By June Mathews When Andrea Traina first came to the United States, starting a business was not part of his plan. A graphic designer by trade, he originally intended to work at a relative’s construction company for a year or two before returning home to Italy. Then he began teaching an Italian language class in Samford University’s evening program, Samford After Sundown, … [Read more...]
Making Connections: Vestavia Hills Chamber Pairs Students with Local Businesses
By Emily Williams While choosing their classes for this fall, Vestavia Hills High School students were given the chance to apply for a brand new program: the City Youth Connection, an initiative of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce that pairs students with local businesses to give them business skills firsthand. According to chamber Executive Director Karen Odle, the … [Read more...]
Reading Aloud: Local Author Gives Voice to his Third Novel
By June Mathews Some of Dr. Stephen Russell’s earliest memories are being read to and hearing bedtime stories told by his father. With a love for spoken stories instilled in him from a young age, it’s only natural that he would enjoy verbally sharing stories with others. In fact, Russell now reads and interprets stories for his kids in the “Dad’s Summer Book Club” he … [Read more...]
Philanthropy Becomes Personal: Corporate Community Supports Kidney Foundation And Fundraising Walk
By Sarah Kuper “Birmingham is a very philanthropic town. We are givers.” That’s according to ARC Realty Chairman Tommy Brigham, this year’s Kidney Walk honorary chair. Brigham has been a fixture in the Birmingham real estate market for decades, and he said he has seen the corporate community unite over common causes. “I think we understand as a community that we all have to … [Read more...]
A Tailback Looks at 50: Ex-Tide Star Humphrey Is a Community Pillar
By Lee Davis As a youth growing up in inner-city Birmingham more than 30 years ago, Bobby Humphrey’s weekends in the fall offered a familiar routine. On Friday nights, he would play running back for the Glenn High School Hawks in front of small crowds at Fair Park or Lawson Field. On Saturdays, he would sell soft drinks to capacity college football crowds at Legion … [Read more...]