Sept/Oct 2020

Mind, Body & Soul A Healthy Pregnancy

p. 16

a b o u t t o w n . io

Sept/Oct 2020

C OMP LI ME N TA RY

How Do You Stay in Shape? page 32

Finding Balance p18

Easy Upgrades

to your fall fashion - p12

Gardening as Therapy page 14

Inside Danielle Yancey’s MId-Century Home p.24

Ashley Brigham 205.969.8910

abrigham@arcrealtyco.com

MIsty Joseph 205.807.2090

Kete Cannon 205.969.8910

kcannon@arcrealtyco.com

Doug Klick 205.201.8929

misty@mistyjoseph.com

dklick@arcrealtyco.com

John Paliescheskey 205.999.6784

Betsy Reamer 205.969.8910

jpaliescheskey@arcrealtyco.com

breamer@arcrealtyco.com

Stacy Flippen 205.969.8910

Rosa Hill 205.276.3374

sflippen@arcrealtyco.com

rhill@arcrealtyco.com

Virginia Markstein 703.732.4757

Lindsay Larimer Mills 205.969.8910

vmarkstein@arcrealtyco.com

Barbara Wheeler 205.969.8910

barbaraw@arcrealtyco.com

lmills@arcrealtyco.com

Barbara Lummis & Lori Reich 205.969.8910 205.936.7002 blummis@arcrealtyco.com lreich@arcrealtyco.com

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YOUR RE A LT ORS

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Sept/Oct

To see a video of this cover shoot visit abouttown.io

INSIDE 8 Jinsei Re-Opening - Newly Renovated 12 Easy Upgrades - To Your Fall Fashion 14 Planting Seeds - Gardening as Therapy 16 A Healthy Pregnancy - A Q&A With Dancer Emily Tincher 18 Finding Balance - A Profile on Whitney Renfroe 22 AFS Grand Re-Opening Move 24 Inside Danielle Yancey’s Home - Hollywood Glam 30 6 Tips to Discover Your Personal Style - By Laura Steele 32 How Do You Stay In Shape? - We Asked Some Local Pros 40 Our Favorite Places - Presented by Old Forester 45 The Old School - Retro Party Pics

COVER Jessica Proctor Gilmore, Camari Princewell, Francie Kaufman photo: by Coleton Phillips at the Alabama Ballet ABOUT

2 TOWN

We are now seeing patients in office for appointments!

We are taking every precaution necessary to keep you and us safe during this time.

l to r:

Katie Tuck, Dr. Scarlette Smith, Dr. Julie Harper, Rebecca Edwards

Cosmetic

Medical

Skin Care

At Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham, we offer cosmetic procedures such as Botox, Dysport, Laser Hair Removal, Juvederm, Sculptra, Microneedling, Fraxel, and VBeam. Many other esthetic procedures are offered such as facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and dermaplane to meet all of your cosmetic needs.

Our practice can help you with all of your skin care needs, including diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, acne, dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, keratosis pilaris, psoriasis and rosacea to name a few.

Our Skin Bar Boutique carries many lines including EltaMD, SkinMedica, SkinCeuticals, CeraVe, StTropez, Revision, Latisse, and more. The Skin Bar is open during business hours and you do need an appointment to shop for your skin care products or gifts. Gift Certificates are also available.

Dermatology & Skin Care Center of Birmingham (205) 978-3336 2470 Rocky Ridge Road bhamdermatology.com

Mind, Body & Soul

or UNDERRATED OVERRATED

How To Feel Better About Yourself

We asked our followers what they thought about popular trends. Here are some of their responses.

There’s no doubt anxiety, stress and depression have increased over the last few months, but try these tried-and-trues to pick yourself back up.

1) Serve Others

2) Document Your Troubles

Volunteering. There’s a reason it’s a tenet of every religion. Helping others gets you out of yourself, and teaches gratitude and fosters a loving heart.

Write down in detail what your worries are. Put it away, and revisit it in a few weeks/months.

The act of writing is an expression that in itself is therapeutic. But it works beyond that. You’ll notice most troubles of the day will never amount to the mountain they currently appear to be.

3) Don’t Say Negative Things It’s not always easy to control your thoughts, but it’s easier to control your tongue. What comes out of your month can, in time, effect what thoughts come to your mind.

5) Be Grateful Here’s a project that at first will seem difficult, but you’ll be shocked how easy it is. Write down 100 things you’re grateful for. Yes, 100.

Everything from the weather to margaritas. You’ll reach 100 before you know it.

7) Read a Book It always feels rewarding when you finish a good book. You just feel smarter. And it slows everything down. If you don’t consider yourself a reader, it’s because you haven’t found the right book. If it hasn’t hooked you in the first 40 pages, put it down and try another.

4) Turn Off Your Phone This may be the toughest. Remember they’re designed for human addiction. The problem isn’t just the destruction of your attention span. Social media is built for comparisons, and what we see misrepresents reality.

Seersucker Suits UNDERRATED: 92% Overrated: 8%

Old-School Band T-Shirts Underrated: 38%

OVERRATED: 62%

6) Exercise It’s not about vanity. It’s about your mental well being. Just a simple walk. Don’t ever listen to that little voice that says ‘I don’t have time.’

That’s a lie. We all have time. We just don’t make it a priority.

Bogg Bags

UNDERRATED: 86% Overrated: 14%

8) Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Lose your usual routine. Try a new dish. Try a new hobby. Visit a place you’ve never been.

Doing something different changes your perspective.

Keto Diet

UNDERRATED: 56% Overrated: 44%

QUARANTINE WINNERS The shutdowns haven’t been bad for everyone. Here are some businesses that have thrived.

Birkenstocks Sales have increased by 50%.

People now want to keep the comfort they found at home and wear them everywhere.

Board Games Sales have increased by 228%.

Driven by home confinement, and millenial’s rediscovery, games and cards are making a big comeback.

At-Home Hair Dye Sales have increased by 23%.

A lot people had to take matters into their own hands.Luckily salons are back open now!

Sidewalk Chalk Sales have increased by 56%.

Warm weather helps. But let’s face it, kids had the longest spring break in history starting last March.

ABOUT

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Edible Cookie Dough Underrated: 11%

OVERRATED: 89%

Neighborhood Golf Carts Underrated: 36%

OVERRATED: 64%

"It’s not about the 20 pounds I’ve lost.. it’s not about the way I look... it’s all about the way I feel. These women accepted me, unconditionally, enthusiastically."

- Julie B.

224 29th street south • ignitebhm.com • (205) 639-6908 • @ignitecyclebhm

PROMOTION

Ask Dr. Misty Writer, Speaker, Radio & Television Contributor, Dr. Misty Smith is the Founder and Managing Director of the

Birmingham, Alabama-based Mind, Body & Heart Wellness Clinic. She is an ASSECT nationally recognized Certified Sex Therapist (CST), as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) of more than 15 years, who focuses on assisting individuals and couples to achieve their optimal emotional, relational, and sexual health through a results-oriented

What Brings You

Bliss?

counseling process tailored to the needs of the individual or couple. In addition to being ASSECT Certified, Dr. Misty has a PhD in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University and her EdS in Counseling from the University of Alabama. She can be reached by email at mistysmithphd@mbhwellnessclinic.com or mbhwellnessclinic.com.

Mind, Body & Heart Wellness

My Tween is Becoming Anti-Social. >>> My tween is spending too much time alone. I feel he has become far more engaged in solitude on his electronics. Before schools were canceled last March he was much more involved with his friends and neighbors. Of course, we’ve all been isolating more and understand that’s part of it. But he’s no longer active. He doesn’t want to ride his bike anymore. When we do physically active things as a family, he’s uninterested, and wants to stay on his screen. Is this just the result of the social isolation, or is there something else going on?

This is something many parents of tweens are probably dealing with during this unprecedented time. Extremely active kids were forced into isolation and told NOT to interact with others out of fear of possible death.

Imagine the anxiety that comes with this. As adults, we had/have increased anxiety, but we also have the capacity to understand research, news, and statistics. We’ve had quite a few additional years of developing decent coping skills. We have fully developed brains that can process information at much higher levels, and COVID times have STILL been a huge challenge for us! Addiction, depression, anxiety, suicide, domestic violence, and child abuse have all been on the rise during the past 5+ months. Our children aren’t really even sure how to express exactly WHAT they are feeling much less what to do with those feelings. So what DO they know how to do??? They know how to “check out” on electronics because this generation has mastered this skill. However, they also know how to “check in” on electronics! This IS their means of “connection” during a time when adults have told them they can’t interact with their friends. They can escape to virtual worlds with their actual friends, as well as many “friends” online experiencing the same kind of uneasy feelings. The friends they used to play sports and go bike riding with are now the friends they “game” with. So it really isn’t a shocker when they no longer want to be active. They were probably active with friends in the past... maybe a little less with parents.

And, if they were more active with the family in the past, it’s probably because they were not fearful, anxious, or depressed. Those emotions suck up a lot of energy, and the threat of COVID is still looming everywhere they turn. Schools aren’t back to normal. Hanging with friends requires masks. And let’s be honest, no activity is really as inviting or exciting when masks are involved.

Unfortunately, gaming/screentime has a strong addictive nature about it, as well as a possible trap against them continuing to distinguish between what is actual reality versus virtual reality. Not to mention the dangers of predators. That being said, parents have to be cautious. Preteens, tweens & teens need to be monitored, and screentime needs to be limited. There are many ways to do this without completely taking away your child’s ONLY connection to their friends. You know your child. If you think this might be the symptom of a much bigger problem, seek out professional assistance such as a counselor or a psychologist. Search for those specialized in children and adolescents when possible.

Also, consider connecting with some of their friends’ parents to determine who might be safe to schedule “play dates”. It was a thing we did before they became big kids. It might be a thing we need to revisit now.

Just remember to talk to your children. Help them with understanding and expression of their emotions. Slow down. Listen to them. Be sure YOU are also taking time to disconnect from screentime and CONNECT with your children!

