Good morning, Birmingham.

The annual Dragon Boat Race and Festival will take place Saturday, Aug.

8 at East Lake Park in Birmingham with free family-friendly activities including dragon boat races + a cocktail contest, supporting Mitchell’s Place in its mission for children with autism and developmental delays.

16th Street Baptist Church will hold a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony for its new sensory room on July 14 at 1 p.m. at 1530 Sixth Avenue North.

The room is built to help those with sensory sensitivities (including autism, PTSD and dementia) and was created in partnership with KultureCity.

Three community projects in Norwood, Evergreen and downtown Birmingham have received Cancer PREEMpT mini-grants from UAB’s CARES Center to boost health, safety and food access.

The six-month initiatives will install a digital kiosk, add quick-build safety structures and create a community garden (supporting local wellness).

The Well and Co. will open next weekend on Saturday, July 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1425 Montgomery Highway Suite 119 in Vestavia Hills, offering a space for coffee, home decor, and community gatherings.

Birmingham Restaurant Week partnered with the city to present 'The Magic Ingredient', a photo exhibit by Mary Fehr celebrating local culinary talent.

The exhibit is open weekdays 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at City Hall (710 20th St. North) through Aug. 31 while Restaurant Week kicks off on July 30.

ABC 33/40’s Amazing America 250 series spotlights three local seafood restaurants—Jubilee Joe’s in Hoover, Cajun Seafood House in Vestavia Hills, and Del Mar Marisqueria in Fairfield—which blend classic Cajun recipes with Mexican twists to celebrate Alabama’s diverse food traditions.

Alabama has been chosen to lead a national civics initiative by Flags of Valor that will provide 250,000 students with wooden flag-building kits; Governor Kay Ivey launched the effort during National Summer Learning Week, and afterschool programs will assemble the flags + deliver them to veterans and nursing home residents.

On July 9 at 1 p.m., Birmingham City Schools’ Arts Education Department hosted the free High School Marching Band Camp Showcase at George Washington Carver High School featuring renowned college band director Brian Simmons from Texas Southern University who inspired students from all seven local high schools.

The Alabama Wildlife Center in Pelham has treated 1,000+ injured birds this record year and needs donations, supplies, and service days to care for them until baby bird season ends in October.

The center is calling for volunteers and memberships to help sustain its work.

Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity and Battle Plan Strategic Consulting have announced a six-month Workforce Partner Accelerator program for five local organizations and small businesses.

The program runs from July through December and ends with a Demo Day on Dec. 9 (with cash prizes available) to boost workforce development.

The FDA recalled 10 oz.

Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF blueberries from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. that were shipped to Publix stores in Alabama and 7 other states due to potential E. coli contamination (the product, lot code 60401 with best by Feb. 9, may have caused 12 illnesses).

UAB scientists reported a new Phase 1 immunotherapy doubled the time glioblastoma patients lived without the cancer worsening.

The treatment was well-tolerated when given with standard chemotherapy & shows promise to improve brain tumor care in future trials.

Scott Ivey & The Filthy Frets with Rare Birds

— Time Range — The Nick — Membership card required ($7/year) — Experience country music fused with blue-eyed soul by a seasoned artist.

I Saw Them When Tour

4:00 p.m. — Seasick Records — Free entry — Experience live music in a vibrant Birmingham venue with a great local reputation.

Magic Mondays

6-9 p.m. — Birmingham District Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy a casual night of board games and brews in a friendly atmosphere.

Sammy Obeid Live Comedy Show

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Main Room — Ticket package includes food & beverage credit — Experience the comedic genius of Sammy Obeid, known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row.

Watts Up with Energy

1:30-4:30 p.m. — RealtySouth Training Center — Free admission — Enhance your skills to help clients make informed home buying decisions.

World Deer Expo

3-9 p.m. — BJCC North Exhibition Hall — Entry fee varies — Experience the ultimate sportsman’s paradise at the largest hunting consumer show in the country.

Alabama’s First 205 Day Festival: The Magic City Block Party

2-8 p.m. — Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark — Paid parking — Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly fun at this vibrant festival.

Magic Mondays: Weekly Board Game Night

6-9 p.m. — Birmingham District Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy a variety of board games paired with delicious brews in a welcoming atmosphere.

Captain Kudzu with Knelt

8-11 p.m. — Saturn — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of live music with Captain Kudzu and Knelt at a popular local venue.

T.K. Kirkland Live Comedy Show

Jul 24-25 — Stardome Comedy Club — Tickets start at $90 — Experience an unforgettable night of laughter with the legendary comedian T.K. Kirkland.