Mountain Brook Magazine Summer 2022

HOMETOWN SUPER MOM • AN INTERTWINING HARMONY OF COLOR • BEHIND BEAUTIFUL BAYBALA

MOUNTAIN BROOK’S BEST

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

HOME DÉCOR

USING ART TO ACCENTUATE

SUMMER 2022 MountainBrookMagazine.com Volume Six | Issue Two $4.95

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TABLE

MEET THE MEAL PREP MAMACITA MountainBrookMagazine.com 1

HA N D -S E L EC T ED F U R NI S H I N GS , ACCESSORIES & U NI Q U E G I F TS

2 9 2 1 1 8 T H ST S H OM E WOO D 2 0 5 . 8 7 9 . 3 5 10 ATHOME-FURNISHINGS.COM BIRMINGHAM’S BEST FURNITURE STORE 2021

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4 Summer 2022

Healthy is a feeling we should all indulge.

Health and indulgence living together in perfect harmony. Discover a renewed definition of skin care in a lavish, immersive environment.

After all, health is a hard thing to overdo.

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1 9 27 1 ST AVE N , WO O DWA R D BU I L D I NG, 1 ST F LO OR

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FEATURES

55

BEHIND BAYBALA Katie Gaston is designing clothing for mom and mini as beautiful as it is wearable.

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BEST OF THE BEST 2022 You voted. We tallied. Now see who you said Mountain Brook’s best retailers, restaurants, community events and more are.

74 HIT THE ROAD

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

6 Summer 2022

PHOTO BY STACY ALLEN

LOVELY LOUISVILLE

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27

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

arts & culture

17 An Artist’s Joy: Finding the Harmony in Colors

food

& drink

27 Meal Prep Mamacita: Quick and Easy Recipes for All 35 The Dining Guide: A Taste around Your Town

schools & sports

37 The Next Thirty: Mountain Brook City Schools Foundations’ Strides in Education

home

in every issue 6 Contributors 9 From the Editor 12 Instagram 13 The Guide 82 Chamber Connections 84 Out & About 87 Marketplace 88 My Mountain Brook

& style

45 Cozy Opulence: Interior Design Building on Familiar Tastes

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MOUNTAIN BROOK

contributors

MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL

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

CONTRIBUTORS

James Culver Madoline Markham Caroline Newman Christiana Roussel Elizabeth Sturgeon Rachel Weingartner Rebecca Wise

DESIGN

Jamie Dawkins Connor Martin-Lively Kimberly Myers Briana Sansom

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.

MARKETING

Octavia Campbell Evann 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 Anna Willis

Elizabeth Sturgeon, Writer

Elizabeth was born and raised in Birmingham and has stayed close to home ever since. A recent Samford University graduate, Elizabeth serves as the communications coordinator at Birmingham-Southern College, where she covers stories about students, alumni and campus culture. She is always down for a meal she’s never eaten before or a movie she’s never seen.

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.

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.

8 Summer 2022

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WHAT WE TREAT

10 Summer 2022

from the editor

H

ON THE COVER

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!

Best,

Meal Prep Mamacita

Mountain Brook mom and full-time pharmacist Julie Kimbrough developed a meal-prepping business to maximize family time.

Photo Contributed Design by Connor Martin-Lively

annagrace.moore@mountainbrookmagazine.com

MountainBrookMagazine.com 11

MAKE TIME FOR YOU

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12 Summer 2022

[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 MountainBrookMagazine.com 13

@mountainbrookmag

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

@continental_bakery @continental_bakery will be donating all proceeds from its Ukraine cookies to World Central Kitchen. World Central Kitchen is a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing their homes as well as those remaining in the country. @continental_ bakery #mountainbrookmag

@kellenjacobphotography The recent weather has us dreaming of spring weddings. Margaret Anne and Major’s wedding was held last April at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

@karikampakis @karikampakis has a new book for moms, which came out April 5! Click over to her posts to read more about what it’s about!

14 Summer 2022

@goldenagewine Time to pour a glass to celebrate @goldenagewine being named a @beardfoundation award semi finalist for Outstanding Wine Program for 2022!

Congratulations. #jamesbeardfoundation #goldenagewine #mountainbrook

THE GUIDE

FAMILY FEST MAY 8 5 - 7 P.M. Crestline Field Together, local churches including Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Brookwood Baptist Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Canterbury United Methodist Church and Convenant Presbyterian Church are hosting Family Fest, which is one of Mountain Brook’s best family fun for all gatherings.

Kids’ games, arts and crafts and inflatables will be available, as well as local vendors Mountain Brook Creamery, Craft’s and Post Office Pies. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to come.

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THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN MAY 2 Four Week Beginners Yoga Series Earthkeeper Yoga MAY 6 Chamber Luncheon with John Cassimus The Country Club of Birmingham

MAY 22

Summer Reading Carnival Kick-Off and Fun Run 3 – 5 P.M. O’Neal Library Looking for family friendly fun? Come out and support the O’Neal Library during its carnival and fun run event! The carnival takes place in the O’Neal Library parking lot, and the fun run will be through Crestline Village. Tickets will be sold online and in person at the event. Make sure to wear comfortable running shoes. Proceeds go to support the O’Neal Library.

MAY 14 - MAY 15

Alabama Bonsai Society Annual Spring Show MAY 14: 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. MAY 15: 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. Garden Center Auditorium of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens The Alabama Bonsai Society Annual Spring Show features the talent of local bonsai tree gardeners whose trees will be on display at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for your viewing pleasure. Some trees will even be for sale! This event will also showcase a bonsai master who will be performing demonstrations, as well as vendors selling garden tools, pots, soil and homemade crafts. The best part is this event is free for all attendees.

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MAY 6 Dustin Lynch: Party Mode Tour Avondale Brewing Company MAY 12 F3 Leadership Luncheon Mountain Brook Community Church MAY 14 Do Dah Day Highland Avenue MAY 14 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship The Country Club of Birmingham MAY 14-15 Miss Alabama Festivals State Pageant Legacy Arena’s Forum Theater MAY 17 Forge Gardening: Flower Arrangements Birmingham Botanical Gardens MAY 18 Trivia Night Greenwise MAY 19 Walker Hayes presented by Legacy Arena MAY 21 Publix GreenWise Market Village 2 Village 10k Grand Bohemian Hotel MAY 21 C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce Legacy Arena

THE GUIDE MAY 21 16th Annual AAZK Zoo Run: Sprint for Sloths Birmingham Zoo MAY 30 Memorial Day JUNE 7-12 Birmingham Barons vs.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Regions Field JUNE 9-26 The Sound of Music Virginia Samford Theatre JUNE 11 Birmingham Heart Walk Railroad Park JUNE 21-26 Birmingham Barons vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas Regions Field

RESTAURANTS

CHURCH STREET COFFEE AND BOOKS Church Street Coffee and Books owners Cal Morris and Heather Morris are celebrating just over a decade of being in business in Mountain Brook! Church Street has become famous as not only a homey bookshop, but also for their delicious “Church Street Breakup Cookie,” which was named “The Best Cookie in Alabama,” by Insider. com. A video of how the cookie is made aired on The Food Network in 2016! Come swing by this fan favorite coffee shop and bookstore for some delicious cookies and coffee.

BUSINESSES

NEW IN TOWN Mountain Brook recently welcomed its first Sola Salons Studios franchise, which is an umbrella business allowing stylists to operate their own independently-run salons under one name. The new salon is now located in The Shops on Montevallo, adjacent from Planet Fitness.

