A look at Birmingham in videos …

The 800m run at the CrossPlex. From Greg Faith Hill.

•

Birmingham Bowl preview with Peter Loshak and Joe Duffy. From Sportsbook Review.

•

A look at the Birmingham Fencing Club in action. From Birmingham Fencing Club.

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Michael Olmert highlight reel. From Lynn Olmert.

•

Skateboarding 2014. From Daniel Lawson.

•

Windsurfing on Double Oak Lake. From Leilani Carroll.

•

Christmas four-wheelers for James and Jaxon. From JamesDelisa.

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Rickwood Field. From Ginnard Archibald.

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Justin Craft talks about UAB football on “Our Issues: Birmingham.” From CW21/MY68.

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Julia Ava Eyer, born Oct. 6 at UAB Hospital. From United for Life Foundation.

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Alan Thompson and the UAB kidney chain. From UAB News.

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Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites perform at Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From Jerol Tyson.

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Friday’s Black Lives Matter rally at Lakeshore Parkway along Wildwood Centre. From al.com.

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Brooke Alford performing at a trade show at the BJCC Exhibition Hall. From DMorris.

•

Chris Brown performing Dec. 21 at the BJCC Arena. From Ladyflame atl.

•

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Florida Adventures w/ Bridget (@impulse4adventure)

Callee the elephant shakes in slow motion at the Birmingham Zoo. From Bridget.

•

See the trailer for “Selma.”

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

Area stations offer gas for less than $2/gallon, lowest since 2009

Motorists, start your pumps.

BirminghamGasPrices.com reports that four stations in the Birmingham area have gas under $2 per gallon. Prices haven’t been this low since early 2009.

• $1.89/gal.: Marathon, near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
• $1.95/gal.: Anis Food Mart, Bessemer
• $1.96/gal.: Citgo, Bessemer
• $1.99/gal.: Mystik, Ensley Highlands

The debate: Are low gas prices good for Birmingham?

Pro: Birminghamians need all the economic help they can get in a sluggish economy.

Con: Short-term economic benefits could cost residents in the long run: pollution, traffic, health problems.

Pro: Most stations are locally owned … shop local.

Con: Stations typically make their money on big markups on food and beverages.

Pro: Lower income workers will benefit the most from cheap gas.

Con: Fixing public transit would benefit more people overall.

Pro: Families won’t have to choose between filling the tank and other necessities.

Con: Low gas prices encourage purchases of SUVs and gas guzzlers.

Pro: Alabama makes those gas guzzlers!

Pro: People will drive more.

Con: Rush hour jams will be even worse.

Are low prices at the pump good for Birmingham? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Photo: Riza Nugraha (CC)

David Oyelowo stars as Martin Luther King Jr.
in “Selma,” directed by Ava DuVernay, right.

The historical drama “Selma” hits a few screens on Christmas, opening wide on Jan. 9.

A preview screening takes place in Birmingham at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Carmike Summit 16, and free passes are available.

The movie tells the story of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, led by Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo, recently in “Interstellar” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”). Ava DuVernay, who became the first African-American woman to win the Sundance Best Director Prize in 2012, signed on to direct after Lee Daniels chose to make “The Butler.”

Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt are among the producers.

“Selma” shot primarily around Atlanta, but did some on-location work in Selma and Montgomery.

Free passes for the Jan. 6 screening are available from Gofobo.

Video: Trailer for “Selma”

“Selma”

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @selmamovie | Instagram

A look at Birmingham in videos …

The Gaither Homecoming Friends sing “Christmas in the Country.” From EACOG1946.

•

“O Come All Ye Faithful” on the pipe organ at the Cathedral of St. Paul downtown. From John Tally.

•

The Birmingham Boys Choir 36th Annual Christmas Concert from 2013. From Missy Narkates.

•

Real Rap Wives Christmas Show. From Channel Birmingham.

•

Jim Brickman sings “Coming Home for Christmas” on Magic 96.5. From thejimbrickmanmusic.

