By Rubin E. GrantGene Hallman had reached a crossroad. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of Charleston in 1982 and earning a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Carolina in 1985, Hallman went to work for NCR, a financial firm. But after five years of working in corporate America, … [Read more...]
Tenacious: Goldfarb Recounts His Life in Newly Released Memoir
By Rubin E. Grant When Birmingham- Southern made the decision to move from NCAA Division I to Division III in 2006, Preston Goldfarb was so disenchanted, he decided to write a book. Goldfarb started the Panthers’ soccer program in 1983 and turned it into a national powerhouse in NAIA. He relished the opportunity to compete in Division I, but six years after BSC … [Read more...]
Somerby Residents Write Books, Become Radio DJs During Pandemic Lockdowns
During pandemic shutdowns, residents of Somerby St. Vincent’s One Nineteen found ways to take advantage of the lockdowns to accomplish long-time goals and find new hobbies. Betty Hagel, a Somerby resident since 2014 who is legally blind, was inspired by her family to sit down and write a book recounting her life story. From April to November, Hagel compiled what became a … [Read more...]
Light in the Eyes: Seasoned Performers Adapt to COVID While Keeping Creativity Alive
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw The motto for the Seasoned Performers is a quote from Victor Hugo: “Fire is seen in the eyes of the young, but it is light that we see in the eyes of the seasoned.” The performance group has a long history in Birmingham. The group dates back to the late 1980s, and it joined the Red Mountain Theatre Company in 2016. Throughout the years, the … [Read more...]
Colorful Characters: Cissell’s Festive Display in Mountain Brook Is a Must-See on the Wacky Tacky Tour
By Rubin E. Grant Bob Cissell might be 90 years old, but he has the heart of a child. Perhaps, that’s why the quirky, funny Christmas village at his home in Mountain Brook, on 4125 Brook Way, appeals to kids and adults alike. This is the third consecutive year Cissell has decorated his yard as part of the Wacky Tacky Light Tour, which runs Tuesday-Thursday this week. The bus … [Read more...]