Thankful Issue
In this season of giving thanks, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. The true spirit of Thanksgiving encourages the conscious expression of gratitude. Its focus is spending time with those that you love and encourages giving back in a meaningful way. While ambition, competition and slaying goals can be very healthy, forgetting to place importance on being present, enjoying the ride and appreciating those around us that have helped us along in our journey, can leave us missing out on what truly matters. We’ll never be content if we look outside ourselves and at our possessions or titles to determine if we are fulfilled. True contentment comes from within and from fulfilling who we were made to be.
Our November issue is dedicated to stories of gathering, gratefulness and giving back to our community. We are so thankful for the residents and businesses in our community who support so many wonderful organizations and help make our city the vibrant community that it is. We are especially thankful for our advertising partners who help bring this magazine to your doorsteps each month. They are part of our vision and purpose of bringing inspiring stories and the good news of the community directly to you. This holiday season as we prepare to gather with our loved ones, and in the true spirit of thanksgiving, let’s set time aside to consider what truly makes life meaningful and stop to reflect on those blessings.
Blessings to you and your family,
KALI MCNUTT, PUBLISHER @BIRMINGHAM.LIFESTYLE
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Blair Moore | blair.moore@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mary Fehr
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Denise K. James, Blair Moore
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
Learn how
/franchise.
Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 624 transactions totaling over $280 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. “I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding “city suburbs” from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge”. Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, “Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing my contributions positively impact my clients, my company and my city and that I have produced the highest quality of work ”
1-3: Hand in Paw’s 23rd annual Picasso Pets gala, held on August 17 at The Harbert Center, captured the spirit of the Wild Woof West theme. Guests enjoyed a lively evening filled with
business monthly
Dr. Joseph Wu Launches Concierge Medical Clinic
After 20 years in primary care, Dr. Joseph Wu has launched his own private medical clinic, Brightmark Health, where he provides convenient concierge medical services. With a patient-centered focus, he offers routine check-ups, preventive care, chronic disease management, and urgent care, free from insurance hassles and long wait times. Several membership options are available, including home visits for premium members. Dr. Wu is currently accepting new patients.
Crittenden Partners Launches Mediation Practice
Crittenden Partners is proud to announce its mediation division. Partners Laura Montgomery Lee and Nicole Saia are experienced neutrals who focus on bringing together disputants to forge thoughtful resolutions to conflicts.
Restore Hyper Wellness Celebrates Three Years in Business
Restore Hyper Wellness in Cahaba Village is celebrating the studio’s three year anniversary this November. Restore has something for everyone, from cryotherapy, Infrared Sauna and Red Light Therapy to IV Hydration, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Esthetician services. Restore aims to provide clients with accessible and affordable alternatives to traditional medical treatments.
Be a Santa to a Senior
Nearly a third of those 65+ report being lonely during the holidays. Home Instead of Birmingham partners with local nonprofit organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts during the holiday season. This is a great opportunity for youth groups, churches, individuals and families to provide joy this Christmas season. You may drop off needed items at Home Instead’s office in Vestavia, make a monetary donation or simply purchase requested items on Amazon. For more information, email Andrea Martin at andrea.martin@homeinstead.com.
Gifts for All
The Arc of Central Alabama serves as a home for over 265 individuals with disabilities, ages 12 to 85. Seventy-five percent of these residents do not have active family members or caregivers. This holiday season, consider supporting an Arc resident by including them on your Christmas shopping list. Contact Danielle Jansen danielle. jansen@arcofcentralalabama.org to receive Christmas wish lists and further details.
HUM Concierge Offering Holiday Services
HUM Concierge eases the friction between work life and home life for busy professionals and families through fractional house manager, personal assistant, and private secretary services. “HUM for the Holidays” is a suite of holiday specific services designed to replace stress and overwhelm with peace and enjoyment and include decor assistance, gift shopping and wrapping and corporate event management.
Joseph Wu, M.D. Founder & Lead Physician
Dr.
