Bham Family - September 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021

Birmingham Stars Align

Red Mountain Theatre’s new Arts Campus sparkles with talent and showcase space

PAGE 18

SSmiles COOPS Served with

Unless U Scoops offers adults with developmental disabilities a sweet, safe spot to shine

PAGE 12

Healthy Habits at School

Pack a lunch box that will keep kids full and fueled

PAGE 22

10th Annual

Thursday, October 7 th

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

$50 Non-members $45 (Members of

The Taste of Hoover celebrates the variety of culinary styles found throughout our city.

Enjoy an autumn evening strolling through Aldridge Gardens, listening to live entertainment, and of course, sampling delicious dishes from some of Hoover’s best restaurants and Aldridge Gardens’ preferred caterers.

Aldridge Gardens)

Rain Date Thursday, October 14 th.

3530 Lorna Road | Hoover, AL 35216 aldridgegardens.com

2 Bham Family September 2021

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EDITOR’S NOTE If you’re feeling the back-to-school frenzy of September, you are not alone!

It’s the return of regular betimes, class schedules, all the sports, and everything in between. Even though the flavors and fauna of fall are being thrown our direction already, I’m not quite ready to embrace pumpkin spice everything just yet—mostly because my spring flowers are still blooming in the front yard, and it’ll be 900 degrees here till almost Thanksgiving.

Because of the fake fall Alabama weather, you can hang on to sweet, warm nights a little longer with Unless U Scoops, an ice-cream shop that recently opened in Vestavia to give adults with developmental disabilities a place for vocational and job training.

The shop is an extension of Unless U, which is an organization committed to serving these adults through continuing education as well as equipping them with life and social skills. “Our services create an environment that promotes independence,” says Lindy Williamson Cleveland, executive director of Unless U. Get the full scoop on page 12.

Of course, before dessert you’ll have to feed your family dinner, and we’re here to help on page 15 with a list of restaurants that offer free kid’s meals (with the purchase of an adult entrée). (Might as well pinch a few pennies at mealtime to put toward ice cream!) Be sure to hang onto this page to reference throughout the busy school season, and please email me if I missed a favorite spot. I have a four-year-old to feed, too!

Speaking of feeding your family, raise your hand if you’re already bored with PB&J lunch boxes. If you’re riding the sandwich struggle bus, be sure to flip to page 22 and check out dietician and mom Holley Grainger’s tips for packing a lunch with punch for your kiddos. You’ll also find a fun Q&A with Red Mountain Theatre, including all the exciting details of their new Arts Campus plus plans for the 2021-2022 show season (page 18). Keep your family in (aerobic) step with lots of ideas for fitness together on page 8, and read about one woman’s efforts to help her “neighbors,” the homeless population of Birmingham, through the nonprofit she started. The feature on Be a Blessing Birmingham begins starts on page 28. We’re also excited to bring you a new monthly essay from iconic prose writer Sean of the South. The first one can be found on page 26.

One of my favorite features each month, our Kids Who Shine column, can be found on page 30. Don’t miss the special Eagle Scout project of 15-year-old Mountain Brook resident Grayson Hydinger, who has committed to bringing a dog park to his neighborhood. He’s already put in hours of work toward this lofty goal, and I’m really excited to follow his project to completion.

Be sure to check out our website and Facebook page to for other happenings.

Birmingham offers endless stories to tell, so if you know of a person, event, or business we should feature, we’d love to hear from you!

Stephanie Gibson Lepore, Content Director and Mom, contentdirector@jbmcmedia.com

4 Bham Family September 2021

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Bham Family September 2021 5

ABOUT US

Bham Family is published monthly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260.

14,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 650 locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

DISTRIBUTION

If your business would like to make copies available to customers, please email matthew@jbmcmedia.com with your business name, address, point of contact, and number of copies you would like.

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To reach the largest audience of parents in Birmingham each month, partner with us. Email matthew@jbmcmedia.com to get started with a partnership that will be a key part of your plan.

O U R A DV E RT I S I N G PA RT N E R S These folks are the ones to thank for our magazine’s success — spend your money with them, and tell them you saw them in Bham Family!

Aldridge Gardens

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Painted Personalities

23

Applause Dancewear

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Pediatric Smiles

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Sike’s Children’s Shoes / Jack n Jill

3

9

Single Barrel Barber Shop

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Children’s of Alabama

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Urgent Care for Children

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Compact

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Vineyard Family Services

14 23 21

Backyard Adventures Brookwood Baptist Health

Kasey Davis Dentistry

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McWane Science Center

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Birmingham BirminghamFamily FamilyMagazine Magazine

@BhamFamilyMag @BhamFamilyMag

bhamfunandfamily.com bhamfamily.com

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6 Bham Family September 2021

RECYCLE RECYCLE ME! ME!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE INSIDE EVERY ISSUE

Active Living Family fitness ideas to prioritize movement together. p. 8 Food Review Feed your family free with our handy list of kid-friendly restaurants. p. 15 Schoolhouse Update from the Hoover School District. p. 16 Arts & Entertainment The new Arts Campus of Red Mountain Theatre promises an exciting season for arts patrons. p. 18 Essay Front porch sittin’ with Sean of the South. p. 26 Faith Be a Blessing Birmingham helps to support the homeless population of the city. p. 28 Kids Who Shine A Mountain Brook student launches his Eagle Scout project

p. 30

FEATURE STORIES

Scoops Served with Smiles Unless U Scoops offers adults with developmental disabilities a sweet, safe spot to shine. p. 12 Healthy Habits Keep kids full and fueled with a power-packed lunch box. p. 22

8

12

18

ON THE COVER: Cover photo by Beth Hontzas Bham Family September 2021 7

ACTIVE LIVING

PHOTOGRAPHS BY WYNTER BYRD

Research shows active parents raise active children.

