I just had lunch at ZaZa Trattoria and it was delicious! I highly recommend Wednesday's daily special—the meatballs were to die for. Might have embarassed the chef/owner (Brian Somershield) a bit. Apparently he didn't expect his picture to be quite so large and frequent in our Nov/Dec issue ... (Check out the recipe we featured here.) Ah well. I give it an A+ for food and service. I always enjoy a friendly/amusing staff. Have you been? What do you think?

Valentine Picks
Shopping and style guru Lindsey Ellis Beatty shares what’s on her wish list this Valentine’s Day. Here's what you didn't see in the magazine ...
COMPILED BY LINDSEY ELLIS BEATTY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

A pretty oven mitt to whip up something sweet with my sweetie, $12
WILLIAMS-SONOMA
211 Summit Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35243
205.970.4101

 

Thymes red cherie springy body wash, $20, body lotion, $31,
and body cream, $31
THREE SHEETS
2904 18th St. S.
Homewood, AL 35209
205.871.2337

 

 

 

 

A pair of fabulous heart(-ish) earrings, $104
THEODORA
2821 18th St. S.
Homewood, AL 35209
205.879.0335

 

 

 

Breakfast in bed on this tray, $128
LEAF & PETAL
Botanical Gardens
2512 Lane Park Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35223
205.877.3030

  

 

 

A bouquet of roses in a modern horn vase, $35
A'MANO
2707 Culver Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35223
205.871.9093

 

 

 

 

Wood love, heart and peace rings, $7.99 each
LEAF & PETAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cute and comfy Lilly Pulitzer nightgown, $59
THE LINGERIE SHOPPE
2402 Montevallo Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35223
205.871.8994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lavish Jane Carr scarf, $275
ETC. JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES
2421 Montevallo Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35223
205.871.6747 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A one-of-a-kind Lulu Frost locket, $425
ETC. JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES

Desperately Seeking Slumber
Put an end to insomnia and start catching more Zzzs.
BY JACQUELYNE FROEBER

     Tossing and turning into the wee hours isn’t just annoying—it can be hazardous to your health. Studies show that mortality rates spike in people who don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep, and life-threatening illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure and an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior have also been linked to sleepless nights. At the very least, lack of sleep can result in irritability and obesity, and it can negatively impact memory capacity, speech control, concentration and your immune system’s ability to function.
    To increase your shut-eye potential, turn off the television and stow away the iPod: “The darker and quieter your room is, the better chance you have for sleep,” says William Adams, MD, a sleep disorders specialist from the Sleep Disorders Center of Alabama. Also, try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day of the week—including weekends—to give your body a reliable schedule to depend on.
    To help you (finally!) get some sleep, Dr. Adams answers your questions on insomnia.
 

Q: Who is most likely to suffer from insomnia?
A: Adults 40 and older tend to have insomnia more than young adults because of more prevalent stress factors including economic woes and life-changing events like job loss or the death of a spouse or family member. Adults 65 and older are the most likely to experience insomnia because as the body ages, everything slows down—including your ability to fall asleep quickly.

Q: How do I know if it's insomnia or just trouble sleeping?
A: At some point, everyone will experience a rough night’s sleep. But if you’re experiencing trouble with sleep initiation, staying asleep or not feeling rested the morning after, you may be experiencing signs of insomnia. If your symptoms persist for days, consult your doctor. And if you’re symptoms persist for two weeks, you are probably experiencing insomnia and should seek help immediately.

Q: Will counting sheep help?
A: Unfortunately, this old wives’ tale is false. When counting anything, you’re actually calculating and problem solving in your brain, which may keep you awake longer. Try keeping your space free of distractions and your mind free of any worries or stress before bed.

Q: What's new in treatments for insomnia?
A: In the past two to three years, prescription medications like Ambien CR, Sonata, Lunesta and Rozerem have been popular. Rozerem is different than the rest because it stimulates your body’s own melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. One of the most recent findings I think is important is the affect the environment has on sleep. For example, if you keep your home blazing with bright lights before you go to bed, odds are you may have a more difficult time falling asleep than if you went from soft mood lighting to darkness.

Q: Is there an alternative medicine to try?
A: Many studies support that melatonin, which can be bought over the counter, can help you sleep. Although we are not sure what dose is most effective, follow the recommendations on the medication, do not exceed the recommended dosage, and talk with your doctor before starting any regimen.
 

