Mountain Brook Magazine, Fall 2022

REAL & ROSEMARY NOW OPEN IN CRESTLINE • THE AL FRESCO LIFE • ENGLISH VILLAGE’S NEW BOUTIQUE

TWO-LAP CAP

OUR HOMETOWN NATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPIAN

FALL 2022 MountainBrookMagazine.com Volume Six | Issue Seven $4.95

SOUL SPEAK A LOCAL AUTHOR’S PANDEMICINSPIRED NOVEL

AMI À VIE A FRIEND FOR LIFE

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HA N D -S E L EC TE D F U R NI S H I NG S , A C C E S S O R I ES & U NI Q U E G I FT S

2921 18TH ST S H OME WOO D 2 0 5 . 8 7 9 .35 10 ATHOME-FURNISHINGS.COM BIRMINGHAM’S BEST FURNITURE STORE 2021

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FEATURES

55

AMI À VIE Our Local “Friend for Life”

64 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COMMUNITY INFLUENCERS 2022 It’s the people who make Mountain Brook the community that it is! Here we recognize some of those making an impact on others around them through their businesses.

74 HIT THE ROAD

See what Chattanoogans recommend as a new twist on their old, fan favorite tourist destination.

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PHOTO BY REBECCA WISE

CHATTANOOGA LIKE A LOCAL

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43

PHOTO BY REED BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

arts & culture

17 Author Kathryn Valencia’s Journey: From Running to Writing

food

& drink

25 Real & Rosemary’s Expansion into Crestline: Thoughts from the Owners 33 Five Questions For: Habitat Feed & Social

schools & sports

35 Christopher Alexander’s Journey: Making History in The 2022

in every issue 6 Contributors 9 From the Editor 12 Instagram 13 The Guide 80 Chamber Connections 82 Out & About 86 Marketplace 88 My Mountain Brook

Special Olympics USA Games

home

& style

43 Backyard Opulence: The Coveted Al Fresco Lifestyle 52 New in English Village: Bossi Leisure’s Grand Opening

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MOUNTAIN BROOK

contributors

MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL

Alec Etheredge Meg Herndon Michelle Love Keith McCoy Anna Grace Moore Emily Sparacino

CONTRIBUTORS

Evelyn Adams Reed Brown Photography Emily Butler James Culver Rachel Culver Grant Gaar Rick Lewis Tracey Rector Christiana Roussel Betsy Parker Maddie Sullivan Photography Ashley Tiedt Holland Williams Rebecca Wise

DESIGN

Jamie Dawkins Connor Martin-Lively Kimberly Myers Briana Sansom

MARKETING

Octavia Campbell Evann Campbell Jessica Caudill Kari George Michaela Hancock Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Tori Montjoy Viridiana Romero

Evelyn Adams, Photographer

Evelyn Adams is an Alabama-based photographer with a passion for turning even the mundane everyday into art. Specializing in portraiture and lifestyle photography, she sees beauty in taking a backseat during photoshoots when she can — to watch, to learn, to capture and to compose. Evelyn strives to take a documentary approach to her art.

Check out her work on her Instagram: @evelynadams.co and her website: evelynadams.co.

Tracey Rector, Writer

Tracey is a freelance writer and blogger who’s called Mountain Brook home since 2001. She and her husband of 28 years are the parents of three adult children. She is a fan of mystery novels, college sports and good food. Her life goal is to spend as much time writing as she spends doing laundry and buying groceries. She is not there yet.

Christiana Roussel, Writer

Where should we have dinner? Where should we go on our next family vacation or couple’s getaway? What kind of shotgun should I buy?

These are all queries writer Christiana Roussel has answered in recent months. While food writing is her original passion, she has really enjoyed expanding her repertoire to include travel and sporting activities that might involve an upland adventure. And no, it is not just because there might be a need for new clothes for the expedition.

Rebecca Wise, Photographer

Rebecca is a photographer living in Mountain Brook with her husband, Chase, their three sons, Raughley, Liam and Marshall, and their two dogs. She specializes in family and children’s photography as well as sports and movement photography such as yoga, pilates and ballet.

When she doesn’t have a camera in hand, she loves to read and spend time with her family.

ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Daniel Holmes Stacey Meadows Tim Prince Brittany Schofield Savana Tarwater Anna Willis

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Mountain Brook Magazine is published quarterly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Mountain Brook Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Mountain Brook Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Mountain Brook Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Mountain Brook, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit MountainBookMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $14.95 plus tax for one year by visiting MountainBrookMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532.

Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@mountainbrookmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

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from the editor

M

ON THE COVER

My father, Paul Moore, was a self-taught guitarist for more than 40 years. He first picked up what would be his life’s career at just 13 years old. Following years of practice, he opened Lorna Music Academy, which became the longest-running music business operating in the history of Hoover, Alabama. He died a highly accredited artist with multiple top-hit singles. Hundreds of his students earned scholarships and went on to major in music or become teachers, themselves. His impact was not simply being an educator. It was how he instilled hope in the hearts of the people he came to teach and befriend.

My dad understood how to use his talents to not only thrive in the music industry, but also to bless other people. The biggest lesson I learned from him was that life’s purpose is to figure out why we’re put on this Earth and how we can expand God’s kingdom using what God gave us.

Unfortunately, all I can really play is the radio. However, I enjoy writing. What good was writing, I always thought? They’re just words.

It wasn’t until I became a journalism major in college that I realized just how inspiring words can be. Now as an editor for five different magazines, I recognize the importance of sharing words because words, whether spoken or written, are God’s way of communicating the purpose within each of us.

Kathryn Valencia’s novel, Soul Speak, which you can read about on page 17, defines purpose as our journey in life. Her autobiographical book of quotes provides the perfect anecdote for every life lesson, milestone, dream, accomplishment and so forth.

What Kathryn does well is teach that living life is best done by listening to one’s heart and doing what one loves. By doing what one loves, she lives life with purpose. Purpose that my dad, too, sought to help reveal in each of his students.

So, what’s your purpose? Are you a writer, a musician, a teacher, something else? You’ll find your purpose by discovering what you love and how you can bless others with your talents.

Share your purpose, your stories with me, and I’ll fulfill my purpose by sharing yours with our community.

Yours truly,

Ami À Vie

Maggie Hightower’s rebranding of Ami À Vie, which is now a bachelorette party, bridal shower planning and bridesmaid’s gift giving company.

Photo by Maddie Sullivan Photography Design by Kimberly Myers

annagrace.moore@mountainbrookmagazine.com

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WA LT O N CO U N T Y

B E YO N D TH E B E ACH While the sugar-white sand is certainly a signature of Walton County, unlimited sights and activities add true depth to its personality. These unique neighborhoods are intertwined by the colorful local culture, as well as the surrounding waters – from the Gulf to the Choctawhatchee Bay. Antique shops and stylish boutiques. Worldwide cuisine and Gulf-to-table fare. Championship golf courses and a thriving arts scene. The wide variety ensures that every day offers a completely new experience.

UNEXPECTED SURPRISES Head north of the Bay to discover Freeport, DeFuniak Springs and Paxton – equally steeped in rich history and pristine natural beauty.

Surrounding Lake DeFuniak, Circle Drive was

Morrison Springs is a 161-acre park highlighted

Nestled within the expansive Nokuse Plantation

once home to the vibrant local Chautauqua

by a crystal-clear, spring-fed pool 250 feet

preserve, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is a

Assembly. Visitors can tour the classic

in diameter. Dive enthusiasts flock here to

great home base for exploring the longleaf pine

architecture of nearly 20 0 homes and

explore the deep underwater cavities, but it is

ecosystem. This hidden gem welcomes budding

buildings, about 40 of which are noted in the

equally attractive to casual swimmers and eco-

naturalists of all ages to learn more about the

National Register of Historic Places.

tourists as well.

power of biodiversity.

KINDLING BONDS While our 16 beach neighborhoods offer beyond-the-beach activities to please everyone in your circle, the focus keeps coming around to our sugar-white sand. Find your perfect beach at VisitSouthWalton.com.

MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACH

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@mountainbrookmag

Follow us on Instagram, and tag us using @mountainbrookmag for a chance to be featured!