STUDENTS OF RMT GIVE BACK TO ARTS IN B’HAM AND BEYOND
All the World’s a Stage
ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE
“You may think of it just as ‘going to a show,’ but your support is sending ripples back out into the city.”
— Jennifer Jaquess
Stephani Zeigler remembers the day she realized her artistic horizons were expanding. Along with the rest of her class in the activity room of her elementary school, she met Bradford Forehand, Abroms Director of Youth Performance for Birmingham’s Red Mountain Theatre. Bradford had come all the way to Midfield, Alabama on a special mission: to meet some talented kids. The event was orchestrated by Debra Rust, a dedicated teacher who believes in exposing students to the arts.
But even before that day, Stephani had heard intriguing things about Red Mountain Theatre from her best friend Sumaiyah, who’d recently joined their youth education program. Word got around, and Ms. Rust suggested the rest of the students audition for the program as well. To Stephani, it sounded exciting and different – Midfield Elementary had sports but not theater.
“It felt like I was about to finally get an opportunity to do something bigger,” Stephani says. “I loved our little school, but I did feel stuck.”
Soon after audition day, Stephani’s father received a letter from Red Mountain Theatre, inviting her to be part of the Performing Ensembles. For the next six years until she finished high school, Stephani worked on singing, dancing and acting, even taking a leadership role during her senior year as vice president of her age group. “I always felt like I was excelling,” she says. “Red Mountain Theatre equipped me with skills to serve different positions in my future.”
Currently, Stephani is exploring those skills as a student at the University of Alabama, realizing her background with RMT gave her a broad picture of what’s ahead. “Now that I’m in college, I’ve discovered I like being able to manage the stage, edit, and work
behind the scenes,” she says. “Right now, I’m the hair and makeup artist for a friend’s show. It’s a spinoff of Little Women.”
For TV, film and stage actor Morgan Smith, Red Mountain Theatre paved the way for her to dig deeper into her artistic interests. “I grew up going to church, and I loved the church musicals,” she says. Though she was already a dancer, performing with the Alabama Ballet, Morgan’s native town of Cullman presented limited theater opportunities. So, after attending summer camp at Red Mountain Theatre and “falling in love,” she joined the Performing Ensembles in 8th grade and continued throughout high school. Upon graduating from Birmingham-Southern College, Morgan moved to New York City to chase her dreams and launch a now-thriving acting career.
“I attribute a lot of this to Red Mountain Theatre,” she says. “It’s shaped how I show up to auditions. I learned about the discipline – how to be prepared, be 15 minutes early, and have my selections picked out!”
She adds that even though many of the Performing Ensemble members are quite young, the instructors, choreographers, and mentors who guide the programming leave strong impressions.
“This was my ultimate groundwork that I have carried with me – and it holds up just as well for me today as it did years ago,” she says.
Naturally, gifted performers such as Morgan and Stephani are invited to come back and be part of RMT’s Mainstage shows, such as last season’s hit run of Disney & Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. According to Executive Director Jennifer Jaquess, Red Mountain Theatre’s goal is not only to educate young artists, but to create a home for theater excellence here in Birmingham.
“We can’t overlook the amount of creativity, inspiration and talent in this area,” she says. “Birmingham is becoming known as a center for theater in the country, and that means a richer cultural community for everyone. You may think of it just as “going to a show,” but your support is sending ripples back out into the city.”
Forehand agrees. “The kids coming through our programs at RMT right now inspire me. Because of the generosity of our donors, we are able to bring together
young people from all over the metro area. They constantly wow me with how much heart, energy, and passion they have for theater – and for life."
Red Mountain Theatre has been inspiring audiences, changing lives, and creating conversations through theater experiences since 1979. To find out more about shows in their upcoming “Season of Discovery,” or help make theater dreams come true for area youth, please visit redmountaintheatre.org
We can’t overlook the amount of creativity, inspiration and talent in this area.
