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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Sweet Home Alabama

March 2023 PUBLISHER

Amy Bailey | amy.bailey@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Carrie Tate | carrie.tate@citylifestyle.com

Being Southern isn't just about the four Bs - BBQ , Bourbon, Bacon and Bless Your Heart. Being Southern is something more. It's about the whole Southern experience - the traditions, the recipes, the storytelling, the characters straight out of a Mark Twain novel, the ingenuity, the grit, the making, the roots, the turmoil, the resilience. This place - defined by geography, climate and mannerisms - is hard to put into words, but you feel it. I had to leave the South to appreciate it. And as I have grown older, a deeper appreciation resonates for the uniqueness of Southern culture and this place we call home. Our city is experiencing incredible growth. I remarked to my grandmother's preacher, "It feels like Huntsville is the center of the universe." He replied with a big smile, "We've always known it, it's just now the rest of the country is catching on." So how do we embrace and enjoy this growth while retaining our uniqueness? We get out and enjoy this city, we tell the stories of this place we call home, and we encourage and support our small businesses. In this issue we highlight Huntsville craftsmen who have honed their trade to create beautiful spaces in homes. We go inside a sumptuous, historic Twickenham home with acclaimed architectural photographer Jean Allsopp. We spotlight small business owners who make our community more like a village in The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker. There are recipes for you to share with family and friends, a music scene writer Bill Fowler dives into, and parenting advice from best-selling Alabama author Kari Kampakis in this Sweet Home issue. Join us for some porch sitting and storytelling because, like featured homeowner Carol May says, "Home is for sharing." We cannot thank you enough for the warm reception and excitement over our premiere issue. We are over the moon at how Huntsville has embraced this magazine. One thing is clear, we should have printed more! Here is what the city is saying: "I read the magazine cover to cover multiple times. It is brilliant." "The magazine is AMAZING. I read it cover to cover and the kids did too." "I am so excited for Huntsville. This magazine is beautiful." "Love every page! This is fantastic." "That cover art is off the charts! So proud of you and this city." Long. Live. Print.

A M Y B A I L E Y, P U B L I S H E R @HUNTSVILLECITYLIFESTYLE

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/HUNTSVILLE |

STAFF PHOTOGR APHER S

Nadia Kidd, Eddie Hurskin COPY EDITOR

Marynell Cole INTER N

Mia Rogers MAR KET SUPPORT COOR DINATOR

Weezie Boiles CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Bill Fowler, Kari Kampakis, Jessica Aguirre-Cantrell CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER

Jean Allsopp

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER Jayme Emery

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 Huntsville City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Huntsville area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Huntsville City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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MARCH 2023

inside the issue The Home Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 It’s All In The Details

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Open House HO ME + DES I GN

Maker’s Studio HO ME S ERV I C ES

Outdoor Adventure S PO RTS + R E C R E ATION

Locally Sourced A RTS + C U LT U R E

How To WELLNES S

Locals Only ENT ERTA I NMENT

Culinary Creations FO O D + BE V E R AG E

Events

A look inside The Mays’ Twickenham home.

20 Honing Their Craft

A beautiful home begins with talented craftsmen.

26 Go Green This Spring Break

Staycation in Huntsville and experience all the beauty of the spring season.

42 The Huntsville Music Scene Would Like A Word Listen up - music man Bill Fowler has something to say.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Jean Allsopp Home of Carol and Jesse May. Styled by Jodi Adams.

MARCH 2023

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. JESSICA AGUIRRE-CANTRELL

DENNIS KEIM

JEFF WHITE

5 2

JEFF WHITE

JOSH WEICHMAN

1: Hubert Family Farms U-Pick Tulips opens seasonally in March. 2: “State of The Arts” Dennis Madsen, Jenny Askins, Gary Whitley & Dr. Patricia Simms 3: “State of The Arts” David Chan, Todd May, Mayor Tommy Battle, Jim Bolte, Allison Dillion-Jauken 4: Arts Huntsville hosted “State of The Arts” with City of Huntsville awarding $280,000 in grants. 5: The Orion Amphitheater turned their venue into Winter Park with ice rink, igloos, and more. 6: Huntsville City Lifestyle got a tour of NASA’s LH2 Test Stand with Engineer Mike Nichols. 7: The Bakingtist Heidi Kizer opens her brick and mortar in downtown Huntsville.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @huntsvillecitylifestyle