•

ZooLight Safari from the train. From iam8of9.

•

A special Christmas for the Beckhams. From WIAT-42.

•

Hoover dad gives family snow for Christmas. From WIAT-42.

•

Hewitt-Trussville High School Chamber Choir sings carols at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. From Chris Cheatwood.

•

“Lips Together and Blow” by Dana Dean on the “Dean and Company Christmas Special” for 2014. From Charles Gagliano.

•

Christmas on Us giveaways from Cumulus Media radio stations. From hot1077.

•

The 2014 Birmingham-Southern Holiday Card. From Birmingham-Southern College.

•

Violinist Sue Nuckols performs “The Christmas Song” at the Lyric Theatre downtown. From Canvas Bag Media.

•

“Silent Night” with bells on at the Crestline Cumberland Presbyterian Church. From SRG.

•

Christmas morning. From Zach Benson.

•

Branch Life Church Christmas party at Urban Standard downtown. From Heath McPherson.

•

Adam Wright of Act of Congress performs “Silver Bells” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” From Jason Morales.

•

Vestavia East Elementary students made hygiene kits to be passed out to those in need downtown. From Urban Purpose.

•

Drone shows Friday’s Black Lives Matter protest at the Summit. From Kevin Henderson.

•

Drone footage of Christmas lights around Birmingham. From Kevin Henderson. [added Dec. 23]

•

See Birmingham celebrating Kwanzaa.

•

See Julie from “The Real World” catching up with castmates.

•

See the story of the documentary, “Our Mockingbird.”

•

See the Scouts who raised more than $15,000 for charity.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will hold
its annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 30.

Places around Birmingham will mark Kwanzaa, taking place Friday through New Year’s Day. A guide to events:

Dec. 27: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has its Kwanzaa Celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Free. 1500 Sixth Ave. N., downtown [map].

Dec. 30: The Five Points West branch of the Birmingham Public Library has Kwanzaa Kraft Time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. 4812 Ave. W [map].

Dec. 30: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has a hands-on workshop at 5 p.m. in the Abraham L. Woods Community Meeting Room, followed by a community celebration at 6 p.m. in the Odessa Woolfolk Gallery, including musical and children’s performances. Free. 520 16th St. N. [map].

Video: Celebrating Kwanzaa at the Birmingham
Civil Rights Institute

“Real World” pioneers Norman Korpi, Heather Gardner (center)
and Birmingham’s Julie Oliver Gentry reunite Sunday on OWN.

It was the series that launched the reality TV craze. Sunday, Oprah Winfrey catches up with a cast member from Birmingham.

Julie Oliver (now Gentry) starred in the first (of 30!) season of “The Real World,” MTV’s docu-soap that followed seven strangers in a New York loft. She joins castmates Heather Gardner and Norman Korpi for “Oprah: Where Are They Now?”

Not that we haven’t had multiple opportunities (People | Miss Stacy | Wetpaint) to catch up with Gentry and company since 1992 …

Just think: No “Real World,” no “Jersey Belle” …

Julie Oliver then (on the show in 1992) and a few years later.

In the same hour, Winfrey interviews Beth Holloway, whose daughter Natalee disappeared in 2005 during a Mountain Brook High senior trip to Aruba. She has never been found.

“Oprah: Where Are They Now?” airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on OWN (repeats throughout the week).

Video: Promo for “Oprah: Where Are They Now?”
(and note who else is on the show)

Video: Catching up with Julie, Norman and Heather

Video: Clip from the very first “The Real World”

“The Real World”

• More on the big reunion on OWN
• Recaps from season 1

Sandy Jaffe film shows theatrical collaboration between Birmingham schools

The cast of the play “To Kill a Mockingbird” is featured
in the documentary “Our Mockingbird,” airing on
PBS World in 2015.

A documentary about two Birmingham-area high schools’ production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” will air nationally for Black History Month.

Update Feb. 4:
Watch “Our Mockingbird” online.

