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Giveaway: Zoe's Gift Card

Posted on by Angie

Do you love Zoe’s as much as we do? Yes? I know, I know, stupid question.

Whether it’s the famous chicken salad, the rollups, the braised white beans, hummus and pitas, or the chocolate cake that makes you a fan, you’re going to want to enter for a chance to win this $25 Gift Card we have up for grabs.  Perfect if you’re planning to lunch on the patio with your friends and enjoy the fall-like weather.

To enter:

  1. Leave a comment on this post letting us know your favorite dish.
  2. Head over to the Zoe’s Facebook page and give them a like (come back here and let us know that you did.)
  3. Share this post on your Facebook Page (come back here a let us that you did.)

Giveaway will end on Friday, September 20th at noon. Winner will be notified by email and on our our FB page.

Fall Cleaning, It's a Thing.

Posted on by Angie

I’m convinced that fall cleaning is just as much a “thing” as spring cleaning. I don’t know if it’s the crispness in the air or the desire to swap out the closets and get those jeans and boots ready that does it, but every time that first “Fall Like” snap hits, it sends me into a cleaning frenzy.

Did you know you can clean most of your house with plain old super-cheap white vinegar? It cleans windows, vinyl, tile floors, wood floors, counters… the list goes on and on. Here’s an easy recipe that is cheap and green too!

Using orange, lemon, and/or mint leaves will make it smell wonderful and fresh.

NATURAL AND SAFE CLEANER

1/2 c. fresh lemon peel
1/2 c. orange rind
1 c. fresh mint leaves
2 c. white vinegar

Combine peels and mint leaves. Steep in white vinegar for two weeks, or until vinegar has leached the color and fragrance out of the botanicals. Strain the vinegar. To use as a cleaner, always dilute with water. There’s no rigid rule on how much… usually about 1 gallon of water to 1/4 cup vinegar, or less depending on how strong it smells.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 15th – September 22nd

Posted on by Angie

We hope you’re enjoying this weather as much as we were. It really makes us long for the cooler weather, sweaters and cute boots!

The libraries continue to be a great source of fun each week, with storytimes, movies and sing a longs. There will even be a Balloon Bonanza at Hoover Public Library!

Next weekend check out Red Panda Day at the Birmingham Zoo, Barts Art Cart at the Birmingham Museum of Art or the St George Middle Eastern Food Fair.

Have a great week!

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

Sunday September 15th

Fiesta de La Independencia – Splash Adventure
Enjoy all of the rides, slides and attractions the park has to offer. Admission is only $50 per car load (up to 6 people). Purchase tickets at the park on the day of the event. This festival is a collaboration between Splash Adventure Waterpark & Hola Latino.
Admission is only $50 per car load (up to 6 people). Purchase tickets at the park on the day of the event.
11:30am – 6pm

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Monday September 16th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Join us for hot popcorn and a cool movie.
3:30pm

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
Storytime for 2-4-year-olds with a caregiver. Includes stories, songs, and craft. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

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Tuesday September 17th:

Balloon Bonanza – Hoover Public Library
Bring your whole family for a round of stories accompanied by the magic of balloon art.  All ages.
6:30pm

Family Tours – Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join us for an in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore our collection, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art.

No reservations required. Family Tours are also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more children aged 3 – 8. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 205.254.2964.
10:30am

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

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Wednesday September 18th:

After School Sing A Long – Emmet O’ Neal Library
AFTER-SCHOOL SPECIAL: SING-ALONG WITH JIM AYCOCK
Bring your best singing voice and get ready to croon -and laugh- with guitarist Jim Aycock. Ages 3 and up. No registration required.
3:30pm

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
All Ages
10:30am

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
George is a good monkey, but he’s always curious. Come find out what mess George lands himself into today.
11am

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Thursday September 19th:

Preschool Party, Llama Drama – Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Come meet the Llama from the popular picture book series by Anna Dewdney and watch the story “Llama, Llama, Mad At Mama” acted out, then decorate your own pair of red pajamas! Ages 5 and under. Please call to register or visit the website to sign up
10:30am

Talk Like a Pirate Day – Homewood Public Library
We shall sing and talk and party like PIRATES!
No registration required. Costumes optional. Doors open at 6:15.

