The popular Pepper Place Saturday Market opens its 15th year on April 11.

Birmingham shouldn’t be the food capital of the South. It should be Food Capital of the World.

Don’t believe us? Let’s look into the world of tomorrow, the world of fantastic food ahead.

January

• Acoustic Soup: The fund-raiser for VSA Alabama was nearly frozen out this year thanks to a burst of ice and snow. Hopefully the ninth annual event will dodge winter’s grasp. Chefs, soups, artists’ bowls and the opportunity to support arts programming for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. WorkPlay, Lakeview.

February

• Feb. 19: The 14th annual Taste of Homewood will have more than 30 restaurants and other vendors to delight and tickle palettes. $30-$35. Rosewood Hall.
• Feb. 27-28: The newly christened Food Media South stays in Birmingham after a change in ownership to the Southern Foodways Alliance. The digital conference once called Food Blog South is already sold out. It takes place at Rosewood Hall in Homewood.

March

• March 7: The Exceptional Foundation’s 11th annual Chili Cook-Off will return to the Brookwood Village parking lot for spicy, spicy competition. Money raised helps the organization meet the social and recreational needs of people with mental disabilities.

April

• April 10-11: The 17th annual St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival serves more than 8,500 people, but also has raised more than $310,000 for area charities. Baked kibbee and spinach pies for everyone! Free. Southside.
• April 11: The biggest farmer’s market in Birmingham, Pepper Place Saturday Market, kicks off its 15th year. Lakeview. [Previous coverage]
• April 11: The Alabama Asian Culture and Food Festival is a fund-raiser with everything: drummers, hand-painted umbrellas, cookbooks, fashion show, dancers, a walking tour of Asia and seven cuisines. $8. Zamora Shrine Temple, Irondale. [Previous coverage]
• April 18: The 10th annual Gumbo Gala moves to Regions Field for the Episcopal Place fund-raiser. The organization raised $50,000 in 2014 to provide housing for elderly and disabled adults. Teams compete to see whose gumbo is greatest. $12-$15.
• April 24: AIDS Alabama and AIDS Alabama South are putting together the 5th annual Dining Out for Life, an opportunity for diners in Birmingham to support the cause at participating restaurants. At least 25 percent of the check will go to these organizations.
• April 24-26: The 18th annual Corks and Chefs will complement Magic City Art Connection in Linn Park downtown. Two afternoons of sampling the city’s best dining, along with wine tastings and seminars. $30-35.

June

• June 5-6: Magic City Brewfest … a hundred beers from at least a dozen breweries, a great way to welcome summer at Sloss Furnaces while raising money for Free the Hops. It will likely sell out. $34.50-$40.

July

• Shelby County Shindig and BBQ Cook-Off: Who has the best ribs? The best sauce? These questions and more will be answered once and for all at this fund-raiser for the Shelby County Arts Council and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. $10 to sample barbecue. Shelby County Courthouse, Columbiana.

August

• Aug. 14-23: Sample a wide variety of the city’s dining at reduced prices during Birmingham Restaurant Week. And don’t forget the preview party, wine tasting and beer tasting. [Previous coverage]

September

• Sept. 7: They may drop the big Moon Pie tonight in Mobile, but how many Moon Pies can you drop in your mouth? The 24th annual Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest is for you. The state’s largest competition has divisions for adults and children. $2-$3. Tannehill Historical State Park, McCalla.
• Sept. 19: Put your foot down. The Grape Stomp at Morgan Creek Vineyards will give attendees the opportunity to crush grapes in barrels, along with a wine tasting (not sure if the two are related). Harpersville.
• Oktoberfest: Join in the fun at the 35th annual celebration at Das Haus downtown. Traditional German cuisine, kegs, beer garden, beer hall and a wide assortment of European beers.

October

• Oct. 1-3: Opa! The 43rd annual Birmingham Greek Festival takes place at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Southside. A fund-raiser for various area charities. Don’t even think about using the drive-through when you can stop in, eat and shop.
• Oct. 2-3: The 10th annual Alabama Butterbean Festival isn’t just about the beans. Look for fireworks, a car show, a pageant and a carnival in Pinson. Free.
• Breakin’ Bread: More than 40 restaurants will provide the samples, paired with beers and wines, in beautiful Railroad Park. Fund-raiser for various area charities. $50-$100.
• Eat Drink Read Write Festival: The Birmingham Public Library puts on a week of events, many free, including competitions, tasting, a poetry slam and more. [added Jan. 3]
• Friedman Family LJCC Jewish Food Festival: The 13th annual event has traditional foods plus desserts from the bakery. Free. Levite Jewish Community Center.
• Magic Moments Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest: The fund-raiser joined forces in its third year with music festival Cask and Drum. Includes a competition for Best Wings. To date, more than $40,000 has gone to Magic Moments.

November

• Nov. 7-8: The 33rd annual St. Nicholas Russian/Slavic Food Festival is a bustling affair in tiny Brookside, a chance to sample stuffed holupki (cabbage) and halushki (dumplings). Plus, tours of the temple which dates back to 1894. Free. [Previous coverage]
• Fall FestivAle: The 5th annual fund-raiser for Free the Hops offers seasonal, unique and rare beers from within and outside of Alabama. $29-$39. Regions Field. [Previous coverage]
• TASTE: Or Trussville’s Art Show and Tasting Event comes back for a 7th year to the Trussville Civic Center with music, art and of course, food for everyone. $25-$35. [Previous coverage]

December

• HICA Tamale sale: Sadly, the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama skipped the Christmas tamale sale for the first time in 12 years. But executive director Isabel Rubio promises “something even more dynamic for 2015.”

Also

• Trader Joe’s will open its first Alabama location at the Summit in the second half of 2015. (Sorry, no Publix downtown till early 2016.)

Video: Dancing at the St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival

Don’t miss the 2015 Birmingham sports preview!

James Hinchcliffe races in the No. 27 GoDaddy car
at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.

Birmingham isn’t just Barons and other-city football. Take a look at the loaded calendar of sports for 2015, including a February of nonstop track and field, plus marathons, new pro football, three basketball tournaments and the Tide playing home games in Hoover.

Baseball

• Birmingham Barons: The 2015 season begins at home on April 9 at Regions Field with a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears.
• Crimson Tide: The University of Alabama baseball team will have its season opener Feb. 13 at the Hoover Met with 31 home games there. The Tide is spending the season off campus as Sewell-Thomas Stadium has a $35 million renovation.
• SEC Tournament: Speaking of the Met, the conference capper returns May 19-24. Hoover has been the annual home of the tournament since 1998.

Basketball

• AHSAA Tournament: Boys and girls high school teams from 1A to 7A converge Feb. 23-28 at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.
• Birmingham Blitz: The semi-pro team should have games through March, with a new season starting in November.
• Conference USA Tournament: For the first, and probably last, time, Birmingham will play host to the men’s and women’s tournament. (UAB’s Bartow Arena held the 1996 women’s tourney.) The women will play opening rounds at Bartow. The women’s semifinals on and the all the men’s games will be at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena. UAB will likely be dropped from Conference USA in 2015 after the school punted football.
• SIAC Tournament: The men’s and women’s tournament returns March 3-7 to the CrossPlex.

Football

• Alabama Outlawz: The minor league team’s home opener is April 11 at Bill Harris Arena at the CrossPlex.
• Birmingham Bowl: 11 a.m. Saturday. Legion Field. Florida vs. East Carolina. $30-$50. Airing on ESPN.
• Birmingham Freedom: The 14th try’s the charm, as a new pro league with a new local franchise. The teams kick off May 16, schedule TBD.
• Hoover Bucs: The first defending 7A champion will open its season on the road against Oakland in Murfreesboro, Tenn., probably on or near Aug. 21. We mention it because it’ll probably be on ESPN.
• Labor Day Golden Classic: The annual event returns after a 3-year absence, pitting Miles against the University of North Alabama Sept. 6 (the day before Labor Day) at Legion Field.
• Magic City Classic: The nation’s largest black college football game, played since 1924, is on Halloween at Legion Field.

