challenge two science wings, a study GRADES: 5-12 in all areas of school life. garden and a 14,000-volume 4801 Altamont Road South We combine an intensive, library. Experience all that Birmingham, AL 35222 college preparatory academic Altamont offers by attending altamontschool.org program with a personalized an Open House or scheduling (205) 879-2006 college search program. a campus tour.
Join us for a virtual Open House! Sunday, Oct. 18 Learn more about The Altamont School, one of the nation’s premier college preparatory schools for students in grades 5-12.
RSVP: www.altamontschool.org/admissions 20 Bham Family October 2020
SPECIAL | PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
CREATIVE MONTESSORI Creative Montessori School (CMS) recently — plus practical knowledge such as conflict celebrated 50 years of excellence in Montessori resolution, social responsibility and environmental education. Founded in 1968 by Barbara R. stewardship. It is how they learn and how they Spitzer, CMS is Birmingham’s first Montessori feel about learning that is quite different and truly school; the first local private school to be racially valuable. integrated from inception; and the first to offer Montessori classrooms foster intellectual science, world geography, and foreign language to curiosity by facilitating individualized, preschoolers. independent, purposeful work within a peaceful Convenient to downtown Birmingham and setting. The result is children who fall in love with over-the-mountain suburbs, CMS offers an learning. Students are allowed to learn at their unparalleled private school education in a warm own pace under caring and thoughtful guidance and loving Montessori atmosphere with a focus on of a professionally trained Montessori teacher. the individual child. Our teachers value each child’s CMS enrolls 250 students from 25 zip codes, unique potential and nurture students’ inherent located on a 2.5-acre campus in Homewood. ability to meet challenges with Affordable tuition makes divergent thinking skills, selfexceptional education acces GRADES: Pre-K to 6 confidence, adaptability and sible to families with diverse 2800 Montessori Way resilience. socioeconomic backgrounds. Homewood, AL 35209 Children at CMS learn Prospective parents are invited cmskids.org the same things that children to call the administration (205) 879-3278 in a traditional school learn office to schedule a tour.
Call to schedule a tour. 205-879-3278 • cmskids.org 18 months - 8th grade Empowering children to reach their unique potential through a Montessori education.
Bham Family October 2020 21
SPECIAL | PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
GROVE SCHOOL Mandy Fox first dreamed 19 years ago of starting a school whose mission and vision centers around finding a child’s strengths and using those to bring learning to life. So many schools focus on children’s weaknesses and improving them. The Grove School — the result of Mandy’s dream that opened in August 2019 — believes that God speaks to our strengths and uses those to build up our weak areas. By focusing on finding the dream that God has given them, The Grove School seeks to plant children in the life-giving source, God, and help them accomplish the dreams that God has given them. The Grove School allows children to learn at their own pace while also challenging them. Students will master standards according to what they are ready to learn in the progression
22 Bham Family October 2020
GRADES: K-8 7545 Parkway Drive Leeds, AL 35094 learningatthegrove.com (205) 352-0444
of our curriculum, not based on a grade level system because of age. Students move through standards based on readiness. If they are advanced in one area, they will be able to move beyond their grade level and work on the standards for that level. A list of standards for each level and the ones your child has mastered will be shared with the parent several times throughout the year through our online reporting system as well as Mastery Journals. Enrollment is open year-round. Parents can apply at learningatthegrove.com/admissions.
SPECIAL | PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL For over 60 years, Highlands School has served With over 340 students, Highlands School is as Birmingham’s infant through eighth-grade small and nimble by design, which allows us to progressive, independent school. At Highlands, adapt quickly in this ever-changing landscape. we prepare our students to adapt and thrive in Our intimate size allows us to be more agile changing and unpredictable environments - and and quick to adjust to any disruptions while not this year is no exception. In the face of many compromising on our mission or the safeguards uncertainties, as we continue to navigate the global needed for health and safety. pandemic, families across Birmingham turn to Our student-centered environment motivates Highlands to provide structure and a personalized students to take ownership of their learning, pushing educational experience for their students. them to take risks in a supportive setting and in Our commitment to whole-child pursuit of greater understanding. In development ensures that every whatever community our students Highlands student is healthy, safe, find themselves, their time at connected, engaged, and supported Highlands provides them with the – whether learning on campus or skills needed to lead confidently, virtually. Our curriculum and think critically, advocate community foster the qualities compassionately, collaborate GRADES: 4K-8 of perseverance and compassion effectively, and communicate 4901 Old Leeds Road in our students, giving them the impactfully. Highlands students Birmingham, AL 35213 tools to excel throughout their are pioneers marked by their highlandsschool.org educational, professional, and global awareness and passion for (205) 956-9731 personal endeavors. learning.
