By DeBorah LaymanWhen it comes to improving life in greater Birmingham, there is scarcely an organization, an initiative, a program or a movement that has not been touched by Cathy O. Friedman.“I lived through the Civil Rights era,” said Friedman, a Mountain Brook native. “When I got older and had a voice, I knew I wanted to work for human rights. I knew … [Read more...]
Fertile Ground: Urban Farm Program Reaps Benefits for Woodlawn High School Students
By Donna CorneliusThe Woodlawn High School Urban Farm sows more than seeds.The Jones Valley Teaching Farm program, which went into operation during the 2016-2017 school year, not only teaches students about food and farming, but also helps them harvest lifelong skills and interests.“They learn sustainable agricultural practices, which is an … [Read more...]
All in the Family: Crestline House Welcomes a Fourth-Generation Owner
By Emily Williams Though the landscape of Mountain Brook's Crestline neighborhood has changed during the past 60 years, there are some things that never change. One of those things is a Grodner living in the family home. The house was built by Paul Grodner and served as the childhood home for his son, Ken. After sending his own kids off to college, Ken and his wife moved … [Read more...]
Exploring Good Eats: This Year’s Birmingham Restaurant Week Is Bigger Than Ever
By Donna Cornelius Russell Hooks has learned it’s wise to pace himself during Birmingham Restaurant Week. He and his wife, Amber, are the founders of Happenin’s in the ’Ham, which uses multiple media platforms to spread news about Birmingham events and activities. They’re also two of the official BRW bloggers. That means from Aug. 11-20, when the annual culinary affair is in … [Read more...]
Space Makers: AllSouth Kitchen Renovation Breaks Down Walls and Brings Family Together
By Emily Williams Winds of change blew into Wende Grehalva's Hoover home shortly after the new year. From January through March of this year, Grehalva’s kitchen was being transformed from cramped quarters to an open space with plenty of room for family. The kitchen, stuck in the 1980s, was renovated with help from AllSouth Appliances designer Lynn McWhorter. “It’s really … [Read more...]