Red Mountain Theatre producing four shows in Human Rights New Works Festival

Powerful and Essential Stories

Red Mountain Theatre Producing Four Shows in Human Rights New Works Festival

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

Red Mountain Theatre will host its annual Human Rights New Works Festival Sept. 24-26, featuring performances of new works and conversations with audiences.

Through the festival, Red Mountain Theatre is giving a platform to powerful and essential stories such as those of Holocaust survivors and victims of racial injustices in Jefferson County from the 1890s through the 1930s.

“We are redoubling our commitment to promoting human rights advocacy through the ancient art of theatre,” Red Mountain Theatre Executive Director Keith Cromwell said in a statement. “These shows offer unique viewpoints on important topics, and we’re excited to share them with our community.”

One of the original works commissioned by RMT is “Survivors,” inspired by the stories of local Holocaust survivors. It is the first play written by local resident Deborah R. Layman.

Layman has become closely acquainted with survivors’ stories through her volunteer work for the past 12 years with the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center.

A native New Yorker, Layman began writing when she was a child, composing poetry and creating stories. After years spent in education, she developed her professional writing and editing skills in marketing communications and speech writing.

According to a release, “Survivors is set in a racially diverse, contemporary high school classroom and explores the parallels between the past and the present, with Holocaust stories serving as object lessons about the consequences of hate. As the slippery slope of prejudice and intolerance is examined in the classroom, we see the power of personal stories to bring understanding and change attitudes.”

The festival schedule will include “Memorial” on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m., “True North” on Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., “Survivors” on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. and “Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham” on Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.

Commissioned by Red Mountain Theatre, “Memorial” is written by Alabamian Quinton Cockrell and is based on research provided by the Jefferson County Memorial Project. The production will examine lynchings in Jefferson County from the 1890s through the 1930s.

“Through spirit-stirring music and drama, this play commemorates the lives lost to senseless, racially motivated violence in a dark time in American history,” a release states.

“True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical,” by Holly Reed and Kelvin Reed, features a modern family during the holidays. A widowed father is deployed on a secret mission weeks before Christmas, leaving behind his two children.

“With a wish, a letter and some unique seasonal help, the Patterson family discovers what just an ounce of belief can do,” a release states. “Told through the lens of a child on the spectrum, ‘True North’ is a magical and insightful story about being authentic, accepting change and holding an unwavering hope in the magic of Christmas.”

An Orthodox Jewish family from Brooklyn relocates to a small town just outside of Birmingham in “Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham,” by Ben Andron.

According to a release, “what begins as a comedic, fish-out-of-water story opens the door for an important dialogue about the evolution toward a ‘New South’ and the alleviation and persistence of systemic racism. It is through the bonds that form between cultures that the protagonists will transform this small town – and each other – from chaos to community, as an example for us all.”

All shows are general admission seating and will be performed in the Discovery Theatre at the Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus, at 1600 Third Ave. S in Birmingham. Tickets to individual shows are $10, and festival passes are $20.

For more information, visit redmountaintheatre.org.

Photos courtesy RMTC

One of the original works commissioned by RMT is “Survivors,” inspired by the stories of local Holocaust survivors. It is the first play written by Deborah R. Layman. “True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical,” by Holly Reed above, and Kelvin Reed, features a modern family during the holidays. An Orthodox Jewish family from Brooklyn relocates to a small town just outside of Birmingham in “Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham,” by Ben Andron.

