Shaun Capps has built a life of faith, family, and advocacy In a profession often portrayed by billboards and TV ads, attorney Shaun Capps brings something different to the table—a blend of toughness and compassion, legal rigor and pastoral instinct, national-level expertise and small-town loyalty. Capp’s life seems to be unfolding in two dimensions: one … Read More
David M. Frings: from mayor of Alabaster to wildlife photographer and world traveler By Katharine Armbrester Photos by David Frings In August 2025, the exhibition “Feathered Focused: Wild Birds Through the Lens of David M. Frings” opened at the Gadsden Museum of Art. With his camera, Frings captured striking images of stately plumed egrets, tropicbirds … Read More
For the Care and Keep of Your Home Library By Kim Roberts As the new year dawns, many of us feel that familiar urge to start fresh—reorganizing closets, refreshing our spaces, and setting new intentions. But amid all the decluttering and deep cleaning, one corner of the home often gets overlooked: the home library. Whether … Read More
By Dr. Brandon McKim February is just around the corner, and some of you may already be dreaming of special Valentine’s dinner dates, stuffed teddy bears, chocolates, and flowers. But, while you are worried about your Valentine’s Day breath, let us not forget about our pet’s breath. That’s right! February belongs to veterinary dental health … Read More
Easterseals Birmingham Strengthens Support for Alabaster Families Through Therapy, Advocacy and Community Partnerships Story and photos by Sarah Owens For more than seven decades, Easterseals of the Birmingham Area has been a quiet but vital force in Central Alabama, helping children and adults with disabilities build independence and confidence. Its services stretch from pediatric rehabilitation … Read More
How to Fail in 2026 (A Practical Guide for Anyone Who Wants a Terrible Year) By Brandon Matthews If your goal is to stumble through 2026, burn out early, and frustrate everyone around you, good news. I have a practical guide for a terrible year. Follow these three proven steps to experience your worst year … Read More
We sat down with the City Council to discuss priorities, the new term, and what’s in store for Alabaster in the new year. By Barry Wise Smith Photos by Neal Wagner Alabaster Connection: This question is for the two new Council members, Jamia and Mike. Sometimes coming in as the new person onto an existing … Read More
Arthur Teele takes over as Alabaster’s Director of Courts By Barry Wise Smith In May 2025, Arthur Teele left a long court career in the city of Birmingham to take over as Alabaster’s new Director of Courts and Court Clerk. “I couldn’t ask for a better team,” Teele says. And while Alabaster is smaller than … Read More
Alabaster Fire Department Battalion Chief Nathan Smitherman is named as the city’s new fire chief. The Alabaster Fire Department (AFD) will ring in the new year with a new fire chief. On January 1, Nathan Smitherman will take over as the new chief of the Alabaster Fire Department. Smitherman has been in the fire service … Read More
This longtime community volunteer is creating a legacy of hope. By June Mathews Charlotte Ann Dawson could write a book about organizing a successful event on a shoestring. When she cobbled together the first Charlotte Ann Dawson’s Fun Walk and Run in 2024, she handed out some flyers, invited anybody she could think of who … Read More
