B-Metro City Guide

CityGuide THE

JULY2019

A SEAT AT THE

BAR

Top bartenders share their favorite drinks

VIGNETTES Unique shopping experiences THE LIST Where to eat, drink, shop, hike, study and more!

TOP 50 OVER 50 07

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JULY 2019 $4.99

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DISPLAY UNTIL AUG. 10, 2019

Laura Newman from Queen’s Park

Hard Work, Honesty, Integrity = A Great Experience Buying or Selling a Home

KELLI SALE

Born and raised in Birmingham, Kelli attended Auburn University and received a BS in Business Marketing. In the years since she has practiced the art of selling real estate all over metropolitan Birmingham.

Her passion lies in creating a wonderful experience for home buyers and sellers.

She believes her honest, straight–forward approach makes all the difference for her clients.

KELLI SALE 205-515-6257

MOBLEY & SONS EST. 1969

The Summit | Now Open & Crestline Village

2 CITY GUIDE 2018

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LIVE ONE B-METRO’S

BEST

of the city

SHOP

G U S M AY E R + W E S T E L M + W I L L I A M S S O N O M A + B E L K + M O U N T A I N H I G H O U T F I T T E R S U N T U C K I T + M A R I N E L AY E R + A M E R I C A N T H R E A D S L I Z A R D T H I C K E T + S O U T H M O O N U N D E R + V I N E YA R D V I N E S + L I L LY P U L I T Z E R N O W O P E N : M O B L E Y & S O N S + U LT A B E A U T Y + T H E W O O D H O U S E D AY S P B-METRO.COM A

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

Ruth’s Chris Steak House The sounds emanating from the dining room of a great restaurant—the conversations, the laughter, the movement of the wait staff— can be absolutely intoxicating.

In the main dining room at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Homewood’s Embassy Suites Hotel, there is one more sound that is hard to confuse with any other.

The sizzle of the steak. Call it the music of dinner at Ruth’s Chris.

Ruth’s Chris has a fascinating history.

The Ruth’s Chris Steak House legacy began when a single mother, Ruth Fertel, mortgaged her home for $22,000 to purchase the “Chris Steak House,” a 60-seat restaurant in New Orleans. More than 40 years later, the restaurant’s success continues to be driven by an adherence to Ruth’s core values, which are to de-

liver the highest quality food, beverages and service in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The Birmingham restaurant tucked into the atrium of the Embassy Suites has been charming diners for more than two decades now.

One of the exciting things about dining at Ruth’s Chris is the variety of food available within the classic steakhouse format.

Sizzling blue crabcakes and the barbecued shrimp make excellent choices for appetizers. The lobster bisque or the fresh mozzarella and heirloom tomato salad are equally enticing for the soup and salad course. And the desserts are indeed something to behold.

It is the signature steaks, and that sizzle that makes Ruth’s Chris something special indeed.

 ruthschris.net

2300 Woodcrest Place Birmingham, AL 35209 | Embassy Suites | 205.879.9995

G l eG n l eCno vCeo v e

by Old Edwards

by Old Edwards

Life... pure and simple.

A New way of life �� �������� �� ��� N���� C������� M��������.

I�’� � ��������� ���� �� �������� ��� ��� ������ ���� ��� ���� around the world. And Old Edwards is bringing it to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Amid pris�ne na�onal forestland and fer�le valleys, a genera�onal wellness community is coming to life with a 12-hole, par-3 golf course and experiences as rich and storied as the land itself.

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Team Forecast PHOTOGRAPHY

Liesa Cole

PHOTO STYLIST

Mindi Shapiro

FORECASTSALON.COM

205.506.0500 1707 28TH AVE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

Presented by

the

METRO

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EDITORIAL

Joe O’Donnell Editor/Publisher joe@b-metro.com

Robin Colter Creative Director robin@b-metro.com

Rosalind Fournier Associate Editor

ros@b-metro.com B-METRO’S

BEST

of the city

PLAY

ADVERTISING/MARKETING Amy Tucker Marketing Specialist amy@b-metro.com

Elizabeth O’Donnell Accounting elizabeth@b-metro.com

Contributing Writers Gabby Bates, Lee Ann Brown, Josh Byers, Micah Cargo, Jesse Chambers, John Croyle, J’Mel Davidson, Cherri Ellis, Heidi Elnora, Rosalind Fournier, Tom Gordon, Trevor Hale, Lanier Isom, Tracy James, Angela Karen, Joey Kennedy, Brett Levine, Theresa Long, Andy McWhorter, Lindsey Osborne, Paget Pizitz, Phillip Ratliff, Cynthia Ryan, Dallas Teague Snider, Tommy Stevenson, Charlie Thigpen, Jan Walsh

Contributing Photographers Billy Brown, Edward Badham, Jared Bash, Marc Bondarenko, Cameron Carnes, Liesa Cole, Eric Dejuan, Elizabeth DeRamus, Joseph De Sciose, Lindsey Griffin, Beau Gustafson, Brian Francis, Beth Hontzas, Jim Lafferty, Angela Karen, Nik Layman, Meg McKinney, Art Meripol, Jaysen Michael, Michael Moore, Karim Shamsi-Basha, Jerry Siegel, Chuck St. John, Becky Stayner

B–Metro is published monthly by Fergus Media LLC 1314 Cobb Lane South Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 202-4182 Printed by American Printing Co., Birmingham, AL

For the full schedule of events, visit us online at mcwane.org 8 CITY GUIDE 2018

B-METRO.COM 9

CityGuide BIRMINGHAM METRO

THE

METRO

A PUBLICATION OF

57. A SEAT AT THE BAR

Some of the city’s best bartenders dish on favorite drinks, relationships, and why they love the bar.

Photography by Beau Gustafson

62. THE LEGACY

Mobley & Sons has expanded to The Summit, bringing with it a three-generation legacy of men’s fashion retailing..

Photography by Edward Badham

64. SHOPPE

The garden spot along Clairmont Avenue is the culmination of a dream of Jay Draper and Mark Thompson to build a place of their own.

Photography by Beau Gustafson

66. FOR THE KIDS

Sozo Trading was created to support the mission of keeping children in Uganda safe from harm.

Photography by Beau Gustafson

Special Promotional Sections 69. Positive Maturity’s Top 50 Over 50 93. The Best of the City Directory

This page: Sidewalk Film Festival (Image courtesy of Sidewalk Film Festival) Cover photo by Beau Gustafson 10 CITY GUIDE 2018

JULY2019 Volume 10 Number 9

11 PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS. SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS. 205-971-DOCS.

Grandview Medical Group makes it easier to see a primary care provider in Birmingham – quickly.

Just call 205-971-DOCS. Most calls will result in a same-day appointment with a physician or a nurse practitioner at one of our 11 primary care locations. Walk-ins are welcome, too. If you or a family member age five or older needs to see a doctor fast, think Grandview Medical Group.

Visit GrandviewMedicalGroup.com or call 205-971-DOCS to schedule your same-day appointment.

Chelsea • Columbiana • Grandview Physicians Plaza • Greystone • Homewood Hoover • Lee Branch • Liberty Park • Springville • Trussville • Vestavia Hills

Look Forward.

CityGuide BIRMINGHAM METRO

THE

METRO

JULY2019

A PUBLICATION OF

the lists...

A packed house at Iron City 12 CITY GUIDE 2018

14. Chronicle by Joe O’Donnell 16. List: The Arts 18. List: Attractions 22. List: Beer 24. List: Coffee 26. List: Festivals 30. List: Food 34. List: Hospitals 36. List: Music 40. List: Outdoors 44. List: Pets 46. List: Retirement 48. List: Sports 50. List: Shopping 52. List: Schools 56. List: Theatre 96. B-Curious By Joey Kennedy

OurLoveStory

THE LOVE STORY OF DAVETTA JOHNSON AND RONALD ASHLEY

The Love Story of Davetta Johnson and Ronald Ashley actually began quite a few years ago. It just took a little while to turn into the kind of true love that ends with a proposal of marriage at an Alabama State tailgating party. It was a beautiful tribute to a love story that began way back in high school.

“We actually met in high school in 2007,” Davetta says. “We were introduced at a high school dance. We dated my freshman year in high school. He was a senior. He graduated and we decided to become friends and stayed in touch. We rekindled our relationship in 2015 and it didn’t work out. We finally got back together December 2016 and the rest is history!”

When it came time to get engaged, Ronald let Davetta plan the event. “The funny thing is he let me plan the entire thing--

from what he was wearing to the style of ring.”

The engagement took place at a tailgate party at Alabama State, celebrating Davetta’s graduation. “He played my favorite song, Best Part by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. He got down on one knee and popped the question!”

Though he might not have sprung a surprise on Davetta at the engagement, Ronald took care of shopping for the ring at Diamonds Direct. “He said that the service was absolutely amazing. Denielle Johnson at Diamonds Direct helped him pick out my ring. They even delivered it to him once it was ready,” Davetta says.

And then the love story that started way back in high school became official.

2800 Cahaba Village Plaza Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com 

Love Story is Presented by Diamonds Direct. For more info on how you can be featured in Love Story, check out Diamonds Direct-Birmingham on Facebook.

Chronicle

www.ChildrensAL.org

T While practicing a motocross jump, Brayden (BB) Butler fell and suffered a brain bleed. It would take half a year and surgeons, physicians, nurses and therapists to help him recover.

Fortunately, for BB and thousands of other children, Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the top hospitals for children by U.S. News & World Report.

..............

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA DOWNTOWN RUSSELL CAMPUS 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 205.638.9100 CHILDREN’S SOUTH OUTPATIENT CENTER Outpatient surgery, Pediatric Imaging, laboratory services and specialty care clinics 1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road, Birmingham, AL 35243 205.638.4800

14 CITY GUIDE 2018

he town is growing up, new places, new experiences, new opportunities to enjoy life. Our annual City Guide strives to keep up with the growth of Birmingham.

It seems like a new restaurant opens every week. A new band turns up at a music venue that you really should check out. A new shop opens up in a spot that has been empty for years.

That’s the excitement of Birmingham and we’ve tried to capture it in this issue of the magazine. Our City Guide breaks down the various pursuits that occupy our time, from sitting in a coffee shop to cheering in the stands of a Birmingham Legion game.

Also we poked around some really fun and fascinating shops that you might want to check out. And for good measure, we found four of the best bartenders in town and quizzed about what we should drink. They were happy to oblige.

Also inside this issue, we continue our partnership with Positive Maturity and bring you profiles of this year’s Top 50 Over 50, a really great recognition program that has been running more than five years now. That’s a lot of great people profiled and a lot of stories that capture the essence of a life well-lived.

Congratulations to this year’s nominees.

Live Music at Daniel day Gallery and Dream Mecca Studio

THE

ARTS

GALLERIES AEIVA

The Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) opened in January 2014 as UAB’s dynamic institute of visual art, engaging with art of regional, national, and international significance.

1221 10th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-975-6436 uab.edu/cas/aeiva

Arceneaux Gallery

Arceneaux Gallery is a located in Soho Square – in the heart of Homewood. Tim and Patty Arceneaux established Arceneaux Gallery in 1994 to give local artists a venue.

1839 29th Ave. S., Homewood, AL 35209 205-802-5800 arceneauxgallery.com

Art Alley

Unique collection of local and Southern artists, as well as an intriguing collection of copper and bronze sculptures.

109 Broadway, Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-1105 artalleybham.com

Artists Incorporated

This gallery’s local artists offer a full range of fine art in all media. 6200 Grand River Boulevard East, Suite 114 , Leeds, AL 35094 205-699-7627 artistsincorporated.com

The Atchison Gallery

A well-rounded selection of original works of art, photography, mixed media, prints, custom framing,and installation services.

2847 Culver Rd., Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-871-6233 theatchisongallery.com

Beverly McNeil Gallery

The Beverly McNeil Gallery is located in Lakeview adjacent to the headquarters for Portraits, Inc. 2801 6th. Ave. S., Mountain Brook, AL 35233 205-879-1222 portraitsinc.com

Canary Gallery LLC

Located in the loft district, the Canary Gallery is a place to view work from local artists, host an event, take an art class, or enjoy a glass of wine.

2201 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-224-5300 canarygalleryllc.com

Daniel Day Gallery and Dream Mecca Studio Daniel Day Gallery/Dream Mecca Studio is a 16 CITY GUIDE 2018

venue for local artists with a gallery and media room for music events and private parties.

3025 6th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-731-9420 dreammeccastudio.com

Four Seasons Gallery

Showcases fine art and antiques.

2817 18th St. S., Homewood, AL 35209 803-4059 4seasonsantiquesandart.com

Gallery 1930

Alabama Artists are showcased in this upscale gallery in English Village in Mountain Brook.

1930 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223 205-870-1930 artgallery1930.com

Gallery Services

Located in the Pepper Place area, Gallery Services is a warehouse converted to a gallery, office, and production space.

2901 3rd Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 205-326-4100 galleryservices.com

Grand Bohemian Gallery

The Grand Bohemian Gallery, located within the Grand Bohemian luxury hotel, is one of the most eclectic and visually stimulating of art galleries.

2655 Lane Park Rd., Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-203-4714 grandbohemiangallery.com

This fine art gallery features the works of the gallery owners Scott Bennett and Dori DeCamillis, select pieces by other local and occasionally national artists, and student works.

1001 Stuart St., Homewood, AL 35209 205-870-7608 reddotgallery.com

Sojourns

A gallery/ shop full of unique items, sourced through fair trade from around the globe.

2017 3rd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-323-5680 Sojourns on Facebook

Space One Eleven

Ground Floor Contemporary

Space One Eleven’s mission is to provide professional opportunities for artists, create a forum for public understanding of contemporary art, and offer arts education to area youth.

2409 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-328-0553 spaceoneeleven.org

Liz Lane Gallery

Stephen Smith Fine Art specializes in modern and contemporary fine art with a primary focus on artists whose work engages social issues.

5104 Gary Ave., Fairfield, AL 35203 ​205-305-1451 stephensmith.gallery

A cooperative art gallery committed to promoting and expanding the visual arts scene.

111 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. S., Birmingham, AL 35233. 903-641-6209 groundfloorcontemporary.com Pottery, jewelry and a large collection of contemporary art on paper, wood and canvas.

1923 29th Ave. S., Homewood, AL 35209 205-903-0585 lizlanegallery.com

Maus Contemporary Gallery

Maus Contemporary Gallery is a gallery and space dedicated to supporting creativity with a focus on experimental and issue-driven works.

2411 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-413-2999 mauscontemporary.com

Paperworkers Local

A resource dedicated to enriching the community through exhibitions, workshops and classes and by providing affordable studio space.

2717 7th Ave. S., Ste. 203, Birmingham, AL 35233 paperworkerslocal.com

Red Dot Gallery

Stephen Smith Gallery

MUSEUMS

Birmingham Museum of Art

The Birmingham Museum of Art sparks the creativity and imagination of Birmingham by connecting its citizens to the experience, meaning, and joy of art. The museum contains more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. The museum’s collection of Asian art is considered the finest in the Southeast, and its Vietnamese ceramics one of the finest in the U.S. The Kress Collection features Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to mid18th, and the 18th-century European decorative arts include superior examples of English ceramics and French furniture. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203

205-254-2565 artsbma.org

B-METRO.COM 17

The Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum

The Birmingham Zoo

ATTRACTIONS Alabama Iron and Steel Museum

Located at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, the Museum houses a variety of exhibits dedicated to the iron industry of Alabama. 10-4 daily • 12632 Confederate Pkwy., McCalla, AL 35111 • 205-477-5711 • tannehill.org

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Houses exhibits from famous Alabama Jazz artists who made major contributions to the world of jazz.

1701 B 4th Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-327-9424• jazzhall.com

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame pays tribute to local and state sports heroes and legends. 2150 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Biham, AL 35203 9-5 Mon-Fri. 205-323-6665 • ashof.org

Alabama Theatre

Built in 1927, The Alabama Theatre hosts live events and performances as well as films.

1817 3rd Ave. N., Birmingham AL 35203 205-252-2262 • alabamatheatre.com

Alabama Wildlife Center

Alabama’s largest wildlife rehabilitation center cares for injured and orphaned native wildlife and returns them to the wild. The Treetop Nature Trail is an elevated boardwalk in the woods.Oak Mountain State Park. 100 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL 35124 • 205-663-7930 • awrc.org

Aldridge Gardens

Among the walking trail and six-acre lake, find 18 CITY GUIDE 2018

beauty, tranquility and nature and art in balance.

3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216 (205) 682-8019 www.aldridgegardens.com

American Village

American Village costumed historical interpreters lead visitors through interactive experiences.

3727 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115 205-665-3535 www.americanvillage.org

Arlington Home & Gardens

Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens is a former plantation house, built between 1845–50, and 6 acres of landscaped gardens near downtown.

331 Cotton Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211 205-780-5656 arlingtonantebellumhomeandgardens.com

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

www.bbgardens.org

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Across the street from the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, the Institute showcases how our city has changed and how we helped change the nation. It’s both a museum and a forum for understanding the universal problem of racism and discrimination. Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5 520 16th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 1-866-328-9696 • bcri.org

Birmingham Holocaust Education Center

An extensive Holocaust research library, archives, and the permanent exhibition Darkness Into Life.

Mon.-Fri. 10-3 (please call ahead) 2222 Arlington Ave., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-795-4176 bhamholocausteducation.org

The museum houses over 750 motorcycles and 45 cars and is the largest collection in the U.S. The Barber Motorsports Park is a 740-acre multipurpose motor racing facility.

6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy., Leeds, AL 35094. 205-699-7275 • www.barbermuseum.org

Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Zoo

Sixty-seven acres of glorious nature in all its splendor, everything from Southern wildflowers to a Japanese Garden with tea house and bonsai.

2612 Lane Park Road • 205-414-3950

The Negro Southern League Museum presents the history of African-American baseball.

Mon 11-5, Tues 8-5, Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 12-5 120 16th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-581-3040 • www.birminghamnslm.org The 122-acre Birmingham Zoo features sea lions, rhinos and endangered species from six continents. Attractions include: Train, carousel and children’s zoo. The Trails of Africa makes the Birmingham Zoo a national leader in the care and

SPECIAL PROMOTION

A WALL FOR EVERYONE

CLIMBING AT HIGH POINT IS EXERCISE FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT. Climbing is an amazing form of exercise because it utilizes the whole body while also engaging your mind. The best place in town for this type of exercise, which brings the mind, body and spirit into focus, is High Point Climbing and Fitness on Highway 280.

Puzzle-solvers and fitness buffs alike will have an awesome time climbing at High Point. Climbing provides a workout that is consistently new and consistently progressing. New routes, new heights, new moves--it never gets old!

Skill levels at High Point are as varied as the customers. Many are first-timers who have never climbed or tried it once or twice when they were a child. But there are also experienced climbers who frequently climb outside. They use the facility to train.

No matter your skill level or aptitude for altitude, all of the guests are given a full orientation to the gym and directed towards the best places to start. The route setting team at High Point also makes sure intermediate and advanced customers have plenty of variety and difficulty levels from which to choose. High Point also provides ongoing educational opportunities for all climbers, whether it’s in the form of private lessons or member clinics. From novice to pro, they have a wall for everyone.

It’s never too early to start. As soon as you can fit in a harness and walk, you can hop on the wall! Most children really start to engage in the sport around age 5, but you can sometimes see toddlers go higher than some adults. On the other end of the spectrum, they have gym members in their 70s still enjoying themselves and staying fit through climbing.

High Point has organized programs for youths with a variety of teams, both competitive and recreational. Teams range from 6-18 years olds. There are three levels of recreational teams that focus on technique and movement. As climbers get older, they learn more advanced technical skills.

High Point’s competitive team focuses on advanced climbing skills, supplemental fitness, and injury prevention to prepare for regional, divisional, and even national level competitions. Climbing is a long term sport that encourages travel, making friends all over the world, and enjoying fitness and the outdoors. High Point places a lot of emphasis on teaching athletes the skills and attitudes they need to continue enjoying climbing well into adulthood.

High Point also offers summer camps for ages 5 to14, private lessons, and a Homeschool PE Club.

Climbers band together in communities the world over. High Point has relationships with local climbers and local climbing organizations such as the SCC (Southeastern Climbing Coalition), and the national climbing organization, USA Climbing, as well as organizations such as the World Games.

Climbing brings people from all different walks of life together and they can all find a home at High Point. They strive to further the community through education, fitness, and fun.