Home(Not)for the Holidays
MEET SOME OF THE REMARKABLE BIRMINGHAM CITIZENS WHO SERVE OUR CITY—EVEN ON HOLIDAYS
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
Kelly Battles Police Officer, City of Homewood
Throughout her 20 years as a police officer, Kelly Battles has worked on plenty of major holidays. “It doesn’t really bother me that I’m not with family on holidays, because that’s part of the job,” she says. Her family makes time to celebrate when she’s off duty.
The police department gets calls on holidays, just like any other day. “People don’t call us to say, ‘hey.’ They call us when something’s going on, and that’s just the job,” she explains.
One Christmas morning, while responding to a call in Homewood, Kelly had a
heartwarming experience she will never forget. “The neighbors’ kids were so excited to see the police, you’d have thought it was Christmas morning all over again. They were amazed!” she remembers. “The kids ran over and hugged us and tried to give us the new toy tractors they had just gotten. It was so sweet!”
Kelly admits that her job isn’t always easy and requires facing danger, but serving her community is her calling. “I know this is where I’m supposed to be.”
CONTINUED >
Dr. Rebecca Moul
Orthopedic Surgeon, Summit Orthopedics Sports & Spine Medicine
Dr. Rebecca Moul, a sports-medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, says her specialty was an easy choice as an avid sports fan. Her two favorite holidays are Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her family loves to spend Thanksgiving at the beach whenever they can. For Christmas, Dr. Moul enjoys being at home, where the sights and sounds remind her of the magical Christmases she experienced at her childhood home.
Sometimes, however, her work requires her to be on call on holidays, even operating when necessary. “When I have to work on major holidays, I remind myself of how blessed I am to be able to help those in need,” she says. “No one wants to be a patient on a holiday, as they are missing time with their loved ones. I am thankful that at the end of the day, I am healthy and get to go home to my family.”
Dr. Moul finds her work rewarding year-round. She says the most meaningful part is the connections she makes with patients from all walks of life. “I love the interactions I get to have with people,” she says. Many patients send her positive updates years after receiving care. “It feels good to give a person the gift of improved health.”
Perryn Carroll
Executive Director, Jimmie Hale Mission
After 32 years of practicing law, Perryn Carroll felt called to leave her career and begin a new role at Jimmie Hale Mission. “It’s been one of the best decisions of my life,” she says. The mission is staffed and functioning 365 days a year, and holidays are the busiest of all. In addition to serving around 175 homeless men and women, they deliver to over 300 Meal on Wheels participants on Thanksgiving Day. When their four boys were young, the Carrolls began volunteering to deliver meals on holidays. “It is as much a part of our holiday tradition as our family meal,” Perryn explains. When her oldest son came home for Thanksgiving break during his first year at college, the first thing he said was, “We are going to deliver meals this year, aren’t we?”
James Poe
Director of Shepura Men’s Center, Jimmie Hale Mission
There’s nowhere James Poe would rather be on Thanksgiving Day than The Jimmie Hale Mission, the place he received hope and began his own recovery 13 years ago. His path to leading others toward addiction recovery—now as Director of the Shepura Men’s Center—has been profoundly rewarding. Since 2012, James’ entire family has joined him at the mission on Thanksgiving Day, volunteering to prepare, serve, and deliver hundreds of meals. “Every year, I see the wonder in our guys’ eyes that so many people would give up part of their Thanksgiving holiday to come and volunteer at The Jimmie Hale Mission,” Poe says. “I can’t tell you how many faces and entire families I continue to see year after year.”
Condoleezza Bell
Retention Coordinator/Trainer, Home Instead
Those who provide non-medical in-home care like Condoleezza Bell play an invaluable role during the holidays, sacrificing time with their own families to make sure others receive heartfelt support and companionship. “What’s most rewarding to me about my job is seeing someone’s face light up when I walk in the door,” Condoleezza shares, reflecting on the special bond she forms with her clients.
