MEET THE RED HILLS BREWMASTERS • THE ART OF INDIE & CHIC • ANOTHER KIND OF SHAIA’S COAT
HOMEWOOD’S BEST WINNERS THE RESULTS ARE IN
color me
HAPPY INSIDE LIZ LANE’S LOCAL ART GALLERY
MAY/JUNE 2018 HomewoodLife.com Volume Two | Issue Three $4.95
HomewoodLife.com 1
TRANSFORM TRADITION WITH A BOHEMIAN TWIST. With every open space adorned in layers of luxury, your ceremony is set to radiate an artful European ambiance. Inspire your guests with a unique experience, whether it’s Wine Tasting, Wine Blending, Cooking School or dining on the rooftop. And expect the celebration to last forever with a complimentary stay on your anniversary—for life. 2 HomewoodLife.com
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FEATURES
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BABY BIZ & BEYOND As the creator of the stylish yet functional line of baby gear, Indie & Chic, Samantha Echols shapes a business model made for motherhood.
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A COAT FIT FOR A DOCTOR It took Ken Shaia two years to tailor just the right one, but it seems he did something right.
HOMEWOOD’S BEST WINNERS 2018 You voted. We tallied. See just who Homewood’s favorites are.
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PHOTO BY MARY FEHR
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37
PHOTO BY EMMA SIMMONS
arts & culture
17 Movement in Color: Inside Liz Lane’s Gallery 24 Read This Book: Hollywood Lore from Leslie West
schools & sports
25 Found in Translation: Former EL Student Jessica Peral 30 Five Questions For: Margaret Rodgers’ Filipino Fundraiser
food
& drink
31 Behind the Brews at Red Hills 37 Cocktail: Taco Mama Prosecco Fizz Margarita
in every issue 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 9 #HomewoodLife 10 The Question 11 The Guide 72 Chamber Connections 74 Out & About 86 Marketplace 88 My Homewood
38 Five Questions For: Caveat Coffee’s Jennifer Mims
home
& style
39 Where New Meets Old: The Gonzalezes’ Renovation 48 In Style: Pretty in Pastels
HomewoodLife.com 7
contributors EDITORIAL
Graham Brooks Stephen Dawkins Alec Etheredge Briana Harris Amalia Kortright Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner
CONTRIBUTORS
Kayley Coggins James Culver Lindsey Culver Mary Fehr Jennifer Jones Ashley Kappel Suzanne Mills Melanie Peeples Emma Simmons Elizabeth Sturgeon Lauren Ustad Sarah Waller
DESIGN
Connor Bucy Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan
MARKETING
Kristy Brown Kari George Rachel Henderson Daniel Holmes Kathy Leonard Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Kerrie Thompson
ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Katie Krouse Katie McDowell Stacey Meadows Tim Prince
Elizabeth Sturgeon, Writer
Elizabeth studies English at Samford University and will graduate next spring. She hopes to pursue some kind of writing profession after graduation. A Birmingham native, she’s a vegetarian living in the South and enjoys staying close to home and learning more about Birmingham. When she has time away from writing papers, Elizabeth loves drawing and watercolor painting, and she’s attempting to watch all of the classic movies she has never seen.
Lauren Ustad, Photographer
Lauren lives in Homewood with her husband, Joe, their three daughters, and their 2-pound Yorkie they refer to as “Boobie.” She spends her professional time posing itty bitties and chasing little munchkins, and as a result having baby fever (she just welcomed number 3!). In her free time you can probably find her slaving away at their most current renovation project or building Legos with her self-proclaimed super heroes.
Sarah Waller, Writer
Sarah first moved to Homewood eight years ago to attend Samford University and has remained ever since. Though her deepest passion lies in writing, Sarah enjoys many creative endeavors including painting and sewing. She considers herself lucky to live in Homewood and be within walking distance of so many of her favorite things. (Because let’s face it, a Steel City Pop is always a good idea.) You can find her on Instagram @ smwaller.
Suzanne Mills, Writer
For the past 17 years, Suzanne has loved living all over the Homewood area. After calling six different Homewood places home, she’s settled (for now!) with her husband, Kirk, and their three sons, 10-year-old twins Luke and Paul, and 5-year-old, Sam. A former assistant editor at Southern Living, she now enjoys freelancing, volunteer work and almost anything that holds the potential for fun with her family.
Homewood Life is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Homewood Life is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Homewood Life, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Homewood Life is mailed to select households throughout Homewood, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit HomewoodLife.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $16.30 for one year by visiting HomewoodLife.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@homewoodlife.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.
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from the editor
Y ON THE COVER
Liz Lane Gallery
Liz Lane has brought a collection of Southern, primarily female artists’ work to her 29th Avenue gallery. Photo by Lindsey Culver Design by Kate Sullivan
You know you edit a Homewood magazine when you get an invitation to hang out at a fire pit with someone and their neighbors, and your only interaction was on Facebook (thanks, Lori Renkl!). You know you edit a Homewood magazine when your brewery story ends up being just as much about being a family-friendly gathering space as the brews themselves. You know you edit a Homewood magazine when you go on an interview about a house renovation, and it turns out the architect, contactor and tile sales person are all Homewood people too. And they all are equally passionate about preserving the character of a historic structure. You know you edit a Homewood magazine when the story you assign about a mompreneur turns out to also be about how her mom raised her in a well-known Homewood business too. And my list could go on and on. Because here in Homewood our neighbors aren’t strangers on our street. They’re the people we do business with, sit by fire pits with, and hang out at breweries with, popsicles and all. Really that’s why we do what we do, too. To connect neighbors and share their stories. I’m a bit spoiled that part of my job is to sit on coffee shop patios and elementary playground benches, and to ask people questions about their passions for connecting people over coffee or fundraising to help pollution in a Filipino river. But the good news is we all can do so in our way. And I’m pretty sure anyone in Homewood could fill a magazine issue with stories of those they know too, issue after issue after issue. If you ever come across any you think should be shared in these pages, I’d love to learn more, but I’ll leave the others to your fire pit chats and brewery hang outs. Oh and I fully expect your Homewood Life reading to happen at the pool this go-round. Woohoo pool season!
madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com
HomewoodLife.com 9
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#HomewoodLife
Tag @HomewoodLife in your Homewood photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.
@meredithhusnik
Front yard Easter Egg Hunt with Henry’s neighborhood buddies! #purechaos #bestblockintown #homewoodalabama
@millie_gardner
Who knew when we got a trampoline that Daisy would be the most avid user? #daisygardner #goldenretriever #favoriteplace #trampoline
@tacobb6
@homewood_middle art students created an amazing project near the HMS band room! Who doesn’t like a nice set of wings! #hmswings
@sweetjonscafe
It might be getting close to lunch but our new cafe/breakfast menu is served until 2.
HomewoodLife.com 11
“ ” THE QUESTION
Where’s the best place in Homewood to be on a sunny spring or summer day? All the parks! Overton and Woodland if it is too sunny. Red Mountain Park for the dog park and hiking (although it is not technically in Homewood). Patriot Park for the Magic City Sweet Ice.
If you call a few friends, throw together a quick platter and pour a refreshing beverage, the best place to be is your own front porch.
Jinsei is one of my favorites.
The porch at Johnny’s. Watching the slow easy flow of people with a corn mealbattered Bayou La Batre shrimp in one hand and forkful of Parmesan grit cake in the other never ceases to sustain my body and lift my soul.
- Meredith Davidson Drennen
- Frances Anne Brooks
On a warm night, nothing beats a pork belly taco and some fried plantains on the patio at Bar Taco, especially with the sound of reggae in the air—it’s practically summer!
- Elizabeth Bloodworth Mitchell
Red Hills Brewery when the garage doors are rolled up. - Brett Cole
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- Erin Ingram Watkins
- Sam Barnett
At Sam’s Super Sandwiches eating a special dog. - Joe Falconer
In the front yard with all my neighbors and all 37 of the neighborhood kids racing from yard to yard. Everyone heads outside on sunny days. Cool nights in front at the fire pit next door are a win too. - Lori Renkl
THE GUIDE
WEST HOMEWOOD MARKET TUESDAYS 5-8 p.m. 160 Oxmoor Road Pick up farm-fresh produce and dinner from your favorite food trucks. Plus shop around at arts and crafts vendors or take in some live music. The market runs the first Tuesday of June through the first Tuesday of August. Learn more at westhomewood.com. HomewoodLife.com 13
THE GUIDE JUNE 3
Vulcan Birthday Bash 12-4 P.M. Vulcan Park & Museum
The Big Guy is turning 114, so join in for a celebration with all kinds of family fun. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children, or free for Vulcan Park and Museum members and children 4 and under.
MAY 31
Rockstar Summer Reading Kick-Off 6:30-7:30 P.M. Homewood Public Library Gutsy the Flying Fox will get you pumped up for reading with his acrobatic tricks. Sign up for summer reading, decorate your own pet rock and eat a snack while you are there.
MAY 5
WE LOVE HOMEWOOD DAY 5K 7:30 A.M. Homewood Central Park
Make a running start on Homewood’s favorite day on this with a mostly flat course in Edgewood. Sign up at runsignup. com by May 3. 14 HomewoodLife.com
WHAT TO DO IN HOMEWOOD MAY 3-5 Spring Drama Show Homewood High School MAY 4 Library Cooperative 40th Birthday Bash Homewood Public Library Parking Lot 6-8 p.m. MAY 7 Star Wars Team Trivia Homewood Public Library Registration Required 6:30-7:45 p.m. MAY 11 OLLI’s Spring Open House Homewood Public Library 1-3:30 p.m. MAY 15 Homewood Chamber Luncheon Guest Speaker John Coppins, USPGA The Club 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. MAY 19-20 Early Bird Weekend Homewood Central Pool MAY 22 Celebration Tea in Honor of the Wedding of Prince Harry & Meghan Homewood Public Library Registration Required 6:30 p.m. MAY 24 Last Day of School Homewood City Schools 1:30 p.m. Dismissal MAY 25 Homewood Central Pool Opens for the Summer MAY 28 Memorial Day Reduced Homewood Central Pool Hours MAY 29
THE GUIDE Libraryflix: Wonder Homewood Public Library 3:30 p.m. JUNE 1 Teen Donut Decorating Summer Kickoff Homewood Public Library Online Registration Required 3-4 p.m. JUNE 6-9 Miss Alabama Scholarship Pageant The Wright Center Samford University
MAY 12
Motherwalk 8 A.M. Homewood Central Park
Walk to support the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, or join in on a 1-Mile Fun Run for the same cause. Register at motherwalk. com.
JUNE 19 Homewood Chamber Luncheon Regional Planning Commission: Heart of Homewood Plan The Club 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. JUNE 27 Movie Under the Moon Vulcan Park & Museum
HomewoodLife.com 15
THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN MAY 7-11 Birmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos Regions Field MAY 11-27 Smokey Joe’s Café Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret Theatre
MAY 20
PHOTO BY KEN GABLES
BIRMINGHAM BOYS CHOIR CONCERT 4 P.M. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church
Come out to hear choral pieces sign young boys’ voices from a choir that’s been around for more than 50 years.
