🌱 Ukraine Support Rally Downtown + New Brewery Trail

Hello, everybody! I'm here with your Monday edition of the Birmingham Patch newsletter, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Birmingham Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Birmingham long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

A t-shower; winds subsiding. High: 75 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. An investigation is currently underway regarding a home invasion robbery that took place on the 300 block of Reed Way in nearby Kimberly at around 7 p.m. on Saturday. Kimberly police Chief Ricky Pridmore released few details involving the incident while the investigation continues, but Pridmore described it as a home invasion, robbery, and kidnapping with three suspects in custody – two females and one male. No one was taken from the residence but one individual was injured at the home, and three suspects have been taken into custody. (AL.com)
2. Birmingham residents continued to show their support for Ukraine and its citizens during the rally held Saturday at Railroad Park downtown. Around 60 people participated in the rally, including Ukrainian refugees and Alabama's Honorary Consul to Ukraine Scotty Colson. It has been over a year since Russian forces attacked Ukraine and the City of Birmingham wants to remind Ukrainians that they have support in the states. (Alabama's News Leader)
3. REV Birmingham has released a downtown brewery trail featuring 12 locally owned breweries to promote small businesses and help people navigate some of the best that Birmingham has to offer. Communications coordinator Natalia Duran-Whyte is also working on other trails such as a coffee trail, a cocktail trail, and an art trail. (WBRC)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Free Tax Preparation At University Of Alabama At Birmingham, Collat School of Business (All Day)
• Black History Storywalk At Springville Road Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Spring is right around the corner! Take a look at the flowers blooming at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens ahead of the season at the link. (James Spann via Instagram)
• What better way to enjoy Spring Break than with camps at the Birmingham Zoo? Spots are still available for Mar. 20-24 and Mar. 27-31 and are available for K-12. Registration closes on Mar. 6. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• Junior League Birmingham's gift shop will make an appearance at Cottontail's Village on Mar. 3-5! You can learn more about the Cottontail's Festival and purchase tickets here. (Junior League of Birmingham via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Rustik Bucket Vintage Market (March 17)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.