Growing up in Birmingham, did we dream of a more peaceful world, free from nuclear devastation and racial strife? As idealistic teens, did we yearn for the end to hunger, poverty, disease?

Heck, no. We wanted big bucks, big bucks, no whammies. (Stop!)

Which may explain why so many of my high school classmates have tried out and appeared on game shows. Earlier tonight, Craig Smith of Maylene joined this elite club, going braino a braino a braino on “Jeopardy!”

Answer: How Craig did.

Be sure to phrase your recap in the form of a question.

(Thanks to Biff for the tip on tonight’s ep.)

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If you’re like us, your shopping has been done for weeks, and you can kick back with some hot cocoa and a good book.

But if you’re still in the hunt for the right Christmas gift, fear not. We can toss a few suggestions your way.

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The second Christmas party of our two-party outing was a down-and-dirty raucous affair. If the corporate party had been plesantries and pie, this other outing was hipster-ish and crowded.

We drove to Park Lane restaurant in Mountain Brook and snagged the last parking space within the village limits. Outside, it was freezing, as the huddled throngs of smokers puffed away. Inside, it was a mad scene.

Anything to get out of this cold and into a … hot chocolate fountain?!

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We love a good party, so December is our chance to swing with the best. Though we’re at our best staked out in a quiet corner with an adult beverage and surrounded by friends, we can be lured out to the bigger affairs through:

• open bar;
• people we haven’t seen in forever;
• open bar;
• door prizes;
• open bar;
• awkward moments;
• and open bar.

Join us on our recent two-party jaunt. Party all day, and party all night. (That joke never gets old.)

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Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

One of my favorite stories ever in the Birmingham Post-Herald was a true holiday gem: the real tale of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

The song is lovely because it touches upon the wistfulness of the holiday season, almost a lament. And yet, it remains a personal favorite among all the Christmas classics.

Erin Shaw Street wrote this December 1999 story. Birmingham native Hugh Martin, the composer partnered with lyricist Ralph Blane, talks about tussling with Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra over one little tune.

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“The “Muckfuppet” shoot took 10 hours, 24 people, one diner and one award-winning script — all for a five-minute movie.”

I’ve been doing PR work for my friend’s movie, “Muckfuppet.” We shot the five-minute romantic short all day Sunday at a Southside diner, and I blogged about the behind-the scenes action on the movie’s blog site.

(Yes, I even cheat on my own blog. But it didn’t mean a thing, honest.)

The site for Kenn McCracken’s movie has the full script, a special mashup movie and the aforementioned blog.

Next up, developing the film, editing and all kinds of post-production fun. With a little luck, this Sidewalk award-winning script will be an entry at Sidewalk 2006.

Garrison Starr has been haunting Birmingham stages a lot this fall, with another gig coming up in December. Her Tuesday show at Moonlight Music Cafe in Vestavia Hills featured something different: guitar in the round, with Michelle Malone and Nini Camps.

The two-hour show was a feast of blues, folk, rock and pop with a lotta Lilith in the mix.

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Cary Brothers shouldn’t be confused with the Statler Brothers or the Wayans Brothers. He’s just one man, with a band, and a whole lotta love from “Scrubs” star and “Garden State” auteur Zach Braff.

New “Blue Eyes” performed at a CD release party at WorkPlay Thursday night.

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Now that you’ve stuffed yourself silly, it’s time to move on to the next holiday sport of the long weekend: extreme shopping.

Let us first dispense with the “hot” gifts of 2005. And by hot, we mean “available everywhere.”

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The Alabama Ballet can make the impossible look easy onstage, though we know hard work and determination went into the performance. So why not go behind the scenes to see how dancers interpret a classic for today’s audiences?

Such is the premise behind Alabama Public Television’s latest documentary, “Alabama Ballet: The Making of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ “ While the hourlong film shows fleeting glimpses into the some of the labor in putting on a performance, viewers will gain little insight into what makes this company or this performance unique.

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Teen mob sees late show
Unchecked by prying parents.
Please don’t steal my ride.

And now, a special message to our patriotic shoppers at home and abroad.

While out pre-Kwanzaa shopping this week, I noticed one shopping center along U.S. 280 had seasonal banners up in the parking lot. Not unusual, except for the mixed message.

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The Galleria 10 shut down Sunday after more than 15 years showing movies in Hoover. Two fond memories spring to mind, one mine, one someone else’s.

My fondest memory is also my absolute perfect moviegoing experience. About a year ago, I showed up for an afternoon matinee, shoulder bag loaded with a can of Coke and a box with a half-dozen Krispy Kremes. I don’t even remember what movie it was.

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Nickel Creek, the bluegrass trio from Southern California, rocked, plucked and harmonized its way into listeners’ hearts again. The group graced the Alabama Theatre Friday night.

This was my third time to see the band (once before at the Alabama, and also at Samford University) — and the performance is better each time.

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It’ll be 70 degrees and sunny this afternoon, perfect for a parade.

For nearly 60 years, Birmingham has been home to the oldest and biggest Veterans Day observance. One tradition is the downtown parade, and I’ve seen it a few times. Always worth the trip.

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