High Point encourages an active lifestyle through climbing, yoga, spending more time outdoors and sharing it all with a like-minded and supportive community.

4766 HIGHWAY 280 | BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242 | 205-981-9190

 highpointclimbing.com

conservation of threatened elephants.

9-5 Mon-Fri, 9-7 Sat-Sun 2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223 205-879-0409 • birminghamzoo.com

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

Dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of historic railway equipment.

1919 9th St., Calera, AL 205-668-3435 • hodrrm.org

The Lyric Theatre

Built in 1914, the Lyric is one of few theatres still existing that was specifically designed for vaudeville shows. Today it has been restored as a vibrant performance and event venue.

1800 3rd Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-252-2262 • lyricbham.com

McWane Center

Designed to inspire a lifelong love of learning, McWane Science Center has welcomed millions of visitors since opening its doors in 1998 to see, hear, touch, and experience the wonders of science. Also offering IMAX Dome theater.

Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6 200 19th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-714-8300 • mcwane.org

Rickwood Field

America’s oldest baseball park, Rickwood Field served as the home park for both the Birmingham Barons and Birmingham Black Barons.

1137 2nd Ave. W., Birmingham, AL 35204 205-458-8161 • rickwood.com

1966, is one of the largest aviation museums in the Southeast, with 100 aircraft to enjoy.

Tues-Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm 4343 73rd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35206 205-833-8226 southernmuseumofflight.org

Sloss Furnaces

Uptown, the BJCC & TopGolf

Sloss Furnaces produced iron for nearly 90 years, giving rise to the wealth of the city. Now a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces, with its warren of pipes and smokestacks, offers a glimpse into South’s great industrial past. It also serves as a unique community gathering place for major music and food festivals.

Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4 and for special events 20 32nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222 205-254-2025 • slossfurnaces.com

Southern Environmental Center

The Southern Environmental Center educates individuals and organizations on ways to build more livable communities.

900 Arkadelphia Rd., Birmingham, AL 35254 205-226-4934 • bsc.edu/sec

Southern Museum of Flight

The Southern Museum of Flight, established in

Uptown is a premier entertainment district with restaurants/bars. One million guests visit the BJCC for concerts, conventions or meetings each year. Top Golf is located nearby.

2221 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-458-8700 • bjcc.org uptownbham.com

Vulcan Park and Museum

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain.

Vulcan Park and Museum and features spectacular views, an interactive history museum, and a premier venue for private events.

Museum: Mon-Sun 10-6; Observation Tower: 10am-10pm 1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham, AL 35209 205-933-1409 • visitvulcan.com

3301 LORNA ROAD • HOOVER, AL• 205.978.5880

WWW.SHAYSJEWELERS.COM 20 CITY GUIDE 2018

SPECIAL PROMOTION

For four decades, Mike Wedgworth has created some of the finest custom homes and residential communities in Birmingham, Alabama. His commitment to outstanding, quality construction is evident in each of the more than 400 homes he’s crafted for families here. His reputation has been built the same way as any new Wedgworth home or community one relationship at a time.

You can see Wedgworth’s craftsmanship in communities like Altadena Park, Viridian and their newest neighborhood – Walnut Hill.

205.967.1831

 wedgworth.net

bEER BREWERIES

Avondale Brewing Company

Avondale Brewing Company named all of their beers after the folklore of Avondale. They craft brew with the same unique character and style.

201 41st. St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222 205-203-4556 • avondalebrewing.com

Back Forty Beer Company

This Gadsden brewery added a location in Birmingham at Sloss Docks along First Avenue North with a restaurant and beer garden with live music.

Sloss Docks, Birmingham, AL 256-467-4912 • backfortybeer.com

Birmingham District Brewing

A new local brewery located at The Battery development in midtown. 2201 2nd Ave S Bham, AL 205-202-5779 birminghamdistrictbrewing. com

Cahaba Brewing Company

Cahaba Brewing Company provides Birmingham with clean and consistent craft beers with a broad variety of flavors and styles.

4500 5th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35222 205-578-2616 • cahababrewing.com

Ghost Train Brewing Company Ghost Train is a family-owned brewery. 2616 3rd Ave. S., Bham, AL 35233 205-201-5817 ghosttrainbrewing.com

Good People Brewing Co.

Good People Brewing Company was born, with the sale of their first keg on July 4, 2008, in the owner’s hometown of Birmingham.

114 14th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-286-2337 goodpeoplebrewing.com

Grocery Brew Pub

A new brew pub in the heart of Homewood. 2823 Central Ave, Homewood 205-637-0990 thegrocerybrewpub.com

Trim Tab Brewing Company

The creation of TrimTab Brewing Co. was a long, winding journey. Its members came from all walks of life, but all were bound by a love for craft beer.

2721 5th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 828-545-4746 trimtabbrewing.com

Slag Heap Brewing Company Founded in 2016, this brewery is located northeast of the city in Trussville.

227 Main Street, Trussville, AL 35173 205-537-1015 slagheapbrewing.com

GREAT BEER BARS 5 Point Public House and Oyster Bar

5 Point offers over 40 craft beers, including those brewed in Alabama as well as other ales and lagers from around the country.

1210 20th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-918-0726 • 5pointpublichouse.com

Brät Brot

A newly reopened biergarten in the Lakeview district serving up specialty beers, wine and cocktails as well as German delicacies. 2910 6th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-847-4888 • bratbot.com

Carrigan’s Public House

An industrious space turned into a great neighborhood bar with plenty of beer choices and a rooftop bar area overlooking the loft district.

2430 Morris Ave., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-440-2430 • carriganspub.com

Hop City Craft Beer and Wine

Great beer selection on tap and in bottles. Sports and good food. At the Galleria, Fultondale, Liberty Park (coming soon), and Inverness. ontapsportscafe.com

Pale Eddie’s Pour House

A neighborhood gathering spot with free-flowing ales and lagers, craft and high-gravity beers in addition to a unique selection of wine and liquors. 2308 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-297-0052 • paleeddiespourhouse.com

Todd English P.U.B.

This is classic pub territory with a splash of celebrity at Uptown Birmingham.

2221 Richard Arlington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham 205-307-3700 • toddenglishpub.com

Mugshots

Three locations in the metro, Vestavia, Inverness and Uptown, mean great burgers and beer within an easy drive. mugshotsgrillandbar.com

Paramount

Good pub grub and beer and creative cocktails in an industrial-chic space with vintage video & arcade games. • 200 20th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 • paramountbirmingham.com

Hop City features an impressive beer package selection, 60 draft choices, wine and homebrew supplies and an on site beer bar with patio.

2924 3rd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-279-2337 • hopcitybeer.com

Slice Pizza & Brew

Known as a premiere beer bar, the J. Clyde’s patio is a lively slice of Birmingham on picturesque Cobb Lane. • 1312 Cobb Lane, Birmingham, AL 35205 205-939-1312 • Jclyde.com

The Beer Hog

The J. Clyde

22 CITY GUIDE 2018

On Tap Sports Cafe

Slice has a great selection of local beers and some of the city’s best pizza.

725 29th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-715-9300 • slicebirmingham.com More than 300 craft beers in Pelham.

112 Bowling Lane, Pelham, AL 35124 205-326-7151 thebeerhogal.com

Grab a drink . share a bite . have a ball

wOOLWORTHBHAM.COM . @WOOLWORTHBHAM . (205)518-6311 1006 20th st s . birmingham, al . five pOints SOUTH duckpin bowling . bumperpool . ping pong . pinball . shuffleboard . air hockey

COFFEE

The Abbey Coffee Shop

The Abbey is a community coffee shop in the Avondale neighborhood of Birmingham. Coffee from Red Bike Coffee in Irondale. Baked goods are made right at The Abbey.

131 41st St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222 205-703-9538 theabbeybham.com

Baba Java

Coffee from around the world right in Riverchase.

4730 Chace Cir, Suite 124, Hoover 205-777-5984 babajavacoffee.com

Filter Coffee Parlor

New in Five Points South, Filter means high quality coffees, teas, specialty drinks, and seasonal eats 1927 11th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205 205-202-6422 filtercoffeeparlor.com

Innova Coffee

A neighborhood coffee shop in Homewood.

2832 Linden Ave., Homewood, AL 35209 205-820-7414 caveatcoffee.com

Innova comes from the Latin word “renewal” and the owners want you to experience a sense of renewal every time you stop by.

4700 Colonnade Pkwy., Birmingham, AL 35243 205-447-9777 innovacoffee.com

Church Street Coffee & Books

Lucy’s Coffee and Tea

Caveat

Everything’s fresh from the coffee to their famous Breakup Cookies. You’ll find a great selection of books as well as regularly hosted book clubs.

81 Church St., Mountain Brook, AL 35213 205-870-1117 churchstreetshop.com

When you come into Lucy’s, you’ll experience great art, eclectic furniture and smiling employees. 2007 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-328-2007 Lucyscoffeeandtea.com

Satellite

Coffee and cocktails in the heart of Avondale and attached to one of the city’s best music venues, Saturn. Board games and vintage video games.

200 41st St. S., Birmingham AL 35222 205-703-9545 saturnbirmingham.com

Seeds Coffee Co.

Crestwood Coffee Company

Octane

Enjoy great coffee in Uptown Birmingham.

2221 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 • 205-545-5076 octanecoffee.com

At Seeds what started out as a hobby quickly developed into a passion for coffee and two shops.

174 Oxmoor Rd., Birmingham, AL 35209 205-259-6405 2808 7th Ave. S. Ste. 105 Birmingham, AL 35233 • 205-312-9947 seedscoffee.com

East 59 Vintage and Café

O’Henry’s Coffee

Starbucks

Daily soup specials. Wine and a great selection of local, micro, and specialty beers.

5512 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35212 205-595-0300 crestwoodcafe.com Enjoy a cup of coffee, savor breakfast and lunch options, peruse vintage furnishings, attend classes, and host events.7619 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35206 205-838-0559 east59.net

More than just coffee, O’Henry’s has been a community gathering place since 1993. Four locations: Downtown Homewood; Brookwood Village Mall; Highland Park; Regions Harbert Plaza. ohenryscoffees.com

The Red Cat

With two locations, Pepper Place and Railroad Park, the Red Cat is part of the vibe of our city.

Great food and occasional music.

2901 2nd Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 205-616-8450 1701 1st. Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-518-0779 theredcatcoffeehouse.com

Revelator Coffee

Revelator offers a bright and open space, with stay-awhile appeal.

1826 3rd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 2510 Park Lane Ct. S. Mountain Brook, AL 35223 • 205-224-5900 revelatorcoffee.com 24 CITY GUIDE 2018

Many locations around Birmingham. starbucks.com

Urban Standard

Urban Standard offers simple hospitality in an inviting atmosphere. Daily fueling with coffee and food, staples that make a city a home.

2320 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-250-8200 urbanstandard.com

Woodlawn Cycle Café

Started out as a coffee bar, morphed into a mustexperience boutique eatery in Woodlawn.

5530 1st Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35212 205-224-4011 woodlawncyclecafe.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Manda Luccasen of RE/MAX Southern Homes is a native of Vestavia Hills and an award-winning Realtor with more than 17 years of experience. She has closed more than $150,000,000 in volume and prides herself on being honest and informative for her clients. Luccasen will not sell a house just to sell a house, she said. Her goal is to make sure that home is the right fit, making sure to discuss everything from pros and cons to future resale value. “My customers are looking to make one of the biggest decisions of their lives,” she said. “Whether it is through the excitement of purchasing a home or the mixed emotions of selling, I give 100 percent of my attention to helping my clients.” One of the things she most enjoys is providing helpful tips toward updating and preparing a home for resale. “Making

a first impression to new buyers is one of the most important aspects of listing a home,” she said. She takes the time to understand the type of house and neighborhood a buyer is looking for and enjoys giving insights of Vestavia neighborhoods. Luccasen is consistently a top producing agent in the Vestavia Hills real estate market with a proven track record. She has ranked among the Top 20 RE/MAX Agents in Alabama the past four years and has been consistently awarded RE/MAX Platinum Club, Hall of Fame Club, Club of Excellence and 100 Percent Club honors.

Manda was also voted “Best Real Estate Agent” by Vestavia Magazine in 2018. She strives to uphold a superior level of integrity, honor and excellence for her clients. She attributes her success to her true love of real estate.

MANDA

LUCCASEN Southern Homes

WHERE: 903 Montgomery Highway CALL: 283-0380 WEBSITE: MandaSold.com

Magic City Arts Conection

Moss Rock Festival

FESTIVALS Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival

mingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities. People of all ages can enjoy being downtown at a safe, familyfriendly, community event. Friday night (9/6/19) has been compared to a huge gallery opening with a street festival atmosphere, while Saturday (9/7/19) afternoon caters more to the family crowd with special children’s activities. birminghamartwalk.org

The Annual Barber Vintage Festival (October 4-6) is one of the most highly anticipated motorcycle events in the world. The three-day festival features food and entertainment, a swap meet with hundreds of vendors selling vintage motorcycles and parts, as well as the AMCA and VJMC gatherings, and the Motorcycle Classics show. barbermuseum.org

Birmingham Freedom Fest

Birmingham Artwalk

Experience Birmingham’s rich culinary culture during Birmingham Restaurant Week.

Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Bir26 CITY GUIDE 2018

Taking place twice a year, Restaurant Week is a 10-day culinary affair where locally owned and operated restaurants offer incentives for patrons to revisit their favorite restaurants or to experience new ones. August 16-25, 2018. bhamrestaurantweek.com

Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival

BBQ and blues. What could be better? Held in Historic Downtown Bessemer. bobsykesblues.com

A new music festival focused on Birmingham’s civil rights history is coming to Birmingham’s civil rights district at Kelly Ingram Park, July 27. A portion of proceeds from the festival will help support the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. freedomfestbhm.com

Breakin’ Bread: The Local Flavor Festival

Birmingham Restaurant Week

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

The city’s premier food festival designed to showcase the culinary talents of Birmingham’s best chefs from independent restaurants. Event is held in early fall. birminghamoriginals.org

In the Mexican tradition, this festival commemo-

Comfortable Medical Waiting

Dedicated Spa Check-in Area

Private Spa Lounge

Birmingham’s Only Float Pool

City Brewfest is a weekend dedicated to learning about craft beer and sampling the best that Alabama has to offer. There will be 150+ individual beers available including many rare, specialty and cask ales which have never been seen before in Alabama. The festival is held at Avondale Park, August 10-11. freethehops.org Sidewalk Film Festival

rates the deaths of loved ones through music, dance and shrines. Second of November in the streets of Pepper Place. barehandsinc.org

Do Dah Day Festival

Rhodes and Caldwell Parks along Highland Avenue is the site for this dog friendly festival. Dress up your doggie and head on down. Benefitting animal rescue services. dodahday.org

Fiesta

Alabama’s largest celebration of Hispanic culture is a colorful event in downtown Linn Park on September 28th. Learn about the many Hispanic countries and their cultures through art, music, food and dance. fiestabirmingham.com

Greek Festival

The Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral Greek Food Festival is the focal point for thousands from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Georgia who for three days experience the Greeks’ legendary zest for life. At the festival you can find authentic Greek cuisine, Mediterranean and Orthodox Christian souvenirs in the gift shop, and Greek dancing. Oct. 3-5. birminghamgreekfestival.net

Gumbo Gala

Sloss Furnace is the location for this spicy event/ cooking competition. Proceeds benefit Episcopal Place, which provides independent living for seniors and special needs adults. episcopalplace.org/gumbo-gala

Magic City Brewfest

This will be the 13th year anniversary of Magic City Brewfest presented by Free the Hops. Magic 28 CITY GUIDE 2018

Magic City Art Connection

Magic City Art Connection is an annual contemporary art festival held in April in Linn Park downtown.

Visitors enjoy art from more than 200 juried artists from around the country, more than 40 interactive art workshops and activities for kids, mouthwatering food creations from renowned chefs of Birmingham’s finest restaurants, 100 wines and many craft beers from around the world to sample. magiccityart.com

Moss Rock Festival

On the first full weekend in November, The Preserve in Hoover, Alabama becomes home to art, design & environmental lovers everywhere as the annual Moss Rock Festival kicks off. This one-of-a-kind outdoor fall festival welcomes 12,000 visitors annually to explore nature, art+design, and smart living themes. mossrockfestival.com

National Veterans Day Parade

Our city hosts the oldest and largest Veterans Day parade in the US held on Veterans Day each November. nationalveteransday.org

Secret Stages

Secret Stages hosts a weekend filled with up and coming new music from local and regional bands, a music discovery festival. Takes place on August 2-3. secretstages.net

Sidewalk Film Festival A celebration of new and indepen-

Slicefest

dent cinema in downtown Birmingham, Sidewalk has delighted film buffs since 1999. Movies are screened in 11 venues downtown, in the historic theater district which is anchored by the historic Alabama Theater with the newly restored Lyric right across the street. Attendees can sample many different independent films that they might not otherwise be able to see. August 19 – 25, 2019. sidewalkfest.com

Slicefest

Birmingham’s largest food and music block party is hosted by Slice Pizza & Brewhouse each June.

Slice Pizza & Brewhouse hosts the event to celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary and thank the Birmingham community for their support. Over the past five years, the event has grown to a full-blown festival bringing in local and regional music talent paired with local craft beer and specialty pizzas. slicefest.com

Southern Voices Festival

A celebration of writing, music and art attracts a full house each year to see and hear the works of noted Southern writers and artists. Hoover Library. hooverlibrary.org/sv

SPECIAL PROMOTION

The Collective is about more than hair and make-up. They do those things and they do them well. But the true passion of the professionals at The Collective is about creating an atmosphere where every person feels at home. Ultimately, The Collective is about people and relationships. By providing an excellent experience for clients and a wonderful work environment for stylists, The Collective continues to flourish and grow.

In fact, they moved to a larger space, still at Pepper Place, in 2018. This new location allows them to serve their clientele in an open and exciting environment. The Collective began in October 2015 in the space that had previously been Click Salon at Pepper Place.

The Collective’s talented stylists are constantly honing their skills at master classes and continuing education opportunities.

They specialize in balayage/hair painting techniques and lived in styles. The Collective stylists are also available for special events and bridal hair and makeup. To make sure your hair looks just as good at home as when you leave the salon, The Collective also carries exclusive brands such as Oribe, Davines, R+Co, and

L’Oréal Professional.

The Collective understands how difficult it is to find a stylist, one that not only has the skills you are looking for to achieve your ideal style, but also one that meshes with your personality.

That is why they launched a new program called Meet Your Stylist. This innovative tool found on their website matches guests with the stylists that best fits their preferences. Take the survey today to find your match.

2nd Avenue South | Suite B at Pepper Place | Birmingham, AL 35233

 TheCollectiveBham.com

El Zun Zun

Ollie Irene

FOOD Abhi

Modern Asian-fusion. The Summit 205-969-6858. abhiatthesummit.com

Amore

Signature Italian dishes in a high-end family-owned restaurant.

5510 US-280, Greystone letsamore.com

Ash Bar & Grill

Wood fired American kitchen with southern roots and international flavors.

705 Oak Grove Rd, Homewood ashhomewood.com

Automatic Seafood

Fish from the Gulf and oysters. • 2824 5th Ave. S. Birmingham • 205-580-1600. automaticseafood.com

Avondale Common House

House-crafted spirits and brews, plus pub grub and live music.

4100 3rd Ave S. Birmingham 205-703-9895 avondalecommonhouse.com

Bamboo on 2nd

Asian fusion and sushi.

2212 Second Ave. N., Birmingham 205-703-0551 bambooon2nd.com

Bettola

Creative Italian.

2930 Second Ave. S., Birmingham, AL • 205-731-6499 facebook/BettolaBirmingham/ 30 CITY GUIDE 2018

Bistro 218

French-inspired bistro dining downtown.

218 20th St. N., Birmingham, AL 205-983-7999 bistro218.com

Bistro V

Shrimp & grits and other Southern comfort foods.521 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills 205-823-1505 bistro-v.com

Birmingham205-518-0772 bricktops.com

The Essential

Traditional American and Greek. 304 19th St. N., Bessemer, AL 205-426-1861 thebrightstar.com

El ZunZun

The Bright Star Café Dupont

Blueprint on 3rd

Fine dining downtown.

113 20th St. North, Birmingham (205) 322-1282 cafedupont.net

Bogue’s Restaurant

Frank Stitt’s French bistro.