One of the best things about Sola is their motto, “Be in business for yourself, not by yourself.” Because they focus on helping stylists become entrepreneurs, Sola Salons Studios is credited with helping make dreams a reality.

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May 7 & th June 11 th

4-7pm

Discou Givea nts & ways laneparke.com @laneparke 18 Summer 2022

&CULTURE

ARTS

AN ARTIST’S JOY

An artist grew to find her passion by blending her love of color on the canvas.

BY ELIZABETH STURGEON PHOTOS BY REBECCA WISE MountainBrookMagazine.com 19

C

Claire Drummond has always felt close to art, starting with her childhood home in Middle Georgia. Her mother, as a collector, designed her house in a way that instilled in Claire a love for color and balance between new and old.

“My mother has amazing taste,” Claire says.

“Seeing her home and its many layers, you can tell it has been years in the making. I’ve been interested in design since I was a kid, and when I took to art, I

20 Summer 2022

saw how everything ties together.”

In her childhood home, Claire saw artwork, rugs and interiors all intertwine and has since studied almost every aspect of home design following a creative spark during her childhood art lessons. She later studied interior design at the University of Georgia, co-owned an antique rug business and has now found – or rekindled – a love for painting.

Her painting business, Colors by Claire, marks a

MountainBrookMagazine.com 21

new chapter in her calling to art and design, but her passion for designing rooms is ever-present in her abstracts, landscapes, house portraits, still lifes and other pieces. The ways she sees art interact with other parts of a home’s design are all important in how she paints for those adding to or starting an art collection.

Claire has been taking on commissions for just over a year and only painted for friends and family until her babysitters – sisters Preslee and Gracee Williams – noticed her work and asked Claire to paint something for above their sofa.

At that point, she was just painting at her kitchen counter with her two daughters beside her until Preslee and Gracee asked to build her following on Instagram. “It boosted my confidence to feel like someone came in and made a big deal out of a sketch or painting, and I decided to go for it,” Claire says.

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After this painting – a portrait of sorts, with the two sisters clinking glasses in front of a hazy pink background – Claire continued to share her work on Instagram and explore new subjects and techniques. She is an all-acrylic artist and finds acrylic paints to be the best medium for the vibrant color she includes in all of her pieces.

Color is the unifying force behind Claire’s work.

“I love bright paint and bright pieces,” she says.

“With acrylic, I can give so much more depth to a painting. I sometimes find myself trying to paint something neutral, and I don’t feel a passion for creams and whites. Somehow, color always makes its way in there.”

Blue, green, and blush are three of her favorite colors that are often invited into her work and her personal art collection. When working together, these colors bring about a lush and warmth in Claire’s own home.

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Above the sofa in her living room sits an abstract blue and green forest by Birmingham-based painter Sally Boyd, while salmons and rosy pinks flow through some of her older and more traditional pieces. In her sunroom-turned studio sits a newly finished series of blue-green abstracts, too.

The brightness in Claire’s abstract work echoes the pop-art movement in vivid colors, large brush strokes, and geometric edges. She often matches her colors to the room where the painting will be placed and loves when a whimsical pillow design or an antique rug gets to inspire the whole color palette.

Claire approaches her paintings in a similar way to her rug business and sees so much beauty in how someone fills their walls and floors. “I’m 50/50 on rugs and art as my very favorite things,” she says. “Those two components build the foundation of a room’s design.”

When she knows her colors – usually after taking her color wheel to a home and matching shades directly – Claire creates a small-scale study to play with the colors and composition before translating her ideas onto a larger canvas.

In her own personal taste, Claire is drawn most to landscapes – which tie to her love for traditional art – but her landscape pieces dress in a colorful, looser abstract look, which resemble her constant goal to blend the traditional with the contemporary.

One style she has named her “graffiti abstracts” started with an unfinished landscape she scribbled across, the acrylic pen graffiti standing out and forming its own kind of abstract scene.

24 Summer 2022

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.

DESIGN AROUND TOWN Interior design is pretty much inseparable from Claire’s work as an artist. She remains an expert in antique rugs, and she still keeps up with the design scene in Birmingham, which she’s been involved in ever since she moved to the area in 2010. We asked Claire about some of her favorite spots around town for all things art and design.

Favorite place for furniture?

Richard Tubb Interiors and The Nest Gallery that inspires you?

I love Design Supply – full of color, art and inspiration!

Hidden gem?

Stash Bham – y’all, this place is amazing! You can fill shelves, find furniture, mirrors, etc.

Favorite in Mountain Brook?

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

– timeless and gorgeous finds.

ChildrensAL.org

Circa Interiors and Antiques and Henhouse Antiques

MountainBrookMagazine.com 25

This process – exploring new styles and finding a harmony in colors – is something she also shares with her two daughters, ever since they’ve started to work on art projects outside together. “It brings a sense of peace to me for the three of us to paint together,” she says.

Outside of her commissioned pieces, Claire is still defining the techniques that make a piece resemblant and reflective of herself. “I’m still developing and seeing what people enjoy,” she says.

“Hopefully over the next few months, I can keep throwing some new things out there and see what people are drawn to most.”

Claire combines her years in home design, rugs and art with the new transition from interior designer to painter, making her an artist to watch as she explores new ideas and develops a style that could take so many different directions.

And while the future might be full of unknowns in what styles she will try next, Claire is certain that it’s full of color.

Claire opened a small rug shop in Stash Birmingham on First Ave. S. in April – stop by to see her new space and hear what’s next for her. Or, you can always follow her work and projects on Instagram @colors_by_claire.

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26 Summer 2022

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&DRINK

FOOD

MEAL PREP MAMACITA One working mom’s passion to help working parents spend more time with family.

BY CHRISTIANA ROUSSEL PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED MountainBrookMagazine.com 29

W

Who among us did not have the grandest of plans coming out of quarantine?

We told ourselves: “I’m going to cook healthier meals!”

“I am going to get my family back to the dinner table!”

“I’m going to streamline my life and not stress out about supper every night!”

And then, life happened and many of us went back to feeling harried around the topic of dinner.

Enter Meal Prep Mamacita, the brain child of

30 Summer 2022

Mountain Brook resident Julie Kimbrough. Julie has long had a love of cooking and the joy of sharing her secrets, so her website and social media space was a natural outlet for her creations. Alabamaborn and raised, Kimbrough has a family tree full of English, French, Irish, Hispanic and Native American heritage which all find their way into the meals she creates. This is a girl who likes spice. As a trained pharmacist with crazy hours, she realized long ago that if she was going to be eating healthy meals Monday through Friday, she had better put

Just enjoy life and do your best balancing good, healthy meals with treats, too.

-Julie Kimbrough

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GOING OUT Even the best meal preppers want a night off from cooking. When those times present themselves, these are Julie and David Kimbrough’s go-to spots: With kids: “If we’re taking the kids, it has to be

La Paz in Crestline. This has always been a family favorite of ours, and the kids love chips and salsa!”

For adult time: “We recently had a date night at

Helen and absolutely loved it! Hope to go back soon!

The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was hip and relaxing.”

When friends come to town and ask for

suggestions, where do you like to recommend?

“There are so many choices! I really love Hot & Hot

Fish Club, Dyron’s Lowcountry and Gianmarcos.”

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some plans in place. Kimbrough says, “I began meal prepping right before I began pharmacy school in 2014. I started working out and really enjoyed it and began to learn about eating healthy as well. This sparked my love for meal prepping. I initially prepped the same things such as, chicken with rice and broccoli, etc. This became boring fast, so I decided to use my knowledge and love of food and cooking to create my own recipes.”

