The Fish Market Restaurant, Hoover, AL

No need to travel to the coast to find fresh fish!

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | September 09, 2010

A porthole looks out onto the world beyond. (Never mind that beyond is not a vast ocean but a sea of rushing cars on a busy highway.)

Walls are a watery blue color.

A wooden boat is propped on its end.

Fish – big ones and small one, are painted on walls.

Stuffed fish are mounted on walls, a vantage point for looking down on plates laden with, well, more fish.

Golden Flake, Birmingham, AL

Tour the plant, taste the chips.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | September 05, 2010

Here’s a riddle: What would happen if two men with a single sack of potatoes had an idea?

Answer: A business would be born – and would grow and grow and grow some more. In fact, their idea would evolve to the point that  today their nucleus of a company annually would use 100 million pounds of potatoes and employ some 1,200 workers.

Mose Lischkoff and Frank Mosher had an idea of turning …

Frontera Iron, Birmingham, AL

Treasures are tucked inside Frontera Iron.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | September 02, 2010

With tusks raised, a brown elephant standing alongside Third Avenue South caught my eye as I sped past.

A wide, red arrow painted on a makeshift sign pointed to a yellow doorway. Its lower half a bit smashed, the door was framed by shaggy vines. Despite its imperfections, the doorway was inviting.

Above the arrow, “Frontera” was spelled out in tall, blue letters.

“What do you suppose could be there?” I asked …

Samford University Football, Birmingham, AL

Action returns to the gridiron with the Bulldogs expecting a strong season.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 30, 2010

Sure, the University of Alabama and Auburn University draw larger crowds when their teams play football, but you can bet your sweet pompoms that fans attending Samford University’s football games will experience plenty of thrills this fall.

Those who follow the Samford Bulldogs likely know that this year’s team is expected to be strong – with a host of seniors and experienced players returning to the gridiron.

Samford football coach Pat Sullivan …

Zoe Consignment & Vintage, Birmingham, AL

Vintage shop is filled with fun finds.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 26, 2010

“My mother used to wear a hat just like that one,” a shopper observed recently while browsing at Zoe Consignment & Vintage.

The young woman plopped the wide-brimmed hat onto her head and glanced in a mirror.

She looked from left to right, then asked her companion for his opinion.

As most men do, he nodded and smiled. I doubt he had a thought at all about the hat.

…

Winery at Pepper Place, Birmingham, AL

Downtown winery joins 11 others in Alabama.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 23, 2010

You need not to travel to Napa Valley to sip fruit from the vine.

You can taste great wines in downtown Birmingham.

Jefferson County’s first winery, The Winery at Pepper Place is housed in a building once part of the Dr. Pepper bottling plant.

The 11th winery along the Alabama wine trail may be just what the doctor ordered.

Fruit and juice from Alabama farms -- along with …

Greek Food Festival, Birmingham, AL

Greek dishes and homemade pastries will be served Sept. 23, 24 and 25.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 19, 2010

Do you have a hankering for baklava or Greek chicken? Pasticho or koulouriki?

Having the real thing could require a trip to Greece. If you’d prefer a more affordable way to enjoy these Greek foods, plan to attend the 38^th Annual Greek Food Festival.

Slated for Sept. 23, 24 and 25 at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral (307 19^th St. South), the festival has been called “the south’s oldest …

MoonPie Eating Contest, Bessemer, AL

Chocolate-y Labor Day fun at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 16, 2010

MoonPies were a staple of life when I was growing up in Chattanooga where Chattanooga Bakery turned out the first MoonPies in 1917.  

Especially in the south, the chocolate-covered-graham-cracker-and-marshmallow treats remain a tradition.

I’m not sure that I could, upon request, eat a mountain of MoonPies; but you can look on as some folks try to outdo one another in scoffing down the most pies in a short span of time.

The …

Nabeel’s Café and Market, Homewood, AL

To dine at Nabeel's Cafe is to escape to Europe.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 12, 2010

An executive in computers, marketing and information systems for  more than 24 years, John Krontiras used to travel the world, sample  foods "in dives and five-star restaurants." All the while, he'd jot notes on things he believed essential for an outstanding eatery.

Little did he know how helpful his observations would become after he lost his job in 1991.

Heritage also may have played a role. Krontiras' father was a candy and chocolate …

Carmella’s Authentic Italian Ice, Helena, AL

This patio makes a cool stop on a summer day.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 08, 2010

I feel as though I am in Mayberry as I sit on the wooden deck outside Carmella’s Authentic Italian Ice in Helena.

An Italian flag furls in the breeze as people cluster around scattered tables along the town’s main street in this historic town south of Birmingham.

