Shocked and saddened. We hear those words a lot lately. But that’s about the best way to describe how I felt when one of my longtime favorite coffee shops in Birmingham, Urban Standard, announced this past June that they were closing for good. Urban Standard was an essential downtown stop — a place to see … Continue reading Local Is As Local Does
Tag: Birmingham
Be Where You Are
Sometimes instead of thinking about where you can't go, you just need to slow down and appreciate where you are.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Birmingham
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ‘Ham Not a creature was stirring, not even the Ram. The stocking was hung on Regions with care In hopes that St. NickRocks soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of boiled peanuts danced in their heads. And … Continue reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Birmingham
Saturday Down South
Sometimes you find yourself in a moment that seems cinematic, as if you've been somehow dropped into a movie. But you're not the ingenue. You're the observant extra on the bus stop bench. The one around whom all the activity swirls while you suck on a Big Gulp and try not to stand out. You … Continue reading Saturday Down South
Today I witnessed history
Today I witnessed history. On this misty, gray morning, I stood outside the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham and watched a bright rainbow flag wave as Alabama became the 37th state to allow same-sex marriages. I watched Jefferson County Probate judges uphold the law and defy bigotry, hate, and fear. I saw families embrace, relieved … Continue reading Today I witnessed history
A Southern Belle chimes in on the Jersey Belle
"Jersey" and "belle." Not two words one usually hears together. That is until Bravo smashed them together into a hot reality mess set right here in, well, let's just say the Birmingham area (Mountain Brook, Cahaba Heights — they can't seem to decide which). I haven't watched the show. For the record, I don't watch … Continue reading A Southern Belle chimes in on the Jersey Belle
Drink like a local in Birmingham
Foodies have long since recognized Birmingham as one of the South’s culinary gems, but recently there has been a groundswell of craft cocktails and beer. From the white tablecloth to the warehouse watering hole, the Magic City is awash in house-made tonics, bitters, and brews. There’s something to quench every thirst, if you just know … Continue reading Drink like a local in Birmingham
The Walk — Part 1
Today I took a walk. A long walk. William Wordsworth told me to. As I sat in my office working through another lunch, answering calls, returning emails, problem-solving, trouble-shooting, I heard it, "The world is too much with us; late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waste our powers..."* Old Will was whispering to … Continue reading The Walk — Part 1
A Day in Birmingham — The Magic City
If you only had one day to spend in Birmingham, Ala., what would you do? Here are my recommendations. 8:00 a.m. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and you’ll need a hearty one if you plan to see all of what Birmingham, Ala., has to offer in one day. Make your first … Continue reading A Day in Birmingham — The Magic City
From Garden to Glass — The Ideal Southern Cocktail
The ideal Southern summer cocktail? Undoubtedly it is the gin and tonic. So cool. So refreshing. So restorative. And it doesn't hurt that it might keep the mosquitos from carrying you away too. The ideal Southern summer cocktail? Undoubtedly it is the gin and tonic. So cool. So refreshing. So restorative. And it doesn't hurt … Continue reading From Garden to Glass — The Ideal Southern Cocktail