🦃 The Holidays Are Almost Here 🎄

Good morning Birmingham!

It’s that time of year where everyone is getting ready to slow down for the holidays. I don’t know about y’all, but it always feels like there’s a rush to get things done so you can actually slow down for a moment.

But while we hurry up and wait for the holidays, there are plenty of holiday events to get you in the spirit! From events at the zoo, tree lighting festivals, or holiday shopping with mimosas, there is bound to be something for everyone!

Let’s get to it.

🎭 When a Woman's Fed Up

Unlimited Entertainment LLC brings this compelling stage play to Birmingham, exploring the intricate web of relationships and the empowering journey women take when they reach their breaking point. Written by the late David T. Payton and his life partner Annette Campbell, this gripping production delivers messages of empowerment and liberation while encouraging audiences to break free from societal expectations.

The show features an incredible ensemble cast including Patrice Lovely from Tyler Perry productions, Grammy-nominated singer Lenny Williams, R&B legend Shirley Murdock, and former Blackstreet member Terrell Phillips. This combination of seasoned performers from film, television, and music creates a unique theatrical experience that blends drama with musical elements, promising to captivate Birmingham audiences with both entertainment and inspiration.

Expect a thought-provoking, spiritual, and musical roller coaster that delves into raw relationship dynamics while celebrating resilience and self-discovery. The production offers profound reflections on the human experience through relatable characters and universal themes that resonate across generations. Get tickets and show details

🌮 Frida’s Cocina & Cantina

Get ready to fall in love with Tex-Mex all over again at Frida's Cocina & Cantina, the upscale Mexican restaurant that's been turning heads in English Village since opening in May 2024. Located at 2031 Cahaba Road in the former Civitas space, Frida's brings authentic flavors with a modern twist that has quickly made it one of Birmingham's hottest dining destinations.

The menu is packed with crave-worthy favorites like succulent fish tacos, a unique stuffed avocado that reimagines the ingredient in the best way possible, and a prickly pear frozen margarita rimmed with Tajin that perfectly balances sweet and spicy. The chic, vibrant atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop for everything from date nights to celebrations, with both cozy indoor seating and a sunny patio to enjoy.

Open seven days a week (yes, even Sunday and Monday when you need it most!), Frida's is quickly becoming a staple in Birmingham's food scene. Whether you're a Tex-Mex fanatic or just looking for your next favorite restaurant, Frida's Cocina & Cantina promises fresh, flavorful dishes that will have you planning your return visit before you've even left!

🥐 The Essential

The Essential has just unveiled a stunning transformation that takes this downtown Birmingham favorite to an entirely new level. Owner and head chef Victor King closed the doors for a whirlwind 10-day renovation, and the result is absolutely breathtaking—think warm wood paneling, soft lighting, cozy seating, and a gallery wall showcasing local artists that makes the space feel like the most inviting neighborhood spot you've ever visited.

The magic doesn't stop at aesthetics: the kitchen has doubled in size, allowing Chef Victor to introduce exciting new dishes like beef carpaccio and upcoming lunch specials that'll give you even more reasons to stop by. Perhaps the most thrilling addition is the expanded bar, which grew from a modest five seats to a spacious 18-seat haven now called Paul & Tina's at The Essential, serving up seasonal cocktails that perfectly complement the restaurant's beloved house-made pasta and scratch-made dishes.

Whether you're craving their legendary brunch, a leisurely lunch, or an intimate dinner, the newly reimagined Essential is calling your name—and trust us, this is one downtown gem you absolutely need to experience for yourself.

Birmingham Historical Landmark, Sloss Furnace, Eyes $12 Million Rebirth Sloss Furnaces will begin fundraising next year for a major renovation project that would connect the historic site to Birmingham's trail system and add new attractions including play areas, climbing elements, and railway pump handcars. The plan aims to better integrate the 32-acre property, which operated as the world's largest pig iron manufacturer from 1882 to 1970, into the city's growing recreational and cultural landscape.