One Christmas, Condoleezza made it her mission to cheer up a client who had no family at all nearby. So, she cooked him a delicious meal, brought him candy and gifts, and spent the day watching Christmas movies with him. “We laughed, we ate, we sang, we prayed together—and he had a wonderful day,” Condoleezza recalls. “It was the best Christmas I’d had in a long time.”
Condoleezza wishes one thing people understood is that caregivers are not simply sitters. “In-home care is more than a job. It’s a ministry,” she explains. “When we go into someone’s home, we put our heart and soul into it. We’re on a mission to make people happy.” She adds that one of the most important ways to care for someone is simply to be a good listener.
This season, Condoleezza hopes that more people will go out of their way to serve others—especially senior citizens. She encourages people to think of someone they can reach out to, perhaps an elderly neighbor, to make an effort to make sure that no one spends the holidays alone. “Let’s make the holidays about other people, not just ourselves.”
Nick Stallings Lieutenant, Homewood Fire Department
“Public safety never sleeps,” says Lieutenant Nick Stallings of the Homewood Fire Department, explaining why he and his team work willingly at all times. “People need help when they need help, whether it’s a holiday or night or weekend, and it’s our job to be available.”
The crew has each other’s backs at all times, including when it comes to holiday shifts. “We do a good job of looking out for each other,” he says. “Sometimes guys will swap shifts and work for people who have young kids, so they can go home with their family during Santa Claus time and that sort of thing.”
Despite the demands of the job, Nick and his fellow firefighters maintain their strong sense of camaraderie on holidays, cooking and enjoying meals at the station. “We extend
that family atmosphere,” Nick says, reflecting on countless times off-duty colleagues and family members have come by to join them for a meal on holidays.
The most rewarding part of Nick’s job is being there for people on what might be the worst day of their lives. Whether it’s a medical emergency, a house fire, or a cat stuck behind a wall, Nick and his team approach each situation with the same level of care and dedication. “We take calls very seriously. We give every call we run the utmost respect and attention,” he says.
For Nick and his crew, being a first responder is more than a job. It’s a calling. And they are honored to serve the people in their community—on holidays and throughout the year.
Sam Irvin
Second Lieutenant, Army National Guard; Officer, Mountain Brook Police Department
Sam Irvin serves in the Army National Guard and works in the police department, neither of which lend themselves to being home for the holidays. Sam has only been home for Christmas once since 2020, and he hasn’t been home on Thanksgiving in four years.
“I feel a duty to do it,” he says, explaining that he understood the sacrifices when he voluntarily joined the National Guard and the police department.
Now that he has kids, it is harder to miss holidays, but he is committed to his roles. “Yes, I will miss a lot of stuff, but it’s good for my family in the long run,” he explains. “Things happen on Christmas. Things happen on Thanksgiving. Someone has to do it, and I don’t mind serving in some capacity. My family understands. My boys will understand. I think it’s a good thing to do.”
A memorable Thanksgiving for Sam was the one he was away at basic training. “We’d gotten into some sort of trouble—I can’t remember what it was for,” he admits. But he does vividly remember being “smoked,” which involved
a lot of push-ups and running, then returning to the dining facility for a mediocre meal. “It was a very difficult—very, very sweaty–Thanksgiving.”
This holiday season, Sam (half-jokingly) says he hopes people will bring plenty of treats by the police station because they all love to eat good food. “But to be serious,” he also adds, “if you have a family member in the military who is away from home, know that they are missing their family just as much as you’re missing them.”
Battalion Chief Kevin Underwood has proudly been serving the Vestavia Hills Fire Department since 1998 and says he has the best job ever. “What boy doesn’t want to grow up and get to play with big trucks and do what we do for a living?” he asks with a laugh. “On the flip side, our job is very serious. When somebody’s in need, they’re expecting us to step in and make their situation better. Being able to do that gives gratification unlike anything else you could do.”
