ABOUT TOWN

PATRIOT DAY REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY | SAT., SEPT. 11

The city of Mountain Brook will host a ceremony to honor the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, featuring keynote speaker Brian Hastings, director of the State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Also participating in the ceremony will be the cities of Homewood and Vestavia Hills. When: 8:30 a.m. Where: O’Neal Library parking lot Website: mtnbrookchamber.org

Thurs., Sept. 9

Kelsey Starling Memorial Silent Auction

A silent auction fundraiser will be held in memory of the late Kelsey Starling, a speech language pathologist at Birmingham’s Tuggle Elementary School who lost her life in a boating accident at Smith Lake on July 4, 2019. The event will raise funds for the Kelsey Starling Memorial Scholarship. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Company Website: “Kelsey Starling Memorial” Facebook Page.

Evening of Dreams

Sozo Children International will host this annual fundraising gala featuring dinner and a live auction. Funds raised will support the ministry’s efforts to serve at-risk children in Uganda. When: 5:30-7 p.m. Where: the Club Website: sozochildren. org/2021dinner The Zoo will host its largest fundraiser of the year in a virtual format with a limited, in-person Roaring 20s themed celebration, an online auction launched on Sept. 2. Funds raised will benefit the zoo’s Emergency Animal Fund. When: 6:45 p.m. Where: The Birmingham Zoo/online Website: birminghamzoo.com

Sat., Sept. 11

Smile-A-Mile 5K

Smile-A-Mile will host its annual 5K to raise funds to support the organization’s mission to provide support to patients and families during the childhood cancer journey. When: 8 a.m. Where: Smile-A-Mile Place Website: smileamile.com

Hoover Climb to Remember

The City of Hoover will host its annual Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony followed by a memorial stair climb in honor of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ceremony will begin in the Riverchase Galleria’s food court followed by a stair climb equivalent to 110 stories in the north parking deck. When: 8:30 a.m. Where: Riverchase Galleria Website: hooveral.org

Shred and Recycle Day

Vestavia Hills will host a recycle day for electronics as well as shredding services for sensitive files and documents. Household hazardous waste will also be collected for disposal, with the Vestavia Hills Police Department collecting unneeded medications. When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall Website: business.vestaviahills.org

Cahaba Heights Clean Up Day

The Cahaba Heights Merchants will host an event inviting volunteers to help clean up the creek around Meadowlawn Park. Volunteers are asked to bring trash bags, gloves and friends to help out. When: 10 a.m. Where: The Heights Village Website: business.vestaviahills.org

Sept. 11-12

BirmingFAM Festival

The event will feature local music, food, vendors and more to raise funds for the Jones Valley Teaching Farm. Where: TrimTab Brewing Co. Website: birmingfamfest.com

Sun., Sept. 12

Birmingham Walking Tours: Downtown Churches

Vulcan Park and Museum will host walking tours of Birmingham’s downtown churches, featuring discussions about architecture, history, and more. Registration is $25 for museum members and $40 for nonmembers. When: 2-4 p.m. Where: Vulcan Park and Museum Website: visitvulcan.com

Friends of Botanical Gardens’ Fall Plant Sale Set for Sept. 11

The nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ annual Fall Plant Sale will return in-person this year, taking place Sept. 11 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Hundreds of plants – ranging from natives, perennials, herbs, tropicals, houseplants, camellias, trees and shrubs – will be available for purchase. Many of the offerings were nurtured at the Gardens by the Friends’ volunteer growing groups.

Seasoned gardeners will be on hand to offer expert advice, many of whom have participated in the Jefferson County Master Gardener program.

“Fall is a wonderful time to plant, and the Friends’ annual Fall Plant Sale offers our community a terrific opportunity to talk with experts about plants that thrive in Southern gardens and to discover tried-and-true tips and tricks for caring for them,” said Tom Underwood, executive director of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Proceeds from the sale as well as the purchase of memberships benefit the Friends’ mission to protect, nurture and share the wonders of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

“Each year we educate thousands of schoolchildren about the science of plants and grow thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to combat hunger in our community,” Underwood said. “We also help maintain the Gardens, spearhead much-needed improvement projects and work to promote the Gardens as a destination of local and regional significance. Perhaps most importantly, you are helping the Gardens grow and thrive, ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunities we have to enjoy this community treasure.”