About Town from page 3

3-7 p.m. Where: Pizzeria GM Website: gratefuldads.instagift.com

Private Picnic in the Park

Symphony 30 will host a fundraiser for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra where patrons can order a picnic dinner, including two adult meals, two kids meals, Cookie Fix cookies, beverages, a kids craft and links to download ASO music. When: 4-6 p.m. Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Website: alabamasymphony.org/symphony-30

Fri., Oct. 1

Tails in the Trails

The Birmingham Zoo’s junior board will host its 11th annual fundraiser in the Hugh Kaul Plaza, featuring music by Nationwide Coverage, foodie favorites from local restaurants, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, a silent auction and more. When: 6:30 p.m.10 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo Website: birminghamzoo.com/event/ tails-2021

Sat., Oct. 2

in memory of the late Megan Montgomery, a 2006 graduate of John Carroll. The event will also serve as part of the school’s recognition of St. Francis of Assisi Day. The blessing will take place in the school’s outdoor parking lot at the back of campus. When: 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Where: John Carroll Catholic School

Bluff Park Art Show

The Bluff Park Art Association will host its 58th annual art show featuring local and regional artists showcasing a variety of mediums of work. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: The Park at Shades Cliff Website: bluffparkartassociation.org

Oct. 2-3

BHM26.2

This annual event will include multiple courses including a 10K, 5K and one-mile fun run on Oct. 2 and a marathon, half-marathon on Oct. 3. All proceeds form the races will benefit Magic Moments and Children’s of Alabama. When: Oct. 2, 8 a.m.; and Oct. 3, 7 a.m. Where: Oct. 2, downtown Homewood; Oct. 3, Sloss Furnaces. Website: bhm262.com

Taste of Hoover

The annual culinary event will feature tastings created by local Hoover restaurants, caterers and vendors as well as international spirits, wines and local beers. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens Website: aldridgegardens.com

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 9-Feb. 6

The Lost Realms of The Moundbuilders

The Birmingham Museum of Art will open its newest exhibition, “Lost Realms of the Moundbuilders: Ancient Native Americans of the South and Midwest” (originally titled Spiro and the Art of the Mississippian World) organized by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The exhibition will be on display in the Jemison Galleries through Feb. 6, 2022. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art Website: artsbma.org

Sat., Oct. 9

The Three Little Pigs

the performance will be approximately 45 minutes in length. Students enter for free and adult tickets are $10. When: 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Where: Avondale Ampitheater Website: operabirmingham.org

Rescue Run 5K

The Jimmie Hale Mission will host its annual runs, including a 10K, 5K and one-mile fun run followed followed by a short awards presentations and Homewood restaurant and business specials. When: 7:45 a.m. Where: Downtown Homewood Website: jimmiehalemission.com

Sun., Oct. 10

Tailgate Challenge

The Bell Center for Early Intervention will host its annual fundraiser to celebrate the football season. The event will include tailgate food tastings created by various teams, along with live music, kid-friendly events and more. When: 1-4 p.m. Where: The Bell Center Website: thebellcenter.org

Mon., Oct. 11

tournament fundraiser to benefit the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which annually awards four $4,000 scholarships to deserving Hoover students. When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Riverchase Country Club Website: business.hooverchamber. org

Wed., Oct. 13

Linly Heflin Fashion Show

The Linly Heflin Unit will host its 62nd Annual Scholarship Fashion Show, featuring fashions provided by Gus Mayer and highlighting featured designer Zang Toi. Funds raised will benefit the organization’s mission to provide scholarships to local women seeking higher education at Alabama universities. When: 5:30 p.m. Where: The Club Website: linlyheflin.org

Thurs., Oct. 14

Tacos for Trinity

Trinity Counseling’s annual fall fundraiser will include a silent auction, inspiring speakers and great food. Funds raised will account for a significant portion of the organization’s annual budget, supporting work to provide mental health services to the community. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: The Battery Website: tacosfortrinity.

It’s All Greek!

Three-Day, Open-Air Greek Food Festival Returns Oct. 14-16

Greek food, music and dancing along with a market place and car raffle will be part of the 48th Annual Greek Food Festival, set for Oct. 14-16.

The three-day festival will be on the grounds of the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day, with tours of the Byzantine church available throughout the day.

The festival has been a community mainstay since 1972, offering a weekend of Greek culture anchored in the food made by cooks from the church.

