Author: Jon Eastwood

Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. Former county recycling manager in the UK. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours.

Young stars of Matilda the Musical, Ramsey Whitney and Emma Sonnichsen, discuss preparations for the show’s opening on July 12 and show us around ‘Matilda Bootcamp’

Save $7 now with Matilda7 code (price level 1 or 2 tickets)

Ramsey Whitney and Emma Sonnichsen discussing Red Mountain Theatre Company's Matilda The Musical
Ramsey Whitney and Emma Sonnichsen are sharing the role of Matilda in Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Matilda The Musical (Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now)

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Ramsey Whitney and Emma Sonnichsen will star in Red Mountain Theatre Company’s latest show Matilda The Musical, sharing the role of the  extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. 

The talented pair gave us a behind the scenes look at Matilda bootcamp which provides the opportunity for the young cast to prepare for the upcoming show.

Get tickets now (use discount code Matilda7 to save $7 on price level 1 or 2)

Continue reading “Young stars of Matilda the Musical, Ramsey Whitney and Emma Sonnichsen, discuss preparations for the show’s opening on July 12 and show us around ‘Matilda Bootcamp’”

Local eats delivered. The TakeOut Bham is Birmingham’s locally owned food delivery service. Save $3 off delivery with code: LOCALISBETTER

A burger from SoHo Burger which can be ordered wth The TakeOut Bham
Order a burger from SoHo Burger via The TakeOut Bham (Photo by Lauren Bedford for Bham Now)

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Don’t feel like cooking? Your turn to book lunch for the work crew? No time to prep before the big game? We feel ya! Find out more about how The TakeOut Bham has been making ordering from independent restaurants in Birmingham easy – since 2010. 

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Rowing on Lake Purdy- how you can learn to row, keep fit and meet new friends

Rowing requires great posture and even greater concentration (Photo via LPRA)

Did you know that you can row in the greater Birmingham area?  The ultimate team sport-demanding the complete focus and effort of every team member – is a favorite hobby of mine. I sought out a rowing group when I moved to Birmingham from Wales last year.  Fortunately I found one! Find out what it’s about and how you can get rowing too.

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8 things you need to know about living on Smith Lake, including where to find a Sunrise Margarita

Paddle boarding on Smith Lake. Rentals at Smith Lake Paddle Boards.
Smith Lake Paddle Boards offer a unique way of getting across the Smith Lake. Photo via Smith Lake Paddleboards on Facebook

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You’ve probably been to a friend’s weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham.  Have you thought about getting your own place? Never fear. Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what it’s really like.  Find out where the locals eat, shop and hangout. Check out local properties for sale.

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Ever heard the myth of a 300ft wide underground river beneath Birmingham? One that flows through a 150ft high, 15 mile tunnel. Find out more

Joseph Mulhatton described a wide river in a giant underground cavern beneath Birmingham. Photo of a cavern in Wales for illustration (photo by Jon Eastwood)

Sometimes a great story is worth sharing! I recently found out about an infamous hoaxer of the 19th century who convinced journalists all over the country of his unbelievable discoveries of scientific and historical significance; including a mysterious underground river underneath Birmingham. Find out more about Joseph Mulhatton’s legendary ‘discovery’.

Continue reading “Ever heard the myth of a 300ft wide underground river beneath Birmingham? One that flows through a 150ft high, 15 mile tunnel. Find out more”

Popular Birmingham director Michael Flowers brings Roald Dahl’s beloved Matilda the Musical to life, opening on July 12. Save $7 now with Matilda7 code

Michal Flowers, Director of Matilda the Musical
Birmingham’s Michael Flowers, Director of Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Matilda the Musical (Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now)

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Birmingham based theatrical teacher, performer, and director, Michael Flowers, discusses the upcoming Red Mountain Theatre Company production of Matilda the Musical, a feel-good family musical about an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers.

Get tickets now (use discount code Matilda7 to save $7 on price level 1 and 2 tickets)

Continue reading “Popular Birmingham director Michael Flowers brings Roald Dahl’s beloved Matilda the Musical to life, opening on July 12. Save $7 now with Matilda7 code”

Here’s your update on Stadium Trace Village in Hoover. Culver’s Restaurant opens. Big Whiskey and others coming soon

Culver's Restaurant at Stadium Trace Village, Hoover, AL.
Culver’s Restaurant at Stadium Trace Village (Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now)

Hoover’s Stadium Trace Parkway continues to add more businesses. This week saw the grand opening of Culver’s, a Wisconsin based family-favorite restaurant chain, opposite the recently opened ALDI grocery store. More businesses are on the way as Stadium Trace Village takes shape.  Find out what one local resident had to say.