Sandra Jaffe’s film “Our Mockingbird” is scheduled to run Feb. 3 on PBS’ World Channel as part of the “America Reframed” series. The director had already set out to do a documentary on Harper Lee’s landmark novel when she discovered that mostly black Fairfield High and her alma mater, mostly white Mountain Brook High, were working on a joint production of the play.

The documentary has screened in various stages since its debut in 2010 in Monroeville, Lee’s hometown. It appeared at the 2012 Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival and as a part of Birmingham’s 50 Years Forward in 2013, as well as screenings in Jaffe’s current city, Boston.

This isn’t the first time Jaffe has turned her lens on her hometown. In 1985, she directed the short doc, “Jazz in the Magic City,” about musicians in the 1920s and ’30s who learned to read music in the city’s only black high school from the printing instructor. It aired on PBS and the Discovery Channel.

Jaffe is a screenwriter and script consultant in addition to director, plus a screenwriting instructor at Northeastern University. She has won several awards for her work, including one from the Writers Guild of America.

A specific time for Alabama Public Television has not been announced yet. Update Jan. 28: The film premieres at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 on PBS World, repeating throughout the week. PBS World broadcasts in Birmingham on channel 10.2.

Video: Interview with Sandra Jaffe

“Our Mockingbird”

• Website | Facebook | Kickstarter
• Features in the Washington Post, Village Living, Boston Globe, Alabama Humanities Foundation

Also

• “America ReFramed” 2015 lineup

Video: Birmingham Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts
raise $15,730.88 for the KIND fund.

They did it again.

After raising more than $18,000 in 2013, the Scouts based at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church pulled in $15,730.88 this year for the KIND Fund. The money goes to Kids In Need of Desks, a UNICEF campaign providing desks for schoolchildren in Malawi.

That translates into 484 students who no longer have to sit on the ground in school.

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell helped launch the fund in 2009 and has raised $7.6 million to date. The 2013 check from Boy Scout Troop 415 and Cub Scout Pack 415 was the single largest donation to KIND then.

The Scouts hit the streets starting back in October to collect donations in buckets, as they told O’Donnell Monday night on his program, “The Last Word.”

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church
prepare to donate to UNICEF.

KIND provides desks for students in Malawi.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Yuletide Slide, a new addition to ZooLight Safari. From the Birmingham Zoo.

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Tarrant police officer delivers donations to woman caught stealing eggs. From Darius Bowie.

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“Prince Charming” at Tuggle Elementary School in the Smithfield neighborhood. From Growing Kings.

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Jimmy Swaggart preaches in 1990 at Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From Christian Sermons Online.

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Press conference for the Jan. 3 Birmingham Bowl at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame downtown. From Birmingham Bowl.

•

“Diptych,” performed by Taryn Packheiser Brown and Catherine Vancak in May 2013 at Children’s Dance Foundation in Homewood. From Taryn Packheiser Brown.

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Alabaster resident and champion motocross racer Taylor Miller. From Ciara Green.

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Former Alabama governor John Patterson discusses past vote fraud in Birmingham. From Robert Clem.

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Profile of Shawna Ross, Birmingham artist and musician in the Glass Jars. From Randy Webb.

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Scott Hanley, general manager of WBHM (90.3 FM). From UAB Media Studies.

•

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anastasia Lindsay (@anastasialindsay)

Dancing silhouettes. From anastasialindsay.

•

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stephen William Haas jr (@skatan_steve)

New trick. From skatan_steve.

•

See Birmingham celebrating Hanukkah.

•

See clips from the 35th annual
“Dean and Company Christmas Special.”

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

Celebrate the start of Hanukkah with bingo and latkes
at the Knesseth Israel Congregation.

Hanukkah starts next week with events throughout Birmingham, Tuesday evening through Dec. 24.

Sunday: Temple Beth-El holds its Hanukkah Celebration, with morning blood drive, Sisterhood Hanukkah Lunch ($12, $6 for children age 6 and older) and youth group viral video shoot. 2179 Highland Ave. S., Southside [map].

