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IT’S ONLY WEIRD IF IT DOESN’T WORK
MONTGOMERY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE JANUARY BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY – HOUSES OF THE HOLY JANUARY 10, 2014 · 8 P.M. Black Jacket Symphony returns to the MPAC to perform Led Zeppelin’s iconic album Houses of the Holy. Experience Black Jacket Symphony recreate the classic songs off this album, note-for-note, in a live performance separated into two sets. The first is a symphonic piece and the second set features a light display with Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. RICK SPRINGFIELD JANUARY 18, 2014 · 8 P.M. Australian musician, singer-songwriter, Rick Springfield reached No. 1 on the charts with “Jessie’s Girl” in 1981 and received the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song. He followed with four more top 10 hits and two top 10 albums and continues to treat fans with an up close and personal solo tour. BLUE MAN GROUP JANUARY 27 & 28, 2014 · 8 P.M. The wildly popular theatrical group Blue Man Group combines comedy, innovative technology and rocking music to create an entirely unique form of entertainment. The New York Times called it “one of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.”
FEBRUARY VINCE GILL – AMY GRANT FEBRUARY 14, 2014 · 7:30 P.M. This Nashville, power-house couple is coming to the MPAC stage on Feb. 14., making it the perfect Valentines event. Join these Grammy winning artists for a night of beautiful music and harmony.
MARCH RON WHITE MARCH 22, 2014 · 8 P.M. Stand-up comedian and two-time Grammy Award nominee Ron White continues to bring laughs to audiences across the country. Best known as a part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Ron White has released five solo albums, with two reaching No. 1 on the US Comedy chart.
Tickets for all events can be purchased at the MPAC box office on a walk-up basis or by calling 334.481.5100, or online through Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.mpaconline.org or www.facebook.com/mpactheater.
facebook.com/mpactheater
16 reply YES Styles and trends to consider
Fashion Meets Fitness
24 Socially SEEN
Gaming with GOODFELLAS
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26 InMotion
Crisis Situation High Altitude Adventures
32 Feature: Blue Man Group 36 connections
Recipe for YUM!
42 the LIST
A Who’s Who of Young Leaders
50 two are BETTER Lean on the Experts
52 Footprints Ministry
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60 Behind the Scenes
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62 Table Talk
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68 Friends Trends 70 when? what? where? 80 resource DIRECTORY
ON THE COVER
Blue Man Group - © BMP
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Now booking 2014 weddings kim box photography 334.491.0409
Please join us at the Southern Bridal Faire February 2, 2014 / Renaissance Hotel
ONE OF A KIND, ONE PIECE AT A TIME, EACH BY HAND.
111 SOUTH COLLEGE STREET, AUBURN • 334.821.7375 TIGERTOWN CENTER, OPELIK A • 334.749.5005 THE SHOPPES AT EASTCHASE , MONTGOMERY • 334.386.9273 EASTERN SHORE CENTRE , SPANISH FORT • 251.338.9273 FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1946
Fashion
MEETS
FITNESS By: Mallory Anderson • Photography by: Aubrie Moates
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We have finally made it past the season of holiday parties, grandma’s casseroles, cupcakes and candy. It was real. It was fun, but I think it’s time to get rid of the Reese’s peanut butter cups that seem to be hanging off my rear end. Getting in shape is one of the most common resolutions for the New Year in the United States. In past years, many Americans lose motivation and are back to their old ways by mid-February. With the growing popularity of the fitness industry, this is all about to change. Before jumping in with both feet, decide on the aerobic avenue you are going to tackle, whether it’s joining a gym, Crossfit, boot camp or simply taking up a solo sport like running. One of the newest facilities in the area, the Auburn University Montgomery Wellness Center, has some incredible amenities if you are looking for a location with multiple options. It has everything from daily fitness classes, a rock climbing wall, an aquatic center, weight and cardio rooms and more. Check out the AUM Wellness Center online at wellnesscenter.aum.edu or call and schedule a tour to see all the facility has to offer. Another key part of staying motivated to exercise is feeling like you look good doing it! Take your Christmas money
and head to recently opened Fleet Feet Sports, located on Carter Hill Road. Fleet Feet is not your typical retail store- the staff is not only friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to selecting apparel to fit your exact needs; they are “fit experts”. Also, the establishment has a passion for getting the community moving and helping others reach their fitness goals. Their website has a local race calendar, training programs and information regarding care for common injuries. Personal trainer and shopper all in one? Sign me up. RSVP Montgomery and Fleet Feet Sports teamed up and put together some of the hottest (yet practical) looks for the new you in 2014.
Jenky Fields, triathlete, Hammerdown Multisport,Florida:
Top – Nike Miler Tank – soft, lightweight tank. Fabric provides comfort and moisture management and racer back design - $32 Bottom – Nike 2” rival short – 2” stretch woven short, wide waistband provides a great fit - $50 Shoes - Seamless construction for comfort and less irritation
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Avery Ainsworth, Owner, Fleet Feet: Top – Nike Miler ss UV – recycled polyester short sleeve raglan top - $38 Bottom – Nike 7” stretch woven short – versatile short that is light weight with great range of motion, comfort and breathability Shoes – Nike Free – barefoot style shoe with sock like upper fit - $100
Charles Monnier, Owner, Guns Out Crossfit: Top – Nike Dri-Fit Knit SS – ultra-lightweight short-sleeve top with performance benefits and style. Raglan sleeve to enhance mobility and comfort. Seamless construction for comfort and less irritation. $70 Under the half zip Top – Dri-Fit wool ½ zip – Enjoy the warmth of wool and the benefits of Dri-Fit fabric. The inner face of the fabric is polyester to wick moisture away from the skin and wool outer face provides warmth and insulation - $110 Shorts – 7” Phenom 2-in-1 short – Get the coverage and ventilation you need in this 7” 2-in-1. Nike Pro compression short brief - $62 Shoes – Saucony Kinvara 4 – Lightweight 4mm drop shoe with sock like upper for a custom fit - $100
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Erin Tipton, Instructor, Wynlakes and Metro Fitness Top - Nike Dri-Fit Knit SS – Lightweight ultra-soft top for warmer weather or used as a layering piece. Seamless construction for comfort and less irritation - $65 Bottom – Nike Epic Run Printed Capri – Feel your best in this flattering crop. Wide waistband provides support where you want it most and creates a sleek silhouette. - $80 Shoes – Mizuno Wave Inspire – a nice blend of cushion and support - $115
Michelle Olson, Professor of Exercise Physiology, Auburn Montgomery: Top – Nike Miler SS Crew Top – lightweight tee provides comfort and moisture management - $38 Top – Nike Element ½ zip – the perfect long-sleeved half-zip top with refined fit - $65 Bottom – Nike Rival Stretch Woven Skirt – versatile woven skirt with built in compression with feminine silhouette for working out or running errands - $55
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Travis Hardy, Owner 2L2Q Crossfit:
Andrea Searer, Crossfit 2L2Q:
Top – Nike Element ½ zip – Lightweight half-zip base layer top with sueded soft hand Dri-Fit fabric. Great for layering or a stand-alone piece - $65 Bottom – Nike Stretch Woven Pant – The perfect pant when you want lightweight and breathable protection. - $65 Shoes – Nike Zoom Structure 17 – smooth stable ride without the weight - $115
Top – Moving Comfort Endurance Tee: semi-fitted and very versatile piece to be used for working out or running errands Bottom – Brooks Glycerin Pant II: Keep moving in these lightweight, stretch athletic pants. Features moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool and dry with a wide-covered waist band for a perfect fit Accessory – Pink Sweaty Band Shoes – Mizuno Wave Sayonara: lightweight shoe built to go fast or go long - $120
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Gaming with GOODFELLAS By: Kim Traff • Photos by Tom Meneguin
For the party-planner that thinks outside the box and likes to host parties to keep guests entertained for hours, you will certainly feel as though you have hit the jackpot when you hire GoodFellas Gaming for your next event. As a business owner, I have always had a heart for other entrepreneurs and always try and support local businesses. That might be why I was so impressed with these Birmingham boys. Owners Kyler, Johnny and Joseph have been friends since they were five. Although they often talked about starting a business together, they never dreamed it would come to fruition and be so successful. What started as a hobby of mock casino gambling has turned into the Premier Casino Gaming option in the Southeast for over ten years. There is just something about a group of guys that roll their sleeves up to build their own equipment and personally work the events long after they have to. From corporate
parties to fundraisers to any private affair, these “boys next door” are committed to making sure you and your guests have a great time. As the party progressed, it didn’t matter that half of my guests had never been to a casino. The professionally-trained dealers worked hard to get the guests engaged and excited and before you knew it, guests were doubling down, pressing their bets and high fiving a new friend. And even though what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… when you throw a Vegas-style casino party, all of your guests will be talking about it for a long time.
GoodFellas Gaming 205.383.3001 www.goodfellasgaming.com
guns with us. Having never been to an indoor range, I was clueless. After completing the required safety course and inspections, we were ready to shoot. One of my friends brought a Rambo-like gun box with him, but the person assisting us managed to get all his equipment checked out quickly. The entire process was efficient. One side note: all four in my party have extensive experience with hand guns. If you don’t, the personnel at Montgomery Indoor Shooting are happy to take their time and make certain that you understand the equipment as well as all safety rules that apply. After the proper safety precautions, the real fun began with target selection. Two friends chose normal bull’s-eyes. As an obvious Walking Dead fan, my third friend went for the attacking zombie. Naturally, I chose the Hostage Scenario: poor defenseless Susan is being held against her will by an armed madman. It was up to me to save Susan’s life. I couldn’t fail her.
classes in Personal Defense Training and Basic Handgun Training. The classes include the option to rent a handgun if you don’t have your own. The personnel there are experienced and serious when it comes to handgun safety -as they should be. While this article may be written in jest, operating a handgun is no joking matter and not something that should be taken lightly. It cost us about $25 each for the hour of shooting. That included everything: targets, eyeglasses, earmuffs, etc. There’s no question that we will return soon. I need to catch up on the Walking Dead before my next trip. Zombies beware.
