Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How one UAB grad turned family loss into a powerful new purpose

Make time for Mike Cooley on the Birmingham Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hello Birmingham! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one UAB grad turned family loss into a powerful new purpose
  • How two Birmingham families got keys to new homes before Christmas
  • When can you grab tickets for Widespread Panic’s Birmingham return?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Sunny, with a high of 51 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 63, low: 47.
  • Sunday: Pleasant with periods of sun, with a high of 62 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Transfer student turns challenges into purpose at UAB (mountaineagle.com) — A UAB public relations graduate in Birmingham turned a difficult transfer and her father’s ALS diagnosis into motivation to finish her degree and lead on campus. Supported by faculty and peers, she earned statewide PR honors, completed a high-impact internship, and now plans a dual MPA–law program through UAB and Samford while honoring her father’s memory.
   

• Home for the Holidays: Two families become first-time homeowners (abc3340.com) — Two Birmingham families just received keys to their first homes through Habitat for Humanity’s long-running “Home for the Holidays” partnership with ABC 33/40. After months of classes, construction, and volunteer work, the Kelly and Foy families will move in before Christmas, joining more than 30 Birmingham-area homeowners helped by the program over 23 years.
   

• ‘90s Rock Band Announces Return to U.S. City for First Time in 8 Years (parade.com) — Widespread Panic is returning to Birmingham for two nights at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater on April 17–18, 2026, their first shows here since 2018. The jam-band mainstay, which has kept close ties to Alabama with recent Huntsville runs, will offer limited two-day ticket options through its official website when sales open Friday.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Friday December 19
  • Mike Cooley
    201 41st St S, Birmingham
    7:00 pm

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Other local events

📣 Birmingham Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Missing kitty in Highland Park, likely near Rushton Park.
    Small buff colored 16 mo old tabby female. Likely snuck out the front door, never outside, pretty skittish. Message if you catch a sighting. … (Nextdoor Highland Park)
  • These precious babies almost got hit in front of our house!
    They ran up our driveway so we have them in our yard in crestwood south. Will call humane society tomorrow but trying to find the owners! (Nextdoor Crestwood South)
  • Ricoh Americas Corporation posted a job opening for Mailroom Specialist in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • Community Health Systems, Inc. posted a job opening for Unit Secretary Part Time Days in Birmingham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Birmingham here.

🗞 Nearby News

Mountain Brook

Homewood

  • After years of questions, Brookwood Village project shows first signs of life (thehomewoodstar.com)

Ok Birmingham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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