Birmingham City Council increases Railroad Park funding to $1 million The city council approved increasing annual funding for the 17-acre downtown park from $900,000 to $1 million, recognizing its role as an economic engine since opening in 2010. The park welcomes nearly 600,000 visitors annually and has sparked surrounding development including housing conversions and Regions Field, with officials hoping continued investment will sustain growth in the area.

Birmingham Water Board Set to Vote on Single CEO Candidate for $750,000 Role Jeffrey Thompson, a former assistant general manager at the utility, is the only candidate on Thursday's agenda for Central Alabama Water's CEO position, sparking accusations of secrecy and political favoritism. The closed-door selection process has drawn criticism from board members and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, who called it a "backroom political deal" that contradicts the board's transparency promises.

The Right Way Childcare Center Hosts 3rd Annual Turkey Giveaway The Birmingham childcare center is organizing its third annual community turkey giveaway event scheduled for November 22nd, continuing its tradition of providing holiday meals to local families in need during the Thanksgiving season.

Miles College partners with $5T tech giant to prepare HBCUs for the AI workforce Nvidia has begun a collaboration with Fairfield's Miles College to provide AI training for underrepresented communities, with the partnership spanning classroom instruction, faculty research, and community engagement. The initiative comes as nearly half of Miles College faculty already use AI tools in their curricula, and the college plans to expand AI education to K-12 students in the broader Birmingham community.

Historic Birmingham Building Being Reborn as Chic Sushi Cocktail Night Spot The Sakéroom, a Japanese-inspired sushi restaurant and lounge, is targeting a spring opening in Birmingham's iconic Shepherd-Sloss Building in Five Points South. Owner Paige Depperschmidt, who previously created Chicks N Donuts and Sands of Sahara, envisions an elevated dining experience with Tokyo-style ambiance, specialty cocktails, and seasonal sushi in the historic space that once housed nightspots like Louie Louie and Bell Bottoms.

Trump's $2,000 Tariff Dividend Checks Won't Arrive Until Mid-2026 President Trump announced that proposed tariff dividend payments of thousands of dollars for low- and moderate-income Americans would be distributed around the middle of next year, with high earners excluded. The payments would require Congressional approval and could cost over $200 billion, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stressed that legislation would be needed before any checks could be issued.

Unseasonably Warm Temperatures Could Break Records in Alabama Birmingham area temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s to lower 80s today, potentially breaking daily records for November 20th. A weakening surface low and warm front are bringing cloud cover but maintaining abnormally warm conditions across northern Alabama, with showers and thunderstorms possible Friday afternoon through Saturday.

Birmingham Mayor, Jeffco Commission President Clash Over Funding for City Landmark The future of City Walk, Birmingham's popular 31-acre downtown public space, is in jeopardy as Mayor Randall Woodfin and Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens dispute funding responsibilities. The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex has already spent $3.1 million out of pocket after state reimbursements reached their $4 million cap, with officials warning the landmark could face closure without sustainable funding solutions.

Scammers Target Shelby County Residents with Fake Military Scheme Nearly a dozen people contacted the Alabaster Army Recruiting Station reporting scammers posing as stranded service members requesting money through social media platforms. At least two residents have fallen victim to the scheme, with criminals often demanding additional payments after initial compliance. Station Commander Glenn Denico warns residents to watch for red flags when contacted by supposed military personnel asking for financial assistance.

Bessemer City Council approves $14.9 billion data center project despite transparency concerns The Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to approve rezoning for a 675-acre data center project that developers call the largest investment in Alabama history. The project promises 1,000 construction jobs over seven years and 330 permanent positions averaging $112,500 annually, but faces community opposition over environmental concerns and lack of public access to developer studies.

What stores are open and closed on Thanksgiving 2025? Here's what to know Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, while grocery chains show mixed schedules with Kroger closing early at 5 p.m. and Sprouts open until 2 p.m. Restaurant chains vary widely, with Waffle House and Whataburger staying open all day while most fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Panera remain closed for the holiday.