Researchers with the Harvard Study of Adult Development have evaluated the physical, mental and emotional health of adults for over 80 years. They’ve determined it’s not fame, fortune, or professional success that bring people health and joy. Those who maintained close personal relationships with friends and family members lived the longest, healthiest and happiest lives.

Here are a few things that make some About Town readers happy:

THE SOUND OF THE GULF OF MEXICO -ALLEN

MAKING THE LAST TURN TO THE LAKE -ASHLEY

THE SMELL OF ROSEMARY -SHELAINE

DRINKING A BEER ON THE BEACH AT 10:30 A.M -RONNIE

A BEAUTIFUL CHARCUTERIE BOARD AND A GLASS OF PROSECCO -JAMIE

FLOATING THE CAHABA --DARCY

DANCING TO 80’s MUSIC --SUMITA

THE SMELL OF FRESH BAKED BREAD -JULIE

THE WAY MY DOG SMELLS SO BAD -TIM

THAT FIRST INCLINATION OF FALL WEATHER -KATE

If you’d like to ask Dr. Misty an anonymous question, please write info@abouttown.io.

The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column not intended to replace or substitute for any professional, financial, medical, or legal advice. If you have specific concerns or situations requiring professional, psychological or medical help, you should consult with an appropriately qualified individual. The opinions or views expressed in this column are not intended to treat, diagnose, or replace the treatment and care that you may be receiving from another licensed professional. This column, its author, and the publisher are not responsible for the outcome or results of following any advice in any given situation addressed. You, and only you, are completely responsible for your actions.

ABOUT

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GOING TO BED KNOWING YOU CAN SLEEP IN -MICHAEL

Shelby Davidson, Abbie Adams

Phil Cook, Misty Joseph, Taylor Ellis, Chris Dixon, Billy Holbrook

JENSEI SUSHI GRAND RE-OPENING Jinsei Sushi celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated restaurant and patio and welcomed guests to return for dine-in service. Guests enjoyed impressive dishes made with the finest fish flown in from around the world and top notch beverages in their modern, upscale space. To see the rest of the pictures visit abouttown.io.

Val Morrow, Parker Bryant

Heather and Eric Brown

Richard Danner, Kameron Buckner, Randall Porter, Shannon Byrd, Lindsey Miller, Leah Drury ABOUT

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Caroline Dugas, Jeff Dugas, Tracie Dugas

Jordan Leslie, Analea Palmer

Phil Cook, Misty Joseph

Kelli Payne, Billy Holbrook

Frances Jones, Kelly Smith

PROMOTION

Changing the Face of Crestline Dr. Holly Gunn discusses her new space in Crestline and tips for your seasonal skin.

Dr. Gunn is from Alabama and always dreamed of having a small clinic to treat friends and family. Her training has taken her all over the country and now, with her husband and four children, she is settling into Birmingham. In the past 10 years Dr Gunn started a dermatology department in the greater Cincinnati area where she became a top doctor in dermatology and then she was recruited by UAB to start the Cosmetic Clinic for the new Whitaker building. This new adventure is living out a dream that allows for treating a community’s skin care needs and finding balance with her family in the neighborhood.

What’s unique about your new space in Crestline?

My twins were being dropped off at St Luke’s everyday and I would turn the corner from Montevallo and cross into Crestline Village. The very first building you see, the face of Crestline Village, was the triangular brownstone that just called my name.

We love walking Crestline Village as a family. It’s our happy place.

So it made sense to start my practice close to home, friends and a great community.

ORGANIC - CLEAN - HONEST Mirroring Holly’s theme for her practice–organic, clean and honest, Architect Sissy Austin at Austin & Co. stripped the entire building down to studs; and cleaned the exterior of dirt and plant material that had covered it for many years. The fresh white exterior paint made a huge impact and ties back in to the original goals stated above. The new cedar shake roof, brings in the organic component well. The interior lighting was updated with new crystal / oil-rubbed bronze that really draws customers in, provides a warm glow at night, and compliments the beauty and simplicity of the backlit brass signage on the exterior. Holly accented the space with GREEN colors in the furniture and a beautiful driftwood bench to again reinforce her natural, organic theme, and the importance of this when it comes to skin care.

Fall is the season of leaves falling and, just like the colorful foliage, we can find those tan, brown and red sun spots showing up as the summer tan fades. Here are 5 tips to keep your skin healthy and radiant as the season changes.

- What products are you currently seeing that are making a real difference in your patients?

We have the most innovative and effective skincare lines and devices that are available. We are taking COVID seriously, but still providing the opportunity for skincare treatments to be performed in the office.

#2 Bring On the Lip Balm Our lips can take a beating as the sun fades and the weather gets chillier.

Even plain petroleum jelly (Vasoline) is good to have around. This can also protect against mask irritation on the ears.

- What’s your advice to people who have seen other dermatologists, and say they feel like the doctors are trying to upcharge them, and sell them on services they didn’t come in to get treated for?

We are a medical dermatology office. We are great at treating all skin conditions. If that includes a cosmetic treatment, great. But if that is not something you are interested in, we are still the right place for you to make your skin healthier.

- Whats the biggest mistake too many women make in treating their skin?

It’s all about balance. We see the extremes of over-utilizing products and then there are those that do not protect their skin in any way. We teach patients how to find a balanced skincare routine and taylor that to their specific needs.

If you’d like to know more or make an appointment visit gunndermatology.com or call 205-415-7536.

5 FALL SKIN TIPS

#1 Keep Up the Sunscreen Even with the cooler weather, we still can get enough sun to cause DNA damage during the mid-day hours. Find a sunscreen 15 SPF or higher for your face, décolletage and hands if you will be outside for more than 20 minutes in the midday to decrease your risk of skin cancer and age spots.

This a good time to get your yearly skin check as well.

#3 Hydrate & Moisturize Hydrators can be used under moisturizers to plump and rejuvinate dehydrated skin. Twice a day is always better than once a day. It’s like drinking enough water for the skin. #4. Eat and Wear Healthy Antioxidants Protein and antioxidant-rich vegetables are great to keep us lean and strong. The skin will enjoy antioxidants both from our diet and our skincare to give the skin a glowing, healthy appearance. Many antioxidant moisturizers can even help with the mask irritation. #5 Treat Yourself Fall is a great time for laser photorejuvenation treatments as we get ready for holiday parties and get togethers. That may be wishful thinking with COVID still lingering. But those Zoom calls will never look so good as after a hydrafacial or a Diamond Glow treatment.

LUXURY CONDO LIVING

YOUR DREAM HOME IS WAITING FOR YOU.

A Leader in Luxury Condo Real Estate Serving Birmingham for 17+ Years misty@mistyjoseph.com

205-807-2090

mistyjoseph.com

EASY UPGRADES

Elevated Casual- Easy Style Upgrades for Autumn

Mind, Body & Soul

M O D E L : M AG G I E B E A S L E Y

We think it’s safe to assume we’re all ready to put this pandemic behind us! After all, Labor Day has passed and it’s time to kick off our usual autumn season with football, cooler weather, and new clothes to wear out, right?!

We can at least begin with some wardrobe additions!

The past several months have been more of a casual time for a lot of us. If you feel like you’ve been wearing the same athleisure wear week after week, you’re not alone. With life still pulled back from our usual activity-filled calendars, what can we do right now to make a change in how we dress and feel in the endless Alabama heat and humidity?

Here are some ideas that are easy to wear in this transition time. These are just a few of the many options all overBirmingham that are comfortable, quick to change out, and can be worn several different ways from casual to dressy over the coming months as we wait in hopeful anticipation of clear, crisp fall days!

A lightweight quick-dry romper can go from paired with flat sandals on errands during the day, to dressed up with wedges and jewelry for outdoor dining in the evening. And, of course, it’s not complete without a great handbag!

Marlow Romper – Athleta, $73.99 Pierre Dumas Pewter Open Toe Platform – Flip Flops & What Nots, $29.99 Kut from the Kloth Kara Denim jacket – Mia Moda Boutique, $109 Lock and Key Wrapped Montana Agate on Chain – Mia Moda Boutique, $135 Lock and Key Grey Moonstone Set in Bronze Pendant with Draped Double Rosary Chain – Mia Moda Boutique, $230 Lock and Key Bracelet - Mia Moda Boutique, $210 Top Zip Clutch in White Rock – Noha Nadler, $138

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12 T O W N

Pretty cargos in a tan sheen fabric are lightweight and easy with a flesh-hued tank and sandals during the day or paired with a black top and black suede wedges. Add in dressed up jewelry and a snakeskin bag to tie it all together.

Down to Earth Cargo Joggers – Mia Moda Boutique, $109 Z Supply Light Oatmeal Camo Tank – Mia Moda Boutique, $39 Musse and Cloud Sirita Wedge Sandal in Cue – Shoefly, $109 Made in the Deep South 1940s Sterling Silver Brooch Cuff Bracelet from a Florida Estate – Mia Moda Boutique, $158 Lock and Key Grey Moonstone Set in Bronze Pendant with Draped Double Rosary Chain – Mia Moda Boutique, $230 Made in the Deep South 1960s Coin from an Alabama Estate with 1950s Chain from a Washington Estate – Mia Moda Boutique, $160 Hat - Mia Moda Boutique Aman Uptown Gold Leather Tote – Noha Nadler, $398

A flattering jersey knit dress is casual and cool enough for easy movement running around town during the day, and dressy enough to put with hoop earrings, a gold cuff, and a snakeskin clutch for drinks at night.

Veronica M Army Drop Waist Dress – Mia Moda Boutique, $96 Hobo Clutch in Snakeskin – Mia Moda Boutique, $158 Pierre Dumas Suede wedges – Flip Flops & What Nots $24 Brushed Gold Classic Engraved Cuff – Ex Voto, $79 Brushed Gold Large Hoop Earrings

The coolest and simplest ensemble to throw on! These super soft and lightweight pieces are easy to wear on a hot day and later add a denim jacket for cooler temperatures.

These versatile and comfortable pants may go with nearly every top and pair of shoes in your wardrobe! Wear them during the day with a sleeveless jersey top and snakeskin platform sandals, then elevate the outfit with a soft, lightweight animal print jacket plus gold strappy heels for a night on the town.

