Alabaster Fast Forward

April 29, 2023By Alabaster Connection

A one-cent sales tax increase will put Alabaster capital projects on the fast track. By Barry Wise Smith On February 27, the Alabaster City Council voted to increase city sales tax by one cent—making sales tax 10 percent in Alabaster—to fund significant capital projects in Alabaster, including a new library, a new community recreation center, … Read More

CityFest 2023

April 29, 2023By Alabaster Connection

Twenty one years of fun-lovin’, foot-stompin’, heat-beatin’ fun.  Alabaster CityFest has been around for a while, but often we see questions from festival-goers about how it all works. We asked the Alabaster Arts Council about some of the most common questions folks have about the event.  How does CityFest stay fresh and continue to be … Read More

The Power of Communication

March 7, 2023By Alabaster Connection

Toastmasters helps build confidence and instill good habits By Lee Hurley Photos by Brit Huckabay Motivational speaker Brain Tracy said, “Communication is like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” Nowhere is that more obvious than in a … Read More

2023 Super Seniors

March 7, 2023By Alabaster Connection

These 11 Thompson High School seniors are ready to rule the world! By Barry Wise Smith Photos by Brit Huckabay Kendall Channell When did you start playing softball, and what have you learned playing softball that you will use in the future? I started playing softball at seven years old. I’ve learned how to be … Read More

The Alabaster Police Department’s Well-Deserved New Home

January 8, 2023By Alabaster Connection

By Barry Wise Smith Photos by Brit Huckabay Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney can barely contain his excitement as he guides a tour of the new $16-million state-of-the-art police headquarters under constructions at the entrance of the municipal complex in Alabaster. As he walks—hardhat securely in place—he points out various spaces and amenities he’s dreamed … Read More

Alabaster Strong Internship

November 3, 2022By Alabaster Connection

An innovative new Internship program between Thompson High School and the city government of Alabaster takes flight. The city of Alabaster is finishing up year one of an innovative internship program called Alabaster Strong, where the city paired two Thomson High School students for paid internships with the Fire Department and Environmental Services. To kick … Read More

Home for the Holidays

November 3, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Celebrate the joy and beauty of the holidays in Alabaster! Tour of Lights For the sixth year, Alabaster residents will light up the night (and their homes) as part of the 2022 Alabaster Tour of Lights, sponsored by the Beautification Board. The tour features 15 to 25 homes with elaborate decoration displays for the holidays. Residents who … Read More

Alabaster’s Economic Development

September 4, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Video Visions Media Marketing (VVMM) Video Visions Media Marketing is a full-service production company producing content for web applications, television, direct marketing, and a host of other uses. The affable company owner and CEO Phillip Pritchard is a busy man. Perhaps best known for producing all of Thompson High School’s football games for the NFHS … Read More

Jubilee: Fall Family Fun

September 4, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Alabaster Jubilee #2 promises to be another great community celebration this October.   By Barry Smith and Brent Thompson Photography by Brit Huckabay, and courtesy Michael Weidenbach Excitement is mounting for Alabaster Jubilee #2, coming this October 22 to the green space by the historic old Siluria water tower next to Alabaster City Hall.  Jubilee # … Read More

Back To School: Football Edition

September 4, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Jerry Young, Mayor Brakefield and our Cheerleaders help celebrate the past, present and future of THS football. By Loyd McIntosh and Barry Wise Smith Photography by Brit Huckabay, Brittani Grady and courtesy Mayor Scott Brakefield Catching Up With Jerry Young, Voice of the Warrior Nation Network By Loyd McIntosh The 2022 edition of the Thompson … Read More