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Articles by Cooper Smitherman
[WATCH]: Here is why you should move to Huntsville
Check out all of the reasons why Huntsville is a premier destination for those on the move. (Hville Blast) It’s no secret that Huntsville is on the rise, meaning more and more people are finding their way to our beloved city.
Huntsville nostalgia: check out 5 places we miss the most
Recently, we asked our readers to name places around the city they missed the most. We discovered our fellow citizens long for many iconic locations that should find their way back into the community.
How to give back to the Huntsville community through your utilities
Sponsored December is here, and so is the season of giving. If you’re short on time but have been searching for ways to support local non-profits or those in need, keep reading. Did you know you can easily give back to the community through your utility bill? Learn how you can help elderly and disabled locals in need this winter for as little as $1 a month. Watch to learn how Project Share supports the Huntsville community.
Why Campus 805 represents everything that is right with Huntsville
Huntsville is home to numerous iconic locations, including the well-known such as the Space and Rocket Center, the underrated such as Parkway Place and those on the rise such as Campus 805. Campus 805 represents Huntsville’s growth into one of the most well-known mid-size cities throughout the country. Its fascinating history, exciting businesses and more demonstrate our city’s ability to repurpose space for the benefit of the local community.
30 new business openings we celebrated in 2024
This year has been full of exciting new business openings in a wide array of industries. We saw some national chains open locations here in the Rocket City, and locally owned shops and eateries open their doors. In fact, we saw more than 150 new businesses open here in the Huntsville area in 2024 (and the year is still not quite over). Check out these new business highlights from 2024: We have found that the most excitement from our audience comes when we announce a new place to eat or drink.
Real estate industry expert looks at 2025 + more local business news
Sponsored In business news this month, we were able to get some fabulous insight about the real estate market for the coming year from our expert analyst from the University of North Alabama’s Sander’s College of Business & Technology. Here’s the latest info on North Alabama business: The real estate market has seen an overall surge in the last several years, with the median home prices in the U.S. at record highs in most states.
2024 was a great year of accolades for Huntsville
We know how great is it to live here in Huntsville, but recently, the whole country has been alerted to what an awesome city this is. This past year, the Rocket City was showered with awards and recognition, solidifying itself as one of the best cities in the country. Here’s a little recap of Huntsville’s accolades this year: From being named a great city for tech to making the list of best family-friendly cities, Huntsville racked up the accolades in 2024.
5 holiday volunteer opportunities for those in the giving spirit
As Christmas fast approaches, you may find yourself wanting to do some good around Huntsville. Luckily, there are still so many holiday volunteer opportunities for you to show your gratitude throughout Huntsville. While many of these organizations provide service year-round, the holiday season is one of the most crucial in providing support to the communities that need it.
These 3 holiday events are worth making the trip to Birmingham
Sponsored Christmas is just around the corner, and there’s no better place to get you in the spirit than the Magic City. Plenty of festive events like the Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo are happening all month. If you need help planning your trip, we’ve got you covered.
Task Force to create a Community Energy Resource Plan for Huntsville
Huntsville will soon have an Energy Task Force that will create a Community Energy Resource Plan to guide the City’s energy strategy into the future. The Huntsville City Council approved a resolution last night to move forward with the plan.
Newly completed Apollo Park at MidCity is now open
Huntsville leaders celebrated the opening of Apollo Park at MidCity with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today — officially dedicating the 20-acre park situated between Top Golf and Orion Amphitheater. Here’s more: The park is located at 901 Nunnuhsae Park Drive NW in the MidCity Arts & Entertainment District. After the Huntsville City Council approved the $7.9 million contract, Lambert Construction begin construction on the project this year. “Apollo Park has something for everyone to enjoy.
Pop quiz: where can you find 5 of the best Huntsville trivia nights?
The question of where you can find the best trivia nights is a little misleading, as there are countless scattered throughout Huntsville, each with something a little different to offer. However, we want you to be as informed as possible when deciding which trivia night appeals to you the most.
Here are 15 exciting events this weekend in the Rocket City
December is here and the Rocket City has several holiday-themed events happening around town, in addition to some cool shows, sports and markets. Here are some suggestions: Those of you into crafting around the holiday time cannot miss this event. This annual Christmas Craft Show is a must for anyone needing decorating inspiration for the holidays. When: Dec. 6-7, 9AM-6PM; Dec.
Stoney River Steakhouse opening new location in Madison
Nashville-based restaurant chain Stoney River Steakhouse will open a new location in Madison in 2025. The steakhouse concept, owned by J Alexander’s, will be the chain’s 14th restaurant nationally, and the first location in Alabama. Here’s more info: Founded in 2000, Stoney River Steakhouse is an upscale steakhouse, specializing in hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood selections, signature salads and house specialties.