🎄 Tree Lighting Festival | Vestavia Hills City Hall | 11/20 | More
Join the magical tree lighting ceremony followed by holiday festivities with Santa photos, treats, entertainment, and fun for all ages at the Civic Center.

🎨 Paint a Sweater Ornament | Artsy Studio | 11/21 | More
Get into the holiday spirit painting your own festive sweater ornament with custom text options, all supplies provided in a cozy creative atmosphere.

🎄 The North Pole Expo 2025 | Trussville Civic Center | 11/21 | More
Trussville's annual Christmas trade show brings holiday shopping and festive fun to the civic center for two days of seasonal celebration.

✨ Glow Wild | Birmingham Zoo | 11/22-1/4 | More
A magical mile-long journey through over one million lights and handcrafted lanterns celebrating nature, plus holiday treats, Santa visits, and special themed nights through January.

🎄 Lights Up 2025 | The Summit | 11/22 | More
Kick off the holiday season with festive activities including storytime with Elsa, crafts, wreath-making workshops, holiday sip and stroll, and a movie night featuring Elf.

🎬 PJ Party: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? | Sidewalk Film | 11/22 | More
Family matinee screening where you can come cozy in your PJs and enjoy light breakfast options while watching this classic film.

🎅 Santa Paws Pet Photos | Hand in Paw | 11/22 | More
Bring your well-behaved pets for holiday photos with Santa, featuring professional portraits by Amanda Puskar Photography for just $20 with proceeds supporting Animal-Assisted Therapy programs.

🎅 Coca-Cola / Birmingham Zoo - Holiday Caravan | Birmingham Zoo | 11/23 | More
Stop by for festive lights, ice-cold Coke, and a magical photo opportunity with Santa in this holiday celebration at the zoo!

🎅 Ice Cream Sunday with Santa | Howard Family Holiday Farm | 11/24 | More
Santa arrives by helicopter at this family farm for ice cream treats, holiday fun, and festive activities in a magical outdoor setting.

🎁 Gifts of Art | Aldridge Gardens | 11/20 | More
Shop unique, affordable holiday gifts from up to 14 local artists featuring glass, wood, ceramics, jewelry and more in this one-stop Christmas shopping experience.

🛍️ Market Noel | Hoover Met | 11/20-11/22 | More
A three-day holiday shopping event featuring local vendors and boutiques, perfect for kicking off your Christmas shopping season.

🎬 Sidewalk Film 101: The French Connection | Sidewalk Film Center | 11/21 | More
Part of the monthly film series focusing on big-screen spectacles that must be experienced in theaters.

🎵 Jagged Edge - Cuffing Season Tour | BJCC | 11/21 | More
R&B legends bring their smooth harmonies and romantic hits to Birmingham for an unforgettable night of soulful music and nostalgic vibes.

🎄 Christmas Open House | Crestwood Pickers | 11/22 | More
Join the annual Christmas Open House featuring booth sales, door prizes, and catered food by Chef Paul from 10am-3pm.

🎨 Holiday Sip & Shop | Forstall Art Center | 11/22 | More
Join the annual celebration with complimentary gumbo and mimosas, hourly art supplies raffles, and live painting demonstrations.

🍺 Big and Barrel-Aged Beersgiving | Cahaba Brewing Company | 11/22 | More
Forget the turkey and stuffing—toast to craft beer and good company instead at Birmingham's annual celebration of barrel-aged brews featuring live music, football on big screens, and craft cocktails for Birmingham's beer community.

🛍️ Birmingham Fall Craft and Vendor Market | Riverchase Galleria | 11/22-11/23 | More
Celebrate the season with local crafts and vendors across two days of shopping and community fun.

🏛️ Inauguration of Mayor Randall Woodfin | Boutwell Auditorium | 11/25 | More
A historic moment for Birmingham as Mayor Randall Woodfin is officially inaugurated, celebrating the city and everyone who made this achievement possible.