Birmingham Events Calendar: June 29th – July 6th

Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2014 by Angie

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

It’s 4th of July week which means there are lots of special events happening around Birmingham. Libraries are still busy and don’t forget to take advantage of the Free and Discounted Summer Movies. Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Sunday June 29th:

Jazz in the Park – Avondale Park
Jose Carr and Julian Vaughn –
6pm – 9pm
Free Event

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Monday June 30th:

Story Laboratory – Bugs Hoover Public Libary
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

The Fizz Boom Zap and Wow Super Science Show – Bessemer Library
Kids get to see some amazing explosive reactions at this show. Please join us for some fizz boom wow action!
Ages: 5-11 yrs old
2pm

Tot Time with Mrs. Eve. Rhythm and Rhyme Science Storytime – Avondale Library
We’ve got rhythm, we’ve got science, the science of rhythm, who could ask for anything more? Stories, songs, and crafts geared for 2 to 4 year olds with a caregiver. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

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Tuesday July 1st:

Madcap Puppets presents Twain’s Twisted Tales – Hoover Public Library
Madcap is proud to introduce the life and stories of one of America’s greatest literary figures and humorists with giant puppets and audience participation.
10:30am, 2pm and 6pm

Animal Tales – Emmet O Neal Library
Get up close and personal with a whole host of scaly, prickly, and fuzzy animals. All ages. No registration required.
10:30am

Family Tours, What does a Warrior Wear – Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join the Museum educators to explore the galleries in a fun, interactive experience! Discover Bart the Art Bat’s favorite artworks during these FREE, drop-in tours. After your tour, visit Bart’s ArtVenture to make an art project inspired by what you saw. What will you discover?

What Does a Warrior Wear
10:30

Storytime for All Ages – Homewood Public Library
Story Time
10:30am

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Wednesday July 2nd:

33rd Annual I Love America Day Celebration – Wald Park
The 33rd Annual I Love America Summer Celebration will include, Free Swimming, Expo Fair, Children’s Activities by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, Pops in the Park by Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra and the movie Frozen will be shown at 8:15 pm. Presented by Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and Vestavia Hills Public Services. *Please note: NO pets allowed.
6pm – 10pm

Lights, Camera, Action Reaction – Avondale Library
The popcorn is popping and the film is rolling. It’s an afternoon of movie mania madness at the Avondale Public Library. Please inquire in the Youth Department for movie title. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
2pm

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday July 3rd:

Fireworks at Oak Mountain
Oak Mountain State Park, as part of Alabama State Parks 75th Anniversary, along with the City of Pelham are hosting food, fun, and fireworks. Food and music begins at 6:00 p.m. Johnny Rays and McAlister’s will be here.
A wakeboarding demonstration by Flip Side Watersports, Oak Mountain’s newest attraction, will take place at 7:00 p.m.
Fireworks will shoot off at 9:00 p.m. Prime viewing will be on the beach. Plan to be in the park by 8:00 p.m. to see the show.

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Friday July 4th:

Check our list of July 4th Celebrations happening around Birmingham

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Saturday July 5th

What Does a Warrior Wear
10:30

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Grumpy days don’t have to stay that way. Find out how Elephant’s grumpy day changed and helped his friends, too!
11am

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Sunday July 6th:

ETC Presents Vulcan’s Underpants
Come get some fresh air and fresh comedy! Join ETC for our special brand of comedy – made up on the spot with your suggestions. Fun for your kids or your grandparents. Heck, we love the whole family! In case of inclement weather, we will update Facebook, Twitter and voicemail at (205) 687-5233.
6pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Tornado Alley, Great White Shark, To the Arctic, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call, especially when weather can impact the event.

52 New Things, 2014. Week 25

Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2014 by Angie

What did we do that was new?

Angie –
On our way to catch a Barons game Friday night, we decided to try out one of the newer-ish restaurants in Avondale. We chose POPS – Post Office Pies (look out MELT, you’re next.) Post Office Pies is a collaboration between Saw’s Soul Kitchen owners Mike Wilson and Brandon Cain and expert chef John Hall. They serve up some Tasty Pies that were devoured by the entire family. When 5 out of 5 agree, we consider that a serious win and add those places to our regular dining out rotation.