Need a new furry friend? Adopt from these 5 Huntsville shelters
Are you searching for a new furry friend for this Christmas season? As you may know, the holidays are a prime adopting season. Luckily, the Huntsville area is home to many shelters with adorable and friendly cats and dogs just waiting to find their forever homes.
5 exciting ways to celebrate winter graduation in Huntsville
If you’re a college student graduating this December like me, you may be wondering how to celebrate your accomplishments. Thankfully, Huntsville has plenty of fun and exciting events and hangout spots to make the most of this special time in your life. Here are five options to consider as you plan your graduation festivities: If you’re like me, then the end of finals week means that you can completely enjoy holiday festivities around Huntsville.
A Christmas Carol
Christmas season is in full swing, and for those of you who want to enhance your Christmas spirit and cheer, there are plenty of holiday shows and concerts you can attend in the Huntsville area that will help do just that. Take a look at these shows around town: Don’t miss this choral and orchestral presentation of Christmas music presented by First Baptist Church of Huntsville. When: Dec.
New Chick-fil-A in Town Madison set to open this week
A new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Town Madison will officially open this week. Ground was broken on the project in June and the restaurant is set to open Dec. 5 Here’s more info: Here are a few details about the Town Madison location: The new location is at at 110 Tom Thrasher Ln, Madison, AL 35758. It will feature Mobile Thru, a fully dedicated lane in the drive-thru, for seamless order pickup through the Chick-fil-A app. It will also include a playground for guests with children.
NEW: Kevin Hart announces live performance at Orion Amphitheater
Award-winning comedian and actor Kevin Hart announced today that Huntsville will be a stop on the next leg of his stand-up comedy tour “Acting My Age.” Hart will bring his highly popular new tour to The Orion Amphitheater Friday, April 11. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 6 at 10AM at ALLIEDPRESENTS.COM and THEORIONAMPHITHEATER.COM. Fans can access the Allied Presents exclusive presale by registering HERE to receive a presale code. The presale is from Wednesday Dec.
Consider donating to these 9 amazing non-profits this GivingTuesday
Do you want to extend your generosity after this Thanksgiving? Then you should consider participating in this year’s GivingTuesday! If you’re not familiar, GivingTuesday is a holiday dedicated to promoting generosity worldwide. It started in 2012 and has occurred every year since on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This holiday started as a way for community members to lend their support for movements big or small.
Best bites: what we ate this month [November 2024]
November has come and gone, which means it’s time to highlight our team’s favorite meals from the month! Check out this month’s roundup of our favorite eats across Huntsville: “The Harvest Salad + Ora King Salmon at Amelie Wine Bar & Bistro is a must-try.
New federal courthouse construction nearing completion
Construction of the new federal courthouse in downtown Huntsville is nearing completion, and the first tenants are gradually moving in this fall. Here’s the latest on this massive construction project: General contractor Brasfield & Gorrie achieved substantial completion on the building in late July, making way for the first U.S. Courts tenant to prepare plans for relocation and occupancy. Landscaping work will continue through the end of this calendar year.
Audiophiles: You need to check out these 3 exceptional local record stores
Are you a fellow vinyl connoisseur and music aficionado? Then you should check out some of Huntsville’s best local record stores! As Christmas approaches, browsing record stores is also a great way to find presents for your favorite collectors or, for college students like myself, unwind while studying for finals.
Huntsville music is thriving: here are 3 reasons why
To many residents, music may not come to mind when they think of Huntsville. However, Huntsville music has not only a rich history but also an exciting future for many reasons. To see how music has impacted Huntsville throughout history and why it continues to be a source of local cultural and artistic expression within the city, read below: What many may not know is that Huntsville music has been on the rise for a long time.
Irons One whiskey distillery under new ownership
Huntsville whiskey maker Jeff Irons has sold his Irons One distillery. Turning his decades-long love for whiskey into a business was not only a worthwhile venture for Irons, but also an award-winning one. Now, Irons turns his business over to a new owner. Here’s what’s up: Jeff Irons started the distillery almost a decade ago, and even then he knew that he would need to pass it on to someone else eventually.
Take a look at our November Health Score Honor Roll
As a public service, Hville Blast reports monthly Madison County Health Department restaurant scores, featuring those eateries with health scores of 95 or better on their inspection (we excluded private eateries like school or business cafeterias and private clubs and limited food service establishments). This month, as Thanksgiving week approaches, we gathered reports from more than 200 eateries inspected by the Madison County Department of Health.