@Teamjonesmedia NEW EPISODE: This week James and Haley sit down with Brad & Amy Simpson, the new owners of Smith’s Variety Store in Crestline Village (Mountain Brook, Alabama). Their story will both inspire you and encourage you to follow your dreams and your God-given destiny. You’ll laugh, you may even cry, but you will always get the real deal from Team Jones. #mountainbrook #mountainbrookalabama #smallbusiness #smithsvariety #crestlinevillage #bham #bhm #bhamgram

@Cotton_state Happy Flag Day…. . . . #thisisalabama #alabamalife #starsandstripes #nikon #travel #instatravel #lifestyle #travelgram #sweethomealabama #flag #usa #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #architect #landscapephotography #landscape #landscape_lovers #america #patriotic

@Solylunabham @Davekurlandmusic CHARBAR Tonight! 6-9 p.m. ..... 1/2 price wine Happy Hour and live music!

Come on y’all #birmingham #birminghamfoodscene #birminghamalabama #birminghimal #livemusic #acoustic #liveacoustic #Alabama #happyhour #mountainbrook #bham #bhammusic #charbar #humpday

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Today is #NationalPlayOutsideDay We recommend playing on our patio with one of these, responsibly of course. #solylunanights #solylunatapasanstequila #solylunabham #solyluna #laneparke #choosemb #birminghamalabama #mountainbrook #solylunafam #solylunafriends #solygirl #birminghamoriginals #tequilaappreciation #weloveyoutothelunaandback

THE GUIDE

TAPAS AND TAPS SEPTEMBER 15 6-8 P.M. Lane Parke Brought to you by Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors, the second annual Tapas and Taps is back and benefitting another local nonprofit organization. This event features local food stands, brew vendors, live music and auctions, all in the efforts to shed light on worthy causes.

For more information, email april@crawfordsq.com.

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THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN FRIDAYS IN THE FALL

Storytime at the Gardens 10-11 A.M. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Need a family friendly outing? Check out Storytime at the Gardens! Bring your preschool-age children every Friday to listen to a story followed by an age-appropriate craft. This weekly event is held specifically in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Southern Living Garden. While it is held every week, the event is also subject to change if weather does not permit. To learn more about this event, visit bbgardens.org and search “Storytime at the Gardens.” If you would like to bring a children’s group, this event’s coordinators ask that you contact Ellen Hardy at ehardy@bbgardens.org in advance.

THURSDAYS IN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

Taijiquan in the Gardens: Beginner 3:30-4:30 P.M. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Join instructor Stephen Guesman to learn the art of well-being otherwise known as Tai Chi. This practice implements slow movements as seen in martial arts, which originate in China.

Students will experience the benefits of practicing Tai Chi and learn the discipline of the art itself. Nonmembers’ fees are $15, but members’ fees are only $12.

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MONDAYS IN SEPTEMBER Four Weeks Beginners Yoga Series Earthkeeper Yoga MONDAYS IN SEPTEMBEROCTOBER Ashtanga Yoga in the Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardens WEDNESDAYS IN SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER Trivia Night Publix GreenWise SEPTEMBER 5 Labor Day SEPTEMBER 17 St. Jude Walk/Run Birmingham Downtown Birmingham SEPTEMBER 24 Head over Teal 5k/10k The Preserve SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 31 Pumpkin Patch Old Baker Farm SEPTEMBER 25 Revvin’ 4 Research benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson, Pelham SEPTEMBER 25 Zac Brown Band: Out in the Middle Tour Presented by Oak Mountain Amphitheatre SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER The Patch Helena Hollow

Everyone is required to bring their own mat and water, if needed. For more information or to register online, visit bbgardens.org and search “Taijiquan: Beginner.”

OCTOBER 1-2 BHM 26.2 Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5k & Fun Run Downtown Homewood

THE GUIDE OCTOBER 4 Judah & the Lion: Happy Again Tour Presented by Avondale Brewing Company OCTOBER 7 Black Jacket Symphony Presented by the BJCC Concert Hall OCTOBER 8 Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run 5K & Fun Run Downtown Homewood OCTOBER 8-9 Cowboy Day Old Baker Farm OCTOBER 10 Columbus Day OCTOBER 15 Jason Aldean Rock N Roll Cowboy Tour Presented by Legacy Arena OCTOBER 20-23 Disney on Ice Presented by Legacy Arena OCTOBER 22-23 Festival Weekend Old Baker Farm OCTOBER 25-30 Anastasia Presented by the BJCC Concert Hall OCTOBER 29 Greta Van Fleet: Dreams in Gold Tour Presented by Legacy Arena OCTOBER 29 The 5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl Downtown Birmingham OCTOBER 30 Homewood Witches Ride benefitting the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB Downtown Homewood

SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 2

Antiques at the Gardens

architects, interior designers and landscape designers are also present Antiques at the Gardens features and will show off their themed antique dealers nationwide! The displays, too. Artifacts and goods vendors will have an array of deemed some of the best in furniture, fine metals, art, jewelry, Birmingham will be available for garden wares and more. One unique purchase. Learn more at bbgardens. aspect of this annual gathering is that org/antiques.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

OCTOBER 23

Pink Up the Pace 5k & Fun Run 2-5 P.M. Crestline Field at Crestline Elementary School

Hosted by the Junior Board of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama and Vulcan Materials, the annual Pink Up the Pace 5K & Fun Run is back! The race includes a 5K and a “Dolly Dash,” which is a one mile fun run for children. Kids are welcome to run, walk, bike or “scoot” to the finish line, according to this event’s sponsors. Whether you run or you walk, all are invited to sign up and raise awareness for breast cancer research. After the races conclude, participants are invited to join in on the event’s sponsored refreshments, live music, face painting, petting zoo and inflatable obstacle course. Registration

fees are $35 for adults, $25 for children ages 4-to-12 and free for kids ages 3 and under. Check in begins at 1 p.m.; whereas, the races begin at 2 p.m. For more information or to register, visit bcrfa.org/events.

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&CULTURE

ARTS

SOUL SPEAK

Author Kathryn Valencia’s Journey from Running to Writing.

BY TRACEY RECTOR PHOTOS BY REBECCA WISE MountainBrookMagazine.com 17

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When Mountain Brook resident Kathryn Valencia took up running at age 39, she couldn’t have imagined how this new habit would change her life.

Healthier? Sure. More energy? You bet. Becoming a published author? That possibility never entered her mind, but thousands of miles and words later, that’s exactly what happened.

“I never wanted to be a writer,” Kathryn says. But at the age of 39, she began running, and little by little, a soul transformation unfolded. She describes it as “heightened awareness” of the world around her. “I would see things as I ran, things you might not notice other times.” Whether it was a deep blue sky through tree branches or an array of windows on a building, Kathryn would stop and take pictures on her iPhone of anything that captured her imagination.

“I saw shapes and colors, not necessarily ‘things,’” she says. After a while she started to see how these seemingly diverse images flowed together to tell a story.

This heightened sense of awareness that resulted from running also sparked another habit: collecting quotes. “I love words,” she adds. “I would write down or put in the notes in my phone anything that resonated with me. It could be a famous quote, a lyric from a song, a line from a commercial, anything.

I have pages and pages of notes on my phone.”

“And then I smiled” – Kathryn Valencia With her iPhone filled with both collections of photos and hundreds of quotes, it seemed almost inevitable that these two practices would somehow come together. Still, Kathryn says the burst of creative energy that spilled out one February morning several years ago after her run completely surprised her.

She sat down at her kitchen island, opened her

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laptop and opened the Notes app on her phone.

She read a quote and then typed it into a document on her laptop. What happened next was unexpected but exhilarating. This artist with an eye for form and color and a love for the written word found her own way to merge her heightened sensibilities in a unique form of storytelling.

“The words just fell out,” she says. She poured her thoughts about the quote into a few words, a sentence, then a paragraph or two. When she finished, she sat back, amazed at what happened.

“And then I smiled,” she says. “It felt so good!”

That smile after writing became Kathryn’s telltale sign that she was on the right track. Her creative juices flowing, she made a commitment to write five days a week for a year – a commitment she kept, just as she kept running and taking photos. She admits it was physically exhausting, but also tremendously satisfying.

After fulfilling her commitment for a year of writing, she reduced her furious writing output to a more sporadic yet intentional pace for eight years. She still didn’t think of herself as a writer – her goal, she says, was to record her thoughts for her husband, children and grandchildren. “I want them to know me,” she says, simply. This deep dive into words and thoughts and images continued as her way to build a bridge between her and her family.

Then March 2020 happened. The early lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic rearranged life for everyone, and Kathryn was no exception.

