Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun July 13th – July 15th

Posted on Friday, July 13, 2018 by Angie

More summer fun this weekend around the Magic City! And we have to say again to our friends at the McWane Science Center… Happy Happy Birthday! Make sure to head out this weekend to celebrate with them!

Free Family Movie Night in Trussville

Make plans to attend the Free Family Movie Night on the Historic Mall in Downtown Trussville featuring “Rock Dog”.

Friday, 7:45 – 8pm

McWane Science Center 20th Birthday Bash

McWane opened its doors to the public on July 11, 1998, and we have been sparking wondering and curiosity in the Birmingham community and beyond ever since! We’re inviting you to help us celebrate this special occasion with a two-day birthday bash!

Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Sunday, 12pm – 4pm

You can find more information on their events and activities here

Shelby County Shindig BBQ Cook Off and Music Festival in Downtown Columbiana

The Shindig is a fund raising event for The Shelby County Arts Council. Bringing Arts and Cultural Activities and Events to South Shelby County with award winning programs, shows and workshops.

12:30 pm Gates Open
1:30 pm: Live Music Begins
4 pm: Public Tasting Starts ( you must have a tasting ticket)
6:30 Kid Zone Closes
6:15 pm Winners Announced
7 pm Event Ends

Saturday, 1pm – 7pm

80’s and 90’s Glow Party at Homewood Public Library

Grab a glow stick and travel through time with us! Get ready to moonwalk, cabbage patch, running man, and the macarena. Wicked sweet snacks and refreshments are provided.

Saturday, 10:30

Seussical JR. at Red Mountain Theatre Company

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphantly!
Seussical JR. is one of RMTC’s Discovery Theatre Shows, which feature young performers in family-friendly shows. Although adults help behind the scenes, these productions are “for kids, by kids.”

Friday, 7:30pm
Saturday, 2pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, 2pm

Thank you to our Sponsor:

Red Diamond is the 3rd oldest family owned and operated coffee and tea company in the U.S., with over 110 years of coffee and tea excellence.

Red Diamond’s tea line features an exquisite collection of exceptional hand-picked estate-grown teas from the finest tea plantations around the world.

Red Diamond’s coffee line offers the finest blends of gourmet beans available. Combined with state-of-the-art Scolari roasting, our unique blends from Central and South America allow us to produce the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Old Baker Farm Summer Shindig

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Angie

Head on down to Old Baker farm as they celebrate their Bicentennial in collaboration with The Alabama Bicentennial Commission!

The Summer Shindig is one of several events the farm will host in 2018 to kickoff the celebration! Old Baker Farm just so happens to be one of the oldest generation farms in the entire United States and they can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!

Enjoy music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, sunflower picking, watermelon cutting, living history, fireworks and more!

July 28th, 3pm – 9pm at Old Baker Farm in Harpersville

How Hot is Too Hot?

Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 by Angie

The temps are rising, you’re melting, and your iphone is giving you that scary “over heated” exclamation point. But have you tried telling your kids it’s too hot to play outside? I don’t know about you, but that just doesn’t fly with my kids.

Most kids just don’t care how hot, cold or rainy it is outside and after a few days stuck inside with them fighting and bickering, you probably won’t care either. In fact, you might even pull a trick that my Mom used to pull on us and lock the screen door behind us, with a cheery “Don’t come back until the street lights come on..”

When the temps rise, so do the precautions we have to take when allowing the tiny humans to play outside or participate in sports.

Hot, dry weather can be extremely dangerous. Because sweat evaporates very quickly in such conditions, your child won’t feel sweaty, and neither you nor your child may recognize how much water he or she has lost.

As the relative humidity increases, the effectiveness of sweating in cooling the body decreases.

When the relative humidity is high, sweat drips off the skin so that the cooling benefit of evaporation is lost even at cooler temperatures, resulting in a build-up of body heat.

How do you know when hot is too hot?

According to Athletic Trainer Brendon McDermott, PhD. at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, ” A kid’s tolerance depends on what they are used to” and advises that you take extra caution during heat waves.

Your child will need to drink lots of extra water, eat balanced meals and go to bed early. If your child isn’t feeling well, keep them out of the heat – it’s harder for the body to stay cool when fighting an infection.

