Get in the fight against breast cancer with Can’t Miss Alabama
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Find out how you can get involved and support breast cancer research.
Alabama Public Libraries offer online services
Major libraries across the state offer a huge slate of online services. Patrons can check out e-books and audiobooks, stream movies and TV shows, prepare for standardized tests and get expert help with homework. A Digital Media Zone powered by OverDrive allows patrons to check out e-books, audiobooks and movies. Freading adds yet more e-books. Freegal has thousands of songs and music videos available for free and for keeps. The exact mix of services varies from system to system, as does the way they’re presented on websites. The Birmingham Public Library has a “Digital Library” tab. The website for Jefferson County public libraries has an update on its homepage that lists online services. At the Mobile Public Library’s MPLonline.org, you can find the most popular offerings under the “eResources” tab, where you can select “Digital Downloads.” Options on the Mobile system’s site include Cloud Library (audiobooks and e-books), Flipster (magazines), hoopla (e-book, audiobooks, comics, music, TV shows and movies) and kanopy (movies, with an emphasis on independent, foreign, documentary and classic cinema).
Birmingham Museum of Art reopening to the public
The Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) will reopen its doors to the public Tuesday, Oct. 6. Masks are required for all staff and visitors over the age of 2. The BMA has been carefully monitoring the rate of COVID-19 in Jefferson County and has been engaged in ongoing discussions with public health experts, city of Birmingham officials and library trustees. The BMA will initially limit visitor attendance to 50% of its overall capacity, but will resume normal operating hours of Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Museum Shop will be open. Oscar’s Cafe, the BMA on-site restaurant and Bart’s ArtVenture, the interactive space for children, will remain closed until further notice. Deep cleaning of museum facilities takes place daily. Cleaning of high-touch areas takes place multiple times per day. Any touch interactives within the BMA will be closed. Physical distancing will be aided by visuals in high-traffic areas. Hands-free sanitizer stations are available throughout the building. Fall exhibitions include Wall to Wall, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Ways of Seeing: Buildings and Monuments, An Epic of Earth and Water: Clare Leighton and the New England Industries Series and Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle.
Cullman Oktoberfest
The Cullman Oktoberfest is an annual celebration of German heritage. The 39th annual event is Oct. 2-3. This year’s Cullman Oktoberfest has a great lineup of on-site food vendors, including many local favorites. In addition, Karma’s Coffee House and Kernel Kullman will sell brats, pretzels and popcorn. Follow the event on Facebook for details, or call 256-734-9157 for more information. Oktoberfest will have authentic German food, costumed participants, music, multiple stage events, a Biergarten, game day TV, arts and crafts, a car show featuring classic German cars, a bratwurst-eating contest, stein-hosting contest, the Burgermeister Ball and historical tours. Learn more on Instagram.
UAB football vs. University of Texas at San Antonio
The UAB Blazers will play unbeaten University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Saturday, Oct. 3, at Legion Field. Tailgating and pregame festivities are not permitted this year. UAB remains committed to competing safely this fall and will make necessary adjustments at Legion Field. Follow this link for the 2020 football schedule. Single tickets and other specials are online. Tune in to joxfm.com on 94.5 FM at 11:30 a.m. for the broadcast. Visit the website for parking and other information.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For decades, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) has raised funding for breast cancer research at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and with collaborative partners. Funds raised by the BCRFA remain in Alabama to support local research, which in turn makes a national impact. During October, Can’t Miss Alabama will spotlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month by featuring events on the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama website. BCRFA will feature Virtual Pink up the Pace, Calera Goes Pink – 10th Anniversary Celebration, Pink Ribbon Project and The Four Course Sessions. To learn more about these events go to bcrfa.org.
Alabama Butterbean Festival
Alabama Butterbean Festival (ABBF) will celebrate another year in downtown Pinson on Main Street. Festival hours will begin Friday evening and end Saturday afternoon. The festival will provide entertainment, food, arts, crafts and a carnival. On-site vendors will be available.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home reopens
Bellingrath Gardens and Home has reopened after being temporarily closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. The gardens sustained minimal damage, with only a few trees destroyed. The Bellingrath Home was not damaged. The full staff has spent days clearing debris throughout the 65-acre estate. Although a great deal of work has been done, more work lies ahead and guests may see signs of the storm’s destruction. In the coming weeks, the horticultural staff will resume normal planting and undertake repairs and maintenance to restore the gardens to full glory this fall. Visit bellingrath.org for scheduled days and times or call 251-973-2217.