MAY 16-20 Regions Tradition Greystone Golf & Country Club MAY 17-21 Birmingham Barons vs. Montgomery Biscuits Regions Field MAY 19 Do Dah Day Caldwell and Rhodes Parks MAY 19 Willie Nelson & Family And Alison Krauss Oak Mountain Amphitheatre MAY 19 Alabama Accordion Association Free Concert Series Birmingham-Southern College Recital Hall 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. MAY 19-21 Great Southern Gun & Knife Show BJCC Exhibition Halls
MAY 20
FRIENDS OF THE HOMEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY $5 BAG SALE 2-4:30 P.M. Homewood Public Library Friends Bookstore
Fill a grocery bag with books, movies and other items for only $5 per bag. The bags are provided by the Friends of the Homewood Public Library. To donate books or for more information, contact the Friends Bookstore at 205-332-6651.
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MAY 29-JUNE 2 Birmingham Barons vs. Chattanooga Lookouts Regions Field JUNE FRIDAYS & SUNDAYS Various Movies Alabama Theatre alabamatheatre.com for listings SATURDAYS The Market at Pepper Place 8 a.m.-noon JUNE 4-7 Birmingham Barons vs. Jackson Generals Regions Field
THE GUIDE JUNE 8-JULY 1 Beauty & The Beast Presented by Red Mountain Theatre Company Dorothy Day Jemison Theatre Alabama School of Fine Arts
MAY 5
WE LOVE HOMEWOOD DAY
6 P.M. Parade Starts at Homewood
Homewood Central Park & Edgewood
JUNE 9 American Heart Association Heart Walk Railroad Park 8 a.m.
It’s time for Homewood’s favorite day, so get ready to have fun with neighbors and friends. Check out the schedule below so you know what’s going on where.
JUNE 13-17 Birmingham Barons vs. Chattanooga Lookouts Regions Field
Public Library & Travels to the Edgewood Business District PARADE END-9:30 P.M. Street Dance in Edgewood
10 A.M.-4 P.M. Rides & Inflatables, $15 for unlimited wristband or purchase individual tickets
JUNE 15-24 Sand Mountain Saturday Nite Virginia Samford Theatre
10 A.M.-4 P.M. Vendor Expo
10 A.M.-1 P.M.
JUNE 28-JULY 3 Birmingham Barons vs. Jackson Generals Regions Field
Homewood Rotary Club Bake Sale 1 P.M. HHS Patriot Band Pep Rally/ Concert
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&CULTURE
ARTS
MOVEMENT IN COLOR
Liz Lane Gallery’s walls exude a uniquely Southern cheerfulness and brightness. BY ELIZABETH STURGEON PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 19
Let us help you get back in the game.
John Young, MD
Julian Carlo, MD
Dr. Young is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon treating a range of orthopedic problems, including general orthopedic conditions, sports injuries, and problems specific to the hand and upper extremities. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences before finishing his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Young is fellowship trained by the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center.
Dr. Carlo is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon treating complex problems of the hand and upper extremity. He earned his bachelor's and medical degree from Harvard University before finishing his internship in surgery and residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He went on to complete his fellowship in hand and upper extremity from the University of Florida. Dr. Carlo is a bilingual physician, speaking both English and Spanish to better serve our patients.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Board-Certified Hand & Upper Extremity Orthopedic Surgeon
Sherrill Orthopedics Sports & Hand Center 200 Montgomery Highway, Suite 125, Birmingham, AL 35216 (205) 822-4357 (HELP) • sherrillorthopedics.com
B
Behind her gallery rooms decorated with paintings, Liz Lane paints in her studio alongside Estelle, her two-month old daughter. She gives a warm welcome from the back of the gallery as she works with soft blues and grays on a new canvas. In fact, it’s the same environment that defined her own childhood. She never loaded her schedule with art classes. Instead, she simply learned to sketch and paint while admiring her mother’s work and seeing her galleries open in Tuscaloosa. “Being in a gallery was definitely part of my childhood,” Liz says. Her mother, Lorrie Lane, opened Liz Charles Gallery and Renaissance Art Gallery while Liz was growing up and is now a resident Kentuck Art Center studio artist. “She was always making art, so I was always around it.” Now, in her own gallery, Liz showcases her work, her mother’s work and the work of other local artists. Looking around the studio, she has a favorite piece here and there but genuinely enjoys all the pieces around her that share a liveliness in shape and color.
For the past year (as of March 2018), Liz Lane Gallery has brought a collection of Southern, primarily female artists’ work to Homewood’s 29th Avenue. Light from the street pours into the gallery, and both the pastel and the rich colors from the art stream off the walls. “When people walk in here, I want them to have a good feeling,” Liz says. By using guache and acrylic washes, she achieves a soft yet colorful glow to her work, one emulating the goodness Liz seeks. She fills her paintings with hazy colors that bleed down the canvas, contrasting Lorrie’s use of oil paint and a palette knife in her own art. “When people see our work, people usually know that we’re somehow related,” Liz recalls, seeing similarities in the monochromatic colors and happy tones between her work and her mom’s. Although Liz saw her mother’s artistic career in front of her, that path was not her original goal. “I did not want to do anything with art for a long time,” Liz says, explaining that art was just part of her childhood. She attended the University of
HomewoodLife.com 21
Liz Lane displays other local artists’ work as well as her own in her downtown Homewood gallery.
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Alabama to study film and then fashion design, and then moved to New York City to pursue fashion. However, she found New York was not the place for her, and shortly thereafter moved to Birmingham, began working at Four Seasons Gallery in Homewood and fell in love with art again. Still only 28, after a quick change in plans, Liz now both owns, runs and paints for her own gallery. Once she returned to Alabama and began selling her own work on occasion, she noticed there was room for more art in Homewood. “I knew the community here, and I thought this was a great area to have a gallery…The art that I have chosen makes me very happy when I look at it,” she says. “I wanted art that would be beautiful and make someone’s home feel like a home. Every piece here invites you into it.” The pinks, blues and greens that greet those who walk into the first room of the gallery turn into brighter, bolder colors as you walk back further, each painting capturing the beauty of an abstract image. While many works in the gallery depict flowers, landscapes or animals, Liz describes the overall style as loosening those images, creating more movement in the colors. “People really strive for beauty in the South, and it’s reflected in the art,” Liz says of the local work in her gallery. When she lived in New York, she realized there is a darkness that she does not notice in most Southern art. “There is definitely a quality to Southern art you don’t get other places. It’s a little bit happier.” Such cheerfulness and brightness are what Liz strives to showcase, knowing that the gallery will supply works to go in people’s homes and become part of their lives. “Sometimes we have clients who’ve come in, and they’ve just gone through a major life change, like a new baby, marriage, divorce or something impactful in their minds, and home is where you want your heart to be,” Liz says.
HomewoodLife.com 23
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With all original art in the gallery, she hopes customers find just the right piece for their spaces. “Anytime we can help with original art is meaningful for me, and I usually pass that on to the artist,” Liz says. One-of-a-kind and commissioned pieces add a fresh and modern flavor to someone’s daily life, and Liz often goes into homes to measure the space and pick the best piece to fit someone’s style, personality and decor. “A lot of times when people redo their house, they’re trying to redo their life. It’s great to be a part of that. Even with a new baby, you’re not redoing your life, but you’re adding to your life.” Liz values how a piece of art add this newness to a home, whether someone chooses art for a nursery or to change the way a kitchen or bedroom used to look. Beyond just pouring into her clients and viewers of the gallery, Liz supports the community by giving people an opportunity to support local artists and by inviting everyone for monthly art shows and other gatherings. It’s all a part of the bold hospitality both the art and space give to anyone walks in. “I really wanted to curate a space that felt welcoming to walk into,” Liz says.
MEET THE ARTISTS uSarah Mason captures the colors and feelings
of nature through watercolor and epoxy resin on canvas, allowing the paint to create movement by sitting on the canvas.
uEddie Powell, local to Birmingham, creates texture and bright color to depict natural scenes with acrylic paint on wood.
uLacey Russell originally studied graphic design,
but she currently paints with energetic line in both watercolor and acrylic paint.
uJoan Curtis applies brilliant colors with a palette
knife to apply streaks of brightness to her work. She also splits her time between a nursing career and art. uKaty Caughran, Liz Lane Gallery’s newest artist, uses her work to explore emotion through floral subjects and pasture scenes.
uKellie Newsome focuses on animals and florals as her subjects, and she works with smaller canvases, some of which could fit in your palm.
uSisters Jill Lindsey and Valerie Holley of Sister Art craft unique and beautiful pottery that is also functional for cooking.
uElizabeth Hubbard, born with 95 percent hearing loss, makes art based on the beauty that she sees around her and teaches art classes.
uSteve Davis, a resident Kentuck artist, works as a
blacksmith, creating modern, abstract and functional pieces.
uJanie Mayer makes “gypsy-inspired” jewelry from
linen, leather, gems and pearls for her Inspirations by Janie line.
HomewoodLife.com 25
READ THIS BOOK
Hollywood Lore Recommendations from
Leslie West
Adult Services Librarian Homewood Public Library
You might know Leslie plans library programs but you might not know she’s a huge fan of classic films. She has presented several Pre-Code Film Festivals at various libraries featuring films from the early 1930s. Along the way, she’s found it’s interesting (and shocking) to see just what your grandparents were watching when they went to the movies. Stay tuned for the library’s annual Pre-Code Film Festival each spring.
Hollywood Dreams Made Real: Irving Thalberg and the Rise of M-G-M
By Mark A. Vieira | Biography Nicknamed the “Boy Wonder,” Irving Thalberg was running Universal Studios at 20, and cofounded MGM at 24. Between 1924 and 1936, he supervised 400 memorable movies, making stars of Harlow, Gable and Crawford. By the time of his death at 37, Thalberg had lifted film to the level of fine art. This is a fresh portrait of the prime architect of the studio system and an enchanting tour of the magical world he created.
Hollywood: The Movie Lover’s Guide: The Ultimate Insider Tour of Movie L.A.
By Richard Alleman | Travel This is the classic guide to who-did-what-where in Los Angeles, on- and off-screen, including descriptions and histories of the movie star mansions, cemeteries, historic hotels, clubs, restaurants, movie palaces and museums. Let it be your travel guide and historic guide for all things Hollywood!
George Hurrell’s Hollywood: Glamour Portraits 1925-1992
By Mark A. Vieira | Nonfiction The quote “They had faces then” seems made for George Hurrell, the creator of the Hollywood glamour portrait. The “Rembrandt of Hollywood” captured movie stars of the golden era with bold contrast, and seductive poses producing portraits of the stars with a signature blend of the ethereal and the erotic. It’s a beautiful coffee table book of the stars.
The Fixers: Eddie Mannix, Howard Strickling and the MGM Publicity Machine
By E.J. Fleming | Biography Eddie Mannix and Howard Strickling were “the Fixers” for MGM in Hollywood’s golden age. When film legends found themselves in trouble, these two took care of them—solved their problems, hid their crimes and kept their secrets. Through a complex web of contacts in every arena, they covered up some of the most notorious crimes and scandals in Hollywood history, keeping stars out of jail and out of the papers.
Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema 1930-1934 By Thomas Doherty | Nonfiction We tend to think of black-and-white movies as representing a sanitized world, but in fact, censorship in American cinema wasn’t imposed until 1934, when the production code began to be enforced. The “precode” era epitomized loose dames, hot whoopee and coked-up killers, and it was full of complicated women and dangerous men!