Menu offerings include souvlakia, pastichio, Greek chicken, spanokopeta, dolmathes, veggie plates, Greek salad and gyros. There also will be a choice of homemade Greek pastries, including baklava, kourambethes, melomakarana, koulourakia, loukamathes and other confections.

Greek dancers of all ages will be performing all three days in the openair festival, and The Greek Market Place will be selling Mediterranean and Orthodox Christian souvenirs. Outside tented seating will be available for dining.

A Nissan Rogue donated by Serra Nissan will be the grand prize in the raffle. Raffle tickets will be $20 each or three for $50 and are available online at www.GreekFest21.com. The raffle will be drawn Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. at the festival. The second place prize will be $5,000 and third place will be $2,500.

Food will be available at a drivethru each day from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., and orders can be made online or in line.

A portion of festival proceeds is donated to local and national charities each year, with more than $3 million donated to date.

Free parking is available in the former Liberty National parking building a block away on Richard Arrington Boulevard between Third and Fourth avenues.

For more information, visit bhamgreekfestival.com.

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LOST REALMS OF THE MOUNDBUILDERS

ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICANS OF THE SOUTH AND MIDWEST

Lost Realms of the Moundbuilders: Ancient Native Americans of the South and Midwest (originally titled Spiro and the Art of the Mississippian World) is organized by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

This exhibition is supported in part by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Kirkpatrick Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The local presentation is made possible by the Estate of Mr. Harris Saunders, Jr. and Jean Saunders. Additional support is provided by the Jefferson County Community Service Fund at the recommendation of Alabama Representative Jim Carns, HD 48.

Effigy pipe of seated male figure. Identified as Morning Star or the hero Red Horn. Le Flore County, Oklahoma, Spiro site, 1100 – 1200. Bauxite (flint clay). Photograph by John Lamberton. Image courtesy the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Fayetteville, University of Arkansas Museum. 47-2-1.

Sing, Sing a Song

Songbirds Set to Kick Off 30th Anniversary Season

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

For three decades, members of the Hoover Songbirds have delivered a professional choral experience to mostly seniors in the greater Birmingham area.

After a pandemic break from performing, the members of the Songbirds regrouped for a few concerts in May and early June, and October marks their return to a full season of performances and their expansion to new audiences.

“It’s an extremely talented group,” said Songbirds Director Fred Ernst. “We are blessed to have 37 members. We’ve taken on nine new members for this season.” Some of the newbies will serve as alternates because of the limited space in many venues.

Members of the choir range from 55 to 90 years of age and have varied backgrounds in music.

“As far as I know, we are the premiere senior show choir in Birmingham that does what we do,” Ernst said. “Prior to COVID-19, we were giving 29 Wednesday concerts each season.”

Performances are always at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. The 2021-22 season will begin with a series of concerts Oct. 6 to Nov. 17. After a holiday break, the group resumes performances in February through May.

“We sing everything in unison; however, because of the number of people in Songbirds who have an extensive music background, I say give me parts, give me harmony … the more the better,” Ernst said. “But there are just two requirements: you must sing on pitch and in the right key.”

There is a dash of choreography in their performances and many costume changes. Members will swap out hats, scarves and other garments to suit the theme of whichever song they are singing.

This is Ernst’s fifth year directing the Songbirds.

He has been singing for much of his life, beginning in junior high and high school, and has a background in piano.

“Right out of high school, I spent 12 summers singing with the Cleveland Orchestra as part of their Pops chorus in the summer season, which, of course, was professional,” he said.

After many years focused on his career as an anesthesiologist, he rediscovered his love of singing when he partly retired at the age of 56.

“I ended up taking 10 years of voice and vocal coaching to perfect my technique, and I’m sure that’s why at (almost) 81, anyone allows me to sing out in public,” he laughed. “My harshest critics still say I’m OK, and I mean my wife and my daughter.”

Much of his technique in conducting the Songbirds comes from his experiences working under the conductor during his orchestral chorus days.