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It’s All In The Details Creating drama, comfort and intention in every room

ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

From hosting parties to housing families who are between homes, Carol and Jesse May have always had the mindset that home is for sharing. What the Mays love most about their home? The location. They are within one mile of their children and grandchildren. Carol adds, “We love our neighbors and enjoy walking downtown for events and great restaurants.” “Our home is the perfect size and floor plan for this stage of our lives. We can easily entertain large groups, but it is not unwieldy to maintain.” When the Mays bought their Twickenham home, they had a great foundation to build on. The kitchen, cabinets, and bathrooms had all been recently renovated by Neutrals Interiors.

To make it their own, the Mays brought in dynamic duo, interior designer Jodi Adams and artisan of all trades Mike Knox. Carol remarks, “I love all styles which makes decision-making difficult. Jesse is more traditional. Jodi and Mike were able to provide a design that blended old and new to please us both.” The collaboration between these minds and attention to detail has created a home that is warm and inviting, yet sumptuous with every step and each turn of a corner. The unforgettable deep blue parlor painted in Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue was inspired by pictures Adams had seen in designer magazines of lacquered walls. Knox knew how to prepare the surface and get the finish just right. The prep work alone to

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O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

MAR CH 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H UN TS V I L L E

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

lacquer the walls takes longer than the application. Adams states, "And Mike is one of those artists if he's not happy with it, he will rip it out." “We finely sanded the walls and used high gloss auto paint to create a mirror-like finish to complete the room," Adams explains. "This is my favorite room in the home.” Knox adds, "You have to get the walls without any imperfections because the high gloss picks up everything. You have to avoid overspray too and the fumes are intense, but we have it down to a science now using duct work and fans to get the fumes out." The marble fireplace in this room is a true work of art and engineering. When you enter the May’s home your eye is immediately drawn to the marble cabinet above the fireplace. Carol adds, “The fireplace was a cross between my wanting all televisions hidden and Mike’s ingenuity to make it beautiful. I wanted a room for my piano and Jesse wanted a room for watching football.” With large bookmarked marble slabs hung with airplane hinges to hold the weight, Knox hid the television while creating a statement piece. The slabs also compliment the wall finish. Adams recalls the space did have its challenges, "The existing space had large doors that swung into the room, constricting the space. We started by converting these beautiful features to pocket doors and adding new hardware. The space gained allowed for a large sectional which we designed to feature strong, vertical channels since this piece is one of the first things you see when entering the room." Other than the deep blue hued parlor, the Mays wanted to stay neutral while using unique finishes like Roman Clay which lines the hallways, stairwell and family room, and lacquered walls and ceilings which can also be found in the dining room. The unlacquered brass and textured glass of the stairwell add CONTINUED >

MAR CH 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H UN TS V I L L E

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

“The fireplace was a cross between my wanting all televisions hidden and Mike’s ingenuity. I wanted a room for my piano and Jesse wanted a room for watching football.”

an element of glam. Designer Adams loves wallpaper, so it was chosen for a few rooms, the bedroom and powder bath. The Mays enjoy spending most of their leisure time in the living room with the big iron doors. “The light and its openness to the kitchen make it feel connected to whatever is going on there. Overall, I wanted as much light in every room as possible. The fireplace makes it cozy,” Carol says. Sassafras which had been burnt and waxed was used to frame the fireplace, another Knox idea. There are cased openings on all rooms except the bedroom and bathrooms, so that light flows through the entire home, making it feel like one big space for entertaining. Adams and Knox had just helped the Mays remodel their former home before the opportunity to buy their Twickenham home came along. Carol found herself attached to certain designs they had just completed in their old home. Their bedroom is almost a duplicate of their last bedroom that Adams designed. Carol smiles, “We loved it so much, we duplicated the wallpaper and rug and brought everything else with us. It’s calming and neutral with just enough color to make it interesting.”

The dining room chandelier is also a duplicate. “It feels like a souvenir from our time on the farm.” The dark floors of white oak with an ebony stain run throughout the home creating a historic, yet sleek look that matches the interiors. For Adams, the goal was to preserve the basic structure of the home the Mays loved, while updating it and adding some sophisticated drama. "One of the things I most enjoyed was watching the homeowners evolve during the project. From an initial anxiousness about certain proposals, like lacquering the walls and ceiling of the dining room, to accepting and even embracing options they might never have otherwise considered. It is such a collaborative effort. The project was especially enjoyable because of Carol and Jesse. They are two of the most gracious, kind, giving people." The Mays see this home as their forever home. Adams and Knox have created a place where they can gather with friends and family and build memories. A place that is warm, comfortable and peaceful, yet sophisticated and dramatic, all at the same time. A place where you feel the intention and love when you enter each room. Jodi Adams, Interior Designer 256.783.3549

MAR CH 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H UN TS V I L L E

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ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NADIA KIDD AND EDDIE HURSKIN George Gallardo

Honing Their Craft THE ART OF MAKING A HOME BEAUTIFUL BEGINS WITH TALENTED CRAFTSMEN

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | HOME S E RVI CE S

Hone: to refine or perfect over a period of time. Each of these craftsmen and artisans have worked decades at perfecting their skills. In a world where it's hard to find qualified craftsmen, they put their expertise and love of their trade into each job. They find that each day and project holds something new, keeping them excited about their profession. The joy on the homeowner's face after a job well done is their biggest reward.

George Gallardo

GEORGE GALLARDO, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PAINTER Where were you born? I was born in Tecamac, Mexico. How long have you lived in Huntsville? I have lived in Huntsville almost 25 years. How did you get into your profession? When I got to Alabama, I started painting with a friend of mine and I loved it. Then I started getting my own business going. What do you love about your job? When I’m working, I love that I can make my customers excited and satisfied when my job is complete. What do you love about working on people’s homes? When working on someone’s home, I love that I’m challenged to complete the homeowner’s ideas and see the

before and after. I love to know that I can make people happy and feel comfortable in their home. What is your favorite part of your craft? My favorite part is redoing and painting the cabinets! What do you love about Huntsville? I love that there is always good work, good people, and I also love that there is good education for our family. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In the next five years, I see my business continuing to grow with more residential and business painting jobs. As Huntsville grows, I want my business to grow too. To have a successful business in this community is my goal.

George Gallardo 256.468.9449

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Cole & Son installation by Keith Womack

KEITH WOMACK, WALLCOVERING INSTALLER

Scalamandre wall covering installed by Keith Womack

Where were you born? I was born in Chattanooga because my mother's doctor was at that hospital. A brother who was born before passed away shortly after birth, and I'm sure they were very worried. We lived in Scottsboro. How long have you lived in Huntsville? We moved to Huntsville in 1969. I was in third grade. My dad was tired of commuting to Redstone Arsenal. How did you get into your profession? In high school I worked with my girlfriend’s father who did wallcovering installation for hotels and banks. On one job we met Iron Maiden. What do you love about your job? The best part of my job is being new places all the time and the people I get to know. What do you love about homes? I get to create - it could be carpentry, painting, wallcoverings. What is your most unique job? I worked on a professional baseball player’s home in middle Tennessee at a refurbished hunting lodge on 1,000 acres. At that time, he was with the Boston Red Sox and I cheered him on as they won the World Series that year. He stopped by one day during the all-star break and we got to throw ball with a Major League Baseball pitcher for a few minutes. I also worked on a cabin outside Telluride, Colorado for a Houston financial broker; my part took a month. We were 20 minutes from a paved road on what's called Wilson Mesa. This young elk would walk right up to us every morning while we were having coffee on the deck. We named her Ellie. What do you love about Huntsville? We are hours away from all southern hotspots. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I will be part-time employed and happy about it. Keith Womack 256.603.3870

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | HOME S E RVI CE S

Keith Womack

“In high school I worked with my girlfriend’s father who did wallcoverings for hotels and banks. On one job we met Iron Maiden.” CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H UN TS V I L L E