Following a members-only online pre-sale, a members in-person priority shopping event will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

The sale will then open to the public Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. outdoors in the Formal Garden and Hill Garden. Shoppers are encouraged to bring portable shopping carts to the sale, such as a folding utility cart or wagon.

For more information, visit bbgardens.org/fallplantsale.

Tapas and Taps

Lane Parke will host a fundraising event sponsored by Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors benefiting Magic Moments of Birmingham. Festivities will include local beer, small plates, music and auctions. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Lane Parke Website: laneparke.com

Sat., Sept. 18

Hold the Fort Races

Presented by Mills Pharmacy, this annual 5K, 10K and one-mile warrior walk will benefit Blanket Fort Hope, which provides services and care to survivors of child sex trafficking. When: 8-11 a.m. Where: Oak Mountain State Park Website: blanketforthope.org

Paws for a Cause 5K

The Shelby Humane Society will host a 5K and one-mile tail waggin’ trek to raise funds for the open-admission animal shelter. The one-mile trek will include an obstacle course that can be run by individuals, teams and is suited for adults, kids and dogs. When: 8:30 a.m. Where: Veterans Park Website: shelbyhumane.org

Oktoberfest

Cahaba Brewing will host its annual Oktoberfest event, including bratwurst from American Butcher, live music, a stein-hoisting competition and more. When: noon-10 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Company Website: “Oktoberfest” Facebook page

Sun., Sept. 19

Earthbound’s Earthfest

Benefiting Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Earthbound’s Earthfest is an annual outdoor concert. The event is family-friendly and open to pets, and guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian When: 2 p.m. Where: Avondale Brewing Company Website: blackwarriorriver.org

Downtown Birmingham Walking Tours: Kiwanis Vulcan Trail

Vulcan Park and Museum will host a tour of the 2.2 mile Kiwanis Vulcan Trail, recently updated by the Freshwater Land Trust, that serves as the center of the Red Rock Trail System. Participants will learn about the history of local mining and ironmaking companies as well as the plant life. Registration is required. When: 2 p.m. Where: Kiwanis Vulcan Trail Website: visitvulcan.com

Together in Teal

The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation will host this inaugural butterfly release to raise awareness of the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer as well as celebrate ovarian cancer survivors and honor those who have lost their lives. Live music by Wellington Avenue, vendors and more. When: 3-5 p.m. Where: Vulcan Park and Museum Website: nlovca.org

Negro League Legends From Birmingham and Beyond

This panel discussion will be moderated by historian and author Rich Megraw, featuring Larry Lester, current chairman of the Society for American Baseball Research’s Negro League Committee; Bill Plott, author and Society for American Baseball Research member; Larry Powell, author and retired UAB professor of communications studies; Dr. Layton Revel, founder and executive director of the Center for Negro League Baseball Research; and Lamar Smith, board member for the Friends of Rickwood, Rickwood Field SABR chapter and the American Baseball Foudnation’s Development Commission. When: 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Vulcan Park and Museum Website: visitvulcan.com

SAVE THE DATE

Sat., Sept. 25

Head Over Teal 5K

The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation will host its annual Head Over Teal 5K and 10K in recognition of gynecological cancer awareness month. Races are pet-friendly and a fall-themed family fun festival will follow the run. Where: The Preserve Website: thinkoflaura.org/ headoverteal

John Carroll to Host Second Annual Pet Blessing Ceremony

The second annual Blessing of the Pets will take place Oct. 2 at John Carroll Catholic High School to honor the memory of 2006 graduate Megan Montgomery (pictured).

Last year, the event was created by Diane Henderson, a close family friend of the late Montgomery, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 31.

In addition to paying homage to Montgomery’s love of animals, the pet blessing is hosted in conjunction with the school’s recognition of St. Francis of Assisi Day. The saint was known for his love of animals and uncanny ability to connect with them.

According to a release, family and friends saw a similar ability in Montgomery, who dedicated time to support animal welfare, including serving as a founding member of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s junior professional board.

“Open to the public, blessing pets is an old tradition in many faith communities, because we love our pets unconditionally as God loves us,” a news release states. “We pray for them when they are sick and mourn when they are gone. They are like our family.”

Blessings will be performed by Deacon Douglass Moorer of Our Lady of Fatima and Deacon Rick DiGiorgio of Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on the outdoor parking lot at the back of John Carroll’s campus, at 300 Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood.

For more information call Mike Bouton, director of alumni relations, at 205-986-1266.

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Mike Wedgworth (205) 365-4344