Grab your paddle and rally for a reason! Join GRACE Ministries of Alabama for a high-energy Pickleball Tournament benefiting women survivors of sexual violence. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just in it for the fun, you’ll enjoy friendly competition, community connection, and the chance to make a lasting impact.
Join the Shelby County Arts Council(SCAC) for a fundraising Mardi Gras event, hosted by the federated Women’s Clubs of Columbiana. For this event, there will be dinner catered by The Fish Market Hoover, a live auction, and you’ll be able to dance the night away to the tunes of Sean of the South & Boeuf Gras “The sound of New Orleans.” Proceeds raised from this event will support SCAC programs such as, Writing our Stories, Art Therapy with the Arc of Shelby County, and scholarship funding for SCAC classes and programs. Let the good times roll at this festive event, while supporting your local arts community! Thanks to the Culture Club, the Novella Club, and the Vignette Club for organizing this wonderful event.
Autism Support of Alabama invites you to a meaningful and memorable evening at the Autism Shines Gala—an elegant event that raises funds for vital programs supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Guests will enjoy live music from the Crystal Clear Band, a sensitivity-inclusive dinner, and a 360 photo booth experience. FOX6’s Jeh Jeh Pruitt will serve as emcee, with a mix of inspiring stories and high-energy entertainment throughout the night.
Since its inception, the Autism Shines Gala has become a beloved tradition, bringing the community together for an evening of connection, celebration, and support. Funds raised help Autism Support of Alabama continue its mission of providing education, advocacy, and services, including camps, conferences, support groups, safety initiatives, scholarships, and more. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at autism-alabama.org/autism-shines-gala! For more info, call 1-877-4AUTISM, or email i[email protected].
Join Connection Point Church for a free community Back to School Bash designed to equip and uplift families as they prepare for the new school year. This event is open to the public and will feature free food and drinks, free backpacks and school supplies for students, bounce houses, prayer for the upcoming school year, free haircuts for boys, and a grand prize drawing. It’s a fun and meaningful afternoon for the whole family!
Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society invites you to experience its stunning, annual gem show on September 6-7 from 10am-6pm and September 8 from 10 am-4pm at the Irondale Civic Center (former Zamora Temple). Serious collectors will find prime specimens of minerals and fossils; lapidarists will find stone beads, slabs, and cabochons; jewelry admirers will find beautiful, natural adornments. Families will find fun and educational activities, with an expanded children’s section this year. The popular geode cracker will again be featured: Choose your own geode for purchase, then witness what timeless treasure hides inside as it is opened for you. There will be door prizes and demos on lapidary equipment. Follow for more information, visit www.lapidaryclub.com.
Widespread Grace 2023 will be held on Thursday, September 21. Join us for an evening celebrating 10 years of Red Mountain Grace and supporting our goal of continuing to be the best housing option for families traveling to Birmingham for long-term medical care. Individual tickets are available for $150 and table sponsorships begin at $1000. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and dinner begins at 6:30 pm. For ticket and sponsorship information, visit www.redmountaingrace.com/wsg23.
This family-friendly show happening on September 1-2 from 10am-6pm and September 3 from 10am-4pm will delight everyone from seasoned rockhounds to casual collectors and curiosity seekers. Browse through fascinating gem, mineral, and fossil specimens, handcrafted jewelry and decorative items. Wares from local and visiting artists and collectors are featured at 100+ tables. There are sparkling crystals, carved stone obelisks, spheres, and more. A geode cracker is on site to split whole geodes and reveal their hidden beauty. There will be demonstrations on lapidary equipment, door prizes, and activities for the kids. The annual show is an outreach event by the Alabama Mineral and Lapidary Society, a non-profit organization for people interested in geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and lapidary arts.
Mission Makers
Columbiana, Ala. has a new house, the Patricia M. Smith CASA House located at 438 West College Street. It will serve as an office and supervised visitation location for the abused and neglected children of Shelby County under the care of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
In 1996, then presiding District Court Judge Patricia “Patti” M. Smith founded Friends of the Court, Inc./CASA of Shelby County with a few volunteer board members, no CASA Volunteers and no financial support. CASA now serves more than 100 children and remains the only program of its kind in Shelby County. Today the program is under the direction of Family Court Judge Jim Kramer until District Court Judge-Elect Erin Welborn takes the bench in January of 2023.
CASA is a non-profit organization whose goal is to ensure that every abused and neglected child they serve has a safe and permanent home. CASA recruits and trains volunteers to go through the court process with abused and neglected children. CASA Volunteers are the “eyes and ears” of the court and a “voice” for children in court. They provide valuable information that assists Judge Kramer in making the best decisions for the children in his courtroom. CASA also provides a parenting program and supervises visitations with CASA children who are involved in the court process who might not get to see their parents otherwise.
The new house will be a welcomed addition to the program. “When it came time to naming the house, the board and I knew there was only one thing to do,” said CASA’s Director Beth Chapman. “Judge Smith started the program from the ground up with very few resources. It is thriving today and changing lives for the better because of her work in the early days. We knew it had to be named in her honor.” Smith served as Shelby County’s only Family Court Judge for 25 years and served on the Alabama Supreme Court for six years. She remains one of the state’s leading authorities when it comes to children’s issues. “It is truly humbling and the honor of my career to have such a useful and much needed house named in my honor,” said Smith. “I know many lives will continue to be changed due to the work of CASA. That is my prayer – that it will be a house of hope for children in need.”
CASA is funded by the Children’s Trust Fund, a Shelby County Community Grant and various other corporations, foundations and individuals. For more information on how you can become a CASA Volunteer visit www.casaofshelbycounty.org or call Beth at 205-980-4466. †
Premier Event for Women of destiny! Get ready to soar like never before. Join us for an incredible day of Encouragement, Empowerment and Inspiration galore. Hear from a powerful panel of Miss Overcomers as they share life transforming Biblical strategies to help you Reclaim Courage, Affirm your Calling and Walk Strong in the Miss Overcomer lifestyle you were born to enjoy! Don’t miss this Divine Moment tailor made just for you. You’ve been Chosen for the Miss Overcomer Gathering! Cost is Free but seating is limited. Click here to register.
It’s been a year since Buck Creek Coffee added their drive-thru service! Join them on Friday, August 19 from 1pm – 6pm. They will have the Downeast Lobster Company food truck out front. Both the coffee house and drive-thru will be opened!
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