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SCHOOL
&SPORTS
FOUND IN TRANSLATION
Perhaps the best training to work with English Language students is to have been one yourself. BY SARAH WALLER PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 27
Jessica Peral might spend her days in an office, but she is constantly connecting people on the phone and sometimes in person through her work as interpreter for Homewood City Schools.
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S
Sixth grade was not an easy year for Jessica Peral. She and her family had just moved to Homewood from Argentina back in 2001, and she didn’t speak any English. “I spent the first year being confused—learning the language plus the academics,” she recalls. “It was difficult to make friends since I could not communicate with them.” But Georgia Miller, an English Language (EL) teacher at Homewood Middle School, recalls a different side of the story too. “Jessica was very conscientious and intelligent, always working harder and comprehending better than almost any other student I had,” Georgia says. “And I see these same characteristics in her today.” In fact, by eighth grade Jessica was inducted into the school’s honor society. Georgia and Jessica’s relationship didn’t end when Jessica left her classroom for Homewood High School either. Today, they are colleagues. Jessica is now serving families similar to her own as a certified interpreter for Homewood City Schools. Jessica did not always have her heart set on working as an interpreter though. After earning a college degree, she pursued her passion for animals by working as a vet tech for almost 10 years. When Homewood’s interpreter moved out of state, Georgia asked her to help with translation on a part-time basis. She quickly discovered that she loved the work. HomewoodLife.com 29
Jessica Peral with her middle school EL teacher, Georgia Miller
FAMILY MEMBERS VERIFIED THAT SHE ONCE TALKED NON-STOP DURING A 5-HOUR ROAD TRIP TO FLORIDA.
CHILDREN A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY
and at Children’s of Alabama, we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine. 1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 3 3 (205) 638-9100
ChildrensAL.org
30 HomewoodLife.com Talked Non-Stop - 3.5 x 9.75 - Hwood&MtnBrookMags.indd 1
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“One day, my mom told me that I should do [interpretation] for a living. I was good at it, and I love to help people,” Jessica says. “So I went for it.” At that point, Jessica was trained in the basics of interpretation—from ethics to terminology to laws. She then took the national board exams to become a certified medical interpreter. She’s now one of 24 people in the state with national certifications as a medical interpreter. And her background EL student is a “game changer” when it comes to her work. “Jessica’s role is there to be an interpreter for the parents, but the kids just light up when they see her,” Georgia says. “She shows great empathy to our students. If one of them is in trouble or if she sees me struggling to communicate with one of them, she is eager to step in and help. She understands the struggle the students are going through.” It’s those ties that make Jessica so passionate about her work. “My favorite part of my job is getting to know all the sweet parents and families. I love being able to help them communicate and express themselves,” she says. “I have been working for Homewood for five years, and all the sweet parents I work with are like family. They are what makes this job so fulfilling and fun.” This love for Homewood parents is directly inspired by the
love of her own. “My parents are always an inspiration for me. I could always see how they struggled to communicate—whether they are going to the doctor, school or just shopping. I can remember interpreting for them since I was 14 years old,” she says. Today, the demographic of Homewood Middle School’s EL students is split: roughly 50 percent Spanish-speaking and 50 percent Arabic-speaking. “But it doesn’t matter what language they speak, all of the student love Jessica,” Georgia says. Jessica encourages parents to continue their support of the Homewood City Schools Foundation and the PTOs at each school. “They do a great job helping provide services to EL students, like summer reading programs and college prep help,” she says. “EL teachers are truly special people who work so hard and go the extra mile to make sure their students do not feel left out— and that students and their families have all the tools they need to succeed. “It takes a special person to be an EL teacher, and I believe that Homewood has definitely some of the best! They are the reason EL students become successful, fluent English speakers.” And Jessica would know this first-hand.
Jessica Peral translates a phone call about tardies for Homewood Middle School Assistant Principal Dr. Joel Henneke.
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SCHOOL & SPORTS
5
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Margaret Rodgers HMS Sixth Grader + Fundraiser for Filipino River Pollution PHOTO BY MADOLINE MARKHAM
When her grandmother and other family members in the Philippines turn the TV, they just might see Margaret Rodgers. A 15-second clip about how Margaret raised money to help the pollution in an important waterway is now airing on the Filipino Channel to encourage others to do the same. To get the full story, we met up with Margaret and her mom, Hannah. Can you tell us about how this project got started? Margaret: For our last project for our enrichment class in fifth grade at Edgewood, we had to do something that helped the community. I knew I wanted to raise money for something, and my family lives in the Philippines. I wanted to help over there. I knew the river was pretty polluted, so I thought I should raise money for it. My family lives in Pasig and the river runs through it.
the main waterway through the city. People live by it and depend on it, but it’s also a waterway for transportation. Historically the Spanish were in the Philippines a long time, and they used it to move goods around. It’s a lifeline for many Filipinos. How did the fundraiser play out? Margaret: My original plan was to do it during Edgewood Night Out, but Spring Festival was coming up so we decided to do it then. We asked our principal Mr. Kiser and the PTO president for permission. For every donation you got a bottle of water, and it was a really hot day. We had a poster that said, “Clean Water for the Philippines,” and my friend was yelling, “Come donate to the Philippines for water!” We raised $137, and my friends Maren and Katie helped me.
What did you learn in your research about the river? Margaret: People would dump their old stuff in the river. You find companies and people’s houses along the river. In pictures it had a lot of cans and paper in it. The water was brown and kind of gross looking. I learned that they did fundraiser runs for the river. In its second year How did you end up on TV? 86,547 people participated. Hannah: Margaret had sent a letter Hannah: The Pasig River runs with her check to a river rehabilitation through the capital, Manila, and serves as 32 HomewoodLife.com
fund through the Filipino Channel ABSCBN. The managing director was so gracious about what she has done and very inspired by how young she was and how she wanted to help the Philippines. And he wanted to do a TV plug on her. Months passed, and we thought it wouldn’t happen… until about two days before the plug aired (this spring). And there it was and it was so sweet. We have family who have seen it. According to my mother, it’s still airing. She saw her this morning. The last time you went to the Philippines you were 6. What do you remember about it? Margaret: It was really hot and rained a lot. Traffic is different. I remember going to the mall and swimming in the pool. This project made me want to go to the Philippines again to see the river. I might want to fundraise again because it was fun to raise money for them and it felt good that I was helping other people.
&DRINK
FOOD
BEHIND THE BREWS Of course Homewood would be the first local suburb to have a brewery. And two years in, you’ll find it hopping, pun intended. BY ASHLEY KAPPEL PHOTOS BY MARY FEHR HomewoodLife.com 33
FOOD & DRINK
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FOOD & DRINK
There’s nothing usual about Red Hills Brewing Company. Murals showcasing chemical compounds peek out from behind the fermenters. Early afternoon brings families of all ages holding pints and popsicles while playing cornhole. And then there are the Easter eggs, tiny inside jokes, hidden throughout the taproom. If you’re looking for a basic beer, you’ve come to the wrong place. Joe Pilleteri, founder of Red Hills, has always loved to tinker. For a while, he worked on old cars, carefully nudging them back to health. Then, when cars proved too expensive a hobby, he turned to home brewing, a change that would cost him, ironically, far more, but would pay resounding dividends in friendship and family. Joe went from brewing in his kitchen, much to the chagrin of his wife, to brewing in the basement, to joining Alabrew, our local homebrew shop. It was at Alabrew that he met Eric Baumann, now the brewmaster of Red Hills. As Joe puts it, “I really wanted to learn how to make beer, so Eric started teaching me.” Their dream of turning a shared hobby into a business was born, but first they had to find a “killer location.” Red Hills, located off Homewood’s main drag in the heart of the neighborhood, opened in September of 2016 in an old A&P Grocery Store that lived second and third lives as a Winsave drug store and Alabama
Printing. Now, the once mini strip mall has been reborn as Homewood’s hottest day-tonight entertainment district. Located on Central Avenue next to Steel City Pops, Octane, and Little Donkey, Red Hills rounded out what Homewood had been missing: a family-friendly gathering space that’s popsicle- and dog-friendly, perfect for neighborly gatherings, and drawing some of the hottest acts around to the taproom. “Weekdays tend to be people just getting off work, or coming by for a beer or two after dinner,” Joe says. “On the weekends and early afternoons we’re full with families, and then later we start to fill up with young professionals, followed by college crowds even later.” Homewood residents won’t be surprised to know that Homewood won out as Birmingham’s first suburban brewery because of its loyalty to its businesses. “I grew up Over the Mountain and spent my high school years working at Piggly Wiggly and the old Alpine Ice Rink,” Joe says. “Homewood residents have always supported Homewood businesses, and this is key to a small startup business. Homewood is also an extremely walkable city, almost like a throwback to towns in the ’50s.” Its central location in the Birmingham area and proximity to downtown also played HomewoodLife.com 35
FOOD & DRINK key roles in finalizing the location. He loves seeing the families roll up together, whether in car or in walking stroller and wagon parades because, while the brewery claims to take beer seriously, “and not much else,” Joe does take a few other things to heart, namely friends and family. Joe attended military college, so those close friends’ homes span the globe. But when they do reach out about coming into town and want to see the brewery, he, his wife, and their two daughters Bella and Sophie make time to get the families together. A quick peek above the dart boards shows that Joe’s claim, “nothing is more important to me than family and friends,” is one he takes seriously. There, his family background is on full display. “Most of my dad’s family and maternal grandfather’s parents came from the same small area of Sicily. My maternal grandmother’s parents came from Slovakia,” he says. If you think his attention to detail stops at tracing his lineage, then you haven’t asked him about his beer, or his brewery. With the perfect location decided, Joe went to work with his team designing the space and, more importantly, the brews. Missy Miles, an artist from Hamilton, Alabama, painted the mural, a custom work paying homage to the beer making process.
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FOOD & DRINK
Q + A WITH JOE PILLETERI Best First-Time Brew: Pilsner
Best Summer Brew to Try: Hefeweizen Favorite Popsicle Flavor from
Next Door: Pineapple JapaleĂąo
Best Bar-Room Game: Cornhole
Favorite Sport to Watch: Not original, but college football
Favorite Homewood Hang Out: Red Hills of course
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MEET THE RED HILLS TEAM Eric Baumann—Brewmaster
Originally a chef, Eric is now the creative side of Red Hills and experience to craft classic beers and experiment with off-the-wall flavor combinations. Zane Rowland—Brewer & Cellerman
Joe hired Zane from a brewery in Kentucky, moving him to Homewood to work with the Red Hills family. If you see him in the taproom, break the ice by asking about his impressive swimming career in high school and college. Ralph Marion—Taproom and Marketing Known to the craft beer community as
Beered Blackman, Ralph is the social side of Red Hills, handling taproom activities, social media, and local events with area restaurants and bars. 38 HomewoodLife.com
“If you look, you’ll see hops and grain on the wall, plus the chemical make-up of some of the esters, phenols, and oils that are in beer,” Joe explains. The mural continues with banana ester and clove phenol hiding behind the large fermenters, key ingredients in the Homewood Hefeweizen, then Myrcene, a common oil found in hops. The top of the mural shows the chemical reaction the hop goes through during the boiling process, which takes you to just below the ceiling, where the chemical make-up of ethanol, the type of alcohol in beer, lives. If you think the art requires a chemistry degree, then buckle up for the beer briefing. When asked how beer, having only four ingredients, can have so many different flavors, Joes gives a 900-word response that starts with grain and ends with this summer’s offerings: a second batch of Unicorn Bubbles, a New England Style IPA, refreshing kettle sours, and perhaps an encore (with a twist) to last summer’s grapefruit Radler. If you ask the taproom employees for the details, prepare to look up words like wort, lautering and sparging. Their passion is inspiring. While Joe gave up tinkering with cars long before he had children, his desire to learn and develop continues to grow in Homewood, offering a place for neighbors to gather, sip and savor slow southern evenings. Like Homewood, Red Hills prides itself in mixing the classic and the new, so stop in and savor an ages-old pilsner, or expand your palate with a seasonal offering, like Chocolate Hazelnut Porter. Better yet, grab a friend and try a flight—Homewood’s only brewery is ready to pour.
