Laurie Stroud
New Brookdale Bistro Serves Seniors
Senior Scene Dining Service Director, Alan Bergman, is beaming with pride as he and his team open the new Bistro on the Brookdale University Park campus. The Bistro complements the already existing Dining Room that functions like a restaurant. It provides the convenience of grabbing a healthy breakfast, lunch or gourmet coffee and also creates …
Faith, Family & Farmhouse: Social Media Influencer Brendt Blanks
Cover Story The moment that changed Brendt Blanks’ life and career trajectory came in the middle of a church service. The popular lifestyle blogger and social media influencer sat in a pew at Vestavia’s Shades Mountain Baptist when she heard the words from the pulpit: “Give it a go.” Blanks, who worked at the time …
A Day in the Life at Sav-a-Life Vestavia
Mission Makers The couple from Georgia arrived early and stood on the porch of the Pregnancy Test Center in Vestavia waiting for the doors to open. The young lady had been through multiple miscarriages, and they were anxious to confirm she was again pregnant and to learn how to ensure the baby would be safe. …
FREEDOM FOUND at The Lovelady Center
Special Feature Brenda Bush was at her lowest when she arrived at The Lovelady Center (TLC). Struggling with drug addictions for most of her life, her children were eventually taken from her. She later reconnected with her daughter while still using drugs. “Never did she use or anything like that, but never did I try …
Aligning Your Values with Investing: Free Educational Workshop
Special Feature Your values inspire the way you live. Shouldn’t they inspire the way you invest? Many people unknowingly invest in companies whose products or practices conflict with their personal values. Today, investing has been divorced from its true purpose: supplying capital to great businesses. Rather than trying to invest in great companies, investing has …
Housing Boom Then & Now: What’s the Difference?
Our House In the peak of the housing boom of 2006 leading up to the recession of 2008, the days on market before a home went under contract averaged 125 days in Birmingham and surrounding areas. In the past 12 months, the days on market prior to receiving a contract averaged just 18. That’s more than …
Scholar Liz Lewis’ Unexpected Detour
Liz Lewis, Birmingham Christian Family’s (BCF) 2021 $1,000 College Scholarship recipient, planned to attend Judson College this fall where she also had a softball scholarship. However, while healing from a wrist/elbow injury this summer, she received the news that Judson College was closing. “I was devastated when I learned that my plans had been turned upside down. …
Vestavia Teen Lives Active Life Despite Severe Blood Disorder
Healthy Living 19-year-old Arielle McFarland enjoys painting, attends Lawson State Community College and is a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. She lives a very active life despite having a severe blood disorder called sickle cell anemia hemoglobin SS. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited gene from both parents. Sickle cells are abnormally-shaped red blood cells that …
Helping Grandkids Head Back to School
Senior Scene As a child I loved the start of a new school year. Fresh notebooks, clean paper, the skill of sharpening your pencil to a perfect point! However, what may be exciting for some children may be upsetting to others facing new teachers, classmates, bus drivers, and schedules. One thing of which we can …
September Giveaways 2021
TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with us and make spreading Good News possible, we have THREE GREAT GIVEAWAYS this month for you and your family! Tickets to Vintage Market Days. Enter to win two tickets($22 value) to Vintage Market Days at the Hoover Finley Center September …