Veronica M Jogger Pant in Black – Shoefly, $69 Veronica M Vanilla Cupro Tank – Mia Moda Boutique, $69 Lunch Sack Crossbody – Noha Nadler, $268 BlankNYC Black and White Animal Print Jacket – Mia Moda Boutique, $98 Ink+Alloy Luxe Stripe Gold and Black Earrings – Shoefly, $35 Pella Moda Cruz Gold and Multi Snake Heels – Shoefly, $165 Made in the Deep South Mid 1800s Shoe Clip Steel Cut fwith 1960s chain from an AL Coll.– Mia Moda$198 Lunch Sak Crossbody – Noha Nadler, $268

Young, Fabulous & Broke Jungle Wash Palm Pants – Mia Moda, $129 Veronica M Essentials Toffee V-neck Tank – Mia Moda Boutique, $39 Silver Hoops – Shoefly Lock and Key Bracelet – Mia Moda Boutique, $210 Made in The Deep South Mid 1800s Shoe Clip Steel Cut from an Illinois Estate with 1960s Chain from an Alabama Collector – Mia Moda Boutique, $198 Musse and Cloud Sirita Wedge Sandal in Black – Shoefly, $109

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13 T O W N

Light as air joggers are a great fall neutral to enjoy casually during the day with sneakers and a tank top or elevated to a relaxed outfit for drinks with friends in the fall.

Textured Brooklyn Jogger in Mountain Olive – Athleta, $59.99 Veronica M Essentials Toffee V-neck Tank – Mia Moda Boutique, $39 Echo Watery Plaid Floral Wrap – Shoefly, $59 Velvet Heart Riley Button Down Laramie – Shoefly, $87 Naked Feet Flow Pewter Wedges – Shoefly, $148 Hoop Earrings – Shoefly Hala Leather Hobo Tote – Noha Nadler, $425

Mind, Body & Soul

Planting Seeds Finding Health, Faith and Purpose in Plants and Flowers

S

usanne Richardson and Melissa Wood became friends on the sidelines of their young daughters’ soccer games. Wood, who grew up in Birmingham, and Richardson, originally from Dothan, quickly realized they shared a passion for gardening. Both women have backgrounds in education, but they would rather be digging in the dirt, planting seeds, filling garden beds and containers with plants and cutting flowers to create beautiful arrangements than doing any other kind of work. They started decorating holiday mailboxes and creating arrangements for friends and saw their love for plants grow into Seeds Design Company.

“We love to create flower arrangements for teachers and friends,” Richardson says. “People we know would ask us to make arrangements for them. Then they started reaching out for help with a garden bed here, a window box or container there. It just spread by word of mouth and now we have this little business that we love. We do anything from creating arrangements of cut flowers to planting flower beds. We call it ‘making your bed happy.’ We either advise people about what to plant or go buy everything and install the plants for them.”

Richardson cherishes the time-honored tradition of sharing flowers. “A friend gave me a bunch of hydrangeas that she rooted from her yard and I love them,” she says. “I have white Yorrow that was my grandmother’s.

A friend will call up and say, ‘I have lots of Black-Eyed Susans, what can we share?’ I’ll go over with different sprigs of things and we have the best time.”

Both ladies find joy in sharing plants and flowers with people going through hard times. “It’s nice to give someone something to enjoy when they’re going through a rough time,” Wood says. “We did a yard for a family who has a sick child. Because they are home a lot, we wanted to make their space somewhere they could retreat. It added so much cheer!”

Wood says connecting with nature also allows them to grow in their faith. “There are moments when you get to be still and take in the simple beauty that God provides.

Plants and flowers bring a landscape to life. They make a house a home. They bring personality, character…they make a home look loved.”

“During quarantine, we planted zinnia seeds,” Richardson adds. “The more you cut them, the more they bloom.

Pruning flowers reminds me of how we weather hard times in life. Painful trials hurt, but the beauty that can grow from it is a reminder of seasons in my life that have been hard. We grow from it and we produce more flowers, more fruit.”

The ladies are largely self-taught when it comes to plants and flowers. Richardson grew up soaking in all the knowledge she could gather about gardening from her parents and grandparents who were in farming. What she lacks in formal training, she makes up for with hands-on experience.

“I love gardening. It’s easy to get lost in it…the sunshine, the fresh air… gardening is a release. I’ve always had a dream to have a farm and fields of flowers. I learned a lot from my mom and dad, but it’s all about getting in there and getting your hands dirty. You try planting something here or there, see what works and what doesn’t.”

For more flower inspiration, follow @seedsdesignco on Instagram. Richardson and Wood are available for consultations and small installs to enhance any space around your home with beautiful plants and flowers.

Wood, whose mother is an artist, dabbles in pottery and loves to create beauty. She delved into gardening once she owned her first home. “I like color, so for me it’s about the art of flowers,” she says. “I’ve always been drawn to cutting gardens. I started planting things because I like it and wanted to have pretty flowers to cut. Friends started asking about my yard and asking me for suggestions about what to plant in their yards.”

Wood and Richardson enjoy the human connections that come about through gardening. “It’s a way to bridge the generations. Everybody loves flowers,” says Wood. “My 80-year-old neighbor loves to share plants with me. She gives me zinnia seeds, fruit from trees in her yard. She once put the top of a pineapple in soil and it grew. I had no idea that would work!”

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14 T O W N

Richardson and Wood recommend changing out annuals in your beds and planters twice a year—in late spring for summer blossoms and in early fall to produce blooms in the spring. Here are some of their favorite plants to add to a Birmingham landscape.

Picks for Fall Planting

Picks for Spring Planting

- Snapdragon - Pansy - Foxglove - Dusty Miller - Dianthus - Day Lily

- Zinnia - Delphinium - Coneflower - Dahlia - Queen Anne’s Lace - Cosmo - Shasta Daisy - Black-Eyed Susan

(Late September to Early November)

(Late April to Early June)

Everything you want from your dermatologist.

Nothing that you don’t.

WE ARE NOW OPEN!

Call today NEW to schedule your appointment ACCEPTING PATIENTS W ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

HOLLY GUNN,

MEDICAL | PEDIATRIC | SURGICAL | COSMETIC M.D. MEDICAL | PEDIATRIC | SURGICAL | COSMETIC

Holly Gunn MD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, is proud to Board Certified Dermatoogist announce theHolly opening Gunn Dermatology,a full-service practice is proud to GunnofMD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, offering medical, pediatric, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. announce the opening of Gunn Dermatology,a full-service practice

SERVICES:

offering medical, pediatric, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.

Medical Pediatric Dermatology Gunn Dermatology offers a clean,Dermatology safe and convenient- experience.

We want you Gunn to feelDermatology confident you’re working and otherexperience. offers a clean,with safedoctors and- convenient Surgical Dermatology Cosmetic Dermatology professionals qualified, experienced and caring.

We wantwho youare to feel confident you’re working with doctors and other professionals who are qualified, experienced and caring.

32 Church Street Mountain Brook, AL 35213

(205) 415-7536 205-415-7536 (205) 415-7536 Now Scheduling Appointments

DULE YOUR SCHEDULE YOUR TMENT TODAY POINTMENT TODAY

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Mind, Body & Soul

A Healthy Pregnancy Professional dancer and Aero Joe’s Pilates instructor, Emily Tincher discusses balancing nutrition and activity during her first pregnancy.

How has pregnancy changed your diet & exercise? I’ve always been an active

person, so I tried my best to keep that going during my pregnancy. Admittedly, I’ve had to slow down more than I anticipated during my pregnancy, taking rest breaks and maybe not pushing myself as hard as I normally would. I am growing a human being, after all!

I’ve become more methodical about the workouts I’m doing, making sure I’m walking every day, even if it’s only for 20 minutes, to keep my endurance up, and ramping up my Pilates because a strong pelvic floor and core are so vital during labor, delivery, and postpartum.

Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve done my best to maintain a well-balanced diet, knowing that my little girl is soaking up the nutrients that I’m consuming. I’m a firm believer of intuitive eating….eating when I’m hungry, allowing myself to have those occasional treats (hello Big Spoon!), never restricting….your body needs fuel in order to get through the day, pregnant or not! I’ve always been a lover of fruits and vegetables, but I do my best to consume lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains as well.

What part (months or weeks) have been the most difficult and why?

The first trimester of my pregnancy was by far the hardest for me. I was tired all the time, but still had to muster up energy to teach 8-hour days starting at 6 a.m. in the morning. I would nap whenever and wherever I could. I was also really sick during my first trimester. Morning sickness is no joke! Ginger chews and pretzel thins were my go-to anti-nausea tricks to help ease my upset stomach.

Have you picked up any health habits that you’ll continue after the child comes? Drinking more water! As an athlete, I’ve always

known how important hydration is to replenish and help the body recover, but during pregnancy, it’s amazing how staying on top of your water consumption can help with the not-so-fun symptoms, like fatigue and Braxton Hicks.

What’s been a surprising element of being pregnant?

Being pregnant during a pandemic has been more challenging than I anticipated. During my first trimester, it was perfect because I was home more during those times that I needed more rest; I could socially distance with ease while I was still trying to disguise my growing bump.

Though, as the pregnancy, and pandemic, have progressed, I have felt isolated at times…not being able to see friends or family during a very happy, yet emotionally and physically draining time. Not to mention some of the milestone moments, like the gender reveal ultrasound, where my husband couldn’t be in the same room as me during my appointment due to hospital policy. If I’ve learned nothing during this time, it’s been to roll with the punches and to expect the unexpected.

ABOUT

16

TOWN

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ABOUT ABOUT

18 T O W N 18 T O W N

Finding Balance Whitne y Re nf roe Ba la nc e s Mothe rhood and Staying Fit P H O T O S B Y M O L LY S I N C L A I R

G

rowing up as a dancer laid a strong fitness foundation for Whitney Renfroe. Now the Artistic Director of Formations Dance Company and a private yoga instructor in Birmingham. Renfroe’s current lifestyle looks very different than it did before she became a mother. Having babies necessitated new approaches to her exercise routine and generally encouraged a lot more flexibility. Pre-children, Renfroe was dancing professionally after earning her B.A. in Dance Performance from Birmingham-Southern College. Starting out as a classical ballet dancer, she later transitioned into modern and contemporary dance. Simultaneously, she worked as a personal trainer and taught group fitness classes to help pay the bills.