2007 11th Ave. S., Birmingham 205-939-3221 fonfonbham.com

Bottega

Charm in English Village.

1911 Cahaba Rd., Mountain Brook 205-870-7011 chezlulu.us

BratBrot

Gulf seafood, game & local produce share the menu. 2837 Culver Rd, Mountain Brook 205-871-3266 danielgeorgerestaurant.com

Brick and Tin

“Ain’t nothing like ’em nowhere.”

1427 14th Ave. S., Birmingham 205-933-2133 dreamlandbbq.com

American brasserie.

3000 3rd Avenue South Birmingham 205-479-3000 Breakfast and meat and three 3028 Clairmont Ave. S., Birmingham 205-254-9780 boguesdiner.com Frank Stitt’s classic Italian.

2240 Highland Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 205-939-1000 bottegarestaurant.com A fun, friendly biergarten in Lakeview.

2910 6th Ave S, Birmingham bratbrot.com Fresh food in a casual atmosphere Downtown: 205-297-8636 Mountain Brook: 205-502-7971 Brickandtin.com

Bricktops

Classic American menu in casual stylish atmosphere.2800 Highway 280,

The Woolworth

Chez Fonfon Chez Lulu

Elegant comfort food downtown.

2018 Morris Ave, Downtown 205-703-3012 essentialbham.com Casual but authentic Mexican food from Oaxaca. 4105 Crosshaven Dr, Cahaba Heights 205-791-7711 el-zunzun.com

Fancy’s on Fifth

A relaxed burger and oyster joint.

430 41st St. S., Birmingham 205-777-3662 fancyson5th.com

The Fish Market

DG

Greek-inspired seafood.

612 22nd St. South, Birmingham 205-322-3330 thefishmarket.net

Dreamland Bar-B-Que

Pub and oyster bar at Five Points South.

1210 20th St S, Birmingham 205-918-0726 5pointpublichouse.com

El Barrio Restaurante y Bar

Creative, Mexican-inspired food.

2211 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham 205-868-3737 Elbarriobirmingham.com

Five Point Public House

Fleming’s

High-end steakhouse chain. 103 Summit Blvd., Birmingham 205-262-9463 flemingssteakhouse.com

Food Bar

Farm-fresh American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. 3156 Heights Village, Cahaba Heights 205-876-8100 foodbarbham.com

SERIOUS DINER FOOD Served All Day.

TWO BIRMINGHAM AREA LOCATIONS

INVERNESS 180 INVERNESS PLAZA

TRUSSVILLE 2050 GADSDEN HIGHWAY

METRODINER.COM FEATURED ON

Full Moon Bar-B-Que

littledonkey.com

GM Pizzeria

Farm-to-table bistro.

3811 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham 205-591-1119 littlesavannah.com

Great barbecue. Eight locations in metro Birmingham. fullmoonbbq.com Pizza and Italian food from the folks at GianMarco 600 Oak Grove Rd., Homewood 205-905-3266 pizzeriagm.com

Galley and Garden

Fine dining in an elegant, historic home.

2220 Highland Ave., Birmingham 205-939-5551 galleyandgarden.com

GianMarco’s

Great neighborhood Italian 721 Broadway St., Homewood 205-871-9622 facebook/GIANMARCOS

Grille 29

Perfect for lunch, a casual dinner, drinks and appetizers. 971 Brookwood Village, Birmingham 205-783-1295 grille29.com

Gus’s Hot Dogs

Classic Birmingham hot dog stand.

1915 4th Ave. N., Birmingham 205-251-4540

Hattie B’s

Nashville hot chicken.

2808 7th Ave S. Birmingham 205-578-6018 hattieb.com

Highlands Bar & Grill

2018 Beard Award winner for best restaurant in the U.S. 2011 Eleventh Ave. S., Birmingham 205-939-1400 highlandsbarandgrill.com

Hot and Hot Fish Club Sophisticated Southern dining.

2180 11th Court S., Birmingham 205-933-5474 hotandhotfishclub.com

Iron City Grill

American fare such as salads and sandwiches plus cocktails.

2208 6th Ave S. Birmingham 205-202-5483 ironcitybham.com

Jinsei

Sushi featuring traditional rolls and other Japanese fare, inventive cocktails.

1830 29th Ave S. Homewood 205-802-1440 jinseisushi.com

La Paz

Little Savannah MELT

Comfortable and creative grilled cheese.

4105 4th Ave. S., Birmingham 205-917-5000 meltbham.com

Mile End Delicatessen

A Montreal-influenced Jewish deli in the heart of Parkside. 1701 1st Avenue South, Birmingham mileenddeli.com

Mr. P’s Deli

Butcher shop, grocery and great sandwiches.813 Shades Crest Road, Hoover 205-823-6136 mrpdeli.com

Niki’s West

An original, classic meat and three.

233 Finley Ave. W., Birmingham 205-252-5751 nikiswest.com

Ocean

A great, upscale seafood restaurant.

1218 20th St. S., Birmingham •205-9330999 •oceanbirmingham.com

Ollie Irene

Chef Chris Newsome’s reborn restaurant.

75 Church St., Mountain Brook 205-769-6034 ollieirene.com

OvenBird

A live-fire restaurant from Chris Hastings.

2810 3rd Ave. S., Birmingham 205-957-6686 ovenbirdrestaurant.com

Paramount

Creative pub grub with video and arcade games. 200 20th St. N., Birmingham 205-320-2824 paramountbirmingham.com

Perry’s Steak House

Steaks, chops, seafood, wine and cocktails. 4 Perimeter Park S., Birmingham 205-968-1597 perryssteakhouse.com

Pho Que Huong

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant.

430 Green Springs Highway, Homewood 205-942-5400

Pizitz Food Hall

Food hall with a host of culinary choices.

1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham 205-939-3111 thepizitz.com/food-hall

Post Office Pies

Casual Mexican.

99 Euclid Ave, Mountain Brook 205-879-2225 eatatlapaz.com

Wood-fired and wonderful.

209 41st St. S., Birmingham 205-599-9900 postofficepies.com

Mexican food with Southern sensibility.

Homewood and Hoover 205-703-7000/ 205-206-4375

Authentic Chinese at an Oriental market.

243 West Valley Ave., Homewood 205-945-9558

Little Donkey

32 CITY GUIDE 2018

Red Pearl Restaurant

superorientalmkt.com

Rojo

Lively patio and Mexican/ American food.

2921 Highland Ave., Birmingham 205-328-4733 rojobirmingham. com

Ruth’s Chris

Classic home of sizzling steaks.

2300 Woodcrest Pl., Birmingham, AL 205-879-9995 ruthschris.net

Satterfield’s

Casual yet fine dining. 3161 Cahaba Heights Rd., Vestavia 205-969-9690 satterfieldsrestaurant.com

Saw’s BBQ

The original Saw’s in Homewood.

1008 Oxmoor Road, Homewood 205-879-1937 sawsbbq.com

Saw’s Soul Kitchen

Traditional Southern soul in Avondale.

215 41st St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222 205-591-1409 sawsbbq.com

Shiki

Modern interpretations of classic Thai dishes and Japanese sushi. 300 19th St S., Homewood 205-783-5222 shikihomewoodal.com

Silver Coin

Northern and Southern Indian cuisine.

3321 Lorna Rd. Hoover 205-823-9070 silvercoinusa.com

Skycastle

American classics and sports on TV. 2808 7th Ave. S., Birmingham 205-578-6080 skycastlebham.com

Saw’s BBQ

Trattoria Centrale

Italian specialties and a great Sunday brunch. 207 20th St. N., Birmingham 205-202-5612 trattoriacentrale.com

Real & Rosemary

Fresh, thoughtfully prepared food served daily from 11-9. 1922 29th Ave S., Homewood • 205-820-7100 realandrosemary.com

Rodney Scott’s BBQ

Barbecue restaurant from James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott 3719 3rd Ave S, Birmingham rodneyscottsbbq.com

Roots and Revelry

Fine dining in restored Thomas Jefferson.

1623 2nd Ave N., Birmingham 205-730-1907 roots-revelry.com

The Yard

Slice

Southern progressive dining in the Elyton hotel downtown. 1928 1st Ave. N., Birmingham. 205-226-9298. theyardbirmingham.com

Ted’s Restaurant

Healthy, locally sourced meals in Homewood, Mountain Brook, The Summit, and downtown. urbancookhouse.com

Pizza and beer.725 29th St. S., Birmingham 205-715-9300 Slicebirmingham.com A classic steam table lunch. 328 12th St. S., Birmingham 205-324-2911 tedsbirmingham.com

Texas de Brazil

Upscale Brazilian at Uptown.

2301 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N., Birmingham 205-588-8333 texasdebrazil.com

Todd English P.U.B.

Modern English pub fare at Uptown.

2221 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL • 205-307-3700 toddenglishpub.com

Urban Cookhouse

Vino

Upscale American and Mediterranean fare. 1930 Cahaba Rd., Mountain Brook 205-870-8404 vinobirmingham.com

Whistling Table

From the folks of Shindigs food truck fame. 3916 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham 205-407-5460 whistlingtable.com

The Woolworth

Duck-pin bowling, great food, drink and games. 1006 20th St S, Birmingham woolworthbham.com

JAMES BEARD AWARD JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNING CHEF WINNING CHEF @RODNEYSCOTTSBBQ @RODNEYSCOTTSBBQ Dine In Full Bar Pick Up Dine In Full Bar Pick Up Patio Catering/Delivery Patio Catering/Delivery 3719 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 3719 3rd(205) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 506-2711 (205) 506-2711

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RODNEY SCOTT’S BBQ AND MILE END DELI ARE BOTH PROUD MEMBERS OF PIHAKIS RESTAURANT GROUP

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HOSPITALS BIRMINGHAM AREA

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

2010 Brookwood Medical Ctr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com

Children’s of Alabama

1600 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 www.childrensal.org

Citizens Baptist Medical Center

604 Stone Ave, Talladega, AL 35160

Coosa Valley Medical Center 315 W Hickory St, Sylacauga, AL 35150 www.cvhealth.net

Cullman Regional Medical Center

1912 Al Highway 157, Cullman, AL 35058 cullmanregional.com

Grandview Medical Center

3690 Grandview Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35243 www.grandviewhealth.com

Medical West

995 9th Ave SW, Bessemer, AL 35022 www.medicalwesthospital.org

Princeton Baptist Medical Center

701 Princeton Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com

St. Vincent’s Birmingham

810 St. Vincent’s Drive, Birmingham, AL 35205 stvhs.com/birmingham

Saint Vincent’s Blount

150 Gilbreath Drive, Oneonta, AL 35121 www.stvhs.com/blount/ ●

St. Vincent’s East

50 Medical Park Dr E, Birmingham, AL 35235 www.stvhs.com/east

St. Vincent’s St. Clair

7063 Veterans Pkwy, Pell City, AL 35125 www.stvhs.com/stclair/

Shelby Baptist Medical Center 1000 1st St N, Alabaster, AL 35007 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com

UAB Hospital

1802 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 www.uabmedicine.org

UAB Hospital - Highlands

1201 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205 www.uabmedicine.org

Walker Baptist Medical Center 3400 Highway 78 E, Jasper, AL 35501 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com

HOME HEALTH Alacare Home Health & Hospice

Alabama’s oldest family-owned home health provider, with branches serving almost every county in the state, it provides home health, hospice and palliative care; physical rehabilitation; and specialty programs in an in-home setting.

2400 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 104 Birmingham, AL 35244 • 205-739-7141 www.alacare.com

34 CITY GUIDE 2018

Since 2012

MUSIC

LANY performs at Iron City Photo by Jones Willingham

Alabama Symphony

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra has entertained audiences for decades, playing a variety of classical and popular music and hosting performances by some of the finest guest artists in the world. The talented musicians of the ASO bring to life some of the world’s most treasured musical masterpieces and introduce listeners to exciting new works and composers, performing concerts for more than 100,000 persons annually.

1200 10th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-975-2787 alabamasymphony.org

Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center

As the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s performing arts center, Alys Stephens serves as 36 CITY GUIDE 2018

a bridge to the arts for the community. The Alys Stephens Center quickly became the center for entertainment and arts education in Birmingham and central Alabama with more than 100,000 visitors annually.

1200 10th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-975-2787 alysstephens.org

Avondale Brewing

This well known brewery in Avondale is also a major music venue with outdoor music on the stage behind the brewery.

201 41st Street South, Birmingham 205-203-4546 avondalebrewing.com

Bar 31

This bar and restaurant in Vestavia features live

music, along with Southern soul food.

1485 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills 35216 205-824-3160 bar31birmingham.com

Gip’s Place

A blues joint located in the back yard of Gip Gipson’s home on Avenue C. Music every Saturday night. 3101 Ave C, Bessemer 205-919-8142

Iron City Birmingham

Iron City Birmingham is a 22,000 square-foot full service grill, bar, event and entertainment venue in the heart of downtown Birmingham. It is a top venue for music. The Grill at Iron City uses quality organic ingredients, produce from local farmers, Alabama Gulf Seafood and strives to produce a white tablecloth experience in a casual

SPECIAL PROMOTION

WorkPlay is a truly innovative entertainment complex and is the event venue where you are the Rock Star. Its roots in live music and studio production give it mystique – a vibe so special the events hosted here become the talk of the town. When you’re used to creating the kind of magic we make here, our team becomes completely in tune with what is required to professionally master any event imaginable. No one makes events glow like WorkPlay. We have the only SoundStage in the southeast, the perfect spot for photo or video shooting. With space and electricity for product launches, seminars, training, team building, old-fashioned networking, or whatever, WorkPlay will take it to the next level. Plus if you’re thinking out of the box for non-business events, we should talk. Receptions, holiday parties, retirement parties, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, showers, or weddings – when it happens at WorkPlay, it’s going to be the next big thing.

You know Workplay is a cool to hang out at night, but even a cooler place to hang out during the day. Office space is available for rent. We also have a recording studio for commercials and local bands. Call us to learn more about event and office space rentals.

We were recently voted Birmingham’s # 1 live music venue!

Meet us for Happy Hour Mon - Fri 4PM - 7PM and music in the bar from 6-8 p.m. before shows. Check out our music schedule at Workplay.com.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS PLEASE CALL 205.380. 4082 500 23RD Street South | Birmngham, AL 32533

 workplay.com

atmosphere.

513 22nd St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-202-5483 ironcitybham.com

Marty’s PM

The city’s best late night spot. Bar is open 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Kitchen opens 11p.m. to 5 a.m. Seven days a week. Live music Saturdays and Fridays.

1813 10th Ct. S, Birmingham No phone. facebook.martysbirmingham

The Nick

The Nick serves live music and cold drinks. A staple in Birmingham’s music scene for over 30 years. The music heard almost every night of the week includes local, regional and national acts.

The diverse range of acts add to the appeal of an evening at the Nick. You can hear blues, rock, punk, emo, hiphop, rap, pop, country, metal, bluegrass, rock-a-billy, roots rock or whatever your genre of choice.

2514 10th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-252-3831 thenickrocks.com

Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

Alabama’s largest outdoor concert venue. Featuring top A list performers from all over the country.

Music of all genres.

1000 Amphitheatre Dr., Birmingham, AL 35214 800-745-3000 www.livenation.com/venues/14486/ oak-mountain-amphitheatre

Oasis

It’s all about the music. For 20+ years, The Oasis Roadhouse Bar has been one of Birmingham’s favorite hot spots. Opening daily at 3 p.m. for happy hour, Oasis has a down-home atmosphere that keeps out-of-towners and locals always coming back. The Oasis has been the start to fame for some great artists. Platinum recording artist Taylor Hicks still calls The Oasis “home.” Live music every week.

2807 7th

Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-323-5538 oasisbar.com

Pale Eddie’s Pour House

Pale Eddie’s is a tastefully-appointed, smoke-free neighborhood gathering spot with free-flowing ales and lagers. They offer a rotating selection of craft and highAnthony Hamilton gravity beers in addition ASC October 11 to a unique selection of wine and liquors. They also regularly host live music acts with an emphasis on acoustic and singer/songwriter performances and have a separate area available for hosting private functions, receptions and other gatherings.

2308 2nd Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203 205-297-0052 paleeddiespourhouse.com Perfect Note takes the dining experience with great food and entertainment to the next level.

While most fine-dining establishments treat music as an afterthought; and for most live music venues, fine-dining is non-existent, it is their goal to combine and excel at both in order to offer you a most memorable night out.

1845 Montgomery Hwy S. Hoover, AL 35244 205-986-7280 perfectnotelive.com

helped establish the Roof as the place to be for musicians and non-musicians alike. Over the years, their stages have hosted the famous, the should have been famous, and everyone in between. Tin Roof is located in Birmingham’s eclectic Lakeview neighborhood. Open daily for lunch, dinner and late night.

2709 7th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-323-4356 tinroofbirmingham.com

Saturn

WorkPlay

Perfect Note

Saturn (music venue) is a facility located in Avondale just east of downtown Birmingham. It is owned by Alabama native and musician Brian Teasley along with the world famous Bowery Presents. The venue caters to both national and local acts and strives to be an important part of the community as well as an outlet for arts and entertainment within the greater Birmingham area.

200 41st St S., Birmingham, AL 35222 205-703-9545 saturnbirmingham.com

SAW’s Juke Joint

A neighborhood restaurant in Crestline that features live music weekly.

1115 Dunston Ave, Birmingham, AL 35213 205-745-3920 sawsbbq.com

Tin Roof

The Brook & The Bluff ASC September 14

38 CITY GUIDE 2018

Tin Roof is about giving musicians a place to play and a place to hang when they aren’t on stage.

The tasty food, fun and eclectic environment have

WorkPlay is a truly innovative entertainment complex. Its roots in live music and studio production give it mystique. While a creative complex, it is also a live music venue with regional and national acts, as well as an event space.

500 23rd St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-879-4773 workplay.com

Zydeco

Since 1989, Zydeco has been playing music in Birmingham’s historic Five Points South business district. Zydeco provides great live music, food and spirits, and atmosphere. Zydeco is a threelevel venue that is unique to Birmingham for its ability to host multiple audiences with a variety of entertainment interests – all at the same time 2001 15th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35206 205-933-1032 zydecobirmingham.com

Come to Samford University to experience the arts in Birmingham.

Join us for live theatre, gallery exhibitions, operas, concerts, worship and the opportunity to learn something new at the Academy of the Arts.

2019-20 Davis Architects Guest Artist Series

Co-presented by the Birmingham Chamber Music Society

Sammy Miller and The Congregation

Oct. 1

Chanticleer

Oct. 22

Emma Taylor Theatre for Youth Series

Ella Enchanted: the musical

Oct. 4-6

Gabriela Montero, Piano

Feb. 4 Invoke

March 24 Celebrate Christmas with Samford Arts

Dec. 6

Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series

Sylvia

Oct. 24-27

1776, the musical

Nov. 21-24

Samford Academy of the Arts

Fall registration is now open. Classes begin August 19. Offering private instruction and classes in art, photography, music, antiques and more.

Go to samford.edu/go/aota or call 205-726-2739

tickets.samford.edu B-METRO.COM 39

OUTDOORS Birmingham, three miles west of I-65 (Lakeshore Parkway Exit #255). Visitors enjoy over 15 miles of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails, Remy’s Dog Park and four unique outdoor adventures: the Vulcan Materials Zip Trip, the Hugh Kaul Beanstalk Forest, the 80-foot Kaul Adventure Tower with a 1,000 foot Mega Zip and Schaeffer Eye Center Segway Tours. Support these projects by visiting redmountainpark.org and making a tax-deductible contribution.

2011 Frankfurt Dr., Birmingham, AL 35211 205-202-6043 redmountainpark.org

The Rotary Trail Birmingham

Red Mountain Park

PARKS

Moss Rock Preserve

Hoover’s Moss Rock Preserve is a perfect balance of nature and community. This beautiful 250-acre nature preserve is abundant with trees and plants, rock outcroppings, streams, waterfalls, wildlife and other unique natural features. Currently Moss Rock Preserve is home to four rare species of plants and a rare variant of Little River Canyon Sandstone Glade – one of only 35 occurrences known around the world. Moss Rock Preserve’s Boulder Field is a favorite among rock climbers.