BERRY ALLEN, BAUGH ART METAL ARTIST

Berry Allen

How long have you lived in Huntsville? I was born and raised in Huntsville. I always enjoyed art as a child and my parents encouraged my talents. I moved to Oxford, MS while attending Ole Miss on a scholarship in ceramics for five years. I had an adjunct professor from Sloss Furnace introduce me to iron and iron pouring. I became hooked on metal art. Upon graduating, I moved to Birmingham and worked under a blacksmith for five years. A little nudge from God sent me back to Huntsville around 2006, where I started my business. My wife and I moved to New Market in 2019, but I still have my shop downtown. What do you love most about your job? I have the opportunity to create something new every day. Every project is unique and many bring challenges for me to solve. There is never a dull moment at Baugh Art. Why do you love working on homes? I get to know the homeowner and their style so that I may add their own flair to the project. What is your favorite job you have done? A ten-foot tall vertical pot rack that was commissioned to display a client’s copper cookware. The inspiration for the design was from the railing of the widow’s walk outside her home. Being able to collaborate with the homeowner is one of the main reasons I enjoy my craft. What do you love about Huntsville? I have enjoyed watching my downtown grow from a shell of a city with closed or abandoned buildings to the thriving heartbeat it is today. It makes Huntsville one of the greatest places to live. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to see Baugh Art maintain its presence in downtown Huntsville as well as hosting a separate, unique destination in New Market. Berry Allen Baugh Art 205.527.8502

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | HOME S E RVI CE S

YOUR REALTOR FOR LIFE JEANNE ALLEN

Jeanne Allen, Legend Realty 3508 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville (256) 337-7615 www.findinghuntsvillehomes.com

G o Green T h is Spr i ng Bre a k

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | S PORTS + RE CRE ATI ON

THE HUNTSVILLE MOM

A great stopping point for a bike ride is Big Spring Park in the heart of Huntsville to see the famous red bridge and cherry trees this time of year. Visitors love to feed the ducks, geese, and koi that call it home. One of the most magical sights of this season is just outside the city in New Market, Alabama at Hubert Family Farms. The wonder of this tulip farm can barely be captured in words. Nestled in the Tennessee Valley, it features bulbs numbering nearly 400,000 shipped all the way from Holland. Enjoy the rows and rows of colorful bulbs and relax in the adjoining fields to picnic, play, and pick tulips! More information at https://www.hubertfamilyfarms.com. Go green and enjoy the spring season that has bloomed. The scenic outdoors, warmer weather, and beauty of the Tennessee Valley will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA AGUIRRE-CANTRELL,

There’s no need to travel away from the city to enjoy Spring Break. Whether it's taking time to see the greenery that surrounds us or visiting some place new, Huntsville does not disappoint. One hidden gem worth exploring is Hays Nature Preserve. Take a walk on their greenways or hike on their trails to relax and recharge. Hays is one of Huntsville’s largest parks, featuring over 10 miles of trails and greenways, full of wildlife and picturesque views. Hays features an outdoor classroom and natural wood playground which is a dream for any child’s imagination. For a view of the downtown area with exercise mixed in, consider a Blue Bike, Huntsville’s bike share program. With 30 bikes at 11 stations, exploring downtown has never been easier! Download the app, grab a bike, and go! The restaurants and shops along the routes make this trip one to enjoy. Built-in bike locks are provided.

Hays Nature Preserve

Hubert Family Farms Big Spring Park

Hubert Family Farms

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B u t c h e r, B a k e r, Candlestick Maker ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY NADIA KIDD & EDDIE HURSKIN

THE BUTCHER: POPPY AND PARLIAMENT’S CHEF KRISTEN CAROSELLI Born and raised in Bloomingburg, New York, Chef Kristen has lived in Huntsville for over two years, becoming Executive Chef and General Manager of Poppy and Parliament at the age of 26. Poppy and Parliament's co-owner Chef Barry O’ Connor saw potential in this young chef. She's called "Baby Barry" because of how similar the two are. Chef Barry taught Kristen about the industry, from butchery to European cuisine. She remarks, “To have climbed to where I am at my age is really cool for me. It still blows my mind on a daily basis.”

