Glam

Sunday my church held Easter services at the historic Alabama Theatre.  Before the service I wandered around and took more photos to add to my growing collection from this grand old place. I have many fond memories of Saturdays spent here when I was growing up.  Built in 1927, it has been lovingly restored and still runs movies and is a popular venue for weddings and concerts.  Today, one of the magnificent chandeliers reflected in the mirrored walls.

Broken...

homes, broken lives, broken hearts.  Remembering all that lost their lives, their loved ones, that were injured, and those who are now homeless.

Thank you all for your emails and comments on my blogs.  Your concern and your prayers touched my heart.  If you can find a way to donate to the Red Cross or other agencies, please do so. This is a group I support.

* This photograph was taken several weeks ago, not from the aftermath of the tornado.

Devastation

As so many of you know, tornadoes and high winds have ripped through our area here in Birmingham for the last two days.  Much devastation, downed trees, loss of power but more importantly, loss of precious lives. Yesterday afternoon, before the storm hit Birmingham for the second time in 24 hours, I shot this from a friend's deck facing north.  Shortly, another tornado hit parts of Birmingham.  We can only pray....

From Grander Days

This architectural detail was on display at the Lyric Theatre on Sunday.  Our congregation was treated to a tour of this historic old theater after our service at the Alabama Theater on Easter Sunday.  It holds special meaning for the Independent Presbyterian Church members as our church founder, Dr. Henry Edmonds held services here on Sunday evenings preaching to those living in downtown Birmingham. His firm belief in reaching out to the community continues today.

The Lyric Theater is currently under renovation, although lack of funding has slowed the project.  I photographed here several years ago and posted photos here and here and here.

History Repeats Itself

The strawberries at the Pepper Place Market were in big, fat and juicy last Saturday.  WHO could resist them???  I had déjà vu all over again!

Bless This House

The home owner receives a hammer, a family bible, and the keys to their new home. 

David slept through the whole thing until time for cake!

Ground was broken on Ash Wednesday and this Habitat House was dedicated on Good Friday, thanks to the wonderful Habitat for Humanity staff, the faithful volunteers from Independent Presbyterian Church and other dedicated volunteers that helped the Williams family realize their dream of owning their own home.  If you've not witnessed a Habitat home dedication, you should. Happy tears all around.

Easter...

spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."

S.D. Gordon

The Thrill of the Hunt!

There were too many photos from this year's Egg Hunt at Independent Presbyterian Church.  I couldn't choose just one. Today you get a basketful of cutie patooties!!

Three Crosses

Today is Good Friday for Christians around the world. I thought these simple porcelain bisque crosses  adorned with dogwood blossoms were a nice reminder of this day.

Leaf n Petal at the Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

In Your Easter...

parasol???  Well no hats this year, but I thought this made a nice substitute.

Passover

For all of my Jewish friends and readers that are celebrating Passover, a photograph of the Eternal Light in the Hess Chapel at Temple Emanu-el.

It's Planting Time!

Saturday marked the opening of Pepper Place Spring Market.  It's not as large as the full blown summer market, but there were lots of folks out shopping for seedlings, plants,  fresh vegetables and great craft items.  Heron Hollow Farms  had plants to start your garden off with a bang!

Here Comes....

 well you know who this is.  He's eyeing this little garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  Judging from his size, he's been munching more than greens!  I'm fairly certain he's one of Birmingham artist Frank Fleming's whimsical pieces of sculpture.

Sunday Church Series - Preparations

The smaller crosses will be worn by the children

Paula shares the art of palm folding for Melissa

Friday I watched the ladies of Independent Presbyterian Church prepare the palm crosses that we will all wear this day.  There is a core of highly skilled ladies and they are happy to share their talents with newcomers.  It's a well oiled "machine" and fueled by coffee, brownies and Betty's fabulous homemade pimento cheese sandwiches. Oh, and did I mention how much laughing and talking goes on in the process?  I took my photos then served as a trusty "cross counter" In a little over an hour, 1,000 palm crosses had been lovingly made, sealed in bags with a wet paper towel and refrigerated for Sunday services.  The tradition continues.

Well Hail!!!

and a whole lot of rain ( and tornado sirens).  Welcome to Tornado Season in Alabama!