Have fun with

Family Fitness Easy ways to prioritize movement together

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE The American Heart Association recommends that children six and older should get at least an hour of physical activity daily to maintain healthy brains and bodies. Besides reducing the risk of chronic health issues—diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and obesity—down the road, exercise can also help kids do better in school, as well as burn off all the ants-in-their-pants energy leftover after the school day. One study at the University of British Columbia discovered that anaerobic exercise improves verbal memory, too, and additional research found that just five minutes post-moderate exercise, most people feel a mood boost. Creating movement memories your whole family will enjoy also means everyone 8 Bham Family September 2021

is more likely to stick with it.

Making family activity a priority helps to strengthen the bond that is important for children’s social and emotional development.

It also sets up kids for lifelong healthy habits.

Leading by example is key—but don’t let the 60-minute recommendation intimidate you. Try incorporating activity into your regular routine, sneak in 10-minute increments throughout the day, make the most of weekends, and—most importantly—have fun together! Here are some ideas to try at home.

Get outside. As temperatures start to (slowly) cool down around Birmingham, take advantage of our great outdoor spaces, and take a family CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Get off the bench and back in the game.

Football, baseball, soccer, cross country and other activities are a way of life in Alabama. If you’re participating in any sport or outdoor activity, we’re here to cheer you on and let you know that the doctors at Precision Sports Medicine and Orthopedics are available in case you need care.

The services we offer and conditions we treat include the following: Sports injuries, trauma and sideline care Arthroscopic surgery Muscle, tendon and joint pain Broken bones or stress fractures Concussion management Regenerative medicine Shin splints, plantar fasciitis and iliotibial (IT) band pain

Knee problems Sciatica (numbness or pain in or around lower back, hip or knee) Joint replacement surgeries Nonsurgical orthopedic care Musculoskeletal injuries Arthritic care Acute and chronic tendon injuries

To make an appointment, call 855-219-6200 or visit PrecisionSportsOrtho.com for a full list of providers.

Bham Family September 2021 9

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

hike. Consider Oak Mountain State Park or Ruffner Mountain. Take bikes and scooters to Railroad Park, and race each other around the loop. Outside family time can be as simple as heading to the backyard for a half-hour before or after dinner a few times a week. Set aside 30 minutes to play hide-and-seek, kick or throw a ball, or run sprint races together.

Play together. It can be as simple as I Spy on a family walk in the neighborhood or a backyard game of tag. On the weekends, schedule a family date night at the bowling alley—try 3 Buck Bowling Sundays at Spare Time in Trussville—or

10 Bham Family September 2021

compete in miniature golf at Hooligan’s Family Fun in Alabaster or Grand River Drive-In in Leeds. If you have older kids, book a green at Topgolf.

Tend a garden. Taking care of plants gives kids a reason to get outside each day. Learning how to grow a garden teaches about our food system, and a bonus of eating what you harvest is encouraging healthy eating habits. Dig, plant, water, and rake together.

Chip in with chores. Rake leaves, mow the grass, and do other small house projects as a family. Play music as kids pick up toys. To keep them interested, assign each child a color toy to CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

pick up (brother collects all the red and yellow toys, sister grabs the blue and green ones), or have each person pick up 10 items to help with focus and practice counting. Older kids can dust, vacuum, sweep, load the dishwasher, and help make beds. Play a cleanup song in the background.

Set up a simple obstacle course. You can do this inside or outside. Try rounds of hopscotch, jump rope, and dribbling a soccer ball around cones.

Take advantage of TV time. Most kids today don’t know about commercial breaks, so hit “pause” on the digital show, and spend 30 seconds every 10 minutes or so doing high-knees, jumping jacks, or crab crawls.

Have a dance party! Blast the music and bust a move around the family room. Take turns

choosing songs for a variety of beats. If you want to take it up a notch, pick up an inexpensive disco ball party light from Amazon or Party City.

Sign up for something new. If your family doesn’t already have a favorite fitness activity, find one! Rock climbing at Birmingham Boulders, iceskating at the Pelham Civic Complex, or a family martial arts class at World Class Tae Kwon Do in Inverness and Hoover. https://alabamatkd. com/classes/Family-Martial-Arts Have a Nerf fight. Pile up all your soft darts and choose your boundaries and home base. Play individuals against each other, or set up teams.

Use your imagination when it comes to rules and incorporate elements of games like Capture the Flag or find the mystery detractor/spy.

Follow the crowd. Games like Syderball and Crossnet are all the rage, so pick up one at a local toy shop like Snoozy’s or Homewood Toy & Hobby, and see what your family’s made of.

MORE ENTERTAINING ACTIVE-ITIES Have teens? Choose a video game that incorporates dancing, and play it together.

Purchase LED light-up hula hoops from Amazon, and host a glow-in-the-dark hoop-off.

Get your steps in with a friendly all-family walk-off. Set up a simple calendar for each member to record their daily steps, and see who has the most at the end of the week. (If kids are too small for smart watches, purchase simple, inexpensive pedometers.)

Train as a family for a charity walk or run. Visit active.com/birmingham-al/running/5k to choose one that works for your schedule.

Head to Central Alabama Paintball Park in Calera for some messy family fun. They even offer Gellyball for younger kids age 4–10.

Raining outside? No problem! Play Follow the Leader inside, and take turns leading each other through simple tasks like skipping, marching in place, hopping like a bunny, etc. Trade-off who gets to give instructions, so everyone has a turn.

Lots of Birmingham neighborhoods feature community parks, so head to a nearby one, and tackle some old-school favorites like monkey bars, swings, climbing, and chase.

Invite your neighbors and hold a family Olympics in the backyard, or set up a game of flag football or kickball. Try adults versus kids, or moms and sons against dads and daughters.

Make standard playing cards into fitness cards. Hearts stand for push-ups, clubs for crunches, diamonds for jumping jacks, and spades for squats. Follow the number on the card for each action (ace of spades equals one squat, a six of hearts would equals six push-ups). Alternatively, write down these activities on slips of paper, and put them in plastic Easter eggs. Hide the eggs, set a timer, and send kids off to hunt them. Each family member must perform the activities found in the eggs.