Chef Kristen Caroselli

LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | A RTS + CULTURE

Chef Kristen Caroselli

Attending Johnson & Wales for baking & pastry arts, she then decided to pursue a career in culinary. “I never thought I would be a chef, but opportunities presented themselves and I just couldn’t say no. Now, I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else.” “I love the emotion that can be shown through food - it’s so much deeper than most people understand. I’ve watched customers be brought to tears over a meal that we have served them. I’ve watched members of staff turn their lives completely around because of the kitchen. Food is a very powerful thing.” With Huntsville growing like it is, Kristen believes, “If you know what you’re doing here and market to the right audience, there is much opportunity for success.” She has also noticed palates changing and people becoming more curious with trying new foods. “The more adventurous people become with

their palate, the more the food scene in this city can grow.” The Poppy owners just announced that they're opening a pub in Athens, The Salty Cod. While not working, you can find her exploring the outdoors and traveling. “I am a big traveler. I will get on a plane and travel somewhere new for literally two days. Immersing myself in new and unfamiliar cultures is how I love to learn.” When asked what three things she would grab if there was an alien invasion, (we live in Huntsville after all, we have to think about these things), Chef Kristen wittingly replied, “My high school was in the UFO capital of the northeast, so I can’t say this is the first I’ve thought about this. I have no qualms about coexisting with aliens, but if I wasn’t welcome I would take my knife kit, a set of pans, and a tent and do my best to make it in the wild.”

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“The dream that lived in my mind was a realit y. Right in front of me was t he baker y I envisioned for what felt like forever that e n c o u r a g e s s c i e n c e t h r o u g h b a k i n g .” THE BAKER: THE BAKINGTIST'S HEIDI KIZER Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Heidi Kizer just opened her brick and mortar bakery, The Bakingtist, in downtown Huntsville. She started baking for farmer’s markets while living in California. “I baked eight loaves of bread for my first markets.” When she and her husband moved to Huntsville she sold baked goods at Greene Street Market, then Bailey Cove, then MidCity. What keeps her going through days of exhaustion? Heidi beams with a passion for baking, “I love the challenge of developing and producing baked goods that make people happy. With every product, I want it to be one of the best someone has ever had!”

Heidi’s life became surreal in recent months when she opened the doors to her own bakery. “The dream that lived in my mind for so long was a reality. Right in front of me was the bakery I envisioned that encourages science through baking.” Heidi, like so many, credits her success to Huntsville’s unparalleled support of small businesses. And science. “I am pretty confident everyone here is a little bit of a science nerd. I finally have found my people!” When asked, “What would you take with you in an alien invasion?” Heidi laughs, “My husband Justin, water, and 4000% a Groundbreaker Cookie. I mean...the aliens would probably find it both funny and delicious, this has to mean I survive!”

Heidi Kizer, The Bakingtist

LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | A RTS + CULTURE

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LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | A RTS + CULTURE

THE CANDLEMAKERS: CATE & CO’S ALLISON AND JOE CONN One night Allison Conn had a dream. “I dreamt I had a big warehouse full of work tables and rack after rack of candles and supplies. I don't dream very often so I thought maybe it meant something. I spent the next 3 to 4 months researching everything I could about candles - wax types, wicks, chemical free fragrances, running test batches, creating labels, and then decided to launch my own business. Five years later, here we are.” She and her husband Joe run Cate & Co Candles together. “I love that it's something we can be proud of together. It's a really fun business for us and allows us to be creative and meet a lot of cool people.” The couple spent almost a year going door-to-door taking products to stores from Huntsville to Knoxville. “When we landed our first store, that was HUGE! It was a full circle moment. We are

now in 13 stores in Alabama and Tennessee. We're also in a great number of stores as private labels, and we can create custom candles for businesses.” The Conns hope to one day have their own brick and mortar location. "I think Huntsville is the perfect place for us because it still has that small town feel, but with with a big support system for small businesses." When they're not candle making, you can find them spending time together with their kids and traveling - their kids are 12, 15, and 16. They are dog lovers with seven of their own, and also huge Tennessee Volunteers fans. “College football season is our favorite!” Three things they would grab during an alien invasion? “Our family, the dogs and family photo books!”