617 Preserve Way, Hoover, AL 35226 205-822-9348 hooverpreserve.com

Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located approximately 20 miles south of Birmingham in Pelham. It is the state’s largest state park at 9,940 acres and is home to the Alabama Wildlife Center, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, and Oak Mountain BMX Track. Park activities include hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and golf. Mountain biking and 40 CITY GUIDE 2018

hiking are two of the most popular activities at the park. With more than 50 miles of trails visitors have plenty of options to choose from be it a short loop or an overnight trip. The Red Trail has even been included on the International Mountain Biking Association’s (IMBA) list of EPIC rides.

200 Terrace Dr., Pelham, AL 35124 alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park

This multi-million dollar gift to Birmingham and its citizens on behalf of Rotary transformed a vacant railroad right-of-way, or “cut,” into a pleasantlylandscaped, four-block walking/running/biking pathway. Initially, the trail is intended to connect two of Birmingham’s superior amenities – Railroad Park and the Sloss Furnaces Historic landmark.

2098 1st Ave S., Birmingham, Al 35233

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

Designed to advance the understanding of ecology in a rapidly changing world with over 1000 acres,

Railroad Park

A 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

1600 1st Ave. S., Birmingham Al 35233 205-521-9933 railroadpark.org

Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain Park offers 1,500 wooded acres located in Railroad Park

Bibby Bailey is the new Executive Director with the Parkinson Association of Alabama (PAA). Bibby looks forward to furthering the PAA’s mission of improving the quality of life for patients, caregivers and families affected by Parkinson’s Disease in the State of Alabama. Bibby may be contacted at executive.director@parkinsonalabama.org or by calling 1.833.4PD.LINK (473.5465) and selecting option 0.

PDLink, our Parkinson’s Disease Resource Center, was introduced to Alabama last year.

PDLink is funded through the partnership with American Parkinson’s Disease Association (ADPA) and PAA. PDLink is a personalized, comprehensive and centralized Parkinson Patient and Caregiver Resource Center that serves to educate and navigate patients and their caregivers through the complex healthcare system. PDLink is fulfilling the statewide need for connecting resources and information about living with Parkinson’s disease.

To keep up-to-date on our initiatives, please visit our website at

www.parkinsonalabama.com or www.pdlink.org

IMPROVE LEG CIRCULATION • DECREASE PAIN • RESTORE BEAUTY The proven diagnostic techniques and minimally invasive treatment options used by board-certified physician R. Bryan Thoma, MD will restore your health and vitality.

Relying on our experience and expertise, our team provides safe and positive outcomes for our patients in a service-friendly environment.

2010 Patton Chapel Rd., Ste 102 | Hoover, AL 35216 | 205-208-0324

restorevein.com

B-METRO.COM 41

the park seeks to protect the natural flora and fauna of the area while providing wonderful family friendly educational opportunities for the community. They also host a wildlife rehabilitation center. Fourteen miles of hiking and walking trails and quiet beauty await at Ruffner Mountain.

1214 81st St. S., Birmingham, AL 35206 205-833-8264 ruffnermountain.org

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park has more than 1,500 acres set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. From spring through fall, the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their trades. Craft shops occupy restored pioneer cabins and artisans chat with visitors from their front porches. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preserve a long-gone way of life.

Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces.

12632 Confederate Pkwy., McCalla, AL 35111 205-477-5711 tannehill.org

FARMERS MARKETS Pepper Place Saturday Market Every Saturday, April through December, the

Market attracts thousands of people who visit booths filled with local farm produce, crafts and food. Musicians play at each market, and a local chef demonstrates culinary skills. Tents are set up at Pepper Place, 29th Street and into the Martin Biscuit parking lot. This upscale Farmers Market is the place to be on Saturday mornings. Pepper Place, 2nd Ave. South.

205-490-3176 pepperplacemarket.com

East Lake Market

The East Lake Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 8 to noon, May through October. Browse jams, jellies, relishes, and fresh bread made in the East Lake Community Kitchen, plus East Lake Farmers Market t-shirts and other gear. The East Lake Farmers Market and Mobile Market truck offer a variety of fresh produce and more. Held at East Lake United Methodist Church parking lot.

7753 1st Ave N. Birmingham, AL 35206 205-836-3201 eastlakemarket.org

West Homewood Farmers Market

If you’re ready for a slice of pie and Americana, the West Homewood Farmers Market is just the place to be during the warm summer evenings in West Homewood, Alabama. You’ll find Alabama’s favorite food trucks parked at the market along with 10+ local farms represented and all kinds of arts

& crafts vendors. If it’s great music and great food you’re looking for... look no more! Every Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., June, July and first Tuesday in August 160 Oxmoor Rd. Homewood AL, 35209 205-427-5665 westhomewood.com

Valleydale Farmers Market

At Valleydale Farmers Market, you’ll find a great line up of growers selling fresh, local produce, Alabama honey, humanely raised meats, free range eggs, dairy, and homemade goods, as well as our wonderful artisans, selling all types of baked goods, soaps, handmade art, homemade pasta, locally roasted coffee, and more. Open every Saturday morning of the summer from 8 a.m. to noon.

4601 Valleydale Rd. Birmingham, AL 35242 www.valleydalefarmersmarket.com

Vestavia Hills UMC Farmers Market

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church hosts a weekly farmers market May through August filled with seasonal vegetables, fruits, breads, and baked goods from local producers. Every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

741 Montgomery Hwy. in Scout Square, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 vhumc.org/event/vestavia-farmers-market/

L I V E LOFT LOVE

42 CITY GUIDE 2018

SPECIAL PROMOTION

ON TIME SERVICE OnTime Service is one of the fastest-growing home services company in Alabama and provides electrical, heating and cooling, and plumbing services to Jefferson, Shelby, Baldwin and Mobile County homeowners. The company, which is owned by Kerry and Carol Adkins, is well known for its $59 dollar guarantee to arrive at customers’ homes on time.

OnTime Service also has built a reputation for its careful hiring of technicians. The company conducts extensive background checks on prospective employees, performs random

drug tests and insists that employees are professional, neat and clean. They must be non-smokers and have no visible tattoos or piercings. If an OnTime Service employee ever smokes, swears, or leaves a mess in a customer’s home, the service is free.

Kerry and Carol are very involved in their church and actively support a number of non-profit and civic organizations.

The Adkins are Birmingham-area natives and live in Shelby County.

205.942.1405  OnTime59.com

PETS

The Barking Zone

205-458-9364 dogdaysofbirmingham. com

Baths Barks & Bubbles Pet Spa

Fetch Pet Care

Daycare, boarding and training.

5196 Caldwell Mill Rd., Birmingham AL 35244 205-296-0855 thebarkingzone.com 430 14th St. S Birmingham, AL 35233 205-214-3782 facebook.com/bathbarksandbubblespetspa/

Cahaba Beach Dog Park

Dog park, day care, boarding, training, grooming.

3555 Cahaba Beach Rd. Birmingham, AL 205-397-3647 cahababeachdogpark.com

Creative Dog Training

Training facility. Two locations, Homewood and The Summit.

2703 19th Place S., Homewood, AL 35209 205-877-3130 creativedogtraining.com

Dog Days Birmingham

Daycare, boarding, grooming.

112 18th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203

Dog walkers, inhome sitters, boarding. Serving Alabaster, Birmingham, Chelsea, Fultondale, Helena and Pelham.

866-338-2463 fetchpetcare.com

Generation Dog’s Rub-a-Dub-Dub Dog Bathhouse & Spa

1722 28th Ave. S., Ste. J Birmingham, AL 35209 205-870-5085 rubadubdogbathhouse.com

Greater Birmingham Humane Society

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society, founded in 1883, is the largest and oldest humane society in Alabama. 300 Snow Dr. Birmingham AL 35209 205-942-1211 gbhs.org

Howling Hollows

Daycare, boarding, pet parties and events.

4420 Sicard Hollow Road, Birmingham, AL 35242.

205-977-7245 howlinhollowsfarm.com

Just Happy Hounds LLC

Daycare, boarding, grooming, training.

2222 5th Ave. S. Birmingham AL 35233 205-777-3699 justhappyhounds.com

My Spoiled Pet Resort & Spa

Boarding, daycare and grooming.

44 CITY GUIDE 2018

4752 U.S. 280, Birmingham, AL 35242 205-980-5520 myspoiledpet.com

The Pawms Pet Resort

Two locations, Vestavia and Avondale. Boarding, training, daycare V-205-823-5433 A-205-745-3933 pawms.com

Shelby County Humane Society

381 McDow Rd. Columbiana, AL 35051 205-669-3916 shelbyhumane.org/

Sheppard’s Pet Supply

4410 4th Ave. S. A, Birmingham, AL 35222 205-703-0989 sheppardspet.com

Wags ’N Whiskers Comprehensive Pet Care

Training, daycare, boarding, grooming, pet taxi 2804 Crescent Ave. Homewood, AL 35209 205-902-9247 wagshomewood.com

We Talk Dog

Daycare and boarding.

1555 Cooper Hill Road Birmingham, AL 35210 205-588-4709 wetalkdog.com

DESIGNER SHOWCASE JULY 19-21

2800 Cahaba Village Plz, Birmingham, AL 35243 www.diamondsdirect.com *Discount excludes certiďŹ ed diamonds and price protected lines.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

B-METRO.COM 45

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES Danberry at Inverness

Danberry at Inverness offers a socially focused retirement lifestyle marked by the most advanced and in-demand residential design features.

Stunning architecture, lovely grounds with Lake Heather nearby, an impressive lineup of first-class fun and engaging activities focused on wellness— this is Hoover senior living that perfectly blends beauty and hospitality.

235 Inverness Center Dr., Hoover 35242 205-443-9500 realtysouth.com

Fair Haven

A 55-year Methodist Homes for the Aging legacy is now even grander. At Fair Haven you’ll find bright, spacious independent living residences, a state-of-the-art rehab center and redesigned community center that offers inviting social areas, the fun of a new ice cream parlor and more.

1424 Montclair Rd., Birmingham 35210 205-956-4150 fairhavenbirmingham.org

Kirkwood by the River

Kirkwood offers programs and facilities for independent living, assisted living, memory care and

skilled nursing. Kirkwood has served approximately 1,500 residents and their families over the past three decades.

3605 Ratliff Rd., Birmingham, AL 35210 205-956-2184 kirkwoodbytheriver.com

Mount Royal Towers

Mount Royal Towers is a full-service senior community located in Vestavia Hills. The professionals at Mount Royal truly believe that your retirement years can be the most wonderful time in your life.

300 Royal Tower Dr., Vestavia Hills, AL 35209 205-235-6735 mountroyaltowers.com

Warm and friendly care for older adults.

Independent Apartments Assisted Living Memory Care Assisted Living Short-Term Rehab (Age 55+) Long-Term Nursing Care Alzheimer’s/Dementia 1424 Montclair Road CityGuideFH7.25x4.25HalfPage06.06.18.indd 1 46 CITY GUIDE 2018

Birmingham, AL 35210

Enriching lives every day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A TOUR CALL 205-956-4150 facebook.com/FairHavenBirmingham

205-956-4150

fairhavenbirmingham.org 6/6/19 4:11 PM

Independently

delighted

Something about Somerby sparks your appetite.

Sarah’s experience with Independent Living at Somerby has been totally fulfilling. She loves the dining experience on both a culinary and a social level. The activities she’s enjoying have given her a renewed taste for living, too. Somerby is Full of Life. What will it spark in you?

Call us today to learn more or schedule a personal visit.

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

S O M E R B Y S P A R K . C O M • 8 8 8 . 8 0 7. 4 0 6 2

SPORTS Birmingham Legion

Samford University

PROFESSIONAL

Pelham Civic Center, 205-620-6870 bullshockey.net

The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and plays at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. Baseball in Birmingham traces its history to 1885 with the establishment of the original Barons. The team has played at Rickwood Field, the country’s oldest surviving baseball stadium, The Hoover Met, and now Regions Field.

1401 1st Ave. S., Birmingham 205-988-3200 barons.com

Birmingham Legion

Birmingham Bulls

UAB

Birmingham Barons

The Birmingham Bulls are a professional ice hockey team in Pelham that plays in the Southern Professional Hockey League. The team is named after the previous Birmingham-area teams in the World Hockey Association and East Coast Hockey League.

48 CITY GUIDE 2018

The Legion is an expansion team in the USL, a professional soccer league with 33 teams in the US and Canada, playing at the Division II level, one division below Major League Soccer. The first season for Birmingham Legion FC in the USL began in the spring of 2019.

2213 1st Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 205-600-4696 bhmlegion.com

COLLEGE

Signature sports at UAB include the reborn football team (which works out in a new practice facility) and the men’s basketball team. Overall, UAB supports 18 NCAA Division I sports teams. uab.edu

Samford fields 17 NCAA Division I (FCS) varsity teams and competes in the Southern Conference. The Bulldogs have competed in NCAA Division I tournaments for baseball and softball as well as men’s and women’s basketball. samford.edu

Birmingham-Southern College

BSC fields mens and womens sport teams in 12 different sports. The school competes at the Division III level of the NCAA. bsc.edu

Miles College

The Miles Golden Bears compete in eight different sports for men and women athletes. miles.edu

University of Montevallo

The Falcons of Montevallo field teams of men and women athletes in 11 different sports in NCAA Division II. montevallo.edu

SPECIAL PROMOTION

R & R Construction is a locally owned business with an office in the heart of downtown Homewood. R & R Construction has customer satisfaction at the forefront of the entire building process. The owner, Rusty Luccasen has over 20 years of custom home building & extensive renovation experience, R & R Construction is equipped to handle any type of project. Whether it’s a room addition, whole house renovation, custom home or outdoor living, we work closely with our clients and keep them involved & informed all the way through the build. Whatever your need, R & R Construction is ready to assist homeowners with all construction needs.

R & R Constriction maintains a loyal subcontractor team that have been with us for many years who understand the key components of our high standards & requirements. Quality, communication, safety, cleanliness & integrity are the foundation of how R & R Construction & our talented team approaches all projects.

R & R Construction has won the “Best of Houzz – Client Satisfaction” award for 2015, 2016, & 2017, the award is based on client reviews & experience where R & R Construction helped turn their home renovation vision into reality. Check us out on Houzz. R & R Construction is a proud member of the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders and carry the designation of Master Builder & Master Remodeler.

2809 Crescent Ave. Suite 7 | Homewood, AL 35209 | 205.283.8400

Rus

2809 Hom

205.2

rusty

Remodel

 rusty@bhambuilder.com

Renova

Fido Fets at The Summit

SHOPPING Brookwood Village

Brookwood Village is an indoor/outdoor shopping center where you will find anchor stores such as Macy’s, DSW, Target and The Fresh Market, as well as great dining options such as Brio Tuscan Grille, Cocina Superior, Hickory Tavern, Five Guys or Grille 29. shopbrookwoodvillage.com

in Grand River located minutes from Birmingham along I-20 at Exit 140 in Leeds. Among the signature shops at Grand River are H&M, Brooks Brothers, Coach, J. Crew and Talbots. Coyote Drive-in & Canteen features movies under the stars and is a great date-night and family-friendly destination within Grand River. shopsofgrandriver.com

Riverchase Galleria

Patton Creek

Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, a trip to Riverchase Galleria is a must when you’re in town. You can spend the day shopping in more than 150 stores, people watching in the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama or fueling a night out with a delicious dish from the restaurants that ring the mall. Key stores include Von Maur, Macy’s, Belk and H&M. shopbrookwoodvillage.com

Lane Parke

The redeveloped Lane Parke area of Mountain Brook Village brings shopping, dining, apartments, and the Grand Bohemian Hotel together in a beautiful setting. laneparke.info

The Outlet Shops of Grand River

The Outlet Shops of Grand River is an outlet mall 50 CITY GUIDE 2018

Patton Creek boasts a wide range of retail, dining, health and fitness tenants, near Riverchase Galleria. pattoncreek.com

Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farm

A large shopping center featuring Target, Home Depot and Belk, along with plenty of dining options and specialty shops. shoppinnacleattutwiler.com

The Summit

The Summit is a one-million-square-foot upscale lifestyle center located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 280 and I- 59 in Birmingham.

The Summit is a hub for food, fashion, special events, films, and anytime-style inspiration. The center also specializes in experiences, from food festivals to farmers markets to musical events.

Key stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, The Apple

Store and Trader Joe’s, along with many other first-in-Alabama retailers.

Don’t miss the wide array of restaurants located here either—Abhi,California Pizza Kitchen, Chuy’s Mexican Food, Fleming’s Steakhouse,Flip Burger Boutique, Frutta Bowls, Johnny Rockets, Macaroni Grill, Nothing Bundt Cakes, P. F. Chang’s, Panera Bread, Pieology Pizzeria, Seasons 52, Shake Shack, Steel City Pops, Taco Mama, The Cheesecake Factory, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Trader Joe’s, Urban Cookhouse, Village Tavern, and ZOËS Kitchen. thesummitbirmingham.com

Neighborhood Shopping

One of the real strengths of Birmingham’s shopping environment lies in the neighborhoods of the city. You will find excellent locally oriented shopping throughout the metro. Take for example Mountain Brook. The three villages, Mountain Brook Village, Crestline Village, and English Village, are full of great shops and restaurants.

Cahaba Village, right on Highway 280, also offers plenty of shopping opportunities from Diamonds Direct to Whole Foods Market. You will also find great neighborhood shopping just down from The Summit in Cahaba Heights. Within Homewood, you can find terrific retailers and restaurants in the middle of town.

Let's Meet in Hoover Hyatt Regency Birmingham | Largest Meeting Space in Birmingham | Merk’s Bar

HYATT REGENCY BIRMINGHAM - WYNFREY HOTEL 1000 Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, AL 35244 205.705.1234 | www.hyattregencywynfrey.com

SCHOOLS BIRMINGHAM AREA

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Advent Episcopal School

Advent Episcopal School is an independent, coeducational school. pre-K through 8th grade.

2019 6th Ave. N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

205-252-2535 adventepiscopalschool.org

Creative Montessori School

Creative Montessori School enrolls students at the toddler, primary, and elementary levels on a two-acre campus located in Homewood.

1650 28th Ct. S., Birmingham, AL 35209 205-879-3278 cmskids.org

Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic

Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School combines academic rigor and corporate work-study.

2001 19th Street Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218 205-787-9937 hfcristorey.org

Evangel Classical Christian School

Indian Springs School

Evangel teaches in the classical model, adapting these methods for our 21st century students.

423 Thompson Rd., Alabaster, AL 35007 205-216-0149 evangelclassical.org

Indian Springs School develops in students a love of learning, a sense of integrity and moral courage, and an ethic of participatory citizenship.

190 Woodward Drive, Pelham, AL 35124 205-988-3350 indiansprings.org

Catholic Schools, Diocese of Birmingham

Highlands School

Jefferson Christian Academy

Cornerstone Schools of Alabama

Hilltop Montessori

The Altamont School

The Altamont School is a coeducational, traditional college preparatory independent day school serving students in grades 5-12.

4801 Altamont Rd. S. Birmingham, AL 35222 205-879-2006 altamontschool.org

The Catholic Diocese of Birmingham operates eight primary schools in metro Birmingham.

2121 3rd Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-838-8303 bhmcatholicschools.com

Cornerstone Schools of Alabama is a Christ-centered school serving inner-city students, K4-12.

118 55th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35212 205-591-7600 csalabama.org

52 CITY GUIDE 2018

Highlands School is an independent school distinguished by diversity, academic excellence, creative expression, and leadership.

4901 Old Leeds Rd., Birmingham, AL 35213 205-956-9731 highlandsschool.org Hilltop is located in the town of Mt. Laurel. Hilltop offers an authentic accredited Montessori program from 18 months of age through 8th grade.

6 Abbott Square, Birmingham, AL 35242 205-437-9343 hilltopmontessori.com

A Bible based school that focuses on the whole child; spirit, mind, body and a servant’s heart.

1500 Heritage Place Dr., Birmingham, AL 35210 www.jcaweb.net

Islamic Academy of Alabama

The Islamic Academy of Alabama is a non-profit, full-time Islamic school, located in Homewood.

1810 25th Ct. S., Birmingham, AL 35209 205-870-0422 iaak12.org

Feel like you deserve more?

Looking out for their future Looking out for their future

Protecting your family starts with simple steps

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Birmingham Board of Ed.

2015 Park Place Birmingham AL 35203 205-231-4600 bhamcityschools.org

Homewood Board of Ed.

450 Dale Dr. Homewood, AL 35209 205-870-4203 homewood.k12.al.us

Shelby County Board of Ed. John Carroll Catholic High School

A Catholic high school that calls its students, faculty, and parents into a partnership for learning.