On holidays, the Vestavia Hills community goes out of their way to show gratitude. “Our doorbell is constantly ringing, and it’s somebody bringing us a pie or candies,” Kevin says. “It makes it easier every time we roll out that door, knowing they appreciate us and that we are missing our families to take care of theirs.”
Kevin Underwood
Battalion Chief, Vestavia Hills Fire Department
Parker Underwood
Firefighter, Hoover Fire Department
Firefighting has become a family affair for the Underwoods. Kevin’s oldest son, Parker, soon to be 21, serves at the Hoover Fire Department. Growing up, Parker loved spending time at the station with his dad and even got to work a shift with him at age 16. Parker has always admired his dad’s strong work ethic, noting times he worked back-to-back firefighting and paramedic shifts then came home and took care of their family. “I strive to have that same work ethic,” Parker says. Parker brings an outgoing personality to the job, seeking to brighten peoples’ days as he provides help when they need it most. “Whether it’s seven-thirty in the morning or four in the morning, being able to make people smile is the most rewarding thing—and seeing people get better,” he says. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
CONTINUED >
Valerie George
Firefighter, Vestavia Hills Fire Department
During the upheaval of COVID-19, Valerie George found her true calling in an unexpected place: becoming a firefighter. Her detailed nature and passion for serving the community made the new path a natural fit. After volunteering at Rocky Ridge Fire Department while she went through EMT training, she started at Vestavia Hills in May of 2021.
One of three women in the department, Valerie found the idea of entering a male-dominated field intimidating at first. She soon found support and camaraderie. “They honestly welcomed me like I was a sister, and now I have a bunch of brothers who will look out for me,” she says.
Valerie enjoys getting to meet kids in the community when they come by the station. Girls who aspire to the field are
especially happy to meet a female firefighter. Her advice to kids who want to grow up to be firefighters is, “Go after your dreams, and don’t let anything get in the way of them.”
The atmosphere at the fire station on holidays is upbeat, and Valerie is happy to serve on those days. “You really do feel like you’re with family,” she says. They cook and eat meals together, aware of the reality that they may need to spring into action at any moment. “You’ll be getting ready to put your fork into your mouth and take a bite, and next thing you know, it’s time to go on a call,” she explains.
Valerie says those in her work family are some of the kindest, most caring people she has ever known. “Anytime you need anything, you can call somebody you work with, and they’ll be right there for you.”
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A WARM WELCOME
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR
Creative director and prop stylist Sidney Bragiel has spent over 13 years shaping visual narratives in the lifestyle sector. Her impressive career in magazine publishing at Hoffman Media has allowed her to collaborate with a range of brands, creating and defining captivating storylines across florals, food, travel, and design.
Sidney’s love for entertaining began early in life. “I grew up in a family where my parents were always entertaining,” Sidney recalls. “From a young age, it was instilled in me as I watched my parents inviting people over for dinner, setting a beautiful table, and collecting unique china and glassware.” Her natural creative eye developed further while working for Martha Rutledge Catering on weekends throughout middle school and high school, where she observed the next-level presentation of the food. This early exposure laid the foundation for what would eventually become Sidney’s career in visual storytelling.
Known for her meticulous eye, Sidney transforms ideas into captivating scenes, which she now does independently at Sidney Bragiel Creative. We invited Sidney to share her vision for an inviting fall tablescape—and the result is nothing short of enchanting. With a palette that harmonizes soft neutrals and rich autumnal tones, Sidney curated a table that feels both sophisticated and warm.
WHAT INSPIRED THIS PARTICULAR DESIGN?
“For this modern Thanksgiving tablescape, I was drawn to the gorgeous wallpaper (Gallier Diamond by Brunschwig & Fils) in my friend's formal dining room. The neutral pattern of the wallpaper set my color palette. The black, white, and taupe are echoed in the dinner plate, placemat, and tablecloth. I wanted to bring in a touch of fall color to the palette, so I chose deep green chargers and linens.”
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR SOURCING UNIQUE OR STATEMENT PIECES LOCALLY?