Bham Family September 2021 11

FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BETH HONTZAS

The mission of Unless U Scoops is to provide vocational training for the students of Unless U in a safe and fun work environment, all while serving the community with the sweetest of skills.

How Sweet It Is

Students put their vocational training to work at Unless U Scoops, where customers get tasty treats and service with a smile.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE “I have always had a heart for anyone with special needs,” says Lindy. “My parents said that even as a preschooler, I quickly began to pick up on the fact that Jordan wanted to do everything our oldest brother, Josh, and I could do, regardless of the task. He would get frustrated when he could not keep up the same pace or meet similar academic challenges.”

As he sat crying in the hallway that day, Lindy thought about all that was before her: classes and games and dances and even something as simple as a shirt with her school name on it. “His heartache was so real,” she says. “And I kept 12 Bham Family September 2021

thinking, “Why do I get to do all these things and his option is to sit at home?” When I looked at Jordan, I didn’t see his Down Syndrome. I saw a big brother who just wanted to be like everyone else.”

In 2011, Alabama ranked 46th among 50 states in spending on services for developmental disabilities. But Alabama is home to more than 350,000 adults between 18 and 64 with intellectual disabilities. While some can work a part-time or full-time job, many are on waiting lists for community services like day programs and recreational programs or job skill workshops.

Others simply stay at home, where families must CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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sacrifice finances, schedules, and transportation logistics to ensure opportunities for their young adults. “My mom was an incredible teacher, but she had to retire way too young to be at home with Jordan,” says Lindy. “There is no “empty nest” for parents of adults with intellectual disabilities.”

These heartbreaking observations, coupled with the knowledge that there wasn’t much for Jordan to do after programs and therapy ended at age 21, stayed with Lindy through college.

While at Samford, she launched D4D (Dance for Down Syndrome), a community-wide dance event that offered college students the chance to socialize with special needs students in a fun atmosphere. In turn, the special needs students got a small taste of life on a college campus.

“That one event revealed to me that creating a college-like program for Jordan and his friends could indeed become a reality,” says Lindy.

Later, during the summer before her senior year, Lindy worked at a United Abilities camp.

She was offered the chance to go on a field trip with the campers to see The Lorax. Sitting in the theater, she saw a Dr. Seuss quote flash up across the screen: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.

It’s not.”

“My first thought was, “Can we create something that makes him feel like he gets to go to college too?” Lindy says. “I thought, if I don’t step out in faith and trust the Lord to provide, then who is going to? Lindy finished working at the camp on a Friday in August, and the following Monday, she had four adults with special needs at her parents’ house.

Of the summer 2014 pilot program, Lindy says she lovingly refers to the first four students as the “Founding Fathers” of the program. Unless U officially opened in November 2014 with Lindy, 10 students, and one assistant. The numbers climbed from there: 20 students, then 30, then 40. Today there are around 100 enrolled students, and potential student inquiries come in constantly.

“Because we are a continuing education program, prospects are asked to participate in an interview and assessment process to make sure each prospective student is the right fit for Unless U, and that Unless U is the right fit for each student,” says Lindy. “Almost every time I meet

GET THE SCOOP Unless U Scoops is located at 737 Chestnut Street in Vestavia. Hours are Monday–Thursday 1–5 p.m. and Friday 1–8 p.m. They are closed Saturday– Sunday but will consider opening for a special event via request through their website.

Ice cream flavors include vanilla, chocolate, cookies n cream, peach buttermilk, blueberry cobbler—with blueberry jam and cobbler crust pieces— beach bonfire, a smoked coconut vegan ice cream with vegan fudge and graham crumb, and the Scoops signature flavor: The Unicorn, featuring cake batter ice cream with sprinkles served with a “unicone.”

Get a kid’s scoop for $3, a single scoop for $4, a double for $8, or try a flight of six kid’s scoops for $12; a half-flight is $9. The shop is currently accepting contactless payment only.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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with a parent, they say, “Thank God this exists.””

“Unless U is providing a faith-based college experience who would not have it if Unless U was not here. They have electives, academics, intramural sports. It’s everything that college was for us—but better,” says Dr. Ammie Akin, Unless U Board President. The students’ days start with praise and prayer, followed by academics, then fun in the afternoons, with programs like book club, tech club, kickball, and line dancing. “Our students are incredibly special, and we want the best for them because they are the best,” says Lindy.

Just four years after its start, in November 2018, Unless U launched a capital campaign to raise $1.6 million for a new campus with six classrooms, life skills classroom, a large common area, and fine arts space for drama, dance, and music. Also included were plans for a multihandicap classroom to give them an ability to expand services, and an ice cream shop. This past summer, Unless U officially opened its new campus, and on August 6, Unless U Scoops swung open its doors.

“It’s been crazy how God has shown up and

shown out multiple times,” says Lindy.

“Our students are employed and selling ice cream to the public,” she says.

“Our primary goal at Unless U is to create an environment that promotes independence.

We provide services for our students to grow academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.

But until recently, we didn’t have the opportunity to provide vocational support.”

Today, students and their families sign up for shifts, where they serve scoops and smiles. The ice cream is supplied by local favorite Big Spoon Creamery. The smiles are courtesy of proud, dedicated employees who get to showcase the skills they’ve honed at Unless U. “Our students desire to be employed just like everyone else. We know that jobs provide purpose, and we want to give the students of Unless U the opportunity to wake up every day feeling valued and purposeful, whether that be in the classroom, on stage, on the basketball court, or at work,” says Lindy. “This is why we felt the need for Unless U Scoops.”

For more information about Unless U and Unless U Scoops, visit unlessu.org, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Vineyard Family Services Feeding Kids in Need, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Helping Families in Crisis Donations help us: Feed children in need and provide other essential items Deliver family emergency food boxes Aid fathers and mothers with parenting programs Support incarcerated families and children Provide at-risk teens important life skills

www.vfsdads.com

14 Bham Family September 2021

FOOD REVIEW

Feed Your Kids on a Budget Back to school, back to the age-old question: “What’s for dinner?” Turn out the kitchen lights and load up the kids to grab some grub at one of these area restaurants instead.