St George Middle Eastern Food Fair – St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church
It’s that time of year again to enjoy fantastic Middle Eastern Food and genuine hospitality at the Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival.

The parish community combines its talents to prepare foods including kibbee, filafel sandwiches, meat and spinach pies, rolled grape leaves and much more. St. George’s “almost a mile long” sweets table boasts favorite homemade confections such as baklawa and Zalabieh, a flavorful fried doughnut.

Cultural booths with vendors such as Nabeels Imported Foods and Seraphim’s bookstore will feature Byzantine arts and literature, handcrafted olive wood from the Holy Land and exotic ingredients and spices used in Middle Eastern cooking.

Visitors will be entertained by Amin and the Sultans Band from New York and the parish’s own folk dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tours of the beautiful Byzantine Church will be conducted during hours of operation.
10:30am – 9pm

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Friday September 20th:

St George Middle Eastern Food Fair – St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church
It’s that time of year again to enjoy fantastic Middle Eastern Food and genuine hospitality at the Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival.

The parish community combines its talents to prepare foods including kibbee, filafel sandwiches, meat and spinach pies, rolled grape leaves and much more. St. George’s “almost a mile long” sweets table boasts favorite homemade confections such as baklawa and Zalabieh, a flavorful fried doughnut.

Cultural booths with vendors such as Nabeels Imported Foods and Seraphim’s bookstore will feature Byzantine arts and literature, handcrafted olive wood from the Holy Land and exotic ingredients and spices used in Middle Eastern cooking.

Visitors will be entertained by Amin and the Sultans Band from New York and the parish’s own folk dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tours of the beautiful Byzantine Church will be conducted during hours of operation.
10:30am – 9pm

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Saturday September 21st:

International Red Panda Day – Birmingham Zoo
Join the Zoo in celebrating International Red Panda Day! On May 30, 2013, the Zoo proudly welcomed the United States’ first set of red panda cubs for the year 2013. With an estimated population of fewer than 10,000 adult red pandas left in the world due to a loss of habitat, this birth marked a significant conservation milestone in saving this vulnerable species. Throughout Red Panda Day, guests can raise awareness for red pandas by participating in the Red Panda Games, where they will become a red panda ranger and learn how these unique animals survive in the wild. Don’t miss a chance to see the red panda cubs on a video monitor in the Predator Building, and be sure to explore the Zoo to spot other animals that share the red panda’s habitat.

Kids are also encouraged to bring their colored red pandas with them to Red Panda Day, where they will be displayed in the Predator Building. To download a coloring sheet, please click here.

International Red Panda Day Schedule of Activities:
12-3pm: Face painting
1:30-2:30pm: Keeper chat
1-2pm: Red panda fruit enrichment activity
3pm: Raffle for a chance to win a red panda plush and red panda cub framed picture

Skippyjon Jones Festival – Hoover Public Library
Join Skippyjon and friends for a fiesta full of stories, crafts and food.  All ages.
10:30am

St George Middle Eastern Food Fair – St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church
It’s that time of year again to enjoy fantastic Middle Eastern Food and genuine hospitality at the Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival.

The parish community combines its talents to prepare foods including kibbee, filafel sandwiches, meat and spinach pies, rolled grape leaves and much more. St. George’s “almost a mile long” sweets table boasts favorite homemade confections such as baklawa and Zalabieh, a flavorful fried doughnut.

Cultural booths with vendors such as Nabeels Imported Foods and Seraphim’s bookstore will feature Byzantine arts and literature, handcrafted olive wood from the Holy Land and exotic ingredients and spices used in Middle Eastern cooking.

