By Rubin E. Grant When Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills holds three services on Easter Sunday, it will mark the final Resurrection Sunday for the Rev. Danny Wood as senior pastor of the 7,800-member church. Wood, who recently celebrated his 24th anniversary as Shades Mountain’s pastor, announced earlier this year that he plans to retire Aug. 15. “It was a … [Read more...]
Highlighting Birmingham’s Hidden History: Local Filmmaker Documents Greek-Owned Restaurants
By Shannon Thomason A short film about Birmingham’s tradition of Greek-owned restaurants premiered recently during the Southern Foodways Alliance’s 2021 Spring Symposium. The documentary “Philoxenia,” by Birmingham-based filmmaker and University of Alabama at Birmingham alumna Jessica Chriesman, of Homewood, featured Ted’s Restaurant, Demetri’s BBQ, Johnny’s Restaurant, The … [Read more...]
Get Your Motor Running: Museums to Satisfy Spring Break Adventure Seekers Close to Home
In addition to our feature story on the Cook Museum of Natural Science, here is a list of museums that are just a day trip away: Birmingham Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum In addition to its professional automobile and motorcycle race course, Barber Motorsports offers a museum dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, exhibition and history of motorcycles, … [Read more...]
Spark Imagination: Newly Re-imagined Cook Museum of Natural Science Makes Waves as Travel Destination
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw With spring break holidays happening this month, many vacationers may be opting to remain close to home and wait for the light at the end of the pandemic to draw nearer. Rather than heading to crowded beaches or taking a long driving trip to mountains states away, why not check out some exciting places to learn and grow close to home. The Cook … [Read more...]
Somerby Residents Write Books, Become Radio DJs During Pandemic Lockdowns
During pandemic shutdowns, residents of Somerby St. Vincent’s One Nineteen found ways to take advantage of the lockdowns to accomplish long-time goals and find new hobbies. Betty Hagel, a Somerby resident since 2014 who is legally blind, was inspired by her family to sit down and write a book recounting her life story. From April to November, Hagel compiled what became a … [Read more...]