Birmingham Rouge - Bon Ton Hatters

Step inside Bon Ton Hatters on 20th downtown, and it's like stepping back in time.  You can get your shoes shined by some really nice guys or repaired by owner Jimmy Callis.  I would venture it's the only place left in town that cleans and refurbishes hats.  The hat shelf is my favorite, for obvious reasons.

Bon Ton Hatters

219 20th Street North

Times Change

Once upon a time, many of us dressed up and went downtown on Saturdays to shop at the many fine department stores in Birmingham.   Blach's Department Store was a special treat.  Today, it's lofts after many years of standing vacant.  Times change.

The Big Swede

Birmingham photographer Beau Gustafson was caught on the other side of a camera at the Pepper Place.  What a great smile!

Tinka

Last week I passed Saw's BBQ in Avondale and made a u-turn when I realized there wasn't a line out the door waiting to get inside.  I grabbed my camera along with my purse.  I placed my order,  then while taking photos, I realized that the smiling lady at the cash register was enjoying a late lunch at one of the tables.  We chatted  and I learned that she had  worked there for over 20 years when this tiny little place was the Quick and Split Bar B Que.  Today Saw's does a booming business for lunch and dinner.  If' you're in the Birmingham area, stop in and try it.  Tell Tinka you saw her smiling face on this blog!

And yes Bob Crowe, we'll most certainly dine here when you and Carolyn come next week! 

Becky's Arbor

My friend Becky grows the most amazing flowers.  If you're at the Pepper Place Market, stop by and say hello (Brown's Farms) and tell her I sent you.  In the backyard of her home, she's made a simple arbor into a show stopper.  Don't you agree?

Back To School!

 

NEW CLASS, NEW FRIENDS, A NEW BEGINNING !

Here's hoping that students and teachers alike will be start the new school year with big smiles just like these!

Getting Ready

The teachers and students from two Birmingham City School, Whatley and Gibson are opening school on Monday at the just completed, brand spanking new Hayes K-8.  That's great news,  as it's a wonderful new facility. The bad news for the administrators and faculty.... they were just able to get into their rooms on Friday.  I was happy to lend a hand to help one teacher unpack her room and get ready for her 24 first graders on Monday.  Lest you think it was a sacrifice on my part, go no further,  I had a ball.  I spent a lot of time reminicing over many, many books that I loved as we unpacked. I've been promised that I can come back and read aloud as often as I want.

The mountain of empty boxes speaks for itself.  I'm sure they all put in many hours this weekend as well,  but will have their rooms welcoming for the bright shiny faces on Monday at 8:00 am!!

Hat Check

I love a well worn straw hat! 

Time Worn

Some of my Birmingham readers will think I"ve been poking around The Garage again, but today a photo from the back patio area at Parkside Cafe, in the Avondale neighborhood.

Artist At Work

If you hold your tongue just right, it really helps!!

VSA Alabama's Art Partners program has been featured here before.  Throughout the year community artists are paired with emerging artists to collaborate on works of art that will be auctioned off at their big fundraiser this coming Sunday at B&A Warehouse.  I was lucky enough to photograph this little guy at work last month, and last Sunday I attended the Awards Ceremony hosted by CVS.  I was blown away at the artwork that will be available for purchase.  I'll be right there taking photographs on Sunday as well.  Here's the website for more information about the event.

Box Office

I can vividly remember standing here and getting my ticket to see a movie at the Alabama Theatre. As we opened the doors.... the smell or popcorn!  Thankfully this glorious theatre has been restored and is still showing movies here in downtown Birmingham.

Back To School Rally

The football toss was a hit with the guys

 

Pizza, salad, grapes and cake. Can't beat that!

Last week I was invited to attend the Back To School Rally at Avondale United Methodist 
Church.  Canterbury United Methodist, in Mountain Brook was the co-sponsor and families in the Avondale/Crestwood neighborhoods came to enjoy an evening of fun, games and pizza.  Avondale's STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) students from this past year were given bags containing all the school supplies on their lists!  A fun night for families to enjoy being together before the hectic school year begins.  It's partnerships like this that brings our city together on so many levels!

The Book Walk was great.
Everyone got to take home lots of  books.

Still LIfe

The Painted Shovel, one of our new kids on the block in the Avondale neighborhood, is a photo op waiting to happen!

Twirl!!!

What is it about little girls and skirts that twirl.  Lily said she had made herself a little dizzy!