“I’m drawing on a lot of those 12 years, not only in conducting, but in putting programs together,” he said.

When he took over as leader of the group, he made a conscious effort to create a shift from what he called “oldtimes” tunes to a comprehensive show choir performance with full-bodied repertoire. Concerts are roughly 60 to 70 minutes long and feature Broadway hits and pieces from the Great American Song Book.

When compiling the season’s performances, Ernst is inspired by his fellow members – a cast of characters some of whom are seasoned performers.

“Three of the four men in the group’s quartet are members of the Voices of the South,” Ernst said, also known as the Central Alabama chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. “They’ll do a barber shop number.”

Member Ginger Goodall is an opera-trained mezzo soprano who has performed throughout the Southeast.

“(She) has sung all over the state with orchestras, mostly oratorios and some stage work,” Ernst said, including two productions of “South Pacific” as Bloody Mary. “I’d love to do a combination of the song ‘Bloody Mary’ and then have her go into ‘Bali Ha’i.’”

His goal for the season is to recruit men and women who have a background in gospel music.

“It adds another dimension to the show,” he said. “And there is nothing better than a good gospel song and singer.”

Accompanying the group is Ray Reich, a world-renowned jazz pianist and Birmingham native.

“How fortunate can we be to have somebody like that who has been music director for some of the biggest names in the music world as well as giving his command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in his younger years over in London,” Ernst said.

“There are just a lot of opportunities with this group.”

Before this year, Ernst said, the group focused on performing in retirement communities and assisted living, as well as a few concerts for the mentally challenged.

This year, they are stepping out.

“The last Wednesday of October, we will branch out and will be singing at Temple Beth-El, which we are really excited about doing,” Ernst said. “Hopefully that will open some doors for other expanded outreach opportunities.”

When practice resumed earlier this month, he said, members of the group were chomping at the bit to return. Not only do they love singing, they love getting together for practices, which always end with some small bites of food and fellowship.

“One of my goals was to make this a musical family where we are all looking out for each other,” Ernst said.

With many members in their 80s and two in their 90s, he said, the group is a great support system for those members who may not have that same support from family.

Ernst sees it create a sense of closeness, “and you sing better. It comes across the footlights to the audience. People can feel when you are having fun and when it’s genuine.”

In turn, the audience reacts and feeds that back to the performers.

“That’s the payback,” he said, “watching the faces of the people we sing to, especially those in assisted living or the mentally challenged. It’s the interactions we have with all of these people after a concert and the joy that you know you have brought them.”

For more information, call the Hoover Senior Center at (205) 7396700.

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Songbirds Director Fred Ernst, center, with two members of the choir, from left, Linda Campbell and Bettie Clark at a recent rehearsal.

Aldridge Gardens Installs Bust of Founder Eddie Aldridge

When visitors enter the grounds of Aldridge Gardens, they are now greeted by the likeness of its founder, Eddie Aldridge.

On Aug. 29, a long-awaited project to install a bust of the late Aldridge Gardens founder near the entrance of the facility was finally realized. A ceremony was held for the unveiling of the sculpture, attended by members of the Aldridge family, city of Hoover government officials and community supporters.

“Having the bronze bust of our founder, Eddie Aldridge, at the entrance to Hoover’s beautiful Aldridge Gardens is so appropriate,” Aldridge Gardens CEO Tynette Lynch said in a release.

In 2002, twenty years after Aldridge acquired the property, Aldridge Gardens opened as the public garden Eddie and Kay envisioned.