Kimbrough and her husband David are both working full-time while raising children, Elijah, 5, and Anna Grace, 2, so meal prep has become essential to their weekday survival. Sharing what works for their family has resonated with thousands of followers who regularly check in on her Instagram page, @themealprepmamacita, and her website, themealprepmamacita.com, where she posts family favorites and tips for making meal times fun again. Her advice? “I believe the biggest obstacle is finding what kids like and making it easy for everyone in the family to enjoy. I love family dinners. Sometimes my kids want to eat chicken fingers and fruit and if that makes them happy, I am okay with that. I think just making sure we are trying to eat good foods and make sure our kids are, too, is tough. To me it is all about balance, not

VEGGIE SPRING ROLLS u8 spring roll rice wrappers u1 orange bell pepper, sliced u5 radishes, sliced u2 jalapeños, sliced u1/4 c cilantro, chopped u1 tsp Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel seasoning uSriracha to drizzle

SRIRACHA PEANUT SAUCE u1 tbsp organic peanut butter u3 tbsp coconut aminos u1 tsp sesame oil u1 tbsp rice wine vinegar u1 tbsp lime juice u2 garlic cloves, chopped u1 tsp Sriracha Dip wrappers in a dish of cool water for about five seconds. (The wrappers should be flexible.)

Place wrapper on a plate, and add a few slices of bell pepper, radishes and jalapeños to top center of wrapper. Add a few pieces of chopped cilantro to veggies. Tightly roll the spring roll while folding the edges as you roll until completely sealed. After all wrappers are assembled, drizzle Sriracha on top and add seasoning. Add all sauce ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Dip in Sriracha Peanut Sauce and enjoy!

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WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA u4 c watermelon, cubed uc water u1/4 c ice u1/4 c Organic Agave in the Raw uJuice from 1 lemon uLemon wedges and salt to rim glasses Add smoothie ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour smoothie in a bowl and add toppings.

making meals to strict. Just enjoy life and do your best balancing good, healthy meals with treats, too.”

The next question we know readers will have is “Can I just hire you to meal prep for me?” Julie laughs and says that yes, she does get asked that a lot. For now, all of the hours in her week are spoken for – between family and work, and she adds, “I am currently working towards becoming a CPT (Certified Personal Trainer) and CNC (Certified Nutrition Coach) with NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).” But, you can 34 Summer 2022

CHICKEN STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS u1 lb rotisserie chicken, shredded u4 poblano peppers, cut in half and seeded 1/4 c garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1/4 c fire roasted corn u1/4 c roasted red bell peppers u1/4 c mozzarella cheese u1/2 c low fat cream cheese u1 tsp dried cilantro u1 tsp garlic powder u1 tsp ancho chili powder u1 tsp sea salt u1 tsp pepper u1 tbsp olive oil u2 limes Preheat oven to 425 F. Slice poblanos in half and remove seeds, then rinse and dry.

Place poblanos on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Bake poblanos in the oven for about 15 minutes or until softened.

While poblanos roast, add chicken, all seasonings, beans, corn, cream cheese and roasted red bell peppers to a bowl and mix well. Once the poblanos have cooked, remove from oven and let cool for about five minutes. Stuff each poblano with chicken mixture. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in oven for about 8 minutes or until cheese has melted. Top poblanos with extra cilantro and drizzle lime juice on top.

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RASPBERRIES & BEETS SMOOTHIE BOWL SMOOTHIE u1/4 c frozen aloe chunks u1 c frozen raspberries u2 cooked beets u2 scoops collagen powder u1 c unsweetened coconut milk u1/4 c frozen riced cauliflower TOPPINGS ublueberries uraspberries ugogi berries ucoconut flakes uslivered almonds ucacao nibs uchocolate sea salt granola Add smoothie ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour smoothie in a bowl and add toppings.

tell the wheels are turning for her as she notes with a grin, “in the near future, I hope to be able to expand my business to offer actual meals, but that is a dream I hope to accomplish before the end of 2022.”

36 Summer 2022

Until then, Julie has a few of her favorite recipes she’d like to share with readers, including some of the most requested. To that we say, cheers to making meal time fun again!

Mountain Brook | Special Advertising Section

DINING GUIDE Mountain Brook

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!

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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.

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!

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DINING GUIDE

Mountain Brook | Special Advertising Section

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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BLUEROOT

BLUEROOT is a fast-healthy concept in Birmingham that is serving up delightful, delicious and nutritionallydense 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!

38 Summer 2022

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!

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

THE NEXT THIRTY

Thirty years ago, Mountain Brook leaders made a decision that would affect generations of students.

BY CAROLINE NEWMAN PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED MountainBrookMagazine.com 39

W

When the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation began in 1992, its leaders did not know what the future held, but they wanted to give the Mountain Brook school system as many resources as possible to prepare for that future.

Thirty years later, the foundation has awarded more than $9.3 million in grants to the school system focused on three key areas – technology, teacher support and library enhancements. Its resources support four elementary schools, Mountain Brook Junior High and Mountain Brook High School, supplementing state funding and funds from parent teacher organizations, which are school-specific.

“The foundation is system-wide and can take a

40 Summer 2022

big-picture approach to what can move Mountain Brook Schools forward,” says Executive Director Rachel Weingartner. “The endowment funds can be used in perpetuity and have a long-lasting impact.”

In thirty years, the foundation has steadied the schools through economic ups and downs and even challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also touched generations of students. Weingartner can already see the future of her work in her three sons, who are or will be students at Crestline Elementary. Key Hudson, who is president of the foundation’s Board of Directors, attended Mountain Brook schools. Now, her two children are students at Mountain Brook Elementary School.

“My daughter is now the age that I was when the

MountainBrookMagazine.com 41

foundation started,” Hudson said. “It is really great, as an alumna, to be able to see the benefits of the foundation while I was there and now to see how the foundation impacts my children every day.”

A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER On Thursday, April 21, 1992, a group of Mountain Brook community leaders led by Dell Brooke and Hatton Smith recorded the first minutes of the “Foundation Steering Committee,” exploring the possibility of a tax-exempt foundation for Mountain Brook Schools. They were concerned about cuts to public education funding in Alabama.

“State funding then and now tends to follow economic cycles.

In good years, there would be enough state funding to provide for most of the basics, though not all, and little else. In the down years, it would be a struggle to cover even the basics,” says Charles Mason, who began his 16-year tenure as Mountain Brook School System superintendent in 1993 as the foundation was starting. “The idea behind the foundation was to have a reliable source of funding that would always make it possible for the school system to be forward-looking and focused on improvement.” Such foundations, Mason notes, are relatively rare among U.S. public schools.

By September 1992, the foundation had a Board of Directors

42 Summer 2022

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led by President Hallett Johnson, who served until 1995. It obtained tax-exempt status in 1993, began fundraising and hired its first Executive Director, Carmine Jordan, in 1994. By 1996, the foundation was progressing toward its initial goal of $5 million in gifts and pledges over five years and made its first grant, $100,000 focused on professional development and technology. “Sold on Mountain Book” signs began to dot yards across the community, a visible indicator of just how many families were contributing to the growing fund.

Since then, the foundation’s endowment has grown steadily and its structure has solidified. Each year, the superintendent – currently Dr. Dicky Barlow – comes to the foundation’s board with requests based on the system’s budget and needs. Some are recurring, such as professional development stipends for teachers and an annual summer learning conference. Others support new technology or ideas, such as a recent grant for OverDrive, an app allowing students to access eBooks from local libraries.