Prosecco Fizz
FOOD & DRINK
MARGARITA
TACO MAMA BY SCOT HARRISON PHOTO BY EMMA SIMMONS
A number of items on the Taco Mama menu have a story behind them, like The Big Client, Hippie Fisherman, The Judge burrito, Justice is Served and Alabama Redneck tacos. Each were named for people instrumental in Taco Mama founder Will Haver’s career in the hospitality business and his growing taco chain in particular. Almost from the start Will’s wife, Leigh, had asked when he’d name one after her. Knowing how Leigh and her friends enjoyed the occasional glass of prosecco, Will created the Prosecco Fizz Margarita. After all, he’s always credited Leigh as a key player in Taco Mama’s success.
WHAT’S IN IT • • • • •
Giro Tequila Silver Gran Marnier Lime Juice Simple Syrup Prosecco
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FOOD & DRINK
5
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Jennifer Mims
Caveat Coffee Co-Owner PHOTO BY MADOLINE MARKHAM
Once upon a time Real & Rosemary fans were asking if they could use the restaurant for events. Its space is limited, though, but those asks sparked a new idea for its owners: a coffee shop by day and event space by night. And so just two years after Real & Rosemary was born, along came its sister, Caveat Coffee. Stop by the intersection of Linden Avenue and Crescent 7 a.m.-7 p.m. to pick up an online order at their drive-through window, chat with a friend inside or, perhaps the best option, sip a Black & Tan on the back patio. What’s a Black & Tan, you say? Read on. What’s at the heart of what you do here? The food is very important to me, but the conversations and the people you meet are just as important. In today’s world with social media where everybody is so plugged in and connected to their phone, it’s nice to be able to put it down and look somebody in the eye. That’s where the name Caveat came from—it’s an exception to come take a moment out of your day, get a cup of coffee and connect with somebody else. Can you talk about how the space came into being? We found this great house on Linden. It was home to Alabama Reweaving, but they moved and the building sat vacant for a long time. I have always wanted to rehab a house and turn it into a retail spot, so we took it down to the studs and opened it up. It was all choppy in a bunch of different rooms before. We were able to keep about 75 percent of the original floors, and discovered these original trusses in the ceiling and were able to keep all of the original roof. We added more doors and 40 HomewoodLife.com
windows, and I had an artist who is on staff with us do a plaster finish on the walls to give it some depth and texture. We used the same designer as we did for Real & Rosemary. What’s on tap for this summer? We think it’s going to be fun for people to hang out on the patio with the good weather. You can also rent out the whole thing or just part of it. We have had inquiries for bridesmaids luncheons, rehearsal dinners, corporate functions and going away parties, and we can book from 10 to 100 people. We cater from Real & Rosemary, and we have our beer and wine license for events. This summer we are going to do a Summer Sips series with a focus on different wines throughout the summer on Thursday nights that’s open to everyone. What should we order? We are working with La Colombe out of Philadelphia to supply our coffee. They have really high quality beans. We also feature draft lattes, and you can do just cold brew, just draft latte, or mix them
together for what we call a Black & Tan. It’s all cold, which is great for our hot summers. The cold brew mixes with milk and nitrogen for the draft latte side. We’re also working with a company called H&F Bread Co. out of Atlanta to supply muffins and Danishes. It’s the same company that does our bread in our restaurant, and everything is all natural and preservative-free. We also work with Pastry Art to supply cake cups, big versions of the Baby Bites, like in the restaurant. We serve spa waters too, which come in a variety of seasonal flavors, and freshsqueezed orange juice. We’re going to add Greek yogurt parfaits with granola, and we have a lot of food items we are developing to release soon. Where do you recommend parking when you are coming to Caveat? Right now there is public parking anywhere that there’s not a yellow curb on Crescent, and you can park at the gravel lot across from Little Donkey or on 18th Street and walk a block. We have two parking spots in the front and two spots in the back, plus a wheelchair spot.
&STYLE
HOME
WHERE NEW MEETS OLD
Don’t let white paint and extra square footage fool you. The Gonzalezes’ 1935 Tudor is still very much what it’s always been. BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD HomewoodLife.com 41
HOME & STYLE
O
One weekend—that’s the extent of the time Eva and Marco Gonzalez had to find a house before they moved to Birmingham from Baton Rouge. When they drove down Redfern to a 1935 Tudor set back on two lots, their eyes lit up. “The bay windows instantly attracted us,” Eva recalls. “Being from Baton Rouge everything was really flat. We wanted a Birmingham looking house,” Marco adds. And it doesn’t get more Birmingham than their sloped lot encased with stone walls so distinct that that’s how many Homewood runners and bikers know it. The couple put in an offer after just one look. That was 2002. Thirteen years, two kids and one golden retriever rescue later, the Gonzalezes still loved the character of the home, but they also were craving some changes too. They wanted new bathrooms and more closet space, as well as a renovated kitchen and space for their kids, now ages 8 and 10, to grow into. “We truly loved the original house. We just wanted it to work for us and for our busy family,” Eva says. To do so, they enlisted a team that values historic homes just as they do, with Jared Bussey, a longtime friend, working on the architectural design, and Jama and Geoffrey Ketcham on the construction. As construction began, doors were removed, but most were just relocated to other spaces with their original
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hardware. The stone pathway was pulled up and then relaid with the original stones. The original front door became a sliding door over the kitchen pantry. Wherever possible, bricks that were removed were put back in new spots. Perhaps the most notable change in the house’s journey from 2,200 square feet to 3,200 was the addition of a new story on top, although it’s not visible from the street. Where the house once ended in the back you’ll now find a staircase leading to a third story with kids’ rooms and a laundry room. Downstairs, the master bedroom remained the same and a nursery became a guest room, but the bedroom in between the two was used to make a large master closet and bathroom. Outside, the original orange hue brick was painted white, and on the front porch screens were removed, the roofline was reworked and the front door was moved to open in an entry space with the large bay windows instead of straight into the living room. In its place, though, the windows were selected to fit the historic character of the house of course. Although the home’s exterior is lighter and there’s extra square footage hidden from the road, it’s still the same 1935 Tudor— stand-out bay windows, rock walls and all— that the Gonzalezes have treasured for 15 years and counting.
HOME & STYLE
Entryway Two large bay windows on the side of the house were originally a major selling factor for the Gonzalezes. With the renovation, they moved their front door from opening to the living room to this entry area that better shows off the windows.
Living Room Most of this room structurally remained the same, but now a single neutral wall color—a custom mix Jama Ketcham dubbed “Gonzalez grey”— ties all it together with all the other rooms in the house. “Sometimes it looks white, sometimes it looks grey,” Eva says. “I wanted a really clean palette.”
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Details Above the “massive� stove Eva picked out is a glass and marble geometric backsplash (Bryant Square Petite Blend) that she says appealed to her as an engineer. Large drawers in lower cabinets hold dishes, and Feiss lights above the island add a nautical flair.
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HOME & STYLE
Kitchen Eva wanted a giant island, and a giant one she got with this piece of crema Delicato honed marble—a stone she picked because it had “a lot of movement and a lot of grey.” The island also provides the extensive storage space she envisioned. Adjacent to it is a beverage bar with a built-in coffee/espresso maker and a beverage refrigerator. HomewoodLife.com 45
HOME & STYLE
Master Bathroom For years the Gonzalezes “rotated� their closet contents seasonally, but no more. Where a bedroom and small bathroom once stood they created a new large master closet as well as a bathroom with a soaking tub and a shower.
Master Bedroom Most of the master bedroom remained the same in the renovations, except that they replaced a window and window seat with French doors that open up to the front porch.
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HOME & STYLE
Powder Room Timber from a celling joist in the original structure was used to build this sink. A pocket door enables this space to open to the guest room as well as the kitchen for dual roles as a guest bath and powder room.
Guest Bedroom What had served as a nursery for years is now the house’s guest room. The room still has the original built-in drawers and other signs of its 1935 character.
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Upstairs Mudroom The new upstairs is now the domain of the two Gonzalez children. At the top of the stairs you first enter a mudroom that mimics the original bead board downstairs and opens up into a playroom.
Girl’s Room Eva found most of her home’s bedding from Pottery Barn, including this light pink ruffled bed set and quilt for her daughter’s room. It shares a Jack N Jill bathroom with her brother’s room.
BEHIND THE SCENES Architect: Jared Bussey,
Architectural Cooperative
Contractor: Jama & Geoffrey Ketcham, Ketcham & Company
Countertops: Triton Stone Group Appliances: Thermador
Plumbing Fixtures: Ferguson
Select Lighting: Bevolo, New Orleans Cabinet Hardware: Brandino Brass
Selected Furnishings: Restoration Hardware, At Home, Barnett Antiques Bedding: Pottery Barn
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IN STYLE
PRETTY IN PASTELS 1
2
BY KAYLEY COGGINS PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD
FOR MOM
3
4 1. FLORAL DRESS BY LOVESTITCH Layering a floral dress as a kimono brings visual interest to your outfit. Ambiance | $64
2. STONE TUNIC BY ACROBAT The fabric is easy to wear and so comfortable that you’ll be pairing it with all sorts of things. Theadora and Abbeyluxe Shoes | $239
3. PURPLE LEATHER EARRINGS BY INSPIRATIONS BY JAMIE Leather feather earrings have been on trend for a few seasons but this pastel purple pair is extra perfect for summer. Shoefly Boutique | $45 Kayley Coggins is a wardrobe consultant and stylist who believes that fashion is a tool to help you feel beautiful in every season.