Roughly a year and a half before his death in 2018, family friend and member of the Aldridge Gardens advisory board Mark Davis took Aldridge to Tuscaloosa to meet with a sculptor, retired Col. Lee Busby,

about commissioning a life-size bronze statue of Aldridge to install on one of the benches in the gardens. But Aldridge declined the offer. A year after Aldridge’s death, Davis reached out to Kay Aldridge with an adjusted plan to commission the bust. She approved. The sculpture Journal photo by Jordan Wald was funded by donations to the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project, an initiative created by Davis and Busby to create bronze busts of fallen military members in Alabama. Aldridge was a veteran of the U.S. Army. A bronze plaque featuring a biography of Aldridge installed beneath the bust was made possible by The Alabama Hydrangea Society through Karen Mitchell. The installation also includes pavers recognizing donors who have contributed to the project. “Aldridge Gardens is one of the area’s and the state’s most popular gardens, and we are so thankful Eddie and Kay had the vision to share it with the city,” Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said.

Pink House Plans Approved

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustments approved two variances needed for owners Clayton and Rachel Mobley to begin construction and restoration of the historical Pink House property.

The exceptions allowed in the Sept. 2 meeting were a height variance for an addition to the home and pool variance.

“We sincerely thank the BZA for their favorable decision tonight, as well as the citizens of Homewood for their kind support and solidarity which carried us through to this joyful outcome,” the Mobleys, who plan to live in the house, said in a released statement. “We are so grateful to live in our wonderful community that cares about historic structures and listens to the will of the people. We eagerly look forward to getting started on our restoration efforts to preserve the extraordinary history of this property that is beloved by our family and this community.”

Plans to restore the property and build an addition required the owners to obtain two variances, both of which were rejected by the board in June.

The owners’ legal representative, Bob Fowlkes, presented an adjusted plan on Sept. 2 to the board as well as detailed explanations and answers to questions raised at the last meeting.

The adjusted plan includes dropping the requested height variance from an increase of 11.5 feet to 9.4 feet. In addition, the new plan features a pool that has been reduced in size by more than 15%.

The presentation also included the submission of signed affidavits from the Mobleys addressing board members’ concerns. Some of the highlighted portions of the statements included assurance that the Mobleys would maintain the property as their private residence and would not rent it to the public as an event venue.

In addition, trees and other vegetation on the side of the property along Roseland Drive will be maintained, with more trees planted so that the pool will not be visible from Roseland or Edgewood Boulevard.

The debate over renovating the Pink House has been going on for almost three years. The city had approved a former property owner’s plan to demolish the house and build five new houses on the property.

Public outcry was quick and a plan to raise money to save the house was launched. But the situation was resolved when a private owner purchased the house. The Mobleys purchased the home in 2020.

The house was built in 1921 by Georges and Eleanor Bridges, socialites and artists.

For more historical facts about the Bridges and the Pink House, visit the Pink House Plans Facebook page.

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The Crossings at Riverchase will open early 2022 in Hoover, off Highway 31 and just minutes from Birmingham with scenic nature views and easy access to The Galleria at Riverchase.

Learn more at our newly-opened Information Center — and ask about our limited-time Ambassador Program for exclusive community updates and residency benefits!

Call 205-210-8969 or visit TheCrossingsatRiverchase.com to

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8 • Thursday, September 23, 2021

NEWS Made in Alabama

Homewood Businesses Among Statewide Retailers of the Year

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

Homewood’s Alabama Goods, Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes and Ritch’s Pharmacy in Mountain Brook are among the 11 retail businesses recognized with Alabama Retail Association’s 2021 Alabama Retailers of the Year awards.

Ten winners are selected each year by a panel of judges representing retail developers, chambers of commerce and former award winners, according to a statement. In addition, the public chooses the Customers’ Choice Award Retailer of the Year through an online contest.

The ARA has been presenting the awards since 1999, although last year’s awards were canceled because of the pandemic.

ARA officials have been traveling to each of the award-winning retail locations this month to present the awards. Alabama Goods and Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes have been presented awards, and an award presentation for Ritch’s Pharmacy will be held Sept. 27. (Look for story about Ritch’s Pharmacy in the Oct. 7 issue of Over the Mountain Journal.)

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Made in Alabama

Alabama Goods was born online in 2007 when owners Sherry Hartley and Beth Staula began selling Alabama-crafted items as corporate gifts.