With safety glasses and earmuffs in place, we were led to our shooting lanes. After attaching my target (even without facial features, poor Susan looked terrified), I moved it out about 20 feet. Racked the slide, put the magazine in, hit the slide release, raised the gun, took aim, and fired. Only God knows where that first round went, because it certainly didn’t hit the paper. The bad guy was left unscathed, and thankfully, so was Susan. It would have been failure in a real life crisis, but not here. I fired again. Second round hit paydirt. I winged the bad guy, but only a flesh wound. There was no time left, I had to take him out. I emptied the magazine. When my empty cartridges settled on the ground, the bad guy was toast. Unfortunately, Susan was in bad shape too. I should have picked the target with no civilians. Actually, it was difficult to discern it from the target, but I think the hostage was in cahoots with her attacker. She was acting scared so that they could get the drop on me. Maybe I’m rationalizing. Whether that is the case or not, I know one thing for certain – I felt a lot better. Blowing 30+ holes in that piece of paper was exhilarating, liberating, and quite satisfying. I may have failed the hostage crisis, but I had released a lot of stress and malcontent. Plus, the new found holiday cheer wasn’t limited to me. No, we were able to spread it to our coworkers. We returned to work and took our targets in with us. Several people got a kick out of the fact that my bullet holes had no recognizable pattern. After posting pictures of our results, even our social media friends got a chance to make fun of us. If you are interested in learning more about handguns or just in shooting, I highly recommend you go out to the Montgomery Indoor Shooting Complex. They offer
Yes, this is REALLY my target
MONTGOMERY INDOOR SHOOTING COMPLEX 5765 Carmichael Parkway Montgomery, AL 36117
334.215.2255
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IN motion
HIGH ALTITUDE
ADVENTURES By Peyton Flowers • Luke Lindgren
If you’re looking to elevate the adventure in your life, look no further than Historic Banning Mills. A resort that takes fun to new heights, this zip lining destination in Whitesburg, Ga. is truly a treasure of the South. I can say that with confidence because I experienced it first hand with a group of RSVP friends. Early in November, we piled ourselves into a rental van and made the two-hour drive from Montgomery to the excitement that is Banning Mills. After a full day of soaring across several zip lines and making our way over shaky sky bridges, we settled in for the night in a cozy country lodge located on site. I’m not sure which was more fun: flying above the trees at speeds of 55 mph or hanging around the campfire later with our group. The lodging amenities are the kind of country quaint you desire after a day of being surrounded by nature. Let the staff know ahead of time and they can prepare you a picnic style basket with food when you’re hungry. Guests staying on the Inn side get a complimentary breakfast each 28
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morning. As stated on their website, this is not “The Ritz in the Woods”, but the bed & breakfast atmosphere is quite charming. There is even a day spa! After checking in at the main lodge, we were greeted by our tour guide who wowed us with a card trick before teaching us about safety. Very concerned about how I could possibly be safe hanging from a wire 200 feet above ground, I paid extra attention while we were prepared for what to expect. The instructors explained that each hook can hold up to 5,000 pounds and we were secured to the wire with a total of three hooks. So with the ability to hold 15,000 pounds, I felt pretty safe. In case you’re wondering if anyone has died at Banning Mills, the answer is no...I asked! Eager to get our adrenaline pumping, we began our adventure. There are five exhilarating levels and several add-ons offered depending on how brave you are. Level one eases you into the whole experience, and each subsequent level gets higher in both height and excitement. The ultimate adventure occurs at level five, “The All Day
Rush,” which provides eight hours of invigorating fun. Level five has the “Flight of the Falcon” line which, at 3,400 feet long, is one of the longest single lines in the United States. In 2012, the Guinness Book of World Records named the Screaming Eagle Zip Line Canopy Tour the “The Longest continuous Zip-Wire (line) course / tour in the world.” So if zip-lining and conquering a world record are both on your bucket list, you can knock off two items in one trip! Afraid of heights? There’s adventure to be had for you here as well. Kayaking, horseback riding, GPS treks and even miniature golf are a few other options that make Historic Banning Mills a fantastic spot for a getaway. The low ropes courses and available meeting venues make for a great location for corporate retreats and team building trips. This is also an ideal place for church youth group outings. Our group was blown away at the beautiful views we zipped over. The trees covered in autumn- hued leaves, the rippling waters of the Snake Creek Gorge and the wandering deer we spotted amidst the woods will not quickly be forgotten. JAN/FEB 2014 RSVP 29
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The staff was helpful, friendly and, most importantly, experienced. I may have felt nervous standing on a tall platform the equivalent of a 30-story building, but I never felt that I was not safe. The grounds on which this zip lining resort sit have history dating all the way back to the Creek and Cherokee Indians. In the mid 1800’s, the Mill Industry took over and this little town was one of the first in Georgia to produce its own electricity, even before Atlanta. The rich history is yet another reason to appreciate Banning Mills. Enough action to fill a whole weekend but also easily tailored to a day trip, this resort is perfect for a group of friends, a family outing or a business retreat. Whether you are an adventure junkie or a tad bit timid, Historic Banning Mills makes for an excellent expedition for all.
www.historicbanningmills.com (770) 334-9149
images ŠBMP
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Blue Man Group is coming to Montgomery! Why am I so excited about three blue men with their heads coated in blue latex, their hands spray-painted blue, who never speak a word? Because there is simply nothing else like it. Drawing comparisons between Blue Man Group and any other form of entertainment is exceptionally difficult. When Cirque de Soleil meets Gallagher meets the Three Stooges; you never know what is going to happen next. The group’s performances feature its three enigmatic, bald, cobalt-blue characters who take the audience through a multi-sensory experience that combines theatre, percussive music, art, science and vaudeville into a form of entertainment that is completely distinctive. It is uniquely conceived and 8/4/10 4:22:26 PM executed; primarily percussion played not just on drums but also on lengths of white PVC pipe, but also including electronics (lights, astonishing video technology, including smart phone simulations and screens that the men seem to step in and out of), childish gross-outs (how many marshmallows can you push
into your mouth) and silliness that “owes a lot to the physicality of the Three Stooges and the silent slapstick of Harpo Marx.” The group’s show is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous experience that leaves entire audiences blown away. The Blue Man Group is known for its award-winning theatrical productions, which critics have described as “ground-breaking,” “hilarious,” “visually stunning” and “musically powerful”. With no spoken language whatsoever, the noisy, messy fun has drawn repeat customers for two decades. The spurting twinkie-vests and inquisitive video-probes, the exhibitions of creative chewing and spitting, as well as the human-paintbrush art guarantee a modicum of yuck-factor, yet the clever insights provided by the thoughtprovoking acts are far from being too juvenile for more mature audiences. Additional auditory stimulation comes via percussion symphonies played on spraying drum-heads and PVC-pipe marimbas backed by a black-light illuminated rock band. The show rotates from bombastic music, to humor, to audience participation. The Blue Men will often wander into the audience, walking across seatbacks and arm rests as well as up and down aisles to identify a few victims to join them onstage. Despite the fact that the Blue Men don’t speak, there’s lots of witty wordplay emanating from numerous video displays, such as the witty banter played out on two overhead red LED text displays as the show begins that give instructions, amusing warnings and comments. The hilarity ramps up in the closing minutes, when a “spontaneous dance party,” using “concert move” instructions that become more and more ridiculous, culminate in immense, illuminated spheres tossed into the audience followed by toilet paper cannons, streamers and fog. Videos encourage more audience participation and an amazing sensory overload. Whether you are six years-old or 86, the Blue Man Group provides great fun for everyone. Once again, the Montgomery Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is bringing a major national act to its state of the art theater at the Renaissance. This is a once in a lifetime event; don’t miss it!
“Blue Man Group packs a wallop. It’s a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production!” - Baltimore Sun
“A hugely entertaining show for anyone ages 9 to 90” - Charlotte Observer
“An exhilarating, thought-
provoking, laugh-yourselfsilly evening of percussionheavy rock music, comedy and playful commentary” - San Antonio Express-News
“Amusing, inventive and creatively brilliant performance” - Erie Times News
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RECIPE forYUM! By: Katy Sulhoff • Photos by Darren Freeman
hether you have minimal experience in the kitchen or you’re a veteran chef, the culinary arts are exciting to explore in all areas. Food has a way of reinventing itself for everyone, and people are constantly looking for new ways to spice it up in the kitchen. Consider Food Network attracted its largest audience last year (averaging 1.1 million viewers a night), a simple App Store search turns up hundreds of recipe-related tools, and Pinterest is brimming with thousands of tailgatetailored, husband-pleasing, festive, you’ll be the hostess with the mostest, “OMG, this is so easy!” culinary concoctions. It’s safe to say, we’re food-obsessed. And why shouldn’t we be? We have to eat, so why not make a part of our seemingly ordinary lives, extraordinary? We don’t have to look far to learn how.
