By Ingrid Howard In addition to Christmas trees, lights and wreaths, Town Village Vestavia Hills has another decoration for residents to enjoy, and this one can last year-round. On some of the windows in the independent living community hang stained glass creations made by hand in Ron Vander Shaaf’s third-floor apartment. He learned that the price for a two-bedroom apartment … [Read more...]
Re-Leaf: Homewood Celebrates Arbor Month with Plantings, Educational Programming
By Emily Williams A group of Hall-Kent Elementary School students and teachers gathered outside in the fresh air Nov. 27 to get their hands dirty by planting four trees donated to the school through the Alabama Urban Forestry Association’s Re-Leaf program. Joining the students was Mayor Scott McBrayer, who helped with the planting. He brought along the city’s Arbor Month … [Read more...]
‘Shining Time’ : John Baumgartner Relished His Professional Baseball Career
By Rubin E. Grant John Baumgartner walked into the home team clubhouse at historic Rickwood Field on a late November morning and immediately looked at a picture hanging above some lockers. The picture showed former Birmingham Barons legend Walt Dropo swinging a bat. Dropo and Baumgartner were teammates with the Detroit Tigers in 1953, but it wasn’t Dropo at the plate that … [Read more...]
Bringing Joy to the Food World: Hop Aboard Comedienne Joy’s Party Bus for a Culinary Adventure
By Donna Cornelius Her real name is Cassandra King. But she’s better known by another name by her many friends and fans who have ridden her party bus, watched her TV show and gotten dining tips from her video blogs. She’s Comedienne Joy – and she has her finger in quite a few pies. Joy, as she likes to be called, appears on WABM TV every Saturday at 11 a.m. As the host of … [Read more...]
‘Graceful’ Carr Heads All-OTMJ Volleyball Team
By Rubin E. Grant Grace Carr doesn’t mind being compared to her older sister, Sara. In fact, she rather enjoys it. “I like having her as an older sister,” Grace Carr said. “She’s a good role model. She set an example of working hard, coming in and committing yourself and having a passion for your sport.” As an outside hitter, Sara Carr led Mountain Brook to consecutive … [Read more...]