Kristen –
I let my four year old swim with no floaties because he’s been taking lessons and wanted to show me his “skills.” Don’t worry, I watched him like a hawk. He did great!

Have something new you want to share or want us to try, let us know!

4th of July Celebrations in Birmingham

Posted on Friday, June 27, 2014 by Angie

Independence Day Celebrations are happening all week long, which is great if you’re looking for an excuse to see as many fireworks as possible.

Take a look at what’s happening around Birmingham to celebrate July 4th!

I Love America Summer Celebration – Wald Park
The 33rd Annual I Love America Summer Celebration will include, Free Swimming, Expo Fair, Children’s Activities by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, Pops in the Park by Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra and the movie Frozen will be shown at 8:15 pm. Presented by Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and Vestavia Hills Public Services. *Please note: NO pets allowed.
July 2nd
6pm – 10pm

Helena
The Helena First Friday events happen once a month in Old Town Helena where local merchants stay open late and vendors set up booths in the downtown area. There will be food vendors, live music and more.
It concludes with a fireworks show around 8:30 or 9 p.m.
July 3rd

The Big Kaboom – City of Chelsea
The event will officially begin at 8:00 PM in Chelsea Park, but people tend to arrive early and bring folding chairs and blankets. Fireworks will kick off at 9:00 PM and will last about 20 minutes. Food vendors will be available. If the water tower at Chelsea Park is in sight, the fireworks should be visible. There’s a big field at U.S. Highway 280 and Highway 440 for spectators
July 3rd

Thunder on the Mountain from Vulcan
A Birmingham tradition for decades, Thunder on the Mountain is the city’s annual fireworks display and the biggest in the state of Alabama! Not only does Vulcan Park and Museum organize this magnificent show, but Vulcan is the centerpiece of the program. Make sure you make Vulcan a part of your Independence Day tradition!
Friday, July 4 at 9 p.m.

Some FAQ’s about Thunder on the Mountain:

Can I watch the fireworks from Vulcan Park and Museum?
No. The fireworks are launched from the park grounds of Vulcan Park and Museum. For safety purposes, Vulcan Park and Museum and its surrounding 10-acre park will close to the public at 6:00 pm on July 4. At this time, the entire park grounds and parking lots will be cleared out and closed.
Where is the best place to view the fireworks?
For the best viewing experience, make sure you have a clear view of Vulcan! Prime viewing locations include Five Points South, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, UAB campus, among others. Based on growing crowds in recent years, organizers are advising spectators to stake out a viewing point well in advance of the 9:00 pm show.
Will the show be cancelled in the event of rain?
No. Thunder on the Mountain 2014 will continue rain or shine! However, the show may be cancelled in the event of severe weather conditions.

Independence Day Fireworks – Birmingham Barons, Regions Park
Celebrate Independence Day with The Birmingham Barons taking on the Smokies.
July 4th

Independence Day at American Village
Events happening at the institution along Highway 119 in Montevallo from noon until the fireworks erupt after dark.
Admission is $5 per person. Veterans and active members of the military, as well as children ages 4 and younger are free.
Events include 18th century games, an Independence Ball, Revolutionary Army drills and entertainment from costumed historical interpreters. There will be plenty to eat thanks to Full Moon BBQ and other tasty treats available.
Gates open at 11 a.m. on July 4

4th of July Recipes from "MasterChefs"

Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2014 by Angie

The 4th of July is less than a week away, if you’re looking for some fun ideas to incorporate into this year’s celebration, try some of these recipes submitted to us from “MasterChef” Contestants.

Healthy dessert from “MasterChef” Season 3 Semi-finalist and fan-favorite Becky Reams:

As summer gets closer, I get antsy pantsy for some good ol’ grillin’ recipes! Grilling does not have to be an all day endeavor, in fact, in my opinion, its all about a few well chosen quality ingredients, treated quite simply. With these recipes, it will take you longer to decide on what sassy grill-master distinguished outfit to wear, than to make dinner.