Visitors will be entertained by Amin and the Sultans Band from New York and the parish’s own folk dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tours of the beautiful Byzantine Church will be conducted during hours of operation.
10:30am – 9pm

Animal Adaptions – Oak Mountain
In order for animals to survive, they must adapt to the conditions around them. As many are preparing for winter, learn what some of them do. We will meet at the entrance to the Petting Farm.
10am

Leeds Fall Festival – Leeds Historic Downtown
You’ll find fun for the whole family at the Leeds Fall Festival and John Henry Celebration. The event will feature local food vendors, a juried art show and sale, live musical entertainment, special activities for children and a car show. The festival will celebrate the life of John Henry, steel drivin’ man and local legend, with three outdoor performances of “Listen to that Cold Steel Ring.”
9 am to 9 pm
Admission and parking are free. www.leedsfolkfestival.org.

Bart’s 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! Button Blankets
11am

Bart’s 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 chosen I’m in Charge of Celebrations by Byrd Baylor.
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
Celebrate the joy of reading with Curious George. Curiosity Day features Storytime, activities and treats.
11am

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Sunday September 22nd:

Leeds Fall Festival – Leeds Historic Downtown
You’ll find fun for the whole family at the Leeds Fall Festival and John Henry Celebration. The event will feature local food vendors, a juried art show and sale, live musical entertainment, special activities for children and a car show. The festival will celebrate the life of John Henry, steel drivin’ man and local legend, with three outdoor performances of “Listen to that Cold Steel Ring.”
Noon to 5 pm
Admission and parking are free. www.leedsfolkfestival.org.

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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: Flight of the Butterflies, Titians of the Ice Age

Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age – through December 31st, 2013
McWane Science Center is home to Alabama’s second largest natural history collection. Made up of over 500,000 specimens and objects pertaining to the natural history of the state, this important collection focuses on the preservation, education, and research of Alabama’s rich biodiversity and paleobiodiversity. One of the more significant subsets of the collection is Alabama’s largest collection of Late Pleistocene faunal remains – or Ice Age fossils.

Made up of nearly 10,000 cataloged specimens, the McWSC Pleistocene collection contains a unique diversity of fauna that not only includes those native to North America, but migrants to the state from both South America and the Old World. This collection includes mammals, both extant and extinct, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fishes, and botanical remains collected from both cave and stream localities in the state. Extinct mammals represented in the McWSC collection include mammoths, mastodons, giant beavers, saber-toothed cats, giant armadillos, tapirs, peccaries, and giant ground sloths.

This spring, visitors will have an opportunity to view some of the fossils in the collection with a new exhibit titled — “Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age.” This exhibit will not only highlight many of the Ice Age animals from the McWane Science Center Collection, but will highlight and dispel many of the common misconceptions surrounding the Ice Age in the state. The goal is for visitors to have a better understanding and appreciation for this time in Alabama. For example, guests might learn that Alabama was on average only five degrees colder than today, glaciers did not reach farther south than southern Illinois or that all the Ice Age animals did not go extinct at the end of the Ice Age. While the largest animals, such as mastodons, giant ground sloths, and saber-tooth cats died out, nearly all the animals that are living in Alabama today were also around in the Ice Age.

The Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age Alabama display is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum. It is included in the cost of admission to the museum and free to members.

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.

 

 

How to make your child a good reader

Posted on by Angie

Our teachers constantly preach that we should be reading to our children every night for 20 minutes. While it might seem random, there are actually some great benefits to that magical number.

Reading is like food for your brain. Your brain actually develops as you feed it with the experience of reading. It improves listening skills and academic success. For every year that a person spends reading (either independently or being read aloud to), his/her lifetime earning potential goes up considerably. For a time investment of approximately 87 hours a year (20 minutes a day for 5 days a week), you can increase your child’s ability to support him or herself in the future considerably.

A student who reads 20 minutes per day will read 1,800,000 words by the end of the sixth grade, compared with a student who reads one minute per day, who will read only 8,000 words. The student who reads one minute per day will only read .004% of what the 20 minute reader will read. That’s a huge difference!