“There are so many wonderful local shops in Birmingham that carry tabletop and home decor items. We are lucky to live in such a vibrant and creative community. I always like to shop my china cabinet first, and then see what unique elements I can find locally to enhance my personal collection. For this tablescape, I incorporated pieces from Alkmy, Bromberg's, and Details.”
HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE A COHESIVE LOOK WITHOUT MAKING IT FEEL CLUTTERED?
“I think it’s important to add layers to your tablescape so that your table feels full and inviting. Decorating the table is meant to be fun and personal! Play around with different patterns and textures, mix old with new, and incorporate cherished items passed down from family or acquired on your travels. As long as you keep balance and restraint in mind, you can steer clear of a cluttered look.”
WHAT ARE SOME SIMPLE WAYS TO ELEVATE A SEASONAL TABLE?
“I love to incorporate elements from nature. For this centerpiece, I foraged fall leaves, grasses, and limelight hydrangeas to add color and texture. Instead of pumpkins, I wanted to bring in an unexpected element like pears and plums. Fruit signifies bounty and abundance, which is what we celebrate at Thanksgiving.”
Achieve the Look
Transform your table with these locally sourced essentials.
Tableware
• Tablecloth, placemats, chargers, dinner plates, flatware, wine glasses, and stemless wine glasses: Alkmy
• Napkins and cordless lamps: Bromberg’s
• Green vase, beeswax fluted pillar candle, and candleholder: Details
Florals
• Limelight hydrangeas (foraged), dahlias (Stone Hollow), cream garden roses, thistle and ornamental grasses (Trader Joe’s), light orange Moab roses and scabiosa (Davis Wholesale Florist).
For more inspiration, connect with Sidney on Instagram @sidneybragielcreative.
a festive pairing
The age-old question, “What wine goes with turkey?” is answered.
ARTICLE BY MARY ABEL
It’s a question heard every year about this time: “What are the best wines to serve with Thanksgiving dinner?” “In my early days in the wine business, the answer was pretty cut and dried because it was all based on the assumption that you had a turkey that came out of the oven that was dry, and so you’re almost guaranteed to need something with a little bit of sweetness to it to help balance that out,” James Lewis says. James is a sommelier who has been in the wine business for more than 26 years. “I’d recommend a sweet or off-dry Riesling or Gewü rztraminer. Something that will help with that dry meat that you’re about to choke down.”
But now, with all the ways people are preparing the big bird, he says that conversation has become a lot more interesting and fun.
“People are frying turkeys, which come out really moist and delicious. They’re smoking turkeys and they’re doing them on the grill,” James says. “Now, when I’m asked that question, I always ask how the turkey is going to be cooked because any given preparation is going to call for something a little bit different.
“If you’re deep frying it, it’s going to come out very moist with a fair bit of fat, so you need something that’s going to cut through that. So you can go with a dry white, you can do a dry Riesling, or you could try a French Chardonnay, which typically doesn’t have that big, rich mouthfeel that California Chardonnay would have. It’s crisper and cleaner with high acidity.”
For those who prefer red wines, James says that a fried or smoked turkey can handle something a bit bolder and full-bodied. “Try something like a Pinot Noir. It’s not at all heavyhanded. When I’m talking about red wines, and
I talk about heavy-handed or big—Cabernet is big and full-bodied. I call it the linebacker of the wine world. Then you’ve got Pinot Noir, which is more about balance and elegance. So, if Cabernet is a linebacker, Pinot Noir would be the ballerina. They’re both athletes, but with different approaches to athletics, so they have different approaches to your palate. Cabernet is big, dry, and highly tannic, so you might serve a Cabernet or Malbec if you’re having a steak for Thanksgiving, but you wouldn’t want to do that with a turkey.
“With a turkey,” James continues, “you want something that’s going to have a little more acidity, less tannins, and medium body; not that big mouth-filling richness. You can do a Beaujolais or an old-world Italian Sangiovese, which tends to be a very food-friendly wine.”