Rosemary Pineapple Spears

Ingredients

1 whole fresh pineapple (not canned, trust me)

1 package fresh rosemary (7-8 stems)

2-3 T honey

Directions

1. Heat your grill (or grill pan, if you’re backyard BBQ challenged, like me) over high heat

2. Cut the top and bottom off the pineapple. Then starting at the top, using a sharp knife, cut the exterior rind off. Working in sections cutting top to bottom all the way around the pineapple.

3. Cut the pineapple in half top to bottom, then cut each half in half again (I know it’s confusing, stay with me, it sounds harder than it is)

4. Now cut the core out, and slice each spear in half width-wise. You should now have a bunch of 2-3” pieces of pineapple.

5. Use a wooden skewer and pierce a hole all the way through each piece, and remove the wooden skewer (the skewer was just to make the hole for the rosemary).

6. Now take a rosemary stem and remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem. Then stick the rosemary stem through the pineapple

7. Brush each piece lightly with oil, and place on the grill. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until you get some nice grill marks.

8. Drizzle each piece with a little honey and serve warm.

9. Enjoy!

From “MasterChef” fan –favorite Bri Kozior

Banana Boats

Ingredients

1 banana

Any toppings you want: peanut butter, chocolate chips, cereal, marshmallows, coconut…anything that sounds yummy!

Aluminum foil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After peeling your banana, make a small slice lengthwise in your banana using your fingers to open it more so you can fit all your toppings inside, and place it on a flat sheet of aluminum foil.

Fill the banana with whatever toppings sound delicious to you! I personally love chocolate chips, marshmallow, peanut butter, and graham cracker crumbs. (Then it’ll taste like a peanut butter s’mores!)

Wrap your banana up with the seam (where the two ends meet) of the aluminum at the top so that no fillings come out.

Bake at 350 for about 10 mins and let cool before eating. You can eat it with graham crackers, on ice cream, or just with a spoon!

Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!

You can catch Becky and Bri on the upcoming “MasterChef” cruise. Recipes reprinted with permission by Becky Reams and with permission from Bri Kozior.

Make sure to tune in and catch the newest episode of “MasterChef” Mondays on FOX 8/7C!

Is Preventing School Violence Possible? How You Can Help.

Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 by Angie

By Kristen Berthiaume:

More bad news in the news: a shooting at a Portland high school, another on the campus of Seattle Pacific University, the murder of two police officers and one civilian in Las Vegas, and then gun violence right here in Birmingham at Glenwood – all in the span of six days. Several media outlets are reporting 74 school shootings (including isolated altercations in addition to larger scale violence) in the 77 weeks since the Sandy Hook tragedy in December of 2012. Staggering numbers and statistics that make some of us want to lock our children in the house and never let them out. We’ve discussed ideas for talking to your kids about tragedies like these in the past here and here. The epidemic of gun violence in our country is not subject to an easy fix and attention must be paid to several elements. There are issues that need to be addressed about who can access guns, how mental health problems are identified and treated, and what factors have led our culture to become increasingly desensitized toward violence and death. But rather than stick our heads in the sand at the sheer enormity of the problem, there are things that we, as parents, can be do on a local level to help prevent these tragedies in our own schools and communities.

One of the most concerning commonalities of these tragedies was that they represented escalations of behavior and didn’t come out of nowhere. These perpetrators generally had some history of bullying or violence and almost all of them made warnings and threats in the time leading up to the attacks – out loud, in journals or stories they showed to others, or on internet and Facebook pages. Friends, family members, and acquaintances were often party to those warnings but, in many cases, didn’t take them seriously or weren’t sure how to handle them. The fact that even one of these horrific events could have been prevented if someone had told is heartbreaking. But, this trend of perpetrators making their plans known ahead of time may ultimately be the key to reducing large-scale tragedies in the future. As we become more educated about the warning signs and whom to notify of threats, we may greatly reduce the number of attacks that are actually carried out. And, since this is, sadly, an issue that disproportionately affects children and adolescents, they are the ones who are most in need of this information. We parents can and must teach our kids what to do if they hear threats or see behavior that’s dangerous.