Mind, Body & Soul “It opened my eyes to seeing fitness as something you could approach in a number of different, creative fashions,” says Renfroe. “In my mid-20s, I lived in Boston, where there is an incredible running culture and some really great yoga studios. I got hooked on both.”

Renfroe says her experience allowed her to identify and play with similarities she found between yoga and distance running, such as meditation through movement and allowing the rhythm of her breath to guide the rhythm of her body. As the mom of two young children, Renfroe says exercise isn’t a challenge or something she struggles to fit into her schedule. “I love to move and I couldn’t pick a favorite way if I tried,” she says. She runs about 3 miles two or three times during the week, with a longer run ranging from 6-14 miles on weekends, depending on if she’s training for a race. A typical week also includes two to three yoga practices, two days in the studio with her dance company, and usually one Kinstretch session, which she highly recommends for anyone with a desire to move more functionally. “I’m also on my feet constantly. My kids don’t let me sit down...like, ever.”

Renfroe says her best advice for balancing fitness and parenting is to make it a way of life for the whole household. “Implement exercise into your daily routine so often that it doesn’t feel like a whole thing to make it happen—it’s just part of the day,” she encourages. “It’s also crucial to find ways to include your kids in what you are doing.

Half the time I’m doing yoga, I have a child either on my back or mimicking my moves right next to me. Sometimes I have to push the double stroller on a run. Full disclosure: that is really hard and if it is at all avoidable I will avoid it...but they enjoy it.” Renfroe says on weekends, she enjoys visiting Black Creek Rails to Trails Park with her husband, Hunter, their four-yearold daughter, Marley, and two-year-old son, Jack. She and Hunter take turns running and exploring with the kids. “The kids get a few hours outdoors, and my husband and I both get a nice long solo run with the happiest, cutest cheerleaders waiting for our return.”

Renfroe says her diet changes frequently in response to her activity level. “I really believe that the most important thing for establishing healthy nutrition is to get a handle on your body’s input-to-output needs. I encourage intuitive eating that honors what makes us feel strong and well fueled. This cannot be boiled down to a set diet, because everyone’s body is beautifully and intricately unique.”

Renfroe tries to get all the nutrients she needs from the foods she eats. She says if her body is calling for more protein, she’d rather get it from lean meat or Greek yogurt than seek out a processed supplement. When she discovers a deficit, she will seek out a remedy such as a magnesium supplement to help with muscle cramps and she tries to limit her meat intake to once a day for environmental reasons.

WHITNEY’S MEALS ON A TYPICAL DAY: - Breakfast:

Something light and easy to digest, like a bagel with a little honey or yogurt and

granola. Plus coffee, of course.

- Lunch:

A good, hearty salad with lots of interesting toppings, such as fish, soft cheese,

nuts, seeds, and grains. Sometimes a poke bowl or wrap instead.

- Snack:

A granola bar or a banana with peanut butter to keep her energy up in the after-

noon. Plus more coffee.

- Dinner:

Indian food, like a big bowl of curry and rice, is a household staple. She loves

to cook Italian food, like Spaghetti Bolognese, or a vegetarian dish if she’s already had a serving of meat that day.

- Dessert:

Always something sweet to cap off the day! Mango popsicles are a favorite.

Renfroe believes that role modeling strong habits for her children will naturally help them develop their own healthy lifestyles. “It’s wonderfully reinforcing to me when my two-year-old puts on my hydration belt and announces, ‘I go run!’ as he starts doing laps around the kitchen. My heart lights up when I hear my daughter calling her favorite yoga postures by their Sanskrit names. I don’t think they will ever see these things as anything but joyful. I don’t pester them about their diets. They eat what we eat sometimes, and other times they just want bread and cheese. They are balancing being adventurous with listening to what their bodies want, and that is something to celebrate.”

To read more and see a video of this feature visist: abouttown.io

ABOUT

20 T O W N

Avery Ryan, Aesthetician

Call (205) 580-1500 to make an appointment, or text us through Klara, our secure messaging app, at (205) 490-2785.

MEGAN CHERRY, MD KRISTY CURL, DO LAUREN HUGHEY, MD CAROLINE WILSON, CRNP SHELLEY WINZELER, PA-C AVERY RYAN, AESTHETICIAN 1651 Independence Ct Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 580-1500 renewdermatology.net

Wes Brown, Robin Higgins

James and Evelyn Dicks

Joey Grimsley, Marissa Wolf, Ed Hauser, Ryan Short

ALABAMA FERTILITY NEW OFFICE GRAND OPENING Alabama Fertility celebrated the grand opening of their newly renovated office in Homewood.

The project was designed by Williams Blackstock Architects, managed by Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors with interior design by AI Corporate Interiors. To see the rest of the pictures visit abouttown.io.

Dr. McLean, Dr. Malizia, and Dr. Bouknight

Dr. Malizia, Dr. McLean, Robin Higgins and Dr. Bouknight

Dr. McLean, Dr. Malizia, and Dr. Bouknight

Dr. Beth Malizia and Family

Peter Jameson, Bryan Wolfe, Joey Grimsley ABOUT

22 T O W N

At Alabama Fertility, under the leadership of Doctors Bouknight, Malizia and McLean, we provide thoughtful, individualized, compassionate care with both your safety and success in mind.

Advanced Fertility Care Close to Home.

3490 Independence Drive - Homewood AL 35209 (205) 874-0000 - alabamafertility.com

ABOUT

24 T O W N

Hollywood Glam Shines in This Mid-Century Mountain Brook Home “When I walked in this house, I envisioned Palm Springs. Modern Glam. Hollywood Regency. It was just so stunning with the marble floors and big commercial floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The architecture kind of brings in a mixed vibe with the antique doors that allowed me to play with many French elements. With all the windows, you see all the nature outside and it’s just so beautiful on its own.”

- DANIELLE YANCEY

ABOUT

25 T O W N

Danielle and Bart Yancey weren’t looking to move. The couple, originally from Dothan and Birmingham spent several years renovating their Mediterraneanstyle home on Shades Crest Road in Vestavia Hills. The home, featured on the Bravo reality TV series “Jersey Belle,” included carefully curated lighting fixtures, exposed beams, and a unique white mortared exterior.

“While we weren’t thinking of selling or buying another house, we did always have a wish list in our minds of things we would love to have: one level, a pool, a courtyard,” shares Yancey. “Bart just happened to click on a link for this house one day and it fit all the boxes we thought we would want. I said, ‘Where is this? It’s so interesting. Let’s just look at it. We thought about it for a while and, six months later, we were moving in. It was a happy surprise.”

ABOUT

The unique one-level brick mid-century modern Mountain Brook home, designed by architect Fritz Woehle and built in 1963, sits back from Pump House Road, nestled in trees. It was owned by generations of the Ireland family before the Yanceys purchased it.

The front entrance features a long row of brick arches, a design element repeated elsewhere on the property, that frame a wall of windows on the home’s front facade.

“I loved our other house,” says Yancey. “Every touch was designed in a rustic chic style. This house is the complete opposite. It’s brought out a lot more fun, a lot more color. With the pool and the style of the home, I could take a lot of risks with the décor here.”

Yancey, who graduated from Auburn University with a degree in apparel merchandising, learned a tremendous amount about design as a buyer with Parisian, Inc. and as a fashion consultant. She explores design and fashion on her blog The D/TALES, helps style people for special occasions, assists friends with decorating and enjoys hosting parties and charity events at the home.

26 T O W N

Guests are welcomed into the grand entry through brown and gold antique double doors from New Orleans in the original main living room that open up to the courtyard. Alabama White marble graces the floors throughout. The entry features soaring 14-foot ceilings that hold one of the home’s original ornate chandeliers and also serves as an unconventional dining space, with a modern white and gold round pedestal table and four grey velvet and gold chairs.

“I pulled black and gold from the front doors to use throughout the house,” Yancey shares. “I’ve incorporated a mixture of different styles, colors and textures. There are lacquered pieces, marble, acrylic, lots of mixed metals. I love to combine antiques and new pieces along with brass, gold and silver. It all comes together as part of the Hollywood Glam style.”

The dining table in the entry holds books, bowls, vases and a statement-making large white ceramic hand sculpture holding a bowl with a large disco ball inside. A low fireplace topped by a mirror that stretches up to the ceiling, consoles and art echo the black and gold color scheme.

“I bought a disco ball at an antique store called The Nest in Homewood. I didn’t know what I was going to do with it. I sat it on the glass and gold coffee table in the bar and and it has remained there since. I bought another large disco ball at HomeGoods and found a place for it on the marble entry table of the house in a tall white ceramic hand sculpture and bowl under the French antique chandelier. It set the tone for everything and made me start moving in the direction of adding lots of fun and quirky elements. There are small ones, big ones, they’re everywhere.

I put disco ball ornaments on our Christmas trees when we were on the Samford Legacy League Christmas Home Tour, there are miniature ones in bowls around the house, we even have disco ball cocktail picks on the bar.”

“The light comes in at certain times and reflects little specs on the floor, the ceiling, the walls. I call them disco dots. In the morning, the disco ball in the bar lights up the whole room with disco dots.

The one in the entry hits in the afternoon. When you walk through and see the dots, it makes you pause. It makes you smile. It just brings me happiness, it’s so magical and pretty.”

“The master was probably the biggest challenge,” Yancey says. “It’s such a vast space with the height of the room and the sky lights. It was hard to decide where to put the bed, how to add window treatments to the huge arched windows. Once we conquered those obstacles, the rest came together.”

ABOUT

27 T O W N

Peck’s Points!

To the right of the entry is the main living room, which features another original chandelier hanging above a pink Orientalstyle rug. “We call it the pink room,” Yancey says. “Pink is my favorite color. I added pops of it all over the house.” Twin charcoal velvet sofas anchor the seating area in front of a marblesurrounded fireplace with antique chairs, faux fur-covered stools and an assortment of side tables grouped around three small mirrored tables. Four large, antique gold-framed mirrors line the wall and interesting elements fill the airy, luminescent space.