Customers line up outside glass windows to order scoops of the frozen ice dessert that has no fat, no cholesterol and …

Kimono Exhibit, Birmingham Museum of Art,  Birmingham, AL

Kimono exhibit comes to Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 05, 2010

I’ve looked before at kimono and wondered what it would feel like to slip into one. I think I would feel regal, feminine, elegant.

I don’t own a kimono.

I can, however, view a collection of kimono in a newly unveiled exhibit—Fashioning Kimono: Art Deco and Modernism in Japan— at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

From the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 97 kimono from the Montgomery Collection in …

Hyatt Place Birmingham Downtown, Birmingham, AL

You can stretch your travel budget at this downtown-area hotel.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | August 01, 2010

You likely will sleep better on the road when you know you are getting the most bang for your buck.

That’s especially true when you overnight at the Hyatt Place Birmingham Downtown, located  at 2024 Fourth Ave. South on Birmingham’s Southside.

Newly built in 2009, the six-floor hotel is adjacent to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham's Central Business District, and UAB Medical Center. 

With 150 guest rooms, …

Vestavia Bowl, Vestavia Hills, AL

Kids bowl free all summer.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 29, 2010

Are your children getting bored this summer?

Is your recreation budget stretched?

If you’ve answered yes to either question, you may be interested in a money-saving offer that allows kids age 15 and younger to bowl free on weekdays at Vestavia Bowl. Shoe rental ($3) is additional. The Kids Bowl Free Passport program continues through Aug. 27.

To register, go to www.KidsbowlFree.com/Vestavia where you will be prompted to provide names and …

Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza, Vestavia Hills, AL

Close your eyes, take a big bite – and smile.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 26, 2010

The cheese is bubbling. The smell of basil rises from the hot crust.

At the moment, it doesn’t much matter that a mural of the New York City skyline covers one wall or that flat-screen televisions are tuned to soccer, baseball and a cop-show re-run.

What matters is that you’re about to take a big bite of a New York-style, cooked-to-order, hand-tossed pizza that has just emerged from a large oven.

This …

The Silvertron Café, Birmingham, AL

The building’s plain – but the food is anything but.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 22, 2010

A glass-front building where servicemen once re-silvered television picture tubes knew many uses before finding its destiny as The Silvertron Café.

Built at the height of the Great Depression, the tin-ceilinged structure once was an A&P supermarket where beef and pork sold for 20 cents a pound; coffee, for 15 cents.

Later the site housed an independently owned grocery store and a beauty salon.

In 1986, the somewhat drab-looking building …

The McWane Science Center, Birmingham, AL

McWane Science Center showcases science to a new generation.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 19, 2010

For months before McWane Science Center opened in the summer of 1998, the city was abuzz with talk about the downtown attraction that would become a destination for kids.

When, at last, the doors opened on the converted department store, people turned out in vast numbers. And, they've been visiting ever since.

During the center's first weekend, more than 17,000 people gathered for grand-opening festivities and a first glimpse into the $40 …

Imagination Place Children’s Museum, Gadsden, AL

Kids can romp, tromp, play, pretend – and learn – north of Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 15, 2010

“This was the best place ever,” Colton, 6, proclaimed as we left the Imagination Place Children’s Museum, a kids’ play and learning place some 60 miles north of Birmingham in Gadsden.

Asked his favorite spot at the museum, Colton couldn’t quite decide.

“I liked digging,” he said, recalling the mock construction site.

“And, I liked putting on the fireman’s jacket,” he was quick to add.

“But,” he …

Old Car Heaven, Birmingham, AL

Music is live and cars are awesome at Old Car Heaven.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 11, 2010

A local attorney’s obsession for collecting old cars – and I don’t mean clunkers – has been the impetus for one of the city’s most intriguing live-music venues.

In what once was on old warehouse below the 35th Street viaduct near downtown Birmingham, classic, very rare cars are the backdrop for live music, special events and great fun.

A couple dozen cars are scattered around the public area and   dozens more are …

Mr. Wang’s Chinese Buffet, Homewood, AL

It’s all you can eat, all day at Mr. Wang’s

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 08, 2010

I confess that I could eat Chinese food every day of the week. I have a few favorite Chinese dishes – but mostly I like to graze.

That’s why I so much enjoy mealtime at Mr. Wang's Chinese restaurant, where a buffet is available at both lunch and dinner. A long-time customer once walked in the front door with several friends, who were visiting from out of town. The customer had told …

Lake Guntersville Resort State Park, Guntersville, AL

You can hike, canoe, fish, golf, eat and play just a couple hours from Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 04, 2010

When city life gets overwhelming, a lake escape is just a couple hours north of Birmingham at Lake Guntersville Resort State Park.