Just about an hour east and north of Montgomery in Alexander City, SpringHouse is home to one of the finest chefs in the state. Rob McDaniel has racked up awards in his field, is respected by his peers, and has extensive knowledge in the creation of traditional Southern food using local ingredients in a modern way. He refined his skills managing a fast-paced kitchen, working as a sous chef for Chris Hastings at the Birmingham-based restaurant Hot and Hot Fish Club, and later assisted Hastings when he won the popular cooking competition show, “Iron Chef”. “I’m lucky that what I do for a living is fun,” McDaniel says. I had the pleasure of meeting Chef McDaniel one
Wednesday in November at his weekly cooking class. He has served as Executive Chef at SpringHouse since it opened in 2009.After his first year, he decided to offer cooking classes to the public. It started off as a way to attract business on a typically slow night, and morphed into a Wednesday tradition the locals come to expect. The set up allows for 10 students, at $35 each, to sit at a bar with a view of the kitchen. Class begins at 6:30 p.m. (Hint: Call 256.215.7080 to reserve your spot. It makes for a fabulous couples outing or social event with friends.) The regular crowd welcomed me with open arms and insisted I sit front and center to have the best vantage point. Their genuine appreciation for Chef McDaniel and desire to share the experience with guests was obvious. I was a little surprised to be handed a wine glass instead of an apron, but I willingly accepted. With the addition of Sam Fonte, the SpringHouse sommelier, the cooking classes now include wine pairings. Chef McDaniel and Fonte worked in tandem taking turns to explain the food preparation and describe the selected wines while students observed -- my kind of cooking! Each month McDaniel selects a different topic. November’s focus was rice. Any doubts I had about the excitement level of rice were quickly put to rest during my visit. McDaniel carefully explained the unique qualities of each type of rice he chose to prepare and the cooking techniques he utilized to make the end result look and taste different. The chatty crowd peppered him with questions which he answered in great detail. My cooking class colleagues and I exchanged similar feelings of amazement that rice could taste “that good”
connections
and pleaded for seconds. Chef McDaniel lives by a simple rule: “I can’t settle to be good. I always push to be great.” And you can tell with every bite. What Chef McDaniel has in industry accolades, Martha Howard at Williams Sonoma in EastChase has in years of experience as a homemaker and teacher. She always loved to cook and learned from the one who knew best. “Mama was a good cook and she was always in good health. She’s 95 years old now and came over before Thanksgiving and helped chop vegetables,” Howard said as she arranged pots on the Williams Sonoma in-store stove. A Greenville native, Howard moved all over the country as an Air Force wife and taught Home Economics at nearly each stop, most recently at Lanier High School in Montgomery where she retired after 14 years. She has worked at Williams Sonoma for nine years now and says the only 38
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task she doesn’t like is operating the cash register. It’s a good thing because her talents are best used elsewhere. Like Chef McDaniel, Martha Howard attracts a group of regulars. They meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. for the $30 class. (Hint: Space is limited, so you will want to call ahead at 334.244.2960.) I took an empty seat next to a trio of ladies who could tell I was new and eagerly filled me in on how this class worked. Mainly, they wanted to tell me, “Martha is wonderful!” I quickly learned that to be true. Her Southern drawl and inviting personality drew me in and her ability to prepare a delectable dish without much fuss made me eager to learn more. On the menu were winter greens with roasted pears and pecorino, brined pork loin with apricot-onion mostarda, haricots verts with almond pesto, smashed potatoes, and
New Homes for the New Year At Hampstead! Hampstead Has Everything On Your Wishlist: Hampstead Lake Opening This Winter The Tipping Point City Grill YMCA Y’s Up Tennis Pool EAT South Farm at Hampstead Playgrounds Montessori School at Hampstead Walkable Neighborhood Design Dog Park Green Building & Green Community Natural Preserves Adjacent to Park Crossing High School New Town Center Retail & Business Homes from $220’s to $600’s
Hampstead Has Everything On Your Wishlist: Hampstead Lake Opening This Winter
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The Tipping Point
connections
Williams Sonoma: Tuesdays Call 334.244.2960 for full schedule and make reservations. www.williams-sonoma.com
SpringHouse: Wednesdays Access Cooking Class Schedule Online www.springhouseatcrossroads.com or call 256.215.7080 to make reservations.
The Hotel at Auburn University-Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar: 1st Wednesday of the month Call Joice at 334.321.3179 to make a reservation. www.aricciaitaliantrattoria.com
apple-cherry crumble. Don’t be ashamed if you just drooled on the page! It is a truly mouth-watering meal. And to a novice, it was intimidating at first, but Howard went about preparing each dish, reminding us that timing is everything, improvisation is encouraged, and mistakes are not the end of the world. She taught us not only how to cook, but how to enjoy it without feeling the pressure to be perfect. She filled our plates with everything she prepared and we savored each bite. While SpringHouse and Williams Sonoma offer observe and taste cooking class, another nearby restaurant requires you to roll up your sleeves. The Hotel at Auburn University-Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar hosts “Tour d’Italia,” private cooking classes under the instruction of Executive Sous Chef Richard Mason. Guests receive hands on culinary experience from Chef Richard, a three course dinner, wine pairings, and a special gift basket to take home. Classes are $125 at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. (Hint: Reservations are required so contact Joice at 334.321.3179). The culinary talent within our reach is too great to miss and those with the knowledge are eager to share. At any one of the cooking classes offered in the area, even the least kitchen savvy can leave feeling more confident and those who are experienced can refine their skills. At the very least, you’ll have food, wine, and friends -- an unfailing combination!
LIMITED LAKE VIEW LOTS
COMING SOON! Email lake@hampsteadliving.com to Register for Updates & Information
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By: Catherine Calligas • Photography by Josh Moates 42
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the LIST
LESLIE ROBERTSON Leslie Gaither Robertson’s career choices have been as varied as the Alabama cities she has lived in. Born and raised in Eufaula, Leslie graduated from Auburn University, where she majored in corporate journalism. After graduation, she took a job in the communication department of EBSCO Information Services in Birmingham, where she traveled both nationally and internationally to manage the company’s library conferences and exhibits. In 2003, Leslie married her husband Bill and moved to Montgomery, where they currently reside. Leslie initially started working in pharmaceutical sales with OBGYN offices in the Montgomery area, but after five years and the birth of her son, Leslie switched fields and obtained her real estate license. Currently, Leslie works as both a three and four-year-old teacher at First United Methodist Preschool and continues her work in real estate with Beringer Realty, LLC. She has been pursuing and will finish her master’s degree in education this spring. Working at Beringer has allowed Leslie to indulge in one of her passions, which is her appreciation for the skill that is found in both architecture and design. She also genuinely enjoys helping individuals find their perfect home. Leslie’s husband Bill is a shareholder at Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis and Miles P.C.; and the couple has two children, Henry and Lucille. Leslie serves on the Board of Directors for Montgomery’s Junior League as well as the Children’s Council at First United Methodist Church, where she teaches Sunday school as well.To Leslie, Montgomery feels like home – she has experienced small town Alabama as well as the state’s largest city, and finds Montgomery to be the perfect mix.
LAYLA PALMER As a passionate writer and decorator, Layla Palmer loves her job as a designer and lifestyle blogger at TheLetteredCottage.net. There, she documents everything from her cottage-style design projects to her travels and family recipes. As someone who is self-employed, Layla says one of her biggest obstacles has been figuring out how to “make it all fit”. When your career involves creating online content, you are never really done with your work. “Faith, family, fun, photography, posts, projects- it all has to fit,” she explains. “Pacing myself and making time for everything that’s important to me is something I’ve become really intentional about,” she continues. Of course, what Layla loves most about her job is the opportunity to do something different every day. She is enthusiastic about exchanging inspiration with others, so it’s not surprising that Layla credits social media with her ability to do so effectively. She has made many new friends in the local community through her blog; and sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook help her connect with them each day. Layla says that helping local people create inspiring spaces in their homes has been a real blessing to her. Whether through her church (Centerpoint Fellowship Church) or through her blog, she loves collaborating with people in such a way. Layla is married to musician Kevin Palmer, and they are in the process of adopting a little boy from Haiti. To them, Montgomery is the best of both worlds: Southern town meets big city.
CARL PETTIS Dr. Carl Pettis measures his success on how many young men and women he can assist and help become successful in their own lives. As the chair and associate professor of mathematics and computer science at Alabama State University, he is in a unique position to do just that. Carl was born and raised in Thomson, Ga. After graduating high school, he went on to obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mathematics from Alabama State University, then continued his studies at Auburn University where he received his Ph.D. in mathematics as well. Carl believes that the unwavering support he has always received from his parents, coupled with his own desire for achievement, is what has led him where he is today. His passion for helping others to accomplish their own goals is evident in his community involvement. Carl is a mentor at several local schools, the director of the Summer Kids Youth College Adventure Program, and the director of youth programs for the ASU Division of Continuing Education, where he oversees three federally-funded programs aimed at increasing interest in STEM disciplines for K-12 Alabama students. He is married to Cheryl Pettis, and together they enjoy the pace of life in Montgomery. In his spare time, Carl enjoys watching sports, working with fireworks shows, and racing his collection of remote-controlled cars and trucks. 44
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the LIST
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MATT COLLINS If you have recently been in the vicinity of the Vaughn and Taylor Road area, you have probably noticed there’s a new spot in Montgomery to grab a meal at – Newk’s. Matt Collins, owner of Newk’s, grew up in Jackson, Miss.; in a family involved in the restaurant business. After graduating college, Matt started out as an assistant manager at one of the local Wendy’s owned by his family. Since then, he has moved up from assistant manager to general manager to district manager; and is now branching out into bigger brands here in Montgomery, as well as the Auburn/Opelika area, with Newk’s. Matt enjoys the opportunity to bring a different culinary experience to Montgomery while also meeting new faces each day. Although new to Montgomery, Matt has quickly become involved in community service. Newk’s partnered with WSFA and the Salvation Army at Christmas to provide an Angel Tree, they were the primary sponsors for the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship here in Montgomery, and they have recently started working with local universities. Matt is married to Amberly Collins, and they have two sons, Wil Franklin and Henry. An avid golf fan, Matt has been playing since childhood and continued playing in college for Delta State University. He also spent five years as the head golf coach at Belhaven University. When he’s not busy attending to his customers at Newk’s, you can usually find Matt on a golf course or camping in the woods.