“I remember being out running in those early days and not seeing another soul on the streets,” she recalls. The jarring disruption to her life impressed upon her that she “really needed something to do.”

“Every experience has value” – Kathryn Valencia That “something to do” took the form of a growing conviction, curating her years of photos and personal reflections into a book. “I had no idea how to go about it – how to get published, anything,” she explains. With nothing to lose, she reached out to AlphaGraphics in Hoover and pitched her idea. The publisher, Cassie Burchell, loved it, and soon after the team began work on the project.

Because she’s such a visual storyteller, Kathryn was deeply involved in all aspects of the design of the book. “It had to look the way it reads,” she says. She worked with graphic artist Lane Mullins,

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WHERE TO PURCHASE SOUL SPEAK Soul Speak by Kathryn Valencia is available online at livesoulspeak.com. It can be shipped or bought locally at M. Lavender Clothing in Mountain Brook Village, Ryan Reeve in Cahaba Heights or AlphaGraphics in Hoover.

Follow Kathryn on Instagram @LiveSoulSpeak.

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who understood what Kathryn wanted and was also able to add his expertise to bring the images and the text into perfect harmony. “Cassie and Lane were wonderful to work with,” she says. They encouraged and inspired her, and over the next few months, the book took shape.

What emerged was Soul Speak, a beautiful collection of words and images, carefully organized with a singular purpose: to encourage readers to look at things in a new way. “I can’t tell anyone what to think,” Kathryn says. “I’m not qualified to do that, but I hope as people read it they say ‘wow, I never thought of it that way.’”

It was important to Kathryn for the book to be as beautiful to look at as it was to read. The hardcover edition, which includes all four volumes of Soul Speak, has the quality of a coffee table book without the oversized heft.

“It’s small enough to tuck in a bag and take with you,” she says. While it’s not written to be inspirational or spiritual,

she’s received enough feedback from readers to know it can be both.

The subtitle of Soul Speak is an encouragement to others that defines Kathryn Valencia’s passion: “your soul is rooting for you.” Through her photos and conversational reflections, she hopes to lead readers into discovering where they are placing

value in their own life. For Kathryn herself, she says, “all roads lead back to running for me.” By starting a simple daily habit, she opened a world she never imagined could exist for her. It’s her goal to get others thinking about the hope for unexpected possibilities that exist all around them if they’re willing to look at things in new and fresh ways.

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&DRINK

FOOD

NEW ON THE BLOCK Real & Rosemary location opens in Crestline Village with goal to foster fellowship through good food.

BY CHRISTIANA ROUSSEL PHOTOS BY GRANT GAAR, BETSY PARKER MountainBrookMagazine.com 25

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this location, in Mountain Brook and in Crestline, specifically?

Jennifer Carlson: At the heart of Real & Rosemary, we see ourselves as a community brand and a neighborhood brand. We love being in the neighborhood. The Mountain Brook community has already been so great. We have customers who say, “thank you for bringing fresh food today.

Thank you for having takeout.” That really surprised me at first because that’s just what we do!

That’s what I would want. That’s how we want to treat our customers. So that’s just part of our Welcome to Mountain Brook! What does it normal course of business. To have it recognized is mean to you two to have Real & Rosemary in a very positive experience. These customers bring There is a new kid on the block in Crestline, Real & Rosemary. Owners Jennifer and Nate Carlson have recently opened this third location of their fastcasual concept, at the corner of Church Street and Dexter Avenue. If you’ve visited their Homewood or Summit locations, you know that the menu is teeming with fresh, approachable, delicious options that are bound to land with even the pickiest eaters.

Sitting down with the husband-wife restaurateurs, we were eager to learn more about all they have planned here.

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energy to the business, as well as the things they’re doing, whether they’re shopping in the area or traveling through or they live around the corner and they’re out for a walk or whatever. I love seeing neighbors run into one another here – they hug, they ask about each other’s kids, they sit down together to just catch up. I love that about Crestline.

Tell us about the changes you’ve made to the space.

JC: Well, the kitchen was in great shape. The restaurant here before was just so wonderful. Our challenge was really just in updating the front of the house, making it look and feel really, really nice. We want Real & Rosemary to be a polished fast-casual space.

There is a definite Real & Rosemary vibe here – that feels very intentional.

JC: We want everything – from the décor to the food – to be clean and crisp. We want Real & Rosemary to feel like an extension of your home. If you were going to invite friends over to your home but didn’t want to have to cook and clean all day, we’re the perfect alternative. We want the time spent here to be easy, comfortable, happy, carefree.

You can focus on the experience of being with people and not have to worry about clean up!

Many of our readers have dined at your other two locations. To the new diners, what kind of food can they expect to find on the Real & Rosemary menu?

JC: We try to get really high-quality ingredients that are really fresh and then treat them well. We treat them with herbs and spices, more than maybe traditional cooking. We want to give things a lot of flavor and lift. When we first opened, we worked with a chef to develop this menu, recreating dishes that our mothers and grandmothers made and how they poured into me. A lot of our recipes are either things we grew up eating with our families or maybe are things that were kind of inspired by our travels – things we might like to serve at home.

It does feel very homey and welcoming here – not always an easy feat for a restaurant!

JC: We feel like our staff has a lot to do with that, too. Nate and I set the tone, but just as we want the restaurant to feel like an extension of your home, we want our staff to feel like an extended family.

The pandemic was really hard on this industry, and we definitely felt that here in Birmingham.

Honestly, we have maintained a really wonderful MountainBrookMagazine.com 29

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30 Fall 2022

staff. We’re selective in who we bring on board and only hire those we really want to spend time with.

Have you and Nate always been involved in the restaurant industry?

JC: I was actually a finance major. Then I got my MBA in real estate. I started working for Zoe’s Kitchen (under John Cassimus) when they had 10 units (locations). I was in charge of development through about unit number 60 when the company was bought out by a private equity partner. Zoe’s Kitchen was just such a great Birmingham brand and a real success story. That was when I fell in love with this business. Nate is a natural operator and handles much of the day-to-day business. He’s actually getting his MB at [the] University of Virginia right now and is class president. In addition to that, Nate is a certified sommelier -that might surprise some people- and has had a lot of fun overseeing our wine program at Real & Rosemary.

How many fast-casual restaurants have a sommelier on board? Nate, tell us about your approach to creating this wine list.

Nate Carlson: We work with a lot of growers and winemakers from regions that are not as necessarily established or sought after (yet). We’ll have wines from Spain and France but maybe from providers that are not widely known yet – maybe a rosé from the South of France but from an up-andcoming vineyard. We have to be at a price point that makes sense for our menu. I think as we get our feet wet, we’ll take some liberties and make some changes the customers will appreciate – something they will enjoy drinking and at the right price. We hope to add craft cocktails to the menu soon, too.

What does your time away from the restaurants look like?

JC: Well, life is pretty busy! We have three kids [who are ages 10, 7 and 3], which keep us going. If we are going out to eat, we like places like Automatic Seafood (for celebrating anniversaries and special events) or Rodney Scott’s BBQ or Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood. I grew up in Clanton and Nate is from Meridian, Mississippi, so we are still enjoying exploring all that Birmingham has to offer, like taking our kids to Birmingham Barons games and things like that. For now, even though we live in Homewood, we’re just excited to have Real & Rosemary be able to call this corner of Crestline, home.

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5

FOOD & DRINK

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Jorg Wesche

The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook’s General Manager PHOTO BY THE GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL MOUNTAIN BROOK

As one of Mountain Brook’s arguably most unique restaurants, Habitat Feed & Social serves an exquisite menu of elegant cuisine as well as craft cocktails and wine tastings, too. The upscale eatery is located in The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, and it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook’s General Manager Jorg Wesche talks about the restaurant’s appeal to the community.

Tell us about Habitat Feed & Social’s founding. How did this restaurant come to be?

“The artistically-inspired boutique hotel and restaurant opened in October 2015 in the affluent Mountain Brook suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, continuing The Kessler Collection’s award-winning commitment to providing superior guest services and artistic offerings,” Jorg says.

“The property is bathed in European, floral elements with bold colors and oversized chairs, custom designed carpets and lighting that reflects neighboring Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ vibrant grounds while remaining true to the Kessler Bohemian brand.”

What is the atmosphere like inside the restaurant?

