By Donna Cornelius When Jeremy Downey eats an oyster, the taste takes him back to his childhood. Downey, the owner and chef of Bistro V in Vestavia Hills, grew up in Bayou La Batre on the Alabama Gulf Coast. “Our next door neighbor was an oyster guy, and he’d bring us a big old sack and say, ‘Here’s 50 pounds of oysters,’” Downey said. “Sometimes he’d just drop them on our … [Read more...]
Spirited Effort: Samford Professor Helps Tie God and Sports Together
By Kaitlin Candelaria God is the top priority in Darin White’s life, but sports may be a close second. The Vestavia Hills High School alumnus and Samford University professor is using his passion for Christ and his love of sports to create a thriving new program at Samford. White serves as the driving force behind the university’s sports marketing program. The program, … [Read more...]
Old Glory: Retired Hoover Firefighter Says Military Service Was Worth the Sacrifice
By Kaitlin Candelaria Michael Thorin has been asked more than once whether his service to the United States was worth it. The veteran and retired Hoover firefighter spent four years as an active member of the army before joining the Alabama Army National Guard, where he served for 20 years. He’s done multiple stateside tours and spent time in Afghanistan as an Army medic and … [Read more...]
Turkey Time: Chef Joseph Mitchell Shares Thanksgiving Tips
By Kaitlin Candelaria Chef Joseph Mitchell knows a thing or two about preparing a big meal. The director and advisor for the Culinary and Hospitality Institute at Jefferson State has worked in restaurants, country clubs and hotels just to name a few. And of course, he’s cooked a holiday meal or two for his family. When it comes to Thanksgiving, Mitchell says he and his … [Read more...]
Treating the Table: Do’s and Don’ts for Thanksgiving Tablescapes
By Emily Williams Marsha Baker may be a registered nurse, but her business these days is coming up roses. As the holidays approach, she has a few tips to help hosts and hostesses festively decorate their homes and tables for Thanksgiving. After giving birth to her children, Baker quit nursing professionally to stay home with the kids. “I started doing flowers through my … [Read more...]