“So much in the school system budget is spoken for, but the foundation gives teachers and administrators room to try new things and innovate to see what is best for our students and teachers,” Hudson says. “That is one thing that gets me really excited about the foundation.”

“What the foundation has done for the school system is nothing less than spectacular. Through the foundation’s contributions, we have been able to continue quality professional development through the lean times. It has allowed us to be innovative and on the cutting edge throughout its 30-year history,” Barlow says. “We would not be the school system we are today without the foundation’s contributions and guidance.”

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SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS’ NEW IDEAS The school system’s Institute for Innovation, which is funded by the foundation, was created in 2014 to provide annual grants for projects like Morgan Chatham’s.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 43

BY THE NUMBERS Over the past 30 years, the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation has awarded more than $9.3 million in grants, supporting:

180,000 180,000 hours of teacher training since 1992

Chatham, a Mountain Brook High School mathematics teacher called Mrs. C. by her students, wanted to create an immersive classroom after seeing Spanish teacher Jessie Creech simulate a café in her classroom to encourage students’ conversations. Math might not lend itself to a café setting, but Chatham envisioned a room full of white boards and projectors where students could get out of their seats and solve problems together.

“I wanted to get my kids out of their seats, mobile and activating different muscle groups, writing, talking, collaborating,” she said.

In 2017, Barlow requested funding from the Institute for Innovation for three walls of six-foot boards so that Chatham could test her plan. The next school year, the boards were up and Chatham was thrilled.

“They were all getting up, working through problems and having amazing mathematical conversations,” she says. “If someone asked me for help and I was with another student, someone else would step up, working out the problem with their classmate. They all felt empowered to help each other.”

Other teachers took notice and soon, every high school math teacher could request a similar setup.

The support for her idea, especially as a relatively new teacher with five years of experience when she made the request, meant a lot.

“I did not know a lot about the foundation when I first applied to this job,” says Chatham, now in her tenth year with Mountain Brook. “But since then, I 44 Summer 2022

9,000

More than 9,000

Chromebooks for every

student and teacher in the school system

books and magazines for the schools’

libraries

will shout from the rooftops how grateful I am for the foundation. To know that they listened to my idea, thought it was valuable and trusted me to run with it, that is just an incredible indication of support.”

For Mason, the foundation’s focus on professional development has been critical to its success. He also believes it spurred other area school systems to increase their own professional development offerings, further benefiting Birmingham teachers.

“Teachers are the key,” Mason says. “It is so important for them to always have opportunities to learn, from each other and others, so that the school system can sustain improvement year after year.”

READY FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT When the foundation began in 1992, personal computers were just becoming ubiquitous and many early projects focused on bringing new technology into schools. By 2015, the foundation was supplementing costs for Chromebooks for every student, starting with high school students and eventually encompassing junior high and elementary students and for teachers.

Those Chromebooks proved crucial when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and abruptly forced schools to transition from in-person learning to online, at-home learning.

Led by Director of Technology Suzan Brandt and her team, the school system quickly assigned students laptops to take home. They used a

program called ClassLink to get lessons to students and set up a helpline. Supply chain problems were not an issue with the computers in hand. What software the students needed was already loaded and ready for them to log on, and Google Meet video connections, also funded by the foundation, were ready to go.

“We had enough in place to get that program off the ground quickly with minimal disruption to learning,” Brandt says. “COVID itself was quite a shift, of course, but we were fortunate to have those devices already and we made it happen.”

The foundation approved an additional $300,000 in grants in response to COVID, giving a record $761,843 in 2020-21. The school system used the

funds to purchase technology for distance learning and fund licenses for software platforms like Eduvision and Google Enterprise.

“COVID certainly was not easy, it was still a painful experience for everyone,” Hudson said. “But having the Chromebooks already, and having them all operate on one system that was already in place, did make the transition easier.”

Now, Hudson said, foundation leaders are ready to make the next 30 years just as successful, no matter what challenges come up.

“We are focused on providing continued support for our students and teachers to make learning more engaging, and working to support the school system for the next 30 years.”

MountainBrookMagazine.com 45

46 Summer 2022

&STYLE

HOME

COZY OPULENCE

A designer builds on her grandparents’ memories and her own style to bring new life to a familiar set of walls.

BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY REBECCA WISE MountainBrookMagazine.com 47

M

Mallory Arnett has known one particular house in Lockerbie since it was built in 1985. For years it was where she visited her grandparents and would beg to get to spend the night, and then a few years ago it became a canvas for her interior design taste when her parents bought it and decided to make it their own.

For decades the house was filled with antiques and traditional designs, but when it became theirs, Mallory’s parents wanted to give it a less formal look of their own. In the end, Mallory worked with her mom to mix antiques in with a pop of modern and plenty of patterned fabrics to create a look Mallory calls “cozy opulence.”

After getting a degree in fashion, Mallory worked for Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic line in San Francisco for several years, where she learned she had a knack for tastefully mixing patterns,

48 Summer 2022

and that’s just what she did in this family home as well. Most of her design work started with elegant drapery fabrics that were the foundation of each room’s color palette, and to each she added complementary patterns. Along the way, she worked closely with designer Grant Trick to create draperies, pillows and bedding, as well as Paige Albright Orientals to select rugs and Fixture & Finishes in her bathroom and lighting selections.

Today as Mallory walks through the house she’s reminded of her early memories of walking through the house when it was under construction and no railing were yet up and of the growth chart that still marks her siblings’ heights over the years in the kitchen—and also a newer set of memories she’s made within the same walls as the designer behind Maison Luxe Interiors.

Kitchen Black soapstone is the statement maker of this space as is crawls up the walls with a scalloped edge behind the vent hood. Over on the left you can see a bird print on draperies that brings the outdoors into this space where the family spends so much time.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 49

Dining Room This room is one of the most traditional in the house and hence most reminiscent of Mallory’s grandparents’ style. The table and chairs were theirs as well as the lace tablecloth Mallory says adds a coziness to the space along with new curtains that line floor-to-ceiling leaded glass windows.

50 Summer 2022

Master Bedroom The colors of this pastel room started with the floral curtains that went on to inspire the crushed velvet coral bed and turquoise and grey pillows made by Grant Trick.

A painting by local artist Liz Lane adds colorful pop of modern to this room.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 51

Master Bathroom An asymmetrical matte finish bathtub from Fixtures & Finishes sits in front of a gallery wall amidst a light green wall color and atop an Alabama marble tile floor here.

52 Summer 2022

Guest Bathroom Mallory designed the scalloped cut of this Calcutta Vagli marble from Triton Stone and selected Henry by Waterworks brass fixtures to complement it atop a dress vanity. To complete the elegant look, she found a bow-topped gold mirror at Maison de France Antiques in Leeds.

In this bathroom’s white-tiled shower Mallory had gold birds added to the design that represent her and her grandparents.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 53

Guest Bedroom Mallory’s grandmother had this canopy bed designed, and growing up, it was Mallory’s “princess bed” when she spent the night in the house. To add even more flair to its classic design, Mallory added peach gathered fabric under the top of the canopy.

54 Summer 2022

Boy’s Bedroom A 48-star flag from Unique Black Sheep behind the bed is a focal point of this room where Mallory’s nephew stays when he visits, but the room’s look started with the portrait of a boy above the desk that was Mallory’s grandparents’ and a rug with navys and red that was in her grandfather’s office for years.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 55

Living Room Like most rooms in the house, this one’s design started with blue and white drapery fabric that the colors of the couch and rug pull from.