MAR CH 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/H UN TS V I L L E

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What Teenage Girls Wish Their Mothers Knew

Author Kari Kampakis

Author Kari Kampakis Shares Real Life Lessons Learned In Parenting ARTICLE BY KARI KAMPAKIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEATHER SWANNER PHOTOGRAPHY

H OW TO | WEL L NESS

I have a friend who studied city planning and the purpose of bridges. She explained how bridges are needed as a city grows and expands. They connect one part of a community to another offering safe passage.

WHY DO BRIDGES MATTER IN THE PARENT-TEEN RELATIONSHIP? As a child grows, their world expands from their family and familiar territory. They need bridges that take them home and safely back to the people who remind them of who they are. As a writer for teen girls and a mom of three daughters, I’ve long looked for ways to build bridges. I’ve seen how disconnect begins when we try to give guidance without awareness of their thoughts, desires, and feelings. I surveyed girls and they agreed on some common things they wish their mothers knew. 1. Even if we don’t say it, we appreciate little surprises, like when you have our favorite food waiting at home. 2. Don’t criticize trivial things. We criticize ourselves enough, so save your criticism for when it matters (and be as tactful as possible). 3. Don’t tell other moms about our issues. When you break our trust, we want to pull away and not share our lives. 4. Sometimes just listening is best. Don’t try to fix everything…just sit with us in our emotions and let us be sad. 5. When you catch us doing something you like, tell us. This makes us feel like you see our strengths and abilities.

6. We wish you gave us more credit for the good decisions we make and recognized how difficult this is sometimes. 7. If we’re in a good mood, go with it and enjoy us. We love to have fun, lighthearted conversations, and we need these moments with you because if every conversation turns into a life lesson, we stop listening and tune you out. 8. Understand that social media is part of our culture. Rather than ridicule, guide us on how to use it. 9. Don’t take it personally if we take out our anger on you. You’re usually the person we feel we can safely unload on; be patient and don’t give up on us as we learn to handle our emotions. 10. Our room is our private space, the only place in the house that is just ours. We need to be alone to reflect and think, and we like it when you knock before entering. 11. We want to tell you about our friend problems, but not if you’ll take it the wrong way and try to control our social lives. We don’t like when you diss our friends every time we have a problem. 12. We’re taking in what you say, sometimes subconsciously (even if we don’t respond). Sometimes it’s not until later, when we’re in an unfamiliar situation, that we remember what you once told us. As your daughter’s world expands, you may suddenly find yourself on the outside looking in, hoping to be part of her world while also being the strong parent she needs. When in doubt, build the bridge. Be proactive in getting to know her and support her.

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Bill Fowler with The Crash

The Huntsville Music Scene Would Like A Word ARTICLE BY BILL FOWLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN JACKSON

LOCA LS ON LY | ENTERTAI NME NT

Let’s talk Huntsville music. About how this town maintains a music scene with talent rivaling anything you’ll find in larger cities, but the full glory of this talent is currently just outside your field of vision. We’re in such an important moment in the cultural life of our city that it’s time for an intervention, folks. As an almost 50-year-old native son, my authority to be your therapist on this subject is based on my being a long-term participant within the Huntsville music community. I’ve played here since I was 13. I’ve cut tracks in local studios. I’ve crooned at your weddings and funerals. And I’m still playing gigs as much as life allows. However, despite being an experienced local musician with an opinion, my experience is also limited to the small window of time from the mid-1980s to the present. Great music was being played in Huntsville a long time before me. I can only comment from my particular vantage point. Whether you’re a recent transplant or your great-granddaddy knew John Hunt, you’ve no doubt been to a nearby brewery, coffee shop, or restaurant patio and enjoyed some local music - that solo acoustic guy that was so good you just assumed he was on loan from Nashville (he wasn’t). You’ve walked the streets of downtown at night and heard a band in the distance banging out songs from some rooftop or dusty stage. You experience local music all the time. It’s a huge part of the backdrop that makes this place such a livable city. But are you seeing the bigger picture? Before we dig into that, let’s switch gears and talk about a concept related to a city’s musical health.

