22 THURS
Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year which means it is all uphill from here, literally. Join other fellow nature enthusiast at Ruffner Mountain Nature Reserve for the winter solstice hike to Hawk’s View Overlook as twilight approaches. There will be refreshments provided upon completion and the cost is only $15 for nonmembers. The hike is about 3 miles and reservations are required to participate. The hike starts at 4pm.
23 FRI
Tonight is the 9th annual Just a Few Cats Reunion Concert with original front-man and American Idol baller, Ruben Studdard. This concert sells out every year so make sure and get your tickets as soon as possible. The show starts at 9:30 and will be at WorkPlay. If you would like to get there early the bar opens at 4 o’clock. Tickets are $30 but as aforementioned if you waited too late to get this one you might be SOL, if ya know what I mean.
24 STAR
Don’t forget the reason for the season! I have here listed the services for Cathedral Church of the Advent but whatever your denomination I am sure there will be a service available for you at your place of worship. Happy Holidays! Christmas Eve Services at 3:30 p.m. (children’s service, with the Blessing of the Crêche), 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. (Festival services with the Cathedral Choir and the Ambassador Brass Quintet), with the music of Christmas beginning at 10: 25 p.m. Christmas Day Service at 10:00 a.m. (Holy Communion)
25 SUN
Here are some restaurants open on Christmas: Al’s in Southside; Max’s Delicatessen in the Colonnade; Clubhouse at Ross Bridge; Waffle House; and A’ la A Christmas Story, I’m pretty sure most places with Asian cuisine will also be open.
26 MON
Monday, December 26th or Tuesday, December 27th . ZooLight Safari is currently running at the Birmingham Zoo until Dec. 31st so make sure and check this out. You can
take a train ride to see the more than a half million lights on display or just walk around and enjoy it! Lots to do other than just lights however, there is a hayride, Children’s Zoo barn, a carousel and even Santa will also be available until the 23rd. Tickets are only $8 but the real deal is the $10 wristband which will allow you to have the full experience.
SATURDAY
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Party Hopping. If you’re like me then you don’t usually stay in one place on New Year’s Eve which means “party hopping”. With this in mind I found a couple things to do. So first up comedy shows are always a good way to start a night and Tim Wilson is performing at the Stardome tonight. Tim is a true Southern comedian and is a song writer as well and is well known for his satire “Garth Brooks Has Ruined My Life” which was on his debut album. Now there are three shows a 6:30, 8:45 and the 11:00PM show. Tickets are only $25 but if you use the word “Wilson” as the promo code you will get $5 off. So this option gives you some flexibility with your New Year’s Eve schedule.
Stardome can be reached at 205-444-0008.
AND/OR. I am also well aware that Auburn will be making an appearance in the Chik-fil-a bowl at 6:30. So if you must catch the game and want something different than your couch or usual dive bar, head over to Old Car Heaven. Their entire collection of over 100 antique cars will be on site with entertainment by Total A$$et$ as well as catering by Imperial Catering. Tickets will include dinner, concert and a midnight champagne toast. Join us for our New Years Eve celebration with entertainment by Total A$$Et$ and catering by Sela Bischoff of Imperial Catering! Ticket price includes the concert, meal, midnight champagne toast and access to our entire collection of over 100 antique automobiles. Supper starts at 8 and the concert will go from 9pm to 1am. If you have any questions please call 205-326-8902
AND/OR. For the third year in a row The Loft District will have a party bus running between five bars. Rouge Tavern, The Wine Loft, Metro Bar, Steel and Pale Eddie’s Pour House. Also, The Sheraton Downtown will be offering a special $79 rate for party goers. The shuttle costs only $20 and includes cover to all the bars. This is a great way to make sure you have fun, stay safe and have no court dates in the upcoming months.
AND/OR. New Year’s Eve is actually the second most popular night for restaurants behind Valentine’s Day. So I picked a restaurant I like, Satterfield’s. Here is there special New Year’s Eve menu.
FIRST COURSE Soup Haller’s Gumbo Braised Chicken Legs, Andouille Sausage, and Smoked Ham Hocks Heron Hollow Farms Baby Lettuces Sous Vide Snow’s Bend Beets, Apple, Toasted Pecans, Stone Hollow Goat Cheese, Preserved Petal’s From The Past Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette “Redneck Rockefeller” Baked Apalachicola Oysters, House Made Pimento Cheese, Collard Greens, Crispy Bacon, and Dusted Shallots Crispy Fried Veal Sweetbreads Red Beans and Bay Leaf Scented Basmati Rice, and Andouille Sausage Slow Coddled Owl’s Hollow Farm Egg Braised Forest Mushrooms, Snow’s Bend Cauliflower Debris, Grano Padano, and Herbs Foie Gras and Stone Fruit Stuffed Mississippi Quail Braised Asian Mustard Greens, Johnny Cake, and Bacon Fat Brown Butter Vinaigrette
SECOND COURSE Pan Sautéed Gulf Black Grouper Creamy Mascarpone Polenta, Haricots Verts, and Sauce Grenobloise Maine Lobster Bouillabaisse Bay Scallops, Gulf Fish, Snow’s Bend Fennel, Tarragon Fingerling Potatoes, Rich Shrimp Stock, and Saffron Rouille Crouton.
House Smoked Sonoma County Duck Breast. Parsnip-Celery Root Purée, Baby Purple Top Turnips, Apricot Mostarda, and Sauce Madeira Duo of Duroc Pork Red Wine Braised Shank with Makers Mark Sweet Potato Mashers, and Bourbon Gastrique & Herb Marinated Grilled Tenderloin with Gingered Apples, and Walnut Pesto Prosciutto Wrapped Gulf Yellow Fin Tuna.
Braised Cannellini Beans, Snow’s Bend Winter Vegetables, and Sicilian Olives Hickory Grilled Hereford Prime Beef Filet Creamed Blue Cheese Yukon Gold Mashers, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Foie Gras Compound Butter, and Balsamic Veal Jus
THIRD COURSE Citrus Terrine Spiced Cranberry Reduction, and Pomegranate Marmalade Profiteroles Black and White Crème Brûlée with Fresh Fruit and Cookie Layered Double Chocolate Devil’s Cake Chocolate Custard, Pistachio Sabayon, and Mini Chocolate Bombs Beignets with Sautéed Apples and House Made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Substitutions are Politely Declined $80 per person Excluding Tax and Gratuity
Hope everyone stays safe tonight and has a great time and here’s to 2012 being even better than 2011! Happy New Years!!!