Keep in mind the following tips to keep your kids cool during these hot summer days!

1. Kids won’t stop playing on their own. You must remind them to take a break and drink some water.

2. Avoid sugary beverages. Water is always best!

3. Familiarize yourself with current sunscreen guidelines. Apply and re-apply (and reapply) sunscreen. If a shady option is available for play, try to encourage your kids to play out of the direct sunlight.

4. Try to get out earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, avoiding the hottest part of the day.

5. Make sure they are wearing the appropriate clothing. We all know how kids like to dress themselves and during a heat wave, layers of winter clothing just won’t cut it.

When playing outside in the heat watch for signs of fatigue, becoming uncomfortable, and limit your outdoor play to just a few minutes at a time. If we are fighting red ozone levels, it’s probably best to change your plans and look for indoor activities or air conditioned play spaces.

Where is your retreat when we’re hitting the unbearable heat waves?

McWane Science Center Celebrates 20th Birthday!

Posted on Monday, July 9, 2018 by Angie

McWane Science Center opened its doors to the public on July 11, 1998, and have been sparking wondering and curiosity in the Birmingham community and beyond ever since! You’re invited to help them celebrate this special occasion with a two-day birthday bash! Join them for some incredible demonstrations, interactive activities, and of course cake, Saturday and Sunday, July 14th and 15th!

Standard General Admission:
Adults: $13 | Kids (2-12): $9

Programs and Activities for Saturday:

Programs:
20 years of Science Trivia — 1:30 & 4:30 (Rushton Theater)
Science of Magic — 12:30 & 3:30 (Demonstration Station)
LED Birthday Cards — 11:00 & 3:00 (Classroom 301)
Art & Science — 10:00 & 2:00 (Classroom 302)
Introducing LEGO Robotics 2.0 — 12:00 & 4:00 (Classroom 303)
Ozobot McWane Scavenger Hunt — 1:00 & 5:00 (Workshop)
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream — 11:30 & 2:30 (Workshop)
Building the Next 20 Years — 11:00 & 3:00 (IBMC)
Huff and Puff Little Lab — 10:30 (IBMC)
Boat Design Challenge — 12:00 & 2:00 (IBMC)

Activities: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Face Painting — (Explore Lab, Level 2)
Music — Plaza
Tattoos — Plaza
Inflatables — Plaza
Birthday Cake — (Events Center, Level 3)
Rock Wall — Plaza
Exploding Birthday Balloons — 3:00 (Plaza)

Programs and Activities for Sunday:

Programs:
20 Years of Science Trivia — (Rushton Theater)
Science of Magic — (Demonstration Station)
LED Birthday Cards — (Classroom 301)
Art & Science — (Classroom 302)
Introducing LEGO Robotics 2.0 — (Classroom 303)
Ozobot McWane Scavenger Hunt — (Workshop)
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream — (Workshop)
Ancient Alabama — (NatureScope)
Building the Next 20 Years — (IBMC)
Huff and Puff Little Lab — (IBMC)
Boat Design Challenge — (IBMC)

Activities:
Activities: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Face Painting — (Explore Lab, Level 2)
Music — Plaza
Tattoos — Plaza
Inflatables — Plaza
Birthday Cake — (Events Center, Level 3)
Rock Wall — Plaza
Exploding Birthday Balloons — 1:30 (Plaza)

Please see www.mcwane.org for a full schedule of events and times for the weekend.

Pay Your Age Day at Build a Bear Workshops!

Posted on Monday, July 9, 2018 by Angie

It’s the first-ever Pay Your Age Day at Build-A-Bear Workshop! On July 12, you can pay your age for any furry friend in the Workshop!* It’s easy – how old you are is how much your furry friend costs. It’s their biggest in-store deal EVER – and it’s a special offer for Bonus Club members. If you’re not a Bonus Club member, it’s free and easy to join! Join now to save time, or sign up in the Workshop! See you in the Workshop on July 12 – bring in the whole family and share the experience with #BuildABear!

If you’re older than the cost of the furry friend you want to purchase, don’t worry, no one will be a “day over 29 years old–meaning no matter their age, guests will pay no more than $29,” according to the company’s website.

