It’s the time of year when Santa Claus makes his list and checks it twice. To help the big guy, Mountain Brook’s Public Works Department has set up Santa’s mailboxes in town so children can send letters directly to the North Pole. The mailboxes are located in Mountain Brook and Crestline villages, including at Smith’s Variety, the Chamber of Commerce office at … [Read more...]
Twist to the Revolution: Samford’s Production of ‘1776’ Casts 22 Women, Only Four Men
By Ingrid SchnaderThe original script for “1776: The Musical,” which was written in 1969, calls for a cast of two women and 24 men.But when Samford University theater director Chelsea Nicholson got hold of the script, she decided to take a different artistic direction.“Look at Congress today,” she said. “It’s 80% men, 20% women in 2019. And that’s only after that … [Read more...]
Smelser Brings Winning Mindset to Vestavia Hills Girls Basketball Program
By Rubin E. GrantJohn David Smelser was a star baseball player at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa High School. He was the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2007 Alabama Mr. Baseball.He also played baseball in college at Jacksonville State, Shelton State Community College and the University of Alabama.So, how did he wind up coaching high school basketball? Well, his mother, … [Read more...]
Nailed It: Automatic Seafood & Oysters Recieves Accolades from Thrillist, Esquire
By Ingrid SchnaderAutomatic Seafood & Oysters, which opened in Birmingham April 2019, was named among the best new restaurants in the country by two national publications this month.In a Nov. 13 article in Esquire, Automatic was recognized as No. 8 out of 22 Best New Restaurants in America. This story will run in print in Esquire’s Winter issue, on … [Read more...]
Stogner Steps Up, Phelps Outclasses Competition as Homewood Sweeps Class 6A State Cross-Country Titles
By Rubin E. GrantJust before the start of the state cross-country meet last Saturday, Homewood junior Jon Fielding Stogner received a text message from Crawford Hope.Hope had been the Patriots’ top runner all fall but was not allowed to run in the sectional and state meets for disciplinary reasons. All he could do was cheer on his teammates from home.“He texted me … [Read more...]