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A little taste of home as I try out Little London Kitchen’s British street food on their red double decker bus, ‘The Duchess’. PHOTOS!

I try out Little London Kitchen (Photo by Bea Morrissette while Jon tried the amazing British food)

As a Brit living in Birmingham, I was tremendously happy to discover a new food trailer in town that serves traditional British comfort foods. I was even more excited to find out Little London Kitchen invites hungry patrons to eat on their 1968 British double-decker red bus! I couldn’t wait to try it out – here’s what I found.

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What you need to know about Birmingham Lights, Railroad Park, Innovate Birmingham and other seismic local projects

Railroad Park. Birmingham, AL.
Railroad Park in Birmingham, AL (Photo via Railroad Park)

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You’ve seen the stunning multi-colored light tunnel connecting the northside of Birmingham with the southside.  You’ve enjoyed throwing frisbees at Railroad Park. You’ve attended a leading edge tech talk by Innovate Birmingham.  But, do you know how they projects came to life? Bham Now had a look behind the scenes. Here’s what we learned and how you can get involved.

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Your ultimate guide to the Fourth of July Alabama Bicentennial Fireworks Show at Vulcan Park and Museum. Watch parties, tips and photo contest!

July 4 Fireworks at Vulcan Park and Museum. Birmingham, Alabama. July 4, 2019 is set for the biggest fireworks display EVER held at Vulcan Park and Museum
July 4, 2019 is set for the biggest fireworks display EVER held at Vulcan Park and Museum. Photo by Rachel Callahan, courtesy of Vulcan Park and Museum

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Vulcan Park and Museum, known for the largest and most extravagant Independence Day celebrations in the state, are planning the biggest one yet for July 4th, 2019!  Get ready to be thrilled by a choreographed display of 2,500 fireworks in honor of Alabama’s bicentennial and our nation’s birthday. We’ve pulled together a list of the  best viewing spots in Birmingham, parties and tips for making the most of the extravaganza.

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Birmingham’s own EBSCO Industries honored by Computerworld’s 2019 list of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT

EBSCO Industries. Alabama's only company on Computerworlds 100 Best Places to Work in IT 2019
EBSCO Industries has been announced as one of the ‘100 Best Places to Work in IT’ (Photo by Matthew Niblett for Bham Now)

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EBSCO Industries, headquartered in Birmingham, has been honored with national recognition by its inclusion on Computerworld magazine’s prestigious annual list of ‘100 Best Places to Work in IT’. The only company in Alabama to be included on the list. Find out more about what makes EBSCO a top place to work and why it is a hit with tech professionals.

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Here it is! A guide to the best beers for the summer brewed in Birmingham

Montage of all of the best picks for summer beers brewed in Birmingham, AL. 2019.
The breweries of Birmingham highlight their summer thirst quenchers (Photos by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now).

It’s not like we need an excuse to visit a brewery at Bham Now, y’all. We’ve put a list together of the best beers for the summer produced in Birmingham. Enjoy them at the brewery pubs or at home over grilling season.

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Jennifer Dempsey shares her personal story of juggling a career at Hibbett Sports with completing an EMBA

Jennifer Dempsey of Hibbett Sports, a graduate of The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Program. Photo by Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

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Do you dream about getting a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) but worry about your job getting in the way? Jennifer Dempsey gave us the inside scoop on how she juggled both a successful career and completed the Executive MBA program offered by Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama. Find out more.

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‘Largest distillery in the history of Alabama’ now open for tours and tastings. A sneak peek in Birmingham’s Dread River Distilling Company. PHOTOS

Dread River Distilling Company is set to produce a full complement of spirits, wine, and beer in Birmingham. Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now.

A new craft distillery opened its doors in Birmingham this week for tours before a full opening later this summer. Bham Now was there and here’s what we saw and tasted.  The Dread River Distilling Company will manufacture a full complement of drinks at it’s 24,000 sq foot distilling facility on 7th Avenue South. Bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, rum,and gin will all be distilled in-house, as well as small batches of wine and beer.

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‘Largest screen in the south’ at Premiere Lux Cinema on Lakeshore Parkway. Opening this summer.

The Premiere Lux Cine’ featuring Giant Screen Experience off Lakeshore Parkway is planned to open late summer, 2019. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.

A new luxury movie theater is getting closer to rolling out the red carpet for moviegoers in Birmingham. Construction is nearing completion at the Premiere Lux Cinema (off Lakeshore Parkway) with doors set to open at the end of summer. Bham Now got all the deets for you.

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