ASH Homewood (West Homewood) ashhomewood.com The day: Tuesdays, 5–8 p.m.

The deal: Two kids eat free per one adult entrée Baumhower’s (Vestavia, Hwy. 280) baumhowers.com The day: Tuesdays, all day The deal: Get one free kid’s meal per one adult entrée purchase $10+ Beef O’ Brady’s (Helena) beefobradys.com The day: Tuesdays, all day The deal: $1.99 kids’ meals Big Whiskey’s (Hoover) bigwhiskeys.com The day: Tuesdays, all day The deal: One free kid’s meal per adult entrée Bruster’s Ice Cream (Birmingham, Vestavia) The day: Every day, all day The deal: Free baby cone for all children under 40 inches tall. (Look out for their once-a-year Pajama Day, where every child dressed in pjs gets a free ice cream regardless of height.)

Chubbfathers (Alabaster) thechubbfather.com The day: Tuesdays, 3–8 p.m.

The deal: Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal Firehouse Subs (throughout Birmingham) firehousesubs.com The day: Mondays and Wednesdays, all day The deal: Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult combo (dine-in only) La Paz (Mt. Laurel) eatatlapaz.com/mt-laurel The day: Wednesdays, 4–9 p.m.

The deal: Wednesday Family Night special is a complimentary kid’s meal with the purchase of any entrée.

Moe’s Original BBQ (Vestavia) moesoriginalbbq.com The day: Tuesdays, after 5 p.m.

The deal: One free kid’s meal per adult meal Moe’s Southwest Grill (throughout Birmingham) moes.com The day: Sundays, all day The deal: One free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée $6+ Moss Rock Tacos (Hoover) mossrocktacos.com The day: Mondays, all day The deal: One free kid’s meal per adult entrée $10+ O’Charley’s (Alabaster, Fultondale) ocharleys.com The day: Every day, all day The deal: All kid’s meals are $.99.

Steak & Shake (Hoover) steaknshake.com The day: Saturdays and Sundays, all day The deal: Get one free kid’s meal for every $9 spent on an adult entrée Vecchia (Hoover) vecchiabirmingham.com The day: Tuesdays, all day The deal: One free kid’s meal per adult entrée Zaxby’s (most locations throughout Birmingham) zaxbys.com The day: Mondays, 5–9 p.m.

The deal: Two $.99 Kidz Meals per one adult meal or Big Zalad purchase. Bonus: Sign up your child for the Zax Kidz Club and score a free birthday Kidz Meal.

Note: Information correct at time of publication. Be sure to call ahead to confirm specials have not changed.

Bham Family September 2021 15

S C H O O L H O U S E NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS

Harris-Turner takes on HCS role of public relations coordinator Sherea Harris-Turner has been named the new public relations coordinator for Hoover City Schools. Having spent 15 years in the TV news industry, she has spent the last 2.5 years in the public relations field. “I feel incredibly blessed to have been chosen to serve in this capacity with HCS and I look forward to making relationships,” HarrisTurner said. “The school district is synonymous with excellence and is known for having the best and brightest educators and students, which is why I feel privileged to represent such a school system.

What I love most about my new role as the PR Coordinator with HCS is being in charge of sharing stories about the accomplishments of our students and staff, and keeping students, parents, and stakeholders informed about pertinent matters of the school district.”

Greystone CNP attains perfect score The Greystone Elementary child nutrition program (CNP) attained a perfect 100 on their recent Alabama Department of Public Health food establishment report.

The CNP staff works hard to provide a safe environment for students to enjoy breakfast and lunch, and during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, they have focused on safety and sanitation even more than usual.

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S C H O O L H O U S E NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS

SPHS choral department raising funds for trip The Spain Park choral department is raising funds for its 2021-22 activities, including an invitation to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City in March of 2022.

The choral department is raising funds to offset the costs for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, provide opportunities for singers with financial aid, purchase new formal choir uniforms, transportation for their Chamber Choir to perform at the Talladega Speedway (in front of 175,000 fans and a live television audience) in October, new show choir risers, and other program needs. To donate, visit www.fundraisegenius.com/sp-choir.

Foundation hosts first cornhole tournament The Hoover City Schools Foundation hosted its inaugural Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, August 28. The event was held at the Village at Brock’s Gap shopping center and drew more than 35 teams in the social and competitive categories. The Foundation was able to raise more than $4,000 from this new fundraiser and plans on making it an annual affair. The event was sponsored by Signature Homes, Burn Boot Camp, UAB Medicine, Medical West Brock’s Gap Health Center, and Alabama Professional Services.

Bham Family September 2021 17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LILI PAD

Located at Celebration Park, the splash pad is a great spot for kids to cool off from May 1 – September 30. It’s open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. till dusk.

Rise to the Challenge Red Mountain Theatre’s new arts campus finally opens its doors to community thespians and theatre-goers

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE Unless you’re new—really new—to Birmingham, you know about Red Mountain Theatre and its importance in the arts community.

The nonprofit, started in 1979, fosters thespians, inspires a dedication to theatre in area youths, and draws in a dedicated following for its Broadwaycaliber shows and educational offerings, including the celebrated RMT Conservatory.

According to the theatre’s website, “Through theatre, students sharpen their ability to create and to collaborate, gaining confidence along the way. These skills serve students throughout their lifetimes-on the stage and beyond.” For the past four-plus decades, Red Mountain Theatre has completed this mission without a permanent home.

But that all changed this past summer with the completion of a $25 million Arts Campus, situated in the city’s Parkside District. Featuring 18 Bham Family September 2021

more than 60,000 square feet, Red Mountain Theatre now boasts two theatres, rehearsal spaces, administrative and production offices, scene and costume shops, a piano bar, recording studio, makeup and wig room, back of house facilities, and room for set and costume storage in one state-of-the-art facility. And, it seems, this is only the beginning.