The park is the place to camp, roam trails, tee off at an 18-hole golf course, wet your line in waters rife with fish and savor Mother Nature’s quiet places.

You can rent canoes or pontoon or flat-bottom fishing boats. (Bass and crappie are especially abundant here.)

…

Jones Valley Urban Farm, Birmingham, AL

A farm grows downtown.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | July 01, 2010

Pinch yourself.

You are not having visions.

A farm really is smack dab in the middle of downtown Birmingham.

Trucks whiz by on the interstate.

Motorists stare ahead – yet often do a double take.

First they spot the sunflowers poking their heads into the skyline.

Then they take a closer look.

They spot tomatoes and okra. Squash, herbs and flowers.

They have just happened …

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, Birmingham, AL

Get your popcorn ready and walking shoes on; Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival returns in September.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 28, 2010

After attending a Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in Birmingham, one film maker later commented, "Seriously, you guys have some magic going on down there, and I will encourage everyone I know to check it out." 

Held annually since 1999, the event draws filmmakers from across the country and around the world. Reasonably priced passes help to draw a crowd eager to discover new and independent cinema.

This year’s festival is planned …

Peanut Depot, Birmingham, AL

Buy a bag, savor a crunch, life is good.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 24, 2010

From the red-bricked Morris Avenue, I could smell the peanuts  roasting.

Plump pigeons scouring the sidewalk for a quick snack provided further evidence that peanuts might be nearby.

On a sunny Saturday morning, I walked inside the Peanut Depot where antique roasters hint at life in Alabama more than a century ago.

Alongside me was a motley bunch of customers – one in dingy clothes who counted out coins to …

I Love America Summer Celebration Series, Vestavia Hills, AL

Don your red, white and blue and celebrate in Vestavia Hills.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 21, 2010

Twenty-nine years ago, the late Pat Reynolds was serving as vice president of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce when he conceived an idea to help the Chamber raise money and to help the community celebrate July Fourth.

Reynolds, who later became the city’s mayor, thought an event on the Fourth would encourage folks to get to know each other while saluting the nation’s birthday.

Held in 1981, that initial idea has …

Irondale Café,  Birmingham, AL

Hollywood put the "Whistle Stop Café" on the map; fried green tomatoes keep it there.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 16, 2010

Irondale Café is an unobtrusive spot that catapulted to fame several years ago with the publication of Fannie Flagg's book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.

In the actress-turned-writer's book, the fictional town of Whistle Stop is based on Irondale, a 100-plus year old town that time seems to have forgotten.

The cafe dates to the early days of the Depression when it was owned by Ms. Flagg's great-aunt, …

Fishing at Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL

Dad can wet a line not far from home.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 13, 2010

Ask Dad what he wants for Father’s Day and he may not name a single thing that is available on store shelves.

He would likely prefer a slice of time by himself – and what better reprieve than to wet a line in an area lake.

He can do just that at Oak Mountain State Park.

Several miles south of downtown Birmingham, the park has two, 85-acre lakes that …

Local Walking Tour, Birmingham, AL

Free walking tours return on Saturdays in June.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 10, 2010

Want insider’s information on places linked to Birmingham’s civil-rights history? Then Saturdays in June are your chance.

More than two dozen Alabama towns take part in the free, Saturday morning walks when community leaders guide participants through their hometowns’ historic districts or courthouse square areas.

Birmingham’s tour departs from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, (205-328-9696) located at 520 16^th St. North in downtown Birmingham.

A Parker High School …

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge, Birmingham, AL

World’s fourth longest course is in Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 07, 2010

In many cities, public golf courses can be routine.

Not so in Birmingham where the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Renaissance Birmingham

Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa has captured accolades since its beginnings.

Measuring 8,191 yards from the tips, the course is the world’s fourth  longest. That very length is why golfers are required to use a cart when playing at the course that Zagat’s has named …

Magic City Railroad Club, Vestavia Hills, AL

Electric trains circle on Saturdays.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | June 03, 2010

Chug. Chug. Chug.

The trains circle.

Puff. Toot. Puff…

The trains pass miniature scenes of men at work, people at play.

Round and round they go on one of the largest layouts of its type in the South.

The exhibit is the brainchild of Alvin Kesler, founding member of Magic City Railroad Club, which oversees the display in Vestavia Hills.

The concrete floors are scuffed and unpainted. The view …

Vulcan Park and Museum, Birmingham, AL

A Roman god makes a perfect wedding guest.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 31, 2010

Here’s a new twist on a wedding – having a tall, dark god look on. (Never mind that his attire is a bit skimpy, allowing blushing brides and guests alike a glimpse of his, well..buns.)

