By Sarah Kuper Although he was born into a Jewish background, Barry Leff never had the desire to be a rabbi. “For some, becoming a rabbi is a lifelong dream – but it wasn’t that way for me,” Leff said. In fact, after his bar mitzvah as a young man, Leff said he didn’t enter a temple for more than two decades except for family celebrations. “To me, Judaism was an old man … [Read more...]
Bonnie’s Brigade: Homewood Family Promotes Ovarian Cancer Awareness Ahead of Head Over Teal Fun Run
By Sarah KuperBy the time Julie Lovell’s mother, Bonnie Segers, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the disease was already stage IV. “When she was first diagnosed, we really didn’t know what would happen. She did well with treatments and was hopeful, but she didn’t really like to talk about it. I don’t think any of us knew she was that close to dying.” Segers passed … [Read more...]
Come One, Come All: Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Celebrates 20th Season
By Sarah Kuper As UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center enters its third decade, its leadership’s mission is much the same as it always was: to entertain and educate the community and the UAB campus. But a closer look reveals an arts center that is evolving with the times, physically, technologically and programmatically. In less than a year, the ASC has instituted a … [Read more...]
Honey Bear Madness: Bluff Park Artist Brings Touch of Childhood to Annual Art Show
By Sarah Kuper Growing up, Jayne Morgan was enthusiastic about two things: art and honey bears. “We just always had a honey bear at the table for bread and dessert,” she said. “They remind me of a wonderful childhood.” Now, she is known in the art world for her oil and acrylic paintings of the plastic bears and other similar subject matter. She’s even got collectors. “I … [Read more...]
Auxiliary Efforts: Amy Grant Concert Will Benefit Big Oak Ranch
By Sarah KuperFor most children, a drugstore birthday card is not much to get excited about unless it includes cash or a check. But for a child living at Big Oak Ranch in Springville, receiving a birthday card could be the first time they’ve gotten a piece of mail with their name on it. “These children are not bad kids or kids that have gotten into trouble. They are … [Read more...]