Bham Family: Tell us a little about the dream of the new arts campus.

Red Mountain Theatre: During the past 40 years, Red Mountain Theatre (RMT) has grown from a summer stock theatre company to a robust year-round professional theatre organization. We’ve quadrupled our staff and consistently grown our student and patron base year after year. Prior to the Arts Campus, we ran our core operations out of three different CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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locations and annually rented space at five to ten different properties on a short-term basis for classes, camps, and performances. Our work was inefficient and somewhat limited by our available facilities. We have been searching for the right location to put everything under one roof for several years. In fact, we likely explored 15 or more different options before landing in Parkside.

BF: How did the Arts Campus get started?

RMT: Through a ton of hard work, a unified vision, and a capital campaign led by Kathryn and Raymond Harbert, we were able to complete work on our new Arts Campus in Birmingham’s Parkside District. We can now all be together on one campus and focus all our collective energies towards our success. The deeper impact of that on our programming is just an unreal gift. Of course, the past year has been challenging for everyone, but we are lucky to have a team at Red Mountain Theatre that has been able to adapt to any challenges the pandemic presents. The road to this new Arts Campus was no easy feat, but our Executive Director Keith Cromwell can tell you that when he walked into this building, he threw his arms open and said, “This is it.”

BF: What were the fundraising efforts and how long did it take?

RMT: Our capital campaign was chaired

by Kathryn Harbert along with co-chairs John Turner, Tim Vines, and Jim Gorrie. When we held our groundbreaking event in December 2019, we had raised well over half of the $25

million goal. Then the pandemic hit, and what we had planned to be a fairly public-facing campaign was forced to pivot. We paused a bit to manage other portions of our business and then, got creative with hard hat tours as people began to venture out of lock downs. Even in the face of such challenging times, the community responded by supporting the HOPE that our Arts Campus embodied for the future.

BF: Was it difficult to take on such a huge project once the pandemic began? How did that affect the project?

RMT: I think the challenges brought on by the pandemic motivated all of us at RMT to reinvest in our mission. The old theatre adage of ‘the show must go on’ became all too real in 2020. Luckily, we were able to come through the pandemic with a renewed sense of belief in our core values of enriching, educating, and engaging through theatre.

BF: When did the new facility open?

RMT: Our grand opening was on June 16, and since then we have been hosting shows regularly as part of our soft opening. We recently closed a very successful run of our immersive “Roaring Twenties” production and have announced our 2021-2022 season that will kick off with our Holiday Spectacular in December. We’ll also have several shows prior to that, including our Human Rights New Works Festival, The Addams Family Young@Part, and a concert version of the Jekyll & Hyde Musical.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Bham Family September 2021 19

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BF: Tell us all about the Arts Campus.

RMT: Featuring more than 60,000 square feet of space, the Arts Campus provides the opportunity to house all its operations under one roof after more than 40 years of multiple locations housing different divisions, such as set design and costume storage. The one-stopshop campus features two full theaters, several rehearsal spaces, administrative offices, a scene shop, a costume shop, a piano bar, a recording studio, makeup and wig room, production offices, back-of-the-house facilities and even storage for sets, costumes and more.

BF: What new endeavors will the Arts Campus allow RMT to offer?

RMT: One of the most important things to us at RMT is education, and our Arts Campus represents an incredible opportunity to bolster those efforts. We have a permanent home now for kids in our community who want to learn the ins and outs of theatre, and that is a real thrill for us. We can offer more group and private classes, and more variety in our offerings. This fall, we have Musical Theatre Dance and Tap classes for both youth and adults. We are also offering an Adult Yoga class. So, there will be learning opportunities available for the whole family.

(Note: Fall classes begin September 11. Register at redmountaintheatre.org/education.)

BF: What is the most exciting part of the new Arts Campus?

RMT: It’s exciting to have a permanent facility 20 Bham Family September 2021

we can truly call our home. Somewhere we can have everything under one roof to do the thing we love to do the most: create theatre experiences that educate and transform lives.

BF: So, we can look forward to a 2021-2022 season?

RMT: Absolutely! We are excited for patrons to experience our new season in a brand-new space. This season will feature the main productions Holiday Spectacular, Once on This Island, Once, Kinky Boots, and Cinderella. As mentioned earlier, we also have our Human Rights New Works Festival coming up (September 24-26), a youth production of The Addams Family (October 1-3), and our Jekyll & Hyde Concert (October 29-November 7).

BF: Any other new developments?

RMT: We have been expanding our staff in tandem with our growth trajectory. We are now up to 29 full-time production and administrative staff and counting. That is a long way from the 5 full-time staff we started with all those years ago! We are currently trying to fill a few more permanent positions, like Stage Manager and Costume Assistant. We’ve recently welcomed Roy Lightner in his permanent role as Associate Artistic Director (previously Artistic Consultant).

Anthony Smith has also joined us as our new Music Supervisor. We are very excited about all the new changes ahead!

Find out more information about RMT’s 2021-2022 season and other events at redmountaintheatre.org.

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HEALTHY HABITS

Build a Better Lunchbox Feel good about fueling kids at school

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAMFORD ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

An Academy of the Arts music student plays piano during a performance.

BY HOLLEY GRAINGER, MS, RD

water bottle, yogurt tube, or small ice pack.

A, B, C. Milk, plum, pea. Good nutrition and learning go hand-in-hand, and these lunchbox tips will help you set up your child for success, in and out of the classroom.

2. Use milk or 100% orange juice to boost nutrition. It’s important to include foods and beverages that have one or more key nutrients like protein, whole grains, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Even dedicated lunch packers can focus on the main entrée and leave the sides and beverages as an unhealthy afterthought. But they’re an easy way to pack in more nutrients.

First, 100% orange juice is a sweet and delicious way to boost the nutrition in your child’s diet by delivering vitamin C, potassium, folate, and many other nutrients. Despite what some

1. Be aware of lunchbox food safety. Before diving directly into lunch, it’s important to look at the lunchbox itself. Because refrigeration isn’t an option at many schools, students are required to store their lunchboxes in cubbies or lockers.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that perishable foods stay cold throughout the day.