Get Your Snooze On
Prepare for blissful slumber with these tips from the American Sleep Association:

• Avoid or limit naps during the day: Napping decreases the amount of sleep needed at night, which may lead to insomnia.
• don’t drink caffeinated beverages past noon: The effects of caffeine take about eight hours to wear off.
• Avoid stressful situations or conflicts before bed.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol, and talk to your doctor about the over-the-counter medications you may be taking. They may contain ingredients that keep you awake.
• Exercise regularly (and make sure it’s at least two to four hours before sleeping), and avoid any rigorous activity right before bed.
• Keep your bedroom cool, around 60 degrees, and void of any distractions like TV or pets.
• Keep the bedroom dark with heavy curtains, or wear an eye mask.
• Avoid heavy meals before bed, but a light snack may
help you sleep.Try warm milk or turkey: Both contain a natural sleep inducer called L-tryptophan.
• START a calming pre-sleep routine by meditating, listening to soothing music or taking a warm bath.
 

For more information on insomnia, contact the Sleep Disorders Center of Alabama in Birmingham; 205.599.1020 or sleepalabama.com.

By George, We've Got It!
This President’s Day, celebrate our Founding Father with a trip to Alabama’s own Washington museum.
BY SARAH CAMPBELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH DE SCIOSE

From Birmingham, it’s more than 700 miles to Mount Vernon, home of the nation’s largest collection of George Washington artifacts. But it’s just a 40-minute drive to the country’s second-largest collection of Founding Father material: the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, located in Columbiana. If you haven’t heard of Shelby County’s George Washington museum before, you’re not alone. Even though the venue has received international visitors, Alabamians are usually shocked to discover this local, yet national, museum in their backyard.
     A central Alabama museum honoring the prominent Virginian may seem several states out of place, but the bulk of the museum’s holdings actually come from Charlotte Smith Weaver, a sixth great-granddaughter of Martha Washington who lived in Chelsea. (George and Martha never had children together, but Martha did have two with her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis.) When Weaver decided to pare down the number of family heirlooms in her possession, she contacted Mount Vernon first. Though interested, at that point in the fiscal year, the estate could only afford to buy two of George’s personal letters; and so, in 1980, Weaver sold a third of her inherited collection to Columbiana banker and history buff Karl Harrison.
     Karl founded the museum two years later in the conference room of Columbiana’s library. But by 1989 he was out of space, storing furniture belonging to George’s half-brother Augustine—items he’d purchased that year at a Kentucky estate sale—upstairs at the First National Bank of Riverchase. It was 11 years before the museum moved into a new building big enough to finally display all its artifacts at once—more than 1,000 pieces of Washington memorabilia that span more than a century and a half, from the 1710 will of Colonel Daniel Parke (the grandfather of Martha Washington’s first husband) to a tintype of a military-clad Robert E. Lee, made eight days after the surrender at Appomattox. Besides a few letter facsimiles, all objects are originals.
     With holdings in Washington artwork, ceramics, furniture and personal items, the museum’s collections contain something for everyone. Interested in objects that offer insight into the Founding Father’s daily life? A button worn by our First President, several of his survey instruments, and a letter supposedly containing a lock of his hair are all on display. Curious about Mount Vernon? Marvel at the color sketch of its grounds, drawn in 1787 by Samuel Vaughn, or examine a snippet of George’s coffin lining, removed when his remains were reburied in a new tomb on the estate in 1831.
     Other perennial favorites are Martha Washington’s squat red prayer book and her letter box. Though Martha burned the correspondence between them after George’s death, you can find letters from John Adams, James Madison, John C. Calhoun and James Monroe displayed in other museum cases. In the next room, a table has been set with Minton porcelain, part of a 207-piece set from the estate of Augustine Washington. Nearby is a tea set from the Lewis family (as in explorer Meriwether Lewis) and more heirlooms from the Lee family; both can trace their lineage to Washington.
     These days the museum is looked after by Bonnie Atchison, a retired high school teacher who was friends with the Harrisons for 40 years. “Every year Mr. Karl—I always called him that—came to my Honors English class to talk about Shakespeare,” she remembers, “and his wife Mildred and I were in the Daughters of the American Revolution together.” Bonnie began serving as curator of the collection in 2004 after her second retirement (this time from the South Shelby County Chamber of Commerce). It was a perfect fit; she had even had the grandchildren of Charlotte Smith Weaver in her class. “I taught English, speech and drama, so I’ve always loved to read. And George Washington has been my hero my whole life,” she says.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington is open weekdays from 10-3, with guided tours offered Wednesday-Friday. Admission is free.