GINA MOUNT Over the past 29 years, Gina Mount, owner and master stylist at L’Esprit Salon Da’ Spa, has received extensive training worldwide from some of the biggest names in the salon industry. She has been educated by such well-known companies as Bumble and Bumble, Redken 5th Avenue, Color Worl, the Prive Academy in Atlanta, as well as other schools in California, Minnesota, Colorado and Texas. Although she was born in Colorado, Gina has spent the majority of her life living in Prattville. She says she has been “blessed beyond measure” by the clients and friends that sit in her salon chair. While Gina always had the heart and the vision to own and run her own salon, the business aspect was slightly more challenging as she feels she is a stylist at heart and not a “boss”. Clearly she rose to the occasion as L’Esprit continues to grow and is a wellknown and respected establishment in the Montgomery community. Gina credits not only her clientele, but the amazing staff she says she works with day in and day out for her success. Gina and her husband Michael have two children, Bailey and Amber, as well as son-in-law Daniel Phillips. Gina is also a soon-to-be “Gigi” to Samantha Kay Phillips. In her spare time, Gina loves participating in and supporting the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the arts in general. She is actively involved as a member of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and the MMFA, a board member of Prattville Christian Academy, and works with fundraisers such as Footprints to the Finish Line, ASF Armchair Auction, Styles for Smiles, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Family Promise, Toys for Tots, Joy to Life and many others. After losing her own father to cancer, Gina also does whatever she can for the American Cancer Association. A member of Centerpoint Church, Gina loves spending time with her family, especially on the water.
AVERY AINSWORTH Avery Ainsworth owes his success, in part, to the collapse of the economy a few years ago. Avery Ainsworth is a driven individual who knows how to overcome obstacles. Working as a site design engineer with a Birmingham firm, Avery was laid off a few years ago along with nearly every other company member due to a struggling economy. After taking on two other jobs where he was either bored sitting behind a desk all day or spending far too much time traveling, Avery decided to accept a position with Fleet Feet Sports in Jackson, Miss. He worked there in order to gain experience and when he felt the timing was right, he and his wife Erin jumped right in, opening a Fleet Feet Sports of their own here in Montgomery. Avery believes that Lesley Holleman, owner of Fleet Feet in Jackson, was extremely instrumental in helping Avery to achieve his current level of success. She hired Avery knowing he would work long enough to learn the business and eventually leave to open his own store, and she allowed him to run Jackson’s Fleet Feet as if it were his own. He also gives credit to his wife and each of their parents, who were all very supportive as they knew that running and staying active is one of Avery’s passions. He loves meeting new customers and helping them realize their potential as an athlete. Avery and Erin have a nine-month-old son Emory, and are growing to love Montgomery.As self-described “foodies,” they are particularly excited about the emerging restaurant scene in the city. Avery and Erin find ways to give back to the community through volunteering at races and hosting fun runs to raise money for charities. In addition to running, Avery also competes in triathlons. He loves to travel, and running shoes are always a staple for his suitcase.
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CHRIS NOLAN For Chris Nolan, a mortgage loan originator, the best part of his job is meeting and becoming friends with clients and helping them close on their very first home. Chris grew up in the Montgomery area, and attended the University of Montevallo on a baseball scholarship where he graduated with a degree in business management in 2004. After graduating, he became a loan originator six months later with Covenant Mortgage. Chris credits John Herzog, his boss for the last seven years, as having the biggest impact on his career and success; he personally believes John knows the business better than anyone in the Southeast. Chris has worked hard to get to the position he is in now, and says that starting out in the mortgage business can be scary. He believes to conquer those fears you must learn to build trusting relationships with both your clients and real estate agents, and this is what he strives to do each day. An avid sports fan, Chris gives back to the community by coaching local football and baseball teams in his spare time. His favorite thing about Montgomery is baseball season in the spring and summer, and you can frequently find him at the Biscuits’ stadium, enjoying one of their games.
PAM JORDAN Boutique shopping in Montgomery is a lot better than it was as recently as a few years ago, and that is in part due to the hard work and perseverance of people like Pam Jordan, the owner of Pamala’s Boutique on Vaughn Rd. Pam never had any intention of owning her own business, and says when she first started out she was absolutely clueless but feels it was a path God led her to. She credits God, along with the support of her husband Duane and the rest of her family for her success. Pam’s daughter Whittney has done a tremendous job, working as the store manager as well as running the website and handling the shipping. Pam considered the individuals she has met through her store to be the most rewarding part of her job. In the three and a half years Pamala’s has been open, the staff is still excited to help its customers find and put together the perfect look. Pam believes that without the customers she has come to know as friends, she would not be enjoying her current success. In addition to her husband and daughter, Pam has two sons, Jared and Shay. She also has a son-in-law, Cory, daughter-inlaw Peyton, and soon to be daughter-in-law Catherine.The latest addition to the family is newborn grandson Jace, who Pam “can’t wait to spoil rotten”. Her family is actively involved at Frazer United Methodist Church, and in her spare time Pam enjoys exercising, gardening, and traveling to the beach. Pamala’s Boutique is constantly receiving new shipments, so if you’ve never had the opportunity to check it out before, here is your chance!
DR. PORCIA LOVE Throughout Dr. Porcia Bradford Love’s life and career, she has always tried to live by the adage “to whom much is given, much is expected” from The Bible. Porcia, a board certified dermatologist with Montgomery Dermatology, P.C., grew up in Montgomery where she attended LAMP high school. Her first experience working in the medical field came when she was only in the ninth grade and worked in the office of her godfather, a general surgeon here in Montgomery. After high school, Porcia attended the University of Alabama and then continued her studies at Duke University’s Medical School. She went on to complete a general surgery internship at Vanderbilt Medical Center, then returned to Duke University Medical Center for a residency in dermatology, serving as Chief Resident. She also completed a clinical research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where she conducted population-based studies on skin cancer. Porcia recently moved back to Montgomery and practices medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She enjoys the diversity her medical specialty provides, as one minute she may be treating an infantile skin condition and the next performing surgery on an elderly patient. She is married to JC Love, an attorney at Montgomery’s Rushton Stakely law firm. Despite her busy schedule, Porcia is an active member of the community and volunteers with Catholic Social Services, Hands on River Region, Medical Outreach Ministries and the Family Sunshine Center; she is also a member of EMERGE Montgomery. Porcia has been a life-long member of St. Jude Catholic Church, as well as a life-long avid fan of the Crimson Tide. 48
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two are BETTER
Leanontheexperts By: Kim Traff • Photography by Darren Freeman
W
hile working out is a necessity for a healthy lifestyle, excuses to avoid it come pretty easily to many of us. Personal trainers Terry and Jennifer Biddy do a fantastic job working with their clients to tailor the most impactful diet and exercise to maximize the results they want achieved. They understand that being your trainer means being your coach, friend, motivator and educator who will push you through the hard days and celebrate with you when you accomplish your goals. Just walk through their gym on any given day and talk to a few of their members. Take Eric, for example, who with Terry’s help was able to lose over 100 pounds, reverse his diabetes and lower his high blood pressure. He went on to compete in a body building competition, something he never imagined doing. Or
talk to Randy, who transformed his physique from overweight to lean and mean before becoming a trainer himself and opening a new gym in Florida. On every weekday morning, you will find Abbe working out before she heads to work. With Jennifer’s help, Abbe has transformed her body into something she never thought possible. At age 50, she looks and feels the best she ever has. Terry and Jennifer treat their members like family; and they are committed to making sure each client has a positive experience while reaching their goals. Whether you want to lose weight, need contest preparation, are fighting a medical diagnosis or just want to tone up in order to look and feel your best, Terry and Jennifer will provide you with the encouragement, education and motivation you need to make it happen.
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I’m guilty for owning almost every workout DVD. I would get a decent workout but not see the results I wanted. I finally broke down and went to Terry. With his personalized workouts and diet plan I can proudly say that I am in the best shape of my life. You know that idea you have in your head of what you want to look like? Well, Terry has helped me surpass that image and he has given me the confidence and knowledge to live a healthier, happier life. I am forever grateful.
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I took advantage of the personal one-on-one professional training available at Pro fitness 3d. The nutrition plans tailored to my goals and the close supportive environment to sculpt a physique, a personal confidence, and a transformed life. I have dropped four dress sizes, am in better shape than most 20-somethings, and I feel alive again. With their guidance and encouragement I recently competed in a state level body competition (along with several other members) in two figure classes —something that I never dreamed possible as a mother and a grandmother. I cannot be more thankful for the guidance, training, and support I have received at Pro fitness 3d.
