Author: Sharron Swain

Holiday depression in Birmingham is a real danger. Here’s what you can do.

Gravestone angel praying in a piece on holiday depression in Birmingham. And, a Blue Christmas service.
“Gravestone Angel,” by Transport Pixels, cropped. CC BY-SA 2.0. 

When life gets hard this time of year, holiday depression is a real danger, particularly in Alabama. If you or someone you love is grieving, addicted, hungry, lonely, or in crisis, the holidays can be downright dismal. The good news is that Birmingham is a big-hearted city, and we have a number of great resources here to help you find your way through the darkness, including two “Blue Christmas” services. 

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Bonfire fare: Birmingham foodies’ recipes for a festive Fall

Kathy d'Agostino of Chocolatá hard at work. She offered a marshmallow recipe for our feature on bonfire fare to make your Fall more festive.
Kathy d’Agostino hard at work in her 2nd Avenue North shop, Chocolatá. Photo by Sharron Swain for Bham Now.

Now that the leaves have changed and the evenings are chilly, it’s time for Fall bonfires. I reached out to four of Birmingham’s many foodies to ask them for recipes for bonfire fare that’ll make your Fall more festive.

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Four Potters of Birmingham’s Roebuck Springs

Leslie Martin Smith, teacher of the Roebuck Springs potters, displays works in progress in her studio.
Works in progress in potter, concrete artist, and teacher Leslie Martin Smith’s Roebuck Springs studio. Photo by Sharron Swain for Bham Now.

Recently, I visited with four Roebuck Springs potters to talk about their work, the neighborhood, and upcoming shows where people can find them before the holidays. Their names are Jessica Sparks, Nichole Lariscy Moore, Shelleigh Buckingham, and Leslie Martin Smith, of Mud Mama Designs, who also teaches pottery. 

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3 Ways You Can Make a Difference in Birmingham This Thanksgiving

Unfortunately, empty shelves are an all-too common sight at area food pantries. The good news is that you can make a difference. Photo by Greater Birmingham Ministries.

Hunger and need never take a holiday. Our efforts to offer a hand up – whether through food, monetary resources, transportation, housing, a hot meal – are always needed.

Rev. Melissa Self Patrick, East Lake United Methodist Church + Woodlawn United Methodist Church

If you’re wanting to make a difference in someone else’s life this Thanksgiving, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to do so right here in Birmingham. You can help stock area food pantries, be part of a Friendsgiving, or move your body at a Turkey Trot. 

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Standing with Pittsburgh: A Prayer Gathering for Shalom in Birmingham

The crowd began to gather at dusk in front of Temple Beth-El.
Photo by Lauren Bedford for Bham Now.

On a balmy late October evening, a huge crowd gathered at dusk near Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El. They came together in a show of solidarity, love, and resolve. This was in the wake of this past Saturday morning’s murder of 11 Jewish worshippers in Pittsburgh.

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10 Jewish Influencers in Birmingham, including one who (sometimes) dresses like a unicorn

Sara Metzger sometimes dresses like a unicorn.  Photo by Susan Shane-Linder

The Jewish community has played an important role in shaping Birmingham. Because I grew up here with a Jewish Dad and a Christian Mom, I’ve always loved hearing these stories about Jewish influencers.

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