Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: See which 2025 openings are changing how Birmingham lives and plays

Happening soon: New Year's Eve Music Show at Rojo with the Veeries! on the Birmingham Patch calendar

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Hi there, Birmingham! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • See which 2025 openings are changing how Birmingham lives and plays
  • How a Birmingham garage fire led to a capital murder charge
  • How a new apartment complex could reshape support for Birmingham women

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve Music Show at Rojo with the Veeries! and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 61 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Friday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 60, low: 54.
  • Saturday: A little morning rain; cloudy, with a high of 60 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 13 new developments that opened in Birmingham in 2025 (bhamnow.com) — From UAB’s new genomic medicine building to the 9,000-seat Coca-Cola Amphitheater and several luxury apartment complexes, 2025 brought a wave of openings in and around Birmingham. The list also highlights new retail, dining, and entertainment spots from Southside to Hoover and Chelsea, giving residents plenty of fresh places to live, shop, and explore.
   

2. Suspect charged with capital murder of Birmingham woman who was found in burned garage (al.com) — Birmingham police have charged 39-year-old Justin Seals with capital murder in the death of 32-year-old mother Mekayla Rembert, whose body was found in a burned detached garage on 16th Street S.W. on December 23. Firefighters discovered Rembert during the blaze response, and investigators later ruled her death a homicide, marking Birmingham’s 88th homicide of 2025.
   

3. Lovelady Center expands support with new apartment complex in Birmingham (wvtm13.com) — A Birmingham-based nonprofit, the Lovelady Center, has bought a 56-unit apartment complex just three blocks from its campus to give graduates affordable housing and extended support. The new “Next Step” program will offer 18 more months of accountability and life-skills training, while current tenants are being offered incentives and time to relocate without being forced out.
   

4. Birmingham Zoo rings in 2026 with 'Cougar Countdown' (wvtm13.com) — Families can ring in 2026 tonight at the Birmingham Zoo’s “Cougar Countdown,” with evening festivities starting at 6 p.m. in the main plaza. Expect photo ops, educational activities, and a stroll through more than 300 glowing animal lanterns at Glow Wild, even though Alabama Wilds will close early so the animals can rest.
   

5. Alabama books we loved in 2025 (cbs42.com) — Birmingham readers get a spotlight in this roundup of 2025 books with strong ties to Alabama, including Roy Wood Jr.’s new autobiography rooted in his Birmingham upbringing. The list also features works on Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, environmental justice in the Black Belt, and fresh takes on Alabama’s complex political and cultural history.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Birmingham Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday January 3
  • Brunch & Bubbly
    Board In Birmingham , 5426 Hwy 280, Suite 6 , Hoover
    9:00 am
    • Monday January 5
  • Libby Meet & Greet
    Hoover Public Library - Circulation Lobby
    10:30 am
    • Tuesday January 6
  • One-on-One Tech Help
    Hoover Public Library -
    10:00 am
  • Council Work Session Meeting
    Hueytown, AL Calendar , 1318 Hueytown Road , Hueytown
    5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Birmingham PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Alzheimer's Disease and Alabamians —Maizonne Fields Read on Patch
  • Update!
    She is home! Thank you. We live in Magnolia Drive across from Brook Highlands. Our cat has been gone since early morning. I usually let her roam… (Nextdoor Magnolia)
  • IMPORTANT!!
    IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!! if you have a subscription with amazon or amazon prime check your bank statement at least 2X a month!!! … (Nextdoor Spring Lake)
  • Alabama Staffing posted a job opening for Unit Secretary Part Time Days Surgical/Oncology in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • BootBarn, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Birmingham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Birmingham here.

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 just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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