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4. BLUSH HEEL BY SACHA LONDON Add a touch of pastel pink to keep any outfit looking trendy and feminine. Theadora and Abbeyluxe Shoes | $167
1. OFF-THE-SHOULDER FLORAL TOP BY KIDDOS BY KATIE
1
Follow the off-the-shoulder trend, combined here with pastel patterns. Soca Girl | $48.50
2. NATURAL FRINGE CLUTCH BY LEATHERROCK Take this fun bag with you wherever you go this season. Ambiance | $139
3. SAGE DENIM SHORTS BY ADRIANO GOLDSCHMIED KIDS This denim hue makes a teen’s summer wardrobe versatile and fun. Soca Girl | $49
2
4. NATURAL SNEAKERS BY JSLIDES Fun fashion sneakers are easy to pair with sundresses or your favorite shorts for a chic warm weather look. Shoefly Boutique | $145
3
FOR DAUGHTER
4
ACCESSORIZE 1. HAT BY SAN DIEGO HAT COMPANY Ambiance | $52.99
3
1
2. PASTEL PINK SUNGLASSES BY KUMA Shoefly Boutique | $36
3. PASTEL PINK BEADED BAG BY AMERICA & BEYOND
2
Theadora and Abbeyluxe Shoes | $56
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BABY BIZ & BEYOND
AS THE CREATOR OF THE STYLISH YET FUNCTIONAL LINE OF BABY GEAR, INDIE & CHIC, SAMANTHA ECHOLS SHAPES A BUSINESS MODEL MADE FOR MOTHERHOOD. BY SUZANNE MILLS | PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 53
W
Whimsical fabrics and colorful beads cover the dining room table inside Samantha Echols’ small Edgewood cottage. They will soon be part of unique sets of baby merchandise for her booming business, Indie & Chic. At the age of 29, this young mother of three (Max age 4, Sam age 2 and Eleanor age 1) is not only discovering how to balance work and parenthood, she’s aiming to empower other moms in the process. THE COMPANY OF MOMS Loneliness struck Samantha while she was home with her first child and her husband, Rob, was deployed with the National Guard. “Most of my friends didn’t have children yet, and I needed a way to share with other moms,” she says. She coupled that feeling with the fact that she wasn’t completely satisfied with the baby products she was finding. She describes the chew bead necklaces at that time as “too chunky,” so she began making her own. Rob, who is now in the Reserves and works a civilian job, was the first to encourage Samantha to sell her creations. That’s when she began to realize that Indie & Chic, which had originally been a jewelry business she started when she was 19, could evolve into something more. Making matching pacifier clips, rattles, burp cloths and clothing to go with her necklace designs felt like a natural progression. However, she believed the key factor for this new business idea would be enlisting fellow moms to help. “Creating community has always been an important part of this,” Samantha explains. Her desires resonate well with the first mom she hired and Birmingham mother of triplets, Courtney Wright. She feels thrilled to find a part-time job that allows her the flexibility to work around her children’s schedules, but is quick to note that Indie & Chic means more to her than just that. “Samantha is such a breath of fresh air, and I think of her business the same way,” Courtney says. “She is always striving for growth while
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also being extremely collaborative. She genuinely wants feedback on every aspect of the business and really appreciates the relationships that are growing out of this brand.” Indie & Chic now employs a total of four local moms. Samantha puts together kits of the materials, such as silicon beads (ideal for babies who like to chew) and stylish wood pieces for teething rings, rattles and necklaces, and then pays the moms per piece to put them together. She jokes that there’s no need to be crafty for this job. “None of them came by it naturally,” she says. With Samantha’s teaching, however, it didn’t take long for these ladies to find their groove making baby products. But when it comes to the sewing part of the job, Samantha turns to perhaps one of the most special moms of all—her own mother, Shanne Adams. CREATIVE GENES An artful eye and a tireless work ethic run strong in Shanne and Samantha’s family. Shanne, who has been sewing since she was 13, currently sews on the side while also helping the Indie & Chic line. Many Homewood natives also know Shanne from her days running the Top Stitchin’ embroidery store. “We were in Edgewood for 20 years,” she says. “Samantha was raised in my shop.” The mother and daughter moved to Homewood from Dallas, Texas, in 1993. Shanne initially worked an insurance job that wasn’t very conducive to motherhood. Opening Top Stitchin’ allowed her to spend more time as a mom. Samantha believes those years made a huge impact on the person she is today. A self-described “fabric junkie,” Samantha says she’s always loved playing with color. The fanciful high-quality material she uses for her products reflect that. She proudly selects female artists’ work for the cloth prints. Samantha enjoys packaging these pretty products together as matching sets, but they can also
Samantha Echols runs her business Indie & Chic from her Edgewood home.
HomewoodLife.com 55
SHOP CHIC Samantha attended market in Atlanta for the first time in January. “The experience was both exciting and terrifying,” she says. Despite her nerves, Indie & Chic was picked up by a showroom. The brand is now sold in 40 shops across 16 states. Here’s where it can be found locally. Swaddle, Homewood
Once Upon a Time, Mountain Brook bKids, Mountain Brook
Chickadee Interiors, Vestavia Hills
Pepper Place on April 14 and 21, May 26, June 9 and 23, and July 21
Shoppers can also check out the products online at indieandchic.com.
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be purchased individually. She describes her unique style as “Anthropologie meets baby” and stresses the importance of keeping a fresh look to the line. “I don’t want to look like I’m decked out in ‘mom gear,’” she jokes. Despite spending her childhood in a crafty environment, this is not how Samantha envisioned her future. After receiving a scholarship, she attended school near Lake Superior at Northland College in Wisconsin. She majored in pre-vet and worked around animals in her early 20s, but becoming a mom
inevitably inspired her to return to her more innovative roots. Shanne was not so shocked to see her daughter start her own business. “She’s determined, self-reliant and industrious,” she says. “I’m very proud and not at all surprised.” MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS Samantha never loses focus on how Indie & Chic can unite moms while still creating adorable baby items. Her dedication to this goal can be seen in the 40
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hours per week she currently pours into the business. Samantha takes advantage of her children’s nap times and late nights to work inside the makeshift office she’s created inside her laundry room. “If I have free time, I’m using it for my business. I don’t know how to be idle,” she admits. Samantha hopes these long hours will pay off by helping her gain more recognition for the Indie & Chic brand while also changing the way moms work and shop. For example, she’s currently planning events where moms can shop, hang out together and listen to guest speakers. Her mission is also evident on indieandchic.com. While it showcases an impressive array of baby gear, it also offers something else—a blog where moms can talk about the highs and lows of raising young children. Ultimately Samantha aims to have an open studio, complete with childcare, where moms could find fun part-time jobs or simply enjoy buying gifts for babies (a concept she has seen in western parts of the country). With fellow moms supporting Samantha and her big dreams, Birmingham shouldn’t be surprised to see such a studio pop up in the near future. Courtney may sum it up best when she says, “I love that Samantha, and Indie & Chic, is not just about selling a great product. She believes in creating a place for moms to share their stories, feel seen and heard, encourage one another and celebrate the crazy joy that is motherhood.”
Samantha Echols with her mom, Shanne
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FIT for a DOCTOR
a coat
IT TOOK KEN SHAIA TWO YEARS TO TAILOR JUST THE RIGHT ONE, BUT IT SEEMS HE DID SOMETHING RIGHT.
K
By Melanie Peeples | Photos by Mary Fehr
Ken Shaia is impeccably dressed. You might expect that, since he is the fourth-generation member of his family to run Shaia’s of Homewood. (The shop on 18th Street South where he works every day was once his grandfather’s home.) It’s in his blood, you might say. But it’s not just that he likes to look good. Simply put, it’s his personal, passionate opinion that taking the time to look your best is a way of showing respect to others. To the people who have to look at you and, even more so, share space with you. “I can’t stand when I get on a plane and there’s hairy arms next to me, and open-toed shoes, and I’m going, ‘What, don’t we deserve to give each
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other enough respect?’” Ken explains. When he hears people say they don’t really dress anymore, he wants to ask if they still brush their teeth and comb their hair. “Because it’s not for YOU. This is what we do to be in a position to each other to tell each other that we respect our time and effort and energy.” So, a few years back when he found himself in the care of a doctor who took really good care of him, Ken says he wanted to do something nice for the doctor. He had the thought, while walking into Highlands Bar and Grill, and seeing Frank Stitt in his chef’s coat, “THAT’S what I’ll do. I’ll get him a really nice doctor’s coat!”
HomewoodLife.com 61
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HOMEW OOD
CE • BA MAKERSPA
SHADES CAHA
LIFE
REE K & TH GREEY’S JAMES JOHNN MINATION BEARD NO
OD THEATRE
• DAWSON
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ECTION
KIDS CONN
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IPT LIFNE THE SHOD -GROW HOMEWO
RCOLORS
LLARS’ WATE
ASHLEY MCCU
ON STAGE
HOUSE 2.0
• URBAN COOK
S’ WEDDING
ARIA • SHERRI
ARTISTRY
HOMEW OOD
HOMEWO DELIVERY GROCERY LIFE
TORY OF
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But when he tried to find one, he discovered no one was making a high-quality physician’s coat. He says the ones he saw looked just like a butcher’s coat. He was a bit taken aback, thinking the butcher and the physician shouldn’t look the same, and that it couldn’t possibly be comfortable for doctors, who come in all shapes and sizes. So, he decided to make one. He says it took him two years to get it right. “It’s really to celebrate somebody that took the time to spend that much time to become a physician,” Ken says. He didn’t think doctors should be fighting with ill-fitting coats that ride up or down or restrict movement. And, it turns out, a tailored garment fixes those problems. While some people may think tailored means tight, it doesn’t. Tailored means altered to fit you, making it more comfortable for you. So, when he sat down to design one, Ken knew he needed one that would be stain-resistant and able to withstand lots of washing. Naturally, he didn’t want to add any chemicals to the fabric, so the answer was a long staple cotton that would not only withstand multiple washings, but is naturally resistant to stains. Instead of buttons that would break in the washing machine, he used cloth knots, which he learned was also the traditional fastening agent used in the first doctor’s coats. Ken even thought about how, when leaning over, a cell phone in a pocket tends to hang outward and could knock into a patient, so he designed a gravity pocket that makes whatever is in the pocket fall inward, toward the body. Then, it’s tailored to the individual, so when it’s
Monte Ellis measures Dr. Alan McCool for new coat.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF DOCTORS’ COATS Once upon a time, doctors wore black coats to denote the seriousness and formality of the situation. Also, up until around 1900, seeing a doctor was a last resort, and unfortunately was often followed by a funeral. Then, with the innovations in science at the turn of the century, the art of medicine shifted to a noble profession. Doctors switched to a white coat to look more scientific, as more and more of the general public began to have confidence in the white lab coats of scientists at the start of the 20th century. White also suggested a clean and pure look, and was practical because it would show dirt, leading, one hopes, to more frequent washings. It could also be cleaned with bleach, which meant it could attain a higher level of cleanliness. The doctor’s coat quickly became a symbol of care and compassion, not to mention trust. The white coat ceremony at medical schoolsy is a recent practice, and did not get its start until 1993 at Columbia University in New York City.
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Ken Shaia designed Shaia’s line of doctor’s coats, Monte Ellis works in sales and operations for the store.
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finished, it’s a thoughtful, very comfortable garment. It’s a quiet, sideline business for Shaia’s, but has a loyal, word-of-mouth following. Dr. Alan McCool, a urologist and Homewood resident, was living and working in Dothan when he noticed a neurosurgeon wearing a really nice coat. (You might have never really noticed a difference in one doctor’s coat from another, but McCool says neither had he, until he had this coat.) McCool, like most doctors, had been issued a short coat when he started medical school, and a longer coat when he became a resident. “It’s a big, boxy coat. It didn’t fit.” But for seven years, that’s the kind of coat he wore. After talking to the neurologist though, he took the time on his next trip to Birmingham (where he grew up) to walk into Shaia’s and see for himself. After trying one on, he thought, “That’s what a
“
The care that they were offering to the patient was important, and so that same type of care should have been put into a garment that helps them through the day.