Here are some tips on getting your child into the habit of reading and making it less of a chore.

1. Make reading part of your routine. For most, that means at bedtime. Children who are read to out loud make significant gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words.

2. Encourage them to read everywhere. This includes menus, road signs, and movie posters.

3. Make sure they have plenty of varied reading material available to them. Also, make sure they bring it with them to doctor’s appointments or anything where waiting is involved.

4. Be a library groupie. Learn about programs going on, story times, and other fun things. Kids love having the ability to pick out books to take home. We have a basket where all library books stay. This helps prevent lost books.

5. Be savvy about your materials. Don’t limit it to books. Use books, computer programs, books-on-tape, and other materials. Games allow kids to work on reading skills while playing.

 

National Car Seat Safety Week.

Posted on by Angie

By the time you have your 2nd or 3rd kid you probably think installing a carseat is a piece of cake (or maybe not, some of those seats can be a bear to move.) But with car crashes being the leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old, car seat installation is something we should never take for granted. It’s best to have your seats checked periodically. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts.

3 out of 4 carseats are not installed correctly. Many factors play into getting that seat just right, the type of car seat, type of vehicle, and method of installation. Before you install your car seat, take some time to read both the car seat instruction manual and your vehicle’s owner manual. This is where you’ll find helpful information on the availability and location of certain safety equipment. The back seat is always the safest place to install a car seat, and your vehicle’s owner manual will give you the information you need to determine which rear seating position is best for proper installation.

Here is a list of upcoming events in Alabama where trained technicians will teach you everything you need to know to make sure your car seat is used and installed correctly.

To find a place near you to get hands on help, visit a child passenger safety technician or attend a car seat check event visit this site and type in your State and Zip code.

For more information on Carseat Safety, visit the NHTSA website.

Pinspired: Keeping Apples Fresh for Snacking or Packed Lunches

Posted on by Angie
apples in water
From The Yummy Life

My kids love apples, but aren’t to the point where they will just pick one up and eat it. It has to be sliced so they can avoid the skin, which ironically has the most vitamins in it. I usually buy those pre-sliced bags to pack in their lunch or have on hand for snacking, but I started wondering why those didn’t brown. What chemicals were they using? So I did some research and found a few other methods to do it yourself, saving money and preserving the healthy benefits of the apples. My kids love knowing that I soaked an apple is Sprite- all of a sudden it’s a dessert!

The Yummy Life had these tips on how to keep apple and pear slices from browning.

1. Soak them in a bowl of cold salt water for 3-5 minutes. Not too much salt, or it effects the taste of the fruit. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt per 1 quart (4 cups) of water.

2. Soak them in a bowl of cold lemon water for 3-5 minutes. This is better than squeezing the lemon juice directly on the fruit, unless you don’t mind the fruit tasting really lemony. Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of water.

3. Soak them in a bowl of Sprite, 7-Up, or a similar lemon-lime, carbonated soda for 3-5 minutes. I don’t know if there’s really citrus in these sodas, and I don’t know why this works; but it does.

4. Sprinkle them with Fruit Fresh. This is a citric acid powder that most stores have with their canning supplies.

Follow us on Pinterest for more of our fun finds!

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 8th – September 15th

Posted on by Angie

The Calendar is packed with lots of family fun this week!

Oktoberfest, The International Street Fair and Fiesta de La Independencia just to name a few.

Check out the Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic, the special LEGO event at Barnes and Noble or one of the special storytimes or events happening at your local Library.

Have a great week!

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

Sunday September 8th

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ‘Ham today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

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Monday September 9th:

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
Storytime for 2-4-year-olds with a caregiver. Includes stories, songs, and craft. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

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Tuesday September 10th:

Good Times Traveling Theater – Irondale Library
Famed storyteller, The Traveling Griot, will spin a web of tales about animals and trickster critters.  We will have experienced storytellers, entertainers and more! This event will last throughout the school year.
6:00 pm.