Vulcan, the world's largest cast-iron statue, has long been a Birmingham attraction. In recent years, however, brides have begun navigating to the colossal statue and its surrounding 10-acre park as a venue for their weddings, receptions, bridesmaid’s luncheons and …

Southern Museum of Flight. Birmingham, AL

Museum may hold key to one of city’s best deals.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 27, 2010

I am so delighted with a deal I happened upon last weekend that I have to share it with you.

Colton, who is 6, went with me to the Southern Museum of Flight where, among my missions, was renewal of my annual, family membership.

I had thought the annual pass was a great deal when I first bought it; but now I have found that it is even better.

For …

McWane Science Center, Birmingham, AL

Fish are swimming in downtown Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 24, 2010

Does Birmingham have an aquarium?

Well, no.

And yes.

There is nothing in Birmingham like the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.

Even so, if you know where to look you will find fish swimming around downtown.

On the lower level of the McWane Science Center.

You can dip your hands into a large tank and touch sharks, rays and guitarfish. The tank is home to Bamboo sharks, Bonnethead …

Famous Fred’s, Hoover, AL

Want chicken? Fred’s is the place.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 20, 2010

Famous Fred's would not be the safest place to make your home if you were a chicken.

That's because the restaurant’s owner, Mike Kassis, chops those birds all to pieces—and serves hundreds of pounds of chicken every week.

After moving to Birmingham in 1980, Kassis bought Famous Ted's from Ted Vlahos. Instead of choosing a name to reflect his Jerusalem roots or his 20 years in Detroit, Kassis juggled existing letters and transformed …

The Alabama Veterans Memorial, Birmingham, AL

Site salutes Alabama’s fallen heroes

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 17, 2010

The Alabama Veterans Memorial is not far from I-459. Yet, park your car, traipse down a pathway, and the world grows quiet. Quickly you perceive that this is a hallowed place, where memories are vivid and sacrifice is revered.

Almost two dozen acres south of downtown Birmingham are dotted with towering trees that form a canopy over a memorial that honors Alabamians who have given their lives for freedom and peace.

…

Ozan Vineyard & Cellars, Calera, AL

All aboard: Ozan Vineyard offers train rides and wine tastings.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 14, 2010

Long known for producing cotton and peanuts, Alabama in more recent years, has begun to produce wine.

Make a couple of turns off Interstate 65’s Exit 228 south of Birmingham and you will soon find yourself in wine country.

Open since the fall of  2006, Ozan Vineyard & Cellars is one of  Shelby County’s three wineries. (The others are Vizzini Farms Winery in Calera and Morgan …

Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL

Get out of the city and back to nature.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 10, 2010

Even though Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city, you can camp under the stars and commune with nature about a dozen miles south of the heart of downtown.

Oak Mountain State Park offers primitive camping, improved campsites and several cabins. Personally, I favor cabins and their amenities – such as a roof, indoor plumbing and electricity.

However, for those who prefer to commune with nature, sans manmade improvements, the park offers …

Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, Columbiana, AL

The nation’s first family is remembered south of Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 08, 2010

I never cease being amazed that the second largest collection of items linked to the George Washington family is right here in Alabama. Only Washington’s home at Mount Vernon has more items. South of Birmingham in Columbiana, the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington  holds Washington family furniture, china, silver, uniforms, portraits and letters.

When you enter the building, you feel almost as though you are intruding on a family’s home. …

The Spa at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, Hoover, AL

Treat yourself to a spa experience

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | May 03, 2010

Lights are dim. Music is soft. The mood is tranquil.

This haven is at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, a six-floor, castle-looking Marriott property with 248 rooms and 11 suites.

It is the pampering that captivates visitors ready to escape from the bustle of meetings and the intensity of golf.

The spa offers a variety of massages, including hot-stone therapy, pre-natal massage, body treatments, and …

BB’s China & Glassware, Birmingham, AL

Oh, the things you can find in downtown Birmingham

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 30, 2010

Some people like to roam malls, going store to store to look for things to buy. I don’t care much for that way of shopping.

I’d far rather look for nooks and crannies and places where the crowds don’t gather.

One of those fun places is BB’s China & Glassware, located at 2427 First Ave. North in downtown Birmingham.

Bill Blackwell started selling furniture here in 1950. Thirty years later, …

Full Moon Bar-B-Que, Birmingham, AL

Birmingham is home to one of nation’s top 10 barbecue restaurants.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 26, 2010

If you live in the South, there are some things you just know. Among those is where to find great barbecue.

Birmingham has a gaggle of great barbecue restaurants. Some serve ribs; others, great pork or chicken.

But, when an outsider roams into town and bestows a “best barbecue” status, we all look up and take notice.