– carson harvey smith
– beth gramling Call this dynamic duo today and make 2014 your year! > 334.391.7806 c o m e v i s i t t e r r y a n d j e n n i f e r b i d d y at 3 2 5 1 m a l c o l m d r . m o n t g o m e r y
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by Catherine Calligas • Photos by Big Dreamz Creative
irst comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. That’s what we are told, at least. But what happens when it’s not that simple? What happens when, instead of delivering a bundle of joy that you bring straight from the maternity ward to the home, your baby ends up in the NICU for what could be days, weeks or even months? For a mother, there is nothing more heartbreaking than helplessly watching your baby struggle to stay healthy or alive. That heartbreak is something Kim Wilson, the founder of Footprints Ministry, and her husband Glenn, know firsthand. On September 29, 2006 she delivered her son, John Parker Wilson, who had a lung collapse at birth and developed pneumonia. John Parker spent ten days in the NICU, which is a relatively short amount of time in comparison with some of the other babies the NICU sees. In those ten days, Kim and her husband were surrounded with encouragement and support from family members, friends and their church community. Once John Parker was released and the Wilson family settled into their home life, Kim began to feel a calling to do something more for the NICUs of Montgomery, their patients, and the families 52
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of those patients. In August 2007, Kim gathered a group of eight women, many of whom were mothers of former NICU patients, and together they put together the first of many Footprints Ministry gift bags. Inside each bag are items that have been recommended by former NICU moms. Each bag contains a Bible, disposable camera, monogrammed burp cloth, scent blanket, magazine, prayer request card, Kleenex, gift card to a local restaurant and travel necessities. The favorite item of many families is the scent blanket, which has a poem on it that instructs the mother to sleep with it, thus giving it her scent. The blanket can then be placed in an incubator so that mom’s scent may comfort the baby, and is especially helpful when mom and baby are in two different hospitals. This past year, over 3,000 bags were distributed. What started out as a small group of women making gift bags has grown in seven years to a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that serves three chapters in Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville NICUs, as well as a chapter in Columbia, Tenn. There are plans to start another chapter in Mobile in 2014. Footprints Ministry is a volunteer only organization, and even chapter coordinators do not receive a paycheck. They are blessed to have a large group of volunteers who do everything from sending notes of
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encouragement to setting up fundraisers. Many churches are involved as well, and often assemble the gift bags. In addition to gift bags, Footprints also assists with gas cards, transportation and hotel stays. On holidays volunteers can be found in the NICU to help “celebrate” with the families. Once you have been a part of Footprints Ministry, you remain so for life. Volunteers have gone on to attend former NICU babies’ birthday parties and baptisms. Kim says that while this ministry began as a way to bless NICU families, it has blessed the volunteers equally. Footprints is always looking for church groups, women’s ministries and other small groups to help assemble gift bags. They frequently hold fundraisers, and will be hosting their 6th annual Footprints to the Finish Line 5K on March 1; and are still in need of sponsors, walkers, runners and volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering for the race or the ministry in general can contact Kim via the Footprints website, www. nicufootprints.com. You can also like them and follow their stories on Facebook. The service that Footprints Ministry provides to these families in need is tremendous. They offer hope at what often seem like a hopeless time to families. As Montgomery OBGYN Dr. Phillips says, “There are very few times in
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life more challenging then when a parent is faced with a critically-ill child. It is during this incredibly vulnerable time that a ministry like Footprints is able to come in and be the hands and feet of Christ to encourage, pray for and grieve with those who are suffering. “
ONE FAMILY’S PERSONAL STORY “July 30, 2013 was the happiest and scariest day of our lives! We welcomed our daughter, Sara Collins, into the world. At 8lbs 7oz, she should have been a healthy baby, but she was unable to maintain proper oxygen. In minutes she was placed on a ventilator and oxygen, and the first 24hrs of her life were critical. Within hours of her birth, I received a Facebook message from Kim Wilson with the Footprints Ministry. The Footprints Ministry surrounded us with prayers. We received a heart-warming gift bag, constant messages of encouragement, and prayers for health and healing. Everyday our angel improved, and after a short seven day NICU stay, we were able to bring her home. The people involved in the footprints ministry prayed her home, and in one week we were blessed to become a part of the footprints family.” –Matt and Laura Chambliss
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Restore yourself in 2014 By: Amanda Shaw
SEC Predictions How often do you schedule the time for selfrestoration? If you are like me and frequently find yourself running on fumes while managing life’s demands, carving out intentional “me” time on your calendar feels counterintuitive.
At least, that is how I felt on my way to Massage Envy for a 60-minute massage. It had been a chaotic and stressful work day, and even as I pulled into the EastChase Shopping Center, I found myself taking calls and mentally problem-solving my way into the parking lot. This particular evening, the thought of putting my phone away for an hour induced even more anxiety and with my stress on over-drive, as I shifted my car into park, I questioned my ability to calmly park my own
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mind. I thought to myself, “Will this even be worth it?”
Since my career in business development finds me traveling the country, I’ve seen Massage Envy in metropolitan cities like Dallas, and although I did not know much about the concept, I was impressed to learn the franchise has made its way to Montgomery. Perhaps skeptically, I also wondered how this brand would measure against other spas I annually “treat” myself to.
All my doubts and fears disappeared the minute I walked inside and was met and warmly greeted by Massage Envy staff. After completing a few quick forms, allowing me to detail specific goals for my massage, I was escorted to the meditation room where I waited for
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STEP INTO LUXURY Pampering at the Spa at Montgomery just got better through our new partnership with Aveda. From hot stone massages using Aveda products to signature facials, the Spa at Montgomery offers a variety of services to relax the mind and replenish the body. This 9,000-square-foot European style spa is located in the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center downtown. Enjoy a relaxing treatment and escape from the pressures of the world. Step into our whirlpool, steam room and quiet rooms and rejuvenate. Afterwards, visit the spa gift shop for a great selection of Aveda hair and body products. Reward yourself at the Spa at Montgomery. For more information or to book an appointment, please call 334.481.5210.
RENAISSANCE MONTGOMERY HOTEL & SPA AT THE CONVENTION CENTER 201 Tallapoosa Street Montgomery AL 36104 t:334.532.0700 renaissancemontgomery.com Part of the Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
BEHIND THE SCENES... the RSVP team in action!
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Table Talk by Gray Borden • Photos by Darren Freeman
It’s no secret that Montgomery is in the midst of a bit of a rebirth. Commerce Street, once a ghost town after close of business, is flush with bars and restaurants. Lower Dexter is moving in the same direction. Capitol Heights is gentrifying at a rapid pace. Downtown is linked to Maxwell with public parks, an urban farm and reimagined streetscapes. Perhaps the most pronounced change is on the Eastern Bypass, where not long ago the entire corridor from the shell of the Montgomery Mall to I-85 seemed downtrodden, with only a few mass-market chains hanging on for dear life. Poor urban planning was the culprit, as the same phenomenon played out across the Southeast where development has for years been unchecked by natural boundaries or proactive government regulation. The urban planner and developer Andres Duany, in his essential manifesto “Suburban Nation,” describes this effect by writing “As the ring of suburbia grows around most of our cities so grows the void at the center...[T]he inner ring of suburbs is already at risk, losing residents and businesses to fresher locations on a new suburban edge.” Into that void stepped Montgomery’s Korean entrepreneurs, and all of us who care about the city owe them a great debt. Fast forward to 2014, and the Bypass is almost unrecognizable. The old McAlister’s Deli is now Woo Ga. 62
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Korea Garden is tucked into the strip mall behind Office Depot. The old Hooters/Darryl’s was just rechristened Gangnam. G-Mart, which has been described to me as “the Korean Whole Foods,” is set to open next year a couple of miles east at Bellwood Shoppes. Farther north, Shilla props up a rundown strip outpost near Eastdale Mall. This is Montgomery, reborn. With so many Korean food options, I decided to focus this review on one small area, the shopping centers surrounding the old Sam’s Club just off I-85. To the south is Arirang, in the repurposed Turtle’s Music space. Across the parking lot is Seoul Market, which was a pizza buffet back when a place like that could survive off the overflow crowd from the Carmike. To the north is Karim Garden, in the strip with G&S Donuts on the back way to Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The city ought to bill the area as our own Koreatown. I know it would rival anything else in the Southeast. But before we get too far into this, let me make this disclaimer, the same one I offered when RSVP asked me to write this review: I’m no expert on Korean food. I’ve never been to Seoul, never walked the K-town section of Manhattan for that matter. I just happen to like Korean food, and I hope my enthusiasm excuses my ignorance—consider this a neophyte’s review.
Arirang Restaurant Arirang’s all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ buffet is the kind of cultural mashup you would expect to see in LA or New York. But it makes sense here too, and not just because eating-to-excess is in our blood. Korean BBQ, known as gogigui, hits too many pleasure receptors. The concept is simple: pick raw meats off the buffet, and cook them yourself on electric grills embedded in each tabletop. On any given day, you’ll find an entire drop-in freezer of paper-thin brisket slices that melt within seconds. Slabs of thick-cut pork belly that crack and sizzle as they crisp. Beef short ribs marinated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger and sesame oil. A dozen permutations of salty, tangy dipping sauces that would pass muster with even the most jaded veteran of the Carolina vinegar vs. mustard sauce debate (hint: the empirically correct answer is vinegar-based). This BBQ joint may not be manned by the archetypal pitmaster sweating over a hardwood fire, but at Arirang there is no less
of a focus on simple ingredients done right or respect for the transformative power of heat. Even if the meat steals the show, the Arirang buffet is not all protein. Spicy fermented kimchi cuts through the richness of the grilled meats. Mounds of sesame leaves are ready for assembling wraps. There are rotating soup selections and even pork fried rice, on which I have never wasted stomach space. If you have any reservations about Korean BBQ, or Korean food in general, Arirang may be your best entry point. Don’t worry, if you look like you need help, the friendly waitstaff will be grilling your food for you in no time. If you ask nicely, you may even be able to secure a plate of the prime yukhoe (steak tartare on a bed of sliced pear) that they once prepared for me off-menu before the format changed to a buffet. JAN/FEB 2014 RSVP 63
Table Talk by Gray Borden • Photos by Darren Freeman
Karim Garden
Don’t bother to look for the Karim Garden sign—there isn’t one, unless of course you read Korean. That is exactly what drew me to the place, my thought being that they had to be secure in the quality of their food if they weren’t pandering to the English-speaking majority in Montgomery. After a few visits, I have a different hypothesis altogether: I’m just not sure it occurred to the folks that run Karim Garden that their cuisine would appeal to a broader market. On a recent visit our server asked, “How did you know this is a Korean restaurant?” I didn’t own up to occasionally having nothing better to do than to drive around town on a recon mission for strange eats. If you do make it inside Karim Garden, you will find a bright, airy dining room somewhat reminiscent of a tea room. But the food will quickly disabuse you of the notion that this is anything other than a serious restaurant, starting with the raft of banchan that hits the table ahead of any meal. For the uninitiated, banchan is loosely translated as 64
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“side dish” and refers to the small plates of up to a dozen communal side items served with traditional Korean meals. Highlights on a recent visit included julienned white radish in a sweet vinegar sauce, pan-fried tofu, boiled eggplant, and fried “pancakes” made from eggs, rice flour and green onions. Each one a unique flavor, and for me an opportunity to push the envelope without the gamble of ordering up an entire plate of something that may not suit my taste. The menu is extensive, and I am only scratching the surface myself, but I can offer at least some guidance. The dolsot bibimbap is the best in the city as far as I can tell. Bibimbap translates as “mixed rice,” but the dish is more complex than the name suggests. Rice is topped with sliced beef, raw and sautéed vegetables, and a raw egg. Most of the cooking occurs at the table, as the ingredients arrive in a blistering hot stone pot (a dolsot). Cooking with the residual heat of the stone pot is almost as enjoyable as grilling over open fire—and much less hokey than its closest analogue,
the hot “lava” rock that was a staple of half-baked trendy restaurant concepts during the last decade. Just mix, top with copious amounts of gochujang (a fermented chili paste that is made in house at Karim Garden), and let the dolsot work its magic. Edward Lee, chef of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, Ky., and a first-generation Korean-American, has spent considerable time, effort, and print on the precise technique for achieving an “imperfect bowl of rice”—fluffy on top, toasted and crunchy on the bottom—including rinsing by hand, soaking and exact timing. What he is trying to approximate is the effect achieved in dolsot bibimbap, but using only a cast iron skillet. It is worthy of Chef Lee’s adulation. In my book, there is no better cold-weather meal in town. Karim Garden’s careful treatment of seafood also differentiates it from its competitors. Whether it is the shrimp, squid and clams tucked into a seafood pancake or the spicy garlic octopus and squid preparations, which marry fresh seafood with sharp kimchi, Karim Garden shines in the variety of its seafood offerings and in the care with which they are prepared.