It’s important to note that in most cases, the perpetrators were dealing with a combination of mental health issues and significant social problems. Specifically, many of them were the victims of abuse in the home or bullying at school or in the workplace, and frequently showed signs of mental illness. I don’t point this out to draw sympathy or to excuse their behavior in any way – being mistreated does not give you the right to hurt someone else. Instead, I bring this up because it helps us see how intervention at an early stage may prevent later catastrophes.

Our society is becoming increasingly aware of the harmful effects of bullying and abuse and numerous prevention programs have been put into place. Recently, anti-bullying curricula are focusing more and more on the role of bystanders. Just as we adults were asked,”If you see something, say something” in the wake of 9/11, this is a mantra schools repeat to students to help improve the likelihood that problematic behavior will be reported – peers are often in a much better position than teachers or administrators to know what a student is thinking or planning. Sit down with your child and ask him if he’s heard something like this from his teachers or counselor. Discuss what it means to him. Talk about the kinds of things that he might hear or see at school that he needs to tell an adult. Some examples would be another kid:

-Bringing or talking about about bringing a gun or knife to school
-Threatening to harm someone in his family or at school
-Writing a story, poem, or note about harming someone
-Physically harming someone at school or telling about hurting an
animal or younger child
-Talking about being physically hurt (i.e., being beaten, punched,
kicked, etc.) at home or physically bullied by a peer
-Showing frequent, unexplained, and significant anger or outbursts
-Threatening to hurt herself or talking about cutting her skin
-Warning that something terrible is going to happen at school
-Making jokes about hurting other people
-Talking about or being seen bullying someone else or teasing
someone who obviously cannot stand up for himself

Explain the difference between “tattling” to get someone in trouble and telling on someone to keep people safe. This is a harder sell with adolescents but helping them feel empathy for violence victims will make them more likely to speak up. Help your child to identify one or two trusted adults whom she could tell about something immediately -a favorite teacher from a past grade, the counselor, a librarian. Stress that he needs to find and tell one of those adults right away rather than waiting for the end of the day. Explain that, even if your child tells and there was nothing really going on, he is helping to keep everyone safe by showing that threats and dangerous behavior will be taken seriously. It’s important to explain to your child that, often, his classmates will think the kid making the threat is just kidding or blowing off steam, or they’ll expect that someone else will do something so they don’t need to (a phenomenon called “diffusion of responsibility”). That’s why it’s so important for your child to tell an adult – it’s very likely that no one else will. Tell your child that there’s no way for him to know for sure whether someone is serious when making a threat, which is why he needs to get adults involved. Encourage your child to also talk to you about anything concerning from the day so you can follow up with the school, if needed. In some cases, you may suggest that your child intervene directly in a situation when it’s happening; for example, telling a friend to stop when he is picking on a smaller student. Discuss scenarios where your child can safely say or do something to protect someone else and times where she needs to get an adult instead. Stress that if she sees a weapon or if a weapon is mentioned, she needs to get out of the situation immediately and seek help.

After you’ve had this discussion, follow up periodically. Ask your child if he has seen someone behave in a way that hurt someone else – physically or emotionally. Talk about how the victim may have felt and whether this is the kind of thing the perpetrator has done in the past. Determine if there is a threat of serious violence in the situation and whether something does or doesn’t need to be reported. Help your child make a report if he seems hesitant. Not only are you helping to create a culture at your child’s school that doesn’t tolerate violence or abuse, you’re also showing your child that he has the power to make his community safer by speaking up and holding others accountable for what they say and do.

About Kristen:
Kristen Berthiaume, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with Grayson and Associates. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post- doctoral fellowship in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) Program at Duke University Medical Center. She specializes in providing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families dealing with the following issues: ADHD, learning disorders, social skill deficits, organizational problems, behavioral difficulties, anxiety, and depression. She generally focuses on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral techniques, but maintains a flexible approach to therapy. Her other day job is as mom to her daughters, ages seven and one, and four-year-old son.

Run Or Dye Birmingham Discount Code!