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

Family Night with the Fable Family – Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
A light supper will be served from 6:00-6:30, followed by a program of Aesop’s Fables, acted out by volunteers from the audience and the members of The Fable Factory, a traveling theater group. Shuttle service will be available if parking lot is full.
6pm

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Wednesday September 11th:

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
All Ages
10:30am

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
“In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” Come hear the classic story of a little girl named Madeline.
11am

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Thursday September 12th:

SNAP, Popcorn and Movie – Emmet O’ Neal Library
Is the new visitor to Oz destined to be the long-expected wizard? Thursday, September 12, 3:30pm. 3rd-6th graders. No registration required.

Birmingham Oktoberfest – Das Haus German Club
Back by popular demand, Europa (in the outdoor Beer Garden) and Wolfgang Moritz (in the Dance Hall), will provide live musical entertainment Friday and Saturday 6:00 pm – Midnight.

We will be serving traditional German cuisine prepared by experienced German cooks. Come and sample our wide selection of draft and bottled European beers. Plenty of seating is available in our indoor beer hall and outdoor beer garden.

Alabama at Texas A&M kicks off at 2:30, and the game will be televised live on the big screen.

Be sure to wear your dancing shoes and join the crowd on either of our two dance floors for the Chicken Dance! Enjoy the family friendly atmosphere and German Gemütlichkeit! The FDSK team is looking forward to seeing you there.

AUTHENTIC GERMAN CUISINE
Thursday thru Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

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Friday September 13th:

Special LEGO Event – Barnes and Noble Summit
If you love Lego, then this is the event for you! Adults, teens, older children, will have the opportunity to try out the new Lego Architecture Studio line of kits. Learn about scale, models, and other aspects of design — with Lego!
7pm

Birmingham Oktoberfest – Das Haus German Club
Back by popular demand, Europa (in the outdoor Beer Garden) and Wolfgang Moritz (in the Dance Hall), will provide live musical entertainment Friday and Saturday 6:00 pm – Midnight.

We will be serving traditional German cuisine prepared by experienced German cooks. Come and sample our wide selection of draft and bottled European beers. Plenty of seating is available in our indoor beer hall and outdoor beer garden.

Alabama at Texas A&M kicks off at 2:30, and the game will be televised live on the big screen.

Be sure to wear your dancing shoes and join the crowd on either of our two dance floors for the Chicken Dance! Enjoy the family friendly atmosphere and German Gemütlichkeit! The FDSK team is looking forward to seeing you there.

AUTHENTIC GERMAN CUISINE
Thursday thru Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
5 PM Keg Tap-Opening Ceremony
*6 PM-MN Europa (Outside in the Beer Garden)
Wolfgang Moritz (Inside in the Dance Hall)
*$10.00 Cover includes one draft or soda

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Saturday September 14th:

Birmingham Oktoberfest – Das Haus German Club
Back by popular demand, Europa (in the outdoor Beer Garden) and Wolfgang Moritz (in the Dance Hall), will provide live musical entertainment Friday and Saturday 6:00 pm – Midnight.

We will be serving traditional German cuisine prepared by experienced German cooks. Come and sample our wide selection of draft and bottled European beers. Plenty of seating is available in our indoor beer hall and outdoor beer garden.

Alabama at Texas A&M kicks off at 2:30, and the game will be televised live on the big screen.

Be sure to wear your dancing shoes and join the crowd on either of our two dance floors for the Chicken Dance! Enjoy the family friendly atmosphere and German Gemütlichkeit! The FDSK team is looking forward to seeing you there.
3PM Beer Tasting
4PM Dachshund Parade
4PM-7PM Kinderfest
*6 PM-MN Europa (Outside in the Beer Garden)
Wolfgang Moritz (Inside in the Dance Hall)
*$10.00 Cover includes one drink ticket for a draft or soda

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
Classic Fire Truck
10am

M Studio for Kids – Birmingham Museum of Art
Artists have been telling stories and recording history in books for thousands of years. Make your mark on this long history – design and make your own book. What will fill the pages of your book? That’s up to you!
$20 ($15 for Bart’s Kids Club Members)
Grades 3-5 10am
Grades 6-8 Noon