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-Ken Shaia
doctor’s coat is supposed to feel like.” McCool, who started with two of Ken’s coats and is now up to four, is happy to proselytize when other doctors notice his. Which, he says, they do. “Well, first of all, it’s fitted. It’s much more comfortable. It’s soft. It’s like wearing a nice sport coat.” It also has a lining that allows it to glide smoothly over whatever style shirt the doctor is wearing. The number of return customers tells Ken his original idea, to honor doctors with a garment created to better serve them, helped him correct a real flaw in the industry. “The care that they were offering to the patient was important, and so that same type of care should have been put into a garment that helps them through the day.” Now, it is—in every doctor’s coat they make. HomewoodLife.com 65
HOMEWOOD’S BEST WINNERS 2018 Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered. Thousands of votes were cast in Homewood Life’s inaugural Best contest. Read on to find out our readers’ favorite shops, restaurants and more in Homewood. Photos by Jennifer Jones
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FOOD & DRINK MOST FRIENDLY SERVICE Urban Cookhouse 1920 29th Avenue South 205-879-0883 urbancookhouse.com Finalists: Taco Mama, Michael’s Restaurant, Chick-Fil-A MOST KID FRIENDLY DINING Taco Mama 1014 Oxmoor Road 205-414-0441 tacomamaonline.com Finalists: Urban Cookhouse, Sam’s Deli & Grill BEST ETHNIC/REGIONAL CUISINE Saw’s BBQ 1008 Oxmoor Road 205-879-1937 sawsbbq.com Finalists: Nabeel’s Café and Market, Red Pearl Restaurant
BEST DATE NIGHT Gianmarco’s 721 Broadway Street 205-871-9622 gianmarcosbhm.com Finalists: Little Donkey, Jinsei BEST LADIES LUNCH Real & Rosemary 1922 29th Avenue South 205-820-7100 realandrosemary.com Finalists: O’Carr’s, Ashley Mac’s
GROWNUPS WERE STUNNED AS HE CHARMED THE SERVER INTO GIVING HIM ICE CREAM WITH SPRINKLES AND HOT FUDGE, ON THE HOUSE!
BEST COFFEE O’Henry’s Coffee 2831 18th Street South 205-870-1198 // 569 Brookwood Village, Suite 101 205-870-1148 ohenryscoffees.com Finalists: Seeds Coffee, Red Mountain Expresso BEST SWEET TREATS Cookie Fix
BEST DATE NIGHT Gianmarco’s
CHILDREN A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY
and at Children’s of Alabama, we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine. 1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 3 3 (205) 638-9100
ChildrensAL.org
Congratulations Mayfair Medical Group! Mayfair Medical Group 3401 Independence Drive, Suite 111 Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 870-1273
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BEST CHEF Timothy Hontzas/ Johnny’s Restaurant Photo by Megan Tsang
2854 18th Street South 205-582-2623 cookiefix.com Finalists: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe, Savage’s Bakery, Dreamcakes, Steel City Pops BEST PIZZA Dave’s Pizza 1819 29th Avenue South 205-871-3283 davesontheweb.com Finalists: New York Pizza, DeVinci’s Pizza BEST DRINKS/COCKTAILS Gianmarco’s 721 Broadway Street 205-871-9622 gianmarcosbhm.com Finalists: Taco Mama, Cocina Superior BEST CHEF (TIE) Giani Respinto/ Gianmarco’s 721 Broadway Street 205-871-9622 gianmarcosbhm.com
BEST SWEET TREATS Cookie Fix
Timothy Hontzas/ Johnny’s Restaurant 2902 18th Street South, Suite 200 205-802-2711 johnnyshomewood.com Finalists: Eryka Perry/ Michael’s Restaurant, Joshua Gentry/Little Donkey
COMMUNITY BEST COMMUNITY EVENT We Love Homewood Day With first Saturday of May comes a celebration of all things Homewood. Finalists: Christmas Parade/ 68 HomewoodLife.com
Star Lighting, Homewood Witches Ride BEST NEIGHBORHOOD Edgewood You can’t beat its sidewalks, neighbor hang outs and treats to eat. Finalists: Downtown Homewood, West Homewood BEST LOCAL CAUSE The Exceptional Foundation Serving mentally and physically challenged persons we love to call friends. Finalists: The Bell Center, Samford University Legacy League BEST OUTDOOR SPOT Homewood Central Park We’re pretty sure the caterpillar alone could have won this award. Finalists: Homewood Pool, Patriot Park BEST CHURCH CHOIR Dawson Family of Faith More than 200 voices flood the Dawson sanctuary each Sunday morning. Finalists: Trinity United Methodist, Our Lady of Sorrows BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY Adrian Castellano/WVTM 13 Meteorologist Will it rain? Will there be a tornado? Will it snow? Adrian can tell you. Finalists: Coach Steve Sills, Valerie Woods, Johnny Montgomery, Sam Graphos, Frank Morgan, Wayne
MOST FRIENDLY SERVICE Urban Cookhouse
Photo by Lindsey Culver
Salem, Susie Ankenbrandt
HEALTH & BEAUTY BEST PEDIATRIC PRACTICE Mayfair Medical Group 3401 Independence Drive 205-870-1273 childrensal.org/mayfairmedical-group Finalists: Alabama Pediatrics, MedHelp PC BEST DENTAL PRACTICE Brighter Image Dentistry/Dr. Spencer Maddox 2908 Central Avenue, Suite 150 205-591-6220 brighterimagedentistry.com
Finalists: Powell Pediatric Dentistry, Homewood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry BEST EYE CARE PRACTICE JJ Eyes 2814 18th St South 205-703-8596 jjeyesoptical.com Finalists: Red Mountain Eye Care, EyeCare Associates BEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE PRACTICE Homewood Friends & Family Health Center 3250 Independence Drive, Suite 100 205-803-1234 homewoodfriendsandfamily. com Finalists: Witt Chiropractic, Oxmoor Chiropractic HomewoodLife.com 69
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE Hemline Birmingham Photo by Laine White
BEST PHARMACY Homewood Pharmacy 940 Oxmoor Road 205-871-9000 homewoodpharmacy.com
BEST FITNESS CENTER Shades Valley YMCA 3551 Montgomery Highway 205-870-9622 ymcabham.org/shades-valley
Finalists: CVS, Publix
Finalists: IronTribe, Homewood Rec Center
BEST HAIR SALON Salon U 2824 Linden Avenue 205-870-8708 salonustyle.com Finalists: Wheelhouse, Forecast BEST NAIL SALON OR SPA Genesis Nail Spa 350 Hallman Hill East, Unit 51 205-802-0639 Finalists: Escape Day Spa, L V Nails
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SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST NEW BUSINESS Hemline Birmingham 1802 29th Avenue 205-802-9252 shophemline.com Finalists: Wild Things, Farm Bowl + Juice Co., Hero Doughnuts, Mason-Dixon Bakery & Bistro BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Hemline Birmingham 1802 29th Avenue 205-802-9252 shophemline.com Finalists: Sikes Children’s Shoes, Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro, Publix BEST BOUTIQUE/ CLOTHING Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 205-870-1919 alabamaoutdoors.com Finalists: Soca Clothing Boutique, Fab’rik
BEST STORE FOR HOME FURNISHINGS/DÉCOR At Home Furnishings 2921 18th Street South 205-879-3510 athome-furnishings.com Finalists: Homewood Antiques & Marketplace, Nadeau BEST STORE FOR KIDS Homewood Toy & Hobby 2830 18th Street South 205-879-3986 homewoodtoy-hobby.com Finalist: The Smocking Bird
BEST STORE FOR GIFTS Alabama Goods 2933 18th Street South 205-803-3900 alabamagoods.com Finalist: White Flowers
BEST FLORIST/NURSERY Sweet Peas Garden Shop 2829 Linden Avenue 205- 879-3839 facebook.com/ sweetpeasgardenshop/
BEST LOCAL CAUSE The Exceptional Foundation
HOMEWOOD’S
BEST HO
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Finalists: Homewood Flowers, Wild Things
HOME, FINANCE, & AUTO
BEST ANIMAL CLINIC Homewood Animal Hospital 501 Scott Street 205-943-0008 homewoodanimal.com
BEST INSURANCE AGENT Thomas Waters/State Farm 3103 Independence Drive 205-879-1988 thomaswaters.com
Finalist: Standifer’s Animal Clinic
Finalist: Stan Faulkner/ State Farm
BEST PLACE FOR
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Scott Butler/LAH Real Estate 205-879-8580 Office 205-706-5836 Cell scottbutler@lahrealestate. com lahrealestate.com/agents/ scott_butler/
CREATIVITY Do It Yourself Crafts 1909 Oxmoor Road 205-868-4346 doityourselfcrafts.com
BEST PLACE FOR CREATIVITY Do It Yourself Crafts
Finalists: Homewood Musical Instrument Company, Liz Lane Gallery
Finalists: Stacey Flippen/ ARC Realty, Joe Falconer/
WHY THE Y? Because YOUR Success Is OUR Success.
Helping parents Character in kids CULTIVATE
THANK YOU, HOMEWOOD! For making the Shades Valley YMCA your preferred health and wellness provider! HOMEWOOD’S
BEST HO
2018
MEW
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FIND OUT HOW
www.ccslion.com/character
Birmingham Locations
Greystone • Homewood • Pelham Trace Crossings • Valleydale ®
covenant classical ® schools & daycare
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1/31/2018 8:41:15 AM
RealtySouth BEST BANK Regions Bank 100 Green Springs Highway // 1 Independence Plaza 800-734-4667 regions.com Finalists: Wells Fargo, BBVA Compass BEST AUTO SERVICE Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers 1717 27th Court South 205-879-4499 // 289 Lakeshore Parkway 205-490-1426 // 215 Green Springs Highway 205-942-6684 expressoil.com Finalists: Rob’e Mans Automotive Service, Hatfield Auto Parts & Service
BEST HAIR SALON Salon U
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Homewood Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S
Save The Date
Happenings
Save the Date for the 2018 Downtown Homewood Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 28!
Thursday, May 3 Equipping your Business with E-Commerce Join the Homewood Chamber and Outklick to learn how to equip your business with e-commerce. 5 p.m. SoHo Social
Saturday, May 5 We Love Homewood Day 2018 Visit www.homewoodparks.com for a full schedule of the day’s events! All Day Homewood Central Park & Edgewood
Tuesday, May 15 May Membership Luncheon sponsored by VisionFirst and featuring Guest Speaker John Coppins, USPGA 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Club
Tuesday, June 19 June Membership Luncheon featuring a presentation from the Regional Planning Commission: Heart of Homewood Plan 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m The Club
The seventh annual Downtown Homewood Sidewalk Sale will be held all day on Saturday, July 28th. Last year a large number of merchants and restaurants participated in the sale, and several more are looking forward
New Member Spotlight Food Allergy Treatment Center
alabamaallergy.com/food allergy
Ashley Mac’s
Saturday, July 28
ashleymacs.com
2018 Sidewalk Sale Regular Business Hours Downtown Homewood
caveatcoffee.com
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to being a part of the fun this year. Shoppers are encouraged to arrive early as select merchandise will be marked down up to 75%! For more information about the Downtown Homewood Sidewalk Sale, please visit www. homewoodchamber.org.