That happened in the summer of 2009 when Gayot.com named our Full …

UAB’s 2010 School of Medicine Art Show, Birmingham, AL

Art by area medical folks is on display.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 24, 2010

Ever wonder what your doctor is up to when he (or she) is not on the job?

We recently happened upon some interesting artwork created by students, residents and faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Medicine.

How interesting that the same men and women who know all about DNA and cholesterol and high blood pressure and organ transplantation also know about art.

The 2010 School of …

Rickwood Classic, Birmingham, AL

Win or lose, the annual baseball event is a home run.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 18, 2010

Thousands of baseball fans are expected to attend the Rickwood Classic on June 2. They will assemble to see baseball played at Rickwood Field, and to remember earlier years at a stadium that has survived to become the nation’s oldest baseball field.

Held annually since 1996, the Classic is played at the stadium just west of downtown Birmingham (1137 Second Ave. West) where much of baseball’s history was written.

As Rickwood …

Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham, AL

Southern aviation history is showcased at the Southern Museum of Flight.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 16, 2010

The Southern Museum of Flight always has intrigued me.

Maybe it’s because I grew up hearing my father talk about being a bombardier during World War II. He remained in awe of the planes of that era, especially the B-24.

The museum includes a fairly new exhibit that  honors  the Tuskegee Airmen, African-American pilots who trained in Tuskegee, Ala.,

during World War II. The group …

Pepper Place, Birmingham, AL

Farmers, chefs and artisans are showcased at Pepper Place.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 12, 2010

I love going to Pepper Place Saturday Market. Roaming around. Looking at the produce and the people. Considering what the cakes might taste like. Sampling the cookies. (Well, someone needs to know!) Watching the children. Seeing what the craftspeople have thought up. Listening to the music. Watching chefs cook. Seeing what people are eating and buying. Sometimes I even eavesdrop on what they are saying.

Begun 11 years ago to showcase …

Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival, McCalla, AL

Eat, drink and be merry inside Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 08, 2010

Blues and barbecue. What a great combination.

The first annual BBQ and Blues Festival blues-and-barbecue festival, which is expected to become an annual event, is slated for Saturday, May 22 at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park located at 12632 Confederate Parkway in McCalla.

You can enjoy food—including ribs and sandwiches—prepared by Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q and hear live blues music that begins at noon on the park’s Farley Field.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, AL

Gardens confirm that spring has arrived.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 05, 2010

The blooming acres at Birmingham Botanical Gardens are bold reminders that spring has sprung.

I can’t remember a longer, more bitter winter than the one we’ve just endured, but touring the gardens is grand tonic for casting off winter’s doldrums.

On these sunny and warm (finally!) days, you can roam the gardens and find all sorts of things blooming—maybe iris, roses, camellia, crepe myrtle, fern glade, rhododendron, Asian glade, lily, or wildflowers.

The Pita Hut, Birmingham, AL

You won’t find fries at this restaurant. Thank goodness!

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | April 02, 2010

Joseph Matta is quick to tell you that you won’t find french fries at The Pita Hut. Instead, he says, customers find a healthy alternative to fast food. And once they do, they keep coming back—and they send their friends, all hungry for healthy food that is served quickly.

Matta, who formerly owned two IHOP restaurants, opened The Pita Hut on Highway 280 in March 2006. A second location, and The Pita …

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL

Threads of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church’s history are woven intricately into the fabric of the community.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 29, 2010

Looking today at a bustling Vestavia Hills, it is difficult to imagine a few decades earlier when a single man had dominion over this crest of the mountain.

Former Birmingham Mayor George Ward bought acreage here in 1923 and set about to create gardens and to build a Greek-style house, which would become the community's namesake.

Devoted to the classics and nature, Ward frequently visited Italy and Greece where he was …

Petting Farm, Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL

Oak Mountain State Park includes a Petting Farm that kids love.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 26, 2010

At last, winter seems to be loosening its icy grip on the Magic City. So, we did what anyone with cabin fever might do: We raced outdoors. Our escape took us to the Petting Farm at Oak Mountain State Park. 

Goats met us that day as soon as we walked through the gate at the farm. Like frisky puppies, they sniffed our hands (they know that corn is sold at the farm), …

Doggone Books, Irondale, AL

Bookstore is loaded with great finds.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 22, 2010

Voris Williams always loved reading. So, he bought books, read them—and shelved them.

When retirement arrived, he figured he might as well do something with his vast collection. The idea for a store, Voris said, was simple enough: “I love books and I love people.”

He admits he’s having a great time.

In November 2003, he opened Doggone Books a few doorways down from the Irondale Café, itself a tourist …

Joe Minter, Birmingham, AL

Folk artist’s works are scattered throughout his yard in southwest Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 19, 2010

To me rusted car parts, worn-out boots, discarded toilets and broken toys are, well, junk.