Birmingham's infant through eighth-grade progressive, independent school highlandsschool.org | 4901 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham, AL 35213 | 205.956.9731
Bham Family October 2020 23
EDUCATION
Cyber meets engineering State responds to technology need with new magnet school
BY JEANA DURST A state magnet school, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) in Huntsville was created much in the same way as the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile, though their mission is entirely different. As the third state magnet school (including ASFA), the ASCTE was formed by legislation in 2018 and serves students in grades nine through 12. This fall, it opened its doors to 71 students from across the state. We caught up with Matt Massey, president of this innovative school to learn more. “Our mission is for all students to implement cyber into the engineering lifecycle, so our students won’t have to choose between cyber studies or engineering, it will be the merger of those two things,” Massey explains. While there are other STEM magnet schools in the nation, Alabama is the first to blend cyber and engineering together. And it’s easy to see why the need is so great—the last decade has seen a booming emergence for cyber technology fields. Their classes are designed specifically to cater to students already interested in those fields. “Even our language classes are geared toward that goal by incorporating technical writing,” Massey says. In English class, students are doing technical writing on their reverse engineering class, for example. And their first science course at the ASCTE is physics. Massey played a large role in designing the curriculum, as well as developing all the policies and procedures. It was a natural fit for someone who came from a long line of educators, who taught mathematics, and most recently served as a superintendent for Madison County Schools, overseeing 28 public schools. As a dynamic leader, he will extend the mission of ASCTE to help other Alabama schools to develop lessons and pathways to certifications in order to duplicate their studies. “It will be a lighthouse, so to speak,” Massey says. With a residential component, ASCTE can 24 Bham Family October 2020
serve students from outside Huntsville. This fall they have 30 students living on campus who only pay a small fee for meals. As a public school, there is no tuition, and the only requirement is that student families live in state. Massey reports that ASCTE has enrolled three students from Jefferson County, one from Montgomery, and one from Mobile; however, the concentration of the student body is from North Alabama, though they even had two students move from out of state to attend. The application process is rigorous but also holistic in approach. Students are evaluated by many different factors, not just academics. They have to interview, write an essay, and provide recommendations from previous teachers. Currently, ASCTE is accepting inquiries for next year’s enrollment and has already received 60 requests. They plan to accept only incoming 9th graders, and then add a new freshmen class every year. Already, they have received a $4 million grant from Raytheon and established a foundation that has launched a capital campaign to pay for their future permanent campus. (Right now they are housed at Oakwood University in Huntsville.) Facilitating student internships with industries and demonstrating how their studies apply to career applications is a focus. So is supporting students to stay in the state as they continue their education and careers. In this sense, they are building more than a campus, they are building our future. To learn more visit ascte.org.