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“The light comes in at certain times and reflects little specs on the floor, the ceiling, the walls. I call them disco dots. In the morning, the disco ball in the bar lights up the whole room with disco dots. The one in the entry hits in the afternoon. When you walk through and see the dots, it makes you pause. It makes you smile. It just brings me happiness, it’s so magical and pretty.”

Keller Williams Homewood Peck@Teambarham.com TeamBarham.com Facebook: PeckRealtor Instagram: RealtorPeck

Etched in the marble floor between the living room and back hall are the years 1963 and 1985, drawing the line between the original footprint of the home and the addition of a wing including the bar, sitting room, master bedroom and wine cellar 22 years later. The walls of the quaint powder room on the right are clad in a bold banana leaf botanical wall paper. A whimsical framed button on the wall instructs guests to Press for champagne. “You can never have enough bubbly!” exclaims Yancey.

COMMITTED TO LEGENDARY SERVICE FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

SHE ONCE BUILT A FORT SO LARGE, THAT IT UTILIZED EVERY BLANKET, TOWEL, AND CHAIR IN THE WHOLE HOUSE.

The magnificently hardscaped pool reflects the turquoise hues found throughout the inside of the home. Fun black and white French-inspired elements are repeated in the lounge chairs, umbrellas and pillows on the pool deck.

“The back outdoor area is our favorite spot in the whole house,” Yancey says of the covered patio across the courtyard from the pool. “We hardly ever sit down at a table inside. We come out here after work to enjoy a drink. We bring dinner out here and talk or watch some TV. It’s such a great spot to slow down and enjoy being outside.”

CHILDREN A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY

and at Children’s of Alabama, we want to

Yancey has a hard time imagining ever leaving the home, but she never says never. “This is our dream house where we plan to stay. We love it here, but I’m always up for a new challenge. We never know where life may lead!”

see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential.

1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

To see more of the Yanceys’ house visit: abouttown.io ABOUT

28 T O W N

Your brows are the main focus behind the mask.

ANGELA KING BROW EXPERT

24hr scheduling at AngelaKingBrows.com

6 Tips to Discover Your Best Personal Style Laura Steele of Steele Style is a personal stylist. Follow her on Instagram @steelestylebhm and Facebook @SteeleStyle.

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of your closet filled to the brim with clothes, bags and shoes feeling like you have absolutely nothing to wear? Local stylist Laura Steele offers her best tips to help you identify what to keep, what to eliminate and what to shop for so you can get ready with confidence in a snap!

‍Dress for YOUR Lifestyle – As we shift into a new season, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the new styles and trends. Enjoy shopping the new fashions but remember to buy and dress for your lifestyle. You don’t have to buy the latest fad to dress up-to-date. Let those new trends come into play in your wardrobe in a way that best suits your lifestyle, whether you are more casual in carpool or dressier at the office.

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4

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Search for Multi-Use Items – There are so many more pieces of apparel offered now that can be worn with a variety of different items from season to season. Make sure to take note of your schedule and climate when considering additions to your wardrobe. This allows you to keep a keen eye out for items that are worth investing in. From a darker, dressier denim to a light-weight jacket, many items can dress up or down with complimentary pieces that will take you through most of the year. ‍

questions such as “Maybe I will wear this?” Don’t purchase anything you’re not totally in love with! If you follow this rule, going to your closet to get dressed becomes fun and easy.

Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of avoiding end-of-season guilt brought on by items that still have tags ‍

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Edit Your Closet – Begin each new season by going

through your closet. Look at everything you have and edit!

Clean out and organize your wardrobe so you can see what you have and what items you need to add. Donate what you don’t want…there is always someone who will be blessed by the things that are no longer serving you! ‍

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Invest in a Nice Handbag – Purchase a fine, wellmade handbag that fits your personal style and preference, be it small or large. A great bag makes your wardrobe so much easier to pull together. Whether you select the latest fall dress with wedges or throw on a plain T-shirt and jeans, adding the right handbag creates a polished finish to anything you wear. Finer handbags are constructed for the long haul, and they’re always in style.

It’s worth investing in at least one!

ABOUT

Only Buy What You Love – With each new trend brings

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Shop Around – Local, small shops are great spots to start. The people get to know you and offer personal assistance to help you shop with purpose. Online options are great for basics you know will work and special sales. Pay attention to return policies when ordering a newer style you’re not sure about…but don’t be afraid to try something new! A fun addition can be just the spark you need to help you move forward to a new season! ‍ 30 T O W N

NEW LISTING

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4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bathroom – Forest Park $539,900 UNDER CONTRACT

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4 Bedroom / 3.5 Bathroom - Homewood $399,000 UNDER CONTRACT

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4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bathroom– The Preserve $439,000 UNDER CONTRACT

5728 12th Ave S

3 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom - Crestwood South $275,000 UNDER CONTRACT

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3 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom - Greystone Farms $259,900

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3 Bedroom / 2.5 Bathroom - Homewood $244,900 $252,500

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welcome home!

NEW LISTING

Mind, Body & Soul

HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE?

FRANCIE KAUFMAN WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

I LOVE to cook and gravitate towards wholesome, healthy recipes! I look to The Defined Dish (her cookbook is my favorite), Skinnytaste and What’s Gaby Cooking for inspiration.

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

I love to mix it up! An ideal week for me includes a couple of strength training workouts following the Madeline Moves app, a Peloton ride, a Pilates class at MPower, and a cycle class at Ignite Cycle.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

My husband and I travel quite a bit so it’s not always easy to keep up the same routine on the road as it is when I’m at home.

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

I live by “everything in moderation” rather than “cheating”. I look forward to eating Mexican every Friday night—there’s nothing better than a margarita with chips and salsa! Also, I love pasta!

LAUREN ADAIR GOLDASICH

AUDREY DOUGLAS

WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

-Breakfast- Toast (Ezekiel Bread) with banana, peanut butter, honey and chia seeds or I’ll have toast with eggs.

-Lunch- Smoothie with fruit, greens, sunflower butter, protein powder, Maca and almond milk. If I’m short on time, I’ll have chicken salad on Ezekiel Bread or make a simple salad.

-Dinner- Usually fish or chicken with vegetables and maybe quinoa or cous cous.

Mornings are nuts. I have 2 kids under 5 years old. I eat the same things every day: 2 hard boiled eggs, 1/4 avocado and sometimes a banana. The key here is to be able to stand up for breakfast. For lunch I eat a salad with protein. In between lunch and dinner I will have a Larabar as a snack. Lastly, dinner is a protein from my grill master husband, with a veggie and a starch.

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

I workout 4 to 6 days a week. All at OTF unless I am out of town. When I am unable to attend an OTF class, I like to run outside or do a yoga class from the Yoga Studio App.

I walk in the neighborhood first thing in the morning and/or do a short workout by the pool.

I’m also a Pilates instructor and dancer, so those activities are always sprinkled throughout my week!

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

All the great restaurants in Birmingham!

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

Every now and then I go all out when I’m out to eat or at a party. I also love a scoop or two of ice cream or frozen yogurt!

ABOUT

32 T O W N

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

Staying fit is not a struggle because it is so ingrained in my day-to-day routine and has been since I was 24 years old. I am not perfect, I struggle with other things.

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

I love red wine and flourless chocolate anything.

NATALIE PEACH WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

As a former chef, I am not afraid to indulge.

I usually start my mornings with a chia seed and fruit smoothie which gets me started with protein and fiber. I stick pretty close to a intermittent fasting routine which limits the amount of meals I have per day. I don’t own a scale for my weight.

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

I teach a considerable amount of yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and posture clinics a week which keep me quite busy. When I’m not practicing yoga in the studio, I enjoy swimming laps and I’m currently working with an amazing personal trainer, who coaches and trains me in weight lifting and strength training.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

The simple act of getting-to-the-mat! That’s always the hardest part.

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

It starts and ends with vacations. But life is too short and too sweet to stick to a routine.

Mind, Body & Soul

ASHA GANGOLLI WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

TIFFANY MARTIN WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

I try to think of food as fuel for my body and eat accordingly with simple, fresh meals. I know a lot of people insist you have to eat breakfast, but I don’t get hungry until later in the day so I usually just do coffee in the morning.

I don’t follow any specific regimen or pattern around what I eat–I do a lot of whole, real foods. That said, I’ve never passed up an opportunity to devour a charcuterie board or a bowl of queso. Ever.

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

I instruct at Ignite a few times a week and get into my Instructors’ Rides as well. Outside of that, I do my best to listen to my body and move how it needs–whether that’s additional strength training, stretching, or an extra hour of sleep varies from week to week.

I am lucky to be a professional ballet dancer so my exercise is mostly built into my day. I love to supplement it with pilates, weight training, and running for cardio.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

For me it was figuring out what worked best for my body. There’s no right answer.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

I always have a glass of wine at night, and I will never turn down a good burger and fries. But I try not to think of it as “cheating” and more of a conscious choice that fuels my soul, which is important too.

MEGAN ADAMS

2020!

When it comes to my diet, I don’t categorize my foods. I eat what makes me feel good, and I definitely enjoy comfort foods often. If I’m looking to indulge, it typically means treating myself to a new outfit or accessory.

WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

I actually do not consistently adhere to any particular nutrition plan. I love a fad diet! I want to know all about the latest trends and research. I do a lot of reading, listening, talking, learning, and experimenting. Currently, I am trying this “Carnivore Diet” everyone’s talking about. I’m about two weeks in, and loving it.

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

I am admittedly addicted to exercise! All of it! I log 2-3 hours of movement 7 days a week, either in the gym, at the yoga studio, or at home in my garage gym. I can say I’ve never met a workout I didn’t like, or at least respect. I am willing to try anything twice, and love nothing more than the feeling of being completely sweaty and spent.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

I am a total foodie!!! I love food, and I love to eat!

FAVORITE INDULGENCE Tequila!