Skip brown paper bags and opt for insulated lunch totes packed with a frozen item such as a 22 Bham Family September 2021

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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may believe, there is no added sugar in 100% orange juice, making it a satisfyingly thirstquenching drink. Plus, children love it, making it easy for them to meet the 4 to 6 ounces per day recommendation. Another beverage option is milk. Each serving provides 9 essential nutrients and 8 grams of high-quality protein. If your child is buying school lunch, encourage him or her to pick up a carton of white or flavored milk. As a reminder, all varieties of milk provide the same nutrients, including three of the top nutrients most likely to be missing from a child’s diet: calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. If the only way your child will drink milk is if it’s chocolate, that’s okay! The approximately 60 additional calories from sugar are a small price to pay for a big nutritional boost.

3. Offer tempting and healthy sides. Only 12% of American children are meeting the recommended servings for fruit, and only 8% are meeting the recommend servings for veggies.

One smart way to get kids to eat more of what they need is by focusing on sides and snacks. For a double dose, pair veggies with dip like hummus 24 Bham Family September 2021

or guacamole. You can also pack in-season produce like watermelon, peaches, and berries or, in a pinch, pick up pre-sliced fruit like apples and nectarines. Sending fruits and vegetables has never been as easy and convenient as it is now. While you may pay a little more money for portion-controlled packs, the expense for a healthier item is worth it. Alternatively, create your own pre-portioned snacks on the weekend so they’re available all week for your child to quickly add to a backpack or lunchbox.

4. Supplement lunches with healthy snacks.

School lunch periods can be scheduled at all different times. One of my girl’s kindergarten lunch was at 10:30 a.m., making for a long afternoon. Kids think and play hard at school, and often their stomachs can’t wait for the lunch bell or bus home to refuel. If this is your situation and your child’s teacher offers snack time, think beyond the convenience of a bag of chips or crackers. This is another golden opportunity for you to pack in more tasty nutrition and watch your kid’s focus, memory, and learning flourish. You can find a variety of healthy snack CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

options on my website, holleygrainger.com.

5. Don’t forget dessert! Here’s my take: When I fill my girls’ lunchboxes with roast beef, avocados, roasted chickpeas, pepper strips, and other powerpacked foods, there is room for a little treat. I like tucking in something now and then and imagining their smiles. Will they gobble it first? Wait and savor it? Learning isn’t just about history, reading, or math. It’s also about discovering a balanced approach to nourishing our bodies and still enjoying the fun and delicious foods of the world. That’s a big lesson from a little bit of chocolate. Muffins also make a marvelous dessert or snack (search “Blueberry Lemon Mini Oatmeal Muffins on my website). For a no-cook sweet that doubles as a lunchtime treat or a fun breakfast, try Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites or Sweet and Salty Dark Chocolate Bark; both recipes are available on my website.

Just Add Dip. I’m often called out by parents questioning how I can label a lunchbox as “healthy” when it has ranch dressing in it. I always respond the same way, saying that if a little bit of ranch means that my child will use it as a dip for grilled chicken, lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers, then I’m totally fine with it because they otherwise wouldn’t have eaten those foods.

Identify “vehicle foods” like this (ketchup, hummus, guacamole, etc.) and don’t be ashamed to include them in a lunchbox. Better dipped than

dumped in the trash!

Try other Vehicle Foods. For some picky eaters, it’s all about the texture. For others it’s the taste (especially bitter tastes, which are stronger on young taste buds). Some foods are great at hiding foods with rejected tastes or textures.

If your kid loves soup, spaghetti, muffins or smoothies, see if you can puree, chop, or otherwise tuck in fruits, veggies or even proteins that they otherwise wouldn’t eat. A quarter avocado slides right into a berry smoothie almost undetected, upping the healthy fats in a picky eater’s diet.

Let Your Child Choose. Sure, if it were up to my children they would have chips, cookies and maybe some strawberries for lunch every day.

As a mom and dietitian, I know that they aren’t going to get the fuel they need when they aren’t eating a balanced meal. However, that doesn’t mean that your child still can’t help, regardless of their age. For younger children, go through each food group and give options…Cheese, yogurt or both? Turkey or ham? Carrots, peppers, or celery? Ranch, hummus or guacamole? For your older kiddos, let them use meal planning apps to help them choose. And let them help! Some kids feel more ownership of their eating if they’ve been allowed to plan, prep and package their own lunches. So let them get in the kitchen as much as is practical. This can be even easier if you prepare lunches the night before.

Bham Family September 2021 25

ESSAY

Things You Hear at Sunset

BY SEAN OF THE SOUTH (SEAN DIETRICH) A brilliant sunset. I’m on the porch. My neighbors are on their porch. We can’t see each other. I am eavesdropping because I am a semiprofessional eavesdropper.

The people are talking and sipping. I hear the sound of ice clinking in glasses, and I overhear average people making conversation.

And there is a baby cooing.

An older man’s voice says to the baby, “Wook at Gwanddaddy’s wittle gull. Hey! You’ve got Granddaddy’s nose!”

The voice that belongs to his wife answers, “Give back Granddaddy’s nose, pwecious wittle gull.”

“Who’s Granddaddy’s wittle baby gull?”

“Jenna! Come outside, quick!

She’s got Granddaddy’s nose!”

Yes. There’s a lot to be excited about at the neighbor’s house tonight.

For me, one of the hardest things about the quarantine was the lack of conversation. I miss it. I think I could endure anything if I had enough chit-chat. But without it my mind starts to worry and I work myself into a frenzy.

In the past I’ve interviewed old men who spent their youth in World War II foxholes. Men who didn’t speak about the war until they were in their eighties.

Something they said was that during lulls between fighting, it was the gentle art of conversation that kept them sane.