According to Jorg, Habitat Feed & Social’s atmosphere is the perfect combination of elegance and comfort. Guests may dine artfully on the rooftop or in the chic surroundings of Mountain Brook’s best kept secret led by Chef Julian Shell. Completed by beautiful scenery, astonishing art and refined décor – it’s the perfect romantic place to savor a new dish and finish the night with cocktails and live music.

What do customers say are the best menu items?

“For those looking for a delicious snack at the bar or the perfect shareable at dinner, our charcuterie and cheese board is one of our best-selling small plate options for a reason,” Jorg explains. “Enjoy a generous serving of pickled vegetables, coppa ham, salami, duck prosciutto, local goat cheese, smoked cheddar, rooftop honey, candied nuts and pepper jelly that will make you feel as if you are dining at a café in France. Top-sellers on our lunch menu include our signature chicken sandwich with rooster sauce and the blackened gulf fish sandwich, both loaded with authentic Southern flavors. For dinner, our gulf fish entree – seared gulf fish, crawfish etouffee, spring pea risotto and crispy leaks – is among the best of the best, rightfully making it a well-known favorite. Our Sunday brunch menu is extremely popular with an array of options that keep our guests satisfied and coming back.”

industrial center of the Southern U.S.,” Jorg notes. “The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook’s Habitat Feed & Social has the best of both worlds, as it is a part of the unique architectural charm of Mountain Brook while being close to downtown Birmingham entertainment.

The perfect location allows for farm-totable cuisine and a creative one-of-a-kind dining experience.”

What would you like our readers to know either about yourself or your business?

Jorg says, “The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook is the perfect one-stopshop for all things luxury. It [offers] a variety of experiences to enjoy all from within the hotel. Nestled within Mountain Brook’s walkable village, the 100-room boutique hotel boasts an on-site Grand Bohemian Gallery, signature Poseidon Spa, interactive cooking school, vibrant rooftop terrace, imaginative dining at Habitat Feed & Social and one of the How does the location of Habitat Feed country’s only wine blending experiences & Social play into the restaurant’s led by expert sommeliers, providing an unmatched lodging experience and elegance? “[We are] conveniently located adjacent ensuring that there is something for to the city of Birmingham, the previous everyone to enjoy.”

MountainBrookMagazine.com 33

[Newbor n + Child + Family Por traiture] info@apeppermintphoto.com + 205.807.6431 w w w . a p e p p e r m i n t p h o t o . c o m 34 Fall 2022

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

MEET TWO-LAP CAP

A look at Christopher Alexander’s journey to the Special Olympics and beyond.

BY RICK LEWIS PHOTOS BY EVELYN ADAMS MountainBrookMagazine.com 35

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Christopher Alexander possesses an infectious happiness. It is not a quiet, smoldering contentment one could hold in his palm. It is a great bonfire of joy that casts its warmth on all in his presence, radiating from person to person like brilliant rays of light shone through a gemstone. In his own words, he’s “contagious.” He wears a seemingly permanent smile on his face at all times, and his baby pictures provide historical proof. Truly, he has a lot to be happy about.

Christopher is an avid cyclist, a drummer, a discjockey (under the moniker DJ Tophy Toph), a rising senior at Mountain Brook High School, and, oh yeah, he’s also a Special Olympian with seven medals to his name.

“I do it all,” he says.

This past June, after months of “super hard” training and years of hard work, Christopher participated in his first national Special Olympics event at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in

Orlando—a grand culmination of ten years of determination and perseverance. After a 2019 qualification run in the 800m (and a COVID-19related pause), he ran the 400m and 800m events and threw the mini-javelin in Orlando, placing fourth in the nation for his performance in the 800m and sixth in the 400m.

His path to the USA Games–as Alabama’s youngest delegate–started a decade ago, at only 8 years of age, running in a local Special Olympics event that his mom, Lisa, remembers well.

“He hit the track and took off, and we were like, ‘oh, my gosh,” she says. “He came across the finish line and just kept running.”

However, Christopher, also known as ‘Two-Lap Cap’ (a rearrangement of his initials and a nod to his track specialty), has never really been one to stay put.

“Ever since he could walk, TV wasn’t his thing, Xbox wasn’t his thing, none of that,” his dad, Chris, MountainBrookMagazine.com 37

If you have thirty minutes or more to listen, ask Antonio what he dreams of being in ten years.

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H BIRMINGHAM, AL 35294 205-638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

38 Fall 2022

recalls. “He loved to go outside.”

Whether he was exploring the neighborhood or making new friends with people nearby, Christopher was always on the move, unable to sit still and always looking for a new person to interact with. “I like to be out and about,” he explains.

It wasn’t long before he found running as the perfect way to see more and cover greater ground, and he’s been running ever since. In fact, a few years ago, his family moved close enough to the high school for him to have easy access to the track– his home away from home.

This summer’s USA Games presented Christopher with not only a unique opportunity to represent the

state as Alabama’s only 800m runner, but also to travel with the delegation to the event and stay in the athlete’s village. This is the first time he’d done so away from family, all of whom went down to Orlando to see him compete. For Christopher, it was a chance to build friendships with other athletes from around the country; an idea his dad shares.

“These kids like to be a part of something, part of a team, and that’s what the Special Olympics gives,” Chris says. “So, it’s kind of a ‘hit you in the feels thing’ when we go see him. I always tell people you should go to at least one of these events, even if it’s a local event, because it will change your life.”

Special Olympics aside, however, Christopher MountainBrookMagazine.com 39

himself seems to command the ability to change lives. He’s a consummate people person—“I enjoy people,” he says—and his presence imbues a room with an effortless sense of joy.

“He’s therapeutic, in a way, because he has a spirit and a smile about him,” Chris says.

It’s his cheery disposition, paired with a rare attentiveness, that people find so striking. “When you’re with Christopher, he’s present,” Lisa explains. “We’re distracted with lots of things in our lives. All of us are so busy. But Christopher’s really not—he’s blessed with the ability to truly be present.

He doesn’t place judgment, he doesn’t see any differences in people. He just finds things to make him happy and make others happy at the same time.”

Whether he is helping Wilbur, who is Mountain Brook High School’s gate guard, direct traffic during eighth period, or assisting a team from Alabama Power to install a new pole (after volunteering in the installation of a neighbor’s transformer, Christopher built a friendship with a few of their crews and has even caravanned in his four-wheeler along with the bucket trucks to a jobsite), Christopher finds ways to get involved, make a difference and brighten someone’s day. The 40 Fall 2022

community recognizes it, too.

“People just love him. He’s the mayor of Mountain Brook,” family friend Jennifer Jones says. “It shows up on my phone when he calls me: Christopher Alexander, mayor of Mountain Brook. That’s what he’s like. Everybody knows him.”

Naturally, as a Special Olympian, Christopher gets a lot of press, but his daily dedication to finding happiness and building a sense of pride in Mountain Brook is what really makes him the well-loved figure he is to people. Always cheering on the Spartans at the front of the stands, Christopher never falters in his support of others, and the community has often been there to cheer him on as well.

“They often say it takes a village to raise a child,” Lisa says. “I feel like a lot of support from family and friends in the community makes a difference in his life. I also think it works really more the other way. I think Christopher probably makes a bigger difference in other people’s lives and impacts them and this community in a way that’s been very special. I’m a lucky mom.”

Christopher’s older sister, Anna Rose, who is a rising senior nursing student at Auburn and her brother’s biggest fan, echoed the same sentiment.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 41

“When I’m at school, we FaceTime all the time.

So, I’ve gotten to see him get through high school and make new friends and then find all these different things he loves to do. But as much as I look out for Chris, he’s done so much for me. From growing up to everything I’ve been through, he’s always been there to make me smile.”

Which gets to the point of Christopher’s secret sauce, his key to success, his ultimate 42 Fall 2022

recommendation for anyone trying to live more fully: “smiling.” He smiles at the kitchen table, at school and on the job. He smiles when talking about the Auburn Eagles program he’ll attend this summer and the trip he and his mom are taking to Italy. He smiles when showing off his four-wheeler, his drums, his Olympic medals and his Alabama Power hat. And, yes, he even smiles when he’s running.

&STYLE

HOME

THE AL FRESCO LIFE This 1920s home’s backyard renovation is every entertainer’s dream opulence.