*Offer valid for Bonus Club members. Offer valid in stores only. Limit one per Guest, must be present for offer. Some exclusions apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer. While supplies last. Outfits and accessories sold separately. Minimum price $1. See an associate for details.

Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun July 6th – July 8th

Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2018 by Angie

A great mix of fun to keep everyone happy this weekend in our Friday Five!

Party on the Porch at Alabama Outdoors

Join us at our Homewood location for the fourth Party on the Porch of the season! Enjoy good company, good food from Cantina on Wheels and Big Spoon Creamery, good brews and good tunes from Jason Bailey, Eric Frey and Christian Ward, all while doing good for our community.

We also welcome special friends Birmingham Mountain Radio and High Point Climbing And Fitness Birmingham.

This is a dog- and family-friendly event.

Friday, July 6th, from 5:30-7:30 PM

Family Game Day at Iron City

Open to families of all ages, the venue will be filled with all types of games perfect for an afternoon of family fun!

Adult tickets $10

Kids tickets $8 (15 and under)

Tickets & info: http://bit.ly/IC-FamilyGameDay

Admission price includes all the games. Parents do not need to purchase tickets or tokens once inside, like most arcades.

Minors Under 18 must have a Parent or Legal Guardian

The bar will be open.

Saturday, 1pm – 5pm

Trussville’s 2nd Saturday Downtown

A great event and a great time to give back to our community. There will be food trucks as usual, Elvis Rob Productions DJ entertainment and karaoke, dunking booth (with some of Trussville’s finest…lineup will be listed later), you can also take the opportunity to help put together homeless care packages that many of our merchant members have donated supplies to, and/or also bring your kids and let them write/draw a letter/picture for our soldiers. There will be other local charities represented on this day as well. Come check it out and see how you can give back! This event will be located on Morrow Ave again between Keller Williams and Slag Heap Brewing Company

Saturday, 4:00pm-8:00pm.

Home Depot Kids Workshop

Reel in the summer fun in our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a fishing game while tackling educational and developmental skills. Once your fishing game is built, you and your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. Recommended Ages: 5-12. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron, and pin.

Saturday, 9am – 12pm

Birmingham Barons at Regions Field

Vs. Mississippi Braves
Tickets $7 – $15. Fans can choose from three different reserved seating sections. Dugout Premium seats located behind the Barons dugout on the first base side, Field Reserved seats located behind home plate and the visiting dugout and Baseline Box seats located on the first and third base lines.

General Admission seats remain the same price as in recent years with adult tickets available for $7.00. Children (12-years and younger), seniors (60 years and older) and members of the military receive $1.00 discounts on the listed prices for all reserved and general admission seats. General Admission seating is located in the right field bleachers and the berm seating areas.

Sunday, 6pm

Our Sponsor:

Thank you to our Sponsor:

Red Diamond is the 3rd oldest family owned and operated coffee and tea company in the U.S., with over 110 years of coffee and tea excellence.

Red Diamond’s tea line features an exquisite collection of exceptional hand-picked estate-grown teas from the finest tea plantations around the world.

Shelby County Shindig BBQ Cook Off and Music Festival

Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2018 by Angie

The Shindig is a fund raising event for The Shelby County Arts Council. Bringing Arts and Cultural Activities and Events to South Shelby County with award winning programs, shows and workshops.

12:30 pm Gates Open
1:30 pm: Live Music Begins
4 pm: Public Tasting Starts ( you must have a tasting ticket)
6:30 Kid Zone Closes
6:15 pm Winners Announced
7 pm Event Ends

$10 Full Event Tasting Ticket includes a wristband for the 4 pm BBQ tasting! Full Event tickets are limited and will be available by June 15. You can enter the event without a tasting ticket for a suggested $2 donation. Entry tents are on West College and Mildred Street. (Children under 12 are free with a paid adult)

Saturday, July 14th 1pm – 7pm
Downtown Columbiana

Frogs for Families at Ruffner Mountain

Posted on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 by Angie

To kick off the month where Ruffner celebrates nocturnal creatures, join them on a family-friendly frog and toad exploration hike to the Wetlands!

