🌱 Bromberg's Anniversary + Omicron's Spread In The South

Hey, people of Birmingham! Michael Seale here with a fresh Birmingham Daily. Things were looking up as recently as last month in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alabama's case numbers and hospitalizations were down and more people were starting to return to normal lives. However, another wave of the virus seems inevitable, as the much more contagious omicron variant has become the leading strain of coronavirus in the southern U.S. Read more below.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 53 Low: 28.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. Will the omicron variant of the coronavirus cause another economic shutdown? A UAB expert doesn't think so. (WAAY)
2. This is awesome. The Birmingham Police Department partnered with Santa to deliver presents in the city Monday. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
3. The omicron variant has now become the most common strain of the coronavirus in the southern U.S. See how Alabama has been affected thus far. (Birmingham Patch)
4. Talk about some longevity in the Birmingham business community. Alabama jeweler Bromberg's is preparing for its 186th anniversary. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
5. Birmingham's Melanie Bridgeforth was recently chosen for the prestigious Aspen Institute Fellowship. (Birmingham Times)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Get your voice ready for Christmas Karaoke at the Birmingham Public Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Wenonah Varsity Boys vs. Vestavia (205 Battle) (1:00 PM)
• Come out to the historic Alabama Theatre to see one of the most beloved Christmas fils ever: "White Christmas." (Details)
• Take in some quality high school basketball as Mountain Brook plays Central-Tuscaloosa at Spartan Arena in Mountain Brook. (3:30 p.m.)
• Go Blazers! Cheer on UAB Men's Basketball as they take on Mississippi Valley State at Bartow Arena. (6:30 p.m.)
• The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents Cinderella at the Lyric Theatre. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Here are 10 drop off sites to recycle your old Christmas tree. (Bham Now)
• The season of giving is upon us. Is there a local nonprofit organization in Birmingham you go out of your way to support during the holiday season? Tell us about it. (Patch)
• Birmingham City Schools December Customer Service Award Winner is Sheree Jackson, a Special Education Instructional Aide who is currently serving in the capacity of a classroom teacher. (Facebook)
• When you donate to your Birmingham Zoo, you give the gift of nutrition to animals like our pallas cats! (Facebook)
• This month marked 17 years that Christopher Easter served the people of Birmingham as a firefighter. A dedicated public servant at Fire Station 30, he will be missed. (Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you soon!

— Michael Seale

About me: I am a lifelong Alabama resident with more than two decades of media under my belt. I have worked for a daily newspaper, a weekly newspaper, a monthly magazine, a television station and a couple of radio stations. I also tried my hand at marketing for a little while. But I love writing news. This opportunity to bring Patch to Birmingham is a chance for my hometown to benefit from a new - and better - way to read and receive news.