Pandemic winter is certainly a strange time, but here are some happenings you can attend or engage with online to brighten your days.

Birmingham Bulls Hockey Games

Feb. 5, 11, 19 & 25
Pelham Civic Center

The Bulls are playing on, and fans are welcome to the games with masks and social distancing. Read more about their COVID-19 safety procedures at bullshockey.net/covid.

The Great Backyard Bird Count 2021

Feb. 14 | 1 p.m.
Oak Mountain State Park Interpretive Center

Be a citizen scientist and join in on this bird count! The event will start with a quick introduction and overview of bird count details, and then you will then count as many birds as you can around the center for an hour. Data will be used by scientists to better understand and help our avian friends. Current COVID-19 guidelines apply; please social distance from guests and staff. To register, email lauren.muncher@dcnr.alabama.gov

Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale

Feb. 19-20
Mountain Brook Community Church

Mountain Brook Community Church’s kids’ consignment sale will go this season with mask masks, social distancing and sanitation. The proceeds from the sale support the church’s short-term mission trips to places such as San Diego, Peru, Hungary, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Visit mbcc.us/sweetrepeats/ to register and find more information.

Whale of a Sale Consignment Sale

Feb. 19-21
Virtual

This kids’ consignment sale hosted by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church is going virtual! Registration is now open at thewhaleofasale.com, and you can find more information there as well.

Columbiana Cowboy Day

Feb. 27
Downtown Columbiana

Tim to celebrate all things cowboy! This annual celebration features live music, line dancing, a chili cook off, a corn hole tournament, a wild west shoot out and lasso demonstration at high noon, and a wild west parade with horses and buggies (no motorized vehicles). The event has been an annual tradition since 2008. Find more information at facebook.com/columbianacowboyday/.

Live From My Living Room

Thursdays  | 7 p.m.
Virtually

Connect with your favorite musicians while remaining socially distant through the Hoover Public Library on YouTube or Facebook. Just one example: On Feb. 11, Sean Gaskell will play the kora, a 21-string harp-like instrument that he studied in Gambia. Find more information at hooverlibrary.org.

Annual Adult Juried Art Exhibit

Shelby County Arts Council Ebsco Fine Art Gallery
Columbiana

This annual exhibit by artists statewide is on display through March 4. The exhibit free and open to the public Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Find more information at shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

SAVE THE DATE

Shelby Humane Paws for the Cause 5K and 1 Mile Tail Waggin’ Trek

March 6
Veterans Park

Who doesn’t run to support the lost, homeless and unwanted pets the Shelby Humane Society cares for? You can run a 5K course through the park around the lake and through tree-lined trails, and/or take on a 1-mile “obstacle” course run with silly fun animal-themed challenges for all ages. Register at runsignup.com and learn more about the nonprofit at shelbyhumane.org.

ASPIRE Wine 10K and Benchmark First Responder 5K

March 6
The Finley Center, Hoover Met

Time for a run—with wine! The USATF-certified course starts at The Finley Center and loops through the Hoover Metropolitan Sports Complex and adjacent neighborhood before return to finish inside The Finley Center. Runners and walkers of all paces are welcome and encouraged to participate, and there’s also a virtual option for the 10K and the 5K. Register at runsignup.com.

Editor’s Note: The American Red Cross Blood Drive previously scheduled for Feb. 11 at the Hoover Met has been cancelled. Please check all event websites for updates due to COVID-19 before attending.