Somewhere in between might be a soft, flirty rosé. And rosé wine seems to be having a moment. “Rosé was always thought of as a summer wine, but people are now drinking it year-round. It’s an excellent choice to go with turkey.”
What about bubbles? “I almost hesitate to answer that because it’s kind of the easy answer. You can drink Champagne or sparkling with anything because of that really bright acidity. Especially if you have a fried bird, a Prosecco or sparkling wine is going to cut right through that fattiness and balance it out really nicely.”
If you’re hosting a tableful of friends and family this year, James says it’s easy to bring together a collection of wines that will please the crowd. “If you do one bottle of sparkling, whether it’s white or rosé, a bottle of dry white, a bottle of rosé, and a bottle of medium-bodied red, you’ve got something to cover just about anybody’s preference.”
“If you do one bottle of sparkling, whether it’s white or rosé, a bottle of dry white, a bottle of rosé, and a bottle of medium-bodied red, you’ve got something to cover just about anybody’s preference.”
What if I’m serving ham this year?
“Lots of people have ham for Thanksgiving, right? It’s very traditional to pair ham and Pinot. But again, you can get creative. You can do a Grenache, you can do a Beaujolais…really, any of those medium-bodied reds will be delicious.”
What about dessert?
“If you’re having pumpkin pie for dessert, I would go with something like a tawny port. The spiciness of the pie combined with that kind of nuttiness and caramel notes of a tawny port? Lovely. And it would work with an apple pie as well.”
of wine?
How much should I spend on a bottle
“That’s kind of an impossible question to answer because wine is so incredibly subjective. That said, I’m a firm believer that there is an absolute ocean of delicious wine in that $15–$25 retail price point. If you go to your wine shop and tell them you’re looking for a nice off-dry Riesling for around $20, they should be able to find you something that’ll work really well. There’s no reason to break the bank.”
James Lewis is a sommelier who has been in the wine business for more than 26 years, and he and his wife, Nancie own Crush Wine Bar in Castle Rock Colorado.
ARTICLE BY BLAIR MOORE
DARCY AND JENNIFER GIVE BACK AT THE BIRMINGHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
“IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER SEEN HIM SMILE.”
From the time Darcy was a puppy, her owner, Jennifer Haga, noticed she had a warm personality that would cheer anyone up. “Darcy is such a love bug and goofball that she brings a smile to everybody's face,” Jennifer says. Soon, the two became a team, setting out to bring comfort and connection to those who need it most. They are one of nearly 100 Hand in Paw therapy teams in Birmingham.
Hand in Paw is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of the human-animal bond to enhance the lives of people facing physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges. They train pets and their handlers to become animal therapy teams, who then visit various facilities such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. These teams provide comfort, reduce stress, and promote healing for those in need.
Jennifer and Darcy started making regular visits to The Birmingham VA Medical Center a little over a year ago. “My son is an Army veteran, and so [the military is] near and dear to my heart,” Jennifer explains. “I hoped we would be able to give back to soldiers and the veterans that have served our country.”
Sara O’Neal has seen Hand in Paw therapy teams bring comfort to patients on some of their most difficult days.
One moment with a particular patient stays close to Sara’s heart. “We had a patient none of us could reach. He was a tough nut to crack—surly, grumpy and dismissive. One day, I hesitantly knocked on his door and asked, ‘Would you like a visit from our therapy dog?’ To Sara’s surprise, he sat up straight and said, “Well, yes, I would.”
What happened next was pure magic. “He was petting Darcy and loving on her, and he opened up for the first time. He spoke more during that visit than he ever had in his time with us—and it was the first time I had ever seen him smile.” A few minutes with Darcy broke down this patient’s walls and opened the door for lasting, meaningful connection.