Meet at the Wetlands trailhead and walk one mile to the Wetlands. You will listen and identify the frogs and toads that you hear and talk about amphibians and wildlife of Alabama. We will then walk the one mile back to our vehicles in the dark. Headlamps and flashlights are welcome (red spectrum lights when possible).

Registration and waivers are required for each participant. No pets, please.
Contact: 205.833.8264

July 7th, 7:3pm – 9:30pm

Recipe: Fun with S’mores

Posted on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 by Angie

S’mores are a summertime favorite for most, and we love them just as much as the next family. While at the grocery check out a couple of weeks ago, waiting to check out with our standard S’mores supplies, Graham Crackers, Marshmallows and Hershey Bars, you know, the quintessential s’mores ingredients, one of my girls asked if she could get a Cookies n’ Creme bar instead of the regular chocolate. Then another said “ohh… what about a Reese’s cup…” and the next thing you know, we were out of line and in the candy aisle trying to figure out what all would taste good as a S’more. Here’s what we came up with.. try one of these the next time you have a S’mores night and let us know what you think!

Reese’s Cups
Cookies and Creme Bar
York Peppermint Patty
Nutella
Regular and Almond Hershey Bar

The Reese’s was a winner by all, and probably along with the Cookies and Creme our favorites of the ones we tried. My girls liked the peppermint patty, but I wasn’t a fan. Nutella was also a win for my girls.

Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun June 29th – July 1st

Posted on Friday, June 29, 2018 by Angie

Lots of events happening in the Magic City to get you in the mood for this 4th of July, oh and Tacos!!! Here are our top picks for fun this weekend in Birmingham!

Birmingham Barons at Regions Field

V. Jacksonville

Friday, with Friday Fireworks – 7:05pm

Saturday, Replica Jersey Giveaway – 6:30pm

Sunday, 3:05pm Babe Ruff’s Birthday! Celebrate our beloved mascots birthday at Regions Field. Regions Baseball Giveaway. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a regions baseball. Kids Run The BasesAs part of our Family Sunday’s at Regions Field, kids will be allowed to run the bases at the end of the game.

TacoFest – Avondale Brewery

SPIRE presents TACO FEST. TACO FEST will offer a sampling of Birmingham’s Best Tacos, while each vendor competes for the title of Birmingham’s Best Taco. Tacos will be judged by a panel of guest judges and the coveted People’s Choice Award will go to the taco with the most votes by attendees of the event. Not only will there be plenty of tacos for purchase, but there will be live music by J. Grubbs and The Midnight Howlers along with DJ Ulises on the HORNITOS STAGE, a kids’ area, margaritas, beer and lots of fun for the whole family.

Tickets are only $5 in advance and $10 at the door. TACO FEST is a fundraiser for Bare Hands Inc. and benefits our Bare Hands Art Club held at the downtown YWCA of Central Alabama and the annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival to be held November 2 at Pepper Place.

Saturday, 12pm – 5pm

Storytime and Activities – Barnes and Noble Summit

Before he was the beloved Pete the Cat, he was Pete the Kitty! Join Pete on a cat-tastic playdate as he learns a lesson about sharing with his friend, Grumpy Toad. Activities to follow.

Saturday, 11am – 12pm

Tannehill Independence Day Celebration

Carnival games, kids activities, live music and more.

Additional charges for special activities.

Day-Use Admission:
$5 Adults (12 years and older)
$4 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$3 Children (Ages 6-11)
ages 5 and under free

Saturday, 11am – 4pm

Fire on the Water at Oak Mountain

Join us for a day of fun and fireworks as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day!

Park Admission
$5 per Adult (age 12+)
$2 per Child (age 4 to 11)
$2 per Senior (age 62+)
Free for ages 3 & under

Sunday, Special events from 5pm – 9pm

For EVEN MORE 4th of July celebrations happening around town, make sure to check out our Full List Here

Thank you to our Sponsor:

Red Diamond is the 3rd oldest family owned and operated coffee and tea company in the U.S., with over 110 years of coffee and tea excellence.

Red Diamond’s tea line features an exquisite collection of exceptional hand-picked estate-grown teas from the finest tea plantations around the world.