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ARTS
Bring the arts home
BMA reaches families with innovative programs this fall BY JEANA DURST
close understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures,” May explains. What’s even better news for parents: They are designed to be short lessons The Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) that are plug and play—for example, videos are will reopen on October 6, but they continue to followed by some kind of activity that supports engage with children in online programs as well. the lessons being taught in the videos. Eventually We talked to Rachel White, curator of education, the BMA will host a student exhibition online and her staff to find out what’s been going on at that can showcase what students are making in the BMA as well as what’s on the horizon. For the class and at home. parents looking to enrich their kids’ educational The BMA’s programming continues to serve an experiences, their free resources are so valuable for important role for schools and community groups many reasons, including providing kids an outlet as well. They are providing art kits to complement during this stressful time (not to mention, enjoying lessons, for sale through the museum store site, along the inherent value of arts education). with their personalized instruction videos. Art kits The creative work in their quick adaptation are available for purchase, but videos to the digital realm was led by online can be accessed for free. Angela May, assistant curator Over the summer, BMA staff of education, and Emily Marr, provided these art kits to several the docent of teacher and community organizations, such education programs. Though as Smithfield Community Center, their innovations, the BMA has Better Basics, and the Magic City been able to continue to reach Acceptance Center. Now, Marr is the community even through actively working with Birmingham the pandemic. City School’s administration to One way that they do that select three schools where they is through the BMA from can provide art supplies for them Home initiative, where kids can to take home. So each time you access free art-making videos buy an art kit from the museum as well as art-inspired games (instead of buying from Amazon), and puzzles. “We’ve been © 2019 THE JACOB AND GWENDOLYN you will not only be supporting using materials we’ve been KNIGHT LAWRENCE FOUNDATION, playing with in the gallery for SEATTLE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY the BMA but also helping them (ARS), NEW YORK to provide even more art kits a long time, like downloadable for Birmingham schools and coloring sheets, which can be community organizations. colored digitally using an iPad or tablet,” May This fall White and her staff will extend their says. These activities are great for parents who are outreach even further by developing resources now teachers, Marr points out. “These exercises are for youth to do on their own or in partnerhips to complement the upcoming exhibit: “Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle.” Through with a caregiver at home to really look at art and this curriculum, kids can learn about one of the inspire conversation around it,” she says. most significant artists and black artists of the Another resource, Culture Bridge, uses 20th Century and explore how he emphasizes the activities inspired by the BMA’s Asian art role of people of color and women in American collection (one of the best in the Southeast) history—just one more way the BMA is staying to serve kids in a K-12 curriculum. “It’s relevant to issues of universal importance. hinged on e-learning and distance learning Donate to support this great resource in our and asynchronous research materials. It’s a city and learn more about these opportunities by comprehensive web-based toolkit for educators, visiting artsbma.org. parents and students that’s designed to foster a 26 Bham Family October 2020
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MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT
RETURN TO
ACTION Clinic helps patients back on their feet
BY JEANA DURST
Tin Vuong, DO
Tin Vuong, DO, is board certified At some point in our lives, it’s likely that we’ve all dealt with in family medicine and board an injury. For some of us, recovery may have even been a long eligible in sports medicine. He process. This fall as your kids return to the athletic fields and is fellowship trained in primary you hit the trails, it can be a risky time. Even if you have planned care sports medicine. With a carefully or been faithful to athletic training, the fact is that you specialization in fracture care, can still get hurt. And it doesn’t take constant activity to produce concussion management, diagnostic and therapeutic an injury—even an intense tennis match or an old injury can be musculoskeletal ultrasound, enough to cause a problem. ultrasound-guided injections, Fortunately, Dr. Tin Vuong and the other physicians at stem cell treatment, platelet rich Precision Sports Medicine and Orthopedics are trained to plasma and tenex procedure, he diagnose and treat a wide range of sports injuries and conditions. can treat a host of issues. Here Dr. Vuong shares with us more about their practice, as Dr. Vuong attended medical well as how they can get you (or your student athlete) back in school at A.T. Still University the game. Precision Sports Medicine physicians are trained to School of Osteopathic Medicine diagnose and treat a full range of sports-related injuries and in Mesa, Arizona, and completed conditions, including but not limited to: his family medicine internship and • Back, neck, hip, shoulder and foot pain residency at Palmetto General • Broken bones or stress fractures Hospital in Hialeah, Florida. • Knee problems, including those related to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) • Muscle, tendon and joint pain • Shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and iliotibial (IT) band pain • Sciatica (numbness or pain in or around lower back, hip or knee) • Joint replacement surgeries Dr. Vuong elaborates on his role there: “As a sports medicine physician, I see a wide variety of muscle skeletal injuries that range from fractured bones, muscles, ligament, strains to chronic overuse injuries and degenerative conditions.” Every one of these injuries can occur acutely on the field or can be something that happens over time. Many of the patients who have injuries are those who don’t exercise regularly and just try to be weekend warriors, he explains. “While the pro athletes and collegiate level athletes keep in top shape year-round, weekend warriors just get out Friday through Sunday, so they are more susceptible to joint inflammation, muscle strains, and ligament sprains.” For the student athletes, their practice plays another important role: providing primary care attention as well. For some younger athletes, primary healthcare needs may coexist with an injury. Dr. Vuong can address some general issues in the course of treatment that can support injury recovery. His main goal? Get athletes and weekend warriors back in action so they can continue doing what they love. Precision Sports Medicine is part of the Brookwood Baptist Specialty Care Network. For more information, visit precisionsportsortho.com. 28 Bham Family October 2020
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HEALTHY LIVING
The nationwide virtual walk empowers communities to affect change through care, advocacy, research, and education.