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Table Talk by Gray Borden • Photos by Darren Freeman
Seoul Market
My weekly grocery trip often sprawls across several locations, from the Curb Market, Capitol Super Market and Destin Connection to Publix, Winn-Dixie and Fresh Market. I am trying to cut down on the lost time and gas money this entails. What a welcome surprise then to find Seoul Market, which is undeniably a one-stop shop for all Korean cooking needs. The aisles in the market are overflowing with all manner of precariously-stacked items. The variety is staggering. There are crates of Vilac yogurt drinks and junk food and candy of every stripe. Deep freezers are stuffed with pot stickers, clams and squid. Fresh produce runs the gamut from leeks and cabbage to cucumbers and ginger root. The dehydrated section boasts shitake mushrooms, radishes, bellflower root 66
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and taro stem. Korean-made Cuckoo rice makers, bamboo steamers and tofu makers surround bulk rice and other staples. Much like the way any Hispanic market worth its salt houses a small taqueria, Seoul Market has a huge food prep area in the rear of the store that pumps out all sorts of prepared foods. One entire refrigerator bank is dedicated to kimchi in all its pungent varieties. I have not yet figured out the best way to use the stir-fired anchovies that catch my attention every trip. The banchan section is a different matter, as even a yokel like me can figure out to gobble straight from the carton the black beans stewed in soy sauce and sesame oil, swimming in their inky marinade.
Enticing mEnu. inviting atmosphErE. Whether you are joining us for lunch, dinner, evening drinks or a Sunday brunch, Oak Tavern offers a tempting menu for all. The Oak Tavern Lounge & Restaurant, located in Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center at Capitol Hill, features traditional, Southern-inspired dishes and an extensive cocktail menu. Enjoy a casual meal, a night at the bar with live music, or an evening on our patio with fire pits, friends and scenic views of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill.
montgomEry marriott prattvillE hotEl & confErEncE cEntEr at capitol hill 2500 Legends Circle, Prattville, AL 36006 Phone 334.290.1235, marriottcapitolhill.com Part of Alabama’s Resort Collection on The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
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Vive Les Dames The 57th annual Les Dames ball was held on November 8th at the Wynlakes Country Club. It was a night of fun, entertainment and dancing with a Las Vegas theme. The Queen, along with her fellow Les Dames members, welcomed guests to celebrate and recreate Vegas in Montgomery. Each dance in the tableau was based off an era in Las Vegas history. The dances started with a Rat Pack theme and followed with a Viva Las Vegas tribute to Elvis, A Bellagio dance, an MGM group, and wrapped up with a showgirl theme. After the Queen’s family was introduced, the tableau began and guests found themselves on the Las Vegas strip surrounded by fabulous shows, flashing lights and famous faces. As the performances came to a close, The Queen was escorted on stage where guests caught a look of her exquisite Jovani gown. The royal blue ensemble was chosen as a tribute to Elvis’s “Blue Suede Shoes” and was adorned with rhinestones and pearls. Her gown was completed with silver Alisha Hill wedges. Following the tableau, the band Lucky Town played a mix of upbeat music for members and guests to dance to and enjoy, making the 57th annual Les Dames ball a perfect evening in Vegas.
High Ridge Spirits On October 21st, the first cases of Stills Crossroads Alabama ‘Shine were delivered to the state liquor agency. And what makes this moonshine special? It comes from High Ridge Spirits, Alabama’s first legal distillery since prohibition. High Ridge Spirits operates in a former horse barn, just steps away from the remnants of a still raided many, many years ago. Founder and head distiller, Jamie Ray, got into the distillery business after over twenty years as a brewer, working in Montgomery and Auburn along with helping to start a brewery in Gadsden. Ray chose to locate his business in rural Bullock County because he and his wife have a small farm there and the property gave him a promotional tool. The rural county has a rich history in moonshine and has been famous for decades for stills in its wooded hills. Ray is building on that history, making his moonshine from rye and sugar. “It has a really clean flavor with a sweetness up front and a peppery finish. That’s the signature of the malted rye I use,” he says. Stills Crossroads Alabama ‘Shine is now available in state liquor stores in areas around Montgomery and Union Springs and is planning to expand to other parts of the state as production increases.
MANE Montgomery-based Naturally Rad and Gadsden-based Back Forty Beer Company The Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrian (MANE) hosted its annual “Raise the Roof” celebration at their Poarch Creek Arena on October 29. Over 300 MANE advocates were in attendance to celebrate in the arena, recently named in honor of the tribe, whose generous donation helped to pay for MANE’s therapeutic riding facility. Since 1994, MANE has been providing equine-assisted intervention for River Region children and adults who have physical, developmental, cognitive and emotional disabilities. MANE moved to their Pike Road location in 2004 and completed the new facility in 2008. The structure consists of offices, classrooms, a break room, a 15 stall handicapped accessible barn, the Kiwanis Korral (the resource room where parents and caregivers can watch riders in the covered arena), the Kiwanis Care Korner (horse washing/grooming area, tack room, and feed room) and mounting paddock, as well as the expansive covered Poarch Creek Arena. Wintzell’s Oyster House brought fresh seafood straight from the gulf while Tuscaloosa’s Whiskey River Band entertained the fun-loving crowd with top country hits. For more information about MANE, visit their website at maneweb.org.
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when? what? where? Jan.12- Prattville Christian Academy presents A&E’s
Duck Dynasty’s Sadie Robertson
3:30 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Sadie Robertson is well known for her dimples and engaging smile, but there is more to Sadie than those two traits. She has the quick wit and humor of her dad, the Southern grace of her mother, and the athletic ability of her pawpaw. In addition to athletics, Sadie spends her summers on mission trips and working at a Christian youth camp. Her message to her peers is to let your light shine in all you do. Tickets are on sale now and range from $38.50- $100. Group rates available. For tickets or more information visit www. mpaconline.org. Jan. 12- Southern Bridal Show 12-5 p.m. BJCC, Birmingham. At the Southern Bridal Show, brides will be able to meet face to face with wedding professionals and find everything they need to create the wedding of their dreams! Also, enjoy the South’s most spectacular bridal fashion show complete with live entertainment and the latest bridal fashions. In addition to getting lots of great ideas, brides will be able to save time and money while also having fun! You must be able to print your tickets ahead of time or have them scanned on your phone at the door. More ticket information is available at www.eliteevents.com. Jan. 15, 22, & 29- After School Art I 3:45-4:45 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. For ages six to eight. Students explore a different art technique, element of art, or principle of design related to art in the Museum in this weekly class. With an emphasis on drawing and painting, a wide variety of art media will be explored during the series of 12 classes. All supplies are provided. Class size is limited to 12 students. $125 for members, $185 for non-members for the series of 12 classes. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Jan. 15- 60 Minute Coffee 8-9 a.m. 2820 Eastern Blvd.This free monthly member event is the perfect way to begin your day. Meet potential clients, make important contacts and network with Chamber executives and community leaders. For more information contact Sandra Kelley at 334.240.9298 or skelley@ montgomerychamber.com. Jan. 15- Tales for Tots 10:30 – 11 a.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. This free program offers young children and their families special stories and simple arts and crafts activities, related to works of art in the Museum galleries. A different work of art and story is presented each month. For ages 2-6 with an adult partner. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Jan. 16, 23, & 30- After School Art II 4-5 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Studying painting, prints and sculptures in the Museum by well-known artists, students will learn to improve their own artwork with more advanced art techniques and principles of design in this weekly class. Lessons include a variety of art materials: JAN/FEB 2014 RSVP 71
when? what? where? sculpting with clay, mixed media, painting with acrylics and more. All supplies are provided. Class size is limited to ten students. $125 members, $185 non-members for the series of 12 classes. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Jan. 16 & 30- Art Start 1:30-2:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Twice monthly, this popular class offers an opportunity for parents and their preschool children to create art together and learn about basic elements of art and art techniques. Young artists will explore watercolors and tempera paint, oil pastels, markers, collage and more while improving their eye-hand coordination and visual perceptual skills. Sign up for one class or a series of classes. Classes are limited to ten children with an adult partner. $8 for members, $12 for non-members for each class; $40 for members, $60 for non-members for the series of six classes. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Jan. 17- Ladies Lunch – Mock Talk Show 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Capital City Club.$20 per person includes lunch. The Ladies Social Committee invites you to attend a charismatic, fun and charming event! This show is all things women! We will have three segments, including our very own Club version of “The Bachelorette”. All of this over a twocourse lunch…what’s to think about! Make your reservations today! For membership information, please contact Phyllis Fenn at phyllis.fenn@ourclub.com or 334.834.8920. www. capitalmontgomery.com Jan. 18- Rick Springfield 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Rick Springfield has been writing and performing music for more than four decades. An accomplished actor, he has performed on Broadway, headlined in Las Vegas, and starred in numerous movies and television series. Don’t miss your chance to see him live! Ticket prices range from $27-$57. For tickets or more information visit www.mpaconline.org Jan. 18- 80’s Throwback Party with The Velcro Pygmies 10:30 p.m. Rock Bottom American Pub. The Velcro Pygmies are back with another incredible show. Dress up in your best 80’s costume and come out for this epic all 80’s night. For more information, call 334.239.7625 or www. rockbottomamericanpub.com Jan. 21- Joe Thomas, Jr. Guitar Pull 7 p.m. Cloverdale Playhouse. $10 admission at the door. Enjoy an evening of live songwriters performing original works.This event was recently awarded a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts in recognition for this project’s role in promoting Alabama’s original voices.