Flutter and Flight Festival – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Come experience the wonder of wings!  Butterflies, dragonflies, moths and birds abound!  In conjunction with Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve and with Birmingham Audubon Society.
9am – 2pm

Dixie Reptile Show – BJCC
Dixie Reptile Show was started in 1996 by Terry Heuring to fill the void in the mid-south reptile market. Terry’s life long passion for reptiles lead to a first in the herpoculture world. It is a little known act that he was the first to produce an albino Lampropeltis ruthveni and has since gone on to breeding many other successful projects. Come visit the show. You never know what you might see. No venomous or endangered reptiles allowed.

The show will be held in East Meeting Rooms A, B and C.
Adults – $4
Children under 12 – $1
9am – 3pm

Birmingham International Street Fair – Linn Park
It’s back! The 2nd Annual Birmingham International Street Fair celebrates the many cultures present in Birmingham through music, food, art and dance.  From 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at 8th Ave N and Linn Park along side the City of Birmingham’s 50 Years Forward festivities!

These events are part of Empowerment Week: Day of Reconciliation
Dr. Bill Cosby and other national arts, culture and entertainment figures will host a day filled with conversations and a screening on the movement and its effects at the BJCC. A diversity fair, complete with career workshops, cooking demonstrations, a Kids’ Zone, art display and vendors and entertainment from various cultures, will also be held at the BJCC.

Bart’s 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! Button Blankets
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
“In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” Come hear the classic story of a little girl named Madeline.
11am

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Sunday September 15th:

Fiesta de La Independencia – Splash Adventure
Enjoy all of the rides, slides and attractions the park has to offer. Admission is only $50 per car load (up to 6 people). Purchase tickets at the park on the day of the event. This festival is a collaboration between Splash Adventure Waterpark & Hola Latino.
Admission is only $50 per car load (up to 6 people). Purchase tickets at the park on the day of the event.
11:30am – 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: Flight of the Butterflies, Titians of the Ice Age

Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age – through December 31st, 2013
McWane Science Center is home to Alabama’s second largest natural history collection. Made up of over 500,000 specimens and objects pertaining to the natural history of the state, this important collection focuses on the preservation, education, and research of Alabama’s rich biodiversity and paleobiodiversity. One of the more significant subsets of the collection is Alabama’s largest collection of Late Pleistocene faunal remains – or Ice Age fossils.

Made up of nearly 10,000 cataloged specimens, the McWSC Pleistocene collection contains a unique diversity of fauna that not only includes those native to North America, but migrants to the state from both South America and the Old World. This collection includes mammals, both extant and extinct, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fishes, and botanical remains collected from both cave and stream localities in the state. Extinct mammals represented in the McWSC collection include mammoths, mastodons, giant beavers, saber-toothed cats, giant armadillos, tapirs, peccaries, and giant ground sloths.

This spring, visitors will have an opportunity to view some of the fossils in the collection with a new exhibit titled — “Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age.” This exhibit will not only highlight many of the Ice Age animals from the McWane Science Center Collection, but will highlight and dispel many of the common misconceptions surrounding the Ice Age in the state. The goal is for visitors to have a better understanding and appreciation for this time in Alabama. For example, guests might learn that Alabama was on average only five degrees colder than today, glaciers did not reach farther south than southern Illinois or that all the Ice Age animals did not go extinct at the end of the Ice Age. While the largest animals, such as mastodons, giant ground sloths, and saber-tooth cats died out, nearly all the animals that are living in Alabama today were also around in the Ice Age.

The Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age Alabama display is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum. It is included in the cost of admission to the museum and free to members.

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.

Artwalk 2013

Posted on by Angie

Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities.

The event is free to the public and in the last three years has become a much anticipated fall event drawing visitors from all over to downtown Birmingham. For the past two years, more than 10,000 people walked the streets of downtown during the two-day event.