Walk to end epilepsy Virtual walk to benefit Epilepsy Foundation
For families looking for a good reason to get outside together, you can join the Epilepsy Foundation on a virtual walk on November 7. A good reason for a good cause. This statewide Walk to End Epilepsy will kick off on Zoom at 9:30 a.m. (The event was originally scheduled for November 7 at Railroad Park, but was moved to a virtual format due to the nature of the pandemic.) Following the initial Zoom presentation at 9:30 a.m., registrants will be encouraged to walk in person together as a group. Families will be walking “virtually” in their own neighborhoods or wherever they choose. The goal of this walk, which is one of many walks held nationwide, is to empower the local community to affect change through care, advocacy, research and education. “We are excited to once again bring our Birmingham Walk, even if it’s virtual, to those throughout the state of Alabama in order further engage and mobilize the community to be part 30 Bham Family October 2020
of the fight to end epilepsy,” says Sara Franklin, executive director, Epilepsy Foundation Alabama. “Even though the event is online, it strengthens our current efforts and generates funding to help families affected by epilepsy and seizures in our local community.” Over a lifetime, one in 10 people will have a seizure, and one in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. There are more people living with epilepsy than with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, combined. Yet, epilepsy receives one-tenth the research funding than any one of those disorders. Everyone who participates — by leading a team, making a donation, sponsoring a person with epilepsy or volunteering — helps fund research and awareness, training programs on seizure recognition and first aid, as well as improved access to specialty and supportive care. To sign up or for more information visit walktoendepilepsy.org/Birmingham.
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SPORTS SAFETY
A Southlake Orthopaedics doctor discusses how to keep student athletes healthy, safe
BY LAUREN DOWDLE Sports are a way of life for many in the South, especially in the state of Alabama. From high school football games on Friday nights all the way down to Little League baseball, children and families enjoy playing and watching all of their favorite sports. An important part of any game or sport is safety, especially now that everyone has to factor in COVID and its new precautions. While injuries and sickness are always possible when playing sports, there are ways student athletes can reduce their chances of having them. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says about half of all youth sports injuries are preventable, so it’s important for students, parents, and coaches to do what they can to ensure the safest playing conditions. Working to keep students safe on and off of the field is Dr. Richard “Beau” Grantier III. Grantier specializes in sports and emergency medicine at Southlake Orthopaedics at their Grandview Medical Center location. Grantier grew up in Mississippi playing just about every sport, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, and track. “I love all sports,” he said. “I still try to play pick-up sports when possible.” After having several orthopedic and nonorthopedic sports-related injuries himself, he knew he wanted to go into a field where he could take care of patients with similar injuries. In their practice, Grantier sees student athletes from a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, baseball, and football — along with nonathlete patients. Some of the most common injuries he sees with student athletes include acute fractures, muscle or tendon sprains, and overuse injuries. Grantier also works on the sidelines with athletic trainers for Evangel Christian School in Alabaster during football games. He manages emergency and orthopedic care, as well as offering triage and initial exams to players. Before students take the field, he recommends they get a pre-participation (sports exam) from 32 Bham Family October 2020
their pediatrician or primary care provider. “Exams are useful to make sure the patient is ready to play the sports,” he says. Before playing or practicing, students should do a dynamic warm up as a team and on their own. Warming up helps their muscles become more flexible and efficient, and slowly raising their heart rate helps minimize stress on their heart. It’s also important for students who haven’t played in a while to steadily increase the duration, intensity, and frequency of their playtime before the first game. “A gradual approach is very important,” Grantier says. With schools and sports group shutting down last spring due to COVID, many students went months without playing anything. So, it’s good for them to take time to transition back into their workouts and sports. While there are still concerns for their safety, there are also several benefits for getting them back on the field if both the student and their parents think it’s safe. “Reengaging in sports is good for kids socially and physically, and it teaches them teamwork,” Grantier says. As students start playing sports again, they have to consider new safety precautions and regulations put in place during the pandemic. Social-distancing best practice are just as important in sports as they are during everyday life. Students should maintain 6 feet of distance when possible, wear masks when they can, wash their hands regularly, answer COVID-screening questions, and have frequent temperature