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.: Down the block, Temple Emanu-El puts on its annual Family Fun Day, with the Brotherhood’s Hanukkah lunch and raffle at noon. $10, $5 for children. 2100 Highland Ave. S., Southside [map]

Tuesday, noon: The Levite Jewish Community Center holds its Joy Club Hanukkah Luncheon with Cantor Jessica Roskin. $8.50. 3960 Montclair Road [map].

Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.: Knesseth Israel Congregation holds Hanukkah Bingo Night, including latke bar, prizes and a raffle. $18, $10 for children, $36 for raffle tickets. 3100 Overton Road, Mountain Brook [map].

Thursday, 11 a.m.-noon: The LJCC’s Intergenerational Hanukkah Candle Lighting features a musical program with preschool students. Free.

Dec. 20, 5:45 p.m.: Sing and toast marshmallows around the campfire at the Knesseth Israel Congregation’s Hanukkah Kumzitz. Free.

Dec. 21, 8-11 a.m.: The Cycle for Good is a fund-raiser at the LJCC in conjunction with other Jewish community centers across North America. Individuals and teams will be spinning to help the LJCC and Etgarim, an Israeli nonprofit group for disabled people. Registration and sponsorship forms available on the event page.

Dec. 21, 5 p.m.: Chabad of Alabama’s Hanukkah Winter Wonderland includes an ice menorah lighting, crafts and food. $10, $6 for children or $36 for families, tickets available online. 3040 Overton Road, Mountain Brook [map].

Bonus: Larry Brook tells us the Hanukkah lights are up at his house, 913, Rockford Road in Forest Park [map]. [added Dec. 14]

Video: Hanukkah across Birmingham

By the time you’re done shopping and wrapping and decorating and partying, you might not have the will to be cooking, too. Fortunately, a number of Birmingham restaurants will open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. And several offer catering and takeout service with holiday options.

Open Christmas Eve

Billy’s Sports Grill: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (205) 879-2238, 2012 Cahaba Road, English Village, Mountain Brook; (205) 956-2323, 4520 Overton Road, Ste. 104, Irondale.

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Bottle and Bone: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (205) 538-7106 or jen@bottleandbone.com. Uptown, 2311 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Ste. 200.

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The Bright Star: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (205) 426-1861. 304 19th St. N., Bessemer.

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Cedar’s Grille: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (205) 988-5993. 1870 Chace Drive, Hoover. [added Dec. 16]

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Century Restaurant and Bar at the Tutwiler: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (205) 458-9611. 2021 Park Place N., downtown.

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Dixie Fish Company: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (205) 924-3493. 101 Resource Center Pkwy., off U.S. 280, Inverness.

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Galley and Garden: 4-9 p.m. (205) 939-5551. 2220 Highland Ave. S., Southside.

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Homewood Gourmet: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (205) 871-1620. 1919 28th Ave. S., Homewood.

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Irondale Cafe: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Open for lunch, plus takeout options including ham, turkey, side dishes and pie [2013 menu]. (205) 956-5258. 1906 First Ave. N., Irondale.

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Lone Star Steakhouse: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (205) 661-9339. 4720 Norrell Drive, Trussville.

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MetroPrime Steakhouse: 5-10 p.m. (205) 623-5288. 1035 20th St. S., Five Points South, Southside.

•

Seasons 52: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations available online. (205) 968-5152. The Summit.

•

Sherry’s Cafe and Catering: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  (205) 655-5260. 5800 Valley Road, Ste. 110, Trussville.

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Silvertron Cafe: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (205) 591-3707. 3813 Clairmont Ave. S., Forest Park.

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Slice Pizza and Brew: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (205) 715-9300. 725 29th St. S., Lakeview.

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Taj India: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-10 p.m. (205) 939-3805. 2226 Highland Ave. S., Southside.

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V. Richards: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., including cafe. Christmas catering/takeout, available for pickup Dec. 24. (205) 591-7000. 3916 Clairmont Ave. S., Forest Park.