BY EMILY BUTLER PHOTOS BY REED BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY MountainBrookMagazine.com 43

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The Cashio Estate in Mountain Brook, which was originally built in the 1920s, is the embodiment of the romantic, al fresco lifestyle that homeowners Amy and Richard Cashio personify. Amy is known as someone who values landscape and the spaces it creates. So, when she and her family were moving from their old house to this current one in Mountain Brook, Amy searched for an area full of people that valued their outdoor space as much as she does.

Unfortunately, the estate’s previous owners did not do much with the backyard. “Old houses have lots of small rooms, [so they’re] not as conducive to having lots of people. We needed to be able to have the backyard to entertain our family,” Amy says.

Once Father Nature Landscapes of Birmingham got involved, they made it their mission to exceed Amy’s expectations. The family’s lifestyle created the blueprint for what they wanted out of the landscape. “You could tell that no one went on that back patio, it was unused,” landscape contractor Daniel McCurry says. “There was no thought to sun exposure, outdoor living, dining, entertaining, anything. So, that was [their] priority.”

Amy recalls how the masonry, the handmade iron rails, the lighting embedded in the ground and every single aspect of the project were carefully thought out by all the different teams working together to create this magical space. Concerning if there is ever an end to the work in the landscape, Amy says, “It’ll never be finished. It is always evolving. Two or three times a year we do a walkthrough, where I can point out things that maybe aren’t working. Father Nature will then come up with a plan to implement another idea.”

Every beautiful landscape is continuously evolving, and this home is no exception.

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The overhead view of the home shows how strategically the landscape was laid out, as well as showing how naturally and smoothly every aspect fits together.

The Face of the Home While the front of the home was not the focus of the landscaping project, it is a reflection of the work in the backyard.

The front of the home shows the details of blacksmith handrails, which were created by Jeremy Roegner using Artistic Ornamental Iron. The rails are simple with no bottom rail, and the top of the rail is wide enough to hold one of the family’s crystal bourbon glasses.

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Hand-picked Masonry Daniel hand selected the stone for the wall to match the house exactly. The stone is Alabama sandstone with about five different sizes.

Garden Gate Outdoor Seating and Lighting The outdoor seating area is perfectly in line with the pool and the house.

Surrounded by four trees, this space feels separated but still open. Amy mentions the issues regarding space such as how the lighting (particularly at night) is a huge priority to her. “I didn’t want it lit up. It had to look right,” she says.

“Finding the balance between not being dark, but also not being covered in bright, visible lights had to require a creative solution. With the way that the lights were positioned and displayed, it left the space with a subtle, glowy feeling.”

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The Pool Project Necessities Amy gives credit to Cox Pools, who built an infinity-like pool for her estate.

It faces the back of the house and points towards the outdoor dining area.

Japanese Maple With the Japanese Maple hanging nearby and the native plants growing adjacent, it almost seems like the pool is nestled in nature.

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Amy’s Influence: The Whimsical Garden The whimsical garden, which is designed by Charlie Thigpen, is the part of the space that strays from the more traditional English gardens. Since the others are so formal, Amy says she wanted a garden space to get her hands dirty and have an “unplanted, messy garden.”

Raised Garden Flower Beds The foliage is constantly changing, and it brings a piece of their former home garden to the new space. “The landscape pulls off of the architecture of the home and connects the architecture of the home to Amy,” Daniel says. “She loves the textures and layers. It all fits her personality extremely well.”

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Process of Choosing Plants While most of what is on the site is new, many of the old trees that were originally on the property were left alone. Several large, old Japanese Maple Trees are left from the original space, and they tie the space together. Father Nature helped go to different growers and hand-pick for the project. “If we needed any tree, we would go to different growers and find trees and send [Amy] pictures,” Daniel says. Amy notes that the process for building this space, all the way down to picking out trees, was a collaborative project.

BEHIND THE SCENES Landscape Architects: LMO Partners LLC Pools: Cox Pools Birmingham

Furniture: Elegant Earth and JANUS et Cie Construction: J.K. Construction

Landscape Design, Construction Firm: Father Nature Landscapes of Birmingham Horticulturist: Charlie Thigpen

MountainBrookMagazine.com 51

HOME & STYLE

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Allyson Mouron

Co-Owner of Bossi Leisure PHOTO BY HOLLAND WILLIAMS

Allyson Mouron is the co-owner of Bossi Leisure the English Village. The athletic and leisurewear boutique officially opened on Thursday, May 19, 2022, with an impressive turnout. Though the shop is bespoke for adult feminine attire, it also showcases young girls’ clothing, too. It didn’t take long for Allyson and her business partner, Pasquale, to bond; thus, Bossi came to Birmingham. Here she sits down to discuss the franchise and how Bossi supports other local businesses, too.

What other businesses does Bossi Leisure plan to partner with in the future?

“We’re doing a pop up with Shop Bijou [which] is a local business that has an online presence,” she says. “We’re doing [events] with Tailored Sportswear, the Spark Collection and Kari Kampakis.” She doesn’t stop there, though. Allyson envisions partnering with local fitness studios and gyms to help recognize the How did you decide on the interior different wellness outlets that are in the design of the boutique? community.

Allyson credits Mary Lauren McBride with Mary McBride Interiors for Bossi’s What would you like our readers to design. “It is important to me to buy as know both about you and Bossi Leisure? much as I can locally. A couple of my good “We have been overwhelmed and Tell us about your business partnership friends own the store Alkmy, and I found a humbled by the amount of support that we painting there,” she remembers. “We have received,” Allyson says, thankfully. with Pasquale Tosyali.

Allyson recalls how attracted she became centered our interiors around the painting. “It’s been beyond my wildest dreams. For to Bossi’s aesthetic when she happened We got pieces from Details, Circa, Maison so long I’ve dreamed about this and prayed upon Pasquale’s store in Tuscaloosa. “I was and West Elm. I try to do as much as I could about it but never expected it to be as in Tuscaloosa for an Alabama game, and I locally because now as a shop owner, I supported as it has been. I feel really wandered into her store and thought what recognize the importance of trying to thankful to be apart of it.” she had would be really well received in our support other business owners.”

You thought about the concept of Bossi Leisure for a while. Why was now the best time to open?

“Between the time that I reached out to my now business partner and us opening our doors, I would say it was about closer to four months,” Allyson says. “We accelerated and moved really quickly because it was my hope and dream to open before school got out.” She explains that Bossi’s activewear is perfect for summertime, so opening right before people go out of town on vacation was crucial. “I felt like Birmingham needed something like that to be as active and as centered around wellness as we are,” she says.

52 Fall 2022

community,” she says. “We did a pop-up shop at my house in the fall, where she came and brought her merchandise from Tuscaloosa. It wasn’t until three or four months later that I reached out to her.

There’s so many women-owned businesses that have done really well. We really wanted the store to play into the look and the feel of the boutiques there, and we also wanted it to feel elevated and polished.”

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AMI À VIE A Friend for Life

THE REBRANDING OF A LONG-TIME MOUNTAIN BROOK BUSINESS INTO A BACHELORETTE PARTY PLANNING AND BRIDESMAID’S GIFT-GIVING COMPANY.

BY ASHLEY TIEDT PHOTOS BY MADDIE SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY MountainBrookMagazine.com 55

A

Ami À Vie means “a friend for life,” and that is the best way to describe the mentorship between Neillie Butler and Maggie Hightower. “Maggie was a Mariée Ami bride. That’s how we met her,” Neillie says. Neillie is the owner of Mariée Ami, which is a wedding planning company in Mountain Brook.

Neillie says it all started with a dream. In 2011, she recalls how Mariée Ami opened its doors and changed the Birmingham wedding industry.

Mariée Ami means “friend of the bride,” and in the last 13 years, Neillie says she’s made friends all over the country. Her experience, style and ability to curate a wedding to each bride’s unique taste is the reason that so many dream of being a Mariée Ami bride.

According to Neillie, Ami À Vie is born out of

56 Fall 2022

her desire to help women with more than just their wedding day. She believes that while the wedding day is special, all the events leading up to that day and after are equally important. “Brides want everything to match,” she says. “They want it all curated and unique to them, but beyond that, they want the same for bachelorette parties, their wedding showers and other celebrations. This is what brought me to creating Ami À Vie.” Many brides want to utilize Mariée Ami, but Neillie can only take on so many clients. Ami À Vie allows her to help women with all of life’s little celebrations. It starts with a “party in a box.”

Women talk to Neillie about the party they are planning, and she helps with all of the cups, napkins and decorations needed to throw the perfect party, and of course, it all matches.

