🌱 Inflation Impact + Birmingham Food Scene Praised By Fodor's

Get on up, Birmingham! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Warmer with hazy sunshine. High: 58 Low: 33.

Here are the top 3 stories in Birmingham today:

1. Inflation is currently at a 40-year high in the United States, and it's having a ripple effect on local businesses and the housing market. The greater Birmingham area hasn't been immune from this impact: Organizations and consumers alike are contending with higher inventory, shipping, energy, and fuel prices, on top of rising real estate costs. "It makes it tough for first-time homebuyers because they are seeing those interest rates go up just as they are seeing their grocery bills go up and their gas bills go ups," said Zac Kennedy, a home marketing specialist for Exp Realty. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
2. Fodor's Travel has named Birmingham as one of its top 10 unexpected U.S. cities with a surprisingly good food scene. The publication praised Birmingham for its fresh take on classic Southern cuisine, international fare, and creative cocktails. Some of the bars and restaurants highlighted in The Magic City's entry on the list include Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar, The Lumbar, Helen, Ovenbird, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, and The Fish Market. "Birmingham's restaurants are out to change the perception that the south is only known for grits and gravy," wrote Fodor's reporter Karthika Gupta. (Fodor's)
3. Expect rising temperatures and sunshine this week here in Birmingham! The weekly forecast is calling for sun and high temps in the 60s and 70s over the next two days. On Thursday, there's a 98 percent chance of rain with wind gusts up to 24 mph. (Birmingham Patch)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Happy Hour At Cabo Coastal Grill (4:00 PM)
• Valentine's Day Chocolate Tasting For Two At Honeycreeper Chocolate (5:30 PM)
• "Casablanca" Presented With Open Movie Captioning At Alabama Theatre (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Alabama Symphony Orchestra welcomed a socially-distanced audience this weekend at its annual "Birmingham Does Broadway" concert at UAB's Alys Stephens Center. "Bravo to the ASO musicians and guest vocalists for an amazing performance!" the orchestra wrote in a Facebook post. (Facebook)
• Looking for a new home in the Birmingham area? These five local properties have just been listed for sale. (Birmingham Patch)
• Join Alabama Audubon on Saturday, Mar. 5, for a half-day field trip to the Birmingham Botanical Garden. Pre-registration is required by 12 p.m. CST on Friday, Mar. 4. Space is limited, sign up today! (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll see you soon!

— Kayla Harrison

About me: Kayla Harrison is a Writing Arts professor, as well as a freelance writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. In her free time, you can find her listening to podcasts, writing poetry, and visiting local coffee shops.