Good morning, Birmingham.

I Love Irondale Day 2026 will be held Saturday, July 18 from 4PM to 9PM at Irondale City Hall and will offer free community fun with hands-on tech demos, live music, and STEM activities, with free food for the first 500 guests + a 300-drone show lighting up the sky.

Big Savings Home Goods, a locally owned discount store, has opened at Crestwood Festival Center at 7001 Crestwood Boulevard next to Dollar General — it offers discounted furniture and household items.

The store is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

British brand Boden will open its third US store this fall at The Summit in Birmingham (located at 200 Summit Blvd between Fabletics and Altar’d State) to bring its bright designs to local shoppers.

Red Mountain Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid uses dual projectors and over 400 cues to create an immersive underwater world on stage using innovative projection technology.

The show runs at Red Mountain Theatre through July 19.

The Olive Branch in Cahaba Heights at 3236 Cahaba Heights Rd was named Alabama’s best Greek restaurant by Cheapism, highlighting its popular gyros, kebabs, and fresh salads.

The family-owned restaurant has served classic Mediterranean dishes since 2005 and remains a local favorite.

Niki’s West, located at 233 Finley Avenue West, was named Alabama’s best Southern comfort food by Cheapism (recognizing its home-cooked dishes and cafeteria-style service).

Open since 1957, the restaurant serves fresh plates daily.

Birmingham shoppers can save during tax-free weekend from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19 as eligible items like clothing under $156 and school supplies remain tax-exempt.

Local shops + national outlets will offer savings for back-to-school shopping.

Birmingham’s Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity and Battle Plan Strategic Consulting selected five local organizations and small businesses for the six-month Workforce Partner Accelerator.

The program offers mentorship, grant writing and cash prizes, culminating in a Demo Day on Dec. 9 — designed to boost workforce development and employment.

College students with children face unique financial challenges, and UAB Student Affairs prepares its Little Blazer Wishes program for the winter holiday season via the Holiday in July fundraiser.

Donors are invited now to help families receive essential gifts (UAB).

Birmingham educator and former school board member Willie James Maye Jr., known for his enduring support for students, died July 3 at 88; public visitation is Monday, Jul.

13 (12 to 5 p.m.) at Davenport and Harris Funeral Home, with his funeral set Tuesday at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

UAB is joining a 2.8 million dollar NSF funded initiative to build the nation’s first credit bearing curriculum in research administration.

The program, led by Filling the Gap, will run through 2027 and offer courses and internships to prepare students for future careers.

Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $70,694 grant to the Jefferson County Commission to launch a substance abuse treatment program at the county jail, which will offer medication-assisted treatment, counseling and drug screenings in partnership with the sheriff’s office & SymboCor Correctional Healthcare to help inmates begin recovery.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has awarded a $6,000 grant to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to expand a program that uses wrist or ankle transmitters to help locate wandering individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Families can register loved ones for this service to increase safety.

Birmingham singles are turning to community events (such as speed dating, church groups, and volunteer projects) to form real connections as dating apps take a back seat; the article offers simple tips to start face-to-face conversations and build lasting friendships.

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.

TK Kirkland Comedy Show

Evening — Stardome Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with the well-respected comedian, TK Kirkland.