🌱 Smell And Taste Clinic Opens At UAB + New Hi-Wire Brewery Impresses

Hi, Birmingham! I’m Sean Peek, and I’ll be covering for your usual curator Miranda today. Now, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in town today, in five minutes or less.

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But first, today's weather:

Sunny and mild. High: 67 Low: 45.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. The Comprehensive Smell and Taste Clinic recently opened at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to help people regain their taste and smell after a COVID-19 diagnosis and those with other issues that hinder smell. Estimates suggest more than 60 percent of people who have had COVID-19 lose at least some of their taste or smell, and UAB says roughly 45 percent of those people report extended smell loss. Physicians say a lack of smell is more common than a loss of taste. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
2. A house fire in the Southside area had fire and rescue crews on the scene for hours on Saturday. The home on the 1400 block of 15th Avenue South sustained heavy damage, but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is now under investigation. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
3. Police responded to the wrong Alabama school after active shooter confusion, leaving students "traumatized." Officials later confirmed the police response to Magic City Acceptance Academy (an LGBTQ+ friendly charter school in central Alabama) on Wednesday was caused by a report of shots fired at a school nearby, the Islamic Academy of Alabama. Homewood Police initially responded to the wrong location because of confusion around the word “academy” on the 911 call. (WIAT - CBS42.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Super Bowl 23: Predictions At Pratt City Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Black History Storywalk At Springville Road Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Inclusive Art At Levite Jewish Community Center (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Pizza Grace has new operating hours. Only days after being named a semifinalist in the 2023 James Beard Awards, the popular Birmingham restaurant cited employee “quality of life” for the change. New hours are Tuesday through Friday: Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. or until sold out; Saturday from 12-8 p.m. or until sold out. (Subscription: AL.com)
• Are you searching for tickets to Lil Wayne’s show in Birmingham? Tickets for the April show can still be purchased through official resale sites such as Seat Geek, Vivid Seats, and Stub Hub. Seat Geek will let you know whether the seller is offering a fair price for their tickets. (Subscription: AL.com)
• Hi-Wire Brewing combines craft beer, games, and community. Birmingham's newest brewery has already built a reputation for itself even though it's only been open for a couple of months with its excellent craft beer selection, expansive space, and fun selection of games. (Yellowhammer News)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.