The impact of their visits is felt deeply throughout the VA, particularly in Safe Harbor, a unit for those who are critically or terminally ill. Interim Nurse Manager
It’s these moments that make Hand in Paw’s visits impactful, not just for the patients but for everyone involved. “It gets stressful up here sometimes,” adds nurse Mackenzie Sloan. “But whenever Darcy and Jennifer walk through those doors, we get a break from the constant chaos. We just get to take a moment to breathe and pet Darcy.” The visits bring happiness and leave everyone feeling more positive for the rest of the day.
CONTINUED >
“THEY ALLOW US TO DEVELOP BONDS AND RELATIONSHIPS AND CREATE HEALING—ULTIMATE HEALING.”
Mackenzie will always remember watching Darcy bring comfort to the family of a veteran who was nearing the end of his life, even joining them in the family room.
“They thanked us throughout their whole time here for having that option available to them.”
Jennifer says Darcy has a special way of sensing what someone needs when she walks into their hospital room—even if that need is entertainment. “We had one of the funniest visits with Darcy when she decided to somehow lay upside down on the chair to get a belly rub,” Jennifer recounts. “The veteran we were visiting had the best time.”
Ann Collins, attending physician in Safe Harbor, is just as excited as the patients are when Darcy walks through the doors. “When Darcy comes in, everyone knows I go straight to her to
get in a couple of pets and a belly rub. They often have to pull me away and remind me that she’s also here to see the veterans,” she says with a laugh.
"I know that when I see Darcy and Jennifer come in here that my day is going to be much brighter, but I also know how vital they are for the role of our veterans and their healthcare."
Ann explains that in the Safe Harbor unit, where pain relief is paramount, their team provides far more than medical treatment.
“We don’t care for just the physical person. We care for them in an emotional sense. We care for them in a spiritual sense,” she says. “The Hand in Paw therapy teams allow us to access veterans in ways that medications can’t. They allow us to develop bonds and relationships and create healing—ultimate healing."
SIT STAY LOVE
NOVEMBER 2ND
Snapshots with Santa Day
Pepper Place Market | 8:30 AM
Pepper Place Market is pleased to be providing a place for Children’s Harbor at Children’s of Alabama to host their annual Snapshots with Santa fundraiser. Children’s Harbor has been providing unique services to seriously ill children and their families for over 30 years.
NOVEMBER 9TH-10TH
Alabama Craft Guild's 51st Annual Fine Craft Show
Birmingham Botanical Gardens | 9:00 AM
Celebrating Alabama's fine and traditional craft heritage with many of the state's best artisans under one roof. Basketry, metalwork, clay sculpture, pottery, wearable fiber, fiber wall works, gourds, jewelry, glasswork, stained glass, woodwork, printmaking, and more. A $5 entrance donation per adult is requested, and children 12 and under are free. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
NOVEMBER 11TH
National Veterans Day Parade
Downtown Birmingham | 1:00 PM
The parade will be held rain or shine and will feature veterans’ service organizations, members of the U.S. armed forces, local color guards, and high school bands.
NOVEMBER 14TH-16TH
TumTum Tree Foundation Wine Auction
The TumTum Tree Foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of children in Alabama who face life-altering and life-threatening illnesses. Enjoy world-class wines at the Grand Tasting, excellent cuisine, and the opportunity to support the TumTum Tree Foundation by bidding on live auction lots at the 35th annual event.
NOVEMBER 16TH
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Alabama Theatre | 1:00 PM
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet's international ensemble will grace stages across the country this holiday season, including the Alabama Theatre on November 16. The 32nd annual North American tour showcases a fusion of talent from esteemed ballet capitals worldwide, converging on one stage to spread the overarching message of the holidays– peace.
NOVEMBER 29TH
Christmas at the Curb
Amari Curb Market | 10:00 AM
Visit Amari Curb Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m for a festive street market featuring live music and an art gallery. This year’s event will showcase handmade gifts from local makers, offering unique jewelry, apparel, and gifts. Freshly cut Christmas trees from Wildgoose Garden + Pottery will be available.
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