Posted on Monday, June 23, 2014 by Angie

What happens when you combine thousands of runners and walkers with more than five tons of color dye powder, music, and dancing? Say hello to Run or Dye, the world’s most colorful 5k! We’ve partnered together and we’re excited to bring Run or Dye to Birmingham. To celebrate, we are offering an exclusive $10 discount with the code: “MUMSWORD”. Sign up at www.runordye.com, and let’s see you there!”

Saturday, July 19th
Barber Motorsports

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 22nd – June 29th

Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2014 by Angie

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

See what’s happening in Birmingham this week! Lots to do if you’re looking to keep the kiddos busy! The Barons are back home and it’s time again for the Rickwood Classic. If you’ve never done this, it’s definitely worth adding to the to-do list.

If you haven’t been taking advantage of the Free Fun at your local library, shame on you! Get to it! So much to do, so little time!

Have a great week!

Sunday June 22nd:

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
Park admission
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

DJ Slim Robb’s Big Adventure – Railroad Park
Join us this Sunday as DJ Slim Robb takes you on a big adventure through music. Put on your dancing shoes and prepare to move as DJ Slim Robb spins all of the greatest hits. From country to pop with a little rhythm and blues, DJ Slim Robb has got you covered! So bring out the kids and your grandparents too and let’s have a good time! This family-friendlly event is free and rated E for everyone. So bring your lawn chairs, we will provide the lawn! Food, beverages and merchandise will be available for purchase. Oh, and don’t forget to tip the DJ!
2pm – 6pm

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Monday June 23rd:

Marvels of Magic – Birmingham Central Library
Kids will be mesmerized with this exciting and educational exploration of science. They will learn about atoms, molecules, and matter. The show is full of experiments to impress and everyone is guaranteed a hair-raising good time. This program is truly booming with explosions, crazy chemistry, and volts and jolts. It will be a blast!
10:30am

Princess Party with Ms Joy – Shelby County Arts Council Gallery, Columbiana
Calling all Princesses in Training! Party will include a dance lesson by Joy’s Dance and staff! Makeup, Nails, Movie, and photos! Every child will go home with a crown. Snacks and juice boxes will be served.
Admission Info:
$45
2nd child in the SAME family add $30
9am – 1pm

Monday Movie – Homewood Library
Monday Movie at Homewood Public Library!
6:15pm

McWane Science Center Stardome Expereince – Homewood Public Library
Under the stars, with the McWane Science Center! Summer Readers welcome, ages 6-12.
Registration required, limited to 30.
10:30am

Story Laboratory, Color – Hoover Public Library
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

Tot Time with Ms. Eve. Investigation Splish Splash – Avondale Library
Calling all bath time scientist: join us for some good clean fun with soap and water! Stories, songs, and crafts geared for 2 to 4 year olds with a caregiver. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Movie Monday at Homewood Public Library! Get comfy and watch one of our favorite movies with us!
3pm

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Tuesday June 24th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
7:05pm

Avondale Library and the Theory of Talent – Avondale Library
After many years of research, we theorize that Avondale children are at the top of the library’s talent gene pool. Join us for our 11th annual talent show as we prove our theory to be fact. Visit the Children’s Department today to register as a performer or as a member of the audience. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
6:30pm

Science In Motion – Emmet O’Neal Library
Lew-E the clown has all kinds of tricks up his sleeve that you don’t want to miss. All ages. No registration required.
10:30am

Eve’s Science Behind the Story – Leeds Library
Listen as Ms. Eve tells the background science plays in her stories. (This is a continuation of last week).
2pm

The Dr. Magical Balloons Fantastic Phantasmogorical Fun Time Balloon Show – Homewood Library
Join us as zany storyteller and balloon artist, Dewayne Reynolds, presents an interactive storytelling show featuring a mad scientist hosting a journey of scientific discovery through a dramatic interpretation of stories.

Program will be in the Large Auditorium.
4pm

Birmingham Zoo to You – Homewood Public Library
Join the Birmingham Zoo and Homewood Library to help celebrate summer reading!
10:30am

Five Little Monkeys Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for zany monkey fun Storytime featuring Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Includes reading and activities.
11am

Family Tours, Africa – Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join the Museum educators to explore the galleries in a fun, interactive experience! Discover Bart the Art Bat’s favorite artworks during these FREE, drop-in tours. After your tour, visit Bart’s ArtVenture to make an art project inspired by what you saw. What will you discover?

Travel across the globe to Africa!
10:30

Storytime for All Ages – Homewood Public Library
Story Time
10:30am

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Wednesday June 25th:

19th Annual Rickwood Classic – Rickwood Field
Since 1996 the Birmingham Barons have traveled back to historic Rickwood Field once a year to celebrate Birmingham’s rich baseball past. The home of the Birmingham Barons from 1910-1987, Rickwood Field is America’s oldest in-use ballpark. The Friends of Rickwood, a non-profit organization, have helped preserve the timeless relic and part of the proceeds from each year’s Classic goes towards improvements and upkeep on the stadium.
All tickets are general admission for $10. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $8 a piece.
12:30pm

Radical Reactions, Fizz Bang… Wow. – Springville Road Library
Young scientists will experience fizzing foam, colorful concoctions, and many more science-filled surprises from the McWane Science Center.
10am

May the Force Be with You – Avondale Library
Did you know that centrifugal force is a part of hula hooping? Be a member of the Centrifugal Force Club (CFC) as you listen to some tunes and learn how to move and groove with your hoop. The library is a circle of fun when the hoops start turning.
2pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Today we will read Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon, a story of how Penguin learns that it isn’t where you go that makes a vacation special — it’s who you spend it with!
11am

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Thursday June 26th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
7:05pm

Thames and Kosmos Rubber Band Cars – Barnes and Noble Summit
Learn the cool aspects of physics by building your own speeding race car! For ages 7 and up.
2pm

Dr. Magical Balloon Program – Barnes and Noble Summit
Sponsored by Vestavia Public Library — Children’s Department. You won’t believe your eyes as you watch what DeWayne Reynolds sculpts with balloons, stories and fun! Everyone is welcome.
3pm

Ms Frizzies Fizz, Boom, Zap and Wow! – Hoover Public Library
Science Lab Demonstration. Registration begins June 5. For Grades 1-3
4pm and 6:30pm

Family Night with Farmer Jason – Clay Community Center
This highly acclaimed live show features sing-alongs, dancing, and discussions about nature appreciation, ecology, and farm animals. Farmer Jason performs solo with just his acoustic guitar, which adds to the spontaneous, high energy nature of his concerts
6pm – 9pm

Pirate Chris and his Matey’s – Homewood Public Library
A special musical pirates program and snacks!
6:15pm

LEGO Mania – Leeds Library
Come play with us! (Children old enough not to put Legos in their mouths are welcome!) We spend an hour creating new structures and having fun!
2pm

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Friday June 27th:

Relax By the Tracks – Railroad Park
Relax by the Tracks is back for a 3rd season at Railroad Park! Join us for free music from Little House and Omari Jazz and fun. Food and drinks are available for puchase at George’s Boxcar Cafe. Leave work behind… Relax by the Tracks!

Barons home games begin at 7:05pm after every Relax by the Tracks event.
5pm – 7pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
7:05pm

Columbiana Liberty Day – Main Street Columbiana
The City of Columbiana presents the 29th Annual Liberty Day Celebration. Live band and street celebration. Bad Brad and the Sipsey Slims will be performing.
7pm

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Saturday June 28th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
6:30pm

Homewood’s Pickin in the Park – Homewood Park
Do you play well with others? Bring your musical instrument to Homewood City Park! We promise shade, water, ice and lots of musicians to hang out with. Come early and get a t-shirt or button!
4pm – 8pm

Pinhole Camera Workshop – Makebhm
Build your own pinhole camera out of a paint can, cookie tin, oatmeal box, or any other light proof container. This is a great activity for all ages, and is a good introduction to chemistry, and the science of light waves for youngsters. Bring up to 3 light proof containers. All other materials will be provided. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. We want this to be a “team effort” workshop, one adult and 2 children per ticket please.
Noon – 5pm