Birmingham Reads Day!!

As I have said many times......... I LOVE THIS "JOB"!!!  Yesterday I was asked to photograph Birmingham Reads at Whatley Elementary.  Birmingham Reads Day is sponsored by the Literacy Council, The Children's Literacy Guild, Better Basics, and the Junior League of Birmingham. On this very special day, 775 guest readers volunteered their time to read in every elementary classroom in Birmingham City Schools!  As a former elementary teacher this was right up my alley.  Today meet Birmingham Mayor William Bell who thrilled this room of eager students as their guest reader. More to come!

I Have No Idea

what this is or how it was used.  The late afternoon light is what drew me into this room full of old machinery at Sloss Furnaces.

Budding Artists

Today one more trip to the East Lake Arts District/Ruffner Mt. Nature Center's Art Show.  In the great new Tree Top Visitor's Center, kid friendly art projects were in progress on the deck.

I'm Gonna Love You...

Come rain... 

or come shine!

I auditioned a lot of great singers and Billie Holiday won!
UPDATE: Cali threw Frank's hat in the ring, and I love it too so have a listen here!

Enjoying the Spring Day..

and Art on Ruffner Mountain.  This collaboration between the East Lake Arts District and the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center was great fun and the weather was fantastic!

Tendrils

Cliff Road

Forest Park


Pssttt.... that vine is a big time WEED!)

Au Revoir Dear Wisteria....

...you'll be missed!

The wisteria has put on a spectacular show around town this spring. Before it's gone for good, I had to share just one glimpse. As a side note, wisteria is ruthless in this southern climate and gives kudzu a run for its money.  It never really "goes away"!!!

Blue Door

Some of you might look at this great blue door and think I've high tailed it off to the south of France ( I wish!) or Italy, but many of my Birmingham area readers know exactly where this is.  I lunched at Chez Fonfon in 5 Points last week with some dear high school friends.  I snuck out in the back for a few quick shots.  When the weather is nice, you can dine there and watch or play a game of boules/pétanque if you like!

Doing the Can-Can...

at Sweet Peas Center in Homewood.  Spring planting time is here.  Of course you need a colorful watering can!

In the Teahouse

The Japan-America Society of Alabama's Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Gardens.  I took this through the window.




For my Birmingham area readers I will be offering another series of photography classes. Designed for amateur photographers with any type digital/film camera who want to be more creative and learn to take better family and vacation photos.

Community Education South

 Mondays -April 25-May 23

6:00-8:00 PM

For more information:

Contact me at virgjones@gmail.com

Me And My Shadows

This lucky boy was spending the spring afternoon with his grandparents at East Lake Art District /Ruffner Mountain Nature Center's Art at Ruffner Mountain last Saturday.  I captured their shadows upon their arrival and later found them having an up close look at the snakes!  ( I stayed back and zoomed. I can't do snakes. Yikes!)

French Essence Right Here in Birmingham

For several years I've followed Vicki Archer's blog French Essence. I also have both of her wonderful books, My French Life and French Essence.  The photographs are by Carla Coulson, who I was fortunate to meet in Paris last January.  My friend Dinah Toro, owner of Charlotte Woodson Antiques in Mt. Brook Village is a follower of her blog as well.  She fell in love with the candles in Vicki's header so I emailed her and asked for the source.  Now Dinah is able to sell these fabulous Mathias candles from France. As a tribute to Vicki, we decided to photograph them on this exquisite French mirrored coffee table with metal inserts in Dinah's shop. Ohhh la la!

Sunday Church Series - The Dogwoods Are In Bloom

Friday, I captured Highland United Methodist's lovely dogowoods against these stained glass windows.

Looking North

from Railroad Park 

CDP Theme Day - Edges

The Cutting Edge

Well I don't mind telling you that I struggled mightily with this theme. I had almost given up and decided not to be a CDP team player this month, when I found this one.  I caught Chef Cliff Holt ( Little Savannah Restaurant in Forest Park) chopping the daylights out of some flat leaf parsley recently.  His captive audience was an enthusiastic group gathered for his Saturday cooking school.  I was lucky enough to be able to join the fun as the hungry photographer!

Hundreds of of City Daily Photobloggers around the world are joining this Theme Day. Give them a look!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants