Homewood Life Magazine Summer 2022

THE LIFE OF A MISSIONARY • A STUDENT’S JOURNEY FROM YEMEN TO ALABAMA • FLORAL ANTIQUITIES

HOMEWOOD’S BEST OF WINNERS YOU VOTED. WE TALLIED. SEE THE 2022 BEST OF THE BEST WINNERS INSIDE.

DONATING

HOMES

ONE FAMILY’S LOVE TO GIVE SUMMER 2022 HomewoodLife.com Volume Six | Issue Two $4.95

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FEATURES

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SUNSET AMONG THE LIONS Homewood family visits relatives in Nanyuki, Kenya.

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BEST OF HOMEWOOD You voted. We tallied. Now see who you said Homewood’s best retailers, restaurants, community events and more are.

79 HIT THE ROAD

Less than six hours away from Homewood, Alabama, is Louisville, Kentucky; the perfect family getaway within driving range.

4 Summer 2022

PHOTO BY LINDSEY CULVER

LOVELY LOUISVILLE

27

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

arts & culture

17 Fresh Florals: A Local Artist is Inspired by Her Travels

food

& drink

27 From Farm to Table: How Urban Cookhouse Came to Be

schools & sports

39 Meet Mr. Homewood: A Student’s Journey from Overseas

home

& style

in every issue 6 Contributors 9 From the Editor 12 #HomewoodLife 13 The Guide 84 Chamber Connections 86 Out & About 90 Marketplace 92 My Homewood

45 Dutch Design: A West Homewood Cottage’s Historic Design

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contributors EDITORIAL

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Madison Blair James Culver Lindsey Culver Amy Holditch Rick Lewis Madoline Markham Christiana Roussel Lauren Ustad

DESIGN

Jamie Dawkins Connor Martin-Lively Kimberly Myers Briana Sansom

MARKETING

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

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

Lindsey Culver, Photographer

Originally from the Midwest, Lindsey is a photographer who lives in Homewood with her husband, Chris, and two mischievous children, Smith and Roland (along with their dachshund puppy, Sweeney Todd).

When not working as a baby and child photographer, she can be found with her hands in the dirt of her flower and vegetable garden, with a cup of coffee in hand around the clock, hosting hot tub parties for her friends and attending every local musical theatre performance.

James Culver, Photographer

James lives in the Birmingham area with his wife, Rachel, a native of Homewood, and their three children, Callie, James III and John Michael.

He is a graduate of Auburn University and spent years in Atlanta working as a graphic designer, creative director and photographer. He specializes in event, real estate and portrait photography, and he can be found on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @jculvercreative and at jculver.com.

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.

Lauren Ustad, Photographer

Lauren lives in Homewood with her husband, Joe, their four children, and their 2-pound Yorkie they refer to as “Boobie.” She spends her professional time posing itty bitties and chasing little munchkins. In her free time you can probably find her slaving away at their most current renovation project or building Legos with her self-proclaimed super heroes.

Homewood Life is published quarterly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

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

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

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

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from the editor

H

ON THE COVER

Giving Unconditionally

Hello! My name is Anna Grace Moore, and I am the new Chief Magazine Editor for Shelby County Newspapers Inc. which includes Shelby Living, Mountain Brook Magazine, Vestavia Hills Magazine, Hoover’s Magazine and Homewood Life.

It is my privilege to work in such an inspiring industry whose focus is engaging our community, building better relationships and highlighting pivotal figures who shape our way of life.

Before coming to work at Shelby County Newspapers Inc., I attended Samford University where I graduated in May of 2021 with a degree in journalism and mass communications with a concentration in public relations. After graduating I welcomed my now nine-month-old, Jacob, in July of 2021 with my fiancé, Justin Breedlove. We live in Hoover where I was raised, and we plan to reside here as we get married and grow our family in the future.

Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to write. I would always write short stories, poems, prose and even essays for fun on my summer reading books. Writing has long been a passion of mine. When I was eight years old in the third grade, I won second place in a poetry contest honoring Hoover City Firefighters. I recited my poem in front of 200 city officials at a brunch, and my picture was published in the paper the next week! Not even the first place winner’s picture made the papers. I was told I was featured because of how dramatically I read about water hoses and house fires.

Fast forward more than a decade, and you’ll find me at my corner desk, scribbling down the latest scoops in my brown leather notebook or typing away on my MacBook into the wee hours of the morning. Not much has changed. My passion for the written word has fueled my desire to serve my community because of how people in my community have poured into me. It was not until I became a mother that I realized just how many people it took investing in my future to help me achieve the position I have today. It is such an honor to serve all of you.

So, while you can’t always count on Alabama weather, I assure you that you can count on the magazine you’re reading to be entertaining and eye opening. Happy reading, folks!

annagrace.moore@homewoodlife.com

Homewood residents Mack and Sarah Brown donate their 65-year-old home to Build Up, which is a local nonprofit whose aim is to teach young people trade skills such as house renovating.

Photo by Lauren Ustad Design by Jamie Dawkins HomewoodLife.com 9

10 Summer 2022

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#HomewoodLife

Follow us on Instagram, and tag us using, #HomewoodLife, for a chance to be featured in Homewood Life Magazine.

@twentytwelveformalwear Twenty Twelve Formal Wear (@twentyoneacresvenue) officially opened on Friday, April 1 at 11 a.m., and the first 12 customers got a box of goodies! Find them at 2719 19th Pl S STE 109 Homewood, AL for all things formal – prom, pageants, homecoming and more! Tag a friend you want to visit with!

@robandwynter Ashley and Spencer both grew up in Homewood and connected in 2016 when they both had broken a bone and were unable to participate in their team sports. They remained friends until after college, and the rest is history! Read the full story in our bio!

@johnnyshomewood @homewoodcityschools In just ONE month, @edgewoodelem raised over $55,000 for the American Heart Association, beating the school record! How amazing is that?

12 Summer 2022

Look who has been named a @beardfoundation award semi-finalist for Best Chef: South AND Outstanding Hospitality for 2022! Congrats to Tim Hontzas and @johnnyshomewood.

THE GUIDE

WE LOVE HOMEWOOD 5K MAY 7 7:30 A.M. – 8:30 A.M. Homewood Central Park There’s no better fellowship than working together to support a cause in need. The We Love Homewood 5k race is back again this year, supporting the fine arts programs in Homewood City Schools.

Ever since the race’s founding in 2012, this organization has been a strong advocate for the arts. There’s a special treat for the runners, too, this year. Since this is the race’s 10th anniversary, the runners who place in the top ten will receive a special award. Kids also can enjoy a fun run, The Neighbors Ice Cream Scoop and Scurry Fun Run. For more information or to sign up, visit runsignup.com and search, “We Love Homewood 5k.”

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THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN MAY 1 Children’s Musical: King of the Jungle Trinity United Methodist Church MAY 3-8 Birmingham Barons vs.

Tennessee Smokies Regions Field MAY 3 Birmingham Women in Technology Mixer The Little London MAY 5-15 A Night at the Cascade Lounge Homewood Theatre MAY 6 Tails in the Trails 2022 Fundraiser Birmingham Zoo

MAY 14

Motherwalk & Run 5k 6:30 A.M. - 10 A.M. Homewood Central Park

One of Homewood’s best traditions, the Motherwalk & Run 5k, is back again this May to support the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. This live event will also include a ceremony at the

end of the race to recognize survivors and award the top three runners in each of the age brackets. Runners who fundraise a minimum of $250 will be awarded $25 to go towards their race entry fee. For more information or to register, visit motherwalk.com.

MAY 6

Christopher Collection Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 4:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. Christopher Collection A new business, Christopher Collection, which is a high-end furniture and home décor store, is coming to Homewood! Join the Homewood Chamber of Commerce to welcome this new business on its very first day open. For more information or to shop, visit christophercollection.com.

14 Summer 2022

MAY 7 We Love Homewood Day Homewood Central Park MAY 7 Mother’s Day Market Cahaba Brewing Company MAY 7 Art in the Lot Trinity United Methodist Church MAY 11-15 Regions Tradition Greystone Golf and Country Club MAY 14 Do Dah Day Highland Avenue MAY 14 Frute & Firewater Tent Revival presented by The Nick MAY 14 Adult Coffee & Crafts: Tart Tin Ornaments Homewood Public Library MAY 14 Sozo Children’s Run Sozo Trading Company

THE GUIDE MAY 14 The Music of John Williams presented by The Alabama Symphony Orchestra Alys Stephens Center MAY 17 Painting with September Reed Homewood Public Library MAY 19 Kane Brown- Blessed and Free Tour presented by Legacy Arena MAY 24 Alabama Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster & Friends: Anthems of Alabama presented by Samford University MAY 27 Random Mountain Ramblers Dave’s Pizza

MAY 14

West Homewood Farmer’s Market EVERY TUESDAY IN JUNE, JULY & THE FIRST TUESDAY IN AUGUST 5 P.M. - 8 P.M. Oxmoor Road

One of Homewood’s most beloved summer events is back! The West Homewood Farmer’s Market features local food trucks, farmer’s stands, arts and crafts vendors, live music and family fun for all. Several featured farms include Fiddler’s Farm, Todd’s Produce and The Mathis Mini Farm.