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Jan. 22- Multicultural Outreach Community Breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m. 600 South Court Street Suite 460. Chambers is committed to supporting the growth and success of all minority business communities in the River Region. Join us for this breakfast and help expose members of our rapidlygrowing multicultural community to the opportunities and programs offered by the chamber. The event is free but registration is required. Please contact Heidi Powers at 334.240.6863 or hpowers@montgomerychamber.com for more information or to register.
when? what? where? Jan. 22 & 29- Play with Clay 1:30-2:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Working with clay offers an exciting tactile experience for young children. Parents can join in the fun in this beginning ceramics class. Classes are limited to ten children with an adult partner. $45 for members, $65 for non-members for the series of five classes. For more information visit www.mmfa.org. Jan. 23- EMERGE Montgomery Torchbearers Leadership
Class Informational Mixer- Class VI
5:30-7 p.m. Union Station. RSVP to tyoung@ montgomerychamber.com or call 334.262.2261 for questions or information. Jan. 23- Pottery Party 6:30 p.m. Capital City Club. Open to members and guests. $30 includes pottery piece of choice and hors d’oeuvres. Alabama Paint and Clay will be bringing the party to the Capital City Club this night! Take your pick from some beautiful hand-crafted pottery to paint and kiln fire! Make the man in your life happy with a platter painted with his favorite Superbowl team colors, or paint something lovely for your sweetheart just in time for Valentine’s Day! Whatever the occasion just come! Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and some “me” time! For membership information, please contact Phyllis Fenn at phyllis.fenn@ourclub.com or 334.834.8920. www.capitalmontgomery.com Jan. 25- 11th Annual ASF Armchair Auction 2-6 p.m. Broadcast live from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Sit back, relax and tune in for unbelievable deals on a variety of exceptional items at the Armchair Auction. All proceeds will go to benefit ASF. The Auction will be broadcast live on Cumulus stations Mix 103.3 and AM 1440 WNZZ and streamed live online at www.wsfa.com. For more information on the Armchair Auction, call Carrissa Norman at 334.271.5382. www.asf.net. Jan. 26- Family Art Affairs 2-4 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Bring the entire family to the Museum for a free day of fun, combining music, art and more! For more information call 334.240.4363 or visit www.mmfa.org. Jan. 27-28- Blue Man Group 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. With no spoken language, Blue Man Group is perfect for people of all ages, languages and cultures, and is an experience like no other. Ticket prices vary. For more information visit www. mpaconline.com. Jan. 28- Docent Volunteer Banquet 6 p.m. Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. Dinner and banquet celebrating and awarding Zoo Education Department volunteers. All Montgomery Zoo docents and zooteens are welcome to join in this event allowing the Zoo staff and board members the opportunity to say thank you for all their hard work during the year. By invitation only. Jan. 30- Business After Hours 5-7 p.m. Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center. 74
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when? what? where? This popular, free, two-hour informal networking after-work event is the perfect place to exchange business cards and meet potential customers. People do business with people they know. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and help build your customer base. Please contact Lynn Norton at 334.240.9431 or lnorton@montgomerychamber.com for more information. Jan. 30- Movers, Shakers and Deal Makers 5-7 p.m. Capital City Club. Complimentary to attend, open to members and guests. Start the New Year out right! Get involved. Get Connected! Come as the Club’s guest and bring a friend for cocktails, cuisine, live entertainment and networking with fellow YPs. This is your chance to meet and learn about all the Young Professional organizations the River Region has to offer! Paul Robertson will be here to update your professional headshots for only $15 a person. RSVP to 334.834.8920. Dress to Impress Cocktail Attire. For membership information, please contact Phyllis Fenn at phyllis.fenn@ourclub.com or 334.834.8920. www. capitalmontgomery.com. Jan. 31- Bring it On:The Musical 7 p.m. Davis Theatre. Inspired by the film, “Bring it On” takes you on a high-flying journey through friendship, forgiveness and determination in the competitive world of cheerleading. For ticket prices and more information Jan. 31- Feb. 16- The Great Gatsby Times vary.Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby” is the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, who passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. Ticket prices vary. For ticket information and show times, call the box office at 1.800.841.4273 or visit www.asf.net.
February: Feb. 1- Vintage Affair TBA.Wynlakes Golf and Country Club. Party Like a Rock Czar is the theme for this annual wine gala and auction benefiting the American Cancer Society. The event will feature a Silent Auction, an exquisite wine tasting from various vineyards, not to mention an elegantly seated dinner accompanied by specially selected wines. The highlight of the evening is a Live Auction featuring rare and collectible wines, exotic trips, specialty parties and memorable events. For tickets or more information, visit www.vintageaffairmontgomery.org. Feb. 2- Southern Bridal Faire 1-5 p.m. Renaissance Ball Room, 201 Tallapoosa Street. The Southern Bridal Faire is a great tool for all blushing bridesto-be! Find photographers, caterers, DJs, wedding planners, venues, florists and much more. Of course the day wouldn’t be complete without a fashion show featuring the most stunning gowns of 2014. For more details, call 334.491.0425 or visit www.southernbridalfaire.com. Feb. 3- Business Planning Seminar 4-5 p.m. 600 South Court Street. Establish a strong foundation for your new or existing small business! From locating financing, writing a business plan and finding expert advice, the Business Planning Seminar will get you going in the right
JAN/FEB 2014 RSVP 75
when? what? where? direction! A Montgomery Chamber event. $10 admission at the door. For more information contact Dava Hornbeak at 334.832.4790 or dhornbeak@montgomerychamber. com. Feb. 5, 19 & 26- After School Art I 3:45-4:45 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. For ages six to eight. Students explore a different art technique, element of art, or principle of design related to art in the Museum in this weekly class. With an emphasis on drawing and painting, a wide variety of art media will be explored during the series of 12 classes. All supplies are provided. Class size is limited to 12 students. $125 for members, $185 for non-members for the series of 12 classes. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa. org. Feb. 6, 20 & 27- After School Art II 4-5 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Studying painting, prints and sculptures in the Museum by wellknown artists, students will learn to improve their own artwork with more advanced art techniques and principles of design in this weekly class. Lessons include a variety of art materials: sculpting with clay, mixed media, painting with acrylics and more. All supplies are provided. Class size is limited to ten students. $125 members, $185 nonmembers for the series of 12 classes. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Feb. 6, 20 & 27- Art Start 1:30-2:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Twice monthly, this popular class offers an opportunity for parents and their preschool children to create art together and learn about basic elements of art and art techniques. Young artists will explore watercolors and tempera paint, oil pastels, markers, collage and more while improving their eye-hand coordination and visual perceptual skills. Sign up for one class or a series of classes. Classes are limited to ten children with an adult partner. $8 for members, $12 for non-members for each class; $40 for members, $60 for non-members for the series of six classes. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Feb. 9- Gov’t Mule 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Gov’t Mule is a Southern rock band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project and has become a staple act at music festivals across America. Don’t miss your chance to see them here in the capital city. Ticket prices vary. For more information visit www.mpaconline.com. Feb. 9- Sweetheart Brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Capital City Club. $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids ages 7-12, free for kids 6 and under. Members and Guests welcome. Show your loved ones you care with a Valentines Brunch at the Capital City Club! Each lady will be presented with a rose and everyone will enjoy Chef Michael Schwartz’s delicious carving of prime rib and much more! For membership information, please contact Phyllis Fenn at phyllis.fenn@ourclub.com or 334-834-8920. www. capitalmontgomery.com.
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when? what? where? Feb. 9- Wedding or Knot 1:30 p.m. Capital City Club.This is your opportunity to view a fully involved faux ceremony and reception showcasing Montgomery’s oldest and most prestigious venue and the area’s talented vendors who make the magic happen. What better way for a bride to envision her own wedding than witnessing her favorite vendors collaborate on the wedding show of the year. For tickets, call 334.834.8920 or email Nickole Martel at nickole.martel@ourclub.com. Feb. 12- 60 Minute Coffee 8-9 a.m. City Hall Auditorium, 103 N. Perry Street. This free monthly member event is the perfect way to begin your day. Meet potential clients, make important contacts and network with Chamber executives and community leaders. For more information contact Sandra Kelley at 334.240.9298 or skelley@montgomerychamber.com. Feb. 12, 19 & 26- Play with Clay 1:30-2:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Working with clay offers an exciting tactile experience for young children. Parents can join in the fun in this beginning ceramics class. Classes are limited to ten children with an adult partner. $45 for members, $65 for non-members for the series of five classes. For more information visit www. mmfa.org Feb. 13-23- Into the Woods Times vary. Cloverdale Playhouse. Combine the enchanting music of the great Stephen Sondheim with the tales of the Brothers Grimm and you have an epic fairytale where worlds collide. Recommended for ages 12 and above. For more information, call Cloverdale Playhouse at 334.262.1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. February 14 - Valentine’s Day Dinner at River Ridge
Steakhouse
How about the gift of the newest restaurant in the River Region this Valentine’s Day? Bring your date to River Ridge Steakhouse and enjoy a quaint atmosphere perfect for an intimate dinner for two. Call 334-567-8402 to make your reservations today!www.facebook.com/ riverridgesteakhouse Feb. 14- The Love Songs of Elvis and Buddy 7:30 p.m. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. For one night only, hearts will flutter and hips will shake when Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly return to ASF for a special Valentine’s Day comcert featuring the love songs of two Rock ‘n Roll giants. Ticket prices vary. For ticket information and show times, call the box office at 1.800.841.4273 or visit www. asf.net. February 14, 2014 – Valentine’s Day Dinner at Central Dine at Central for Valentine’s Day and really impress your date with top notch service, amazing cuisine and a rose compliments of Central. Live music will fill the dining room while creating the ultimate romantic hot spot in downtown Montgomery. Reservations are limited so make yours today! Call 334-517-1155 or make online reservations at central129coosa.com.
