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Cool Stuff
Great LOCAL Gifts Bird Lovers Paradise Wild Birds Unlimited in Hoover has everything a bird watcher could need and more! Check out the “festive” seed cylinders: Gingerbread Man ($18.99), Gingerbread Houses ($19.99, includes dried fruit and whole nuts), Snowman ($16.99) and Christmas Bell ($5). A perfect gift for a friend or a way to decorate …
City Scene
The Promise of Christmas, In Dance When an angel of the Lord proclaimed the Messiah’s birth, it was the fulfillment of God’s longstanding promise to redeem His people from the curse of sin. Briarwood Ballet’s performance of “Light Eternal” brings this Christmas promise to the stage in a very captivating way. Set to music and …
A Christmas Quest
Christmas traditions have united the followers of Christ around the world for centuries. They have brought families, friends, communities together every year. Did your family have traditions they held to every year for Christmas? Growing up, I was ecstatic to help light the candles on the Advent wreath and decorate the Christmas tree. Now with …
Best Books
Hidden Christmas I know people who think the end is near. They are convinced the world is collapsing into an apocalyptic abyss and the world’s final days are upon us. Some of them believe that Jesus will come a second time and rescue them. Others are not sure and are bracing themselves for the darkness …
Are We There Yet?
Start a Family Tradition at Christmas at the Falls Just a short drive over to Gadsden, Ala. will take you to a place sure to get you and your family in the Christmas spirit: Christmas at the Falls. Each year Noccalula Falls Park welcomes visitors to experience the lights and sounds of the season from …
Special Feature
Phyllis Hoffman DePiano & Her Southern Ladies In 1983 Phyllis Hoffman toted a pillowcase full of checks into a Birmingham bank to open a business account. The act spoke of her unconventionality as a business woman in the 80s starting her own company and publishing a magazine. Retired from public accounting and parenting twins, she …
City Scene
A Colonial Christmas at American Village Step back in time and enjoy a glorious celebration of Christmas. December 6-8 American Village in Montevallo will host a Colonial Christmas lunch in Liberty Hall, inspired by White House architect James Hoban’s Public Audience Chamber now known as the East Room. Your luncheon hostess will be the young …
Music Notes
Night of Song Helps Children in Need Grammy Award Winning singer/song writer Amy Grant’s recent visit to Birmingham marked the 10th Anniversary of the Auxiliary of the Big Oak Ranch and raised more than $57,000 for the 150 children who call the Big Oak Ranch home, www.bigoak.org. Grant sang to an enthusiastic crowd of more …
Are We There Yet?
The Ark Encounter Recently on my way from Tennessee to Detroit, I visited the newly opened Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. This $30 million dollar extravaganza proved an incredible feat and delightful tourist attraction devised by Australian biologist Ken Ham. So well done, it was painstakingly built to biblical dimensions and fashioned with great skill …