•

Village Tavern: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (205) 970-1640. 101 Summit Blvd., The Summit.

•

Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

China Moon: 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (205) 324-2332. 3310 Clairmont Ave. S., Piggly Wiggly shopping center, Southside.

•

Crestwood Tavern: 3 p.m.-midnight. (205) 510-0053. 5500 Crestwood Blvd.

•

Hoover Grille: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, 5-10 p.m. Christmas Day. (205) 985-9994. Inside Embassy Suites Birmingham-Hoover, 2960 John Hawkins Pkwy. [added Dec. 16]

•

Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Christmas Eve, 5 p.m.- 2 a.m. Christmas Day. (205) 203-4512. 2811 Seventh Ave. S., Lakeview. [added Dec. 23]

•

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-10 p.m. Christmas Eve, 4:30-10 p.m. Christmas Day. (205) 298-0200. 3501 Grandview Pkwy., off U.S. 280 near the Colonnade. [added Dec. 23]

•

Max’s Delicatessen: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (205) 968-7600 or info@maxsdelionline.com. Colonnade shopping center.

•

Merk’s Tavern and Kitchen: 6 a.m.-midnight. (205) 444-5731. Inside the Wynfrey Hotel/Hyatt, Riverchase Galleria, Hoover.

Also, Shula’s Steak House will be open Christmas Eve only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m. [added Dec. 16]

•

Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (205) 824-8283. 1917 Hoover Ct., Hoover.

•

Mt. Fuji Japanese Sushi and Steak House: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4:30-10 p.m. both days. (205) 995-0588. Village at Lee Branch, Hoover. [added Dec. 24]

•

Renaissance Ross Bridge: Restaurants open at various hours all day long both days. Reservations available by calling (205) 949-3057. 4000 Grand Ave., Hoover.

•

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Christmas Eve, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Christmas Day. Holiday side dishes to go, $29.95, pick up through Dec. 24. Reservations available online. Embassy Suites Hotel, 2300 Woodcrest Pl., Homewood.

•

Silver Coin Indian Grill: Christmas Eve: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.: Christmas Day: 5-9:30 p.m. (205) 823-9070. 3321 Lorna Road, Ste. 13, Hoover.

•

Photo: The Bonnie Bluebird

Tao Asian: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (205) 685-8809. 345 Huntley Pkwy., Pelham. [added Dec. 16]

•

Todd English PUB: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations available by calling (205) 307-3700. 2221 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Uptown, downtown.

•

Two diners remain open 24 hours a day, Denny’s and Waffle House. Also, IHOP will be open both days, hours vary by location.

Also:

• The Levite Jewish Community Center will hold a pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Christmas Day. The $5 admission benefits the LJCC Scholarship Fund.
• Chabad of Alabama will hold a kosher Chinese buffet with the chef from Wok Express, 5-8 p.m. Christmas Day. $18, $10 for children; $36, $20 for children at the door.

Let us know in the comments if we missed a restaurant.

It’s going to snow in Birmingham’s living room.

The weather forecast says 60 degrees and sunny for Saturday afternoon, but Railroad Park promises snow and more for its Happy Holidays celebration. It includes tree lighting, carnival games, line dancing and free hot chocolate, with food available for purchase.

The free event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at the park [map]. For more information, visit the Railroad Park events page.

Railroad Park

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @RailroadPark | Instagram

Also:

• 2014 Christmas parades and tree lightings across Birmingham

Christmastime in Birmingham for many TV viewers means only one thing: the annual “Dean and Company Christmas Special.”

Now in its 35th year, this tri-generational affair returns to spread holiday cheer and original humor. Don’t miss “Housewives of the North Pole” and “Christmas Party Train.”

Airtimes:

• 12:01 a.m. Monday on CW21
• 1 p.m. Dec. 21 on ABC 33/40
• Bright House on demand

The Bottletree Cafe will hold a screening party, with karaoke and photos with Santa, on Saturday. The free event starts at 8 p.m. The venue is located at 3719 Third Ave. S. in Avondale [map].

