Climb High

Climb every mountain, or just our city’s Red Mountain, by gearing up for the 2008 Vulcan Run 10K or 1 Mile Fun Run. The race begins at the Boutwell Auditorium, winds through downtown and up towards Vulcan. Call 879.5344 or visit vulcanrun.com for more details.

Rock Out

Celebrate the arts amidst the beauty of The Preserve at the Moss Rock Festival in Hoover. Click mossrockfestival.com for information about the artists and surrounding events.

Community Garage Sale

From 7-4 at 766 Heflin Avenue East in Forestdale, this sale goes to raise money for “It Takes A Village” – a community outreach commited to opening doors for low income and at risk through education, economics, caring, and sharing resources. For more information, call 249.5501 or email srayford@acninc.net.

 

Jessie Daniel Ames

Today is the birthday of Jessie Daniel Ames. In 1916, she organized a local women’s suffrage organization in Texas and helped it to become the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment. In 1919, she became the founding president of the Texas League of Women Voters. She was also one of the first Southern white women to work against lynching, and founded the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, which received over 40,000 signatures from women in a pledge against the violent act. 

Marie Antoinette

Today is Marie Antoinette’s 253rd birthday, so watch Sofia Coppola’s film based on her life and eat…what else...cake!

Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House and Anniversary Party at Hot House Design Studio (in Lakeview) today from 5-9 pm. Swing by to see beautiful floral displays and new holiday merchandise, as well as some fab decorating ideas by the Hot House talented team! More info, click here.

You Don't Say

National cliché day. Pepper your phraseology with every tired expression you know.

Vote!

Exercise your right to vote! See you at the polls!

Get up in your Grill

Have fun and be creative with the Raclette Party Experience at Birmingham Bake and Cook for a cooking class/demonstration in Swissmar Raclette Party Grillls and Fondue Pots from 5-7 pm. Call 980.3661 to reserve a spot.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Today is the birthday of Ella Wheeler Wilcox, born in 1850. A poet, she penned the immortal words, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone.” She also wrote that “Love lights more fires than hate extinguishes.” 

Ida M. Tarbell

Ida M. Tarbell was born on this day in 1857. A pioneer in the field of investigative journalism, she wrote a scathing exposé about John D. Rockefeller and his business practices, which instigated the formation anti-trust acts that led to the end of Standard Oil. Later in life, she wrote many books about the role of women in the early 1900s, including The Business of Being a Woman and The Ways of Woman. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls in 2000.

So Pink

The Lilly Pulitzer shop, So Pink, joins downtown Homewood stores today for the Holiday Open House event by hosting “Pink, Green & Greek.” During the daylong event, Lilly Pulitzer shoppers will receive a Greek-letter jersey upon spending $100 in So Pink.

Get Down to Earth

Get down to earth with an Environmental Film Festival, showing at the McWane Science Center and hosted by The Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Environmental Council. Call 322.6395 for more information or see alabamarivers.org.

Julia Agrippina

Today is the birthday of Julia Agrippina (Agrippina Minor), born c. 15-19AD. The great-granddaughter of Emperor Augustus, wife (and niece) of Emperor Claudius, and mother of Emperor Nero, Agrippina was regarded critically by ancient historians because she overstepped the conservative female ideals of the time. She was considered ruthless and domineering for her influential role in Roman politics. 

Saturday Gourmet on Friday!

Today marks the first day that a new catering company’s cafe, Saturday Gourmet, will be open for business for both lunch and dinner in its Mt. Laurel location. (For those busy bees, dinner-to-go will also be available).

Marie Curie

Today is the 141st birthday of Marie Curie, who, among other achievements, came up with the theory of radioactivity as well as discovering and naming the element “polonium,” and being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. 

Gunn it

Join the co-host of Project Runway, Tim Gunn, and Liz Clairborne Chief Creative Officer for a fabulous fashion show full of easy and exclusive holiday tips. Belk at Riverchase Galleria. 1 -3 pm. For reservations, call 877.235.5073 .  

Holiday Open House

Come out to Homewood and kick Holiday shopping off with a bang at the Holiday Open House. Store open late for complimentary appetizers, warm beverages and live music among other festivities. Click here for more event details and to see a list of participating retailers.

Bonnie Raitt

“I would rather feel things in extreme than not at all.” Bonnie Raitt, legendary musician, activist and feminist, turns 59 today. 

It's Ruff Outside

Frolic in the fall foliage during the Ruffner Mountain Fall Colors Hike at 2pm. Cost is $7. Call 833.8264 for more information.

Runnin Runnin

Participate in World Run Day and donate money to a cause of your choice. runday.com.

Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams was born on this day in 1744. Unlike the previous First Lady (Martha Washington), Abigail took an active role in politics and policy—some opponents referred to her as “Mrs. President.” (Don’t we wish.) 

Wine Down

Unwined for a Wine Dinner at Silvertron Café in Forest Park. Class size is limited, so call 591.3707 to reserve your seat. 

Don Ye Now your Holiday Tree Skirt

Join skirt! magazine at Renassaince Consignment Boutique for some shopping and sipping on Thursday, November 13th, starting at 5:30 pm. Then vamos next door to Cantina Tortilla Grill for the tree skirt contest, light hors d'oeuvres and Prickly Pear Margaritas! Seasonal color demonstration by Kiki Tutterud. Clothing donations accepted, with proceeds going to Renassaince’s charity of choice!