While online and corporate sales continue, the business partners have since opened brick-and-mortar locations in Homewood and Huntsville. A

third location in Hoover is slated to open in 2022.

“We are proud to carry products made in Alabama and are pleased that by selling these products, Alabama Goods has a positive impact on our state,” a written statement by Hartley and Staula stated.

Alabama Goods sells pottery, jewelry, bath and body products, towels, leather goods, glassware, T-shirts, hats, books, gourmet food and other items individually and packaged in gift baskets.

On Sept. 8, officials representing the ARA and the Homewood Chamber of Commerce gathered at Alabama Goods Homewood location to present the owners with the Alabama’s Gold Retailers of the Year award in the Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million category.

“We share this honor with others who had a major part in us being selected – our incredible staff who give our customers a top-notch experience, our Alabama vendors who create the amazing products we sell; and our customers who appreciate unique products and believe in buying local,” the written statement said.

In addition to Alabama Goods’ “strong mission for supporting our state and its artisans,” the Retailer of the Year judges lauded Alabama Goods for its success during the pandemic. Not only did the store increase its revenue, Hartley, Staula and their team opened a Huntsville location in July 2020 as well as revamping the Alabama Goods website and the point-of-sale system.

In a letter of support for the business, Alabama Goods vendor Owens Cross Roads artist Lora McGowan said, “Alabama Goods takes emerging artists out of the ‘starving artist category’ to the ‘here I am, support me category.’” McGowan is also a parttime employee at the Huntsville location.

Hartley and Staula were nominated for the award by Meredith Drennen, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce.

“The team at Alabama Goods not only showcase the makers in our state but gives back to the community significantly,” Drennan said.

Hartley takes a lead role in the chamber’s Downtown Business Group, “planning events and cultivating ideas to make Homewood a great place to shop, eat and live,” Drennan added.

Officials also celebrated efforts Alabama Goods made to support the community early on during the pandemic.

“Before face masks were readily available, we asked our textile vendors to sew masks,” the owners stated in their Retailer of the Year entry. “That gave us and our vendors a major boost in revenue.

“We worked with a candle maker, as well as a distillery, to create and sell hand sanitizer during a period when sanitizer was challenging to find.”

‘The team at Alabama Goods not only showcase the makers in our state but gives back to the community significantly.’

MEREDITH DRENNEN, HOMEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

From left, Meredith Drennen, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce; Beth Staula and Sherry Hartley, owners, Alabama Goods; and Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association.

Emily’s Heirloom Poundcakes was honored on Sept. 9 as one of the Alabama Retail Associations’s 2021 Retailers of the Year. Owner April McClung with sons John, left, and Lacy, right.

Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes in Homewood, being presented with the 2021 Gold Alabama Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million category was acknowledgement of her hard work.

“As a first-generation business owner – building a business from the ground up is one of the hardest pursuits I’ve ever experienced,” said McClung. “The faith walk, mistakes, sweat and tears continue to transform me.

“Receiving this award means others acknowledge and appreciate all the hard work that goes into what we do,” she added. “It says to me, ‘Keep going!’”

Established in 2014, Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes offers a variety of flavors and sizes of pound cakes plus gourmet coffee from its local bakery as well as through its website, Amazon, Sam’s Club Road Shows and vendor events.

When the pandemic hit, McClung and her team adapted.

One of the Retailer of the Year judges noted, “By finding new channels, Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes increased sales 70% in 2020. They went very grassroots at farmers markets and even neighborhood-to-neighborhood. They basically went door-todoor, and they went big with QVC and Amazon Prime Day.”

To maintain sales, the business set up tents in neighborhoods, attended farmers’ markets and partnered with a local coffee company.

“We better organized our online store, added necessary and useful information and enhanced our descriptions of each product,” McClung said. A consultant also helped make system improvements, including organizing labeling and batch coding and increasing a kiosk opportunity from weekends to seven days a week without increasing labor costs.