56 Summer 2022

behind baybala KATIE GASTON IS DESIGNING CLOTHING FOR MOM AND MINI AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT IS WEARABLE.

BY MADOLINE MARKHAM | PHOTOS BY STACY ALLEN MountainBrookMagazine.com 57

FEBRUARY 3, 2015, WOULD FOREVER CHANGE KATIE GASTON’S LIFE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE WHEN SHE GAVE BIRTH TO HER FIRST CHILD, GREER. At that time, Katie had closed her retail shop Full Circle in Forest Park days before her son’s arrival, but as she was busy caring for an infant—who is now in first grade at Mountain Brook Elementary— and learning how to be a mom, her mind wasn’t idle but rather dreaming. She looked around and saw beautifully made children’s clothing that felt 58 Summer 2022

unrealistic for everyday wear. Surely, she thought, those two qualities didn’t have to be mutually exclusive. There seemed to be “a hole in the market between traditional southern clothes and the more modern baby clothing brands,” Katie says.

Simultaneously, as she began working in residential interior decorating, she saw an

opportunity in the styles offered for women, too. “I was going from being at home with my baby to being in a client’s home to running to market to going to lunch with girlfriends,” she recalls. “Plus I was nursing. I needed clothes that could go anywhere and everywhere with me.” She found she was in need of machine washable, fashion-forward and nursing-friendly clothing that she would want to wear for every aspect of her life—something “comfortable but put together.”

Just after her daughter, Ada Kate, was born two years later, and after years of research into starting a clothing line, Katie came across a company out of New York whose sole purpose was to launch brands.

As it turns out, that company quickly got on board

with a firm belief in Katie’s idea for both women’s and children’s niches, and they started working together in the summer of 2018, with the company providing production, finance, marketing and back office support to get her brand off the ground.

But what would it be called, though? When her children were young, Katie would call them “baby love.” “When you say it fast and you’re southern and you’re tired, it comes out ‘bay-buh-luh,’” she explains. And thus the Baybala brand was born— with a goal “to make easy-to-care for but beautiful clothing where we aren’t sacrificing style or design elements for care or ease of wear.” It’s about “ease and style without compromise,” as Katie likes to say it, stocking wardrobes with the kind of clothing you MountainBrookMagazine.com 59

THE BAYBALA TEAM FRONT ROW: Ada Kate Gaston, Model Katie Gaston, Baybala Founder Haylee Frazer, Model Caroline Harrington, Baybala Technical Designer BACK ROW: Brittany Sturdivant, Love Be Photography, Videographer Stacy Allen, Photographer Mary Ashley Twitty, Fox & Brindle, Prop Stylist Mallie Stitt, Baybala Marketing and Brand Coordinator Abby Moorer, Hair & Makeup

want to reach for every day. Baybala officially launched in November of 2019.

And then came COVID. Quickly, Katie’s moment of being the most prepared she’d ever been to start a business vanished. “We had spent over a year creating projections. We had goals for going to market. We had numbers of doors we wanted to be in for wholesale,” she recounts. “We might as well have lit that piece of paper on fire. Everything went out the window, and for everyone in business at the time, it was like operating in the wild, wild west.”

Just before the world shut down, though, Baybala moved its photo shoot for spring/summer of 2020 from New York to Birmingham at the last minute as they watched things in New York go downhill.

60 Summer 2022

Within a couple of days they found a full team of Birmingham talent—photographer, stylists, producer, assistants, models—and shot everything at Katie’s house outside Mountain Brook Village— not far from where the Mountain Brook High School graduate grew up—on the Thursday before everything closed on Saturday. And that all brought a silver lining to Katie—identifying local talent and leaning into doing all creative work for photo shoots right here in Birmingham, something they’ve continued to do as they have grown and don’t plan to change.

With COVID though, Baybala’s spring collection in 2020 ended up much smaller than they’d planned, which allowed them to grow slowly and

learn along the way. Katie and her team took this opportunity to hone in on what they wanted to create as a brand, how they wanted to create it, and who they wanted to create it with.

Now more than three years into this journey, Katie’s title might be founder and creative director of Baybala, but she’s literally done every part of the business there is to do, much of it from her home office in a spare bedroom off her kids’ playroom (though Baybala has plans to move into an office space soon). In fact, the day of our interview she’d had a new local employee start and had passed off the hat of packing shipments for the first time ever.

One hat she’ll likely never give up, though, is that of designer. In the beginning, Katie designed

alongside a seasoned fashion designer who had worked at the likes of Celine and Jil Stuart since she didn’t have any experience designing clothing.

These days she does the design work herself in collaboration with Baybala’s technical designer, Birmingham native Caroline Harrington.

Months before you see new dresses, shirts and more on the Baybala website, Katie’s process starts with textiles, as this is where she has always gleaned the most inspiration. She builds designs around the fabric selections and then designs the details of the silhouettes.

From there the factory receives a tech pack–the equivalent of a building’s architectural drawings and creates a sample of the garment, which sometimes arrives in Birmingham “a little bit of a

MountainBrookMagazine.com 61

disaster,” Katie says. Once it arrives, Katie and Caroline fit the designs on Katie’s kids, pin them, measure them, study them for details and potential defects down to the color of the seaming thread.

From there the factory sends additional samples until the garment is just right and ready to be photographed and produced. This timeline often takes at least six months from start to finish.

Today you can find Baybala clothes in ages 3 months up to 8 years and for women’s sizes extra small to large on Baybala.com and at around 15 retail stores from East Coast to West, including Swaddle in Homewood.

Day in and day out, Katie draws inspiration from textiles and travel and from feminine detail orientated runway fashion that she translates to modern, everyday styles. She’s also always looking to her own closet and asking: What am I reaching for day-to-day that I love? And how can we make it 62 Summer 2022

better?

Also top of mind is what’s practical to wear when a toddler spins in circles or runs away from you when you dress them like her youngest, Margaret, not quite 2 years old, currently does. Whenever she can, Katie skips buttons and hook-and-eye clasps in her designs. “As southerners we love the aesthetic of heirloom pieces—the lace and the delicate detail and all of the thought that goes into that—but you aren’t going to send your kid to school in that,” she notes. Instead, she uses those beautiful pieces as inspiration to create styles that can be worn every day.

As for women’s clothing, while she doesn’t design everything with nursing and pregnancy in mind, these seasons are a reality for many women, and with most pieces Katie likes to keep that in mind when finalizing each piece. “It’s amazing how many things are out there that with just a teeny tiny tweak

would be so much more wearable and useful,” she says.

All in all, her design philosophy is the same for interiors and apparel. “When you design for families, any designer will tell you, you have to look at practicality first, but you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice something that looks good,” Katie says.

“It’s about embracing the reality of your lifestyle and designing for that.”

Katie’s three kids choose the Baybala items in their closet often—although Katie admits her older daughter Ada Kate, 5, loves a sparkly unicorn too. If one of her designs is itchy, they are the ones who tell her. “One of the most rewarding things is having them be a part of what I do,” she notes. They also might or might not have been bribed with a fish tank—which is still in their house—to model in a photo shoot at one point, too.

From here Katie plans to build Baybala’s direct-

to-consumer and wholesale reach and continue to always be improving the product. She also hopes to build Baybala’s team of Birmingham talent with positions that can be flexible for whatever their family life looks like. One day she hopes to take her kids to the factory in India that produces Baybala clothes and show them their ethical practices she herself saw when she visited before the pandemic.