Everyone remembers how when COVID-19 hit in March of 2020, the wedding industry changed.

Shortly after, it shut down, and Neillie says she had to pivot. She dove head first into Ami À Vie, helping to provide brides who were forced to push off their wedding day to plan other parties instead.

At the same time, Neillie says that Maggie Hightower was also starting her own company, HappyyHats, which sells custom patches for hats. “I have brides purchasing these hats, but then they asked if I could help with cups, koozies and decorations for their parties. I saw an opportunity to take this small business to a new level,” Maggie explains.

Maggie says she approached Neillie to discuss expanding her business. “Neillie is so well MountainBrookMagazine.com 57

respected in the wedding industry, and I knew she would be the best mentor for me in growing and expanding my company,” she notes.

Neillie recalls that Maggie’s idea sounded familiar. Because Neillie wasn’t able to give Ami À Vie the time and attention it deserved, she asked Maggie if she would like to purchase the business.

“I have so much love for Ami À Vie,” Neillie 58 Fall 2022

says. “There is no one I would rather take over this business than Maggie. She has impeccable style and an eye for detail. She will take Ami À Vie to new heights, and I’m so excited to see how she will grow this business. I have all the faith in the world in Maggie and her dream.”

It is truly a perfect pair. Maggie says she had once been a Mariée Ami bride, making Neillie a

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MountainBrookMagazine.com 59

friend of the bride. Now that Maggie has taken over, she is considered to be Ami À Vie, a “friend for life.”

When Ami À Vie rebranded in June of this year, Maggie explains that it made a few changes as well.

Ami À Vie is now solely a company to help a bride plan a bachelorette party; plus, it provides unique gifts for bridesmaids and shower hostesses. A friend for life is a friend on all occasions. As a bride, her friends for life are the people who stand next to her when she says, “I do.”

Ami À Vie will not only help a bride plan her bachelorette party, but it will also help her customize gifts for her “friends for life.”

“We can help the bride with special gifts in a swag bag for when they show up for the bachelorette party, and we can help with unique gifts that will remind the hostess of the bridal shower of the bride each time they use them,” Maggie says. “We want to help women celebrate other women in all seasons of life, and Ami À Vie is the way we do it.”

So what can a bride expect when she becomes an Ami À Vie client?

Personalized service, tailored directly to her. Ami À Vie isn’t just helping the blushing bride. It’s also helping that “friend for life.”

When one is a maid or matron of honor, a lot of planning falls on her.

Ami À Vie is here to help take some of that stress away. “We know these women have demanding jobs,” Maggie says. “They are out there killing it and need a little help making the bride’s bachelorette party that much more special. We are passionate about women helping women, and we are here to help anyone who needs assitance in the planning process.”

Ami À Vie is the perfect companion to the girl who needs a little extra help to plan a classic bachelorette trip. Don’t know where to take the bride? Call Maggie. Need help booking dinner reservations? Call 60 Fall 2022

Maggie. Want to book a mixology class, hire a private chef or any other activity? Call Maggie.

She can help you with all the decorations, and of course, hats to wear out in the town. Maggie will even create a look book for the bride based on her taste, so she won’t even have to think about what she’s wearing to her party.

Ami À Vie believes that the bride isn’t the only person who should be celebrated. The women who surround and support the bride should feel celebrated as well. In the spirit of women helping women, Maggie partners with women-owned businesses in Birmingham and across the state to create custom gifts for the bride to give to the bridesmaids.

Whether the bride is looking for bachelorette

party gifts or thank-you gifts for those standing next to her, Maggie and Ami À Vie will customize each gift to a bridesmaid.

“When I was looking for gifts to give my bridesmaids, I really struggled to find something that felt personal, something classic,” Maggie says. “I wanted to give my friends meaningful gifts that would last and that they could use as a reminder of how much I cared for them.”

Ami À Vie is all about elevating the experience and making the bride and her bridesmaids feel special. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a gift that she will cherish for years and years to come? Ami À Vie is a one-of-a-kind service with a touch of class, elegance, a goal of helping the bride celebrate and being her friend for life.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 61

F

University of Montevallo

OUNDED IN 1896, the University of Montevallo is nestled in the heart of Alabama, approximately 35 miles south of Birmingham.

Designed by the architects behind New York’s Central Park and the grounds surrounding North Carolina’s Biltmore House, our campus serves as a picturesque backdrop to match the University’s world-class educational offerings. White columns, expansive lawns, brick walkways and stately oaks are just part of the campus’ beauty that has earned widespread acclaim.

Southern Living magazine even named us among the “South’s Most Beautiful Colleges” in 2020.

As the only public liberal arts university in Alabama, the University of Montevallo has the charm of a private school experience while providing the value of a state-supported institution.

As a small school, we are committed to creating big opportunities for students.

Montevallo’s list of national accolades grows each year. U.S. News & World Report has ranked us a Best Value School and one of the most innovative schools in the nation, and we have been named a College of Distinction for 11 consecutive years.

At UM, we don’t merely inspire — we teach our students how to harness inspiration, become versatile and give back. Through our accreditations, scholarships and faculty resources, we’ve cultivated a reputation for producing bright minds. Montevallo offers academic programs in four colleges:

Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Development and Fine Arts. Students choose from more than 30 degree programs and more than 70 majors and concentrations. They participate in an educational environment boasting an average class size of 13 and have unprecedented opportunities for conducting undergraduate research under full-time faculty mentors.

UM fields 22 NCAA Division II athletic teams competing in the Gulf South Conference, Peach Belt Conference and New South Intercollegiate Swimming Conference, giving student-athletes ample opportunity to don the purple and gold.

Unique to Montevallo is our homecoming tradition, College Night, known as the oldest tradition of its kind in the nation. Montevallo students from across all disciplines have come together for a spirited competition like no other for more than 100 years.

College Night was selected as a “Local

Legacy” for the Library of Congress’s bicentennial celebration in 2000.

We invite you to take a tour and see for yourself why You Belong at Montevallo!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit: montevallo.edu/tours Call: 205-665-6030 or 800-292-4349 Email: admissions@montevallo.edu CONNECT WITH US

@Montevallo @UMontevallo

At the University of Montevallo, you will enjoy small classes, personalized attention, engaging student activities and abundant opportunities for real-world experience. You will emerge a well-rounded, highly educated individual who isn’t just ready for the world — you’re ready to change it. Here, you won’t merely fit in, you’ll find a place to call home. You will discover a new family where you belong. So, schedule a tour — come see for yourself why You Belong at the University of Montevallo.

SCHEDULE A TOUR

MountainBrookMagazine.com 63

Special Advertising Section

Mountain Brook Magazine

COMMUNITY INFLUENCERS

2022 It’s the people who make Mountain Brook the community that it is! Here we recognize some of those making an impact on others around them through their businesses.

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2022

COBBS ALLEN 115 Office Park Dr • Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-414-8100 • cobbsallen.com The Cobbs Allen personal insurance team, which is licensed in all 50 states, has more than 100 years of expertise in providing clients exceptional coverage. Risk consultant Margaret Ann Pyburn and her team make it easy to manage your coverage when Cobbs Allen protects what matters most to you. Insurance coverage includes homeowners, aircraft, watercraft, builder’s risk, private collections, life, automobile and personal excess liability.

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2022

GUNN DERMATOLOGY 32 Church Street • Mountain Brook, AL 35213 391 Rele Street • Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-415-7536 • gunndermatology.com Gunn Dermatology owner Dr. Holly Gunn is set to open a second dermatology office next month in Lane Parke in addition to her office in Crestline Village. Both locations offer dermatological care for all ages and specialize in medical, surgical, cosmetic, pediatric and laser dermatology. As the close-to-home lead provider in dermatology, Dr. Gunn treats every patient as family because taking care of others means taking care of our community.

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2022

GUIN SERVICE, LLC 10 55th St. S. • Birmingham, AL 35212 205-595-4846 • guinservice.com Guin Service, LLC is a family-owned heating, air conditioning, plumbing and generator business that has served Mountain Brook and surrounding areas since 1958. Joseph Braswell, the current owner, is the grandson of the original owner Bill Guin, and he lives in Mountain Brook. Guin is involved in the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and many local charities. Guin feels blessed to have so many loyal customers in the Mountain Brook area and is proud to be able to give back to the community that has allowed them to be successful over the last 60-plus years.

