As mayors of the cities of Dothan and Fairhope as well as serving as president and vice president of the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM), we, Mark Saliba and Sherry Sullivan, are thrilled to lead a quality-of-life campaign entitled Live Locally Alabama on behalf of local leaders across our state. This initiative was developed to […]

Strike up the oompah band and break out the lederhosen. It’s time to tap into the world’s best beer party, Oktoberfest. Originating in Munich, the two-week celebration has become one of Germany’s greatest exports, celebrated worldwide in festivals filled with beer and sausages. The funny thing is, very little of Oktoberfest is observed in the […]

In a world where it’s increasingly difficult to distinguish the authentic from the manufactured, we’re drawn to experiences that feel genuine, moments that allow us to slow down and fully connect. The Tuesday night jam sessions at True Story Brewing in Birmingham, Alabama, offer such an experience. Moments in time, where the attention to detail […]

Bike sharing is back—and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has made it easier than ever to explore three major Alabama cities by bike. The Blue Bikes bike share program, with bikes offered by Tandem Mobility, now has bike-sharing stations in Huntsville, Decatur, and Montgomery. Bike sharing aims to provide a mobility solution as […]

Every breast cancer survivor has his or her own unique story—from the complexities of diagnosis and treatment to the mental and physical toll that the journey takes. However, there is one uniting factor—the survivors’ journey deserves to be celebrated, and their story deserves to be told.  One such survivor is Kate Lloyd, Vice President of […]

The Yellowhammer State’s cultural and culinary diversity is showcased in food festivals throughout the fall, with some also offering tours of ornate churches built by congregations that started settling here some 130 years ago. Music and dance also will play major roles in upcoming events honoring immigrants and their offspring from Greece, the Middle East, […]

I’ve fished in salt water, fighting swells on a deep-sea charter and closer to shore, trolling behind a bay boat. I’ve angled for finned friends in fresh water, watching from a pond bank as a red-and-white bobber bounces with a catfish nibble and working a rod and reel from the bow of a glitter-covered bass […]

As American cities go, Birmingham, Alabama, is a relative new arrival. Founded in 1871 where two railroad lines crossed, with access to rich mineral deposits, the hamlet bloomed seemingly overnight. Steel and iron ore fueled the first population explosion, and by the early 20th century Birmingham had earned the moniker, “The Magic City.” By 1912, […]

It had been my great-grandmother’s grocery store. She lived in the back room. Later, Daddy re-opened it.  My family’s Village Mercantile was the gathering place for our Jernigan, Alabama, community. As author Herman Melville said about “life aboard a ship” being his Harvard and Yale, the store provided me with an education that I could […]

John Michael Pierce was a Vestavia native who loved everything about life. John Michael was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 24, however, he used his illness to bring people together and continues to do so even in his passing. John Michael attended the University of Alabama and was a member of Sigma […]

A few times a generation, Alabama is gifted with some of the country’s best and brightest. These figures, making a name for themselves in their given industry, give the state of Alabama an amazing legacy to stand on. Whether they were born here or at one point made this place their home, Alabamians welcome them […]

We believe that Alabama is the Soul of the South. Found within our state lines are gifted human beings who cultivate their craft from home, creating the best of our nation’s culture. These are people who love our land, grow our food, create our art, curate our spaces, take care of our people, feed us […]

The story that started it all for Alabama artist Hannah Morris begins as a sudden and heartbreaking tragedy. Three years ago, Morris witnessed the drowning death of her best friend’s daughter, Annie.   “It crushed me in so many ways, not only the loss of my two-year-old buddy that was so close to my family, but […]

It seems music magic has been repeatedly made in Alabama’s Muscle Shoals, but there is one nearby story that does not often get told: the story of the man who made Elvis Presley. According to the Encylopedia of Alabama, on January 5, 1923, Samuel Cornelius Phillips was born as one of eight children to two […]

When picturing The Alamite Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, one of the first things that comes to mind is the eye-catching artwork found throughout the space, from the lobby to the rooftop bar. Curated largely by Blair Plott, a member of The Alamite’s ownership group, the collection features works by many talented local artists and each […]

Regions’ history is one marked by collaboration with a focus on customers.  “Despite all the advancements in technology, banking, at its core, is still a people business,” explains Christian White, Birmingham market executive for Regions. “We have a long track record of serving people and businesses in Alabama. At the same time, we have a […]

Botox and fillers have long been associated with the beauty regimens of celebrities and the affluent. However, there is a rising trend among African Americans embracing these cosmetic enhancements. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Smart Skin Med Spa, where Dr. Eason’s expertise in medical aesthetics provided me with an insightful experience. This journey, […]

It is fair to say that memories made in the early years of our lives impact us in a remarkable way. For better or worse, these early experiences shape the lens through which we see the world. While many of us wish we could erase certain portions of our past, there are a handful of […]

Get ready to support Alabama farmers and celebrate all things local with Sweet Grown Alabama Day, this Saturday, July 13th.  Each summer the event is hosted by Sweet Grown Alabama, a nonprofit foundation that seeks to enhance marketing opportunities for Alabama farmers by connecting retailers and consumers to Alabama-grown foods and other agricultural products. Farmers […]

Adventure is a way of life in DeKalb County, Alabama. Everyone knows it’s a place where you keep your feet on the ground while your hands get to work. Whether climbing, hunting, fishing, hiking, off-roading, mountain biking, or zip-lining, there’s no shortage of fun for an adventurous spirit.  It’s an outdoorsman’s (and outdoorswoman’s) paradise. DeKalb […]

Alabama is home to a surprising number of archaeological sites with deep, rich histories dating back centuries. While many of these locations have been extensively excavated and cataloged, others may go unseen for years to come. Luckily, one archaeological site less than 20 miles south of Tuscaloosa has been a definitive area of interest for […]