It’s no surprise that this annual event was voted “Best Farmer’s Market in Central Alabama” by voters on AL.com in 2015, and each year since has seen hundreds turn out for the festivities.

MAY 30 Memorial Day

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THE GUIDE JUNE 6-JULY 29 Kids’ Art Camp Thomas Andrew Art Studio Gallery JUNE 7-12 Birmingham Barons vs.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Regions Field JUNE 7 Ambassador Lunch Hosted by the Homewood Chamber of Commerce JUNE 9-26 The Sound of Music Virginia Samford Theatre

MAY 2

Virtual Library Yoga 2 P.M. – 3 P.M. Virtual Event

Want to enjoy fellowship with friends but from the comfort of your own home? Look

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no further! The Homewood Public Library is hosting a virtual yoga class with leader Jackie Tally! No experience is necessary, only joyful spirits. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org/events.

JUNE 9 Business After Hours Pebblehurst JUNE 21-26 Birmingham Barons vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas Regions Field

&CULTURE

ARTS

FRESH FLORALS

Melanie Morris’ love for travel comes to life in her colorful landscapes and flower paintings.

BY MADISON BLAIR PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 17

18 Summer 2022

A

As a child, Melanie Morris’ mom sat her in front of a tree with a pencil, a piece of paper and one simple instruction: draw the tree. Even as her work has evolved, traces of nature can be seen in her art, spanning from colorful florals to landscape paintings.

Her art encapsulates the beauty of the places she’s traveled, from rocky coastlines to quaint coastal cottages.

“I’ll paint from a photo when I get back [from traveling]. I usually look for a scene that has really nice strong

light and shadows,” she says. Melanie has been inspired by places from coast to coast, from Big Sur to Acadia National Park to Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Each of her floral pieces, on the other hand, are painted of bouquets of fresh flowers that she arranges herself.

Set up in a still-life before her, she captures the bright tones of each petal in every brushstroke.

Looking back though, Melanie wore a lot of hats before finally settling on HomewoodLife.com 19

being an artist. She started out premed in college, changed majors a couple of times and ended up getting a degree in communications with a minor in graphic design. “It turns out when I have my blood taken, I practically pass out, so I thought maybe [pre-med] wasn’t the best option,” she says with a laugh.

After bouncing around jobs in sales and advertising, Melanie’s husband suggested that she take some art classes. She enjoyed it so much that she ended up going back to school for painting. “I didn’t want another degree. So I just audited whatever art classes I wanted to, and that’s how I got into painting,” she says.

Today, 20 years have passed since Melanie’s first art lesson. Since then, she has started selling her art online and teaching painting lessons to beginners, and today she has been

20 Summer 2022

doing art full-time for about a year and a half.

Over the years, Melanie has learned what works and what doesn’t. For her that always means painting with acrylics. “I’m allergic to oil paint. I found that out the hard way when I was back at school,” she says. She usually sticks to florals and landscapes, all complete with muted shades of pinks, blues and greens. Melanie is inspired by other painters, too.

Vincent Van Gogh, Edward Hopper and Wayne T. Bone are some of her favorites.

Her art has also become more abstract over the years, more dreamlike and whimsical. “I think that you become more confident the more you paint, and you don’t feel as wed to things,” she says.

In addition to painting, Melanie also teaches art classes everywhere

“

It turns out when I have my blood taken, I practically pass out, so I thought maybe [pre-med] wasn’t the best option. I didn’t want another degree. So I just audited whatever art classes I wanted to, and that’s how I got into painting.

- Melanie Morris

”

HomewoodLife.com 21

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from Elizabeth Hubbard’s Studio on Linden in Homewood to the Hudson River Valley Art Workshop in New York. She’s been teaching online courses for a little over a year now and has attracted students from all over the world. “The last time I launched it, I had people from 14 countries,” she says, noting how classes combine skills she learned in advertising and painting expertise.

Though she started her art career, she’s found a love for teaching as well.

“I love to take a concept that’s a little complicated and make it so people can understand it,” she says. “I like to encourage them, to see where they go from maybe walking in a little scared to leaving the class feeling really comfortable and happy with what they painted.”

The support of the Homewood community is key for her as well.

“Before COVID, I taught a lot of [inperson] workshops. A lot of people from Homewood would take my classes. Sometimes, they’ll come by and see what I’m painting up.”

With her work comes the need for

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balance, which comes in the form of having a separate space for her art from her Homewood home. She recently moved into a new studio in Mountain Brook, where she has plenty of space to keep her paintings and setup for online classes, separate from the room in which she packages orders. She treats art like a regular job, always being sure to leave it behind in her studio when the day is done. “I think when you work for yourself and do something you really love, it doesn’t feel like work,” she says.

Looking forward, Melanie hopes to incorporate a landscape course into her teaching and to start selling prints of her paintings. “My goal is for when people see my work, they know it’s mine,” she says. “I try to bring my personality and my experiences to my work, and I think that really shows.”

Find Melanie’s art on melaniemorrisart.com or follow her on Instagram @melaniemorrisart.

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&DRINK

FOOD

FROM FARM TO TABLE How Popular Local Eatery, Urban Cookhouse, Blossomed into a Restaurant Chain.

BY AMY HOLDITCH PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED HomewoodLife.com 27

A

Andrea Snyder and her husband, David, have been loving what they do since 2010, when they developed the concept of Urban Cookhouse, their locally owned and wildly popular Homewood restaurant.

The idea was simple: healthy, locally sourced, clean meals giving customers more, rather than less. The restaurant chain veterans and Alabama grads worked for years learning the ins and outs of the service industry before embarking on the concept they created in 2010. Together, they developed everything: the menu, the cooking style and how it was sourced, using the knowledge passed down from their mothers and grandmothers. It’s no surprise that in just a decade, these two super stars have developed two dining concepts and opened six restaurants, including building mate Farm Bowl, all of which are scattered like seeds and blooming across the Southeast. To say they’ve been successful would be quite the understatement.

“Our vision for Urban Cookhouse hasn’t changed much,” says Andrea. “We have always strived to hire the best people who focus on building relationships with our customers and delivering the freshest food possible as fast as possible.” There is a definite sense of family within the restaurant’s walls, and you can see it right away. The pictures on the wall are of their farmers. Everyone seems to know each other, and if they don’t, they make sure to go out of their way to make sure that they do by the time you leave.

“We recognize those who have meaningful interactions with our customers, and also those who go above and beyond,” she says.

Marketing Director Bella Garzon agrees. “We really care about our farmers their families. It was important to us to make sure that our staff and employees also had that relationship,” she says.

“When they are at work and talking to customers, they are able to have interactions that are more personal than just small talk because they know where their food was grown. They can pass that information down to our customers.”

“Last summer, we did a Farm Week and took all of our employees to go visit all of our farms and meet the farmers that actually grow the food that we sell. It gave all of us an opportunity to really be hands on, plant some things and most importantly,

28 Summer 2022

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30 Summer 2022

establish relationships with our farmers, It truly is farm to table,” Bella says. “It was a great week, great for company morale, bonding and making relationships. We love our farmers.”

Agriculture. Community. Sustainability. These days, it’s more important than ever to support local farmers. Besides being better for the environment by cutting down on travel times and shipping, produce is picked fresh and served at peak ripeness, providing a better taste and experience for consumers while also paying back into the community from which it comes. Knowledge is power.

At Hamm Farm in Cullman, father and son Dwight and Chris Hamm have been farming for over 18 years and grow the tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers found in all of the dishes at Urban Cookhouse. Their tomatoes, named Thomas Jefferson, are actually seeded from tomatoes grown by the former president. “It’s hard work,” said Chris, “and you have to love it to do it.” Dwights nods and says, “You gotta eat, and this is about as simple as you can get. If you don’t eat, you ain’t gonna survive.”

