By Blake Ells Buddy Anderson still remembers the night his life’s path became clear to him. It was Jan. 12, 1968, and he was sitting in his father’s old pickup that he had driven to play in a high school basketball game. “It wasn’t completely overcast, but there were clouds,” he recalls, as if the date nearly 50 years ago were yesterday. “I had been struggling with … [Read more...]
Exploring Good Eats: This Year’s Birmingham Restaurant Week Is Bigger Than Ever
By Donna Cornelius Russell Hooks has learned it’s wise to pace himself during Birmingham Restaurant Week. He and his wife, Amber, are the founders of Happenin’s in the ’Ham, which uses multiple media platforms to spread news about Birmingham events and activities. They’re also two of the official BRW bloggers. That means from Aug. 11-20, when the annual culinary affair is in … [Read more...]
Oil in the Family: Cissy LeMoine Goes Back to Her Roots to Make Infused Olive Oils
By Donna Cornelius Most people heading for the beach take along sunscreen, beach towels and swimsuits. Cissy LeMoine and her mother, Phyl Smith, used to pack something extra: empty olive oil bottles. “We clanked when we walked,” said LeMoine, laughing. The reason the two Vestavia Hills women toted the bottles to Destin, Florida, was also the incentive for LeMoine’s new … [Read more...]
Vestavia Hills Superintendent Announces Plans to Retire
By Emily Williams Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Dr. Sheila Phillips will be retiring from her position effective Sept. 1. Phillips announced her plans to retire during a Vestavia Board of Education meeting July 31. She informed the board of her plans to leave the posi- tion she has held since 2014 in a letter submitted July 20. “Thank you for the opportunity … [Read more...]
OTM School Systems Adapt to Growing Student Populations
By Emily Williams Across the Over the Mountain area, public school systems have been taking advantage of the summer season to make improvements on their facilities. Whether renovating existing structures or adding new ones, Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills are making room to accommodate their growing student bodies and faculty. Homewood The Homewood City … [Read more...]