JAN/FEB 2014 RSVP 77
when? what? where? Feb. 14- Valentine’s Dinner and a Show 2:00 p.m. Capital City Club. Members and guests welcome. Enjoy a romantic evening starting with “The Great Gatsby” at ASF, followed by an elegant dinner at the Club. Dinner includes a champagne toast and a rose for the ladies. Let us know in advance and we will order chocolates, jewelry, a basket or whatever you would like and have it waiting at your table. For membership information, please contact Phyllis Fenn at phyllis.fenn@ourclub.com or 334-834-8920. www.capitalmontgomery.com. February 14, 2014 – Valentines Day Dinner at Garrett’s This Valentine’s day, experience why Garrett’s was voted most romantic restaurant in Montgomery! Enjoy a live piano bar, exquisite fine dining and unmatched service on Valentine’s Day. Make sure to get a picture by the Somerset fountain as a keepsake of this truly romantic evening! Make your reservations online at garrettsartoffood.com or call 334.396.9960. Feb. 14- March 2- Twenty Seven Times vary. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Adapted from “Old Man” by William Faulkner, “Twenty Seven” tells the tale of a great storm that causes the levees of the mighty Mississippi to burst, leading to a flood of biblical proportions. A prisoner from a penal colony pulls a young pregnant woman from a tree limb and together the two embark on a seven week journey. Ticket prices vary. For ticket information and show times, call the box office at 1.800.841.4273 or visit www.asf.net. Feb. 14- Vince Gill with Amy Grant 7:30. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Make plans for Valentine’s Day and fall in love all over again with the music of Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Ticket prices vary. For more information visit www.mpaconline.com. Feb. 14- Zombie Valentine’s Day Bash 10:30 p.m. Rock Bottom American Pub. Eat your heart out this Valentine’s Day with Rock Bottom’s Zombie Party. Dress up like a zombie and come enjoy live music by Splendid Chaos. For more information, call 334.239.7625 or www.rockbottomamericanpub.com Feb. 16- Frank Caliendo 7:30 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. You probably know Frank Caliendo from his appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and “The Late Show” with David Letterman, but the live comedy stage is where Frank really shows you what he’s all about. Ticket prices vary. For more information visit www.mpaconline.com. Feb. 18- Celtic Woman The Emerald Tour 7 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The global music phenomenon Celtic Woman announces an all new tour coming to Montgomery. The new stage production will celebrate Ireland and the Emerald Isles’ Celtic heritage through an extraordinary presentation of music. Tickets range from $48 to $102. For tickets or more information visit www.mpaconline.com.
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when? what? where? Feb. 19- Tales for Tots 10:30 – 11 a.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. This free program offers young children and their families special stories and simple arts and crafts activities, related to works of art in the Museum galleries. A different work of art and story is presented each month. For ages 2-6 with an adult partner. For more information call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. Feb. 20 – The Story of Lewis Grizzard 6 p.m. Capital City Club. Members and guests welcome. Lewis Grizzard was a master storyteller, stand-up comedian, husband x 4, and had millions of fans and hundreds of concerts. His wife, Dedra Grizzard, will be at the Club for a book signing and question and answer session! Dedra has great stories to tell and is thrilled to be in Montgomery once again to commemorate her late husband’s legacy. For membership information, please contact Phyllis Fenn at phyllis.fenn@ourclub.com or 334-834-8920. www. capitalmontgomery.com. Feb. 22- Animal Enrichment Day 10 a.m.-2p.m. Montgomery Zoo. From zoo animals to our pets at home and even including us, we all need enrichment: a chance to smell a new scent, taste a new flavor, play a new game or figure out a puzzle. Enrichment is an effort to tap into and stimulate our basic five senses: touch, sight, smell, taste and sound. The result is to stimulate behaviors resembling those for that species in a wild. It is a lot of trial and error, but it is always fun. Feb. 22- St. James United Methodist Church Auction to
Benefit Missions
4-6 p.m. St. James UMC. Items featured include antique furniture and rugs from Pickwick Antiques, original artwork, jewelry, salon and boutique certificates, gift cards from local restaurants, and vacation home rentals. This marks the 5th year that the church has held a spring auction benefiting missions. Last year, the auction helped send 75 youth on mission trips to Alabama Rural Ministries in Tuskegee and to The Widow’s Ministry in Chattanooga, Tenn. They were also able to work with half a dozen other churches and local ministries in the Montgomery area. Feb. 23- Family Art Affairs 2-4 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Bring the entire family to the Museum for a free day of fun, combining music, art and more! For more information call 334.240.4363 or visit www.mmfa.org. Feb. 27- Business After Hours 5-7 p.m. Regions Bank, 201 Monroe Street. This popular, free, two-hour informal networking after-work event is the perfect place to exchange business cards and meet potential customers. People do business with people they know. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and help build your customer base. Please contact Lynn Norton at 334.240.9431 or lnorton@montgomerychamber.com for more information.
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resource directory Alabama Shakespeare Festival, p. 71
Colonial Commercial Reality, p. 44
334-271-5353 asf.net
334-270-6700 colonialcommercial.net
Alfa- Billy Bradford, p. 79
Creek Casino Wetumpka, p. 83
334-277-5785
Alley Station, p. 70 334-277-1077 alleystation.com
Arbors on Taylor, p. 79 334-386-2655 thearborsontaylor.com Budweiser, p. 5 334-263-1681 anheuser-busch.com Capital City Club, p. 58 334-834-8920 capitalmontgomery.com Central, p. 4
central129coosa.com
City Grill, p. 80 334-244-0960
Cohen’s Electronics & Appliances, p. 9
334-277-8890 thinkcohens.com
1-866-WIND-360 windcreekwetumpka.com
Darren Freeman Photography, p. 73
334-215-7827 darrenfreemanphotography.com
Davis Theatre, p. 77 334-241-9567 troy.edu/davistheatre
Dermatology Associates, p. 30 334-396-1555 aladerm.com
Dignity Memorial, p. 55 334-272-3131 dignitymemorial.com
Dougs 2, p. 30 334-396-7120 dougs2.com Dr. Steven Mackey, p. 78
334-263-1400 drstevenmackey.com
Dreamland, p. 23
334-273-7427 dreamlandbbq.com
Garrett’s, p. 4 garrettsartoffood.com Hampstead, p. 39, 41 334-270-6730 hampsteadliving.com
Harmonious Healing Massage, p. 76
256-786-1089 h2massage.net
Hello Gorgeous, p. 2
Jamison Alexander Hair Studio, p. 53 334-354-4028 rjalex05@gmail.com
Iberia Bank, p. 72 334-277-9011 iberiabank.com Kalli’s Love Stuff, p. 2,3 334-396-2387 lovestuffonline.com
Kim Box, p. 12
334-491-0409 kimboxphotography.com
hellogorgeousphotography.com L’Esprit, p. 75 aubrie@hellogorgeousphotography.com 334-260-0355 lesprit.net Hot Spots Calendar, p. 2 334-354-9827 Marriott Legends, p. 67 xquisitestaff.com 334-290-1235 marriottcapitolhill.com Hue Studio, p. 2 334-239-8884 Martha’s Place, p. 4 avibrantlifestyle.com marthasplacebuffet.com
Irish Bred Pub, p. 2
334-834-7559 irishbredmontgomery.com
Massage Envy, p. 8 334-272-8787 massageenvy.com
Iron Tribe Fitness, p. 84
Mellow Mushroom, p. 78
334-226-8699 irontribe101.com
334-213-6443 (Montgomery) 334-290-2088 (Prattville) mellowmushroom.com
Montgomery Aesthetics MedSpa, p. 61
Lauren Bishop 334-356-1912 medspamontgomery.com
Montgomery Dermatology, p. 72
334-834-3094 montgomerydermatology.com
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, p. 76
334-240-4333 mmfa.org
Montgomery Performing Arts Center, p. 7
334-481-5100 mpaconline.com
Montgomery Zoo, p. 73 334-240-4800 montgomeryzoo.com Mugshots Grill and Bar, p. 30
334-277-1682 mugshotsgrillandbar.com
New Park Living, p. 82 334-215-9215 newparkliving.com
Newk’s Eatery, p. 61
newks.com
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New Park has a new website!
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designed website, chocked full of useful information, photos, events and new home inventory. You’ll see that our neighborhood, our location, our homes and our amenities are all planned to perfection. Visit us in person or visit our new website. Either way we know you’ll click with us!
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How Did 12
Become Thousands? Our Members’ Amazing Results Are the Reason Behind Iron Tribe’s Explosion from a Garage Hobby to Thousands of Athletes Across the Nation My name is Dylan Taylor. What started with 12 friends in a little 400 square foot garage in Birmingham, AL has now exploded into a national movement of thousands of people, just like you and me. The explanation behind this outrageous growth is simply that people are achieving incredible results in their personal fitness that they previously thought were impossible. Their awesome results combined with the lasting friendships they have made from our amazing community of athletes has been the recipe for our growth.
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