The passion run deeps for father and son, who are rarely seen without their classic, denim overalls, do HomewoodLife.com 31

HOMEGROWN EATS HAMM FARM

DWIGHT AND CHRIS HAMM | CULLMAN, AL Dwight has been farming for over 18

years and grows the delicious tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers found in our salads, soups and roasted vegetables.

SMITHERMAN FARM

JOSH AND SHANNON SMITHERMAN | CLANTON, AL

They provide cherry tomatoes, squash, zucchini, corn and much more to Urban Cookhouse.

SMITH HERITAGE FARM

JUSTIN AND LAURA IRVINE | EGYPT, AL

The Irvine family decided years ago that they were going to raise ten to twelve chickens. As their flock grew over the years, it turned into a bigger operation now known as Smith Heritage Farms. They supply Urban Cookhouse with year round, farm fresh eggs.

EAGLES’ WINGS JOEY PIKE | COKER, AL

Urban Cookhouse has teamed up with Eagles Wings’ “Joey’s Finest” romaine lettuce.

HARVEST FARM

TRENT BOYD | CULLMAN, AL

Trent Boyd and his family provide the strawberries for our delicious House-made Strawberry Lemonade. He provides approximately 1000 gallons of strawberries every spring that Urban Cookhouse purees and freezes to provide local strawberries in our lemonade year-round. The Boyd family also provides Urban Cookhouse with delicious local broccoli.

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Our strong market relationships help us provide you solutions that fit your unique needs and budget. the majority of the work on the farm. “The future of farming, in general, is in trouble. If something doesn’t change, it’s going to get tough,” Dwight says.

With horticulture not being taught in high schools any longer, Chris adds that “a whole generation has been lost. No one wants to do it anymore.”

Heading south to Clanton, we find Smitherman Farms, which is owned by Josh and Shannon Smitherman, who are generational peach farmers.

Josh has been farming since 5th grade and began doing it full time after graduating from Auburn in 2007 with a degree in horticulture. He has been running the farm ever since. “Why is it important to buy local? I would say quality of food. But, if you really want to go mega scale with it, I would say to keep farmers in business so the world always has food to eat,” he says. “I think it’s important to support local farms so our food is more sustainable.”

In addition to buying their produce, Urban Cookhouse also diversifies the income the family receives by buying other crops on their farms, making it a win-win situation for all involved.

Similar to other local restaurants, COVID was not a bad experience for them. “During the reign of

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HomewoodLife.com 33

34 Summer 2022

COVID, we were able to retain most of our staff and stay open, focusing on speedy service in our drivethru,” Andrea says of Urban Cookhouse’s dynamic during the pandemic. “We also enhanced family meal offerings during that time to help feed families staying at home.” Bella agrees, saying that it was interesting that when “COVID first happened, it was a huge shift in general. But, surprisingly, COVID has done wonders for us. You had to become innovative and creative in the way that you perceive anything,” she says.

Back in Cullman at Harvest Farms, Trent Boyd and his family provide the strawberries for the delicious, out of this world house-made strawberry lemonade. Providing 1,000 gallons of strawberries every spring for Urban Cookhouse to puree and freeze is no easy feat, but it’s necessary to be able to provide local strawberries in the lemonade yearround. “It’s during March, April and May that we get our strawberries. Tons of strawberries. Tons,” Bella says. “There is a whole process that goes into making that lemonade so that we can have it year round.” The strawberries are pureed once a year, usually in the spring, and then stored in gallon containers at Harvest Farms. “Anytime we need to HomewoodLife.com 35

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36 Summer 2022

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get more strawberry puree, our supplier has been great enough to hold all of this product for us and ship it to us when we are ready,” she says.

Eagles’ Wings in a non-profit agency that provides day rehabilitation services for adults with developmental disabilities and was developed by Jerry and Sandra Pike in honor of their son, Joey, who suffers from disabilities. Services at Eagles’ Wings are offered with the intent to develop independent living skills, gain meaningful employment and live in the community. It also happens to be the place where Urban Cookhouse

gets “Joey’s Finest” romaine lettuce, which they grow and tend to throughout the season. “We get to see them more than I thought we would. It’s important to continue those relationships moving beyond a day in the summer,” Bella says. “They are so much more a part of Urban Cookhouse than they think.”

“We are truly a family at Urban Cookhouse,” says Andrea. “We have frequent staff events such as Top Golf, Axe Throwing, etc. We throw an epic Christmas party and host Farm Days throughout the year. We are a fun place to work.”

HomewoodLife.com 37

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SCHOOL

&SPORTS

MEET MR. HOMEWOOD Abdul Maflahi’s journey from Yemen to Alabama and beyond.

BY RICK LEWIS PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 39

40 Summer 2022

T

Talking with Abdul Maflahi, a senior at Homewood High School and this year’s “Mr. Homewood” honoree, you’ll quickly pick up on his propensity to smile, his refreshing earnestness and his captivatingly positive outlook on life–one rooted in a belief that we each have the ability to share the best of ourselves with others. In short, you’ll likely leave the conversation feeling better about the world than you did before.

Maflahi’s engaging mixture of optimism, humility and Homewood-pride, coupled with his scholastic success (he’s Sewanee-bound in the fall), belies the fact that he has only been living in the U.S., let alone speaking English, for six years. Originally born in Al-Dhalea, Yemen, Maflahi and his family moved to Homewood in 2016 as a result of the Yemeni Civil War, a still-roiling conflict.

His grandfather had lived in the U.S. for many decades, and his father for close to 25 years, but the transition was more abrupt for -Abdul Maflahi. He arrived in Alabama in the spring of 2016, with the hope of a better life but no real connection to the community.

“I moved to Homewood on April 26th,” Maflahi explains. “I knew no English at the time, but I was fluent in Arabic–though, it didn’t help much. I had no clue about ‘Why Homewood?,’ but I was blessed.”

The thought of being uprooted from your home, leaving behind friends you had known for years, only to be dropped in a small community nearly 10,000 miles away (without having a grasp on the local language) is a daunting, if not insurmountable, challenge to picture. But Maflahi came here not only with a mission to succeed, but also, a promise to do so.

“I have a dream to go back and help my friends

[in Yemen],” he says. “Throughout my journey, I remember the promise I made to my friends there: I will do my best to be successful and will one day go back to help.”

At first, naturally, he wasn’t totally sold on his situation. “I wasn’t interested in school when I first got here,” he says. “I always hated math in Yemen, and the first class I walked into here was math. I thought, ‘Oh no, not again.’”

However, initial reticence aside, Maflahi is someone who can look at an obstacle and not choose the wide path around it; instead, plow straight through it.

“I believe I was born a fighter—quitting wasn’t an option. Having faith in God was the biggest thing I carried with me, as well as my dream, when I came here.” So, armed with his faith and his desire to build a better life for himself and others, he set off to chart his path.

As his dad didn’t have a driver’s license at the time, he would Maflahi walk to school each day, “no matter the weather,” with his twin brother and younger sister. He committed himself to the idea that “education was the most powerful tool” one can use to help people.

But, according to Maflahi, what made the difference for him was the support, encouragement and community that he found here in Homewood.

From ESL teachers that would take him around to each class and spend extra time going over material with him, to kids in English class that would communicate with him over Google translate and his friend that taught him to read English left to right, he found a caring network of people that wanted to see him succeed.

“Homewood gave me the chance to learn,” he says. “It took the God-given potential within me

“Homewood gave me the chance to learn. It took the God-given potential within me and made it stronger.”

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and made it stronger.” Even the dreaded math class became his favorite subject. Seeing that he could be his full self here was a powerful source of inspiration for him to lean in, and lean in he did. He joined clubs, got involved in wrestling, track and football—a sport he broke both shoulders playing but still loves with a Southerner’s passion—and made it a point to meet his peers. He’s humble but not shy.

“I will talk to eight people on the way to the cafeteria and eight on the way back,” he explains.

“You can call me Mr. Awkward or Mr. Weird, but every heart in Homewood has a unique story.”

In talking about his adopted-town of Homewood, Maflahi frequently draws upon the word “blessed” to describe his being here, but if you talk to people that know him, they will explain it is Homewood that is blessed to have him. One of these people is Lisa Gaines, an English teacher at Homewood Middle School.

“I remember Abdul as a seventh grader, newly separated from his life spent tending his seven sheep in the mountains of Yemen,” says Gaines.

“Although Abdul neither spoke nor understood English, he settled right in, and his desire to learn 42 Summer 2022

and achieve surpassed that of many American-born students. He immersed himself in both American culture and in the culture of Homewood, while never compromising his own identity.”

“What stands out about Abdul is his sense of humor,” she adds. “I will never forget the day his civics teacher and I were in the hall. Abdul strutted by and said, ‘This is how senators walk, and one day, I am going to be a senator.’ We laughed with him, but we never doubted him for a minute!”