Golf

• Regions Tradition: The Champions Tour returns May 11-17 at Shoal Creek with a $2.2 million purse at stake.

Hockey

• Frozen Tide: The Alabama hockey team is off to a rousing 14-3 start, with home games at the Pelham Civic Complex throughout January, culminating in the SECHC Tournament Feb. 6-8.

Multi-sport

• Bike Link Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon: The 29th annual race takes place June 13 at Oak Mountain State Park.
• USA Triathlon Off-Road National Championship: A triathlon and sprint on May 16 at Oak Mountain State Park. [added Jan. 4]
• Whistle Stop Duathlon: The March 28 event features a sprint and a standard race, starting in Irondale.

Racing

• Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama: Fans will see Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Will Power and two-time defending champ Ryan Hunter-Reay go by real fast. April 24-26 at Barber Motorsports Park.
• Triumph SuperBike Classic: Excitement on two wheels, June 21-22 at Barber Motorsports Park.

Rugby

• Birmingham Vulcans: The first match of the year is Feb. 7 against Jackson at Krebs Field, Ramsay Park.

Running

• Magic City Half Marathon: Benefitting the Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children in the Music Arts. Nov. 22.
• Mercedes Marathon: Got what it takes to run the Boston Marathon? Prove it right here Feb. 20-22.
• Vulcan Run: More than 1,500 runners will stream through downtown Nov. 7 in one of the most popular local 10K races.

Track and Field

• AHSAA Indoor Tournament: High schools compete for state titles Feb. 5-7 at the CrossPlex.
• College Tournaments: No less than five conferences will hold track and field championships over 13 days in February at the CrossPlex. Southland: Feb. 16-17; SWAC: Feb. 21-22; Sun Belt: Feb. 23-24; Conference USA: Feb. 25-26; SIAC: Feb. 27-28.
• NCAA Division II Indoor Championship: The CrossPlex will hold the big event March 13-14; the Division I Championship will be there in 2016.

Volleyball

• AHSAA Tournament: The high school state championship will be Oct. 29-30 at the CrossPlex.

Which events will you see in 2015? Shout it out in the comments.

Don’t miss the 2015 Birmingham food and drink preview!

Actress/writer/director Amber Benson wants you to ask her anything, as long as it’s weird.

With her new book, “The Witches of Echo Park” [Amazon | iTunes aff. links], coming out next week, the Birmingham native (now living in Los Angeles) will field questions as part of Reddit’s Ask Me Anything chat at 2 p.m. Jan. 5. But she’d prefer something beyond the boring standby questions.

Benson said via Tumblr that the Redditor asking the weirdest question wins a custom video from her. You win, she films herself praising you to your secret crush, video goes online, you and your crush live happily ever after.

“The Witches of Echo Park” arrives Jan. 6.

Amber Benson

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @amber_benson | Youtube

“The Witches of Echo Park”

• Website | Q&A in Manhattan Digest

A look at Birmingham in videos …

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

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

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

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Michael Olmert highlight reel. From Lynn Olmert.

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Skateboarding 2014. From Daniel Lawson.

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Windsurfing on Double Oak Lake. From Leilani Carroll.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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

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

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Real Rap Wives Christmas Show. From Channel Birmingham.

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

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ZooLight Safari from the train. From iam8of9.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Christmas morning. From Zach Benson.

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

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

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

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

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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

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.

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“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.

•

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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

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

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Video: “Game Day”

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Video: “Christmas Party Train”

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Video: “Click It or Ticket”

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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.

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Profile of Growing Kings program. From Under Construction.

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“Knock’m Out.” From Smoked Ham.

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

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

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

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

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

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Homewood Star lighting. From Starnes Publishing.

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

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

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

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

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Husky Ranch (@huskyranch)

Husky puppy chillin’ before Christmas. From huskyranch.

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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