By Donna Cornelius Before you push open the door of Chocolatà, an artisan chocolate shop in downtown Birmingham, stop and look down. Carved in the concrete at the entrance to the shop are three words: “You are here.” If chocolate is one of your greatest pleasures in life, you’ve indeed arrived at a place where the sweet treat has a starring role. Kathy D’Agostino worked in … [Read more...]
Red Hot Yo’ Mama’s: Cooking Channel Will Spotlight Denise Peterson’s Downtown Restaurant
By Donna Cornelius There’s an actual mom in the kitchen at Yo’ Mama’s, where the food is Southern, scratch-made and scrumptious. The Second Avenue restaurant in downtown Birmingham is no secret to many in the city. It’s so popular that at lunchtime the line often stretches out the door and down the sidewalk. Denise Peterson opened her happy, hip eatery in 2014. Her daughter, … [Read more...]
Safe Harbor For Mother’s Day: Birmingham Mother Finds Peace and Optimism at Children’s Harbor
By Sarah Kuper The annual Art on the Lake event benefitting Children’s Harbor is May 26 at Lake Martin. The Birmingham-based nonprofit organization is not only a resource for long-term, seriously ill children, but also for their support system – in particular moms. Stephanie Holder has made use of the resources at Children’s Harbor from the time she was diagnosed with … [Read more...]
Football Legend Taking on Cancer: Pat Sullivan Ready to Tee It Up Fore Life
By Rubin E. Grant Just about every weekday afternoon, Pat Sullivan goes to his office on the third floor of the Samford football building that bears his name, the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House.His personal assistant, Darryl DuBose, is right by his side, providing whatever help Sullivan needs. “He’s my brother,” Sullivan said fondly. Sullivan is a special adviser … [Read more...]
Not Just Another Pretty Place: Decorators for ShowHouse Told to Come Up With Something Different
By Donna Cornelius Interior designer Perry Umphrey has been a part of the Decorators’ ShowHouse for almost two decades. “I participated for two years as a student and then did my own room for the first time in 2001,” Umphrey said. This year, he has a new role in the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraiser. He’s co-chairing the event with Molly Bee Bloetscher. The … [Read more...]