ABOUT

33 T O W N

JESSICA PROCTER GILMORE WEEKLY EATING REGIMEN

I choose nutrient-dense, whole foods most of the time, making sure I eat enough protein, and giving myself full permission to eat the “fun” foods I love.

We typically cook nutritious meals throughout the week and go out to one of our favorite restaurants 1-2 times a weekend.

WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE

My husband and I attend the 6:15 a.m. CrossFit class at Nexus Fitness every morning and we LOVE it. The workouts are challenging and competitive.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE

The biggest obstacle is your mind. Feeling like you have to look a certain way to start working out in a certain way or at a certain place, mentally giving up in a workout, or believing the lie that you don’t have enough time to meal prep or get in a quick workout. Make a plan, and execute.:)

FAVORITE INDULGENCE

My favorite “fun” food that makes my soul happy is a bowl of cereal after dinner.

PROMOTION

What is Morpheus8?

Julie C. Harper, MD at Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham discusses how this new product is breaking down boundries, and the first full body fractionated technology.

Morpheus8 is a more detailed approach to tightening the skin by using a combination of micro needling and radio frequency energy targeting deeper layers of the skin.

KEY BENEFITS - Morpheus8 delivers the deepest fractional treatments available, penetrating subdermal tissue up to 4mm (4mm + 1mm thermal profile).

- The handpiece allows for increased treatment functionality.

Two fractional tips with different microneedle configurations (Resurfacing 24 pin, Morpheus8 24 pin) deliver clinically proven RF energy to multiple treatment depths (0.5mm – 4mm).

- Safe on skin types up to and including VI with little risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is common with other resurfacing methods.

Dr. Julie Harper is a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

She received her medical degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine, and went on to complete an internship in Internal Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University and her dermatology residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Dr. Harper is a Founding Director of the American Acne and Rosacea Society and is the organization’s immediate past-president. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and recently served on the AAD’s Acne Work Group, tasked with writing acne treatment guidelines. Dr. Harper is also a member of the Women’s Dermatological Society and a former president of the Alabama Dermatological Society.

She has written and spoken on the subject of acne and rosacea extensively. Some of Dr. Harper’s writings can be found in journals and publications.

If you have any questions to see if Morpheus8 is right for you call (205) 978-3336.

WHAT CAN YOU TREAT? FACE AND BODY

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This fractional tissue treatment simulates the production of collagen in the underlying layers of the dermis. Morpheus8’s modular tips enable procedures to be customized for large or small body areas.

Morpheus8 effectively remodels skin and tissue with minimal risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Patients should expect little to no thermal damage to skin types I – VI.

ABOUT

34 T O W N

2020

Mind, Body & Soul

PROMOTION

Would You Say That To Your Best Friend…

T

here’s no question, society leads us to be our own worst critics. Where others see beauty and strength, we notice our flaws, imperfections, and the things we wish we could change. Tiffany Martin, owner of Ignite Cycle, says it’s time to stop the negative self-talk. We’ve got to become our own biggest cheerleaders, building ourselves up with the encouragement we would offer a trusted friend.

“We tend to compare ourselves to others,” says Martin, who instructs clients in indoor cycle classes five times a week. “It doesn’t help that we consume so much media that is curated – through creative poses, Facetune, and filters – to make normal bodies look, in many ways, abnormal. The reality is we could all eat the same foods and do the same workouts, and all our bodies would still look different. You’ve got to change your mindset,” Martin says. “The first step is just to pay attention to how you talk to yourself. Just like listening to what a friend is saying, listen to the conversation you’re having in your mind. Notice these thoughts without judgement. As you become more skilled in acknowledging your negative internal narratives,

you can start to change them.”

“Broadly, there are two common ways we often use unhelpful self-talk. The first is comparison, and the second is the ‘shoulds’. When we compare the foods we eat, how we exercise, or our bodies to other people’s, we’re internally beating ourselves up. This is a habit worth taking the time to reframe.”

ABOUT

36 T O W N

… What You Say About Your Own Body?

“We all know the ‘shoulds,’ whether by name or practice. ‘I shouldn’t eat that,’ ‘I should go to the gym,’ ‘I should wake up earlier so I can get more done.’ Sound familiar? It’s a pretty helpless place to be. Here’s the antidote: simply change ‘should’ to ‘could,’ and you instantly reclaim your power. Now, you get to decide if you will eat that, go to the gym, or wake up earlier. That tiny shift can go a long way in showing yourself more kindness.”

“A lot of people come to the studio wanting change. They might come in with primarily aesthetic goals. But fitness is about so much more.

At Ignite, we want to help you not only feel better, but also feel better about yourself. We’re focused on so much more than an outcome that can be measured in pounds or inches.”

When you say…

- I can’t believe I gained so much weight.

- I wish I had her body.

- My thighs are so big.

Mind, Body & Soul

Martin and the other Ignite instructors speak with positive, encouraging language. She says it’s so important to retrain how you talk to yourself.

“A lot of us spent some time at home during the pandemic. We were attached to our screens. Just like everything else, our exercise routines may have changed. It’s important to be kind to yourself. Practicing a gratitude-based mindset can help shift your internal narrative.”

Martin suggests taking inventory and truly giving thanks for everything you’ve been given. “It’s about realizing your body is so much more than what it looks like. It’s recognizing all the incredible things your body does for you.”

Try… - I’ve cared for myself - body, mind, and soul - to the best of my ability, during a pandemic that turned the entire world on its head.

- I am grateful I get to live in this body.

- I am grateful that my thighs help me lift my daughter up for a piggy back ride.

“Learning to speak to yourself the way you would speak to your best friend can be challenging…after all, you’re learning a new skill! But, as you continue to practice, it becomes easier. And you will be better inside and out because of it.” - TIFFANY MARTIN

Our PLACES

In these tough times, there’s never been a better time to support our incredible local bar scene. We look forward to when they’ll be back at full strength!

sponsored by:

ABOUT

38 T O W N

Our PLACES

ATOMIC 2113 1st Avenue North, Downtown theatomiclounge.com

THE COLLINS 2125 2nd Ave N, Downtown thecollinsbar.com

Feizal and Rachel Valli

“On a sensory level, it’s overwhelming.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

Ronnie Andrés Moore

“You’ve made the right call when you arrive here.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

We want their jaws to drop. We have eleven bubble machines, every surface has something to look at or touch or Instagram, we have a separate jungle themed room complete with monkey and rain noises.

When people walk into The Collins Bar, I want them to feel like they made the right call by trusting us with their time. That they are in a welcoming, creative space where they can let their imagination go and trust us to make great custom cocktails and unique experiences.

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

Most days we start work at 9 in the morning and we go until well after the last person has left. At least that’s the way we do it.

We’re the first ones to arrive and the last to leave.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

They’ve never been to a bar like this one. There are 62,000 bars in America and setting yourself apart is a very high compliment.

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

Make people feel like they’ve been coming here for years. That means we engage them, that means that we personalize the experience for them, we start our first conversation with them like it’s our fiftieth, like we’re old friends.

What’s your favorite drink?

Believe it or not, it’s cheap bourbon and coke. And lots of them.

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

Besides the standard limiting of seating inside to 50%, constant sanitation and creating new spaces outside, we’re also adding a to-go list of bottled cocktails. The new ABC rules allow us to sell “curbside” drinks that let us extend the sale of alcohol to consume at home.

Spreadsheets! It takes a lot of organization to run a bar well.

So many of us are allured by the nightlife and the romance of being a part of the city’s social life, but it takes a lot of work. It’s rewarding, but very demanding work.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

To come back and see me again. It is such a thrill to see that people enjoyed our time together enough to trust me to create new experiences.

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

A happy guest is one whose safety is paramount in the mind of the bartender. We work very hard to ensure that people have a good time without being reckless.

What’s your favorite drink?

A bright, super cold daiquiri. It makes me think of the beaches of Venezuela where I grew up. Rum, lime and sugar can make any moment into a beach moment.

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

Tighter sanitation protocols, social distancing guides, plexiglass between our booths, and limited capacity.

Our PLACES

LOU’S PUB 726 29th St S, Lakeview louspub.com

THE LUMBAR 212 29th Street S, Pepper Place lumbarbham.com

Michael Carpri

“We want people to feel relaxed because they know they’re going to be taken care of.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

The coolest thing about Lou’s Pub is that you can order a drink you’ve never had, have our staff teach you how to make it and we can send you home with all the ingredients to make it yourself.

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

It’s not as glamorous as you would imagine. I’m here seven days a week.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

That they appreciate the hard work my staff puts in.

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

It’s all about quality of service. As the only on and off premises bar in Birmingham and one of only 6 in Alabama, we are so fortunate to be able to let people taste before they buy.

Rylie Hightower

“A happy staff will result in happy guests.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

We want every person who comes into The Lumbar to be warmly welcomed and feel like they can be unapologetically themselves.

We use fueling food, creative drinks, and caring bartenders to inspire our community to go out and change the world.

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

There are so many moving parts to operating a bar if you’ve never done it before. Whatever hours you think you’ll spend doing your job, double it. It’s taught me to be loving and flexible and (arguably) the world’s fastest troubleshooter.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

Among other wonderful things, someone asked, “Did we just become best friends?”

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

Logistically, you have to make sure they receive what they ordered exactly as they ordered it in a timely manner. And we only hire people to work at The Lumbar who are kind, caring, and considerate of others.

What’s your favorite drink?

What’s your favorite drink?

I like a Sidecar. It’s like a brandy margarita.

It changes. We just wrapped up Shark Week and my favorite cocktail was “The Meg,” an ocean water-style double long island.

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

We were fortunate to remain open because we are a liquor store. We realized the value to customers of selling them fresh squeezed juices and mixers to go with their alcohol purchases.

Currently, we’re only open for outdoor dining on our new patio, made possible by the City of Birmingham’s new Shared Spaces permit (we were the inaugural permit holders). This permit has made a world of difference in our ability to operate in a way that is safe and comfortable to both staff and guests.