In a testament to Maflahi’s undaunted spirit and his incredible path to achievement, he was selected as this year’s “Mr. Homewood,” the highest student award presented by the school’s teachers. Of course, while proud of this accomplishment, Maflahi is deferential in his remarks.

“It means a lot,” he says. “All that Homewood is doing for me, it’s not just for me. It’s for me as a son, a brother, a friend, and as hope to many others back home.” He keeps in touch with friends back home daily.

“I have always heard your actions reflect who your God is,” Maflahi added. “Having great people around me gave me an example of how to show that.” A devout Muslim, he has been able to share

so much of himself with a community that has delighted in returning the favor.

“Just like I thought my friends were behind and needed help. When I got here, I noticed the community here needs help: they invested in me,” he says. “It’s far for humans to reach perfection in this world, but the beautiful thing I’ve learned here in Homewood is that beauty is in the process of

working towards perfection.”

As evidence that humor hides in the “beauty” of this “process,” a few weeks back, Maflahi and his friend who taught him to read from left to right were in English class working on a group essay. “He told me, ‘I want you to write it because you are the better writer,” says Maflahi. “It was so meaningful—I told him you are the one who taught me.”

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44 Summer 2022

&STYLE

HOME

DUTCH DESIGN

This new West Homewood home draws on historical cottage style that makes it feel historic.

BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LAUREN USTAD HomewoodLife.com 45

46 Summer 2022

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Two bedrooms and one bathroom were just the right fit for Sarah Brown when she bought a West Homewood home in 2014. She wasn’t married at the time, and the home’s deep backyard was perfect for the dog she wanted to get one day.

But over the past years her life changed along with her neighborhood. As restaurants were sprouting up around Patriot Park and a new pool was built, she married and was thinking ahead to just how close their home was to Hall-Kent Elementary. Why would they want to leave other than to get more space?

Originally Sarah and her husband, Mack, were thinking they’d renovate the home, but when they learned about Build Up, a local nonprofit that moves homes and teaches young adults trade skills by renovating them, they were drawn to its mission and decided to donate the 65-year-old home to be moved to Ensley and build a new one in its place.

The Browns really liked the designs of Dutch

Tudors, but at the same time they knew that style wouldn’t fit in the architecture of the neighbor.

Instead they turned to Tudor cottages—which have a Tudor look but with cedar siding—for inspiration as they asked Jared Bussey of Architectural Cooperative to draw up plans.

The Browns knew they wanted a rounded front door and chimney on the front of the house and the interior to feel comfortable yet stylish. To flesh out that vision they turned to both Jared and Homewood-based design-build company Ketcham and Co. The couple officially donated the old home in September 2020 and moved into their new twostory home by April 2021, just before their son was born.

Today the home is full of design reminiscent of the Tudor cottage style with details like arched door frames and lacquered brass door knobs and cabinet pulls that the Browns are quick to credit the Ketchams and Jared Bussey for.

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48 Summer 2022

Kitchen From the start, Sarah knew she wanted dark green cabinets in their kitchen, and Jama pointed her toward this dark soapstone with movement in the grain from Triton Stone for countertops to complement them.

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Master Bedroom Jama encouraged the Browns to paint this room at the back of the house a darker color, and they landed on a blue-grey hue called Down Pipe from Farrow & Ball. Sarah enjoys the simplicity of its design, with layered textures of white in the bedding that contrast with the darker walls.

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Master Bathroom The Browns’ equally beautiful but functional master bathroom features a tub that fits the 1920s-era vibe of the home’s architecture.

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Living Room Natural light floods in from the large windows at the front of the house into this room—Sarah’s favorite part of the space. Jama Ketcham helped Sarah get out of her neutral color comfort zone with a blue couch that became a focal point in the room.

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Nursery The Browns wanted their baby’s room to have a more modern Scandinavian style with a crib featuring natural wood that was equally comfortable and functional. Before their son was born, they didn’t know the baby’s gender, so they picked green for the walls to be gender-neutral.

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Screened-In Porch A Dutch door reminiscent of the cottage vibes in the home’s design opens to a parch screened-up porch off the kitchen that the Browns use like a second living room and dining room, complete with Chippendale railings designed

by Ketcham & Co. and a brick fireplace.

54 Summer 2022

WA LT O N

A L E G ACY O F L E I S U R E South Walton’s 26 miles of sugar-white sand beaches in Northwest Florida offer an all-natural escape, yet perfectly blend modern amenities, worldclass cuisine and small town charm into an unforge able experience.

The days move a bit slower here, and it’s this simplicity – a day spent creating memories at the beach – that draws generations of families back to South Walton.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW From resorts to boutique hotels, South Walton is home to unique architecture, breathtaking views and accommodations to suit any style.

One Seagrove Place offers fully equipped

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heated pool, fitness facilities, grilling area,

has something for every traveler. Discover

encapsulates the spirit of an intimate beach

breathtaking views and a unique dune walkover

championship golf, award-winning tennis ,

getaway – while providing the functionality

to 300+ feet of pristine beach.

world-class shopping and so much more!

necessary for a family vacation.

OneSeagrovePlace.com • (850) 231-5032

Sandestin.com • (844) 978-0517

WaterColorResort.com • (888) 734-9579

TIME TO REFLECT Take time to reflect on life’s simple pleasures. Our natural beauty and breathtaking sunsets make time spent with loved ones more enjoyable. 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

HomewoodLife.com 57

Sunset among the lions HOMEWOOD FAMILY VISITS RELATIVES IN NANYUKI, KENYA

BY RICK LEWIS | PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER 58 Summer 2022

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PREVIOUS PAGE, FROM TOP LEFT: Resting lions in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. A waterfall in the Ngare Ndare Forest located 45 minutes northeast of Nanyuki. Sunset with the cousins in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. TOP: The Ngare Ndare Forest is located 45 minutes northeast of Nanyuki.

MIDDLE: Adalyn Lettsome (9), Carson Lettsome (7), Roland Culver (8) and Smith Culver (10). BELOW: Zebras grazing at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

T

This past February, Lindsey Culver—a Homewoodbased photographer and frequent contributor to this magazine—and her two kids, Smith and Roland, packed their bags, boarded a plane and set out to see her sister’s family in their faraway home of Nanyuki, Kenya.

Though her sisters’ family has lived in Kenya for 11 years, the ten-day trip marked Culver’s first time meeting up with her relatives in Africa, a pregnancy and pandemic having put the voyage on the back burner. When she and her kids finally arrived, she said it felt like walking into a movie: “There were people, fruit stands, souvenirs, and motor bikes everywhere, and we didn’t see any stop lights.”

The town of Nanyuki lies just northwest of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak, and it sits in the relative center of not only Kenya but also on the Earth’s Equator, leading to sunny days all year long. Famous for its wildlife conservancies, the

60 Summer 2022

TOP: Elephants on a sunset safari in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya.

BELOW: Abby Lettsome, Carson Lettsome, Adalyn Lettsome, Roland Culver, Andrew Lettsome, Smith Culver, and Lindsey Culver.

HomewoodLife.com 61

62 Summer 2022

small farming town of about 50,000 is home to a good number of British expats and military residents from the nearby Nyati Barracks.

“We took a four-hour ride from the airport to where [my sister] lives,” said Culver. “I looked out the window the entire time. The landscape is different. There are beautiful hills and cows and sheep everywhere—even in the middle of the city or being herded down the highway.”

Culver’s sister, Abby, and her husband, Andrew Lettsome, moved to Kenya as missionaries associated with Mount Kenya Baptist Church.

Abby, with a degree in education, also serves as a teacher at a local international school that her two children, Adalyn and Carson, attend. The Lettsome’s children have lived their whole lives in Nanyuki, but the family plans to move back to the U.S. this summer.

So, for Culver, the trip was an attempt to see her sister’s family in their element, as well as to show her kids a different way and pace of life. While they spent the majority of their time visiting with family, they also got the chance to see some African wildlife on a three-day safari in the bush and on a hike through the Ngare Ndare Forest, where they had to tip-toe past an elephant with a rifle-toting guide.

“We had a driver that would take us out first thing in the morning. It was the hot season, so we’d go out in the early morning and late evening when the animals were cooling,” Culver said of the safari trips. “We saw pretty much everything. You could

ABOVE: A giraffe and zebras graze in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. RIGHT: Carson Lettsome, Adalyn Lettsome, Roland Culver and Smith Culver.