5 exciting open mic + karaoke events to keep on rotation
If you’ve ever been to an open mic event, then you know how fun it is to hear local voices shine behind the microphone, whether through singing and other musical performances, spoken-word poetry or even stand-up comedy. If you’re searching for more opportunities to showcase your talents or to support local creatives, be sure to check out these 5 unique open mic destinations: Furniture Factory in downtown is home to one of Huntsville’s premier karaoke nights.
Here are 15 weekend events in Huntsville you'll want to check out
This weekend is the last weekend before Thanksgiving — and therefore the last weekend before Christmas shopping around town becomes INSANE! So, if you want to get out and about this weekend, we have several weekend events we want you to know about. Check these out: The Alabama A&M University Event Center will host an awesome hoops tournament featuring Coastal Carolina, IU-Indianapolis, South Carolina State and of course, your AAMU Bulldogs! When: Nov.
Ground broken on new Lewter District mixed-use community
Ground was broken today on The Lewter District, a new 1.5-acre mixed-use community in the heart of Downtown Huntsville. This construction will include townhomes, a new restaurant and more. Here’s some more info: To be completed in three phases, the $50 million project is being developed and constructed by Emergent Properties and RNGD, which will open a local office within the district.
New Madison Costco now open for business
The wait is over for folks anticipating the opening of the second Costco location in Madison County. The wholesaler opened its store at Clift Farm in Madison over the weekend, to significant fanfare. Here’s what to know: Those of you who are already familiar with Costco already know what the store includes, but to those who don’t, we have a few details on the Madison location.
5 more Christmas events to add to your holiday calendar
The holidays are fast approaching, Huntsville, which means more Christmas events are just on the horizon. In fact, some of the most premier Huntsville holiday events will be opening as soon as this weekend! If you’re looking for a little extra fun this season, don’t miss out on the following holiday events in Huntsville: The Orion Ampitheater’s Christkindlmarket is my personal favorite event on this list for many reasons. This year’s event will feature over 60 local artists showcasing their work.
3 ways to level up your Huntsville career while being super busy
Sponsored If your day-to-day looks like mine, you’re speeding through your 8-5, racing to finish up your ongoing projects. After work, you’re hanging out with friends at Yellowhammer or Gold Sprint, grabbing dinner at Jack Brown’s or The Standard and then jetting home to knock out some chores and catch up on sleep. Between life and work, it’s hard to imagine how you’d ever fit in going back to school to move up in your Huntsville career.
How you can win $100 to your favorite Huntsville restaurant or bar
If you’re planning out your next date night or looking to treat yourself to a nice meal (hey, we’re not judging!), you have to check out our $100 giveaway. By taking this easy survey, you can get a chance to snag a gift card to a restaurant or bar of your choice. What: Survey administered by UAH’s Usability class to see just how easy the Hville Blast website is to navigate Why: We want your input to make our site and content even better! How: Fill out the survey here.
Check out these cool ways to celebrate Christmas in Athens
Athens is a fabulous place to spend your day — quaint shops, a small town feel with friendly vibes — and this holiday season the city has several events scheduled for you to celebrate. Check out these holiday celebrations in Athens: Here are some great holiday events for you to attend in Athens: Athens-Limestone County Tinsel Trail Tree Lighting Ceremony: Stroll through a dazzling display of beautifully decorated Christmas trees from Nov. 21 to Dec.
First phase of Skybridge project set to begin in 2025
The much-discussed flood mitigation project in Huntsville — referred to as the “Skybridge” project — is set to enter its first phase of construction in the spring or summer of 2025. City officials said there construction will happen in multiple phases. Here’s more: According to Kathy Martin, Huntsville’s Director of Engineering, said construction on the project will occur in four phases, with the first two phases will take place between 2025 and 2027.
Let's settle the debate: What's the best burger in Huntsville?
Burgers are one of the most customizable dishes out there, and everyone likes theirs a certain way. Thankfully, Huntsville has no shortage of unique and tasty takes on this classic American dish. However, it’s debatable as to who can lay claim to serving the best burger in Huntsville.
New building permits issued at Decatur's 3M plant, Daikin America
Two of the 12 new building permits issued this past week for Alabama construction projects exceeding $1 million are for projects in Decatur. The permits total more than $4 million. More than $35 million has been spent over the last two years for the 3M plant in Decatur for renovations and upgrades.
5 terrific highlights on University Drive every resident should know
University Drive is a hub for some of Huntsville’s most recognizable locations. There are several avenues for shopping, entertainment and dining that can all make for a day well spent.