Red Carpet

Join the Lancome Team at Belk Riverchase Galleria for the 2008 Red Carpet Artistry Event. 10 am – 5 pm for makeup consultation, a silent auction, and refreshments. Proceeds go to the American Heart Association. Call 205.987.4200 x 268 for more information.

Rose-merry

Stroll and sip with Cocktails in the Gardens’ “Lemon Rosemary Bash” at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens today, starting at 5pm. See bbgardens.org for details.

Veranda

Thursday, 11/13- Tory McPhail, Executive Chef of Commander's Palace New Orleans, will host a wine dinner to promote his new cookbook "Commander's Wild Side". The dinner will feature dishes prepared from the book, as well as wine pairing by Bouchaine Vineyards. The cost is $150/couple, which includes dinner and a signed copy of the cookbook.

Belk Charity Sale

Belk’s Charity Sale provides a chance for customers to support worthwhile charities and take advantage of special discounts on purchases made during the event. In return for a $5 donation, customers receive a ticket admitting them from 6 to 10 a.m. and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent on purchases throughout the store (excluding cosmetics and fragrances). For more information, call 328.9334.

Table Matters Signing

Good Earth Pottery Signing Event at Table Matters from 9:30 am - 5 pm.

Healing Rains

Intro to Reflexology  One Day Workshop from 1pm-6:30pm at the Children's Dance Foundation in Homewood. Cost is $80. Contact Jessica Higgins at 917.683.7096 or jessica@rainsinc.com to register.

Amos

It’s famous Amos (Lee) at WorkPlay tonight, preceded by Priscialla Ahn. Tickets are $22 dollars in advance; $25 at the door and are available through workplay.com or ticketmaster.com.

Wear your (Holiday) Skirt to WorkPlay

Wear your Holiday Skirt to WorkPlay and celebrate skirt!’s November “Delicious Issue” on November 18, starting at 5:30 pm. Bring a plateful of goodies with copies of the recipe to share! $5 skirtinis for skirt wearers. Performance by the Alabama Ballet. (500 23rd Street South).

Docs After Dark

Satiate your hunger for knowledge with Documentaries After Dark at Emmet O’Neal Library on food production in America from 6:30-8:30pm. Call 879.0459 for more details.

Jodie Foster

“Normal is not something to aspire to; it's something to get away from.” Jodie Foster was born on this day in 1962.

The Market

Shop The Market and support The Junior League of Birmingham and our community.  Come to the North Exhibition Hall of the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center for the three day shopping extravaganza. Visit jlbonline.com for more info.

Light it Up

Bring the whole family to watch The Summit light up with more than a million bulbs at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 21.

Dance!

Raquy and the Cavemen, a Middle Eastern drumming experience out of Brooklyn, NY, comes to Birmingham! Devyani (belly dancing) will perform several numbers alongside the group at Matthew’s Bar and Grill, 2208 Morris Ave at 8:30PM. Tickets may be purchased at www.devyani.net for $15.

Meet Me!

Meet at the Alabama Theatre for a showing of the classic film “Meet me in St. Louis” beginning at 2 pm.

Yoga

Ommmm… Strengthen your mind and muscles with a $5 yoga class at A Balanced You, and start to unwind for the holidays. See indiasclassinformation.blogspot.com/ for class information.

Get on the Train

Stay in your jammies and go for a showing of the “Polar Express” at Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. See HODRRM.org for additional details.

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott was born on this day in 1832. Besides being known for her classic novels, such as Little Women, Alcott was also an abolitionist and feminist. She was an admirer of the Declaration of Sentiments published by the women of the Seneca Falls Convention, and was the first woman to register to vote in Concord, Massachusetts (in an 1872 school board election). 

Winter Wondrettes

Have a winter wonderful good time at the Terrific New Theatre in Pepper Place, and catch a performance of the “Winter Wonderettes” this month, any night at 8pm. For ticket information, see terrificnewtheatre.com.

Tree Talk

Timber! Make the short hike to Tarrant for Pine Hill Farm’s holiday tree selection. Open from 9am-8pm Monday through Friday, and 8am-8pm each Saturday and Sunday beginning on Thanksgiving. Call 841.6766 or see pinehillfarms.com for more information.

Photo Op

Catch a glimpse of Marion Post Wolcott’s “Photographing the South” exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art. For more information, see artsbma.org.

Kitschmas

Stock up on gift-able art and ornaments by 60 artists at the Naked Art Gallery’s Kitschmas. nakedartusa.com.

Auditions

Calling all actors and actresses! The Children’s Dance Foudation is seeking actors for an upcoming performance of "Zink: the Myth, the Legend, the Zebra."Auditions open to folks,  ages 8 and up. Please call 870-0073 to schedule an audition time at Children's Dance Foundation. www.childrensdancefoundation.org.

Christmas Belles

South City Theatre presents Christmas Belles, December 5 – 21st. Opening night is Friday, December 5th. The play runs for three weekends; Thursday – Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling South City Theatre at 621-2128 or reserve your tickets online at www.southcitytheatre.com.

Give a Kid A Smile

4th Annual Miles for Smiles 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run, starting at Crestline Elementary School. The 5K begins at 8:30 am & the 1 mile at 9:30 am. Come run and be a part of getting dental services to kids in the Birmingham area without insurance. For more information, please contact Jordin Barkley at jordin@uab.edu or (205) 601-92611

Trail o Toys

Bring your toy donation to 29 Dreams today in support of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club’s effort to collect toys for homeless children this holiday season. Read more here.

Skirt!-ing all the way

Join up with the “skirt!-ing all the way” team for this years’ Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Click here for more information and to sign up!