As to Baybala’s spring and summer 2022 collection that’s out now, Katie says to look out for both a smocked group and a blue floral group that really hit her marks of feminine, easy-to-wear, and detail oriented, and to watch for new items soon after that in partnership with artists.

At the heart of it all for Katie, though, is something more than clothing. “I want Babyla to be a joy both to me and to everyone who works for and with us,” she says. “I think we have done that so far, and I hope we continue to do that for a long time.”

MountainBrookMagazine.com 63

MOUNTAIN BROOK’S BEST WINNERS 2022

You voted. We tallied. See just who Mountain Brook’s favorites are.

Photos by Keith McCoy & Contributed

64 Summer 2022

FOOD & DRINK

BEST FRIENDLY DINING TACO MAMA

BEST FRIENDLY DINING Taco Mama 63 Church Street Crestline Village 205-414-9314 tacomamaonline.com Runner Up: Otey’s Tavern, Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila BEST KID FRIENDLY DINING Taco Mama 63 Church Street Crestline Village 205-414-9314 tacomamaonline.com Runner Up: Gilchrist, Otey’s Tavern BEST CASUAL DINING Otey’s Tavern 224 Country Clb Pk, Birmingham, AL 35213 (205) 871-8435 oteystavern.com Runner Up: Taco Mama, Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Dyron’s Lowcountry 121 Oak St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 834-8257 dyronslowcountry.com Runner Up: Vino, Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila BEST LUNCH SPOT Otey’s Tavern 224 Country Clb Pk, Birmingham, AL 35213 (205) 871-8435 oteystavern.com Runner Up: Taco Mama, Craft’s on Church Street

BEST COFFEE Church Street Coffee & Books 81 Church Street Crestline Village 205-870-1117 churchstreetshop.com

BEST CHEF Brantley Bush - Dyron’s Lowcountry 121 Oak St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 834-8257 dyronslowcountry.com

Runner Up: Continental Bakery, Crestline Bagel Company

Runner Up: Rodney Davis - Otey’s Tavern, Jorge Castro - Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila

BEST SWEET TREATS Olexa’s Catering, Cafe and Cakes 2838 Culver Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 871-2060 olexas.com Runner Up: Mountain Brook Creamery, Church Street Coffee & Books BEST PIZZA Davenport’s Pizza Palace 2837 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-879-8603 davenportspizza.com Runner Up: Slim’s Pizzeria, Post Office Pies BEST DRINKS/ COCKTAILS Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila 920 Lane Parke Ct, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 407-4797 solylunabham.com

BEST ETHIC DINING Surin of Thailand 64 Church Street Crestline Village 205-871-4531 surinofthailand.com Runner Up: Abhi Eatery and Bar (Mountain Brook), Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila BEST BRUNCH Dyron’s Lowcountry 121 Oak St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 834-8257 dyronslowcountry.com Runner Up: Another Broken Egg Cafe, Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila

Runner Up: Otey’s Tavern, Taco Mama MountainBrookMagazine.com 65

BEST HAIR SALON OAK STREET HAIR GROUP INC

COMMUNITY

BEST COMMUNITY EVENT Otey’s Fest Runner Up: Halloween parade, Christmas Parade BEST VILLAGE Crestline Village Runner Up: Mountain Brook Village, English Village BEST LOCAL CAUSE Magic Moments Runner Up: Christopher Kids, Reed Foundation

THANK YOU!

BEST OUTDOOR SPOT Jemison Park 2615 Mountain Brook Parkway mtnbrook.org/parksrec/page/jemison-park Runner Up: Oteys, Mountain Brook Parkway BEST CHURCH Canterbury United Methodist Church 350 Overbrook Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 871-4695 canterburyumc.org Runner Up: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Mountain Brook Baptist Church

JanieMac Roe Voted best realtor in

mountain brook

205.908.3699 | janiemac@lahrealestate.com 66 Summer 2022

BEST PERSONALITY Sri Koduri, Church Street Coffee Barista Church Street Coffee & Books 81 Church Street Crestline Village 205-870-1117 churchstreetshop.com Runner Up: Sam Gaston, City Manager, Hatton Smith

HEALTH & BEAUTY BEST DENTAL PRACTICE Mountain Brook Smiles 120 Office Park Dr Suite 240, Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 423-9140 mountainbrooksmiles.com

Runner Up: Over The Mountain Dentistry, Alexander Dentistry

Thank you for your vote!

- Voted Best Insurance Agent -

BEST PHARMACY Crestline Pharmacy 60 Church Street Crestline Village 205-871-0317 facebook.com/crestlinepharmacy Runner Up: Ritch’s Pharmacy, Harbin Discount Pharmacy BEST HAIR SALON Oak Street Hair Group Inc 125 Oak St, Birmingham, AL 35213 (205) 879-3222 oakstreethairgroup.com Runner Up: Tonya Jones SalonSpa, 5 Dexter Salon BEST NAIL SALON Nail Tek 600 Olde English Ln Ste 120, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 879-3377 nailteksalon.com Runner Up: Jimmy’s Nails, Envy BEST SPA Village Dermatology Aesthetic and Laser Center 2900 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-877-9773 villagedermatology.net/aesthetic-dermatology/ Runner Up: Rousso Adams Facial Plastic Surgery, Dermatology & Laser of Alabama

MARGARET ANN PYBURN Margaret Ann Pyburn was recently selected as the Best Insurance Agent in Mountain Brook by Mountain Brook Magazine readers.

Additionally, Cobbs Allen was selected as the Best Insurance Agency by readers.

Cobbs Allen is a national independent agency focused on risk management in niche practice groups. We deliver commercial insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance, and alternative risk financing services to our clients.

Birmingham, AL | Columbus, OH | Gadsden, AL Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL New Orleans, LA www.cobbsallen.com © 2022 Cobbs Allen | All Rights Reserved MountainBrookMagazine.com 67

BEST FITNESS CENTER Meta Fitness Studio 3150 Overton Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 783-1218 metafitstudio.com Runner Up: KidFit/Kristi Walters Fitness, MPower Pilates + Cycle Studio BEST ORTHODONTICS Hufham Orthodontics 120 Euclid Avenue Crestline Village 205-871-8881 hufhamortho.com

Trust in the Best to Change Your Address 2629 C AHA BA ROAD BIRMIN GHA M, A L 35223 raypoynor.com | 205.879.3036

Runner Up: Great Smiles Orthodontics - Crestline, PT Orthodontics BEST PERSONAL TRAINER Kristi Walters – KidFit Crestline Village, Mountain Brook 205-420-1312 kristiwaltersfitness.com Runner Up: Matt Crane - Meta Fitness, Mike Smith - Meta Fitness BEST DERMATOLOGY Village Dermatology 2900 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-877-9773 villagedermatology.net/aesthetic-dermatology/ Runner Up: Dermatology & Laser of Alabama, Gunn Dermatology BEST DOCTOR Daniel E. Rousso MD - Rousso Adams Facial Plastic Surgery 2700 US , Hwy 280 Suite 300 W, Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 930-9595 drrousso.com Runner Up: Sarah Boyce Sawyer, MD - Dermatology & Laser of Alabama, Holly Gunn MD

68 Summer 2022

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE A’MANO

SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST NEW BUSINESS Slim’s Pizzeria 65 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 848-2706 slimspizzeria.com

Runner Up: Daughters Baking, Lé Weekend Studio

BEST ESTHETICIAN Kim Halvorson - Village Dermatology 2900 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-877-9773 villagedermatology.net/aesthetic-dermatology/ Runner Up: Lauren Crotwell- Dermatology & Laser of Alabama, Rousso Adams Facial Plastic Surgery