But not so much for Joe Minter. 

In Minter’s hands, what others view as trash becomes art—and art that often includes a poignant message.

The folk artist’s handiwork surrounds his southwest Birmingham home, where you are more than welcome to drive by, stop off, take photos and meditate on the artist’s many messages …

ONB Magic City Art Connection. Birmingham, AL

Art, food, wine tastings, children’s events planned for April 23 through 25.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 15, 2010

Scores of national and international artists will converge in downtown Birmingham April 23 through 25 for the 26th annual ONB Magic City Art Connection.

The festival also will include more than 40 art workshops and activities for kids and adults.

Food will be available from some of the city’s best chefs—and dozens of wines from around the world will be available for tastings.

Live music and other performances …

Fed Cup, Birmingham, AL

On April 24 and 25, Birmingham will host Fed Cup tennis semifinal between U.S. and Russia.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 12, 2010

Birmingham, sweet Birmingham, beat out Las Vegas to host the 2010 Fed Cup semifinal between the U.S. and Russia.

Who would have thought? Or bet?

Birmingham, in fact, beat Chicago, San Antonio and St. Louis to host the event that is planned for April 24 and 25 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena. (The venue was also the site for a 2009 Davis Cup, a first-round tie between the U.S. and …

Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery, Birmingham, AL

Here’s to you, mate, at one of Birmingham’s most happening pubs.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 08, 2010

The pickup trucks and four-wheel-drive SUVs, many slung with mud, were huddled together in the parking lot at the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery in Birmingham. The vehicles were my first clue that the pub was a man kind of place.

Once I was inside, my suspicions were confirmed.

There were a few women but primarily  men were the ones interested in the kilts (oh my, how short) and halter tops …

Aldridge Botanical Gardens,  Birmingham, AL

Kids are invited to take part in Hooks in the Garden March 15 through 19.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 06, 2010

A fishing pole. A hook. Some bait. The possibility of what a hook might hook.

Oh, to be a kid again and to be pumped at the prospects.

For kids raised in the suburbs, finding a spot to wet a hook can be challenging.

Aldridge Botanical Gardens has solved the dilemma. Filled with hydrangeas and native plants, the 30-acre wooded estate formerly belonged to Eddie and Kay Aldridge.

Open …

Samford University, Birmingham, AL

It’s a showplace, a bargain, an academic center, a haven – with its people at its core.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | March 01, 2010

I was 11 years old when first I visited Birmingham.

The folks I was visiting drove up U.S. 31, headed toward Vestavia Hills—and I glimpsed the Samford University  campus with its Georgian Colonial-style architecture and meticulous landscaping. As the car climbed up the mountain, I looked down on that little hamlet.

I fell in love with what I saw that day.

“I’m going to college there,” I announced.

When the time came …

Belly Fillers, Helena, AL

Grandma’s meatballs are making folks happy in Helena.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 25, 2010

With the economy still sluggish, most of us love to find good deals.

I found one not long ago at Belly Fillers located at 4925 Alabama 17, inside Jet-Pep No. 4925 in Helena. 

You’d be hard-pressed to know about it unless you happen to go inside to pay for your gasoline purchase—or unless someone who’s been there clues you in. Consider yourself informed.

The food at Belly …

Samuel Ullman Museum, Birmingham, AL

Museum remembers a man of wisdom.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 22, 2010

Samuel Ullman lived his final years on Birmingham’s Southside. But, who in the Sam Hill is he?

Well, for starters, he’s a man whose words for years have been memorized by Japanese school children and a man whose wisdom has been quoted by Japanese businessmen.

Twice wounded while fighting for the Confederacy, Ullman was enticed from Mississippi to the growing new town of Birmingham where he became an influential member of the Jewish community. He opened …

Dodiyos, Homewood, AL

A touch of the old country is tucked into this Mediterranean market and restaurant.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 19, 2010

The waiter at Dodiyos told me two things before taking my order: He advised me to be certain to check out the women’s restroom and the Mediterranean Market Street that is tucked behind a wall at the rear of the restaurant which opened several months ago in Homewood’s Soho.

With sleek lines, the restroom was novel.

The market, however, is what caught my fancy.

One wall there was filled with fresh produce—cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, …

Travel Guide to Birmingham

Why you should visit Birmingham

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 14, 2010

Often when I travel outside of Birmingham, people ask about my city.

“Oh, I drove through there once,” they often say.

“Did you stop?” I ask.

“Oh, no, we were in a hurry,” they typically reply.

It’s rather tragic, I think, that so many people know so little about my adopted town.