Try your hand at candle-making at this amazing Lowe Mill spot
With the holidays approaching and folks putting together their shopping lists for friends and loved ones, I was thinking of gift ideas that were not only gifts people wanted, but gifts that bore a more personal touch. Then I stumbled upon Embrace Candles in Lowe Mill. And I not only found great gift ideas, but got to experience learning the craft of candle-making.
Your guide to quaint holiday shopping + festivities in Morgan County
Sponsored Get your holiday shopping lists ready. (Decatur Morgan County Tourism) Santa is shopping small this year, and he’s sending his elves to stock up in this charming North AL town. From tree lightings to Christmas gift guides, the Morgan County area is proving itself to be a holiday destination—read the story here! Decatur Morgan County Tourism is ready to welcome you this holiday season. Sponsored by: Ad
WATCH: 17 Huntsville fun facts you may not have known
By now, you probably know just how interesting the city of Huntsville is. However, more fun facts about our beloved home rise to the surface every day. To strengthen your skills in Huntsville trivia, check out our latest roundup of random Huntsville facts below: And be sure to let us know if there are any Huntsville fun facts we should include in our next roundup. Want to learn more fun tidbits about Huntsville?
Ground broken on Madison City Schools' new elementary school
City officials joined Madison City Schools in breaking ground on the school system’s eighth elementary school. The school will be built in the Madison Branch subdivision off of Hardiman Road. Here’s more: The recent groundbreaking ceremony included superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols, Mayor Paul Finley, school board and city council members and other business and political reps at the site in Limestone County.
Christmas in November? Check out 5 exciting holiday events happening soon
Some may say it is still a little too early to celebrate Christmas. However, there’s just too many exciting events coming up that you don’t want to miss out on. For those who want to get in on the festivities early, check out these events happening very soon: The Athens-Limestone Hospital will be hosting its very own Christmas market this year.
4 things you’ll see at the Thanksgiving Pow Wow—make plans now to attend Nov. 28-29 - Hville Blast
Sponsored Attend the Thanksgiving Pow Wow November 28-29. (Poarch Creek Indians) Every Thanksgiving in Atmore, Alabama, the Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) celebrate their heritage with vibrant dances, locally-made goods and a whole lot of family fun. A four-hour drive from downtown Huntsville is a cultural celebration you won’t want to miss. Here’s what you can expect at PCI’s 52nd Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Sponsored by: Ad
Here's where you can order an amazing Thanksgiving dinner in Huntsville
Thanksgiving is on its way, and while many of you have probably solidified plans for the holiday, some of you may still want to explore options. Well, for those of you who do not want to cook (hey, it definitely gives you more time to visit with friends and family), we have several options for you: If you want to leave Thanksgiving dinner entirely up to someone else, you can make your plans now to eat at these local restaurants for your feast: Commerce Kitchen: Nov. 28, 10:30AM-4PM.
Meet the master distiller behind this successful Birmingham distillery
Sponsored If you ask me, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a cocktail made with locally-distilled vodka. We sat down with partner and head distiller Jonathan Guidry at Redmont Distilling Company to get an insider’s view of his journey into the world of craft spirits and see what sets Redmont apart from the rest. Learn more about Jonathan and the successful Alabama spirits brand he helped create. Sponsored by:
Try something new at these 5 delicious restaurants on Jordan Lane
If you’re a student at UAH like myself, you know that Jordan Lane has some of the best eats in the city. These restaurants are not only conveniently accessible (and affordable) for us students but also offer some of the most diverse menus for every foodie in Huntsville.
New Pollstar Award nominees include the Orion Amphitheater
The Orion Amphitheater has been nominated for another national award. The 36th Annual Pollstar Awards — which are among the most respected awards in the entertainment industry — have included the Orion among its nominees for Best Outdoor Music Venue. And you can help the Orion win. Here’s how: Nominations have been unveiled for the 36th annual Pollstar Awards, honoring the top tours, venues, live music executives, agencies, production companies and more in over 40 categories.
Airport traffic numbers in October among highest of the year
Huntsville International Airport reported on the the busiest months of the year in October. Nearly 150,000 passengers came through the airport in October, as traffic at HSV this year is approaching an all-time record.
7 places in Huntsville you can see Santa this Christmas
Get ready, Huntsville, because Santa is coming to town this Christmas! There will be no shortage of places to spot him around Huntsville this holiday season. For many in Huntsville, the tradition of a photo op with St. Nick is an important part of what makes the holiday special. It’s also a great excuse to check out some of our city’s most iconic locations.
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