70 Summer 2022

BEST FLORIST Leaf & Petal 2817 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-871-3832 leafnpetal.com Runner Up: Marigold Designs, Mountain Brook Flower Shop

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE A’mano 281 Rele St, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 871-9093 shopamanogifts.com

BEST FLORIST LEAF & PETAL

Runner Up: B.Prince, Mon Ami BEST BOUTIQUE B.Prince 271 Rele Street Lane Parke 205-871-1965 shopbprince.com Runner Up: Mon Ami, Milla BEST GIFT SHOP A’Mano 281 Rele Street Lane Parke 205-871-9093 amanogifts.com

BEST STORE FOR KIDS Snoozy’s Kids 228 Country Club Park Crestline Village 205-871-2662 snoozyskids.net Runner Up: Mon Ami, Smith’s Variety

Runner Up: ALKMY, Snoozy’s Kids

MountainBrookMagazine.com 71

BEST STORE FOR HOME FURNISHINGS/DÉCOR/KITCHENS The Cook Store of Mountain Brook 2841 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 879-5277 thecookstoremtnbrook.com Runner Up: ALKMY, Table Matters BEST ANIMAL CARE/ CLINIC Village Pet Care P.C. 2921 Cahaba Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 582-2468 villagepetcarepc.com Runner Up: Pet Vet Express BEST GARDEN SHOP Leaf & Petal 2817 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-871-3832 leafnpetal.com Runner Up: Oak Street Garden Shop

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& LANDSCAP

TOTLINE T ES ARCR HEOF AL LAND M PAS TTORG VILL AR AGE HEFRO BUSTLIN TOISTR Y FOR A MIN S IN MEMORY LOS TIMES PANDEMIC

Visit MountainBrook Magazine.com or call 205-669-3131 to subscribe for $14.95 plus tax cake (4 issues) a year.

T LE AR EDIBKITC HEN WITH

• A TASTE

• FLORALS OF BOWL.

ART

RIES CRAFT STO RS HE ANTINE-TOTHE QUAR KAMPAKIS + TWO OT OF ELLA

J anuary /F eBruary 2021

BRUARY 2021 JANUARY/FE m kMagazine.co MountainBroo | Issue One Volume Five $4.95

72 Summer 2022

W E D D IN G 2021

S

S WEDDING TEN REAL LOVE STORIES PANDEMIC STYLES BRIDAL HAIR ROMANTIC

BEST DRY CLEANER Champion Cleaners 42-A Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 871-2962 mydrycleaner.com Runner Up: Utopia Cleaners & Laundry BEST SPECIALTY STORE The Cook Store of Mountain Brook 2841 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 879-5277 thecookstoremtnbrook.com Runner Up: ALKMY, Mon Ami BEST LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER Holland Williams Photography - Mountain Brook hollandwilliamsphotography.com HollandWilliamsPhotography@gmail.com 850.384.6709 Runner Up: Mary Margaret Chambliss photography, Beth Hontzas Photography

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER Dana Wolter Interiors 2713 Cahaba Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 938-4848 danawolterinteriors.com

BEST STORE FOR KIDS SNOOZY’S KIDS

Runner Up: Jeremy D. Clark Studio, Aimee Belden BEST DANCE STUDIO Linda Dobbins Dance 525 Office Park Dr, Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 902-3013 lindadobbinsdance.com Runner Up: Steeple Arts Academy of Dance, TriFusion | Crestline Village

HOME, FINANCE & AUTO BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Janie Mac Roe - LAH Real Estate (205) 908-3699 lahrealestate.com janiemac@lahrealestate.com Runner Up: Kathryn Dorlon - Ray & Poyner, Scott Boudreaux - LAH Real Estate

Are you CONFIDENT with your retirement plan?

BEST INSURANCE AGENT Margaret Ann Pyburn Cobbs Allen 115 Office Park Drive, Suite 200 205-414-8100 cobbsallen.com Runner Up: Drew Carter - State Farm Insurance, Blair J William

We're a fee-only wealth management firm providing investment management and financial planning services to help clients control their financial future and retirement. We believe success is achieved through personalized team experiences.

Start a conversation today to learn more about how our Family Office Services and Wealth Management approach can help you meet your financial goals.

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Contact: Greg@welchgroup.com | 3940 Montclair Rd, 5th Floor | Birmingham, AL | 205-879-5001 Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment, or any non-investment related services, will be profitable or prove successful. A copy of our current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at www.welchgroup.com.

MountainBrookMagazine.com 73

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY Ray & Poynor 2629 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 205-870-3036 raypoynor.com Runner Up: LAH Crestline, Fred Smith Group - Realty South BEST INSURANCE AGENCY Cobbs Allen 115 Office Park Drive, Suite 200 205-414-8100 cobbsallen.com Runner Up: Iron City Insurance Brokers, Bray Insurance Agency BEST BANK Oakworth Capital Bank 850 Shades Creek Parkway 205-263-4700 oakworth.com Runner Up: Regions Bank, IBERIABANK BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR The Welch Group: Stewart H. Welch III, AEP, CFP 3940 Montclair Rd, Birmingham, AL 35213 (205) 879-5001 welchgroup.com Runner Up: Fritze Financial, The Welch Group: Hugh Smith, CPA, CFP, CFA BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY Guild Mortgage - Adam Snable 2700 US-280 Suite 290 E, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 370-9231 guildmortgage.com Runner Up, Alan Brumbeloe, Amerifirst Mortgage, Janie Wood Mortgage BEST HVAC Guin Service 10 55th St S, Birmingham, AL 35212 (205) 595-4846 guinservice.com Runner Up: Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning 74 Summer 2022

MountainBrookMagazine.com 75

Lovely LOUISVILLE

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed 76 Summer 2022

When you first think about the city of Louisville, Kentucky, baseball, bourbon and horses might be the first thoughts that come to mind.

To be sure, this city is well-known for all three things but venture a bit farther and you will discover so much more.

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

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.

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HIT THE ROAD 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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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.

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.

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HIT THE ROAD

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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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

With accommodations from beach to bay,

Situated on the pristine sugar-white beaches

2BD/2BA condos, private Gulf-front balconies,

spanning the , -acre resort, Sandestin®

of South Walton, WaterColor Inn perfectly

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

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

2022 Board of Directors

New Member Spotlight -Roofer’s Birmingham -St. Luke’s Episcopal Church -Birmingham Direct Primary Care -Adams Dental Arts - Preston C. Adams -Dawson Building Company -Vogue Cleaners -American Cancer Society -New York Life Insurance, Wallace Ripley -O.M Hughes Insurance -Real & Rosemary, Crestline Switch -Have a Happy by Ellen

President Walter Crye Greenhalgh Insurance

Sustaining Member Sam Gaston City of Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook Village Rep Dr. Jenny Sobera Village Dermatology

Executive Vice President Millie Rudder First Horizon Bank

City Council Liaison Alice Womack Oakworth Capital Bank

Mountain Brook Plaza Ann Sanders Mountain Brook Plaza

Vice President of Business Development Joseph Braswell Guin Service

Junior Board Advisors Dan Bundy First US Bank

Office Park Rep Ladd Tucker, Ladd Real Estate

Vice President of Governmental Affairs Representative David Faulkner Christian & Small Vice President of Community Affairs Melinda Curtis Community Volunteer

Annual Annual Luncheon

John Cassimus will share his entrepreneurial story and how he is navigating the entrepreneurial process in 2022 and beyond. Cassimus and his family’s endeavors include Zoe’s, Maki Fresh, Jinsei, Crazy Cazboy’s, and Sawtooth Plantation.