Video: “Dean and Company Christmas Special 2014” trailer

•

Video: “Game Day”

•

Video: “Christmas Party Train”

•

Video: “Click It or Ticket”

•

Video: Dean and Company on “Good Day Alabama”

•

“Dean and Company”

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @deanandcompanya
• Where it all began: Daisy Dean, matriarch of the clan

A look at Birmingham in videos …

A Birmingham-Southern social justice class assignment. From Colin Perry.

•

Profile of Growing Kings program. From Under Construction.

•

“Knock’m Out.” From Smoked Ham.

•

Speaking out at a Ferguson rally in Kelly Ingram Park downtown. From Darren Garrett.

•

Miel San Marcos performing Nov. 29 at Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From John Lopez.

•

Previewing East Carolina’s appearance in the Birmingham Bowl. From ACC.

•

Birmingham Fashion Week opening night, April 21 at Pepper Place, with host Britton Lynn. From Britton Lynn.

•

ACE of Birmingham cheerleading competition at the BJCC. From Cheer Dad.

•

Homewood Star lighting. From Starnes Publishing.

•

Drink every time the announcer says “exciting.” From New Life Birmingham.

•

CBS report on UAB football ending. From CBS This Morning.

•

http://instagram.com/p/wVErBduPRd/

St. Paul and the Broken Bones at Regions Field. From ohokaybeth.

•

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Husky Ranch (@huskyranch)

Husky puppy chillin’ before Christmas. From huskyranch.

•

See Alabama picked for the college football playoffs.

•

See the “catchy as hell” song the Rolling Stones
recorded in Muscle Shoals.

•

See clips from the Alabama Theatre Holiday Film Series.

•

See more from the shutdown of UAB football.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

Auburn to Outback; Birmingham Bowl taps Florida, East Carolina

Alabama celebrates its SEC Championship win over Missouri.

It’s been a crazier-than-usual week for football in Alabama …

• For the 6th consecutive year, a team from the state will be battling for the national championship. No. 1 Alabama (12-1) faces No. 4. Ohio State (12-1) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day in New Orleans.

The winner faces either No. 2 Oregon (12-1) or No. 3 Florida State (13-0) on Jan. 12 in Dallas.

Alabama beat No. 16 Missouri 42-13 Saturday in Atlanta for its 24th SEC Championship. Hueytown native and persistent troublemaker Jameis Winston led Florida State over No. 12 Georgia Tech 37-35 in the ACC title game.

• No. 19 Auburn (8-4) will head to Tampa, also playing on New Year’s Day, for the Outback Bowl, facing No. 18 Wisconsin (10-3).

• South Alabama (6-6) will play in Montgomery’s inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl on Dec. 20, taking on Bowling Green (7-6).

• In the Naming Sponsorship Still Available Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 3, Florida (6-5) will battle East Carolina (8-4). The Gators are making their first trip to this bowl, while the Pirates lost to South Florida in the first then-called PapaJohns.com Bowl in 2006.

• Mobile’s GoDaddy Bowl will have Arkansas State (7-5) in its fourth consecutive appearance Jan. 4. The Red Wolves won two out of three times and will face Toledo (8-4), last in the bowl in 2005 beating Texas-El Paso.

• UAB will not go bowling. The Blazers finished 6-6, with slim hopes of a bowl bid turned even slimmer by Tuesday’s announcement that the program was kaput.

• The 66th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl takes place Jan. 24 in Mobile. The South leads the series over the North 29-26-3.

• In last week’s high school finals …

• Hoover beat Prattville 35-21 to win the first ever 7A championship.
• Leeds defeated Deshler 30-0 for the 4A title.
• Clay-Chalkville topped Saraland 36-31 for the 6A championship, finishing a perfect 15-0.
• Pleasant Grove lost to St. Paul’s 35-13 in the 5A finals.

Video: Announcement of the Top 4 teams