SOCIAL

Party of the Year

Annual Otey’s Fest Returns to Crestline Village

The parking lot in front of Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village was transformed into a music festival venue July 31 as the restaurant hosted the annual Otey’s Fest.

After taking a year off due to pandemic restrictions, this year’s lineup showcased local Birmingham bands, including The ‘Hams, Jackson Walls and headliners Party of the Year, from the producers of Black Jacket Symphony.

A portion of the funds raised at the event will benefit The Phoenix Club of Birmingham, a social and philanthropic organization that supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama. ❖

Caroline Bertella and Emily Burke. Hatton Smith and Alexis Solare.

HANNA Out with the OLD & In with the ANTIQUE

Anna Giardina, Julia Giardina, Harris McCullough and Logan Sanderson.

Mary Kate Pumes and Fredta Cardwell.

Tripp Hubbard and Cody Nall. Adrienne and Hud Hudson.

Miranda Burchfield and Christian Burchfield. Emily Baergen and Shelly Hale.

Rachel Bean and William Walker.

Botanical Gardens Hosts Annual Flicks Among the Flowers Movie Screening

Above left, Sylvie Sussman, Julia Castillo, Keara Friel and Claire Mahon. Above right, Taylor Baker, Elizabeth Reavis and Hannah Reavis. Below left, Jason and Stella Vice. Below right, Jackson Davis and AnnaRuth Dorris.

The Friends of the Botanical Gardens junior board recently hosted its annual Flicks Among the Flowers fundraiser, featuring a screening of the 1978 film “Grease” on the lawn of the Formal Garden in front of the conservatory.

In homage to the film, set in the 1950s, a costume contest was held with awards given out to some of the best Grease-inspired looks, such as leather jackets, poodle skirts and bobby socks.

In addition, serving up food as guests spread out on picnic blankets were Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Porky’s Pride Smokehouse, Steel City Pops and hotdogs and popcorn by The Gardens Cafe by Kathy G.

Funds raised at the event will support the Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ internship program. ❖ cookmuseum.org

by Judy Butler

Addiction is a Family Affair

All too often it’s the family that has the problem more so that the addict. The addict may be in lala land while the drugs and/or alcohol is in control for his or her emotions and thoughts. Meanwhile it’s the family that is suffering. Often a family member calls because he or she is exhausted from dealing with the financial woes or the fear that the last drink or drug will literally be the last one. Interestingly, after years of being manipulated by this addictive behavior the family still doesn’t understand that this behavior can’t be fixed in a week or two or even four. Sometimes parents and others expect a “quick fix”… it doesn’t happen. The addiction didn’t happen overnight and neither will the solution. When clients come to Bayshore Retreat they can begin to see how the world is different and can be different for them without drugs or alcohol controlling their every thought. There’s great food, a beautiful home, access to a phone (either their cell or the house phone) and life is good. That’s a life we want them to desire going forward. Next comes the hard work to get there by identifying the toxic personalities in his or her life and helping them see the truth. Reality checks such as relationships, irrational thinking, money management, anger, and a list of life challenges follow this with coaches and counselors to guide them through what we call Life Skills. Someone told me that they couldn’t see how 12-step meetings could help. I don’t see it as a rehab program, but I do see the benefit afterward as a possible support group.

Meet and Greet

Homewood Rescue Departments, West Homewood Farmer’s Market Team Up for National Night Out

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Ryan Isley, Nolan Isley with Leah, Luke and Jakob Stephens. Bennett, Taylor, Boone and Hattie Wayman.

For the final installment of the West Homewood Farmer’s Market’s summer event season, the organization teamed up with the Homewood fire and police departments to mark National Night Out.

National Night Out is a community-building campaign by the National Association of Town Watch that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

Community members had an opportunity to meet some of the members of the city’s local law enforcement and rescue departments.

Food trucks onsite included Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Cantina on Wheels, Wasabi Juan’s Sushi Burritos and Cousins Maine Lobster.

In addition to more than 30 vendors and artisans, the event included a display of rescue vehicles from the city’s rescue departments and live music from Jeremy Moore. ❖

Evans and Jane Smith, Caitlin Shiflett and Allison Little. Elizabeth Sturgeon, Melanie Fincher and Elizabeth Kolakowski.

Addison and Neal Owens. Addie Phillips and Lece Wedd. Matthew Kidd and Caroline King. Jessi and Michael Cowan.

The Birmingham-based organization Our Hope International celebrated its third annual gala fundraiser, A Night in Hollywood, at B&A Warehouse on July 31.

The organization was founded by local Jenny Taylor Agricola, an occupational therapist as well as director and board president of Our

For the Kids Hope International, which raises funds to support Home of Hope, a Our Hope International Hosts Night in Hollywood special needs orphanage in Jinja,

Fundraiser to Benefit Ugandan Orphanage Uganda. Gala festivities included a cocktail dinner, a silent auction and dancing to music played by a live DJ. ❖