Our PLACES

PAPER DOLL 2320 1st Ave N., Downtown paperdollbar.com

PILCROW COCKTAIL CELLAR 2015 1st Ave N, Downtown pilcrowbham.com

Joe Phelps

Reese Hovater

“We want guests to feel like they just stepped into a world-class cocktail bar.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

To create an atmosphere and offer an experience unlike anything else Birmingham has had before, while also providing the same sense of hospitality and community that can only be found in the Magic City. Paper Doll is a reflection of Birmingham.

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

A common misconception about running a successful bar is that in order to be the “best” you have to have the most complicated drinks and menu. The menu is, of course, of great importance.

But what takes a bar from good to great is the experience you create for a guest after you’ve put a great drink in their hand. The name of the game is hospitality.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

That they’ll come back, of course!

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

There are so many variables. But, above all, I’d say being authentic is the most important thing. I may or may not remember a bartender who made me the best drink, but I’ll remember the ones who genuinely seemed invested in my experience at their bar and the way they made me feel.

What’s your favorite drink?

Easily the Negroni. I’ve yet to meet a Negroni I didn’t drink.

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

We’ve expanded our outdoor seating on the front patio area to create an environment that allows us to maximize social distancing, and we offer our signature house-made syrups and cocktail kits so that customers can take them home.

“We want our place to be an escape.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

Since the bar is located in a basement, we like to say it’s “shelter from the storm.” You can interpret that literally or figuratively. I think the space is very unique to Birmingham and it’s fun to hear people’s reactions after they come down the stairs. Everywhere you look you should notice something fun to look at, whether that be a piece of neon art from a local artist, years of melted candle wax or a funny little detail we snuck in.

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

Y’all don’t worry about that. Just enjoy the drinks ;)

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

They come back again and again. We always love seeing familiar faces. The design of our bar allows patrons to easily socialize. We want to help foster community!

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

We want you to know how happy we are to see you. Making you feel welcome beginning-to-end is what is most important to us.

What’s your favorite drink?

It depends on the day. Sometimes I want to sip on good tequila, sometimes I want that bright blue frozen drink.

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

We’ve added curtains that create sections to break up our open floor plan that also provide some privacy, which people have appreciated. We’ve also purchased air purifiers and hired an expert to work on our air flow. We’re now table service only to avoid people bumping into each other.

Our PLACES

WATKINS BRANCH 2708 Culver Road, Mountain Brook Village watkinsbranch.com

41ST ST PUB & AIRCRAFT SALES 130 41st St S #105, Avondale 41ststreetpub.com

Patrick Jackson

“Our own curated cocktail lists all have our inhouse syrups for the best quality and flavor.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

Watkins Branch features unique décor, a cozy atmosphere and an unbeatable, bourbon selection.

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

Mostly what goes on behind the scenes. We produce our own curated cocktail lists and we make all of our syrups in-house for the best quality and flavor possible.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

They’ll be coming back with friends!

What’s the most important thing you have to do to ensure a happy customer?

Great customer service is definitely most important. Everyone is going to mess up from time to time and it won’t always be perfect, but I believe great customer service can cover a multitude of sins.

What’s your favorite drink?

Old-Fashioned

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

We’ve removed tables to create the proper amount of separation and we sanitize everything between each use. We’ve removed a lot of our table decorations due to risk of cross-contamination and we always wear our masks.

Brian McGraw

“We’re always a party in progress.”

What’s the first impression you want guests to have when they walk into your place?

Simply put, it’s our mission statement...To attract and serve the best customers in Birmingham in the cleanest and most enjoyable bar in the city. We live by the motto that 41st is always a party in progress, from open until close!

What’s something people don’t know about running a bar?

There are a lot of behind-the-scenes things to running a bar.

From ordering to developing new cocktails, to coming up with new and fun ideas to facilitate a great time, to ensuring that the smallest details are recognized. It isn’t always easy, but to ensure total customer satisfaction, we will go to any length necessary.

What’s the greatest compliment a customer can give you?

A return visit. We have wonderful patrons who, more often than not, become more than that. We make friends here. I cannot think of a more wonderful compliment.

What’s your favorite drink?

We are known for the best Moscow Mule around, and a personal favorite is the Ultimate Old Fashioned!

What have you done differently to respond to the pandemic?

We’ve posted safe distancing signs throughout, made hand sanitizer plentiful throughout, and patrons maintain masks. We have a timer set up to stop and disinfect every 20-30 minutes during busy hours. All this is done in a way that is seamless.

We’re here to have a great time, but we do it in such a way that does not take away from that great time. We are here to provide a respite from the troubles of the world and our daily lives. And we do it safely.

Your Dental Health During COVID by: Dr Celia Davenport D.D.S.

Infection control has been top of mind for everyone lately.

While our office has always met or exceeded OSHA and CDC standards, we’ve redoubled our efforts and invested heavily in alternative forms of infection control including UV lights, air purification systems, and isolation rooms among many other enhancements. The health and well being of my patients and staff is paramount, and if you’d like to learn more about our commitment to maintaining the safest dental office in Birmingham, please visit our website: davenportdentalandwellness.com.

I have completed many hours of continuing education and achieved professional level status with the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health. I continue to focus on the links between oral health and overall systemic health. Secondary pneumonia is a major concern with the current pandemic. The bacteria in the majority of bacterial pneumonia cases comes from the oral cavity. Good oral health is always important and especially important during these times.

DAVENPORT DENTAL is conveniently located in the Lakeview district on Clairmont Avenue South. We also have on-site parking, which is a rare commodity in our neighborhood. Just look for the big tooth in our front yard!

Some of my patients are pleasantly surprised to learn that we offer Botox treatments. But, c’mon, nothing makes a bright smile look better than smooth skin surrounding it, right?!? Our goal is to help you feel and look your best, and for some of us that means giving Father Time a gentle nudge backward.

With a licensed esthetician on staff, we now are able to offer hydrafacials, microneedling, and other aesthetic services.

2940 Clairmont Ave • 205 277-2297 • davenportdentalandwellness.com

SPECIALISTS

2020

THANK YOU BIRMINGHAM For Voting Us The Best!

PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS

205-298-8660 birminghamspecialists.com

Dr. Robert Oliver Jr. & Dr. Jason Jack

ABOUT

45 T O W N

‘06 What WE were doing in 2006

-Nintendo releasesthe Wii gaming console

-Facebook switchesto open registration where anyone 13+ can sign up -Pluto downgraded to a dwarf planet -Justin Timberlake’sSexyBack wasa top single Top: Frances Corbin, Ginny Temple, Jessica Hall @ YP Party Lauren Till, Carrie Benson @ Children’s Gala Peter Boneventre, Sherry Lynons, Jennie Jordan, Jim Roland @ BAO Melissa Morgan, Grant Musgrove @ BAO

Carla Wiles, Wendy Hand @ ADDY’S Leigh Ann and John Montgomery, Margaret and Charles Arndt @ Beaker Bash Anne Rain Tanner, Katie Taylor @ Cystic Fibrosis

Allison Koch, Carrie Martin Hinds @ Cystic Fibrosis Scott Paden, Mary Maddox @ Cystic Fibrosis Lindsey Aldredge, Sara Dunn @ Children’s Gala Gloria Nuckols, Elizabeth Douglas @ ADDY’S

The Old SCHOOL

The Old SCHOOL

Top: Leslie Cooper, Lacey Bacchus, Arden Ward, Ashley Copeland, Amy Bailey @ YP Party Ann and Thomas Bodenstein @ Children’s Gala

Mandy Keys, Evan Jones @ Children’s Gala Carrie Martin Hinds, Jamie Eldridge, Catherine Moore @ Cystic Fibrosis Amanda Crawford, Lexie Campanis @ ADDY’S Sara Schilleci, Ellen Gober @ Whoville Lizzie Jeffcoat, Renee McMinn, Drue Miller, Kristin Ritter @ Denim & Diamonds

Kari and Harry Kampakis @ Denim & Diamonds Christie Galotta Kaitana Magnos @ Pointe Ball Shanika Major, Shannon Andrews, Sheena Robinson @ Children’s Gala

‘07 What WE were doing in 2007

- First time in 23 year history Jeopardy had a three way tie -Microsoft WindowsVista released -NASA launched Phoenix MarsLander -Tesla Roadster shown at car showsprior to full production in ‘08 Top: Deborah Hart, Terry Bailey, Natalie Ray @ Art on the Rocks

Jennifer Hyde, Lesley DeCastro, Laura Sharpe @ Basha Gallery Mary Lambeth Lester, Wyeth Whiting @ Beat the Odds

Sara Schillrci and Caroline Goldasich @ Big Top Price Evans, Jessie Williams @ Crawfest Hannah Wilson, Nicole Bennett @ Crawfest Lee Owen, Leslie Owens @ Dress Up, Get Down

Caleb Adair, Hannah Killough @ Funky Monkey Jonathan and Blair Boyer @ Hats & Horns Jessica Tinney, Whitney Camp @ Hats & Horns Lauren Hamilton, James Allen @ Hats & Horns

The Old SCHOOL

The Old SCHOOL

Top: Sam Scott, Laura Stephens, Warren Seiler, Jennifer Kimble, Billy Ponko @ Mardi Gras Ball Brett Dudney, Nathan Gooch, Shannon Nelson, Ali Doullard @ Hats & Horns

Katie Spitzer, Corrine Angel, Katherine Boyce @ Pointe Ball Andi Nix, Tonya Beverly @ Mardi Gras Ball Riley Carpenter, Douglas Filzgerald @ Hats & Horns

Liz Hanson, Sara Catherine Anderson @ Sinatra Soiree

Richard Davis and Kristi Lee @ Dress Up, Get Down Emily Galloway, Emily Beard @ Art on the Rocks John Beinhardt, Key Hudson @ Sinatra Soiree

2 00

The Old SCHOOL

Angela Darden, Kaci Chapple and Mary Beth Byard @ Manhattan South

8

What WE were doing in

Sarah Louise Smith, Watson McCollister @ Art on the Rocks

Tori Stewart, Elizabeth Dray, Ashley Harrison @ Young Professinals Aisha Watts and Ryan Christopher @ Manhattan South

Eileen and Danny Markstein @ Children’s Gala Brent Walker, Mary Catherine Stump @ Exceptional Foundation

2008

- MacBook Air released - FortressInvestments threatened to foreclose on Michael Jackson’sNeverland Ranch, which Jackson had used ascollateral for his loans.