LEFT: Roland, Lindsey and Smith Culver in front of the sign marking the passage of the equator through Nanyuki, Kenya. FAR LEFT: A black rhino in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa.

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ABOVE: Baby elephant with mother in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. RIGHT: Lindsey Culver pets a cheetah at an animal orphanage in the Mount Kenya Safari Club BELOW: Roland Culver, Carson Lettsome, Adalyn Lettsome, and Smith Culver.

pull up right next to the lions.”

Fortunately, she was able to document much of what the family saw in her photos, and she knows her kids have had a special opportunity to see a unique part of the world: “I kept telling my kids most adults from the U.S. never get to do this.”

We’re glad to share some of what she captured here for others to enjoy.

64 Summer 2022

LEFT: Smith Culver (10). ABOVE: A cheetah at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, an uncommon find in the wild. BELOW: Resting lion in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

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Homewood | Special Advertising Section

DINING GUIDE Homewood

2828 CULVER ROAD • MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35223 GOLDENAGEWINE.COM • (205) 848-8877

Golden Age Wine

Sip, snack and shop at Golden Age Wine located in Mountain Brook Village. Offering a variety of wine-bythe-glass, artisanal cheese, charcuterie and over 1000 bottles, their unique wines are all sustainably farmed and produced using little to no additives in the winemaking process. Visit Golden Age Wine in person, or head to their website to get wine delivered to your doorstep!

63 CHURCH STREET • MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35223

75 CHURCH STREET • MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35213

TACOMAMAONLINE.COM • (205) 414-9314

REALANDROSEMARY.COM • (205) 820-7100

Taco Mama

Stay hungry and be thirsty. At Taco Mama, we believe in supporting our local businesses and serving our guests the freshest ingredients possible. We believe any time is a good time for a margarita. We believe in ice cold cerveza. We believe in people helping people. Hours are Monday to Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

66 Summer 2022

Real and Rosemary

At Real & Rosemary, we believe in real food and good company. We believe in breaking bread with family and friends around home-cooked food. That’s why we use simple, whole ingredients in familiar recipes. Our mission is to create experiences worth sharing and delicious meals you feel good about eating. We update our menu seasonally with new fresh items and rotate our wine selections regularly. We look forward to seeing you in Crestline, Homewood or at The Summit!

Homewood | Special Advertising Section

DINING GUIDE

291 RELE STREET • MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35223

920 LANE PARKE COURT • MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35223

CHOPNFRESH.COM • (205) 438-6655

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Chop N Fresh

We always #keepitfresh. Our locally-sourced ingredients are free from antibiotics, preservatives and fillers to deliver the true taste of the season. Start with any of our five bases, and choose from a wide array of salad toppings, including plant-based protein and gluten-free options. Then top with one of our made-fromscratch dressings. Too many decisions? Try on of our seasonal salads.

Whatever your choice, it pairs nicely with Better Kombucha, handcrafted in Birmingham.

Sol Y Luna

Founder Guillermo Castro opened the original Sol Y Luna in 1998, which the Castro family closed in 2013 after Guillermo’s untimely passing. The current location opened in February of 2020 under younger brothers Jorge and Alex.

Sol Y Luna offers unique Mexican style tapas, over 70 different tequilas and margaritas to die for! Described as “romantic, eclectic and unique,” Sol Y Luna is always a celebration of life and family. Open TuesdaySaturday for lunch and Monday-Saturday dinner. Catering available.

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49 CHURCH STREET • MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35213

BLUEROOTCO.COM • (205) 224-9000

CRAFTSBHM.COM • (205) 739-2232

Blueroot

BLUEROOT is a fast-healthy concept in Birmingham that is serving up delightful, delicious and nutritionally-dense goods to the community. Their highlight reel of salads, grain bowls, soups, smoothies, toasts and superfood snacks leans on the magic of seasonal goods and local purveyors, and their flavors pack a punch, thanks to the James Beard award-winning chef behind the menu.

BLUEROOT has something for everyone, including those with special eating styles. Gluten free, dairy free and vegan diners, rejoice!

Craft’s on Church Street

Craft’s is here to serve the entire family. From classics you’ve always enjoyed to the latest additions, there’s something for everyone. We pride ourselves on two things: friendly service and delicious food. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty buffalo bowl, a lighter chicken salad or our traditional fried chicken, we’d love to see you on Church Street or bring our specialties to you with individual meals and buffet style catering options!

HomewoodLife.com 67

HOMEWOOD’S BEST WINNERS 2022

Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered.

Thousands of votes were cast in Homewood Life’s annual Homewood’s Best contest. Read on to find out our readers’ favorites.

Photos by Keith McCoy & Contributed BEST BRUNCH AND BEST BREAKFAST Big Bad Breakfast 68 Summer 2022

FOOD & DRINK

BEST FRIENDLY SERVICE, BEST KID FRIENDLY DINING, BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT AND BEST DRINKS/ COCKTAILS Taco Mama

BEST FRIENDLY SERVICE Taco Mama 1014 Oxmoor Road 205-414-0441 tacomamaonline.com Runner Up: SoHo Social, Oak Hill Bar & Grill BEST KID FRIENDLY DINING Taco Mama 1014 Oxmoor Road 205-414-0441 tacomamaonline.com Runner Up: Hero Doughnuts, Ash Neighborhood Bar & Grill BEST ETHNIC DINING/REGIONAL CUISINE Red Pearl Restaurant 243 W Valley Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 945-9558 superorientalmkt.com Runner Up: Sabor Latino Restaurant, The Little London BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Gianmarco’s Restaurant 721 Broadway Street 205-871-9622 gianmarcosbhm.com Runner Up: Soho Standard, Taco Mama BEST LUNCH SPOT Ashley Mac’s 1831 28th Ave S Suite N101, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 582-0062 ashleymacs.com

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT

BEST SWEET TREATS

Taco Mama 1014 Oxmoor Road 205-414-0441 tacomamaonline.com

Cookie Fix 2854 18th Street S. 205-582-2623 cookiefix.com

Runner Up: Soho Social, Greenhouse

Runner Up: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe,Edgewood Creamery

BEST COFFEE OHenry’s Coffees 2831 18th Street S. 205-870-1198 569 Brookwood Village, Suite 101 205-870-1148 ohenryscoffees.com Runner Up: Red Mountain Expresso, Seeds Coffee Co.

BEST PIZZA Pizzeria GM 600 Oak Grove Road 205-905-3266 pizzeriagm.com Runner Up: Dave’s Pizza, De Vinci’s Pizza BEST DRINKS/COCKTAILS

Runner Up: Taco Mama, Soho Social

BEST PIZZA Pizzeria GM

Taco Mama 1014 Oxmoor Road 205-414-0441 tacomamaonline.com Runner Up: SoHo Social, Soho Standard BEST CHEF Giovanni Respinto Gianmarco’s Restaurant 721 Broadway Street 205-871-9622 gianmarcosbhm.com Runner Up: Tim Hontzas - Johnny’s, Mark Driskill of Ash Neighborhood Bar & Grill

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BEST BRUNCH

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Big Bad Breakfast 1926 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 666-7099 bigbadbreakfast.com

Edgewood Full of sidewalks, neighbor hang outs, and choices for get dinner or ice cream

Runner Up: Ruby Sunshine, Demetri’s BBQ BEST BREAKFAST Big Bad Breakfast 1926 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 666-7099 bigbadbreakfast.com Runner Up: Hero Doughnuts, Ruby Sunshine

70 Summer 2022

BEST LOCAL CAUSE The Exceptional Foundation 1616 Oxmoor Road 205-870-0776 exceptionalfoundation.org Runner Up: The Bell Center, College Choice Foundation BEST OUTDOOR SPOT

COMMUNITY

Homewood Central Park 1632 Oxmoor Road homewoodparks.com

We Love Homewood Day Bands, barbecue, festivities, neighbors and a street dance: always the first Saturday of May

Runner Up: Patriot Park

BEST COMMUNITY EVENT

BEST SWEET TREATS Cookie Fix

Runner Up: West Homewood, Hollywood

Runner Up: Homewood Witches Ride, Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook Off

BEST CHURCH

BEST PEDIATRIC PRACTICE

BEST EYE CARE PRACTICE

Trinity United Methodist Church 1400 Oxmoor Road 205-879-1737 trinitybirmingham.com

Alabama Pediatric Dentistry 3500 Independence Dr. #100 Homewood AL 35209 (205) 802-7277 alabamapediatricdentistry.com

Vision First Eye Center 1 W Lakeshore Dr Suite 220, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 949-2020 visionfirsteyecenter.com

