🌱 Patch AM: Why did this education leader choose to raise his family here?

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

In today's newsletter:

• Why did this education leader choose to raise his family here?
• Which Mountain Brook Spartans made the All-South Metro football teams?
• How busy are Mountain Brook’s shops one week before Christmas?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 62 and low of 39 degrees.
• Friday: Plenty of sun, temps: high: 52, low: 31.
• Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 63 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Get to know: Jefferson County Schools Federal Programs Assistant Director Blake Frazier (villagelivingonline.com) — Mountain Brook resident and Jefferson County Schools leader Blake Frazier shares why his family chose to live here, citing the schools and beautiful landscape as major draws. He also talks about his work helping remove barriers for students and his ties to Mountain Brook High School and MBJH through his children.
   

2. All-South Metro Football: Gray, Cooper lead Spartans with first-team selections (villagelivingonline.com) — Mountain Brook football players earned prominent spots on the All-South Metro teams, with Spartans like lineman Rocco Gray and defender Boyd Cooper landing first-team honors and several teammates named to second team and honorable mention. The roundup covers standout 2025 seasons across metro Birmingham, but Mountain Brook athletes feature heavily among the area’s top performers.
   

3. Small business owners in Central Alabama enjoy rush of last-minute shoppers one week before Christmas (cbs42.com) — Mountain Brook shops are bustling with last-minute holiday customers, and longtime local retailers say this could be one of their best seasons since COVID. From toy store Snoozy’s Kids to Town and Country Clothes, owners report strong sales, wide price ranges, and plenty of gift-wrapping help for procrastinating shoppers.
   

4. Prep football trouble: Down in Alabama (al.com) — One brief note in this statewide Alabama roundup highlights Brown University’s remembrance of Mountain Brook High School graduate Ella Cook, praised for her strong principles and faith. The rest of the piece covers unrelated Alabama stories, including a Hoover tragedy, high school football sanctions, and a Birmingham water board decision.
   

5. Madison joins online sales tax lawsuit against state (themadisonrecord.com) — Mountain Brook is among several Alabama cities joining a lawsuit that challenges how the state handles online sales tax revenue, arguing the system diverts local dollars elsewhere. Madison’s recent vote to join Tuscaloosa’s case highlights growing concern that the Simplified Sellers Use Tax shortchanges municipalities that rely on those funds for services.
   

📸 Around Mountain Brook

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Mountain Brook

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Camp Half-Blood at O'Neal Library
  O'Neal Public Library, 50 Oak St, Mountain Brook
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday December 23

• American Red Cross blood drive
  Levite Jewish Community Center , 3960 Montclair Rd , Birmingham
  10:00 am

📣 Mountain Brook Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Fultondale Wildcats vs Mcadory Yellow Jackets
  Fultondale High School , 2023 Wildcat Pkwy , Birmingham
  4:30 pm
• Homewood Menorah Lighting
  The Curve in Downtown Homewood , 2839 18th St S , Birmingham
  5:00 pm
• Dumpling Making Class
  Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights , 3950 Autumn Ln , Vestavia Hills
  6:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Coffee Playdate!
  Homewood Chamber of Commerce , 7 Hollywood Blvd , Homewood
  9:30 am

Saturday December 20

• Holiday Ham Giveaway - December 20, 2025 @ 8:00am - 9:00am - Irondale City Hall, 101 South 20th Street, Irondale, Al 35210 - Drive-Through Service - One Ham Per Household While Supplies Last
  Irondale City Hall , 101 20th St S , Irondale
  8:00 am
• Brunch & Bubbly
  Board In Birmingham , 5426 Hwy 280, Suite 6 , Hoover
  9:00 am
• Saturday Class
  Acting Out Academy! , 3325 Rocky Ridge Plz Suite 221 , Vestavia Hills
  10:00 am

Sunday December 21

• Menorah Parade & Vestavia Menorah Lighting
  Vestavia Hills City Hall , 1032 Montgomery Hwy , Vestavia Hills
  5:00 pm
• Menorah Lighting
  Vestavia Hills City Hall , 1032 Montgomery Hwy , Vestavia Hills
  5:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Ribbon Cutting: Chaney Esthetics & Beauty
  Chaney Esthetics & Beauty , 3036 Healthy Way, Suite 124 , Vestavia Hills
  10:00 am

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

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

Ok Mountain Brook! 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 know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook