By Emily Williams The holiday season revives fond memories of pumpkin-spiced beverages, homes dressed in lights and a general cheeriness in the air. Then there are the less fond memories, most notably of shopping. It’s a time of year when you are scrambling to cross off every item on your list and drum up a gift idea for that friend or relative who “has everything.” Local … [Read more...]
Gather Round the Table: Urban Ministries Welcomes Community to Break Bread in West End
By Emily WilliamsLunch is served and everyone is invited to the Urban Ministries' WE Community Cafe in Birmingham's West End community.On any given Wednesday, patrons from all walks of life go to the cafe and share the same healthy and hearty meal. That blending of communities is as much the point of the cafe as is raising money, said Hill Carmichael, executive … [Read more...]
A Fair Trade
By Emily WilliamsAfrica awaits, and it isn't as far away as you might think. In fact, it’s just over in downtown Homewood.That’s where Scott and Jamie Laslo established a storefront for their fair-trade brand Kanzi, which means "hidden treasures" in Swahili. The store embodies the next phase of their work with East Africa. It is a for-profit venture that provides … [Read more...]
Toy Talks: OTM Toy Stores Put the Focus on Fun
By Emily WilliamsAt a toy store, one thing is always certain, things are going to be fun.Over the Mountain toy stores Homewood Toy and Hobby, Smith’s Variety and Snoozy’s Kids are in the business of fun, and this year that business will please both parents and kids alike.“I wouldn’t say we are selling educational toys, but that the toys themselves get your … [Read more...]
Never Too Young: Two MBHS Students Take the Main Stage at Inaugural TED-Ed Event
By Emily WilliamsWhen the global idea-sharing non-profit TED created an opportunity for schools to form clubs three years ago, Mountain Brook Junior High teachers Andrew Cotten and Suzan Brandt got to work recruiting students.The clubs were so successful that the organization created an entire youth and education initiative for school clubs called, TED-Ed.Two of the … [Read more...]