Columbiana Liberty Day – Main Street Columbiana
The City of Columbiana presents the 29th Annual Liberty Day Celebration. Live band and street celebration.
Events start at 8:00 am.
Parade at 3:30 pm.
Bands and Fireworks at Shelby County High School Football field begins at 7:00 pm

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from our galleries and art activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart!
In June, we will create summer silhouettes! “Draw” with black lines and fill in the rest with color!.
11am – 1pm

Barts Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Bart’s Books is a storytelling program for children ages 4-7. Bart selects a new book and related work of art each month that he thinks kids will enjoy.

This month, Bart has selected Mama is it summer yet?, by Nikki McClure.
11am

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Come and check out what fun Duck and Goose are up to now as we read Duck & Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills!
11am

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Sunday June 29th:

Jazz in the Park – Avondale Park
Jose Carr and Julian Vaughn –
6pm – 9pm
Free Event

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Birmingham Zoo:

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Railroad Park:

Southern Museum of Flight:

52 New Things 2014. Week 24

Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2014 by Angie

Here’s what’s new with us this week.

Angie –
I allowed by 8 year old to get her ears pierced. I know this would be a better “New Thing” if it were me getting my ears pierced but since I’ve never had a daughter do this, I’m counting it. She was a champ and looks absolutely adorable, if I do say so myself.

Kristen –
For my New Thing. I went to the Cocktails on the Farm at Jones Valley Teaching Farm. Fantastic Event for a great cause and I barely noticed the heat.

Shirley –
As an avid reader I decided it was time to stop squinting at the tiny screen on my phone and invest in a kindle. I got the paperwhite and couldn’t be happier! Was the perfect companion for my recent beach trip!

Recipe: One Pan, Chicken and Vegetable Bake

Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 by Angie

If there’s one thing I love as much as a crockpot meal, it’s a meal that can be cooked all together in one big pan. Especially when you can use some yummy fresh summer veggies. Try this after your next run to the Farmers Market.

What you’ll need:

3 Boneless Chicken Breast
2 Cans of Green Beans (or substitute with any fresh veggie you like or have on hand, I used fresh squash, zucchini and onion )
Red Skinned Potatoes
1 Packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
1 Stick of Butter

What you’ll Do:

Cut your chicken breast in half. Add cut up potatoes down one side of pan and your green beans (or other veggie) down the other side.
Sprinkle with packet of Zesty Italian, melt butter and drizzle over the top of all of it. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Once baked, remove foil and broil for another 4-5 minutes until chicken is golden brown on top.

That’s it. Easy Peasy, a tasty meal in just 1 pan!

Tips for Making Family Fun Night… Fun!

Posted on Monday, June 16, 2014 by Angie

iStock_000015860326XSmall — Photo by: Deklofenak - Istockphoto

Summer time is a great time to incorporate some Family Fun nights into your routine. The kids are staying up a little later and Mom and/or Dad may be able to swing getting home from work a little early to help kick things off. Here are some ideas on how you can make the most of a fun night at home with the family:

Movie night– It’s the standard fun night, rent a movie and throw a blanket in the floor! Pop some popcorn and order a pizza, the kids will love having an indoor picnic. Don’t forget to take a trip to the dollar store for their favorite candy.

Pizza night– Make your own little pizzas. Let the kids spread a little flour on the counter, knead their dough, and pile on the toppings. Use the toppings to make special designs- flowers, smiley faces, etc.

Theme nights– Pick a movie or a game and theme your dinner (or entire night) around it. Rent “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and then make spaghetti for dinner. Play Candyland and bake some brownies together. If you have a healthy dress up collection, let the kids dress up to match the theme for the evening.

Game Night – Let everyone bring their favorite game to the living room and take turns playing everyone’s favorite game. They’ll love that everyone gets to participate and share their game.

Invent a game– Obstacle courses, costume contests, random relay races…. Let the kids make up the rules, you’ll be surprised at how creative they can get when given license to play!

What does your family do on Family Fun Night?