Column Articles

Inside the Statehouse | Dec. 12, 2024

The Bright Star — an Alabama institution OPINION — By far the most legendary restaurant in Alabama is The Bright Star in Bessemer. The famous establishment is iconic not only for its fabulous food but also for its hospitality.It is a Landmark of Alabama history. The...

Sean of the South | Dec. 12, 2024

Santa OPINION — I almost didn’t write this because I swore I’d never tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. But I have to.A few weeks ago I received a letter postmarked from Nunavut, Canada. An invitation said that I had been selected along with a few other writers...

Southern Hospitality | Around the table with The Observer

Staff, writers, photographers offer favorite holiday recipes BY ANN CIPPERLYFOR THE OBSERVER As Christmas approaches, Observer columnists are finishing up their holiday articles, and photographers are working on one more special shot as the full time staff looks over...

Making the Grade | Dec. 12, 2024

Sam's Southern Eatery OPINION — Have you noticed that as you get older, your tolerance for certain foods changes? For example, when I was a teenager, I could eat pizza at midnight, not even burp and then sleep like a baby.However, 20 years ago, my ability to eat spicy...
Pulling back the curtain, part 1

Pulling back the curtain, part 1

OPINION —We’ve seen some amazing things in Daniel: a king who becomes animal-like and then later has his humanity restored, three young men are...

read more
Serving Others

Serving Others

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION —Two words – serving others – reveal the secret to a great life.Jesus of Nazareth showed us how to serve when he humbly...

read more
More letters to Dear Sean

More letters to Dear Sean

BY SEAN DIETRICH OPINION — DEAR SEAN: All I want this year is for this girl in my third period class to go on a date with me, but she’s way out of...

read more
Hector’s Cantina & Grill

Hector’s Cantina & Grill

BY STACEY WALLACE | PHOTO BY MIKE WALLACE by STACEYPATTON WALLACE Last month, on Sunday, Nov. 5, our good friend Jack had a very bad day. He stepped...

read more
More letters to Dear Sean

All the purty horses

BY SEAN DIETRICH The day before New Year’s Eve. I was stuck in Birmingham rush hour. A ten-mile line of standstill traffic stretched before me. It...

read more
Serving Others

Choose to be resolute

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION —The passing of Christmas ushers us into the season to ridicule the making of New Year resolutions. Critics say it’s...

read more
Pulling back the curtain, part 1

Clean, bright and new

BY BRUCE GREEN OPINION —I hope the past year has gone well for you and that the new one will be even better. I think New Year’s Day is a great...

read more