checks. Prolonged, close contact with an infected person is the main driver of transmission, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP), so reducing that factor can reduce the risk of infection. If a student has a fever (100.4 degrees or higher) or symptoms, they should treat it like they have COVID until proven otherwise. That means quarantining and talking with a doctor to find the next course of action. Students who test positive, regardless of symptoms, should wait two weeks before returning to practice or games — or until they are cleared by a physician. Something student athletes might not think about is the possibility of transmitting the virus going between the locker room and field or walking through other high-traffic areas. Those are instances where it’s especially important to wear a mask and keep as much distance as possible. As for which sports are the safest to play in regards to COVID, they fall into two categories: low- or high-risk sports. A low-risk sport is where players can maintain six to eight feet of distance between themselves and the competitor, don’t have to share equipment, play in an outdoor space, teams are small (less than 10 people), and mixing of athletes is limited. A high-risk sport, on the other hand, would be one that’s the opposite of that criteria. “When you’re weighing the benefits, study local disease activity and
33 Bham Family October 2020
underlying health conditions of the student, and understand which sports are low- and high-risk,” he says. Families should also take their individual circumstances into consideration, especially if a family member of the athlete has underlying health conditions or is high risk. Ultimately, Grantier says the decision falls on the players and their parents to decide if they will participate in a sport. As a father of four, with children ages 2, 4, 6, and 7, Grantier understands what it’s like to try and weigh the risks. Student athletes, parents, and coaches should ensure they stay up to date on safety regulations, including state and school guidelines. Grantier also suggests they follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) to find the most updated recommendations. Things are definitely different with sports, but that doesn’t mean children and families can’t still enjoy the game, at least in some fashion. “I want them to play the sport they love while being safe,” Grantier said.
‘It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon’
A Day in the life of a doctor during COVID BY JEANA DURST At the beginning of the COVID outbreak, most of us were eager to throw our support behind medical workers and sought ways to help prevent the spread. Today, the outbreak continues and is just as real. We visited with a local pediatrician to better understand the challenges at hand for doctors, both at work and home. Dr. Elizabeth Peters has been in private practice in Birmingham for 18 years, so she has seen a lot. But perhaps nothing compares to the challenges of our current situation. At Mayfair Medical Group, a Children’s of Alabama practice in Homewood, Dr. Peters sees children from birth to ages 21 for both sick and well care. When she wraps up her mostly 10-hour days, she goes home to her family, including three boys ages 11, 14, and 17. Her first move upon returning home: shed her scrubs and head immediately to the shower before having contact with anyone. She has spent all day in the N-95 mask, only removing it to quickly eat and hydrate. And when she comes home, she brings along worries. “I hope I wore my mask correctly; I hope I washed my hands correctly. Obviously, I have been trained to do all those things well, but mentally it still wears on you. It’s a realistic fear, but at the same time, I have to do everything I can do to go forward and try not to dwell on it,” Dr. Peters says. She often considers that other parents working in different fields are perhaps even less protected without the kind of protective gear she has access to. 34 Bham Family October 2020
Her message to all of us? “I’m afraid that right now people are having mask fatigue but we are realizing the masks really do make a difference.” She adds, “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and we don’t want to give up yet—we are not on the downhill part of it right now.” Beyond wearing masks, Dr. Peters stresses the importance of social distancing and hand washing, as well as being educated about this virus. COVID is not following any rules as time goes on, she shares, and doctors are finding different symptoms and different outcomes, so the public needs to recognize that physicians are still learning more as the disease goes on. At Mayfair Medical Group, Peters and her colleagues take extraordinary precautions so that they can continue to care for childhood illnesses and provide routine care and immunizations— something parents should take heed to not to let lapse. “We have to constantly adjust how we are seeing and treating patients … realizing how much COVID is in our community, we have to be equally cautious with every patient we are seeing,” Dr. Peters says. In addition, they have limited the number of people in the building, closed the waiting room, and provide in-the-car COVID testing. Their normal workdays take much longer because they are constantly changing in and out of gear between patients. She reports that wearing her N95 mask for 10 hours is not comfortable, but “it’s definitely doable.” And when I ask her about how she feels about juggling her responsibilities and risks to her family, this mother and doctor says, “This is what I do.”