300 Lakeshore Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35209 205-940-2400 jcchs.org

Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy

The academy turns students into future leaders, problem solvers, and global citizens.

5509 Timber Hill Road, Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-8709 jbma.education

N.E. Miles Jewish Day School

The N.E. Miles Jewish Day School is a K-8 SACS accredited, independent private school with high academic standards and a rigorous dual secular and Judaic curriculum.

4000 Montclair Rd., Birmingham, AL 35213 205-879-1068 nemjds.org

Southminster Day School

Southminster Day School teaches children in a Christian atmosphere.

1124 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia, AL 35216 205-822-9531 southminsterpcusa.org

Spring Valley School

Spring Valley’s mission is to provide excellence in education for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and learning differences.

2701 Sydney Dr., Birmingham, AL 35211 205-423-8660 springvalleyschool.org

Westminster School at Oak Mountain

The Westminster School is a K-12 classical Christian school and is a ministry of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church (PCA).

5080 Cahaba Valley Trace, Birmingham 35242 westminsterknights.org

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Jefferson County Board of Ed. 2100 18th St. S Birmingham AL 35209 54 CITY GUIDE 2018

410 East College St., Columbiana, AL 205-682-7005 shelbyed.k12.al.us

Vestavia Hills Board of Ed.

1204 Montgomery Hwy. Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 205-402-5100 vestavia.k12.al.us/

Mountain Brook Board of Ed. 32 Vine Street, Birmingham, AL 35213 205-871-4608 mtnbrook.k12.al.us

Hoover City School Board

2810 Metropolitan Way, Hoover, AL 35243 205-439-1000 hoovercityschools.net

Trussville City Schools

113 North Chalkville Rd.Trussville, AL 35173.

205-228-3000 trussvillecityschools.com

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Birmingham-Southern College

BSC is a nationally known and respected fouryear, private liberal arts institution founded in 1856 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Small class sizes and attentive professors are part of the draw for students.

900 Arkadelphia Rd., Birmingham, AL 35254 800-523-5793 bsc.edu

Birmingham School of Law

Offering affordable quality legal education, BSL has a diverse student body of approximately 500 students. Most students attend law school while otherwise employed full time.

231 22nd St. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-322-6122 bsol.com

Jefferson State Community College

Jefferson State Community College is a two-year college in the Alabama Community College System. For more than 50 years, Jefferson State has led the way in providing excellence in education, value and personal attention.

4600 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242 205-983-5911 jeffersonstate.edu

Lawson State Community College

Lawson State is a two year, public, multi campus college, dedicated to providing affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities.

3060 Wilson Rd. SW. Birmingham, AL 35221 205-925-2515 lawsonstate.edu

Miles College

Founded in 1898 and located in Fairfield, AL, this historically black liberal arts college is affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

5500 Myron Massey Blvd., Fairfield, AL 35064 205-929-1000 miles.edu

Samford University

Samford University is a top-ranked, private university rooted in a Christian mission. Samford enrolls 5,509 students from 47 states and 29 countries within 10 academic units offering 30 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees and 166 undergraduate majors. The university fields 17 varsity sports for men and women.

800 Lakeshore Pkwy., Homewood, AL 35209 205-726-2011 samford.edu

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university, affiliated with the University of Alabama system. UAB is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education. UAB’s reach stretches across classes, culture and continents.

1720 2nd Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35294 205-934-4011 uab.edu

University of Montevallo

The University of Montevallo caters to students who “seek personalized, hands-on education but crave the excitement of a large university experience.” With 60 majors and an average class size of just 23, Montevallo was named a Best Value School 2018 by U.S. News and World Report.

75 College Dr., Montevallo, AL 35115 205-665-6000 montevallo.edu

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Named B-Metro’s “Best of Birmingham”

Attorneys at Law 2025 Third Avenue North, Suite 500, Birmingham, Alabama 35203

205-323-1888 WhiteArnoldDowd.com

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

B-METRO.COM 55

THEATRE sional touring theatre company 2130 Arrington Jr. Blvd., Birmingham , AL 35203 205-458-8181 bct123.org

Birmingham Festival Theatre

Alabama Ballet

Alabama Ballet

The Alabama Ballet is the state’s premiere professional ballet company. The company has achieved national prominence as one of only eight ballet companies in the world permitted by the Balanchine Trust to perform Balanchine’s Nutcracker®. The Alabama Ballet promotes the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high quality performances, dance education and community outreach.

2726 1st Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-322-4300 alabamaballet.org

Arts Council of the Trussville Area Theatre

ACTA Theatre is a non-profit community theatre located in the heart of Trussville. There’s something for everyone at ACTA: children’s performances, musical theatre, comedy, dramatic arts, classics, tragedies and quality entertainment.

225 Pkwy. Dr. #103, Trussville, AL 35173 205-665-3902 actatheater.com

Birmingham Children’s Theatre Birmingham Children’s Theatre exists to educate, entertain and enrich the lives of children through the magic of professional theatre. One of the nation’s oldest and largest professional theatre companies for young audiences, BCT produces high-quality, professional theatrical entertainment and curriculum-relevant arts education experiences for children and families. BCT is the second largest employer of professional theatre artists in Alabama, and is Alabama’s only profes56 CITY GUIDE 2018

Birmingham Festival Theatre is the city’s oldest theatre to produce contemporary and classic works. With a vision to present innovative works and give a voice to new plays

by Southern writers, the intimate theatre has staged over 200 productions and has hosted almost 100,000 audience members since it was founded in 1972.

205-933-2383 bftonline.org

Comedy Club Stardome

You can enjoy a fun-filled evening of fantastic food, drinks and entertainment by the nation’s top comedians at the Stardome. If being in the audience is not your style, be sure to go on Open Mic Night and take the stage yourself.

1818 Data Dr., Hoover 205-444-0008 stardome.com

The Extemporaneous Theatre Company

The Extemporaneous Theatre Company, founded in 2008, is a repertory-style company comprised of professional artists in theatre, comedy, and a variety of sub-specialties.

205-575-2264 extemporaneoustheatre.com

Homewood Theatre

Homewood Theatre will be moving to the upper floor of Brookwood Village for their 2019-2020 season. 1715 27th Ct S, Homewood.

205-322-6737 homewoodtheatre.com

Opera Birmingham

Since 1955, Opera Birmingham has entertained audiences with world-class operatic productions and concerts. Over 50 operas later, the muchloved company is still going strong.

3601 6th Ave S., Birmingham 205-322-6737operabirmingham.org

Red Mountain Theatre Company

Under the leadership of Executive Director Keith Cromwell, RMTC stages classical musical theatre while incubating new works. We employ award-winning veteran artists alongside young professionals. For nearly four decades, we’ve cultivated one of the finest arts education centers in the South.

P.O. Box 278, Birmingham , AL 35201 (205) 324-2424 redmountaintheatre.org

South City Theatre

South City Theatre produces six mainstage plays each year, attracting approximately 3,000 audience members annually. The youth program, Acting Up, offers two workshops during the school year and a two-week summer camp, which allow children ages 9-16 the opportunity to study the craft of acting by producing a production under the direction of professional theatre instructors.

Pelham, AL 35124 205-621-2128 southcitytheatre.com

Terrific New Theatre

Terrific New Theatre has served Birmingham for over thirty years. The mission of Terrific New Theatre is to promote non-profit community theatre in Birmingham, through presentation of a distinctive season of high-quality contemporary programs.

2821 2nd Avenue South, Dr Pepper Showrooms, Birmingham, AL 35233 205-328-0868 terrificnewtheatre.com

Theatre Downtown

Theatre Downtown is dedicated to exposing Birmingham audiences to the most entertaining, engaging, and innovative shows as well as serving as an outlet for original works and other artistic endeavors.

2410 5th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 205-565-8838 theatredowntown.org

Virginia Samford Theatre

This playhouse is the origin of Birmingham’s theatrical legacy. Generations of performances have taken place in this space. A capital campaign restored the building and it reopened as the Virginia Samford Theatre in 2002. It serves as a beacon for local talent and performers are drawn to showcase their creativity.

1116 26th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35205 205-251-1228 virginiasamfordtheatre.org

A

SEA T AT THE

SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST BARTENDERS DISH ON FAVORITE DRINKS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND WHY THEY LOVE THE BAR. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEAU GUSTAFSON

BAR

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Reese Dodd

Cafe Dupont For Reese Dodd, his love affair with craft cocktails began slowly and built over time. Running the bar at Cafe Dupont downtown since late last year, he feels he has reached the point where he is really beginning to hit his stride.

“This place is a Birmingham classic and getting this opportunity has just been awesome,” Dodd says about working at Cafe Dupont Dodd was born and raised in Albertville in North Alabama’s Marshall County. He bounced around a bit at junior colleges in Alabama and Mississippi, studying design and computer science.

Now 26, he remembers working in food service all through his school years, but he only began to view it with a serious eye when he began working in Guntersville at a newly opened “serious” restaurant, Old Town Stock House.

“They had opened four months prior to me moving home. They are a farm to table, casual fine dining spot in downtown Guntersville, and I just thought that was so crazy that that was in Marshall County.”

He met Crystal McKone, Chef/Owner of the restaurant and began working there. Eventually, he worked his way up to bar manager at the restaurant. “I also started traveling a lot, doing some research and development and going to different bars and restaurants and traveling to New Orleans, Nashville, New York just seeing what people were doing and then trying to bring that back down to a small market in Guntersville,” Dodd says.

He worked at Old Town for about three years before moving to Birmingham, working first at Collins Bar and then Cafe Dupont. He loves the job.

“I've always been a people person. I've never met a stranger. I just like meeting people. As a bartender, that's what you're there for, talking to people and make them feel welcome.”

58 CITY GUIDE 2018

Megan Miller

Blood Oran ge Hibiscus Ma r ga rita 1.5 oz Espolon Blanco .5 oz Patron Citronge 1 oz fresh squeezed lime .75 oz Blood Orange juice 1 oz Hibiscus Cordial .25 oz pineapple juice

As ingredients to shaker with ice and shake shake shake.

Rim glass with salt. Pour shaken cocktail into glass. Garnish with a line wheel and saved hibiscus flowers from cordial.

For cordial: Make a simple syrup with 1 cup sugar & 1 cup water. Once sugar has dissolved add 1/2 cup dried organic hibiscus flowers and let steep for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then filter the flowers out and you are left with a beautiful bright red hibiscus cordial. Keep the candied flowers to use for garnish.

Fancy’s on Fifth A Bessemer native and Indian Springs High School grad, Megan Miller moved back to Birmingham in 2004.

She had gone to Washington University in St. Louis for college and lived in that city for about a decade, working in advertising, waiting tables in restaurants, and working as a musician singing and traveling with bands.

Back in Birmingham, she started working in the restaurant and bar scene here, running the whole gamut from sports bars to dive bars to casual restaurants and fine dining. “Most people recognize me from my time at On Tap at the Galleria, Mafiaoza’s in Crestline, Primeaux at The Summit, and, of course, Fancy’s on 5th in Avondale.

“I was hired for Fancys on 5th before they opened, and that is the first place where I have gotten to be a part of the creation from the ground up. Owners Paget and Harriet have been the most supportive bosses you could imagine and have really let me be free to create something special and different.”

Miller’s goal with Fancy’s has always been to provide a high-end experience with top notch products, without any pretension. “We serve a wide range of guests from all sorts of backgrounds, and I strive to make each one feel like they have found their home spot.

“I am a storyteller by nature, so at my bar you’ll always get dinner, drinks and a show. I pride myself on getting to know my guests and their palettes, so I can make suggestions to enhance their experience. My passion for my craft, Fancys and my guests is no secret. I love getting rare bar finds and sharing them with my guests the way they were meant to: with friends, food and great conversation,” Miller says.

“Personally, my favorite cocktails are brown and stirred. But at Fancys, I can not ignore the power of my feature margaritas. Each week for Tequila Tuesday I come up with a fun feature margarita for the week, and it’s insane how many we sell. My Blood Orange Hibiscus Margarita is probably the most requested cocktail we have.

B-METRO.COM 59

Robbie Greenwood

Ocean Robbie Greenwood was just 19 when he started working in the restaurant business. “I started off as a server assistant at a restaurant known as Prairie Fire Grill down on Highway 280. I worked my way up into serving, bartending and then management as well,” Greenwood says.

He moved to Ocean in 2008. His first stint at Ocean lasted about eight years, after which he took the general manager position for a time over at Roots and Revelry. Then he came back behind the bar at Ocean.

“This is home, you know. George (chef/owner George Reis) has always treated me really well. I love it here,” says Greenwood.

What he loves the most are the people who come up and sit at the marble bar in this celebrated seafood restaurant. “I feel really privileged and lucky to have so many regulars that come in here to dine with us. The food is obviously a big reason people come here, but what we do from a service standpoint is really important.

That’s what makes us special. It’s always a nice experience when you go in there and you see a lot of familiar faces,” Greenwood says.

Fumar

Mezcal 1.25 oz Grapefruit juice .75 oz Lime juice .25 oz Honey .25 oz Laphroaig spray “This drink is a unique blend of smoky flavors from the mezcal and laphroaig, along with nice a nice balance of acidity and a sweet depth from the honey. It’s a drink that really works year round.”

60 CITY GUIDE 2018

Laura Newman

A drink sampler from Queen’s Park Laura’s Dirty Martini:

1.5 oz Beefeater Gin *or* Tito’s Vodka 1 oz olive-infused dry vermouth .5 oz olive brine .25 oz manzanilla sherry 2 dashes orange bitters

Queen’s Park Brooklyn native Laura Newman is new to the city, bringing an awesome bar resume that includes winning the USBG World Class 2018 competition. Together with Larry Townley, she opened one of the city’s most talked about new bars, Queen’s Park, in the loft district.

Queen’s Park looks like a grand hotel bar somewhere in the Caribbean or another tropical location. That is by design. The decor is replete with details like vintage suitcases, ornate tile, tropical wallpaper, and distressed walls. The giant mirror behind the bar looks like it has been there for generations.

“We wanted visiting Queen’s Park to be a transportive experience that makes you feel like you’re drinking somewhere else,” says Newman.

“We were particularly inspired by design elements from hotel bars that we’ve visited around the world—crystal chandeliers, velvet, marble, and lots of plants.”

The bar was named after a favorite classic cocktail, the Queen’s Park Swizzle, which consists of rum, lime, and sugar on crushed ice with a lush, over-the-top garnish. The drink was created in the late 1920s at the Queen’s Park Hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Newman likes to think of Birmingham’s Queen’s Park as a bar for everyone. “Beyond the fact that creating an atmosphere of inclusivity is important to us, our large selection of cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine means there’s something for everyone on our menu.”

The response has been great with plenty of crowds, as well as recognition beyond the city.

Last month, Queen’s Park was named a regional finalist for the Spirited Awards’ Best New American Cocktail Bar award. Only 30 bars in the country received this distinction, and Birmingham was the smallest city on the list.

“I’m really proud of my bar team, because they’re the ones who deserve this award; they push themselves every shift to be better at what they do and to provide an amazing experience to our guests,” Newman says.

Mai Tai

Doggystyle

1.25 oz Flor de Caña 5 Year Rum .75 oz Appleton Signature Rum 1 oz orgeat .5 oz lime juice .25 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao .125 oz 2:1 demerara syrup 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1.5 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka .5 oz Cocchi Americano .75 oz egg white .75 oz honey syrup .5 oz lime juice .5 oz pineapple juice B-METRO.COM 61

V

ignette

A peek inside some unique Birmingham shops.

62 CITY GUIDE 2018

The Legacy

Mobley & Sons has expanded to The Summit, bringing with it a three-generation legacy of men’s fashion retailing.

Hunt Mobley is standing in the midst of a brand new store, thinking about both the past and the future.

“There are a number of people that came before me that made this store possible. My grandfather and my father and my uncle, who is still in the business in Tuscaloosa. It’s a proud legacy of our families, something that I’d like to keep going if my children were to decide to get into business,” Mobley says.

Mobley’s grandfather started out in business operating a general store in Mississippi. He later opened a men’s clothing store in Tupelo. And that’s where the Mobley menswear tradition started. The store later moved to Tuscaloosa, where today it is run by Mobley’s uncle and to Crestline in Birmingham.

And now the second store in Birmingham has opened at The Summit.

For Mobley the secret to their success and longevity is a clear understanding of the importance of service. “I love helping people that maybe don’t understand clothing as well as we do. This is an educational process for a lot of folks. That’s one of the most important aspects of the businesses, helping educate others on what they need,” Mobley says.

The move to The Summit has meant Mobley’s version of

service-oriented retailing now has a larger reach and bigger footprint. “Hopefully it will open us up to allow us to carry additional products that we don’t already carry, maybe buy things a little differently over here than we do in the Crestline store,” he says.

Brad Harrelson is one of the senior managers of the store.

He’s especially excited about bringing Mobley’s expertise in custom clothing to The Summit. And the store will offer an exciting mix of casual menswear as well as tailored suits and sport coats.

“We want to find a balance between more casual clothing, which is popular now in the work environment, and taking care of the guys that need to wear suits. So we want to be able to take care of the guy who still has to dress up,” he says. “The whole shopping experience needs to focus on service and making sure the customer is really cared for.”

Plus, and most importantly, Harrelson says, the kind of expertise, experience and relationships that you just can’t replicate online.

Photography by Edward Badham

B-METRO.COM 63

Shoppe

The garden spot along Clairmont Avenue is the culmination of a dream of Jay Draper and Mark Thompson to build a place of their own.

Shoppe started with the love for a neighborhood. Jay Draper and Mark Thompson both live in the Forest Park area and they wanted to create a business that spoke to the needs of the neighborhood.

Both have extensive backgrounds in garden shop retailing, as well as interior design, and so creating a garden shop that offered gift items seemed like a natural. So in 2017, Shoppe was born.

“We just wanted to do something in the neighborhood that would bring the community aspects of gardening and getting outside to our neighbors,” Thompson says.

When they first came upon the property it was being used as a studio by an art cooperative, though in the past it had been an earlier home to Forest Park retailers, Naked Art and Zoe’s.

They cleared off the empty lot next door and constructed the signature greenhouse that has become such a fixture now along that stretch of Clairmont Avenue. The greenhouse is 64 CITY GUIDE 2018

from England, shipped to Boston in a container and erected on the site.

“We’re always trying to make it better and improve. We do a lot of gift items, so it’s an easy place that you can come get a gift for a friend,” he says. Shoppe offers gifts, plants and home interior items. “We do a complimentary gift wrap, so the gift aspect is a big part of our business.”

Thompson worked at Leaf & Petal, though what brought him to Birmingham was a job at Anthropologie, where he set up new store openings and created prototypes. Draper has worked at garden shops inside and outside of Birmingham.

The pair has expanded into the former Silvertron Café space next door and this fall plan to open General, a café and gourmet food retailer that will also feature home accessories and small furnishings. They are hoping the café/shop will iron out the seasonal peaks and valleys of the garden shop business.

Photography by Beau Gustafson

B-METRO.COM 65

For the Kids Sozo Trading was created to support the mission of keeping children in Uganda safe from harm.

On May 13th, 2010, Sozo Children was born out of an immediate need to take seventeen children from suffering circumstances in Uganda, Africa. Two missionaries found children neglected and hungry. When they discovered rats biting the feet of the children at night, they knew something had to change. Ten days later with the support of the Ugandan government, a new family-style home was created for them including Ugandan mothers and fathers, and a vision to disciple them into the next generation of Christian leaders.

Today, Sozo Children provides care for over 120 children.

“Sozo” is a Greek word that means to save, to keep safe, and to rescue from harm. Through a continuum of care provided by a team of Ugandan care-givers, the children of Sozo are loved, nurtured, and equipped with proper nutrition, healthcare, quality education, spiritual development and life skills to impact positive change in their communities and Ugandan society.

One of the ways the work of Sozo is funded is through a 66 CITY GUIDE 2018

unique market in Avondale. Sozo Trading Co. is an upscale thrift marketplace designed to create sustainable income for Sozo Children. All sales go directly back to fund Sozo Children’s mission. Sozo Trading Co., founded in 2015, sells a large assortment of upscale thrift items, merchandise from Ugandan markets, and leases 24 booth spaces to local vendors.

The store sells designer merchandise clothing & accessories, furniture, housewares, jewelry, vintage finds, handmade items from Uganda, linens, books, sports and kitchen items.