Runner Up: Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Runner Up: Powell Pediatric Dentistry, Mayfair Medical Group

Runner Up: Advanced Eye Care, JJ Eyes Optical Boutique

BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY

BEST DENTAL PRACTICE

Steve Sills Homewood Middle School Teacher + Coach + DJ

Brighter Image Dentistry 2908 Central Avenue, Suite 150 205-591-6220 brighterimagedentistry.com

Runner Up: Frank Morgan, Homewood parks employee, Alan McKee (Sikes Children’s Shoes)

Runner Up: Powell Pediatric Dentistry, Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry

HEALTH & BEAUTY

BEST ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE

Grandview Medical Group – Homewood 1817 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 870-4030 grandviewmedicalgroup.com

Runner Up: Law Orthodontics, Yanosky Orthodontics

BEST FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE

Runner Up: MedHelp

Backus Smiles 3507 Old Montgomery Highway 205-879-0557 backusbraces.com

BEST DENTAL PRACTICE Brighter Image Dentistry

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BEST FITNESS CENTER AND BEST PERSONAL TRAINER Burn Boot Camp BEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE PRACTICE Witt Chiropractic 1919 Courtney Drive 205- 871-1888 wittchiro.com Runner Up: Archetype Health, Oxmoor Chiropractic BEST PHARMACY Homewood Pharmacy 940 Oxmoor Road 205-871-9000 homewoodpharmacy.com Runner Up: CVS, Wellness Pharmacy BEST HAIR SALON Fringe 1830 29th Ave S Suite 120, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 802-3888 facebook.com/FringeaHairStudio Runner Up: Salon U, Blo Blow Dry Bar BEST NAIL SALON Genesis Nail Spa at Homewood 350 Hallman Hill East, Unit 51 205-802-0639 Runner Up: Elude Nail Spa, Nail world II

72 Summer 2022

BEST SPA Escape Day Spa 100 Broadway Street 205-414-6062 theplacetoescape.com Runner Up: Smart Skin Med Spa, Skin Wellness Dermatology BEST FITNESS CENTER Burn Boot Camp 1035 Broadway Park, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 529-8444 burnbootcamp.com/locations/ homewood-al Runner Up: Provision Studio, Shades Valley YMCA BEST BARBER SHOP Single Barrel Barbershop 1830 29th Ave S Suite 140, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 582-2999 singlebarrelbarbershop.com Runner Up: Homewood Barbershop

BEST DOCTOR

BEST SPECIALTY STORE

Dr. Stansell B Keith 2815 Independence Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 879-7888 alaped.com

Christopher Collection 2913 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 719-3206 christophercollection.com

Runner Up: Dr. Elizabeth Peters - Children’s Hospital Homewood, Sarah Kunin - Grandview Medical Homewood

Runner Up: Little Professor Bookshop, Alabama Goods

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop 2830 18th Street S. 205-879-3986 homewoodtoy-hobby.com

Magen Davis Burn Boot Camp 1035 Broadway Park, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 529-8444 burnbootcamp.com/locations/ homewood-al Runner Up: Kristy McKinney - Provision Studio, Olivia Stringer Burn Boot Camp

SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST NEW BUSINESS

BEST STORE FOR KIDS

Runner Up: Do It Yourself Crafts, Sikes Children’s Shoes BEST STORE FOR HOME FURNISHINGS/DÉCOR/ KITCHENS Christopher Collection 2913 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 719-3206 christophercollection.com

Christopher Collection 2913 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 719-3206 christophercollection.com

Runner Up: At Home Furnishings, Nadeau - Furniture With a Soul

Runner Up: Meals by Misty, WestHouse Events

Wild Things 2815B 18th Street S. 205-703-8821 wildthingsbhm.com

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

BEST FLORIST

Alabama Goods 2933 18th Street S. 205-803-3900 alabamagoods.com

Runner Up: Blakelee’s Bouquets, Stems & Styles

Runner Up: Christopher Collection, fab’rik Homewood

Homewood Animal Hospital 501 Scott Street 205-943-0008​ homewoodanimal.com

BEST BOUTIQUE/CLOTHING The Cottage Basket Runner Up: fab’rik Homewood, Soca Clothing BEST GIFT SHOP Christopher Collection 2913 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 719-3206 christophercollection.com

BEST ANIMAL CLINIC

Runner Up: Nall Daniels Animal Hospital, Oxmoor Animal Clinic BEST PLACE FOR CREATIVITY Do It Yourself Crafts 1909 Oxmoor Road 205-868-4346 doityourselfcrafts.com Runner Up: Homewood Public Library, Little Professor

Runner Up: Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop, Alabama Goods

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BEST COMMUNITY EVENT We Love Homewood Day BEST CHILDREN’S DAYCARE

BEST GARDEN SHOP

Trinity United Methodist Church 1400 Oxmoor Road 205-879-1737 trinitybirmingham.com

Sweet Peas Garden Shop 2829 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 879-3839 sweetpeasgardenshop.com

Runner Up: Our Lady-Sorrows Catholic Church, Heritage Preschool of Homewood

Runner Up: Lowe’s Home Improvement

BEST REMODELER Twin Construction 2907 Central Ave STE 105, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 802-3920 twincompanies.com

Watkins Cleaners Of Homewood 1715 28th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 879-7951 watkinscleaners.com

Runner Up: Ketcham and Co, River Brook Design & Construction

Runner Up: Hunter’s Cleaners

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Lindsey Culver Photography 143 Citation Ct, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 527-6455 lindseyculverphotography.com

Holland & Birch 1816 28th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 283-5338 hollandandbirch.com Runner Up: Crowne Jewelers, Wallace & Burke BEST SENIOR LIVING Brookdale University Park 400 University Park Drive 205-870-0786 brookdale.com Runner Up: Regency Retirement Village of Birmingham, Skyline Village

74 Summer 2022

BEST DRY CLEANER

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Runner Up: Love Be Photography : B Sturdivant: Katie & Alec Photography BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER Joanna Goodman Christopher Collection 2913 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 719-3206 christophercollection.com Christopher Collections Runner Up: Erin Barrow - Swag Home Design and Staging, Fran Keenan - Fran Keenan Design

BEST DANCE STUDIO

BEST INSURANCE AGENT

The Dance Foundation 1715 27th Ct S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 870-0073 thedancefoundation.org

Stan Faulkner - State Farm Insurance Agent 1747 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 870-5626 stanfaulkner.com

Runner Up: Dawson Ballet School, Backstage Studio Centre BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER Joanna Goodman, Christopher Collection BEST PET SUPPLY STORE The Whole Dog Market 2937 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 783-1169 thewholedogmarket.com Runner Up: Creative Dog Training - Homewood, Ed’s Pet World

76 Summer 2022

Savannah Johnson - Art House 2823 Central Ave Ste 101, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 352-7742 soldbyarthouse.com Runner Up: Abby Ruggiero, Jessica Daviston BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY LAH Real Estate 1760 Oxmoor Road 205-879-8580 lahrealestate.com Runner Up: ARC Realty Homewood, LIST Birmingham

Runner Up: Tim Johns - State Farm Insurance Agent, Frank Ippolito State Farm Insurance Agent BEST INSURANCE AGENCY JR King - State Farm Insurance Agent 3499 Independence Dr Ste 141, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 783-5090 insurewithking.com Runner Up: Seguro Auto Insurance Casey Halsey - State Farm, Insurance Agent BEST BANK Regions Bank Independence Plaza 1 Independence Plaza 800-734-4667 regions.com Runner Up: Union State Bank, CommerceOne Bank

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Lindsey Culver Photography

BEST AUTO SERVICE Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers 1717 27th Court S. 205-879-4499 expressoil.com Runner Up: Rob’s Mans Automotive Service, Hatfield Auto Parts and Service BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR Nowlin and Associates 2718 20th St S, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 871-9993 nowlinwm.com Runner Up: Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Rachel E Reynolds BEST ATTORNEY

BEST LAW FIRM

BEST HVAC

David Condon 100 Union Hill Dr Ste 200, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 871-2133 davidcondonlaw.com

David P. Condon, P.C. 100 Union Hill Dr Ste 200, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 871-2133 davidcondonlaw.com

Carbert Services 1919 Oxmoor Rd #313, Homewood, AL 35209 carbertservices.com

Runner Up: Hugh Nickson - Nickson Law, The Evans Law Firm

Runner Up: Nickson Law LLC, Halbrooks & Allen, LLC

Runner Up: Gentle Breeze Cooling and Heating, Xcalibur Home Services

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lahrealestate.com/homewood

WE KNOW HOMEWOOD. Once again Leading the area in volume & units sold in 2021!