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CITY SPOTLIGHT
Old Town
CHARM
Helena’s growth hasn’t taken away from its small-town feel BY LAUREN DOWDLE From new shops and eateries to breathtaking views and parks, Helena has something for everyone — and there are even more things to come. The city is experiencing a major time of change, which includes adding new neighborhoods and businesses across town, says Deedra George, president of the Helena Business Association (HBA). George and her husband, Adam, own By George and have lived in Helena for more than 25 years. The couple has raised their two children there, and George says Helena will always be home for them. “It is a balancing act, keeping a quiet, small town charm with more and more people and commerce,” she says. “Change and how to handle it has become part of the fabric of Helena, and something everyone loves to talk about.” While the city is growing, the thing that makes Helena such a great place to visit and live hasn’t changed. “The greatest thing about living in Helena is by far the people,” George says. “The overwhelming majority of people in Helena just want to live, be happy, and encourage their children and loved ones to succeed and give back to their community. Helena is often known as the safest city in Alabama and that is accredited to our citizens, along with our fabulous police 36 Bham Family October 2020
department. Helena also has great schools and great community sports for our children.” One of the city’s latest additions will take place in one of its largest neighborhoods. The Hillsboro neighborhood will undergo an expansion project that includes adding a green space, retail, and expanding the current trail that goes through the neighborhood. Though no retail tenants have been announced yet, they city would like to see businesses like coffee shops, ice cream shops, restaurants, and other family owned stores open there. Another stop for visitors, Old Town Helena and Buck Creek provide a charming, small-town southern atmosphere, says Leigh Hulsey, Helena City Council Member Place 1. “There are a variety of local cuisines and a local brewery in Old Town all within walking distance of each other, complete with a park and amazing waterfall for your enjoyment,” Hulsey says. They recently passed a proposal to establish an entertainment district in Old Town, which will be executed by the Helena Old Town Board (HOTboard). “Old Town Helena is one of the remaining places where the simple charm of a small town by a stream and railroad tracks is accessible to families with children,” George says. With all of the sights, it’s no wonder visitors and residents alike enjoy taking photos throughout the scenic area. “With a picturesque
CITY SPOTLIGHT
downtown and a park system with lots of wooded views, people are always taking advantage of the colorful backdrops,” George says. “One of the most popular spots for photos is our landmark caboose in Old Town.” In addition to taking photos there, visitors can also come to the caboose next to the Welcome Center to participate in the free puzzle swap. People can pick up and/or donate a puzzle to the exchange, which features more than 100 puzzles. While they’re in Old Town Helena, they can check out stores like Helena Hardware, or sample the many treat shops with baked goods and frozen delights. There have been several new family owned shops to open there, including Refined To Go and Bywater Oyster Bar & Grill. Brown Sugar Desserts and Beignets & Lattes also opened in the past year, curing any sweet tooth. “Family entrepreneurship is always alive in Helena,” George says. Beyond family owned businesses, George says the city is excited to welcome Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts, Papa Murphy’s, and Freddy’s. The city also has several longstanding, family owned businesses in Helena including Fatima’s Family AfHair hair Salon, By George, Native Beach Tan, and Jones & Associates. Across from the caboose is The Depot Deli & Grill, and then just down the street is the Helena Museum. And of course, there’s the view of the waterfall at Buck Creek that’s a can’t-miss sight. But that isn’t the only spot for outdoor lovers by far. The city has plenty of parks, including Joe Tucker Park, where residents can fish, play tennis, or just spend time with friends and family. Then there’s the Boundless Playground, which is a draw for families with children with special needs and will be the future home for the city’s Miracle 37 Bham Family October 2020
