By Rubin E. Grant Caden Lemons is living the dream a year after starting his dream job. The 19-year-old from Vestavia Hills High School is playing professional baseball for the Arizona Brewers, the rookie level minor league team of the Milwaukee Brewers. “It’s awesome, honestly,” Lemons said during a phone conversation from Phoenix. “It’s hands down the best job in the … [Read more...]
Hometown Hero: Jeremy Downey Is the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off Champ
By Donna CorneliusChef Jeremy Downey wanted to impress the judges when he competed in the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off June 13. But there was one person he wanted to please even more: his grandmother, 93-year-old Tensie Johnson. “She was sitting front and center while I was cooking,” said Downey, whose Bistro V restaurant in Vestavia Hills draws rave reviews from … [Read more...]
Retailer of the Year Nominee Cook Store Gives a Homey Vibe in the Middle of Mountain Brook
By William C. Singleton IIIThe creaking wood floors and wood smell that greet you when you enter The Cook Store of Mountain Brook convey a homey, welcoming environment.Owner Wesley Lassen credits original owner Sam Franks with the idea for the wood floors and walls. Since she took over from the previous owner, Betty Knight, 19 years ago, Lassen has … [Read more...]
From Farms to Neighborhoods: Three Over the Mountain Markets Promote Local Food, Community Connections
By Donna Cornelius There’s always a crowd at the Market at Pepper Place, which on summer Saturdays fills several streets in downtown Birmingham. Vendors come to the sprawling farmers market from all over Alabama to sell their fruits, vegetables, cheeses, eggs, baked goods and other fresh-off-the-farm products. But plenty of good things can be found at smaller farmers … [Read more...]
Chasing the American Dream: VHHS Student Mei Mei Sun Creates Books 4 Bham to Bridge the Gap in Quality of Education
By Emily Williams While a strong case of senioritis tends to be the main struggle for high school seniors, Vestavia Hills High School's Mei Mei Sun has added concerns that stretch far beyond her school's walls. While hard at work preparing for her final year of coursework and what lies beyond her upcoming senior year, Sun's passion for educational equality in Birmingham … [Read more...]