The holiday season is finally upon us. It’s filled with delicious food, good cheer with loved ones, nostalgic traditions, and special memories. For many, this season is merry and bright, but others find this season more difficult. Consider giving back to your Christmas list this year. We’ve curated a list of eight places where you can donate your time or resources to make this season a “Merry Christmas” for all.

He started out as a smart aleck. Robert Bailey sat through his law school classes wondering if his professors could succeed in an actual court of law. After becoming a lawyer, Bailey wrote an 800-page thriller about an aging professor called to work a trial. After honing it down to the real kernels of the story, he sold a two-book deal to a publisher. Now, with more than one million books sold, Robert Bailey is releasing his ninth book in June. 

With more than 27,000 paintings, prints, drawings, and decorative arts pieces dating from ancient to modern times, the Birmingham Museum of Art is a big source of pride for the Magic City. Since opening in 1951, the free art museum has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to view and engage with art through galleries, exhibitions, and special events. We sat down with the museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions, Anne Forschler-Tarrasch, to learn more about how the museum functions and what to expect when visiting. 

The only day-to-day constant in Tamika Reed’s typical day is “30 minutes of self-care in the morning and 30 minutes of self-care in the evening.” She lives every day with one purpose in mind, bettering herself in order to better others.

For those who bravely untangle last year’s Christmas tree lights, imagine covering an entire zoo or botanical garden with the illuminating bulbs. All across Alabama, the custom of lighting up Christmas rises to the level of art with dancing elves, prancing reindeer, walking Gingerbread men, and in one case, a mooning Santa. The displays range from dramatic to whimsical, high in the tree tops to below ground, and from elegant to so tacky that the infamous Griswold house would not make the cut. From November through January, you can fill your senses with holiday cheer. Start early, and follow the lighted trail from north to south. Or, choose an old favorite to share with the whole family. These light displays are filled with joy, whimsy, motion, humor and the holidays at their best. 

Downtown Birmingham has changed a lot just over the last year. In the past five years, new restaurants, attractions, hotels, and apartments have popped up all over town. And 10 years ago, it was an entirely different place altogether. A major catalyst for the Magic City’s incredible transformation is REV Birmingham, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the city by creating vibrant commercial districts and supporting local business owners. At the helm of REV is David Fleming, a native of Bessemer, Alabama, who has spent the last decade leading the organization. We sat down with Fleming to learn more about REV’s mission and how he’s seen Birmingham change over the years. 

Check out some of the finest food trucks from south Alabama and the Gulf Coast and wash it all down with the best brews from Bama and surrounding states, all this weekend at Gulf Shores. The inaugural Coastal Alabama Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival is set for Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, at the Town Green. More than a dozen food trucks are in the lineup, along with a baker’s dozen breweries. Admission is free, and the festival is open to the general public from noon until 6 p.m. Food and drinks from the trucks must be purchased.

A large part of what makes Alabama unique is its people. They come from far and wide, bringing their talents, affinities, crafts, and passions. Or, they were born here and have a rich heritage rooted in Alabama culture. Whether they are here for a lifetime or only a few short years, each person has the ability to leave a lasting impression. L.E. Acuff is no exception to this phenomenon. Originally from the Nashville, Tennessee area, L.E. is a freshman accounting major at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. L.E is also a master crafter, a retired high school swimmer, and a published author. Her father, John Acuff, is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including his most recent book, “Your New Playlist,”co-authored by L.E. and her sister McRae Acuff. “Your New Playlist” is “the student’s guide to tapping into the superpower of mindset.” A student herself, L.E. knows the power of mindset, especially as a freshman in college in a new-to-her state.

Meet Erika Boeing, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, who is climbing the ranks in her industry while making a world of difference. CEO and Founder of Accelerate Wind, Boeing is on a mission to change the world around her by taking control of energy. Accelerate Wind was recently awarded a $250,000 Innovate Alabama Grant alongside 30 other entrepreneurs for its innovative wind turbines. The modern design of the turbines are meant to be paired with solar panels to add an average of 25 percent additional energy generation. Solar panels miss out on the edges of buildings, where Accelerate Wind’s turbines do all of their work. The idea to utilize every inch a rooftop has to offer led to beautifully designed, modern turbines that channel the wind from the edges where wind speeds are fastest.

Chef Chris Hastings needs no introduction. A James Beard Award winner who beat Bobby Flay on Food Network in the Iron Chef America competition is a highly recognizable name both in and out of the South. As a well-known chef, he’s also no stranger to the creative world. From the novel approach he takes in his kitchens to the delectable dishes he consistently churns out, it’s easy to see he values the process of innovation when it comes to cuisine. This ability to intertwine the need for originality while also utilizing simple foods that tend to reflect the community from which they are harvested truly makes him a gifted craftsman.

Nestled between the sound of the flowing Tennessee River waterway and wide-open green spaces fit with wrap-around porches and momma’s home cookin’ is Downtown Decatur.

Celebrate those dears who have departed and enjoy a fiesta of Mexican culture at Birmingham’s 20th Dia de los Muertos gathering, set for Wednesday, November 2, at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. The Day of the Dead observance will include parades, music, dancing, colorful costumes, crafts, personalized altars to ancestors, and a memorial roll call. Food trucks will dish street tacos, tamales, pupusas, and other snacks both savory and sweet.

Owners of the well-respected and incomparable Wildrose International, it’s hard to imagine how Mike and Cathy Stewart find time to sleep at night. Kennels, trainings, events and seminars, videos, a […]

A look into the future of small-town Alabama has taken us back in time to our roots of Southern hospitality.   Everywhere you look small towns are being romanticized. From […]

A home that will become the hub for connecting the North Alabama region Singing River Trail is now calling Mooresville home base thanks to a generous Limestone County family. The McCrary […]

Fall in Alabama is settling in and so is the outdoor scenery on Birmingham-Southern College’s campus. As the beautiful leaves change to reflect the University’s bright and proud yellow, there’s never been a more perfect time to visit the grounds and meet the award-winning staff. Whether a prospective student, parent, or proud alum hoping to leave a legacy, there are a couple different ways you can learn more about “the Hilltop” in-person this November.

Get in the spooky spirit in South Alabama with a host of special events and festivals happening all October long. From haunted houses and fall festivals to a boat party […]

  Traditions, they inspire connections between families, friends, and even strangers. The wonder of meals shared, crafts created, service given, and community started by the generations before us is not […]

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If you’ve ever seen the giant blue robot guarding over downtown Birmingham on Morris Avenue, or the three little monkey friends climbing around his legs and shoulders, then you’ve seen the work of John Lytle Wilson. We sat down with the artist to talk about what inspires his work and why he loves what he does.

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