By Donna Cornelius Food often is a major part of Father’s Day, usually in the form of treating Dad to dinner at his favorite restaurant or gathering the family for a backyard cookout. But if your father is really into food, go a little outside the usual recipe box this year with the gift of a food experience. There are plenty of options: You can stay local for a cooking … [Read more...]
Life After the Bureau: Retired Agent Develops a Fictional Flair After a Life Spent Chasing Truth
By June Mathews Sit down for an hour or so with Homewood author Jack Owens and the conversation could go in just about any direction. A retired FBI agent, Owens has experienced life in a way few people do. The 30-year veteran of the bureau wound up working for the FBI, he said, “because Annapolis turned me down. My whole life, since I was 3 or 4 years old, I was going to be … [Read more...]
Eat Local, Win Big: Vestavia Hills Chamber Highlights Local Eateries With Savor the Summer Competition
By Emily Williams This summer, the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce has invited locals to visit eateries throughout the city with a “Savor the Summer” contest. The contest kicked off on May 23, the final day of school for Vestavia Hills City Schools students. Participants are challenged to visit as many food vendors in the city as they can – including fast food shops, ice … [Read more...]
Grace Abounds: A Beach Home in 30A’s Watersound Exudes Casual Elegance
By Lauren Helmer Imagine the waves lapping against the shoreline of your own private beach along 30A. You’ve just taken a dip in the crisp salt water and are heading back home, your toes massaging the sugar-white sand as you walk toward the wooden boardwalk that meanders through a nature trail into the Watersound coastal village community. Nestled among the towering pines, … [Read more...]
OK for FUN: Diving Into the Ultimate Family Experience
By June Mathews About eight years ago, Dina Marble and her husband, Will, began noticing a disturbing trend among teens. As a licensed professional counselor and an experiential educator, respectively, both Marbles worked with students on a regular basis. “Teenage anxiety and depression seemed to be up, and their resiliency and coping skills seemed to be down,” said Dina … [Read more...]