Caveat Coffee
About Town abouttown.io
Bright Health
brighthealthplan.com
Red Sea Ethiopian and Mediterranean Restaurant redseaethiomediterranean. com
HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA 35209
F i n d U s O n l i ne
Sign up for our weekly newsletter | Access our member directory Purchase Buy Local Homewood eGift Cards
Chamber News The Homewood Chamber of Commerce Launches New Strategic Plan Homewood Forward The Homewood Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present its first communitydriven strategic plan, Homewood Forward. Comprised of input from over 40 interviews, an allmember survey, and developed by The Copeland Strategies Group, Homewood Forward presents a road map for the Chamber of Commerce to build a stronger community. For more information about Homewood Forward, please visit our website at www. homewoodchamber.org.
Amanda Howard Real Estate of Birmingham
Ashley Mac’s
Friday, March 2 1831 28th Ave South, Suite N101
Red Sea Ethiopian and Mediterranean Restaurant
Friday, March 9 | 22 Green Springs Hwy
Creative Benefit Solutions creativebenefitsolutions.org
amandahoward.com
Creative Dog Training
Turnipseed Family Dentistry
brandinobrass.com
Friday, April 6 2908 18th St S
Imageworks
shopimageworks.com
BBVA Compass
Brandino Brass Co.
Lucky Cat Rolled Creams
creativedogtraining.com
turnipseedfamilydentistry.com
bbvacompass.com/USA/AL/ Homewood/501-ShadesCreek-Pkwy/
Welcome To Homewood
Kete Quick Cannon: Re/ Max Southern Homes
remax.com/realestateagentoffice/birmingham-al-35216-ketecannon-id25465437
205 - 871 - 5631
Roly Poly Homewood Friday, April 6 2910 18th St S
WWW.HOMEWOODCHAMBER.ORG HomewoodLife.com 75
OUT & ABOUT
SHADES CAHABA PUBLISHING PARTY
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PHOTOS BY MADOLINE MARKHAM
First grade teacher Megan Werner’s students shared their opinion writing on “The Best of Homewood” with community members at a Publishing Party on Feb. 21. 1. Laura Tucker and Harry Gaines (Homewood Fire Department) 2. Judy Truitt and Aubrey Myers (Homewood Central Park) 3. Susan Wessel and Anna Barton (Hero Doughnuts)
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4. George Wessel and Frank Morgan (CVS) 5. Peighton Letson and Dr. Bill Cleveland (Edgewood Creamery) 6. Mayor Scott McBrayer and Ella Ayers (Homewood High School) 7. Zoe Sullivan and Bruce Limbaugh (Homewood Pool) 8. Dr. Deanne Vail (Heavenly Doughnuts) and Charlie Robertson 9. Carla Padillia Valenzuela (Homewood Police Department), Ashia Thomas DeLawrence (Hot and Hot Fish Club), Megan Werner 10. Ishan Verma and Merrick Wilson (Shades Cahaba Elementary School)
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OUT & ABOUT
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RUNWAY FOR RELAY
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PHOTOS BY MADOLINE MARKHAM
Homewood High School’s Peer Helpers produced a fashion show featuring styles from Fab’rik Homewood, Alabama Outdoors, Second Hand Rose, Plato’s Closet and The Clotheshorse to raise money for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. 1. Hannah Crosswy and Lizbeth Gomez 2. Sarah Beaube, Maren Mills and Bella Crim
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3. Caroline Condon and Chloe Chatham 4. Patrick McMagon, Chris Wilkins and Andew McKibbin 5. Jack Dominick and Elise Banish 6. Chloe Chatham 7. Greer Calvert, Maren Mills and Meg Robinson 8. Sarah Beaube and Bella Crim 9. Max Bergstrom and William Clay 10. All the fashion show participants 11. Ann Lacey Pyburn and Mary Lauren Burdeshaw
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OUT & ABOUT
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TASTE OF HOMEWOOD
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PHOTOS BY MADOLINE MARKHAM
Our favorite Homewood eateries filled Rosewood Hall for the deliciousness that is this annual Homewood Chamber of Commerce event on March 8. 1. Erica Brock and Brandon Pickens 2. Tamara Canon and Holly Barton 3. Joshua Carnes and Mandy McDaniel 4. Martez Parker, Tiffany Parker and Jo Echols
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5. Donna Black and Ashley Ramirez 6. Carrie and Jason Alexander 7. Matthew Whitworth, Andrew Smith and Charles Smith
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ROTARY CLUB ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY PHOTOS BY MADOLINE MARKHAM
The Homewood Rotary hosted Irish band Hooley at Red Hills Brewery on March 15 to benefit club’s Bill Crawford Educational Foundation, which annually awards college scholarships to worthy Homewood High School seniors.
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1. David Slowikowski and Glenn Ellis 2. John Krontiras and Debbie Roberson 3. Verna Gates and Cindy Wade 4. Mac Chandler and Bill Hairston
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OUT & ABOUT
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KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST
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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER
The Kiwanis Club of HomewoodMountain Brook uses funds from this annual event at the Exceptional Foundation to fund Key Club college scholarships, YMCA camp scholarships, and work with Children’s Hospital of Alabama and The Exceptional Foundation. 1. Heather Todd and Heather Cover
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2. Kiwanis members Don Hortberg, Tim Chandler, Hank Spencer, Jason Hopper, Ken Ebaugh, Howard Holms and Alan Ziegler 3. Camille Colter and Ian Myers 4. John Diedrick and Bill Hanks 5. Michael Oglesby, Seth Bokatzian and Ben Sanford 6. Linda Lucas and Dick Stanford 7. Evie Morton and Caroline McCormich 8. Jamie Brabsten and Sam Sullivan 9. Dennis and Courtney Watts 10. Jim and Nancy Ziegler 11. Kristie Herrin, and Ruth and Beatrice Spencer 12. Robert and Harriet Bischoff, and Rusty Glover
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CORNAPALOOZA
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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER
The Council team placed first and LaPaz second for this annual fundraiser for the Homewood Athletic Foundation held at Red Hills Brewery. 1. Elizabeth Studinka and Whitney Smith 2. Curtis Walker and David Dichiara 3. Joseph Madden, John Beaube, Tyler Stone and Joe Pilleteri 4. Maggie King and Carson Mosely
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5. Daniel Cox, Braxton and Patrick McClusky 6. Carol and Sara Helen Montgomery, and Laura Pizzitola 7. Brad Wolfe and J. Willoughby 8. Caroline Beasley, Lilly Langley and Zoe Barett 9. John and Will Alfano 10. Kevin Studinka and Joseph Madden
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205-447-3275 • cezelle@realtysouth.com
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EASTER EGG HUNT
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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER
Homewood Parks held an evening hunt at West Homewood Park on March 24. 1. Katie and Harpin Reed 2. Brianna Garcia 3. Tamara Freeman, Ameria Davis and Brianna Davis 4. Camryn and Collins King 5. Ruby and Wesley Wolverton 6. Aerin and Ian Griggs 7. Yangyan, Claire and Huifan Cui 8. Krista Lutz and Eleanor 9. John Michael Culver and Noah Fitzwater 10. Francisco, Nicolas and Michelle Reynoso 11. Andrea and Ryman White 12. Zach, Michelle, Riley and Sam Tubinis
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MARKETPLACE
Marketplace Homewood Life • 205.669.3131
INDUSTRIAL ATHLETES $17.68 hour + production & safety $$$ incentives. Grocery order selection using electric pallet jacks & voice activated headsets. PART-TIME TRUCK DRIVERCLASS A Average $0.53 per mile deliver palletized loads to grocery stores within 300 mile radius. Work available 7 days/week. Can lead to full-time employment. Clean MVR and 2 years minimum tractor-trailer experience required. Paid vacation & holidays. Blue Cross health & dental insurance. Matching 401k plan. Apply online at AGSOUTH.COM or call Charlie Seagle at (205) 8084833 Pre-employment drug test required. Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry. Positions In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walk-in applications accepted. Clanton (205)280-0002. Pelham (205)444-9774. B & J Metal Fabricators Offering more than roofing! •Metal roofing •Portable metal buildings •Custom sizes available Customize your own!! Montevallo (205)665-4687 (205)2969988 Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Bent Creek Apartments. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom. On-site Manager. On-site Maintenance. 3001 7th Street. North Canton, AL 35045. TDD#s: 800-5482547(V) 800-548-2546(T/A) bentcreek@morrowapts.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer
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BEST CARS, INC in Clanton, AL. Double your Tax Refund • Up to $1,000 on purchase of select vehicles. Offer good through February 28, 2018. 1674 7th Street South, Clanton AL 35045 205-755-3737 **Bring in this ad to qualify for Tax Refund offer!** Class-A CDL Truck Driver needed. Great pay with health benefits, holiday and vacation pay. Home every night. Contact Cahaba Veneer office at 205-9269797. Birmingham Hide & Tallow Immediate position for CLASS-B ROUTE DRIVERS FOR LOCAL ROUTE. WELLESTABLISHED 100+ YEAR COMPANY NOW HIRING ROUTE DRIVERS. HOME NIGHTS/WEEKENDS. LOOKING FOR HARD WORKING DRIVERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM. CLEAN MVR/BG CHECK REQUIRED. COMPETITIVE PAY & BENEFITS: BCBC, 401K, PAID HOLIDAYS/VACATION, COMPANY FURNISHED UNIFORMS. CALL 205425-1711 OR EMAIL: adria. lupien@bhtonline.com Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $13/hour. Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at www.bc.com BRIARWOOD APARTMENTS Now Leasing! Beautiful 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments. Mon & Wed 8:30am-4pm. 535-A Hicks St. Montevallo • 205665-2257 • TDD #’s: (V)1800-548-2547 • (T/A)1-800548-2546. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Carroll Fulmer Now Hiring Class-A CDL Drivers. Overthe-road positions available. Dry vans. No hazmat. Must have one year over-the-road. Experience and a clean MVR. Competitive pay and bonus package. Good home time. Call 800-633-9710 ext. 2 Chase Learning Center & Day Care in Pelham is Now Hiring • PT Nursery • PT After-school. $8/hr. 5 days/ week. Great for college students! 205-620-1616
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Seeking two qualified individuals to fill two part time driver vacancies for Chilton County Transit. Applicants must meet the following qualifications: must possess a valid Alabama driver’s license, a high school diploma, extensive knowledge of Chilton County Roads, clean driving record, and good math skills. No phone calls, please. Applications are available at the Transit office at 508 Enterprise Road, Clanton between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Applicants should send application or resume to: Employment Opportunity P. O. Box 1245 Clanton, AL 35046 Coosa Valley Medical Center NOW HIRING! •RN Med/Surg, 7am-7pm •RN Labor & Delivery, 11pm-7am 7-on/7-off •LPN CVMC Nursing Home, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7am •RN ICU, 7am-7pm Email resume to: Blaine.Green@cvhealth.net or to apply, go to www.cvhealth.net Full Time and Part Time RN’s Needed for home health in Bibb, Shelby and Chilton counties. Excellent Salary and Benefits. Please send resumes to jobs@rubic. com or call 866-273-3984
DCH Health System Caring. For Life. $5,000 *Sign-on Bonus for full time RNs *For More Info Contact Annie.Miller@dchsystem. com. Apply online at: www. dchsystem.com
good driving record, 1 yr verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-668-3316.
