By Meredith Hornsby Being a special needs parent is a journey no one ever expects to take. It can be overwhelming, confusing, frustrating – and wonderful. My daughter, Caroline, has cerebral palsy, and I’ve learned so many things since we began this adventure when she was born 4½ years ago. Life Isn’t Over When a child first receives a difficult diagnosis, it’s easy to … [Read more...]
Artistic License: Walker’s Paintings Capture Landmarks
By Lee DavisYou may not know Dirk Walker’s name, but there’s a good chance you’ve seen his work. Walker, 62, is one of the top urban landscape artists in the Southeast, with his artwork hanging in corporate buildings and hospitals throughout the region. His artwork depicts landmarks in Birmingham such as Sloss Furnaces, the Alabama Theatre, the Railroad Park area, the … [Read more...]
Back by Popular Demand: Piggly Wiggly Almost Ready to Return to Crestline Village
By Donna Cornelius One of Crestline’s most popular residents is coming back to the neighborhood. The new Piggly Wiggly supermarket in the Mountain Brook community has an anticipated opening date of May 31, company officials said. Owners Andy Virciglio and brothers Basim and Naseem Ajlouny hoped to re-open in Crestline Village after they had to shut down their store at the … [Read more...]
A California Dream: Central Alabama Theater Founder Wants to Inspire Young Actors
By Emily Williams The man behind Central Alabama Theater is hoping to use his experiences and connections in "the biz" to inspire the arts community in Birmingham and its youth. Growing up in Gardendale, Carl Peoples never saw an acting career as a viable option for his life. He spent time singing with the youth choir at his Southern Baptist church but, living spitting … [Read more...]
Model Behavior: MBHS Student First Alabamian to Win Princeton Prize in Race Relations
By Emily Williams Spending a week in a YWCA of Central Alabama social justice leadership camp opened Katie Klasing’s eyes to the struggles people outside her hometown of Mountain Brook can face every day. She went home determined to share that understanding with her classmates at Mountain Brook High School. Her efforts have made Klasing the first Alabama resident to be … [Read more...]




