By Sue Murphy Tis the season. Every year, when the “-ber” months roll around, the entertaining sap rises and you get this overwhelming urge to invite people to your home for food and frolic. It’s extremely contagious, I suspect, because all of the TV food network hosts are trotting out their glittery best. Personally, I would love to wheedle my way onto the Barefoot … [Read more...]
Smelser Brings Winning Mindset to Vestavia Hills Girls Basketball Program
By Rubin E. GrantJohn David Smelser was a star baseball player at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa High School. He was the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2007 Alabama Mr. Baseball.He also played baseball in college at Jacksonville State, Shelton State Community College and the University of Alabama.So, how did he wind up coaching high school basketball? Well, his mother, … [Read more...]
Nailed It: Automatic Seafood & Oysters Recieves Accolades from Thrillist, Esquire
By Ingrid SchnaderAutomatic Seafood & Oysters, which opened in Birmingham April 2019, was named among the best new restaurants in the country by two national publications this month.In a Nov. 13 article in Esquire, Automatic was recognized as No. 8 out of 22 Best New Restaurants in America. This story will run in print in Esquire’s Winter issue, on … [Read more...]
Stogner Steps Up, Phelps Outclasses Competition as Homewood Sweeps Class 6A State Cross-Country Titles
By Rubin E. GrantJust before the start of the state cross-country meet last Saturday, Homewood junior Jon Fielding Stogner received a text message from Crawford Hope.Hope had been the Patriots’ top runner all fall but was not allowed to run in the sectional and state meets for disciplinary reasons. All he could do was cheer on his teammates from home.“He texted me … [Read more...]
Santa’s Gurus on the Ground: George Jones – Snoozy’s Kids
By Emily WilliamsEditors note: Some toys picked may be available at more than one store, and prices may vary. Click for lists from Homewood Toy & Hobby and Smith's Variety. OTMJ: Do you remember your first day working in the toy Biz? George Jones: “We opened in 1988, primarily as a children’s bookstore with only a small section of toys. It was very … [Read more...]