The most popular items are women’s clothing and furniture Sozo Trading Co. is always in need of donated goods and volunteers. They accept gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, shoes, home goods, electronics, furniture, etc.

Photography by Beau Gustafson

B-METRO.COM 67

PRESENTS

cutest baby contest

cutest baby contest

Vote for the CUTEST baby!

PRESENTS

Vote for the cutest baby in rounds by clicking “like” on the photo(s) of their choice. Each round will be open for voting for one week.

The top photo from each week will win a family pack of four tickets to Dollywood.

The photo that receives the most “likes” overall will be named “B-Metro’s Cutest Baby” and will be in an upcoming issue of B-Metro magazine and win a family pack of four tickets to Dollywood as well as a $250 gift certificate to Storkland Baby Furniture.

July 8-August 5

Winners will receive a keepsake cover printed on canvas!

Vote at facebook.com/bmetromagazine storklandbaby.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

2019 Honoree Henry “GIP” Gipson, owner of legendary Birmingham juke joint, Gip’s Place.

B-METRO.COM 69

SPECIAL PROMOTION

O

n behalf of Positive Maturity’s Board of Directors and staff, welcome to the Sixth Annual 2019 Top 50 Over 50! We are thrilled to recognize 50 adults aged 50 and older who have made a significant impact in their communities through business, civic engagement or through a lifetime of achievements.

This year’s Top 50 Over 50 recipients are not only inspirational in what they are able to accomplish within their communities, they are a vibrant group of individuals who are changing the way people perceive what it means to grow older. Within this year’s Top 50 Over 50 class, we proudly present Mr. Gip (Henry Gipson), a 98-year-old blues musician who is still actively performing for his community. There is Bonnie Atchison, who after teaching for 20 years retired and began an encore life of volunteerism. She enjoys her time with the Arts Council, being a curator, presiding over the Alabama Federation of Women’s Club and organizing local events and fundraisers that support those who are veterans, cancer survivors or domestic violence survivors. There is also Jimmy Rane, better known as the “Yella Fella.” As the founder and CEP of Great Southern Wood Preserving, the story of how he went from attorney to CEP of the largest wood preserving company in the U.S. is truly amazing.

How all of our recipients touch and change the lives of others will serve to inspire people of all ages.

We would like to thank Regions Bank, our named sponsor for this year’s event, along with the United Way of Central Alabama and AARP. A special thank you also to Sara Walker (Sara Walker Photography) who once again graciously donated her time, providing us with these amazing photographs of our recipients.

Since 1972, Positive Maturity has been the fabric of the aging communities in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties. We are a proud partner of the United Way of Central Alabama and a sponsor for the Corporation for National and Community Services’ Senior Corps Programs. Our mission is to positively enhance and empower the lives of older adults through social services and civic engagement. Programs include the Retired and Senior Volunteers, AWARE (Aging Workers Are Reliable Employees), Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, Shepherd Center East and Geriatric Social Services.

After tonight, we hope you will be inspired by the possibilities of life after age 50.

Sincerely,

Penny Kakoliris Executive Director Positive Maturity, Inc. 70 CITY GUIDE 2018

SPECIAL PROMOTION

EMCEES:

BRENDA LADUN

2017 Top 50 Over 50 recipient Brenda Ladun grew up in Pennsylvania, where she had an opportunity to learn about broadcast journalism from her school’s closed-circuit television station. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. Brenda is a five-time winner of the Alabama Associated Press Awards for Best Investigative Reporter and Best Specialized Reporter. She has also won for Best Anchor. In 2001, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. During her recovery she took up running and has competed in several marathons. In 2007, after a period of apparent remission, the cancer returned. Brenda points to her faith as the foundation of her strength to fight the disease. She is a regional spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and has written two books about her recovery. For a special series Brenda aired about breast cancer, she was given the Edward R. Murrow Award for Radio and Television Journalism. Brenda and her husband have three sons, Brooks, Gabby and Garett. She is an active supporter of the Grace House Christian Home for Girls and teaches Sunday School at Hunter Street Baptist Church.

TINA SAVAS

The genius behind The Top 50 Over 50, Tina Savas was among the first wave of women entrepreneurs in Birmingham, Ala. She founded the Birmingham Business Journal, Alabama Construction News and Birmingham Weekly, Birmingham’s weekly alternative newspaper and winner of national awards. In addition, she was the original founder of the Top 40 Under 40 awards, an award that is now nationwide. In addition to building Birmingham up through her businesses, Tina served on many local boards for community development, advised numerous foundations, colleges and hospitals. She has been recognized over the years for her service and career. In 2005, along with co-author Edie Hand, Tine wrote a book about women who are the first in their fields entitled Women of True Grit. The book garnered top national reviews and attention in several media outlets.

Tina became a part of the Positive Maturity team in 2009 where she first served as an advisory council member for the Aging Workers Are Reliable Employees (AWARE) program and joined the Board of Directors in 2011. Tina was responsible for the creation of the Top 50 Over 50 as a signature fundraising event for the agency. Due to her leadership, knowledge and ongoing support, the Top 50 Over 50 recognition is now recognized as a wonderful award and event that shines a light on the aging community and those who make Alabama a better place.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS:

JOEL ROTENSTREICH

Joel Rostenstreich will be presenting awards to the class of 2019 and is a volunteer par excellence. He has shown leadership in Jewish civic affairs and has made it his life’s mission to bring people together. Rotenstreich served 15 years on the Mountain Brook Board of Education and at age 74, serves as director of Client Services for the law firm of Zarzaur and Schwartz. He and his wife, Bunny, have a son, a daughter and twin grandsons. Joel’s mission in life is to bring people together, creating one happy world.

Special Thanks to Sara Walker Photography

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FLOYD ALEXANDER

Floyd’s passion is helping othesr by meeting needs in the community. “I basically get tired of hearing that things need to be done but people won’t do them,” he says. “I just want to get out and DO!” Floyd has helped maintain Greenwood Cemetery to honor the little girls from the 16th Street Baptist Church bombings. Through the Civitans, he has cleaned the Cahaba River regularly, built wheelchair ramps, conducted food drives, worked with Special Olympics and raised money for the UAB Civitan Research Center. Floyd even helped to restore the Alabama Theatre in the early 1990s. Recently, he helped initiate a neighborhood watch program in his community.

VICKIE ASHFORD

Vickie is director of Travel Media for the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, but in the larger scheme, she works to benefit all of Jefferson County. She travels the country to invite travel journalists and bloggers to visit Birmingham and has been instrumental in coverage of the city by The New York Times, USA TODAY, Vogue, The Chicago Tribune, Garden & Gun, Southern Living and many other nationally recognized publications. Vickie has a great love for Birmingham, and in turn, invites writers to fall in love with the city she calls home.

RANDY BETSCH

Randy is best described in the words of his daughter, who nominated him. “I have had the privilege of knowing my nominee, Randy Betsch, all 28 years of my life because he is my father. And all 28 years I have been proud to call him Dad. Randy puts others before himself and would give a stranger the shirt off his back. He has spent his whole career working tirelessly in the nonprofit world, including the past nine years at United Way of Central Alabama. Although he takes his job very seriously, he refuses to grow up. Randy still rides his motorcycle to work nearly every day, mountain bikes on the weekends and most certainly can outrun me in a race. He always has a smile on his face and a corny joke up his sleeve.”

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CAROL BRAITHWAITE

Carol was a Vision Rehabilitation teacher with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, managing hundreds of cases for the blind and visually impaired. By providing assessments, education and advocacy, Carol has been a champion for these individuals’ rights. In addition, her daughter has Smith-Magenis Syndrome and is living in an ARC group home. Since retirement, Carol serves on the advisory board of the Alabama Freedom Center for the Blind, which helps equip blind people to integrate into their home and community. She is an active member of Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church, assisting in the music ministry and she has participated in overseas mission trips. Carol is a champion for the disabled community, making the world a better place for her daughter and others.

LYNN CAMPISI

Attorney Lynn Campisi has practiced Elder Law and served Birmingham’s estate and healthcare legal needs for more than 25 years. She is passionate about the rights of the aging and disabled and helped create a network of attorneys sharing this passion when she served as founding chair of the Alabama Elder Law Section. Lynn has been active on the board of the Alzheimer’s Society for many years, serving as president. She is currently vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Family Trust. Lynn is also a valued member of the Board of Advocates of the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging.

PEGGY SARON CLARKE

Throughout her 40- year career in the employment industry, Peggy Clarke was known as a strong advocate for individuals over the age of 50. She began her career of assisting others with Dunhill Staffing System in Birmingham. While serving on the Board for Positive Maturity, a proven leader was needed for the Aging Workers Are Reliable Employees Program, so Peggy stepped forward and championed the cause for over 15 years. In addition to Positive Maturity, Peggy served on several nonprofit boards throughout Birmingham. She has touched the lives of thousands of individuals throughout Alabama, giving them a new start, a new dream and at times, a new career.

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LINDA FOSTER COLEMAN-MADISON

Linda Foster Coleman-Madison is an Alabama state senator representing Senate District 20. She previously represented House District 60 in the Alabama House of Representatives and served for 12 years on the Birmingham City Council. She continues to serve Birmingham as its American with Disabilities Act compliance director. In addition, Coleman-Madison is a licensed realtor with ReMAX Realty Consultants and has worked in marketing and recruitment for the American Red Cross and the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority. She has served on the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board and on the boards of the Birmingham Turf Club, Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Alabama Black Caucus. She is a director of the Birmingham Chapter of the American Red Cross and a state director for the National Foundation of Women Legislators.

BRIAN COPES

Brian was named the Top Teacher in the nation out of 825 educators by the National Life Group and won the 2017-18 Life Changer of the Year award. He was recognized as one of the Top 50 Teachers in the World by the Varkey Foundation. And People magazine named Brian Teacher of the Year out of thousands. He was awarded the highest Presidential volunteer service award and is the Founder of the nonprofit SKY (Skilled Knowledgeable Youth Advisory Group). He’s sponsored trips for his students and developed sister schools in Honduras, where they built container classrooms. Together with his students, they constructed computers, a hydroelectric plant, prosthetic limbs and a 3-D printer; assisted in the medical clinic; installed water purifiers; and constructed ATVs for school bus, ambulance, and water well drilling. He founded “Electrathon,” a battery-powered car race at Barbers Motorsports Park for high school students. Brian works with more than 500 businesses in order to receive grants of technology, expertise, equipment and supplies for his programs.

DEBORAH DICKINSON CRAWFORD

Deborah is a native of Birmingham, raised in the historic Smithfield Community. She grew up with a love of education and was the child of an HBCU love affair. She’s been teaching for 34 years, 18 with the Kindergarten scholars at Minor Elementary in Ensley. She is a champion of the Foster Grandparent Program in her classroom. Deborah not only has inspired her children over the years, she inspired her Foster Grandparent volunteer to return to school, where she obtained her associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Deborah is a member of the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, where she participates in their Grief and Loss Ministry and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

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MIKE DUNNAVANT

When Mike and his wife Susan married in the wine country of Napa Valley in 1997, Mike had already developed a business plan to open a wine shop. But he decided not to pop the cork…yet. After working for 24 years in the computer technology field, Mike opened The Wine Loft in 2007, a wine bar with a large selection of wines by the bottle or by the glass, plus liquor, beer and small gourmet food plates. He is credited as being one of the creators of the renaissance of downtown Birmingham. Mike enjoys spending his free time cooking for First Light shelter, hosting charity fundraisers and planning trips with friends to the great wine regions of the world.

EMMA T. FORD EPHRIAMS

During her 30-year career at BellSouth Telecommunications, Emma received many awards for excellent customer service. After retirement, she joined AARP and became a leader of several groups. In 2007, Emma became founder and volunteer president of the Bessemer West Jefferson County Chapter #5418 of AARP. In 2011, AARP’s Alabama Leadership Summit presented her the “Ruth Blacker Award for Advocacy.” Emma served as chair of the Central Alabama Capital Advocacy Team, as RSVP Advisory Board member and as a volunteer in community service projects.

For almost 12 years, she’s been serving as the local chapter leader as an advocate for the 50+ community…still providing excellent customer service!

ERIC ESSIX

Considered a music prodigy, guitarist Eric Essix is a Berklee College of Music graduate who has produced 26 albums as a recording artist and composer over his 30-year career.

He’s recorded with Miley Cyrus, Kirk Whalum and Ruben Studdard and toured worldwide with Peabo Bryson and Ronnie Laws, to name just a few. His latest album features guest saxophonist Lou “Blue Lou” Marini of Saturday Night Live and Blues Brothers fame. Eric is the Alabama Jazz Hall Of Fame’s youngest inductee. Through his nonprofit, Eric Essix Foundation, he has presented music workshops and concerts in more than 120 underserved Alabama schools and five countries since 1994. Eric is a UAB Artist-In-Residence, director of programming at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center and tireless advocate of the arts.

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CATHY FRIEDMAN

Cathy Friedman is guided by two principles in her varied community work: first, to focus on human rights and second, to accomplish Tikkun Olam, which means to repair the broken world. For more than 30 years, Cathy has carried these two principles in her heart and served her Birmingham community through leadership and volunteerism. Whether working at City Paper Company, her family’s business since 1897, or volunteering for a local nonprofit, Cathy has touched the lives of so many and made the world a better place. Now retired, Cathy continues to volunteer at the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center (which recently honored her with the prestigious L’Chaim award) and enjoys spending time at local theaters and restaurants with her husband, Paul.

MARGIE GAULDEN GILBERT

Margie is a trail blazer in the field of social work, where she has enriched and broadened her students’ learning experience at UAB since 2009. Margie also has her own counseling and consulting service, MGG Counseling Services, where she works with children and families, conducts private adoption home studies and provides supervision to Licensed Graduate Social Workers to help meet their requirement for licensing. In her free time, Margie is a community volunteer. Whether serving on an advisory committee, board of directors or working with coordinated efforts to meet a community need, Margie brings her innovation, resources and dedication to the task at hand.

HENRY “GIP” GIPSON

“Gip” was born January 6 of an unknown year in Uniontown, Perry County, Ala. He is a former railroad car builder, owner of the Pine Hill Cemetery and the proprietor of Gip’s Place, a blues joint located in the backyard of his home on Avenue C in Bessemer. Gip worked at the Pullman Standard plant in Bessemer for 25 years before leaving to become a grave digger. He eventually purchased the Pine Hill Cemetery and continues to operate it himself. An avid blues fan and parttime musician, Gip began hosting barbecues in his backyard for musicians to entertain friends and neighbors. The weekend events grew in popularity and he gradually added a small enclosure with a stage.

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JANET GRAHAM

Janet Graham serves as service coordinator for Princeton Towers I & II, an affordable housing community for seniors in Jefferson County. Throughout the years, Janet has been diligent in providing a variety of services and resources to seniors and disabled adults who want to age at home and remain independent for as long as possible.

For more than 25 years, Janet has served as a Senior Companion Program station supervisor and has recruited numerous residents to serve as volunteers to other tenants at Princeton Towers. Janet is employed by Southeastern Property Management located in Birmingham.

MAYOR KENNETH GULLEY

Kenneth E. Gulley is serving his third term as mayor of Bessemer. In his three terms in office, Gulley’s administration has made several significant accomplishments. He has improved the city finances and established a businessfriendly administration which helped create about 3,500 jobs within Bessemer. He has worked hard to improve the staffing levels and technology, resulting in a drop in the city’s overall crime rate. Mayor Gulley is responsible for the city’s new equipment, Recreation Center, City Hall and Amazon’s Robotic Fulfillment Center in Bessemer, which will employee at least 1,500 people. He is married to Yvonne Whitley and they have two children.

BENGA HARRISON

Benga Harrison is the director for Hands On Birmingham, the volunteer arm of United Way, and is on the board of Alabama Arise. Over the past year, she collaborated with the Birmingham Mayor’s Office and UAB to establish a Birmingham King Week to bring together all the entities and programs involved in celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recently, she rolled off the board of the East Lake Initiative, a nonprofit working to revitalize the East Lake community in Birmingham. Benga has also served as director of development for Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba, where she helped raise $10.8 million. She is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, where she was selected to serve on the Honor Council.

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TODD HARVEY

Todd Harvey attended Samford University as a member of the university’s nationally ranked debate team.

He graduated from Samford in 1990 and Cumberland School of Law in 1994, practicing law in Birmingham ever since. Throughout his 25-year law career, Todd has represented workers and employees, individuals and small businesses, seniors and the disabled in a wide range of legal matters. He and his law firm have used the legal process to positively impact the community. Most recently they presented the Senior Spirit Expo, a full-day event which included exhibitor resources, entertainment and workshops for the 55 and older community. He and his wife, Ann Marie, have two daughters, Susannah and Sarah Page.

KATHIE HIERS

Kathie Hiers is the CEO of AIDS Alabama, a statewide nonprofit that provides housing, mental health and other services to individuals who are at risk of or have HIV/AIDS. Kathie has worked tirelessly on education and advocacy for the HIV/AIDS community. She is the only person from the Deep South selected by President Obama in 2010 to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. She currently serves as the chair of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership and as a board chair for the Southern AIDS Coalition and the Convening Committee for the International AIDS Conference 2010. Kathie is a true champion for the AIDS Community and was selected as one of the “Alabama Women Who Shape the State” in 2017.

KATHERINE HOUSTON

Katherine has more than 30 years of executive leadership and entrepreneurship. She developed an expertise in accounting and operations and served as an executive in multiple industries. In 2016, she founded Strengths Consulting and became affiliated with Gallup, a global analytics and advice firm. Katherine is passionate about unlocking individual potential to become our best selves, improving the dynamics in every relationship and creating strategies for success. She is active in the community, having served as an officer for several nonprofit boards. She grew up in Dothan, graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Accounting and is married to Philip, a graduate of the University of Alabama. They have three children and six grandchildren.

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GOVERNOR KAY IVEY On April 10, 2017, Kay Ivey was sworn in as the 54th governor of the state of Alabama in the Old Senate Chamber in the Alabama State Capitol by Acting Chief Justice Lyn Stuart. Following a successful 19 months in office, the people of Alabama made history again in November 2018 by electing Governor Ivey to a full term. She is the first Lt. Governor of Alabama elected to a full term after taking over as governor due to a vacancy in the governor’s office. Her nominator adds: “Kay Ivey will continue to bring conservative leadership with effective results to make this generation more productive and the next generation more prosperous.” She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, the Montgomery Rotary Club and the Board of Directors of the Montgomery YMCA. She is also the first Girls State alumna to be elected to an Alabama Constitutional Office.

PHILLIP JACKSON, JR

Mr. Phillip C. Jackson, Jr., served as a consultant, vice chairman and as an outside director of Compass Bancshares from 1978 to 1989 and is currently a member of the Advisory Council for BBVA. He was an independent director of Saul Centers, Inc., from June 1993 until May 2018. Currently, he serves as a trustee and adjunct professor emeritus of Birmingham-Southern College and is a governor of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America. He has also served on the Board at Enterprise Products GP as well as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

LONNIE JOHNSON

Lonnie is a former Air Force and NASA engineer who invented the massively popular Super Soaker water gun.

The African-American engineer and inventor was born in Alabama in 1949. He earned his master’s degree in nuclear engineering from Tuskegee University and went on to work for the U.S. Air Force and the NASA space program.

After tinkering with the invention of a high-powered water gun, Johnson’s Super Soaker became a top-selling item by the early 1990s. He has since been developing the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter (JTEC), an engine that converts heat directly into electricity, which Johnson sees as the path to low-cost solar power.

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Photo by Patricia Villafañe

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RAY JORDAN

A native of Jackson, Miss., Ray has been in Birmingham since 1986 when he opened Christmas and Company, a seasonal shop. In 2004 he opened FlowerBuds, combining the shops during the holiday season. Ray has been active with nonprofits in helping them plan and implement fundraising activities, some of which include Birmingham Aids Outreach, Cooper Green Hospital, Camp Smile-a-Mile, UAB Center on Aging and The Alabama Ballet. A lifetime member of the Alabama Ballet Board of Trustees, he also volunteers his time to be in some of their productions as character parts. He is a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent.

LOUIS JOSOF

Louis is an oncology counselor at St. Vincent’s Bruno Cancer Center and has survived two bouts of cancer himself.