One man told me that infantrymen would have conversations lasting six or seven hours sometimes. Maybe longer. Until their voices gave out. Until they couldn’t speak the next day.

They would talk about how they missed their hometowns, about their best girls, their kid brothers, their favorite dogs, their childhood sweethearts, their mother’s cooking.

They talked to keep from losing it. They laughed to keep from being afraid.

My neighbor’s voice: “Who’s Granddaddy’s wittle gull? Are you Paw Paw’s wittle baby gull?

26 Bham Family September 2021

I hear them laugh.

I lean my head backward and close my eyes.

I could listen to their happy cadence all night.

Nobody is talking about a virus, national death tolls, or current events. And suddenly I’m feeling myself worrying less.

“Uh-oh, George. I think your granddaughter’s going potty. She’s making a face.”

“She is? Well, we can’t have that. Let’s check my wittle gull’s big ole diaper…”

Gagging, followed by coughing.

“We’re gonna need a garden hose,” he says.

You know what else I miss?

Walking around in public. It’s not the physical act of walking I miss, it’s the laid back feeling I used to have when in public. I didn’t have to worry about the stuff I do now.

I didn’t worry about bacteriainfected door handles. I wasn’t aware of contaminated air, or viral transmissions from unprotected handshakes. I wasn’t keeping my distance from others. I wasn’t disinfecting my UPS parcel with bleach.

I also miss going to the local gas station where I would always buy a paper, maybe have a conversation with the clerk, or buy a scratch-off lottery ticket.

But you can’t do those things today. Our clerks wear hazmat suits. And I don’t recommend buying scratch-off tickets because you have to use coins to do your scratching. And there is a national coin shortage.

Haven’t you heard? We have no coins. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says that the national coin shortage is due to the partial closure of the economy, because of the coronavirus, which has led to— Wait a second. There I go again. Worrying about stuff. I’m as bad as anyone. Look at me.

Here we are having a perfectly good time and I had to start talking about the U.S. Federal Reserve.

I’m sorry. Believe me. I am. I guess I’ve just been cooped up too long.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

I hear more laughter. These people are laughaholics.

Then Granddaddy says, “Hot awmighty, I’ve never seen anything poop this much. Would you look at this?”

“Give her to me, George, you act like you’ve never seen a diaper before.”

“Diaper? I can’t see any diaper. It’s buried under a pile of—” “George, please.”

Yesterday I saw an old friend in the drive-thru line at a fast-food joint. We were both picking up supper. I haven’t seen him in maybe 15 years. It was so bizarre, running into him like that.

He was wearing a mask, I was wearing a mask.

We were both in our vehicles. It was awkward when we both jumped out of our cars in the middle of a drive-thru lane.

It was even more weird because we had to stand far apart. He has an elderly father at home.

I have an elderly mother-in-law.

He said, “I really wish I could give you a hug, man.”

“Same here,” I said.

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And that was it. We didn’t touch elbows. No fist bumps. We simply crawled back into our cars.

A couple of guys navigating through a pandemicridden world.

If this would have happened a year ago, we might have shaken hands, embraced, told a few stories, laughed, and caught up.

But that didn’t happen. And sometimes it all starts to worry me. What happens from here?

Where do we go after this? What comes— Oh, Lord. I’m doing it again.

You know what? I’m going to close my eyes one more time and listen to my neighbors talk.

“Look at her! She’s got Granddaddy’s nose again! You have my nose, wittle gull!”

“Yay! Baby has Gwandaddy’s nose!”

“Hurry, where’s that camera?”

“She’s got Granddaddy’s nose in both hands!”

“Did you take the picture?”

The voices of cheerfulness fill the night for a brief moment. The sounds are like warm water on an iced-over windshield. It’s heaven I tell you. I was going to try to come up with a clever closing line tonight. But I don’t care about closing lines.

Not when Granddaddy’s wittle gull has his nose.

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FAITH

Blessing Birmingham

One woman’s quest to serve the neighbors of our downtown homeless community

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BE A BLESSING BIRMINGHAM

Be a Blessing Birmingham provided pizza to participants after receiving Covid vaccines.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE After earning her Bachelor of Science in history and political science at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa and attending Florida Coastal School of Law, Munford, Alabama, native Erica Robbins found herself working and living in downtown Birmingham. And while the day-to-day activity of downtown is eye-catching, it was something under the highway—or someone, rather—that caught Erica’s attention.

“I had a view of the road, and I would look out my window and notice someone sitting under the bridge,” she explains. Erica couldn’t help but check in on the man. She learned he was a married veteran and a father. Upon returning from war, the man under the bridge sturggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and was unable to be confined to small spaces. He felt most comfortable outside. “I began to call him neighbor, affectionately,” says Erica.

Wanting to put action behind her desire to help, Erica began volunteering at shelters, but she still 28 Bham Family September 2021

felt unfulfilled. So, she appealed to those closest to her for help. “I used social media to ask friends and family to help collect essential hygiene items,” she says. “Then I drove around the city looking for people who needed donations. Eventually, they began looking for me. And this was the beginning of Be a Blessing Birmingham.”

Continuing to call the people whom she serves “neighbors,” Erica founded Be a Blessing Birmingham to be just that: a blessing. “We provide to our neighbors,” she says. On the third Saturday each month, Be a Blessing Birmingham hosts Blessing Days downtown at Linn Park. “Our team transports tubs of sorted clothes, shoes, snacks, and 200 packed bags to Linn Park downtown.”

There, distribution lines are set up for volunteers to pass out items to the neighbors. “Each person receives a hygiene kit, two rolls of toilet paper, a pair of socks, and bottled water. Women receive additional products to meet individual needs,” says Erica. “We provide each person with an CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

SHARE THE LOVE Be a Blessing Birmingham gratefully accepts donations of the following items at drop-off locations around town.