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2022

WOODHOUSE SPA 125 Summit Blvd • Birmingham, AL 35243 205-905-7676 • birmingham.woodhousespas.com Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Woodhouse Spa focuses on healing both the body and the mind by offering therapeutic treatments in a calming and relaxing environment. They believe each spa visit should be a complete experience. Each guest should depart as a better person, both physically and mentally. Woodhouse Spa strives to give back to the community that supports them because after all, charity and good deeds are also therapeutic. Come and visit Woodhouse Spa soon!

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B. PRINCE 271 Rele St • Mountain Brook, AL 35223 205-871-1965 • shopbprince.com Voted “Best Boutique in Mountain Brook” two years in a row, B. Prince stands out in a world of lookalike couture. The chic shop is known for its creative and distinctive attire found from around the world, making its customers the best dressed in town. B. Prince focuses its efforts on tailoring current fashion trends to meet each of its customer’s needs. They couple trendy fashion statements not found anywhere else with long-term relationships to prove why they’re a staple in Lane Parke. They’d love for you to stop by and experience the B. Prince treatment for yourself!

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2022

MAGIC MOMENTS 2112 11th Ave S #219 • Birmingham, AL 35205 205-638-9372 • magicmoments.org In 1984, Magic Moments began bringing happiness to children, who are between the ages of 4-to-18, with chronic, life-threatening conditions throughout Alabama and hasn’t stopped since. Not only do they offer immediate once-in-a-lifetime memories, they also continue the magic with their Beyond the Moment program, which keeps children connected to the Magic Moments staff and other families until the child turns 19. Family Camp at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin is one of their most popular Beyond the Moment events and, like all experiences, is offered at no expense to families. All magic is made possible by generous donors and fundraisers.

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Chattanooga like a Local

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed 74 Fall 2022

This bridge over Rock City hangs hundreds of feet in the air, providing tourists a view over the treetops. Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Fall travel just hits differently.

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2 hrs., 25 min.

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162 Miles

Guntersville

Fort Payne

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Chattanooga, which is just a short two-hour trip Northeast of Birmingham, ticks a lot of boxes for so many different types of travelers.

So much has been written about the hiking and scenic-overlooks of Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain. Many readers have probably already visited the famed Chattanooga Choo-Choo and the phenomenal Tennessee Aquarium. However, there is so much more to Chattanooga! Let’s explore what a visit would look like from a local’s perspective.

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After time spent in the summer months visiting beaches and lakes, bobbing on foam noodles or skim-boarding waves on 30-A, we’re all ready for something a bit different. Weekend escapes in the cooler months such as football bye-weeks here in SEC country are the ideal time to explore someplace new, or even revisit a familiar destination but see it in a whole new way.

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HIT THE ROAD

WHERE TO STAY

Common House’s exquisite architecture is but one aspect that garners attention from both locals and tourists alike. Photo courtesy of Ali Harper and Common House.

Recent years have seen the addition of several great new hotels in the Chattanooga area, as well as the sprucing up of some venerable favorites.

Bode Equal parts non-traditional hotel, local gathering spot, coffee shop, hip bar, co-working and collaboration space, BODE in downtown Chattanooga is the kind of landing spot that can make all types of travelers happy. Offering one, two and three-bedroom lofts, each high-ceilinged space is outfitted with a kitchen, living area and maybe even a ping pong table and a view of nearby Lookout Mountain. DAWN is where you’ll find your morning coffee while the bartenders at DUSK have you covered with evening snacks and libations. Think family groups, girlfriend getaway or those with wanderlust seeking local connection.

Pictured above is the historic Bluff View Art District.

Photo courtesy of Chattenooga Tourism Co.

Common House Tucked into the heart of uber-cool Southside, stands Common House. This white-stucco-ed former YMCA building has been exquisitely converted into a coveted “third space” that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Third spaces exist to create community and connection, outside of home and work.

Common House is a private Chattanooga social club with six hotel rooms (plus one suite) available to the public. Hotel guests have access to the entire club while on-site: four bars, fitness center, intimate restaurant, co-working spaces, cabana-lined pool, podcasting studio and positively the coolest vibe in town.

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The crowd here is strictly 21+, so plan accordingly. Memberships are available in case you never want to leave.

Bluff View Inn Nestled in the arts-rich Bluff View Art District, this bed-and-breakfast-style inn is actually three turn-of-the-century homes overlooking the Tennessee River. From the front porch of the T.C. Thompson House, you can sit a spell in a rocking chair and watch the sun set over Signal Mountain. Located within walking distance of many of Chattanooga’s must-see sites means you can park the car and venture out afoot to dine and do.

Bode Chattanooga’s many amenities keep customers coming back. Photo courtesy of Digital Love Photography.

WHAT TO DO Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.

The Hunter Museum The Hunter Museum deserves an afternoon all to itself. With a permanent collection featuring works by the likes of Bierstadt, Frankenthaler and Ansel Adams, there is just enough to see without feeling overwhelming.

BONUS: the museum is showcasing work by Birmingham-based artist Amy Pleasant until July of 2023, so be sure to check that out.

Outside Yes, any trip to Chattanooga should include something outdoors, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing and the temperatures are most conducive to being outside.

Lookout Mountain Incline Take the recently renovated Lookout Mountain Incline to the top of the mountain, where you can visit Point Park (site of the Civil War Battle Above the Clouds). Back at the bottom, it is a short drive to Ruby Falls, Cloudland Canyon and Rock City, which is celebrating its 90th year of visitors! Locals suggest buying tickets ahead of time to spend more time oohing-and-aahing over the views and less time waiting in lines.

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Inside Kayaking on the Tennessee River For something completely different, get on the Tennessee River by kayak to observe the endangered gray bats as they take to the evening sky in search of insects. On this 30-mile paddle of Nickajack Lake, you may even spy an osprey or the occasional bald eagle, so pack your binoculars!

Chattanooga is teeming with creatives and you can find something inspiring at almost any turn.

Bluff View Art District Locals love wandering in and out of galleries and showrooms in the Bluff View Art District, where the juices just flow. Gallery 1401 is a respite from the ordinary, and you’re bound to discover an eclectic mix of artists’ work.

Kyle House Fitness If you’re game to stay on track with fitness goals while you travel- and those Lookout Mountain hikes weren’t enough- pop into Kyle House Fitness for a class.

Photo courtesy of Zach Bopp

Sisu Sauna If you’d just rather sweat it out, a session or two at Sisu Sauna should do just the trick.

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HIT THE ROAD Photo courtesy of Blaes Green

Shop For the travelers who simply must have their retail therapy when they visit a new city, there is nothing like discovering local gems.

Warehouse Row Warehouse Row, which is a converted Civil War stone fort in downtown Chattanooga, has always been a great shopping draw with plenty of national names you already know. Do yourself a favor and shop Embellish, which specializes in names like Rag & Bone and Veronica Beard. If something for the home is what you seek, just go directly to Revival, where the offerings include one-of-a-kind antiques and vintage finds, as well as gorgeous coffee table books and pretty barware, lamps and furniture to create the nest of your dreams back at home.

Locals Only Looking for a souvenir to take home?

Pop in to Locals Only, which prides itself on supporting local artisans and makers.

Book and Cover Book and Cover is a lovely, little independent book store, where staffers are happy to suggest a new favorite read.

K Boutique Looking for something new to wear out to dinner or even just something casual?

Local ladies love K Boutique in North Shore, where you can outfit yourself for almost any occasion.

Alice Blue, Electric Blue and Hanover Blue In the heart of Riverview, locals are drawn to the three-stores-in-one allure of Alice Blue, Electric Blue and Hanover Blue, which will have you dapper-in-aflash for an afternoon spent exploring Chattanooga local dining spots.

WHERE TO EAT Speaking of local dining, Chattanooga is replete with interesting people doing interesting things, culinarily-speaking.

Alleia The aforementioned Revival-decorating-haven gets the credit for the warm interiors at Alleia in Southside, where the rustic Italian menu makes the most of local ingredients. This is where Chattanoogans go for date nights or to celebrate something special, even if that event is just called “making it to the weekend.”

State of Confusion State of Confusion is great for outdoor dining and drinks. Think ceviche, burgers and beer. Lunch, dinner, brunch. Reservations are accepted.

Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar The secret is out about Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar, where locals and visitors alike clamor for seats that fill up fast.

Go early to avoid too much of a wait.