Pressed for their thoughts on Birmingham, most outsiders recall the civil rights struggles staged here in the 1960s. Some speculate that Birmingham …

Sapphire speaking at UAB, Birmingham, AL

Author of Push, the novel made into the move Precious, will be keynote speaker Feb. 17.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 12, 2010

She was black, overweight, abused and pregnant—again—by her father. Life was tough. Learning was difficult.

Had it not been for her remedial reading teacher in Harlem, the young girl’s story might never have been told.

In a book released in 1996 and initially titled Push, Sapphire (she goes by one name) recounts the girl’s story.

The book became a New York Times bestseller and was named by the Village Voice …

Mardi Gras, Birmingham, AL

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute hosts Mardi Gras 2010

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 08, 2010

Just about the time winter's cold plunges us into the doldrums, along comes the revelry of Mardi Gras. Thank goodness for that cold-weather reprieve.

Long a major holiday in parts of Europe and South America, Mardi Gras was born in North America when the tiny French colony of Mobile celebrated it in 1703. It was then that the Cowbellian de Rakin society partied in the streets.

The revelry has now come north to Birmingham where the …

Oak Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, AL

City’s first cemetery is treasure trove of history and intrigue.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 03, 2010

I love cemeteries. I could roam and wander in them for hours, reading epitaphs, photographing monuments, imagining the people who went before me. One of my favorites is Oak Hill Cemetery in downtown Birmingham.

Beyond the cemetery’s rock walls stand monuments to those who once called Birmingham home, a place they might no longer recognize.

Atop one of the cemetery’s rolling peaks is a sandstone mausoleum which, in 1882, became the final resting place …

Baumhower’s Wings, Birmingham, AL

Sports bar is owned by former gridiron star.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | February 01, 2010

You can eat, you can drink and you can make merry at Baumhower’s Wings, where suds are abundant.

Sports bars draw a crowd that most often is interested in a few cool ones, televised sports, casual atmosphere and plenty of talk about players, plays and play-offs; imagine customers’ delight to find a spot that also has great food.

Baumhower’s Wings restaurants are the brainchild of former Miami Dolphins standout Bob Baumhower. The man …

Mr. P’s Butcher Shop & Deli, Birmingham, AL

Steaks from Mr. P's Butcher Shop make outdoor cooks the envy of their neighbors.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 29, 2010

We love steaks. The thicker the better. The fresher the better. Milton, for certain, would choose a fine steak for his final meal—and would die smiling.

The pursuit of a great steak consistently leads us to Mr. P's Butcher Shop & Deli in Bluff Park. (They don’t cook and serve the steaks; they cut the beef and you take the steaks home to become the envy of your neighbors when you grill outdoors.)

Long …

Cobb Lane Bed and Breakfast, Birmingham, AL

A restored house with several gables has been transformed into a romantic destination.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 24, 2010

Looking for a romantic spot in Birmingham? A sure bet is this gabled house in Birmingham’s Historic Five Points.

In December 2003, Ira and Sheila Chaffin purchased the two-story house then set to work reclaiming its Victorian splendor. The result: Cobb Lane Bed and Breakfast, which opened in the summer of 2005. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, it an unexpected find in a city with no other bed and breakfasts.

Located …

Rickwood Field, Birmingham, AL

My throw from the pitcher’s mound would likely have fallen short—but it didn't really matter.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 21, 2010

I should have taken a ball with me. If I had had one, I would have thrown it from the pitcher’s mound toward home plate. (I doubt I could have hurled a ball that far, but it would not have mattered.)

When it was sunny, cold and brisk, we drove to Rickwood Field to tread where the likes of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron once played. That day, we circled …

Birmingham Bake and Cook Company, Birmingham, AL

Pie contest planned for Jan. 23 at Birmingham Bake and Cook Company.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 18, 2010

Oh yum! Pies! Who cares what kind? Just give me a fork. Imagine being a pie judge?

It is well and good that I am not a judge – because I never met a pie I didn't love. Devour. Eat. Pie Day is coming.

On Jan. 23, as the economy struggles and wars are being fought, some folks will step into their kitchens, take out their bowls, pans, whisks, mixers and ingredients – and bake a …

Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, AL

Statues in Kelly Ingram Park recall the civil rights struggles staged in Birmingham.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 14, 2010

The nation and the world looked on in the 1960s as civil rights struggles unfolded on the streets of Birmingham. Clashes became routine. Protesters marched. Noted leaders assembled. The press reported furiously. During those troubled times, violence became far too commonplace.

Some of the most memorable—and regrettable—moments are immortalized with statues that dot downtown’s Kelly Ingram Park (Sixth Avenue North and 16th Street).