- At only 15, Miley Cyrus becomesa superstar.

-Large fire engulfsparts of Universal Studiosin Universal City, California, destroying a vault with the master tapesof asmany as half a million songs

Lindsey Lacey, Beth McMillan @ Pointe Ball Ashley Wood, Allison Jenkins @ Young Professionals

Chris Hughes, Dawn Crew @ Art on the Rocks Nicole Clemons, Sarah York @ Swank Carlin Foster, Holly Johnson @ Young Professionals

ABOUT

52 T O W N

The Old SCHOOL

Top: Mary Michael Sullivan, Chloe Collins, Audra Hawkins, Molly Nicholas, Karen Arthur, Katherine Ryals, Kelly LaFleur @ Art on the Rocks Sally and Slade Blackwell @ Swank

Sara Evans, Jay Barker @ Lord Wedgwood Curry Aycock, Sarah York, Emily Dees, Nicole Clemons @ Swank

Hyde and Lee Carby @ Pointe Ball Mary Brennan Reich, Ann Carlton Head, Catherine Prater, Sara Oliver @ Zoo Gala

Megan Morrison, Kayla Carlisle, Renee Whatley @ Poinsettia Ball Lindsey Stewart, Krista Conlin, Jessica Knighten, Julie Ward @ Young Professionals

‘09 ‘09 What WE were doing in

2009

- Balloon Boy; parentsclaim their boy hasbeen swept away in a large balloon resembling a spacecraft but later admit it wasa hoax - Swine Flu becomesa public health emergency of international concern by the WHO - Analog television broadcastsend in the US so the FCC requiresfull-power stationsto send their signalsdigitally - Bitcoin Network wascreated Top: Brittany Manness, Courtney Johnson, Vulcan’s “V”, Krista Conlin @ No Place like Ham

Hayden Hamrick, Emily Lucas @ Dr. Seiler

Elizabeth Scribner, Caroline Downing @ Rotaract

Trey McDowell, Margaret Cranford @ Hats & Horns

Katie Fowler, Catherine Walker, Emily Verin @ Crawfest Jessica Hughes, Jamie Pringle-Mick @ IDIE

Erica Steed, Hannah Wade @ Art on the Rocks Katie Carpenter, Travis Pinnix @ Art on the Rocks

Misty Fulmer, Kathryn Davis @ Mudbugs & Music Stacey Bailey, Anne Conway @ Art on the Rocks

The Old SCHOOL

The Old SCHOOL

Top: Kevin Spruill, Christy Musgrove, Robin Vonhagel, Cassie Moore @ Art on the Rocks Debra Lamb, Hayden Appell @ Petro Open House

Dustin Cross, Emily Burgin, Vance Ballard, Riley Ballard @ Art on the Rocks Ashley Ellis, Christy Click, Bethany Wooley @ Art on the Rocks

Anna Little and Ashley Riddle @ No Place like Ham Shari Friedman, Jeremy & Melissa Friedman @ Red Nose Ball

Meredy Thompson, Leeanne Bohannon, Emily Wilkins @ Rotaract Mallory Cole and Carissa Rice @ There’s No Place like Ham

PILATES FOR AN XI E TY & ST RES S RE L I E F With all we are continually adapting to during this time, many of us are already overrun by stress hormones and experiencing side effects from shortness of breath to digestive issues. Pumping the breaks on our nervous system’s “fight or flight” response is part of the magic of Pilates, and why this particular exercise form can greatly assist beyond others as a pathway to “whole person” wellness, particularly during periods of elevated stress in our lives.

Pilates is well known for alleviating anxiety. The real key is that Pilates trains your brain, and mindful exercise can have a restorative effect on our parasympathetic (subconscious) nervous system.

Original Method Pilates combines deep breathing in a mindful pattern with movement, as the original founder of the method, Joseph “Joe” Pilates designed. The Pilates method has a tremendous wealth of mindbody benefits, not least of which is a mood boost!

Breath is a key principle of Pilates. Slow, controlled breath patterns often naturally calm the body’s natural stress response.

Additionally, deep muscle control and activation helps restore our central nervous system to improve function. The nervous system is the “messenger” and our muscles and tendons supply the work. In order for our nervous system to send clear messages to our muscles we, ideally, need to be in a more relaxed state of body and mind.

Pilates asks us to focus to work without unnecessary strain. In doing so, a Pilates practice assists all bodies, all levels to build lean muscle mass, all while shedding our minds of the worries of the day. Pilates then becomes a powerful tool we can use to be more confident, present and serene day-to-day.

Aero Joe instructors work to not only inspire your fitness goals, but to set you on a path to living a more stress-free life. When the mind and body are uniformly developed and cared for, the impact is powerful.

Pilates is low impact, and relieves anxiety and stress by providing these benefits: 1. Brain training promotes anti-aging (builds and strengthens brain synapses) 2. Mindful muscle activation restores the nervous system 3. Movement combined with breath calms the “fight or flight” stress response 4. Calms the mind and emotions 5. Improves memory 6. Improves resilient thinking and creativity 7. Relieves unnecessary muscle tension & chronic pain in the body 8. Pilates makes you happier!

PUBLISHER Hunt Gillespie ASSOCIATE EDITOR June Clark CONTRIBUTING DESIGN Emily Pickens MARKETING Shannan Beasley Jennifer Lyles Dowdle PHOTOGRAPHERS Mary Catherine Fehr Jade Holloway Steve Higginbotham Emily Pickens Coleton Phillips ADVERTISING For advertising information please contact Hunt Gillespie at 205.323.1020 EVENTS To request your event to be featured, please send an e-mail at least one month prior to: info@abouttown.io

WEB To see all the features & party pictures, visit: abouttown.io For a list of distribution points visit abouttown.io For detailed info on our readership contact

If you would like to know more and discuss vitual guidance call (205) 202-5758.

hunt@abouttown.io

Written by: Alison Page -- Aero Joe Pilates Founder & President

Alison has been teaching Pilates successfully for 17 years in New York, Louisiana and Alabama. Most recently she com-

pleted Masters Program Heritage Training under the direct

mentorship of Master Instructor Cara Reeser. Alison currently

serves as a Host Ambassador for a satellite program of Streamline Pilates Teacher Training in Birmingham, and a founding partner of Pure Movement Summit Birmingham.

About Town is published by Gillespie, Inc. P.O. Box 130328 Birmingham, AL 35213

Copyright © 2020 Gillespie, Inc.

PROMOTION

GOOD TASTE By: Scott Atkinson, Wine Manager at PIGGLY WIGGLY IN CRESTLINE

Good Wines From Good People There are some really good people in the world, people who make great wines.

We wanted to highlight the work they’re doing through this tough year.

Patrick Mata, Alberto Orte, and Rui Abecassis realized

Gerard Bertrand is the spearhead of a viticulture committed

that they could bring great wines into this county, and do it “the right way”. Their company, Ole & Obrigado, is predicated upon empowering farmers and winemakers while bringing delicious values to us in America. They didn’t stop there. Ole & Obrigado have selected a dozen wines, including the Atlantida & Quinta de Saes, whose proceeds benefit the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation(www.restaurantworkerscf.org).

to a better planet. Situated in the Languedoc region of France, Bertrand is a fierce advocate for biodynamics and the holistic spirit it embodies. The passion and tenacity that Bertrand brings to winemaking is echoed in his advocacies for the redemptive power of sport, the uplifting power of music, and the unifying power of a good meal. To that end, Gerard Bertrand is donating proceeds to the World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org) founded by Jose Andres.

from left to right:

2017 Quinta de Saes Bright ruby-garnet. On the nose, bright fresh cherry, pomegranate, candied violet, rose petal and flint. On the palate, elegant and fresh, with floral and spice notes wrapped around a core of fresh cherry fruit. Finishes long, with mouthwatering acidity and a consistent beam of minerality through the finish.

2015 Gerard Bertrand Art de Vivre A 90 Point Selection from Wine Spectator, “Polished, supple tannins support the black cherry, red plum and wild raspberry notes of this juicy red, with savory touches of mineral and herb on the clean finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.”

2019 Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses A soft, pale, brilliant pink with bluish tints developing over time towards more orangey nuances. The bouquet releases aromas of summer fruits, cassis and redcurrant. Floral notes of rose along with hints of grapefruit complete the picture. The finish is fresh, offering notes of candy.

2018 Atlantida Bianco The nose shows no fruit, as if the wine was made of stones (and I like it!), serious and austere, still young and undeveloped. The medium-bodied palate fills your mouth and coats its inside with fennel and wet stone flavors and a clean thread of fine acidity that makes it intense and long. This is just plain great and should develop in bottle gaining in complexity and mellowing down.

Super fresh and mineral, with very high potential.

Locally-owned, The Pig has been named ‘Best Place to Buy Wine’ by the readers of About Town for 4 years in a row. Count on their expertise along with polite and prompt service when making your beverage & culinary choices.

1. The Pepsi sign has been changed to solid blue.

2. The left two towers are now the same height.

3. The last S in Sloss is shorter than the others.

4. The far right claw is missing two dots.

5. The speaker on the tower with stairs is missing.

6. The power line on the far right is missing.

7. The top of the leftmost barrel is gone.

8. The fence in the front has been changed to green.

9. The wheel has been changed to a lighter red.

10. The face at the top of the tallest lever is missing its nose.

Can You Spot The Ten Differences?

10

See if you can spot the 10 differences in these two Sloss Furnace pictures!

Last Look

A NEW MOUNTAIN BROOK LOCATION IS

Coming Soon 117 EUCLID AVENUE | BIRMINGHAM, AL 35213

It’s our mission to help you build a financially stable future for you and your family. No matter your goals, our team puts care into action to get you there. Start building your legacy with our new Mountain Brook team and office, located in the heart of Crestline Village.

Make the switch to Bryant Bank today!

NMLS 582857

BRYANTBANK.COM | 1-205-802-6280 PERSONAL | BUSINESS | MORTGAGE BANKING