Photo courtesy of Samaritan Place.
Serving Avondale Samaritans: Restaurants Support Community Brown Bag Program
Five years ago, Avondale and Canterbury United Methodist churches joined forces to fill three basic needs in the community: food, shelter and social work for the impoverished elderly. The mission became the Avondale Samaritan Place, whose three pillars of service, Avondale Brown Bag, Carpenter’s Hands and Beeson Senior Services, will receive a special “Thank You” in the form of a fundraiser at Avondale Brewery on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Ticketholders will be able to try Avondale Brewery’s selection of craft beer and sample some of the best dishes from Saw’s BBQ, Post Office Pies, Silvertron Café and other favorite community eateries. In addition to ticket sales, all proceeds from a silent auction will support Avondale Samaritan Place.
Avondale Brown Bag is a volunteer-run, once weekly grocery distribution program. Samaritan representatives shop, pack and issue grocery bags with enough food to feed a family of four a balanced diet for three days.
Carpenter’s Hands operates “like a small construction or home repair company,” according to Samaritan Place’s website, serving low-income and senior residents at no cost to the tenants every Monday through Thursday.
Beeson Senior Services “provides professional social work services to the low income elderly who live in the communities surrounding the Samaritan Place.” Social workers aid clients in finding transportation, counseling, medical treatment and financial aid. “The goal of the program is to provide services and support to help our seniors improve their quality of life and maintain their independence as long as possible,” the Samaritan Place website reads.
Avondale Brewing Company is located at 201 41st St. S. The Samaritan Place Thank You Fundraiser will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 at the door. To learn more about Avondale Samaritan Place, visit asamaritanplace.org.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Thursdays at Arlington — Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens. 331 Cotton Ave. SW. Every Thursday this summer, Arlington Home and Gardens opens its dining room to the public for a Southern gourmet luncheon. Menu items vary weekly. A tour of the historic home and gardens is included. Reservations required. Seatings take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. $18. For more information, visit arlingtonantebellumhomeandgardens.com.
Drinks on the Links — Highland Park Golf Course. 3300 Highland Park Ave. SisterGolf throws this happy hour event semimonthly. The event features 90 minutes of golf instruction with Highland Park Golf Course golf pro Max Doster. Clubhouse drink specials follow with networking opportunities for Birmingham area female professionals. Clubs may be provided, or interested parties may bring their own. 5:15–7 p.m. $35. For more information, call (205) 564-2040.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Coney Island Mermaid Fest — Black Market Bar and Grill. 1035 20th St. S. Inspired by Coney Island’s annual Mermaid Parade, Black Market presents a specialty menu of Coney Island-inspired edibles, live surf rock music by Zarinah and the Zaratans, drag performances and a mermaid costume contest. 9 p.m. $5. For more information, call (205) 933-8035.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
Lulu’s Drag Brunch: Sidewalk Edition — Continental Bakery Downtown. 1820 Fourth Ave. N. The stars of Lulu’s Drag Brunch are putting on a special weekend-long performance to coincide with Sidewalk Film Fest. Try Continental’s mimosas with any brunch entrée. Reservations recommended. Saturday seating begins at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.; Sunday, Aug. 30, seating begins at 11:30 a.m. Free. For more information, call (205) 323-4110.
Tailgate Challenge Block Party — The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. 1700 29th Court S. Kicking off the football and tailgate season, The Bell Center presents this ode to the best in tailgate cuisine with a team cooking challenge. Attendees will be able to visit each team’s tent to sample barbecue, hamburgers and other football staples, and celebrity judges will determine the best tasting dishes. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. $15. For more information, visit thebellcenter.org.
Caribbean Festival with a Touch of SOUL — Debardeleben Park. Second Ave. N., Bessemer. MDH Entertainment will host a tribute to Caribbean cuisine, music and culture this weekend in historic downtown Bessemer. A blend of African, European, East Indian, Arab and Chinese culinary traditions, the Caribbean flavor profile is dynamic and distinctive. Sample classic dishes like Caribbean goat stew, plantains with rice and Jamaican jerk chicken. 12–9 p.m. $20. For more information, visit mdhentertainment.com.
Bacon and Brewfest — Tuscaloosa Regional Airport. 7601 Robert Cardinal Airport Rd., Tuscaloosa. The second annual “all-you-care-to-taste” event powered by Townsquare Media and Tuscaloosa’s Greene Beverage Company will host 19 breweries (including Birmingham favorites Cahaba Brewing Company and Ghost Train Brewing) with up to four beers on tap and 14 local food vendors with exclusive bacon-based dishes. 2:30–5 p.m. $35. For more information, visit 93thebear.com.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
ArtBreak — Birmingham Museum of Art. Every Tuesday, the Birmingham Museum of Art invites the public to spend its lunch break with an exclusive tour and arts discussion. This week Education Intern Micah Shea-McKibben will lead a discussion on the exhibit David Puxley: Wedgwood’s First Studio Potter. Following the tour, guests will receive a free dessert with their purchase of a lunch from Oscar’s Café. 12–12:30 p.m. Free. For more information, visit artsbma.org.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Weekly Wine Tasting — Neighborhood Hops and Vine. 1712 28th Ave. S. Neighborhood Hops and Vine will be offering wine tastings every Wednesday at their new location in Homewood. Wine selections are sourced from small-production vineyards and represent brands such as Selbach, Elicio and Sensation. 5:30–7 p.m. Free. For more information, visit neighborhoodhopsandvine.com.