Through the good will of area businesses and the work of a dedicated staff of volunteers, Artwalk hosts established and emerging regional artists in the unique and architecturally rich setting of downtown Birmingham. Art lovers will see original work in all mediums priced from the affordable to the extravagant. Participating artists are predominantly from Birmingham and surrounding communities, showcasing the wealth of regional talent.

People of all ages can enjoy being downtown at a safe, family-friendly, community event. Friday night has been compared to a huge gallery opening with a street festival atmosphere, while Saturday afternoon caters more to the family crowd with special children’s activities.

Artwalk 2013 will take place Friday, September 6 from 5-10 pm and Saturday, September 7 from noon-6 p.m. in Birmingham’s historic loft district on Morris, 1st and 2nd Avenues North between 22nd and 25th Streets.

How to handle homework

Posted on by Angie

If your wee one started school a few weeks ago, you’re probably adjusting back to school life too. For many of us, that means homework. Here are a few tips from a teacher/mom for making homework a great (and rewarding) experience.

1. Have a routine. For us, homework is done in the same place at the same time each day.

2. You need the right setting. And it’s not in front of a tv. Try using your dining room- usually it is quiet and has few distractions, but is still close enough for you to guide and help.

3. You have a role in homework! I do not recommend sending them to their bedrooms to do homework. Homework should be an interactive experience between parent and child, usually until the child enters middle school. Just because you aren’t the teacher, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to know how their learning is coming along. Keep them close, watch them, and talk to them about what they’re doing and why it’s important.

4. Give them a small break. It is hard for small kids to be at school for 8 hours and then come home to sit and do more work. Allow them to go outside for a set time limit before they do their homework. If you know your child will have a hard time settling back down, do a snack time instead.

5. Don’t have a negative attitude about homework. Remember, you’re the example. The more your child hears you say that you hate homework, the more they learn that it isn’t important. Stress to them how crucial learning is for their future choices in life. Be a good example. Be positive. Don’t expect them to love doing the right thing if you don’t show a little love for it as well!

How does your family juggle the demands of homework with your regular afternoon/evening happenings?

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 3rd – September 8th

Posted on by Angie

How nice was it to have a long weekend? College Football officially kicked off and we couldn’t be happier!

As you get back into the swing of things this week, we have a few ideas to keep you busy around town. Artwalk is coming up an the Barons will be finishing up their season later this week.

Check out a family tour and Barts Art Cart at the Birmingham Museum of Art and as always, Storytiemes are everywhere!

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

Tuesday September 3rd:

Family Tours with Art – Birmingham Museum of Art
Join us for an in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore our collection, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art.

No reservations required. Family Tours are also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more children aged 3 – 8. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 205.254.2964.
10:30am

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Wednesday September 4th:

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Pinkalicious loves pink, especially pink cupcakes. Come find out what happens when she eats too many pink cupcakes.
11am

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Thursday September 5th:

Storytime with Ms Tamie- Adamsville Library
Join Ms. Tamie and pick on a few apples as she reads, sings and dances to stories  on apple pickin.
10:30

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
VS. TNS 7:05pm

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Friday September 6th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
VS. TNS 7:05pm

Artwalk – Downtown Birmingham
Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities. The event is free to the public and in the last three years has become a much anticipated fall event drawing visitors from all over to downtown Birmingham. For the past two years, more than 10,000 people walked the streets of downtown during the two-day event. Through the good will of area businesses and the work of a dedicated staff of volunteers, Artwalk hosts established and emerging regional artists in the unique and architecturally rich setting of downtown Birmingham. Art lovers will see original work in all mediums priced from the affordable to the extravagant. Participating artists are predominantly from Birmingham and surrounding communities, showcasing the wealth of regional talent. People of all ages can enjoy being downtown at a safe, family-friendly, community event. Friday night has been compared to a huge gallery opening with a street festival atmosphere, while Saturday afternoon caters more to the family crowd with special children’s activities. As patrons shop for art, they are also exploring the neighborhood and are exposed to the retail shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the historic and new architecture in the area. Please see our map for more information on venues and performances. 2013 BAA members participating in Art Walk are: Mary Ann Brechun, Joyce Brooks, Gerda Carmichael, Sharon Gates, Erin Hardin, Mary Elizabeth Ingram, Linda Crowe Jarvis, Libby Pantazis, Ann Phillips and Laurin Stennis.
5pm – 10pm