League. Cahaba Lily Park has short trails and a playground as well, and the Hillsboro Trail is a great place to walk, run, or ride bikes, Hulsey says. The amphitheater located at Buck Creek Waterfall has a playground for children and great views for the adults. People can also check out the Cahaba River Park, which was a joint venture between the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and Shelby County. The park opened last year at 2793 River Road off Shelby County 251 in Helena. The Cahaba River Park is the perfect spot for canoeing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, swimming, picnics, walking, and more. There are even trails designed for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, as well as outdoor showers, restrooms, and pavilions. “Visit Helena, and get out and have fun,” George says. Must-attend events in the city include the Buck Creek Festival, scheduled for Oct. 23-24, Fourth of July Celebration, Jazz in the Park, Helena Market Days, Christmas parade, and the Helena Festival, which is held in July and December. “Our July Helena Festival features great local vendors, food trucks, local musicians, and fireworks,” George says. “Our December Helena Festival also includes vendors, food trucks, Santa, and a live nativity scene. We also have a great Christmas tree lighting every year.” No matter how much things grow and change in Helena, the city’s charm and its generous people continue to make it feel like home. “While we have grown residentially over the last several years, I truly believe Helena has done an excellent job maintaining its old town charm,” Hulsey says. “Hands down, the people of Helena make it a great place to live.”
KIDS WHO SHINE
ANIYAH DAVIS, 10
BY JEANA DURST The first thing you notice when talking to Aniyah is how she exudes positivity. This bright young girl has a thriving online business in Homewood. Her mother Keyshia says, “She’s always been my little entrepreneur.” So it was no leap when, at the age of eight, Aniyah told her mother that she wanted to start her own online boutique, and then began making metal buttons with creative messages. She comes by this honestly; both of her parents own businesses. The youngest in this Homewood family of five, Aniyah has the support of her whole family—even her older brothers who are far away serving in the Air Force and the Navy. Aniyah sells her buttons alongside cute accessories for school age girls. She even created her own logo for the boutique using the phrase “pretty blessed.” When I asked her how she got the idea for it, she simply explains, “It is because I’m blessed.” On her website, you’ll find buttons with that message and others such “I love to 38 Bham Family October 2020
dream,” and the appropriately named “Girl Boss.” One of her most exciting orders was when Nick Sims asked her to create custom buttons for his campaign for Homewood City Council. It was a proud moment, her mother says. Making the buttons is definitely a family affair. Keyshia operates the cutting machine and handles social media and emails, while Aniyah does the rest. This busy fourth-grader who also loves dance and gymnastics doesn’t mind the extra time it takes to run a business. “When I give people buttons, it makes them smile, and then it makes me smile because they are happy,” Aniyah says. And that’s not the only way Aniyah spreads joy. Last year Aniyah’s teacher called home to tell her mother that she had invited a girl with disabilities who was excluded by others at school to be part of a social group of girls. “I like to tell people that when God created Aniyah he was showing out—she’s always been affectionate and loves helping people,” Keyshia says. To order Aniyah’s buttons and support this young entrepreneur who is saving up for college, visit aniyahsboutiqueshopllc.com.
(Still) Serving Children Safely
ChildrensAL.org
It has always been our priority to ensure the safety and well-being of each child in our care — and that remains our commitment as we continue our mission during the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s how we have redesigned our operations to keep our patients and their families as safe as possible: q All visitors are screened immediately for signs of illness and fever. q We follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting our facilities. q Our staff practices safe hand hygiene. q We are wearing masks for your safety. Thank you for wearing your face covering. q All visitors to campus are required to wear masks. q Waiting rooms have been reconfigured to accommodate social distancing guidelines. 39 Bham Family October 2020
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TEENS — Have questions? Concerned about things? Just need someone to listen? Talking helps. Whether you are having a great day or a tough day, give us a call. We are here to listen. PARENTS — Think your teen might be involved with substance abuse?Have questions? Concerned about your teen? Wondering how to handle your teen’s choices? Just need someone to listen to you? Talking helps.
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