Prattauga Art Guild show
The annual Prattauga Art Guild show will feature works by artists throughout the River Region in a variety of styles and art media Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a virtual exhibit and announcement of awards. Categories include opaque painting; transparent painting; drawing and printmaking; mixed media and collage; photography; and sculpture, 3D; and fiber arts. The show will run until the end of October during regular gallery hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Groups and individuals may request a tour of the gallery by contacting the Cultural Arts office at artguild.prattvilleal.gov or call 334-595-0850. The arts center will be sanitized each day and precautions will be taken to keep visitors safe.
Fiesta in a Box
Fiesta Birmingham is hosting 30 Days of Fiesta through Thursday, Oct. 15. Entertainment includes live cooking and mixology demonstrations, health and financial wellness seminars, a Latin film series and family arts and crafts projects featuring Hispanic artists. Fiesta in a Box is a 10-by-14-inch collectible designed by a local Latino artist, filled with festive information and resources. Each box is $18, representing the 18th year of Fiesta. The celebration package will give people of all ages an opportunity to learn about Hispanic heritage and have a “Fiesta at Home” with family and friends. Proceeds from the sale of these packages will go to the Fiesta Scholarship Fund. Fiesta scholarships will be awarded Thursday, Oct. 15, on Facebook.com/FiestaBham. Preview the schedule here. For updates regarding 30 Days of Fiesta, Fiesta in a Box and the Latin film series, follow fiestabham.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Talladega Superspeedway races
Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 is hosting the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs and NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs. Click here for the full schedule. Times are tentative and subject to change. Limited camping spots in the infield and outside of the track are available. For questions about camping or ticket availability, call 877-GO2-DEGA. To ensure the best and safest possible experience, new protocols and procedures will be in place, including reduced seating and camping capacity to allow for social distancing. Fans will not be in attendance in front-stretch seating on Friday or Saturday, and the duration of stay for campers has been reduced to three nights. As a result, some areas and offerings will be closed or unavailable. Check out the October return guide for information about safety protocols and more.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs and NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs will be Oct. 2-4. (Getty Images)
‘Tenet’ at the Sidewalk Film Center
Christopher Nolan’s film “Tenet,” starring Robert Pattinson and John David Washington, is being shown Oct. 1-4 and Oct. 8 at Sidewalk Film Center. For more information or to purchase advance tickets and seating, visit sidewalkfest.com. Sidewalk has instituted safety protocols, including advance ticket sales only, seating limited to 12 people per theater, assigned seating, hand sanitizer stations, strictly enforced mask requirements and sanitation of all seats and high-touch surfaces between screenings. Several changes have been made to the physical space as well.
OWA Legends in Concert presents “Direct from London”
See Legends in Concert at the OWA Theater in Foley through Sunday, Nov. 1. The longest-running show in Las Vegas pays tribute to some of the biggest icons and luminaries in British music history (Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart and George Michael) together on one stage. “Direct From London” will feature not only first-rate tribute artists, but also high-energy dancers, backup vocalists, a live band, magnificent costumes, elaborate theatrical sets, a full array of special effects and much more. Performances at the OWA Theater are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Sundays at 3 p.m. Saturday matinee shows at 3 p.m. will be added beginning Oct. 3. Tickets are on sale at VisitOWA.com/Tickets or by calling 251-369-6100. Group discounts for 10 or more are available. For additional information, go to www.VisitOWA.com or follow the series on Twitter @LegendsOWA, Facebook @LegendsInConcertOWA and Instagram @LegendsInConcertOWA.
Lone Pine Mine reopens
Lone Pine Mine is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Vulcan Park and Museum. Led by Underground Birmingham historians Jeff Newman and Josh Box, this virtual presentation will take visitors back to when mining was a primary industry in Birmingham. This interactive presentation will discuss the history of mining along Red Mountain with a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be streamed free on Facebook Live and Instagram TV. Lone Pine Mine No. 3 is a small iron ore mine on the property of Vulcan Park & Museum. In the early 1900s, workers removed iron ore for use in Birmingham’s furnaces and factories. This small mine was operational for a few years but closed before World War I. After being shut for many years, the mine entrance is now open for visitors to peek inside. Visitors will see period-appropriate artifacts and replicas from the time when the mine was in use. Signs provide information about the items and the mine’s history. Can’t make it to the virtual experience? Visit in person seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance to the mine is included with general admission to Vulcan Park & Museum: $6 for ages 13 and older, $4 for ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and younger.
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