As a counselor, Louis has developed and facilitates eight cancer support groups and art therapy. He is an original board member for Hand in Paw and helped introduce pet therapy into Birmingham hospitals and clinics. In 1985, Louis developed the first oncology camp for adults in the country, known as Camp Bluebird, and marketed the program in 24 states. He has served on many community boards, including the American Cancer Society, two-term chairman of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Alabama, UAB’s Center for Palliative and Supportive Care and Hand in Paw. Louis is married to Wadia Bolus Josof and they have two children, Maria and Christopher. Christopher and his wife Katie have blessed them with three grandchildren, Penelope, Desmond and Benjamin.

HELEN KIM, PhD

Dr. Helen Kim is the President of the Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation (AACF), a nonprofit whose programs celebrate the Asian arts and cultures, bringing all Alabamians together. Dr. Kim has worked tirelessly with her colleagues to nurture their annual festival to its current 2,000-plus attendees and the foundation as a statewide educational resource for Asian arts and culture. Dr. Kim is quick to point out the invaluable support from city, county and state officials and organizations. She loves the challenge of bringing diverse communities together and to celebrate differences, whether in clothing, food or toys.

The only thing Dr. Kim is more passionate about is her family, husband Dr. Stephen Barnes, and their extended family.

She is a native of Seoul, South Korea, and was a long-time faculty member at UAB Medical School where she studied the effects of dietary compounds in vivo until her retirement in 2015.

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PHYLLIS MCCOMBS

As a child, one of Phyllis’ pastimes was playing “Connect the Dots.” Ironically, she carried that into adulthood as a consummate networker. As a packaging specialist for MAC PAPERS, she works with every facet, from designing packaging systems to optimizing warehouse operations for companies. She is a past president of Network Birmingham and has received the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top Forty Under Forty and Top Birmingham Women awards. Phyllis lends her support to Hand in Paw, serving as past president of their board and to Terrific New Theatre on their Board. In addition, Phyllis serves in volunteer roles for First Light, YWCA, AIDS Alabama, Humane Society and the Holocaust Center.

ANNE GAYLER MILLER

Serving our community by conserving its wildlife has been Anne’s passion for nearly 50 years. Although trained in the classics, Anne’s compassion for wildlife won her heart and charted her career, first as a zookeeper at the Birmingham Zoo for 10 years and then as founder and executive director of the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for 27 years. Her efforts have been recognized by the Alabama Wildlife Federation Governor’s Award, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Lifetime Achievement, the Cahaba Girl Scout Council and the Alabama Ornithological Society. Anne has been a board member for numerous organizations and continues to present programs on her specialty: using recorded calls to reunite juvenile raptors with their parents.

BRETT OATES

In 2008, Brett Oates helped create Silver Glovez, a program that focused on the full development of inner city baseball players in Birmingham, from 9th graders to junior college players. Since that time, Silver Glovez has had several students go on to play at several D-1 and D-II colleges such as Jackson State University, Alabama State University, Grambling State University, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Clafton University and several other programs. New colleges and universities regularly join Silver Glovez such as Morehouse College, Southern University, Norfolk State University and Prairie View A&M University. A native of Delaware, Brett is a graduate of Grambling State University with a degree in mass communications, leading to a 17-year career in broadcast journalism.

Brett has coached baseball at A.H. Parker and George Washington Carver High schools and was the head baseball coach at The Altamont School, a college preparatory school for grades 5-12. Brett and his wife Faye have two children, Taylor and Miles.

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GUS PAPPAS

Gus Pappas was the chief financial officer of the company that owned Lorch Diamond Centers when he got into a friendly chat with his neighbor across the lawn. That neighbor, Phillip Norton, was the owner of his family’s floral company, one of the city’s oldest, most respected retail establishments. Norton told Gus that he was ready to sell the business, and whether he was certain of it at the time or not, Gus was ready to buy it. In the intervening years since he bought Norton’s Florist almost a decade ago, Gus has managed the business for a new era and continues to deliver high-quality arrangements to his customers.

REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE PERDUE

George began his career teaching at Carver High School.

He then began working as a programmer for IBM. In the 1970s, he came to University of Alabama-Birmingham as a systems analyst. Over the next 35 years, George held a number of positions at UAB, including special assistant to the president and assistant vice president for Financial Affairs and Administration. He founded the UAB Office of Women and Minority-Owned Business Development and became its director. He later chaired the Alabama Congressional Black Caucus. He decided not to run for re-election in the 2006 Democratic primary. He retired from UAB the following year. George and his wife, Delores, had two daughters, Cynthia and Joy (now deceased), and one grandson.

VAN PHILLIPS

Van Phillips is the 2017 Alabama High School Secondary Principal of the Year and current principal of Center Point High School. He serves as a mentor to principals throughout the United States and serves on many boards, such as the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals and the VACCA Department of Youth Services. Van is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and is pastor of the Holy Trinity World Outreach Ministry.

Over the last 30 years, Van has served Fairfield, Hueytown, Minor and Center Point, where his impact has been steady, consistent and quintessential. Most importantly, his greatest accomplishment is being married for more than 30 years and having two successful adult children.

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JIMMY RANE

Jimmy is the founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, which makes decks, fences and other treated lumber products. Jimmy is better known as “the Yella Fella,” his cowboy alter ego who appears in his company’s TV commercials. He got into the lumber business by accident. As a law student, he stepped in to mediate a family dispute over his father-in-law’s estate and ended up taking control of a small fence post manufacturer. He expanded the company on the side while he ran a private law practice and even spent five years as a county judge. Eventually, he and his brother transformed the family’s $22,000 in annual sales into a company with more than $1 billion in annual sales. He started the Jimmy Rane Foundation in 2000, which has since awarded some 350 college scholarships.

Photo by Katy Lewis

WILL RATLIFF

Will is CEO of Collateral Holdings, a company founded by his grandfather that deals with employee benefits and commercial real estate. Before joining Collateral, Will attended Amherst College, earned a doctorate in Applied Behavioral Science and worked as a teacher, counselor and school director. He has been active in many community organizations, including YouthServe, which he helped found; Rotary Club of Birmingham; the National Conference for Community and Justice; St. Mary’s Sewanee; Good News Children Education Mission in Kolkata, India; the Society of International Business Fellows; and A+ Education Partnership. Civic activities take up an ever-increasing share of his time. Will and his wife Carolyn are members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and have three grown children.

KAY REED

Kay Reed grew up surrounded by amazing cooks and role models, so it was natural for her to want to open her own business. In 1999, she began with Café Iz, a neighborhood restaurant that has grown into Everything Iz, which includes a restaurant, catering division and a wholesale division.

Kay is also the chef at Iz Weddings and Events. According to one nominator, Kay is well known and highly respected for her integrity in the industry. She was tapped early on to establish the local chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, a philanthropic organization made up of women in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Although the industry has been traditionally a man’s world, Kay believes that women are making a difference and earning the respect they deserve.

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JANICE ROGERS

Janice Rogers worked at WBRC as an intern while earning her degree in Broadcast Journalism from UAB. In 1994, while working for a competitor station, WBRC was fortunate to entice Janice away and hire her to anchor the news.

Since her arrival she has been a busy person. Currently, Janice co-anchors and produces “Good Day Alabama.”

Her strong ties to the community and her commitment to work and family have endeared her to thousands of loyal viewers as well as co-workers. Her nominator says, “WBRC FOX6 News is truly delighted to call her one of their own.”

Janice is married and the proud mother of one wonderful son.

JODY SHARP

Since 2008, Jody has been a Blount County RSVP Volunteer. She is a second generation volunteer who became involved in RSVP with her mother long before she was 55.

She is also raising two wonderful grandchildren who can often be seen volunteering with their grandmother. Jody has taught her grandchildren the importance of being the change they want to see in this world. Jody began “Precious Hands for Precious People” where they knit hats and blankets for those in nursing homes or with cancer. By the end of 2019, Jody will have donated more than 6,000 pieces since she began the program.

JANE SHIRAH

A 40-year career at United Way of Central Alabama gave Jane a profound appreciation of volunteers, so she knew her retirement would include volunteer work. Since retirement, Jane volunteers at Walker Baptist Medical Center helping with visitors and the Baby Talk program, as well as serving on the Auxiliary Board as treasurer.

She also serves the Arley Women’s Club as program chairman and membership co-chairman and on the Advisory Board of Walker County RSVP. Jane has volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Project Homeless Connect, Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and ARC of Walker County. She lives on beautiful Smith Lake with her husband, Brian Wilkinson, and two fur babies, Snoop and Felix.

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DAVID SILVERSTEIN

David Silverstein is a principal at Bayer Properties, where he directs development efforts and manages Bayer’s relationship with governmental entities nationwide. He takes an active role in the community and has served as president of the Alabama Chapters of the American Heart Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. David currently serves on the Board of Directors for Ascension Alabama and the Red Mountain Theatre Company. He is a member of the Norton Board of Advisors for Birmingham-Southern College; The University of Alabama Honors College Board of Visitors; the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center Advisory Board and the IBERIABANK Birmingham Advisory Board. David is married to the former Susan Tilson and they have five children and four grandsons.

ANNETTE SPRINGER

Annette is the CEO for Springer Equipment Company in Birmingham and Southfork Lift Truck in Nashville, Tenn. Springer Equipment has been recognized in the annual Birmingham Business Journal’s Book of Lists Top 25 Women Owned Businesses, Top 100 Privately Owned Businesses and Top 25 Family Owned Businesses since 2012. In addition, Annette is a member of the Irondale Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Business Alliance, Material Handling Equipment Distribution Association and The Women’s Network. She is the past president of Alabama Women in Business and National Forum Member for Women Business Enterprise National Council. Annette and her husband, Ted, are members of the Tocqueville Society and yearly sponsors of Habitat for Humanity.

JAY ST. CLAIR

As an attorney, Jay represents employers in legal matters arising in the workplace. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small family-owned businesses. He regularly appears in courts throughout Alabama and the Southeast and frequently gives presentations to industry groups in the region and his firm’s national clients on a range of topics to help employers implement strategies to avoid lawsuits. He has been included in the Best Lawyers in America every year since 1995 and three times has been named by the Best Lawyers in America as the Birmingham Lawyer of the Year for his practice area. He is also an adjunct professor at the Cumberland Law School, where he received the first Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award.

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JACQUI SWEET

Jacqui owns and manages Doug Sweet & Associates, a Birmingham-based successful international process consulting firm to the paper industry. Her community involvement began with several roles in Shelby County Schools, Leadership Shelby County, initiator and past race director of Paws for the Cause, plus involvement in many other school and community events. She learned firsthand about dementia and Alzheimer’s while caring for her parents and now leads a support group to aid caregivers dealing with these issues.

When not involved in business, church, neighborhood landscaping and community activities, she is helping with grandchildren or baking cookies for the homeless. Jacqui feels blessed with the opportunity to help others.

MELVA TATE

Melva lives by one rule: “Put in the work.” Melva’s been putting in the work for more than two decades, serving as the Director of HR & Administration for two start-up organizations, Nexcel Synthetics and Kelly Construction Company.

In addition, she’s also a radio personality, best-selling author and a feature writer and contributor to leading newspapers and magazines. But Melva believes that work must extend outside the office and into the community. As an activist, executive advisor and often board member, she volunteers her time and energy with United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, Alabama Workforce Development Council, Jefferson County Workforce Development Board, Alabama Women In Business and The Women’s Network.

LARRY THORNTON

In 1990, Larry became a McDonald’s franchise owner of six restaurants throughout the Birmingham area. Larry has served on numerous boards during his career such as the United Negro College Funds of Alabama, Kiwanis Club of Vulcan, A.G. Gaston Boy’s Club, Big Brother/Big Sisters, Birmingham Museum of Art, GBCF, UWCA, First Commercial Bank, Coca-Cola and Alabama State University. He has graduated from both Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama. In his free time, Larry continues to enjoy his first passion, art. He produces limited and open edition art through Trey Arts, LLC., and his work has been included in the Oprah Winfrey Collection. He is also authoring his first book entitled, Why Not Win.

86 CITY GUIDE 2018

www.Top50over50.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

TIM TINGLE

Tim Tingle was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1958 and moved to Montevallo when he was a year old. Educated at the University of Montevallo, he went to work as a coal miner in 1979 and retired in 2016. He and his wife Nanette raised five children and still live on their 16-acre farm in Pea Ridge. He was inspired to create from an early age and is an entirely self-taught artist. He is best known for his tree carvings in Orr Park in Montevallo. Each year, thousands of visitors come to the park to enjoy these carvings. It is also the venue for the Tinglewood Festival, celebrating wood carving and other woodworking crafts. In retirement, Tim is a farmer, wood carver, fiction writer and world traveler.

EDDIE L. TULLIS

Eddie has served on the Tribal Council of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for more than 40 years and is currently treasurer.

He was Tribal Chairman for 27 years, and served as chairman of the Creek Indian Enterprise Development Authority. He is a leader in Indian Country nationally as well: PCI Land and Natural Resources Legislative Committee; chairman of the National Indian Council of Aging; vice chairman of Americans for Indian Opportunities; board of directors for the National Indian Gaming Association, Reid State Community College Foundation, Alabama Indian Affairs Commission, Alabama Archives and History Foundation, Portland State University Institute of Tribal Government, Alabama 4-H Foundation and United Bank. Others include two presidential appointments as chairman of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education and as a board director for the White House Conference on Indian Education. He is married to Mary Jane and they have four daughters, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

LEMARSE (LEMAR) WASHINGTON

In Lemar’s younger years, he served in the U.S. Army, entering as a private, the lowest rank possible. During his long tenure in the Army, Lamar earned both undergraduate and master’s degrees, rising through the ranks to retire as a lieutenant colonel.

Lemar served as the executive director for the National Conference for Community and Justice for more than 20 years, during which time he was involved in several nonprofits in the community. For the past several years, Lamar has served as a volunteer “executive director and manager” of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. In addition to his other responsibilities at the church, he gives tours of the famous church figured prominently in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Lemar can safely be called a Goodwill Ambassador for Birmingham B-METRO.COM 87

Benefiting Positive Maturity

SPECIAL PROMOTION

PHYLLIS GRUSIN WEINSTEIN

Phyllis’ work in the Jewish community and greater Birmingham are legendary. Some of her accomplishments include founding president of the Southern Branch of the National Women’s League, the founding president of the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, past president of the Birmingham Chapter of Hadassah, Beth-El Sisterhood, Birmingham Jewish Federation, Collat Jewish Family Services, chair of the women’s division of Israel Bonds, founding chair and past president of the N. E. Miles Jewish Day School, former chair of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of FEMA, administered through United Way, and a member of the 1988 Class of Leadership Birmingham. In 1999, Phyllis was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to the Alabama Holocaust Commission and served as its chair. She is the proud mother of two daughters, seven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

WILLIAM MILLER AWARD:

BONNIE ATCHISON

Bonnie taught English and drama for more than 20 years.

After retirement, she began the South Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. She is a supporter of the Shelby County Arts Council and is the curator of the Karl Harrison Museum of George Washington. Bonnie has also served as president of the Alabama Federation of Women’s Club, Rotary Club, Novella Club and chaired the annual Arts & Craft Show for 21 years. Bonnie has organized many more events including the Columbiana Quilt Walk, the Cancer Survivor dinner, the Veterans Day program, baskets for Safe House, Heifer International and Backpack Buddies.

Bonnie has served 2,447 volunteer hours for RSVP. In her free time, she enjoys ceramics and painting.

ABOUT THE WILLIAM MILLER AWARD:

William Miller was a lifetime achiever. He served his country during World War II, had an outstanding career in international trade and a long, purpose-filled civic life. Mr. Miller not only was a founding member of Positive Maturity in 1972 through the Independent Presbyterian Church, he also served with many nonprofits in the Birmingham area throughout his life.

The William M. Miller Award was created to recognize members of the community who have dedicated themselves to making a difference either through civic engagement, business or philanthropy.

88 CITY GUIDE 2018

SPECIAL PROMOTION

RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

RSVP offers individuals age 55 and over rewarding service opportunities in their communities. Whether volunteers wish to draw on current skills or develop new ones, RSVP provides meaningful experiences by allowing individuals to help others in a flexible and engaging environment.

Floyd Alexander, Bonnie Atchison, Randy Betsch, Emma Ephriams, Cathy Friedman, Anne Gayler Miller, Benga Harrison, Jody Sharp, Jane Shirah

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

The Senior Companion Program provides stipend volunteer opportunities for low income adults age 55 and older who are able to meet the eligibility requirements. Senior Companions are assigned to frail seniors and adults with disabilities in Jefferson County to assist their efforts in maintaining their independence. They are also able to provide respite services for families in need.

Carol Braithwaite, Janet Graham, Todd Harvey, Kathy Heirs, Ray Jordan,Louis Josof

SHEPHERD CENTER EAST

Shepherd Center East is a nutrition site offering free hot lunches Monday-Friday (for adults who meet the eligibility requirements). It is a Meals on Wheels distributor and activity center for adults age 55 and older. Activities include, but are not limited to, exercise classes, health education, arts and crafts, quilting, dance, field trips and computer classes.

Vickie Ashford, Mike Dunnavant, Eric Essix, Henry “Gip” Gipson, Lonnie Johnson, Phyllis McCombs, Kay Reed, Tim Tingle, Lemarse (Lemar) Washington

AGING WORKERS ARE RELIABLE EMPLOYEES

AWARE is a career counseling program designed for clients age 50 and over who are unemployed or underemployed.

Resume writing, interview skills and computer training are some of the services available to help senior adults compete in today’s job market.

Peggy Clarke, Mayor Kenneth Gulley, Katherine Houston, Governor Kay Ivey, Phillip Jackson, Jr., Gus Pappas, Jimmy Rane, Annette Springer, Melva Tate

GERIATRIC SOCIAL SERVICES

Our in-house Geriatric Social Worker enriches the quality of life for older individuals. The program provides support services, case management, education and awareness and referrals. It links clients and their families to community.

Lynn Campisi, Linda Coleman-Madison,Margie Gaulden Gilbert, Helen Kim, Jay St. Clair, Eddie L. Tullis, Phyllis G. Weinstein

FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM

The Foster Grandparents Program provides stipend volunteer opportunities for low income adults age 55 and older who are able to meet the eligibility requirements. Foster Grandparents work with children in Jefferson County who are deemed “at-risk,” serving as role models, mentors, tutors and friends.

Brian Copes, Deborah Dickson Crawford, Brett Oates, Rep. George Perdue, Van Phillips, PhD, Will Ratliff, Janice Rogers, David Silverstein, Jacqui Sweet, Larry Thornton

3918 Montclair Road, Suite 200 ​Birmingham, Alabama 35213 Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm 205.803.3211 ​info@positivematurity.org

USING SMART TOOLS

TODAY TOMORROW. WILL HELP YOU SAVE FOR

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Regions is a proud sponsor of Positive Maturity’s Top 50 Over 50.

1.800.regions I regions.com

© 2019 Regions Bank. Mobile Banking, text alerts, the Regions mobile app and Regions Mobile Deposit require a compatible device and enrollment in Online Banking. Regions Mobile Deposit is subject to fees. Your mobile carrier’s messaging and data fees may apply. | Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

CAST IRON PIPE COMPANY

www.uwca.org

Special thanks to

WWW.AARP.ORG

for providing flowers for the event.

B-METRO.COM 91

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BIANCA ALLEN

JANE KOEHLER

RETIRED BELLSOUTH PAST PRESIDENT-ELECT

RETIRED

CRYSTAL CRIM

GARY HETZEL

MIDDLE ALABAMA AREA AGENCY ON AGING

BATES HETZEL PC PRESIDENT

TONI WILSON

JESTINA HOWARD

ANESTHESIA SERVICES OF BIRMINGHAM, P.C.

BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART VICE PRESIDENT

PRISCILLA A.J. MCWILLIAMS

KEVIN COLLINS

RETIRED

TREASURER

ANN BRYANT

JOHN EPPENGER

RETIRED

RETIRED AT&T (BELLSOUTH) SECRETARY

JUDY FRASER RETIRED

TRACY CAUSEY

PATRICIA NARO

DRAYER PHYSICAL THERAPY

SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

RYAN ROBNETT

SARAH MOSS

COMFORCARE

REGIONS

WANDA MCKOY EXPRESS PRINT

LYNN KLINNER RETIRED

BRENDA LADUN

ABC 33/40

MR. KEVIN OWENS

RANDOLPH FOWLER

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM EX-OFFICIO

KATHRYNE BRUGGE

MARY LYNN BATES

ACIPCO

SOUTHERN FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC.