Homewood Area Package Store. Day Shift (10am-6pm) Clerk/Stocker. Must be 21, have retail experience, be able to multi-task, able to work any shift. Good pay. Call (205)585-8900
Evergreen Transport, LLC has immediate openings in the Maintenance Department at its Calera Terminal for the following positions: Diesel Mechanics (Both day and night shifts): Repairing, maintaining, overhauling of heavy duty fleet trucks and any other duties as requested. Tire Technician: Repairing/ replacing flat, leaking, mismatched or damaged tires. Finding and replacing missing lugs and damaged rims and any other duties requested. If interested, please call Jason Bentley @ 205-668-3316 or apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25, Calera, AL 35040.
Edgar’s Bakery Interviewing candidates for cake decorators, front counter associates, bakery production workers, packagers, and drivers. Apply online: edgarsbakery. com or at your nearest Edgar’s location. Job Posting: Human Resource Manager FullTime File Clerk/Data Entry Clerk Part-Time Please email resume: Oacinc5@ yahoo.com Or mail to: Post Office Drawer 559 Clanton, Alabama 35045 Certified Welders & Tank Fitters needed for field erected tanks. Work done in Southeast. Good pay and benefits. Call 800-728-8265 ext 224 Email resume to c.bradley@esptank.com ERP Compliant Coke is now accepting applications for experienced BOILER / POWER PLANT OPERATOR $20.56/hr +excellent benefits Apply at local Career Center or email resume to pmay@erpcoke. com EOE/M/F/VET/DIS Welder Training. Short Term Licensing . Call for Details . 866-432-0430 ESDschool. com $2000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area. Must have Class A CDL,
Taking applications for experienced part-time bartender for growing business in Clanton. Call Teresa: 334-235-0228 or call the restaurant between 4-10pm: 205-280-4949 ONLINE AUCTIONS www.GTAOnlineAuctions. com 205-326-0833 Granger, Thagard & Assoc. Jack F. Granger #873 DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking Professional Flatbed Drivers. 53 cpm No surprises: Starting pay (all miles): 51 cpm, 52 cpm at 6 months, 53 cpm at 1 year. 100% Outbounds loads Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% Inbound No Tarp. Late Model Peterbilt Trucks. Air Ride Trailers. Home weekends. Low cost BCBS Health & Dental Ins. Matching 401K. Qualifications: 18 months Class A CDL driving experience with 6 months flatbed; Applicants must meet all D.O.T. requirements. Contact
MARKETPLACE recruiting at 1-800-634-7315 or come by HTL office at 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport. EOE LPN’s, RN’s, CNA’s Full-time & part-time • 2nd & 3rd Shift Apply in person: Hatley Health Care 300 Medical Ctr Dr Clanton, AL 35045 Looking for a wonderful place to live? NEW Meadow View Village Apartments. Columbiana, AL. Now Pre-leasing 2&3 Bedrooms. Great Amenities Provided. Call 256-5600821. 99 Eagle Lane. info@ hollyhand.com. Equal Housing Opportunity. CDL TRUCK DRIVER For Tree Service. Also hiring for other full-time and part-time jobs. Drug Test Required. 205-836-2038 or 205-2297144 Kelly Educational Staffing® We’re hiring! •Substitute teachers •Aides •Cafeteria •Clerical •Custodial positions Shelby County School District & Alabaster City Schools. Please call 205-8707154 -Equal Opportunity EmployerOwner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com Service Technician. Top Pay, Benefits & Commission! Mainline Heating & Air. 400 Hillwood Park S, Alabaster, AL. Or email resume to: ashley@mainlineheating.com (205)664-4751 Marble Valley Manor. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256-245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) •800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/ Employer
Are you a motivated professional? Are you looking for a dynamic career? Are you ready to control your own level of success? See why McKinnons’ is an exciting place to work and grow. Now accepting applications for Sales, Service, and Detail Shop. Apply with the receptionist. 205-755-3430 Shake up your career!!! Are you looking for something new and FUN? Milo’s is always looking for great managers to come join our growing and dynamic team. Apply online at miloshamburgers.com 280 Location Opening Now Hiring 3 shift Managers. Pay Rate $9-$11. 20-25 Employees. Pay Rate $7.75-$8.50. Must have own transportation and flexible schedule. Apply at recruiting.talentreef.com/ momma-goldbergs-deli (205)503-6190
Diploma or GED. • Are at least 18 years old. Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Odyssey Early Schools. Birmingham’s Best Daycare/ Preschool is Seeking Experienced Teachers. 4 Year Degree Preferred. Full-Time. BEST Pay. FULL Benefits (Insurance, Leave, Holidays). Call Annie Fine 205-991-0039. Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/ or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious inquires only. Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www. Oxfordhealthcare.com
Montgomery Stockyard Drop Station at Gray & Son’s in Clanton. Call Lane at 205389-4530. For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205-965-8657
Class A CDL Drivers Needed Immediately for Dump Trailer Hauling • $2000 Retention Bonus • Local Hauling • Home Nights APPLY ONLINE: www.perdidotrucking.com Perdido Trucking Service, LLC 251-470-0355
Production Jobs. Willing to Train. AAM in Columbiana is HIRING for multiple shifts. Email resume to dcurtis@ grede.com or apply in person: 130 Industrial Pkwy, Columbiana, AL 35051
Move in Special! 3/2 Garden Home w/garage. Dishwasher, Fenced backyard, Great Room w/ vaulted Ceiling. Calera Schools. Rent $1150. FLAT SCREEN TV!! (205)433-9811
NOW HIRING Class-A CDL Driver Must have clean driving record, two years experience Will train drivers on tank Drivers home nightly Contact Keith at: 205-4384959
The Salvation Army, Alabaster, is hiring (Seasonal) Angel Tree Coordinator • Kettle Coordinator • Required Skills: Driver, databases, computer, physical abilities. Email resumes to: Rufus.McDowell@uss. salvationarmy.org 205-6637105
INDUSTRIAL CLEANING IN VANCE Requirements: •18 Years Old •HS Diploma/GED •Able to work variable shifts/ weekends/holidays •Able to lift up to 50lbs constantly, stand on your feet for 8hrs •Able to pass drug screen/ background check Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Production / Manufacturing Vance, Alabama Starting pay: $12.00 – $14.50 /hr. • Have 2 years+ Production/ Manufacturing experience. • Have Recently Lived in Alabama at least 2 years. • Have A High School
Soon the Mark of the Beast Will Be Enforced. Free Book & Bible Study. PO Box 171 • Samantha, AL 35482 205-339-4837 Order Selectors Food Dist. Center in Pelham Day-Shift: Mon-Fri. 40+ hours/week 10:00AM until finished (varies). Salary: $16-20/hr after training. Benefits: Medical, vision, dental, vacation & 401k. Requirements: •Reading & math skills •Lift 40 lbs.
repetitively •Work in -10 Temperature Apply in person: 8:30AM-5:00PM Southeastern Food 201 Parker Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124 resume@ southeasternfood.com Immediate Positions!!!! Positions needed: Warehouse • Sales Reps • Assistant Manager • Delivery Drivers • Customer Service. Laid back atmosphere, good pay, plenty of hours available! Company vehicles to qualified individuals! Call Andrew 9am-7pm • Mon-Sat at (205)490-1003 or (205)243-6337 CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/ Pelham. Call Stephen (205)663-2822 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al. com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327. TARGET AUCTION Advanced Real Estate Marketing 800-476-3939 www.targetauction.com TaylorMade Transportation Hiring CDL Drivers for Flatbed Regional Division! BCBS Insurance After 30 Days. To apply call: (334)366-2269 or email: s.smith@taylormadeinc.com Learn a Skill & Begin your Career! Earn $50,000 & More First Year. Hiring Hard Working Insulation & Afterpaint Installers! •Immediate Openings •We Train you to Succeed. Requirements: •Valid DL •Drug Test •MVR •Background Check. www. truteam.com/careers or 205.428.9381 The Painting Company of Birmingham Immediate openings for professional residential and commercial painters. Must be able to speak English. Call 205-995-5559
capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started! WCA • Roll Off Drivers needed for our Alpine, AL location. Class A or B CDL is required along with one (1) year of verifiable equivalent commercial truck driving experience. Must have a valid and safe driving record. We offer competitive wages & a comprehensive benefits package which includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Paid Holidays and PTO. Please apply through our website at www.wcawaste.com EOE M/F/D/V WARRIOR MET COAL NOW HIRING Located in Brookwood, AL Immediate need for experienced: •Underground Miners •Electricians •Maintenance Foreman •Supervisors Apply online: www.warriormetcoal.com Tree Nursery Worker Needed Responsible w/ mechanical skills, to operate forklift/farm tractors/ equipment/welding/ ground maintenance/ service equipment/check fluid levels/clean after use. Maintain safe/clean area. Requires valid-DL/reliable transportation. 334-3652488 Wiregrass Construction Company is seeking experienced asphalt CDL TRUCK DRIVERS. Must be dependable. Excellent benefits. Interested applicants may apply: 951 Dow Street. Pelham, AL 35124.(205)620-4132 or 151 Piper Lane. Alabaster, AL 35007 (205)605-0753. 8AM to 5PM, M-F. WCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Opies Transport, Inc. NOW HIRING Class A Truck Drivers. Needing to find a home? We are it. Apply today! 800-341-9963 or opiestransport.com
Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website
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MY HOMEWOOD MIKE HIGGINBOTHAM
West Homewood Facebook Page Mastermind + Homewood City Council Member
South of the Border
Sabor Latino Delicious food—and lots of it—at reasonable prices. Owner Manuel Barco and his staff dish cuisine that suits both my vegetarian wife and her decidedly carnivorous husband. It’s especially fun in July when the restaurant anniversary and Peruvian Independence Day are jointly celebrated.
To Market, To Market
West Homewood Farmer’s Market The West Homewood Farmer’s Market is my favorite thing about summer nights in Homewood. Offering a wide variety of vegetables, crafts, sweets and food trucks, Tuesday evenings draw neighbors from across our city and beyond. Lots of people talk about building community—these men and women are doing it.
People Matter
HCS Educational Advisory Committee Everyone loves Homewood schools. Still, I’m not sure as many folks know about the Educational Advisory Committee, which brings together representatives from ALL these groups and ALL five schools to talk TOGETHER. I appreciate their unique contributions to helping keep us at our best.
Great Books Cheap
Library Bookstore Homewood Public Library (HPL) rocks. Amazing programs and an impressive array of circulating materials—even telescopes. But if you haven’t ventured downstairs to the Friends of the HPL Bookstore, you’re really missing out. Library discards and donated items line the shelves with books, magazines, DVDs and more, and all of them are offered at dirt-cheap prices.
Walk the Line
Shades Creek Greenway Shades Creek Greenway is an amenity that touches so many. And I’m genuinely excited as we close in making it even better as the city council takes steps toward starting construction on the Phase II extension into West Homewood!
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