The park is just beyond the front of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute …

Big Sky Bread Company, Birmingham, AL

Birmingham-based Big Sky Bread Company feeds the nation.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 14, 2010

You can smell the bread baking.

Yum. Wouldn’t a big slice be nice? Visit Big Sky Bread (2812 Cahaba Rd., Mountain Brook Village) and you’ll have a front-row seat on a bakery that sells whole-grain bread, granola and cookies.

The baked goods are sold to retailers across the United States and nationwide via Internet orders.

With a shared passion for all whole-grain breads, Patti and Jeff Pierce opened Big Sky Bread Company in  1994. …

Birmingham-Jefferson History Museum, Birmingham, AL

New museum will showcase Birmingham and Jefferson County history.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 07, 2010

I was not living in Birmingham in 1964 when a bomb blast killed four young girls on a Sunday morning. But, the event struck me so painfully that I saved my hometown newspaper that reported on the tragedy.

I still have that Chattanooga newspaper—and I’m wondering if it might find a home in  the Birmingham-Jefferson History Museum that is planned for downtown Birmingham. If all goes as planned, the museum will open this spring.

Maine native …

Moss Rock Preserve, Birmingham, AL

Hiking trails at Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover provide a great setting for exercise.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 04, 2010

I have never been too keen on exercising. I know I should be, so don’t rant and bellow that I should embrace grunting, puffing and sweating. It’s just not my favorite undertaking.

While my treadmill is a place of drudgery for me, getting  outdoors is a pleasure. (Well, it is when temperatures climb above freezing!)

One of the Birmingham area’s most delightful places to exercise is the 250-acre Moss Rock Preserve. Some 10 miles of hiking …

Paul “Bear” Bryant Grave, Birmingham, AL

The University of Alabama’s legendary coach is at rest in Birmingham while his former team bids for a national title.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | January 04, 2010

Just in case he had not heard the news about the University of Alabama’s bid for a national title on Jan. 7, we decided to stop by the resting place of the school’s most famous coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant.

"This may be the year," we reported.

There was no reply.

I think he knew.

Apparently others already had been to the grave, which is in Birmingham’s Elmwood Cemetery. Those who had visited before us had left …

New Year’s Eve at Old Car Heaven, Birmingham, AL

Ring in a new year at Old Car Heaven where vintage cars abound.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | December 28, 2009

Savor dinner. Hear the band. Raise your glass. Bid adieu to 2009. Toast a new year. In what once was on old warehouse below the 35th Street viaduct near downtown Birmingham, you'll now find more than 100 classic, very rare cars. The old car collection year 'round is the backdrop for parties and celebrations. Old Car Heaven plans a memorable New Year's Eve celebration.

Served from 7 to 9 p.m., a seated dinner will be prepared …

American Art Exhibit, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL

Glancing through history: Exhibit from Yale University continues through Jan. 10

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | December 27, 2009

Folks have been arriving in droves at the Birmingham Museum of Art to experience a special exhibition focused on America's early days. More than 230 masterpieces are included in the Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery exhibit.

At the exhibit, which remains in Birmingham through Jan. 10, you will find slices of American history—from the arrival of the first European settlers to the Gilded Age. Included are …

Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens, Birmingham, AL

Smell the greenery. Breathe in the fresh fruit. Christmas returns to Arlington.

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | December 21, 2009

Some days you just wish you could go back in time. I think that’s especially true during the holidays when life becomes hectic, entangled and complicated.

I found a place where time seems to have stood still. Life, at least for a while, was gentler at Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens (331 Cotton Ave.).

William S. Mudd, one of Birmingham’s 10 founders, built the city’s only antebellum home, whose construction predates the 1871 founding of Birmingham.

Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q, Birmingham, AL

Have breakfast with Santa at one of the most popular barbecue spots in the Birmingham area

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | December 18, 2009

I have found Santa.

He was having breakfast recently at Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park.

It seems that the jolly, bearded fellow is showing up there for weekend breakfasts during the holidays.

Santa will be at the restaurant on Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20. Both days he’ll be having breakfast at 9 and 11 a.m. (Two a day! Wow, Santa must have worked up a huge appetite getting all those …

Zoolights Safari, the Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, AL

A bright idea: Zoolights Safari lights up the Birmingham Zoo

by Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton Fullman Jr. | December 16, 2009

Lights are beaming. I mean really scorching bright. Two trains are chugging. The carousel is circling and the hot cocoa is warm. Children’s eyes are wide. Nobody is crying. Not at the Birmingham Zoo – because Zoo Lights Safari has returned. The 17-day event continues Dec. 18 through 23 and 26 through 30 from 5 to 9 p.m.

With more than half a million lights, the annual Safari includes holiday crafts, train and carousel rides, story …