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
Features
Alabaster Strong Internship
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
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
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
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
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
Taking Care Of Those Who Take Care Of You
Command Sergeant Major Mary Kyser (ret) Photos by Brit Huckabay and courtesy the Kyser family Retired Command Sergeant Major Mary Kyser grew up in Greenville, Mississippi, graduated from Greenville High School, and promptly joined the Army. Why? “I knew that most military persons were better educated, better paid, and better off than in the civilian sector … Read More
The Story of a Family Farm
Ahna and Cam Frye continue the family tradition of farming in Alabaster at Alleluia Acres Heritage Farm. By Barry Wise Smith Photos by Brit Huckabay Ahna Frye is the sixth generation of her family to live and work on the Alabaster property on County Road 26 purchased by her third great grandfather in 1850. Following … Read More
Alabaster CityFest Returns
Strike Up the Band! Alabaster CityFest returns for its 20th year celebration. After a two-year hiatus, CityFest 2022 roars back for its 20th anniversary on June 4th with live music, hot food, and good clean fun! The highly anticipated musical lineup includes headliner Lauren Alaina and a host of other musicians who will entertain us throughout … Read More
Alabaster City Unlimited: A New Brand
The story of how a city creates a new brand Ellen Hutchings and Howard Pearlstein from o2 Ideas in Birmingham teamed up to create the logo and mantra for Alabaster’s new look, which was unveiled in 2021 as part of the city’s rebranding project. Howard led a Brand Workshop which was a randomly selected group … Read More