“For the first time in my business, I started getting a salary,” McClung said.

According to McClung, a dramatic increase in sales online occurred in 2020, “primarily due to the Aug. 19, 2020, Small Business Spotlight on QVC and HSN, which focused on Black-owned businesses.

“We now participate in a mentorship program sponsored by QVC,” she said.

When the pandemic halted Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes’ ability to offer samples at Sam’s Club locations, McClung adapted once more.

“We pivoted and learned how to conduct an unmanned Road Show, which allowed us to scale while reducing labor costs,” she said.

The business was nominated for the award by the Birmingham Business Alliance, an organization that has worked closely with the retailer for several years.

“Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes is an Alabama success story,” said Victor M. Brown, partner with the Birmingham Business Alliance. “They are distributing a quality product that is in demand to markets across the nation, and the company is creating jobs in Alabama.”

Leigh Sloss-Corra, executive director of The Market at Pepper Place in Birmingham, where McClung is a vendor, also recommended her for the award.

“April has risen above the rest, impressing me as she has so many others with her ability to tell a story, work hard and bake a consistently outstanding product,” Sloss-Corra said.

Portion of Downtown Homewood Named an Entertainment District

A large portion of downtown Homewood has been designated as an entertainment district.

The designation, approved by the Homewood City Council during a Sept. 13 meeting, allows off-premises alcohol sales, which means visitors will be able to take their drinks and walk around the area.

The entertainment area stretches along 19th Street South from Oxmoor Road to 27th Avenue South and includes much of the area between U.S. 31 and Central Avenue.

Council President Alex Wyatt said concerns were raised in earlier meetings about certain areas that had been included in the proposed map of the entertainment district. A revised map was presented and approved during the recent meeting.

“We’ve taken out areas along 31, areas along the northern boundary of downtown, but we still think – as far as I know – that we’ve captured all of the (businesses) that are interested in having one of these licenses,” Wyatt said.

Entertainment district hours will be Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from noon until 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 9 p.m.

The ordinance passed with only one no vote, from Councilor Melanie Geer. She raised concerns she said had been brought to her attention by Rosedale residents and local businesses about the size of the district, the signing requirements and the daytime district hours.

One of Geer’s concerns was about a lack of sidewalks from Central Avenue to 28th Avenue South.

Councilors John Hardin and Jennifer Andress noted that the area recently had been purchased and is slated for redevelopment that could include new restaurants, though plans have not been solidified or formally announced.

It also was noted that the City Council can work with future developers to construct sidewalks.

Clark Returns to Brookwood Baptist Health and Medical Center as New CEO

Jeremy Clark has been appointed chief executive officer of Brookwood Baptist Health and Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, the hospital where he started his health care career more than 15 years ago.

Clark assumes the role Sept. 30. He will be responsible for overseeing all strategic, operational and clinical activities at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, and he will provide oversight and leadership at all five hospitals in The Brookwood Baptist

Health system. “With a proven track record of success in growing quality programs, this promotion is a homecoming for Jeremy, who started his career in healthcare at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center as an associate administrator,” Tenet Healthcare’s chief executive officer, Saum Sutaria, M.D., said in a statement. “He is a proven leader with community commitment to this area, and he is dedicated to ensuring patients receive the highest quality care and service at our hospitals.” Clark replaces Tim Puthoff, group chief executive officer for Alabama and chief executive officer of Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, who has resigned. Puthoff spent the past couple of years leading the business and culture transformation of the Alabama market, a role Clark will pick up. Clark for the past six years has been market CEO for Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, a 150-bed, two-hospital system in South Carolina. He also has been CEO of Saint Francis HospitalBartlett, a 196-bed acute care hospital in Bartlett, Tennessee; and chief operating officer at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. “I am delighted to return home and Jeremy Clark look forward to being an integral part of further advancing healthcare offerings in this community,” Clark said in the statement. “My wife and I are incredibly excited to raise our children in this area, in close proximity to some of our family and friends.”

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