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Saturday September 7th:

Read and Romp – Railroad
Free for families with children ages 3-5! Children’s Books, storytimes and activities, and more!
9am – Noon

Bart’s 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! Button Blankets
11am

Family Tours with Art – Birmingham Museum of Art
Join us for an in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore our collection, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art.No reservations required. Family Tours are also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more children aged 3 – 8. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 205.254.2964.
10:30am

Artwalk – Downtown Birmingham
Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities. The event is free to the public and in the last three years has become a much anticipated fall event drawing visitors from all over to downtown Birmingham. For the past two years, more than 10,000 people walked the streets of downtown during the two-day event. Through the good will of area businesses and the work of a dedicated staff of volunteers, Artwalk hosts established and emerging regional artists in the unique and architecturally rich setting of downtown Birmingham. Art lovers will see original work in all mediums priced from the affordable to the extravagant. Participating artists are predominantly from Birmingham and surrounding communities, showcasing the wealth of regional talent. People of all ages can enjoy being downtown at a safe, family-friendly, community event. Friday night has been compared to a huge gallery opening with a street festival atmosphere, while Saturday afternoon caters more to the family crowd with special children’s activities. As patrons shop for art, they are also exploring the neighborhood and are exposed to the retail shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the historic and new architecture in the area. Please see our map for more information on venues and performances. 2013 BAA members participating in Art Walk are: Mary Ann Brechun, Joyce Brooks, Gerda Carmichael, Sharon Gates, Erin Hardin, Mary Elizabeth Ingram, Linda Crowe Jarvis, Libby Pantazis, Ann Phillips and Laurin Stennis.
12pm – 6pm

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
Pinkalicious loves pink, especially pink cupcakes. Come find out what happens when she eats too many pink cupcakes.
11am

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Sunday September 8th:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ‘Ham today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

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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: Flight of the Butterflies, Titians of the Ice Age

Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age – through December 31st, 2013
McWane Science Center is home to Alabama’s second largest natural history collection. Made up of over 500,000 specimens and objects pertaining to the natural history of the state, this important collection focuses on the preservation, education, and research of Alabama’s rich biodiversity and paleobiodiversity. One of the more significant subsets of the collection is Alabama’s largest collection of Late Pleistocene faunal remains – or Ice Age fossils.

Made up of nearly 10,000 cataloged specimens, the McWSC Pleistocene collection contains a unique diversity of fauna that not only includes those native to North America, but migrants to the state from both South America and the Old World. This collection includes mammals, both extant and extinct, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fishes, and botanical remains collected from both cave and stream localities in the state. Extinct mammals represented in the McWSC collection include mammoths, mastodons, giant beavers, saber-toothed cats, giant armadillos, tapirs, peccaries, and giant ground sloths.

This spring, visitors will have an opportunity to view some of the fossils in the collection with a new exhibit titled — “Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age.” This exhibit will not only highlight many of the Ice Age animals from the McWane Science Center Collection, but will highlight and dispel many of the common misconceptions surrounding the Ice Age in the state. The goal is for visitors to have a better understanding and appreciation for this time in Alabama. For example, guests might learn that Alabama was on average only five degrees colder than today, glaciers did not reach farther south than southern Illinois or that all the Ice Age animals did not go extinct at the end of the Ice Age. While the largest animals, such as mastodons, giant ground sloths, and saber-tooth cats died out, nearly all the animals that are living in Alabama today were also around in the Ice Age.

The Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age Alabama display is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum. It is included in the cost of admission to the museum and free to members.

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.

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