HOMEWOOD’S

BEST HO

2022 WINNER

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SOURCE: GREATER ALABAMA MLS

Lovely LOUISVILLE

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed

When you first think about the city of Louisville, baseball, bourbon and horses might be the first thoughts that come to mind. To be sure, this city is wellknown for all three things but venture a bit farther and you will discover so much more.

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HIT THE ROAD

WHAT TO DO Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Sluggermuseum.com Whether or not you’re a fan of the baseball diamond, you need to visit this downtown landmark.

After capturing an Instagram-worthy photo with the giant bat out front, head inside for a tour of the factory where this legendary company has been churning out Louisville Slugger bats for peewees to pros since 1884. Book your tour time in advance and plan to fall in love with the art of woodworking.

WHEN TO GO Honestly, any time of year is a great time to head north on I-65 where this city, founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark as a way to honor King Louis XVI, lies just five hours away. Families love all there is to do outside – baseball games, historical exploration, biking along the Ohio River – while couples or maybe a passel of guys might want to dive headlong into the bourbon scene. With the Zombie Walk in August, Porktoberfest in October, Derby Day in May, summer concert series and art shows year round, there is great food and culture here for days so, pack a bag and hit the road.

Where to stay Hotel Distil hoteldistil.com 21C 21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville The Grady Hotel thegradyhotel.com The Brown brownhotel.com/ Home of the original Hot Brown sandwich

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Bernheim Forest Bernheim.org Before you even get into the city of Louisville, plan to stop at Bernheim Forest, just 20 minutes south of town. Situated on 16,000 acres in Bullitt County, this arboretum and research forest feels like you’ve stepped sideways into another world, one with a slower pace, that is lush and begging to be explored.

Not to be missed: Forest Giants in the Giant Forest.

Frazier History Museum Fraziermuseum.org Located just across the street from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is the Frazier History Museum, an airy renovated factory space with a well-curated and well-edited collection of historically significant artifacts and art, aimed at introducing visitors to all things Kentucky.

It also marks the official start of the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Churchill Downs Churchilldowns.com At the top of most visitors’ lists is a trip to horse-racing mecca, Churchill Downs. Sure, tout le monde wishes to be here in early May, donning a fancy hat and sipping a signature Mint Julep, but there is great history and culture here year ‘round, that merits exploration. Tours include a stunning video in the round, as well as glimpses into the paddocks and the vaunted Winner’s Circle. But don’t even think about stepping foot onto the famed track, unless you want to go to jail. Seriously.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery Stitzelwellerdistillery.com If you have to pick just one distillery to tour in your time in Louisville, let it be Stitzel-Weller. Period. The grounds are gorgeous, the tour is inspirational and informative, and this is where bourbon’s past meets its future. Be sure to save time to pop in to the Garden & Gun Club upstairs, where the skilled bartenders will help you while away the afternoon in a beautiful amber-hue.

Neighborhood Tours Like most Southern cities, Louisville is divided into neighborhoods (more than 200!), each with a culture and a vibe all their own.

Cave Hill Cemetery Cavehillcemetery.com Outside of New Orleans, when was the last time a cemetery visit was on your itinerary? Possible never but this one is very much worth seeing.

Lush rolling hills, dotted with marble landmarks, Cave Hill is as serene as you might imagine, and an integral part of Louisville history. What makes it notable are two famous residents: Colonel Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, and Muhammad Ali. Olmsted Parks Olmstedparks.org Famous for his vision in creating New York City’s Central Park and Asheville’s Biltmore Estate landscape, Frederick Law Olmsted was commissioned to design an entire park system for the city of Louisville in 1891.

There are more than a dozen parks here that carry the Olmsted vision of providing engaging community spaces for all to enjoy. We’ll leave it to you to determine which one has the better space for picnics or frisbee golf.

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HIT THE ROAD NULU The East Market District of downtown is affectionately referred to as New Louisville or NULU for short. Fantastic food, eclectic shopping and gallery-hopping are the big draws here. A specific highlight would be the leather-goods purveyor Clayton & Crume flagship store, in Muhammad Ali’s former gym.

Butchertown One of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods and a former meatpacking district, Butchertown is home to Bourbon Barrel Foods where owner Matt Jamie retails culinary wares including his epic Kentucky soy sauce aged in reclaimed bourbon barrels.

Definitely do not miss.

Locust Grove Locustgrove.org This site is the former home of William Clark’s sister, Lucy and her husband William Croghan.

The famed explorers Lewis and Clark stopped here on their return to Washington City in 1806.

WHERE TO EAT Prepare to be wowed by the food here. Yes, we are spoiled in Birmingham, with our James Beard Award winning chefs a plenty, but Louisville has its fair share of culinary hot spots, to be sure.

Bourbon Barrel Foods Marketplace Eatyourbourbonmarketplace.com Every Friday night, Chef-in-Residence Michael Hargrove of River City Supper Club, crafts a unique menu while bartender Lauren Dupre creates cocktails or beer pairings for each dish.

Taco Luchador el-taco-luchador.com A little kitchy but a lot of yummy at this casual eatery with four area locations.

Redhog Artisan Market redhogartisanmeat.com Lunch, dinner, custom charcuterie boards – rooted in the simplest of ingredients but elevated with deft chef hands.

La Bodeguita de Mima Cuban Restaurant & Bar Labodeguitademima.com Come hungry and adventurous, and if you arrive in bad mood, you’re guaranteed to leave happier. It is just impossible not to, such is the vibe.

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Logan Street Market loganstmarket.com Literally something for everyone here in this bright and airy space that is onepart food hall, one-part community hub, one-part maker space. A total locals-only kind of spot where you feel cool just being there.

River House Restaurant Riverhouselouisville.com Just outside of town, on the banks of the Ohio River. Only the food rivals the view.

Pizza Lupo Pizzalupo.com A favorite with locals, with the awards to prove it, their wood-fired pizza is fantastic.

Justin’s House of Bourbon thehouseofbourbon.com More than a mere liquor store, Justin’s House of Bourbon is an EXPERIENCE. This tasting shop that doubles as retailer of vintage and rare bourbons and whiskeys even boasts a Whiskey Historian. After graduating college in 2014, Caroline Paulus moved to Kentucky to pursue a career in archeology. While her days were spent with prehistoric artifacts her nights and weekends involved a complete and total exploration into the beverage of choice in her new hometown. Now, as senior editor of The Bourbon Review, Caroline also shares her knowledge with customers at Justin’s House of Bourbon, ensuring everyone leaves feeling more confident in their preferences and with a bottle or two of something they’ll love.

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Homewood Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S

Upcoming Events

Recent Events January 20

Southern States Bank Ribon Cutting

February 3

Full Circle Ribbon Cutting

May 7

We Love Homewood Day

May 17

May Membership Luncheon

June 21

June Membership Luncheon

July 30

February 9

Robertson Bank Ribbon Cutting

February 10

ERA King Ribbon Cutting

Homewood Sidewalk Sale

Join the Chamber Chamber membership could be just what your business needs for a boost this year! Work, live or do business in Homewood?

Apply for membership at homewoodchamber.org and start taking advantage of the many benefits that come with membership!

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February 23

Creative Montessori Ribbon Cutting

February 24

Sorelle Cafe Ribbon Cutting

HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA 35209

F i n d U s O n l i ne

Sign up for our weekly newsletter | Access our member directory Purchase Buy Local Homewood eGift Cards

Recent Events March 8

New Members

March 10

GoRescue Ribbon Cutting

Taste of Homewood

Fob James Law Firm, LLC Full Circle Jan-Pro Assurance Financial Group LLC Mary Harmon Bryant Muir-Taylor

March 11

Effie’s Ribbon Cutting

Effie’s Inc.

March 14

Whataburger Ribbon Cutting

Whataburger Ann’s All Around Town Catering Birmingham Direct Primary Care Jane Huston Crommelin, Ray and Poynor Properties Cheap Chick Trading Company

March 17

Assurance Financial Ribbon Cutting

March 18

Homewood Dental Associates

Cheap Chick Trading Co Ribbon Cutting

Kale Me Crazy Pebblehurst Golf & Putter Lab Gorrie-Regan & Associates Twenty Twelve Formal Wear Dry Eye Center of Alabama & Family Eye Care

205 - 871 - 5631

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OUT & ABOUT

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TASTE OF HOMEWOOD

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PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

Taste of Homewood is Birmingham’s best culinary event of the year, some say. Participants purchased tickets that included food and drink samples from 30 local restaurants and enjoyed live music and entertainment, too.