Main Street Meat Main Street Meats is a one-part butcher shop, one-part restaurant, where the daily offerings change, according to what

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is in season.

Southern Squeeze For the vegetarians and vegans in your group, make like a local and head to Southern Squeeze with enough plantbased breakfast and lunch offerings to satisfy anyone.

Feed Table and Tavern For weekend brunch, head to Feed Table and Tavern, where locals clamor for short ribs and grits or the Rocky Balboa biscuit.

Sidetrack At Sidetrack, be sure to order the beignets (yes, you WILL make a mess) and the Eggs in Purgatory.

Adelle’s Creperie Looking to satisfy that sweet tooth?

Check out Adelle’s Creperie. Carla and Ken Pritchard may own this darling creperie, but their daughter, Adelle, gets all the credit for the concept and inspired menus and décor.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper and Common House.

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Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S

Ribbon Cuttings

New Member Spotlight - Assurance Financial Mortgage - Over the Mountain Sporting Goods - Maranatha Granite & Floors - Steinway Piano Gallery of Birmingham - Humphrey’s Dog Resort - ITAC Solutions - Ignite Cycle LLC - Live Soul Speak, LLC - Southern Lab Partners - Adobe - Community Grief Support - ALS Association of Alabama - Mountain Brook Dental Care - Duncan Manley LLC. EOS - Worldwide, professional implementer - Heezie’s

Bossi Leisure - May 11

Civitas - February 2

Classic Car Motoring - April 20

ExVoto Vintage - April 21

Heezie’s - June 9

homeRN - May 31

Key Circle Commons - March 23

Real Rosemary - May 12

Steinway Piano Company - May 19

The Travel Studio - May 18

Crestline Tent Sale –August 13

Troy Rhone Garden Design - Feb 11

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Chamber Luncheon Featuring Jennifer Ryan Tuesday, August 2 Join us for networking, lunch and an interesting message from business owner and self-proclaimed “Accidental Entrepreneur,” Jennifer Ryan. Jennifer is the founder and owner of BLUEROOT, which serves delightful, delicious and nutritious food to the Birmingham community at two locations. She is also the founder of the app Croux, which helps restaurants fill shifts quickly with great, local talent. Croux matches vetted talent with opportunity -- providing workers with choice as well as flexibility and restaurants with additional staff to run at top speed.

Register for the luncheon online at mtnbrookchamber.org.

Welcome our new Executive Director, Emily Jensen.

Thursday Night Live – August 18

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Thursday Night

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The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Junior Board will host their Second Annual Thursday Night Live in English Village on August 18 from 5-8 p.m.

This year, the event benefits Friends of Jemison Park, and its ongoing efforts to renew and revitalize the trail along Mountain Brook Parkway. Please join us in celebrating our love for living, shopping and supporting all things local!

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Welcome our new high school intern, Lindsey Kate McElroy.

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OUT & ABOUT

THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART’S 65TH ANNUAL MUSEUM BALL

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On Saturday, May 7 the Birmingham Museum of Art hosted its yearly museum gala, which garnered more fundraising and attendees this year than ever before.

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Braxton Goodrich with Richard and Anna Cook

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Kirk Forrester, Ashley Miles, Rebecca Ankar and Jenny Gaskin

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DeJuana Thompson (Pres CEO of CRI), Christina Dykes (Founder of Genius), Mariohn Michel (Executive Director of Breakthrough Birmingham) and Nicole Carpenter (Jones Valley Teaching Farm)

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Thomas and Sherri Hickman with Steve and Deb Walker

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Kat and Eric Rogers with April and Jono Mason

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Russ and Jaime Doyle with Margot Cooney

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Lael Groover with Richard and Kevin Stump

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Pía Sen and Sanjeev Chaudhuri

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Jay and Mary Crenshaw with John and Kate Phillips

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10. Kimberly Jackson, Chinelo Dike-Minor and Robin Hood 11. Margaret Whiteside (Museum Chair), Marion Marx and Whitney Wright 12. Elizabeth and Ashley Miles 13. MK and Paul Quinlan with Chelsea Crenshaw 14. Heather Chadduck Hillegas and Mackin Thompson 15. The Pilchers 16. Sydney Foster and Gina Grayson 17. Brittany Saag and Patrick Eades 18. Cate Boehm (Museum Chair), Katherine Currin and Emily DeBuys 19. Erin LeAnn Mitchell

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OUT & ABOUT

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CRESTLINE FAMILY FEST

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PHOTOS BY JAMES AND RACHEL CULVER

Hosted by local churches Mountain Brook Baptist Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Canterbury United Methodist Church, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Brookwood Baptist Church, Independent Presbyterian Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church, Crestline Family Fest was held at Crestline Elementary School on Sunday, May 8 from 5-7 p.m. The event featured inflatables, games, arts and crafts and local vendors serving savory treats.

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Mary Harter Pounds, Abigail McKenzie, Emma Pounds, Charlotte Redden and Adair McNeil

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The Hoskins family

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The Lima family

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The Canter family

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Jacquelyn Drennen, Tyler Wilson and Ashley Shelby

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The Sorabella family

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The Wilson family

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Ginny Blair, Addy Sparks, Krissie and Mae Allen

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Kristi Glover, Officer Tommy Tanner and Joanna Tanner

10. Lakin Coulter, Cammie Ashworth and Jonathan Ashworth 11. Walker Brien, Camp Tuten, Parr Cooper and Oliver Wood 12. Family Fest Team 13. The Farrelly family

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OUT & ABOUT

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Marketplace Mountain Brook Magazine • 205.669.3131

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loading, delivering, blocking and leveling portable storage buildings. The delivery driver will also be responsible for completing other tasks associated with our business.

All delivery driver applicants must be customer service driven and represent our company in the upmost way. We are an established 33 year old company with 19 retail locations. We look forward to adding to our team to continue working toward future success.

Portable Building Delivery Drivers job duties: • drives a company vehicle in a safe, courteous and responsible manner • load portable buildings at the store and verifies the condition of the truck, the manifest and other paperwork associated with the deliveries to be made • drives to the delivery destination, confirms order with customer, unloads, blocks, levels and obtains confirmation signature Delivery Driver job requirements: • Applicants will need a valid Class D driver license. No CDL is required • Pass DOT driving physical Delivery Driver Salary starting at $600.00 + per week based on experience. To Apply: Send Resumes to tracy.thomas@hhenterprises. com or Call 205.664.9191 ext 125.

H&H Enterprises, Inc. Alabaster, AL has an immediate opening for a Delivery Driver. Delivery Drivers will be primarily responsible for the delivery and set up of portable buildings. All applicants must be customer service driven and represent our company in the upmost way. We are an established 35 year old company with 18 retail locations. We look forward to adding to our team to continue working toward future success.

Delivery Drivers: • must have a good driving record • must have a Class A CDL license • must be able to deliver wide load buildings Salary is $900.00 plus per week depending on experience Direct Deposit is available Health/Dental and Vision Insurance To Apply: Send Resumes to

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MY MOUNTAIN BROOK WALTER CRYE

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce President & Greenhalgh Insurance Commercial Account Executive

Play Local

Mountain Brook Sports Mountain Brook youth and school sports have been an unbelievable joy for my family. The friendships made at the ballpark are secondto-none. Plus, we have the most walkable and social neighborhoods, villages and trails! It is hard to stay indoors in this town. Luckily, we have a yellow lab, Duke, that agrees!

Dine Local

Otey’s Our restaurants absolutely spoil us with all kinds of great cuisine, drinks and service, of course.

Everybody in my family has several, favorite spots. When we cannot agree, we just pick a village and visit several sometimes followed by a trip to Mountain Brook Creamery or Sugar.

Live Local

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce The chamber is supported by the city and promotes our businesses, our community and our quality of life. If you are not attending the parades, parties, luncheons, races, art shows, egg rolls and countless other special events throughout the city, you are missing out on a lot of friendships and great times!

Love Local

My Home The memories made in this community such as bringing babies home, hosting events for any reason whatsoever at our house and in our neighborhood, progressing through our amazing schools, worshipping and celebrating with friends and family are irreplaceable. Mountain Brook will always be home no matter where this life takes us.

Shop Local

The Villages Our unique businesses in all the villages provide distinctive character and are so fun to support. It’s an easy decision to pick it up local, try it before you buy it, get it gift wrapped, say hi to friends and say goodbye to Amazon.

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