Snacks: tuna kits, Vienna sausage, granola bars, individual bags of chips, cookies, candies, snack cakes, and bottled water Breakfast items: coffee, tea, juice, creamer, sweetener, pastries, rolls, sausages, paper plates, cups, napkins, stirrers

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BE A BLESSING BIRMINGHAM

Be a Blessing Birmingham provided pizza to participants after receiving Covid vaccines.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

outfit, a pair of shoes, and seasonally appropriate aids to remain comfortable no matter the weather.” The group also serves breakfast. “Starting something new can be difficult sometimes,” she says of her endeavor, “but I have received so much help from the community.”

Part of that help came in the form of fundraising. After 15 months, Be a Blessing Birmingham raised $60,000 and Erica was able to purchase the city’s first mobile showering station, called Shower Power. “The Shower Power is a fullservice showering station with handicap-accessible stalls that allow the homeless community to shower,” says Erica.

The only thing they’re missing is a truck, she explains. “Our neighbors are counting on one to help them with daily needs, so I am hoping we’ll be able to secure one, which will give our neighbors access to full-service shower stations. And, hopefully, we can put initiatives in place to help them regain their steps in life. “ Considering recent increased health care needs, Erica says her favorite part is just “being able to provide for our neighbors. We have hosted ice cream socials,and even a pizza party while our neighbors received the Covid-19 vaccination. I love being able to help others, and Be a Blessing Birmingham is an organization I am very proud of—I am trying so hard to get our neighbors the help they need in every way.”

Upcoming dates for Linn Park Blessing Days are September 18, October 16, November 20, and December 18.

Visit beablessingbirmingham.com to sign up to volunteer.

Hygiene: shampoo/conditioner, soap, hand sanitizer, full-size toothpaste and deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, baby wipes, toilet paper, toothbrushes, razors, lip balm, washcloths, combs, brushes, and individual packs of tissues Women’s needs: bras, panties, tennis shoes, socks, and plus-size clothing Men’s needs: underwear, socks, pants, shirts, and tennis shoes General needs: backpacks, totes, duffels, and reusable shopping bags DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Bizarre the Coffee Bar (217 22nd St. N.); Calera Orthodontics (101 Co Rd. 87); Roo’s Place (2744 Mt. Olive Rd.); 31 Escape (2015 Decatur Hwy.); State Farm (313 Fieldstown Rd. Ste. 101); Yellow Hammer Creative (2821 2nd Ave. S.); Shu Shop (1820 3rd Ave. N.); Holistic Hydration (796 Montogmery Hwy.); ErgoScience (201 Office Park Dr. Ste. 150); Signage (1307 Decatur Hwy.) and First Commercial/ Synovus Bank locations: 550 Montgomery Hwy.; 2020 Patton Chapel Rd.; 800 Shades Creek Pkwy.; 109 S. Chalkville Rd.; 102 Inverness Corners; 215 Richard Arrington Blvd.

Bham Family September 2021 29

KIDS WHO SHINE

GRAYSON HYDINGER, 15

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE Frank Tsuru, President of the National Eagle Scout Association, says, “Eagle Scouts are one of our country’s greatest resources for good.” There are more than 145,000 National Eagle Scout Association members around the world—and 15-year-old Grayson Hydinger plans to join this elite group soon.

At first, the Mountain Brook tenth grader says he only joined the Boy Scouts “because of a resume thing.” “My dad wasn’t involved in scouting,” Grayson says. “I started with three things as a resume builder. As I got more involved, not to be cliché, but I learned how special it is.” He says that happened pretty immediately, right after his first campout. “By the second one, I got an idea of how dynamic of a troop this was, how advancement works, and what it would take. I fell in love with the idea of making it—how momentous and rewarding that would be. Scouts is definitely not just something to put down on your resume.”

As he approaches his fifth year of scouting in Troop 86, under the leadership of Scoutmaster David Dowd, Grayson is working toward completion of his Eagle Scout project. “The project is probably the most well-known aspect to others,” he says. “But there are a lot of other requirements to get there.”

The Boy Scouts badge system includes 21 merit badges; 13 are required for Eagle Scout plus at least an additional 8 elective badges out of 200 choices like swimming, family life, wilderness survival, nuclear science, and even small boat sailing. Rising through the ranks also includes achieving Life Scout, which includes service hours to advance to Eagle. “Service is a huge part of self and community, and it’s a huge part of advancement in Scouts,” says Grayson. He also completed required fitness and navigation skills, like using a map and compass on a 5-mile hike and cooking meals on campouts.

When it came time to choose an Eagle Scout project, Grayson had no plans to slack off after all the work it took to get there. “The whole point of the project is to show leadership,” he says. “That’s the whole criteria—if they deem it doesn’t require leadership, there’s no approval.”

“I knew I wanted to go big with mine. I love 30 Bham Family September 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAYSON HYDINGER

Grayson Hydinger, a Boy Scout working toward his Eagle Scout distinction, aims to bring a new dog park to his community.

taking my dogs—Gru and Stark—to the dog park, and I noticed that there was not one any closer to the Mountain Brook Village area than the park on Overton Road. I knew many people already walk their dogs along Jemison Trail, so I started looking at what sites were available along the trail for a smaller, pedestrian dog park to possibly go into.”

He acknowledges there were concerns around getting approval and raising money, but “I addressed them during meetings, and when I first met with everyone at age 14, I had four years to complete the project. This is not a side gig or a “maybe I’ll work on it” kind of thing. I want to see it through.” Because he had to work sequentially, Grayson’s meetings took place over several months, beginning in early February with the Vulcan District of the Eagle Board Review.

“That was the first step of approval,” he says. “I had to explain the project and they determined if my idea was feasible.” He received contingency approval pending approval from four agencies: Parks and Recreation, Board of Education, Planning Commission, and City Council.

What followed next was a series of proposals, emails and meetings. Grayson first met with Shanda Williams, director of the Mountain Brook Parks and Recreation department, in a meeting he describes as “very productive.” “I realized the wooded area by Mountain Brook Elementary’s practice field was available,” he says. With help from Tommy Prewitt, director of facilities at the Board of Education, and Ashley McCombs, principal of the elementary school, Grayson

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