Luncheon Friday, May 6 • 11 am to 1 pm

To register & more details, visit mtnbrookchamber.org

Thank You to Our Sponsors

101 HOYT LANE 84 Summer 2022

Junior Board Liaison Cary Beck Maynard Cooper & Gale Directors At Large Harriet Cochran Ray & Poynor

Vice President of Membership Katrina Porter Katrina Porter Designs

Laura Finch Laura Luckie Finch, LPC

Vice President of Marketing and Communications Lauren Nichols St. Vincent’s First Past President Ricky Bromberg Bromberg’s

2022 Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce

Knox Richardson HighFive Healthcare

Kimberly Jackson Alabama Power Company Lauren Tatum, Bryant Bank Hollins Rush, Regions Bank Anna Katherine Bowman Bradley Arrant Jimmy Tracy St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Secretary Martha Gorham Realty South

Crestline Village Rep Gina Harris Great Smiles Orthodontics

Treasurer John Wilson Borland Benefield General Council Paul DeMarco Parsons, Lee, & Juliano

English Village Rep Cathy Catalano KH Management

Executive Director Suzan Doidge, Chamber Project Manager Molly Wallace, Chamber Past Presidents Advisory Group Ricky Bromberg, Tonya Jones, Vince Schilleci, Dr. Cal Dodson, Dr. Lori Smith, Dan Bundy, Frank Caley, Terry Chapman, Kaye Emack, David Faulkner, Will Haver, Steven Hydinger, Amy Jackson, John Rucker, John Wilson, Alice Womack Rolling off the board this year: Parker Stringfellow Betsy Dreher Laura Hydinger Sam Heide Dr. Cal Dodson New this year: Lauren Tatum, Bryant Bank Harriet Cochran, Ray and Poynor John Evans, Evson, Inc Anna Katherine Bowman, Bradley Arrant Jimmy Tracy, St Luke’s Episcopal Church

Lane Park Rep John Evans Evson Inc.

MTN. BROOK, ALABAMA 35213

F i n d U s O n l i ne

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

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Access our member directory

2022 Junior Board President Lee Mallette Fairway Management Group VP and President-Elect Ali Money FirstBank Secretary Lindsay Crocker OB-GYN South

Harper DeWine Protective Life

Matthew McGough Tynes Development

Drew Dickson Alabama Power Company

Reed McMullan Regions

Lillian Falkenburg Snoozy's Kids

Adam Millhouse Millhouse Howell Landscaping

Caroline Fuerniss Morgan Stanley

Liz Moore Burr & Forman LLP

Chamber Liaison Cary Beck Maynard Cooper & Gale

Will Howell Millhouse Howell Landscaping

Grant Morgan Oakworth Capital Bank

Treasurer Wil Bromberg Regions

Bradford Kidd Harbert Realty

Virginia Nelson Virginia Nelson Design

Sidney Knight Retail Specialists

Laura Owens Mountain Brook City Schools

Amanda Lanier Village Dermatology

Will Reis Crawford Square

Lucy Lavette Prepaid Technologies

Ryan Sims Brasfield & Gorrie

Patrick Lavette Renasant Bank

Landon Stubblefield TPD Architect

Mary Nelson Little First Horizon

Will Terry Hoar Construction

Peyton McDougal Fleetio

Collier Tynes VOICES

Reece McGlawn West AL Bank

Matt Wilson Regions

VP of Communications Emily Gardner ServisFirst Bank VP of Events Virginia Grisham Grisham Tolbert Interior Design Katie Clifton BCBSAL Christen Crosby Ray & Poynor Dustin Dew Lakeshore Foundation

Chef Rodney Davis receives Key to the City for 30 years at Otey’s!

Grayson Hydinger Creates Dog Park at Mountain Brook Elementary Field

Ribbon Cuttings

Le Weekend Grand Opening December 9th

Southern States Bank New Location - January 20th

205 - 871 - 3779

WWW.MTNBROOKCHAMBER.ORG MountainBrookMagazine.com 85

OUT & ABOUT

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ANIMAL LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM’S EASTER BUNNY PHOTO

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PHOTOS BY ANNA GRACE MOORE & CONTRIBUTED

The Animal League of Birmingham hosted an Easter bunny photo shoot to raise money for their charity. Even the dogs got photos, too.

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Suzanne Orange, Sydney Smith, Inga Clum, Jennifer Anderson (Easter Bunny), Melissa Sullivan and Ashley Glass

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Jacob Breedlove’s first time meeting the Easter Bunny..

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Whitt and Will Laney

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Kaitlyn Bellanca

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Some were a little shy but received many “good girls!”

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Every two-legged friend and four-legged furry friend put on her best smile.

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The charity fundraiser was kindly hosted by Smith’s Variety in Mountain Brook.

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George Coble, Clara Jane Coble

86 Summer 2022

OUT & ABOUT

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JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM DAY OF PLAY PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

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The Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) hosted the community for a Day of Play at Inglenook Elementary on Saturday, March 5 to celebrate Inglenook’s new baseball field, recently renovated along with its basketball court, by the JLB as part of its 100 Acts of Service Centennial Campaign.

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Susan Shields Cash, Candace Dunn, Angelic Whited, Vanessa Daniels, Melody Harrington, Hilary Beason, Andi Dickens, Lisa Taylor, Brittany Lindsay

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Emily Dumas, Scott Winfree

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Caroline Jenkins, Hilary Beason, Vanessa Daniels

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Amy Jackson, Spider-Man, Hilary Beason

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Sydney Simmons, Karen Templeton

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April Burgess, Honora Gathings

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Vanessa Daniels, Susan Shields Cash, Hilary Beason, Kaity Blackman, Amy Jackson

MountainBrookMagazine.com 87

88 Summer 2022

Marketplace Mountain Brook Magazine • 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

•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

MARKETPLACE

MountainBrookMagazine.com

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

MountainBrookMagazine.com 89

MY MOUNTAIN BROOK BETSY PARKER

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Project Manager

Reading

O’Neal Library Online Catalog Did you know if you have a library card and are a Mountain Brook resident, you have unlimited access to their limitless online catalog of audio books? So many services require monthly subscriptions, but O’Neal Library provides this service to Mountain Brook residents for free!

Mountain Brook History

The Irondale Furnace The Irondale Furnace, or as some locals call it “The Canon Ball Factory,” is tucked away in the Cherokee Bend neighborhood, providing a peaceful walking trail with benches and picnic areas. It is steeped in local history dating back to the Civil War. The foundation of the Irondale blast furnace was recently restored, and plaques tell the story of the facility that once occupied over 2,000 acres.

Garden Shop Nook

The Honor Box at Oak Street Garden Shop Few things personify the community aspect of our city more than the honor box at Oak Street Garden Shop. Pick what you need, leave your payment in the box and you’re good to go!

Supporting Local Businesses

GreenWise $5 sushi on Wednesdays GreenWise Market in Lane Parke offers amazing take away meals, sandwiches, coffee, even sushi!

The Best Eateries

Lunch at Civitas Longtime Mountain Brook merchant Tonya Jones, of Tonya Jones Salon, recently opened her newest restaurant venture, Civitas, which offers contemporary Southern cuisine. It is centrally located in English Village. As of April 5th, they are now offering lunch, in addition to their popular dinner service. I recommend ordering their locally sourced vegetable plate while dining outside on one of the best patios in town!

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M Y L A G O S M Y W AY

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

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