92 CITY GUIDE 2018

RETIRED EX-OFFICIO

YOUR

GUIDE TO THE BEST OF THE CITY Bistro 218

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Birmingham’s Financial and Theater District, Bistro 218 honors the traditions of French bistros with minimalist decor in a historical setting.

Guests can enjoy a glass of wine or craft cocktail with a full bar menu in the upscale casual bar room or take pleasure in the main dining room in French classics paired with seasonally procured wines and local craft beers.

218 20st Street North, Birmingham, Al, 35203 (205) 983 7999 www.bistro218.com

Brooks Hall Real Estate and Design/ Kelli Sale

Born and raised in Birmingham, Kelli attended Auburn University and received a BS in Business Marketing. In the years since she has practiced the art of selling real estate all over metropolitan Birmingham. Her passion lies in creating a wonderful experience for home buyers and sellers. She believes her honest, straight–forward approach makes all the difference for her clients.

9 Office Park Circle,Mountain Brook,AL 35223(205) 5820936 www.brookshall.com

Cahaba Dermatology & Skin Health Center

The mission of Cahaba Dermatology is to advance the highest level of individualized patient care and pursue total

excellence in dermatology and aesthetic treatments; because healthy skin is beautiful skin. They pride themselves on being your complete dermatology solution for all of your skincare needs. They offer the full scope of medical and cosmetic dermatologic services.

2279 Valleydale Rd #100, Hoover, AL 35244 205-214-7546 www.cahabaderm.com

Children’s of Alabama

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama, 45 other states and six foreign countries last year.

1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham AL 35205 205-638-9100 www.childrensal.org

Closets By Design

Welcome to Closets by Design Central Alabama, where they specialize in custom closets, garages, and home offices in Central Alabama and its surrounding areas. Closets

by Design designs, builds, and installs an attractive storage space for any area of your home that needs organizing, from the closet, to the pantry, the garage and everywhere in between.

3806 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35222 205-777-4000 www.closetsbydesign.com

Country Financial

Since 1925, COUNTRY Financial has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security through the use of insurance and financial products. So whether you’re looking to protect your home, car and possessions, or you want to protect your family with life insurance, don’t get overwhelmed, get started. Contact your local COUNTRY Financial Representative in your area to find out more today.

5530 US-280, Ste 101, Birmingham, AL 35242 205-408-56837 www.countryfinancial.com

Diamonds Direct

Founded in 1995 by former diamond wholesalers, Diamonds Direct is part of a generations old tradition of eliminating the middlemen and sourcing direct from the world’s best mines and best diamond cutters. By maintaining involvement in the entire life cycle of a diamond, Diamonds Direct ensures the best quality diamonds are handpicked for their retail locations across the United States.

2800 Cahaba Village Plz, Birmingham, AL 35243 205-201-7400 www.diamondsdirect.com/Birmingham

Dr. Michael S. Beckenstein

“Plastic surgery is more than simply making superficial external changes. It goes deeper than that. It’s about B-METRO.COM 93

changing the way people perceive themselves,” says Dr. Beckenstein, respected worldwide for his skills and creative solutions to challenging cases. Dr. Beckenstein uses his experience and advanced training to help patients fully understand the procedures they are considering.

800 Saint Vincents Drive #610, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 (205) 933-930 www.msbmd.com

Fair Haven

Enjoy Alabama’s most innovative senior lifestyle, from independent and assisted living, to nursing care and rehabilitation. Generations of families have entrusted their loved ones to our excellent care, faith-based loving kindness and life-enriching programs. You’ll feel like family from the first hello.

1424 Montclair Road, Birmingham, AL 35210 205-956-4150 fairhavenbirmingham.org

Forecast Salon

Forecast is the brainchild of two of Birmingham’s most successful hair stylists, Mark Hyde and Brittany McNaughton.

The two became close friends and in 2015 they carefully began to piece together a vision that was unlike anything else in the Magic City.

1707 28TH Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35209 205-5060500 forecastsalon.com

Grandview Medical Center

Grandview Medical Center is a 372-bed tertiary care hospital for patients in Birmingham and surrounding communities. Located on Highway 280, Grandview offers diverse specialties from heart care to labor and delivery to robotic-assisted surgery. Specialty units include a Level III trauma center, Chest Pain Center, stroke center, cardiac cath lab and neonatal, surgical and medical intensive care.

3690 Grandview Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35243 205-971-1000 www.grandviewhealth.com

Hanna Antiques

Hanna Antiques, Birmingham’s oldest and largest antiques mall, is open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm. Come browse two floors and 27,000 square feet of American and European furniture, rugs, vintage linens, fabulous accessories, and 39 showcases of jewelry, silver and collectibles.

2424 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 205-323-6036 www.hannaantiques.com

High Point Climbing

High Point Climbing And Fitness: Birmingham is located on Highway 280. High Point Birmingham brings world class climbing to Alabama with 25,000 square feet of indoor climbing surface featuring walls up to 52+ feet tall. We also offer a Kid Zone, Bouldering Room, Weight and Aerobic Rooms, and yoga classes!

4766 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35242 205- 981-9190 www.highpointclimbing.com/birmingham/ 94 CITY GUIDE 2018

Hyatt Regency

Connected to the Riverchase Galleria Mall, the Hyatt Regency Birmingham is a chic, upscale hotel in the heart of Hoover. This former Wynfrey Hotel blends traditional Southern hospitality with all the modern conveniences of home. Guests will enjoy our state-of-the-art StayFitTM Gym, sauna, and seasonal rooftop outdoor pool.

1000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, AL 35244 205-705-1234 www.hyatt.com

Issis & Sons

Over the last 30 years Issis & Sons has grown from a 1,000 square-foot space to four stores equal to about 200,000 square feet. Issis & Sons offers everything from carpet and flooring to furniture and accessories. And with a global network of design professionals staying abreast of the latest trends in home design and furnishings from around the world, they are able to provide their customers with options beyond the ordinary.

FLOORING LOCATIONS: 2858 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124, 205-663-2310 2815 Greystone Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35242, 205-9812311 FURNITURE LOCATIONS: 1493 Montgomery Hwy S, Vestavia, AL 35216, 205-874-9586 250 Cahaba Valley Rd.,Pelham, AL 35214.

205-620-6926 IssisAndSons.com

LAH Real Estate

At LAH, our focus is more on the quality approach instead of the quantity approach to marketing and selling. Our growth goal is to remain medium sized, because we are not convinced that big is always better. A real estate decision can be one of your most important decisions. Only with all the facts can you make a wise decision. We will not tell you what we think you want to hear, but instead will tell you what you must hear. We want you to trust us. Mountain Brook, Homewood, Hoover and 30A 800-545-6178 www.lahrealestate.com

Levy’s Fine Jewelry

Levy’s is in its third and fourth generation of family management and continues to see improvements and growth, all the while staying true to its family roots. In the last four years, Levy’s has made a name for itself in the international antique and estate jewelry industry as well as the fine diamond market.

2116 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 205-251-3381 levysfinejewelry.com

Manda Luccasen ReMax/Southern Homes

Manda is an award winning sales professional with real estate sales and property management backgrounds with knowledge of budgeting, business development, relationship building and contract negotiation skills. Manda is a top producing agent with a proven track record of achieving sales goals and exceeding production expectations based on drive, strategic initiatives, marketing campaigns and

targeted client approaches.

903 Montgomery Hwy., Birmingham, AL 35216 205-283-0380 www.mandaluccasen.com

Metro Diner

Metro Diner may not be the type of place where you’d expect contemporary culinary techniques, a commitment to creating dishes from scratch, an award-winning presentation, unique recipes and imaginative twists on old classics, but it is. It’s that type of place because they cook with heart.

They cook for the love of food.

180 Inverness Plaza, Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 7192563 Trussville location: 2050 Gadsden Highway Birmingham, AL 35235 (205) 598-1848 www.metrodiner.com

McWane Center

McWane Science Center’s mission is to “spark wonder and curiosity about our world though hands-on science.”

To accomplish this, McWane combines its unique assets to create unique, hands-on, science-learning experiences parents and teachers value and kids love.

200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 205-714-8300 www.mcwane.org

Mile End Deli

The restaurant is a combination of a Jewish delicatessen and a Canadian-style restaurant, modeled after delis found in Montreal’s famous Mile End neighborhood. This specific style of deli inspired them to offer signature smoked meats and sandwiches, homemade hotdogs with tangy kraut, poutine, fresh whitefish salad and more. LIV Parkside, 1701 1st Avenue South Suite 135, Suite 135, Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 558-8011 www.mileenddeli.com

Mobley & Sons

Mobley & Sons is the premier menswear store located in Crestline Village, and was recently voted as the Best Men’s Store in Mountain Brook. A family-owned business with an unmatched selection of men’s clothing combined with superior customer service, has allowed Mobley & Sons to serve as Birmingham’s fine men’s clothier for over 35 years. They recently added a second store at The Summit.

Crestline Village, 112 Euclid Avenue Birmingham, AL 35213 (205) 870-7929 The Summit, 123 Summit Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35243 (205) 870-0671 mobleyandsonsclothing.com

Ocean

Voted Best Restaurant, Best Chef, and the recipient of AAA Four Diamond Award for the past ten years, Ocean offers fresh seafood in an exciting and contemporary atmosphere. 5 Point Public House Oyster Bar is next door, offering a combination of two styles—a public house and oyster bar—creating a relaxed gathering spot that’s perfect for locals.

1218 20th St. S. Birmingham, AL 35205 205-933-099 www.oceanbirmingham.com 5 Point Public House, 205-918-0726 www.5pointpublichouse.com

On-Time Service

Looking for an electrician, plumber or heating and cooling service? OnTime Service is the only number you need to know. Their technicians arrive ON TIME or pay you $59.

If an OnTime Service employee ever smokes, swears or leaves a mess in your home, our service will be free. Call the company that respects your time and your home.

2668 Old Rocky Ridge Rd, Hoover, AL 35216 205-942-1405 ontime59.com

Parkinson’s Association of Alabama

Founded in 1978, the Parkinson Association of Alabama (PAA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to a singular mission: To improve the quality of life for patients, caregivers, and families affected by Parkinson’s Disease in the State of Alabama.

Post Office Box 590146, Birmingham, AL 35259 833-473-54655 www.parkinsonalabama.com

Positive Maturity

Positive Maturity, Inc. in Birmingham offers a variety of services for seniors 50 and older through volunteerism and education programs. As one of the first senior organizations in Jefferson County, Positive Maturity was created to assess and meet the needs of the aging population.

3918 Montclair Rd #200, Birmingham, AL 35213 205-803-3211 www.positivematurity.org

R&R Construction

R&R Construction is a locally owned Birmingham, AL full service remodeling & custom home building company that will bring your vision to life! With over 20 years of custom home building and extensive renovation experience, R&R Construction is your top choice for any renovation needs!

2809 Crescent Ave Suite 7, Homewood 35209 205-283-8400 www.russell3006.houzz.com

Restore Vein and Wellness

Restore Vein and Wellness, conveniently located in Hoover, Alabama treats multiple leg issues including varicose veins, venous insufficiency, venous ulcers, and lymphedema. It all starts with an initial consultation and ultrasound screening of the legs to determine if there are vein issues present.

2010 Patton Chapel Rd, Ste 102 Hoover, AL 35216 205208-0324 restorevein.com

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ

While growing up in Hemingway, South Carolina Rodney’s family ran a grocery store that sold more than just local produce. Every Thursday the Scott’s smoked whole hogs.

From those humble beginnings, Rodney Scott won the James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Southeast award last year.

3719 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 506-2711 rodneyscottsbbq.com

Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Daniel E. Rousso would like to welcome you to his

private practice in facial plastic surgery and hair replacement surgery. With over 25 years of experience serving the Birmingham area, Dr. Rousso continues the tradition of enhancing and enriching people’s lives with state-of-the-art techniques in facial plastic surgery and hair replacement and restoration.

2700 Highway 280 Suite 300 w, Birmingham, AL 35223 205-930-9595 www.drrousso.com

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

From its humble beginnings with a single restaurant in New Orleans in 1965 to its current position as the global steakhouse leader, Ruth’s Chris welcomes steak enthusiasts at more than 150 restaurants worldwide. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is proud to give back to local communities by donating money, time and service. Over the past ten years, they’ve donated nearly $150,000 from their franchise group to organizations in the local community.

Embassy Suites, 1304, 2300 Woodcrest Pl, Birmingham, AL 35209 205-879-9995 ruthschris.net/our-restaurants/birmingham-al/

Samford University

Samford University’s Academy of the Arts offers classes for all ages in art, cooking, languages, music (private and group instruction), photography, antiques and more. Fall registration and class information at Samford.edu/go/ aota.

800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229 205-726-2739 Samford.edu/go/aota

Shay’s Jewelers

For years now, Shay’s Jewelers has been one of the most trusted names in jewelry in Hoover. They are a well-established jewelry store that has grown with the community from a small store to a multiple brand jewelry retailer.

3301 Lorna Road, Hoover, AL 35216 (205) 978-5880 www.shaysjewelers.com

Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen

Nestled in an attractively landscaped and wooded pocket of Birmingham, Somerby St. Vincent’s One Nineteen offers a comfortable, convenient and rewarding senior living lifestyle. The community enjoys an exclusive partnership with the St. Vincent’s Health System and shares a campus with its One Nineteen Health and Wellness center, where all of the residents receive a complimentary membership.

200 One Nineteen Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 745-4600 www.somerbyseniorliving.com

The Collective

The Collective is really about more than hair and make-up.

They are passionate about creating an atmosphere where every person feels at home. Ultimately, The Collective is about their people and the relationships they build with them.

Pepper Place, 2801 2nd Avenue S. Suite B, Birmingham, 205-264-9991 www.thecollectivebham.com

The Summit

Like Birmingham itself, The Summit is a creative hub of style and taste in the South.

For food, fashion, special events, films, and anytime-style inspiration in Alabama, welcome to the The Summit. For handheld directory maps, special store savings, general information and to learn about The Summit gift cards, please contact or visit The Summit Guest Services Office.

214 Summit Boulevard, Suite 150, Birmingham, AL 35243 205-967-0111 www.thesummitbirmingham.com

The Woolworth

Nestled in the historic Five Points South entertainment district, The Woolworth is a unique way to spend the night out.

Challenge your friends to foosball, tabletop shuffleboard, ping pong, bumper pool, darts, and duckpin bowling.

Try the Mediterranean inspired, Southern-rooted menu, perfect for for sharing with friends.

1006 20th St S. Birmingham, Alabama 35205 205-518-6311 woolworthbham.com

Wedgworth

For three decades, Mike Wedgworth has created some of the finest custom homes and residential communities in Birmingham, Alabama. Their specialty is creating one of a kind homes that fulfill the dreams of their home buyers.

4154 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia, AL 35243 205-967-1831 www.Wedgworth.net

White Arnold Dowd

From litigation to mediation and private disputes to internal investigations, the attorneys at AV-rated* White Arnold & Dowd P.C. excel at finding creative strategies to minimize disruptions and help our clients keep moving forward in business and in life.

2025 Third Avenue N., Suite 500, Birmingham, 35203 205-323-1888 www.whitearnolddowd.com

Woodhouse Day Spa

The Woodhouse Day Spa is a tranquil, transformational environment that’s both memorable and healthful. From beginning to end, the dedicated spa team ensures that your visit enhances your well-being.

125 Summit Blvd. Birmingham, Alabama 35243 (205) 905-7676 www.woodhousespas.com

Workplay

Workplay is a truly innovative entertainment complex. Its roots in live music and studio production give it mystique – a vibe so special the events hosted here become the talk of the town. Workplay hosts concerts, private parties, weddings, celebrations, corporate events, luncheons and more.

B-METRO.COM 95

METRO

CURIOUS WITH JOEY KENNEDY

The friendly city in which we live

By Joey Kennedy

Y

es, Birmingham has its problems.

The homicide and crime rates are too high. Some neighborhoods scream for resources. Many of our streets across the city are a wreck. Marginalized populations are forced to live in areas that are environmentally damaged. Our school system is struggling.

Birmingham is a big city with big-city problems.

That’s not what this column is about.

Instead, as we look at Birmingham’s challenges, we also must look at Birmingham’s successes.

Birmingham is an oasis for clear-thinking, civic-minded people. We don’t always agree on how we should go about improving our city, but we do agree that our city deserves to be improved. And we figure it out.

Birmingham has a dynamic young mayor who has provided a transparency for city government that Birmingham hasn’t seen for decades. The nine-member city council, each a little mayor in their districts, often puts differences aside to decide what’s best for the city as a whole.

Any mayor of any city will have detractors.

Mayor Randall Woodfin is no different.

But the initiatives the mayor has started in his short term in office deserve recognition and applause. He is changing Birmingham, and he’s changing Birmingham for the better.

Let’s be patient. And vigilant. And curious.

And let’s agree that despite its problems, there are many areas where Birmingham excels.

One of those areas is in how the LGBTQ+ community is treated. Last month was Pride Month, and no city had more Pride than Birmingham. Birmingham is that oasis in Alabama, and that’s especially true for our gay, lesbian, and transgender populations.

It was about one year ago this month that Woodfin appointed the city’s first LGBTQ+ liaison. Josh Coleman, 30 years old, is in that role, and it’s not a role he particularly sought.

A native of Cullman County, Coleman came out at 16 years old when he was student at West Point High School. That’s right, Coleman a sharp and determined high school student, came out at West Point High School in Cullman County, which is 99 percent white and very traditional. There weren’t many students at West Point who veered from the majority.

“So right after I came out, there were a couple instances of people bullying,” Coleman remembers. “But for the most part, it was OK.” Coleman’s mother accepted him as he is; his father, not so much. But Coleman’s story isn’t much different than those of the millions of men and women, boys and girls, who come out every year.

“I struggled with the decision to come out,” Coleman said. “I fought it forever.” He was taught how “awful” it was to be gay. But that is who he is. It wasn’t a choice. As they might say in Cullman County, it was God’s plan.

“I tried to force myself not to be (gay),” Coleman said. “One day, I just said this is it.”

As Coleman grew older, he knew that he needed to be in Birmingham if he was going to be happy in Alabama. He and a group of friends from Cullman County would drive to Birmingham four or five times a week just to be with people they could identify with.

Coleman was graduated from high school, attended Wallace State, and became a successful middle-manager for fast-food chains.

But in 2008, Coleman attended his first Pride Festival in Birmingham. As for his political involvement, that’s “kind of what got the ball rolling.”

Coleman has a problem many of us find ourselves with: We just can’t say no.

For Coleman, that meant getting involved in LGBTQ+ initiatives as a volunteer, or in just about anything somebody asked him to do. He’s a superb organizer, and though

Joey Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize winner, writes B-Curious for B-Metro every month. Email: joeykennedy@me.com.

96 CITY GUIDE 2018

he worked in Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2008 (against Barack Obama) and Obama’s campaign in 2012, he never really considered himself political.

Yet, today Coleman is Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ liaison and is president of the Alabama Young Democrats. It doesn’t get much more political than that.

Coleman began working with Woodfin when Woodfin was Hillary Clinton’s state director for the 2016 campaign. Coleman was also the lead volunteer organizer for the Alabama branch of the Human Rights Campaign.

It was only natural Coleman would be a key part of Woodfin’s campaign for mayor.

To some, Woodfin’s victory was a surprise, but to those who knew the mayor, how he campaigned, and who he surrounded himself with, his victory was almost a given.

Because of Woodfin and Coleman, Birmingham is out front of many cities in the country of a wide variety of issues, including a strong nondiscrimination ordinance that includes the LGBTQ+ community.

Birmingham received a perfect score of 100 from Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. Woodfin himself is part of the national Mayors Against LGBTQ Discrimination group. Birmingham’s 15-member Human Rights Commission includes representatives of the city fire and police departments and others in city government. Woodfin has created a diverse LGBTQ+ advisory board that has 28 members from all walks of life, including the straight community.

In one year, Birmingham has advanced by huge leaps, not little steps, in how its LGBTQ+ community is acknowledged and accepted.

Yeah, we’ve got our problems. We also have some big successes. Let’s be aware of those, too.

Coleman loves his job, he said, because “No day is ever the same. There are always different issues.” But most important, he simply wants to be a helping hand at City Hall.

Coleman is that for sure.

•

Photo by Beau Gustafson

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