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Jana White, Gregor Kay, Carole and Walter Schrading and Julie Levinson-Gabis

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Cheryl and James Thomas

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Christy Peters and Caleb Peters

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Patrick and Leah McClusky

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Drew and Mary Ansley Smalley and Mary Harmon

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Rutherford and Brennan Yeates

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Cameron Thomas, Terah Thomas and James Robinson

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Michael and Terry Morgan

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Rachel Riddle Culver

10. Olivia Bischoff, JJ Bischoff and Melanie Jennings 11. Sorelle 12. LeNa McDonald, Meredith Drennen and Kimberly Jackson 13. Gabrielle and David McGuffey

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OUT & ABOUT

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CHILI COOK OFF

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The Exceptional Foundation recently hosted its annual chili cookoff, and hundreds showed up to taste Homewood’s best chili. Heninger Garrison Davis’ “Bring the Heat” chili won first place!

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H2 Real Estate Chili crew

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Edgewood BLVD Kevin Allen and Jared Burress

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The Willards, the Walters and Maggie

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The Barnes family, Derrick Smith and Brandon Patterson

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The Boehme family

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The Boots family

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Caroline Conrad, Anna Claire Pope, Bailey Gray, Mallory Fields, Becca Earnest and Eric King

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Young Professionals of BHAM

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Mark and Ann Nelson and Cindy and Chip Dillard

10. The Martins 11. Chesca Harvey and Rachel and Gabby Harvey 12. The Williams family 13. Harris Doyle Homes

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MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Homewood Life • 205.669.3131

NOW HIRING: EXPERIENCED STANDUP FORKLIFT OPERATOR $19.85/HOUR, PLUS $$$ PRODUCTION & SAFETY INCENTIVES 2nd shift starts at 4:00pm. TRUCK DRIVERHOME MOST EVERY NIGHT! Earn $55,000 - $85,000 delivering palletized loads to grocery stores within 300 mile radius of our Birmingham warehouse. Min. 2 years tractor-trailer experience required. Great BenefitsBlue Cross Health+Dental Insurance for only $59/week.

Paid vacation & holidays, and matching 401k plan. APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.AGSOUTH.COM

Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry.

Positions In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla.

Walk-in applications accepted.

Clanton (205)280-0002.

Pelham (205)444-9774.

Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience.

CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Now Hiring For Utility Positions Starting pay $14.42/ hour Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at: www.bc.com $80,000+ Yearly Potential Sales positions available at Burton Campers. Please call Mickey Price for phone interview: 205-668-0075 Chilton and Shelby County Treatment Center Now Hiring Masters in counseling/ social work and related fields. Email resume to: donnajoiner53@gmail.com Or call 205-755-4300 for more information.

Kelly Education • Shelby County Schools • Hiring Substitute Teachers. Limitless opportunities for passionate people! •Free pre-hire training •Paid orientation •Ongoing professional development •Steady, yet flexible, work

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•Weekly pay •Your preference of schools. Contact Anne Gamble: O: 205.682.7062 M: 205.532.1122 anne.gamble@kellyservices.com Lancaster Place Apartments.

Location, community & quality living in Calera, AL. 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments available. Call today for specials!! 205-668-6871. Or visit hpilancasterplace.com Marble Valley Manor.

Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256-245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) •800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm.

Equal Opportunity Provider/ Employer Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic.

Serious inquiries only. Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www.Oxfordhealthcare.com LAND FOR SALE 180 acres, located on Walnut Creek.

Will not divide property.

Call for more information: 205-369-5641 Part-Time Maintenance Manager Position Opening at Riverside Baptist Church Helena. Good employment for qualified retired or semi-retired person. Call 205-426-1910 for additional information.

NOW HIRING!! Dunnavant Valley Ace Hardware 300 Carlow Ln (AKA Hwy 41) Birmingham, AL 35242 Ken Smith 205-980-7221 william.coker@ southeastacehardware.com Your help is more than wanted!

South Haven Health & Rehab NOW HIRING!!! •LPN’s & RN’s -$5,000 Sign-on Bonus for Full-Time shift •CNA’s Apply in person: 3141 Old Columbiana Rd Birmingham,AL-35266 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing

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to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al.com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327.

Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!

Now Hiring! Termite Treaters and Inspectors. Work with a great local company, in business for over 50 years.

BC/BS insurance, 401k, opportunities available. No experience required. Must have a good driving record and be able to pass drug screen. Email to facsmith@charter.net or call 205-369-6250. Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Now hiring RN’s and LPN’s throughout Alabama! $250 community referral bonus for RN’s and LPN’s.

Sign-on Bonuses available at select locations! For more information please contact: Paige Gandolfi Call/text: 724-691-7474 pgandolfi@wexfordhealth.com HIRING EXPERIENCED PIPE LAYERS & CDL DRIVERS REV Construction seeking Experienced Pipe Layers CDL Drivers Class A or B 2yrs dump truck exp. preferred Benefits include: BCBS Medical Insurance, 401k Paid holidays & vacation time.

Email resume: mtucker@ revconstructioninc.com Fax: 205-349-1862 Call: 205-349-1860 NOW HIRING FT/PT Farm Equipment Operator, Lawn Maintenance and Fork Lift Driver Needed. Drug and Background Check Required.

COMPETITIVE PAY. Call 205-688-0258 to set up an interview.

H&H Enterprises, Inc Alabaster, AL has an immediate opening for a Portable Building Delivery Driver. Delivery Driver will be primarily be responsible for 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 tracy.thomas@hhenterprises. com or Call 205.664.9191 ext 125.

We’re Hiring -All Positions www.altogethergreat. com OR www. compassgroupcareers.com Morrison’s Healthcare Food Service 1000 1st Street N. Alabaster, Alabama 35007 205.620.8107 Experienced Termite Technician or someone experienced in route-service work and wants to learn new profession. Work-vehicle/ equipment provided. Must drive straight-shift, have clean driving record/be 21/pass background/drug test. Training provided. Insurance/401K offered. M-F 7:00-4:30 + 1 Saturday/month. Pay $13hr.

Send resume to facsmith@charter.net Southeastern Sealcoating Now Hiring RECEPTIONIST Requirements: Microsoft Office proficiency, Organizational skills, Personable phone skills.

We offer benefits & 401k!

Must pass drug test.

Email resume: Grace@southeastern sealcoating.com LOOKING FOR A TRAVEL TRAILER We have several to choose from Travel Trailers, 5th wheels and Motorhomes Financing available W.A.C. Give Me A Call Now! 205-991-3500 LOOK TO THE STARS & FIND YOUR DESTINY! Improve your love life! Find success & happiness! •Spiritual Meditation •Chakra Therapy • Energy Restoration •Psychic Readings ¶ Advice. Find out what the new year holds! One visit will convince you. $5 OFF YOUR FIRST READING! Personal readings from your trusted local psychic, available in-person or by phone. Call Mrs. StarL 205-560-0490 www.AlabamaPsychic.com For All Your Masonry Repair Needs Call 205-643-0729 or email srichardson642@gmail.com

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MY HOMEWOOD CATHERINE BODE

Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing Coordinator + Realtor with RealtySouth

Cocktails

Soho Standard My favorite place to grab a cocktail is Soho Standard at Happy Hour, which is from 4-to-6 p.m. every day! I usually order a boulevardier and a few of their tasty appetizers. They also serve Daughters Baking cakes for dessert, which are divine!

Shopping Local

Seibel’s I love shopping! I love to pop into Seibel’s for a unique gift because they always have my favorite bloody mary mix and some neat leather goods (like a Bible cover) that would make great keepsake gifts. We also always get a Christmas ornament there every year!

Sometimes I just like to go and admire their hanging day beds!

Holiday Sentiments

Homewood Christmas Parade My favorite holiday celebration is The Downtown Open House and Christmas Parade! The camaraderie and festivities on 18th street always get me excited for the upcoming Christmas season. I also love the witch’s ride. I live on Manhattan, so it’s a lot of fun to sit in the yard and watch the witches’ parade.

Working Out in Style

Three15, PureBarre, & Battle Republic I love all the fitness options! I recently did a Homewood fitness spotlight on the chamber’s Instagram, where I tested out different fitness options around Homewood including Three15, PureBarre, and Battle Republic. They were all so unique and fun in their own ways. I feel so fortunate to have so many choices within walking distance of where I live.

Tasty Eats

Shiki My favorite place to eat in Homewood is Shiki!

We order a combination of Opor Ayam, Massaman Chicken and a hangover roll to share around the table. They won the People’s Choice Award at Taste of Homewood last month!

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C AV I A R C O L L E C T I O N S

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