I refer to it as The Venue Ladder, and it’s the metaphorical steps taken by musicians in their pursuit to reach higher and higher quality gigs, exposure, and income in a given area. Every city has one. For example, the magnificent new Orion Amphitheater or the VBC’s Mars Music Hall are clearly the top rungs of Huntsville’s Venue Ladder. Below these two, at debatable positions, are an array of event spaces, bars, breweries, restaurants, all the way down to your dive bars, which make up the vertical rungs. Theoretically, an aspiring local musician can start their career at the lowest rungs and climb as high as their talent and hard work can take them. But the effectiveness of any city’s Venue Ladder is dependent on the appreciation and support of local music. A healthy music scene, where musicians can get regular work, and even (gasp) potentially make a living, is greatest when a Venue Ladder has many and varied rungs, top to bottom. Over the years, we’ve lost some talent to other places because of lack of regular paying gigs at the lower levels of our Venue Ladder. If you are a fan of music and a proud citizen of this growing, cool city, ask yourself what your role is within our Venue Ladder. You might prefer a cozy restaurant patio or the warm grass of Big Spring to a dive bar. No problem, but the thing is, all the rungs matter and should be supported. That’s all you needed to know really. See? That wasn’t so bad. Thanks for coming to this intervention, friend. The best is yet to come.

“Let’s talk about how this town maintains a music scene with talent rivaling anything you’ll find in larger cities, but the full glory of this talent sits just outside of your field of vision.”

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Lemon-Lavender Shortbread Cookies ARTICLE BY ASHLEY RAMIREZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY BAILEY

Lemon-Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Lemon-Lavender Shortbread Cookies yields: 12-16 cookies ingredients • • • • • • • •

2 cups Mason Dixon 1-to-1 Flour ¾ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp kosher salt ½ cup granulated sugar 3 tbsp confectioners sugar Zest 1 lemon 2 tsp dried lavender buds 8 tbsp room temperature butter, cubed • 1 egg, whisked • ½ tsp vanilla extract

optional: lemon glaze • 1 cup confectioners sugar • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1 tbsp water

directions

Spring is in the air and with it lighter, floral flavors. Mason Dixon owner and chef Ashley Ramirez shares a new recipe using two favorite ingredients: lemon and lavender. Grab your mixing bowl and block off a Saturday for an afternoon of baking. Or if you’d rather skip the flour in the hair, stop by Mason Dixon and buy a dozen.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugars, lemon zest and lavender. Mix with paddle attachment until combined. Add the cubed butter and mix on low for 30 seconds. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until a dough forms. 3. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to ¼” thick and use your desired cookie cutter to cut shapes. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool and drizzle with lemon glaze. Enjoy! masondixonbakery.com

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MARCH 2023

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. MAR CH 4 TH

Annual Museum GALA Cocktail Party & Silent Auction

H UNTS V I L L E MUS E UM O F A RT | 7 :0 0 P M The 32nd Annual GALA Cocktail Party & Silent Auction is considered one of Huntsville's premier events. Featured artist Lesley Powell will mingle with guests. Catering by Narvell. Complimentary cocktails and valet parking. Tickets $175 per person. https://hsvmuseum.org/events/gala/ MAR CH 10 TH

moe. At Mars Music Hall

V B C MA R S MUS I C H A L L | 7 : 3 0 P M Jam the night away with this American rock band. Tickets are $28 and up. https://www.vonbrauncenter.com/ marsmusic/ MAR CH 13TH - 17TH

Spring Break Half Day Art Camp

H UNTS V I L L E MUS E UM O F A RT | 9 :0 0 A M Camp I Ages 5-8; Camp II Ages 9-13. 9am-Noon everyday. Discover elements of art (color, line, shape and texture) in portraits, still life, landscapes and more. Space is limited to 10 students. Fee covers date listed with each camp. Students will need to bring a morning snack and drink. No nut products. Members $170; Non-Members $195. https://hsvmuseum.org MAR CH 20 TH - 26TH

Huntsville Yoga Week

VA R I O US LO CAT I O NS Get ready for a week of free yoga classes around the cities of Huntsville and Madison hosted by Light on Yoga Fitness. More information at https://lightonyogafitness.com/hyw/.

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