Photo by ASFA
ASFA STUDENTS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR
INNOVATIVE CANCER RESEARCH USING AI
Photo by 10;25 Tabletop Games
GAME NIGHT JUST GOT AN UPGRADE AT ALABASTER’S NEW TABLETOP CAFÉ You’re never too old to play games! 10:25 Tabletop Games, a new faith-based game café in Alabaster, is embracing the power of play by encouraging adults to gather and connect around the table for meaningful fun. “We are your new home away from home,” their Facebook bio declares. Located at 507 11th Ave. S.W., Alabaster, they’re open Tuesdays–Fridays from 4–9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. How to Play: When you arrive, you buy an “experience pass” to their 300-game library—everything from Uno and Heads Up to Ticket to Ride and more. (There are daily passes for both adults and children ages five and up.) The café is open, so you can order food and drinks to snack and sip on while you play. Join a game or find an open table to play the game of your choosing. Play for an hour or until closing—whatever works best for you. Be sure to keep an eye out for their many themed game nights, including mahjong nights, date nights, daddy-daughter nights, family play, and more. They also offer a monthly or annual membership. It’s all based on the verse in Hebrews 10:25 that says, “Let us consider… not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” So get ready to play… but be forewarned, competitive spirits may arise. You can call ahead at (205) 873-5316 or visit 1025tabletopgames.com to check it out.
A team of middle school students at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) recently received a $1,000 Promising STEM Innovation Award from the 2025– 2026 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national competition. Their cancer research project, titled “Human-Relevant Method to Match Cancer Treatments to Tumors,” employed artificial intelligence to determine a more effective method of treating cancer patients. “This recognition shows what’s possible when students are introduced to complex scientific problems early and are trusted to solve them with their natural curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking,” says Dr. Walter Uhoya, Math Science Instructor at the Russell Mathematics and Science Center at ASFA and mentor to the team. “These middle school students are engaging with cutting- edge cancer research concepts and applying STEM in a way that mirrors how real biomedical innovation happens.”This national recognition highlights how ASFA trains students to dive deep into the sciences, creating future problem- solvers and innovative thinkers. To learn more about ASFA, visit asfaschool.org. MAKE-A-WISH ALABAMA® USES SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES TO HELP GRANT WISHES
Make-A-Wish® Alabama now has its own specialty license plate! Each license plate represents children facing critical illnesses, with $41.50 from every purchase going directly toward funding children’s wishes. “Seeing these plates on highways and backroads across Alabama will be a powerful reminder of the hope our community creates when we come
Photo by Make A Wish
together,” shares Tracy Bennett Smith, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Alabama. “Every tag is a sign of joy waiting to be delivered, and with your help, we can bring these plates to life and grant even more wishes.”To claim your tag, all you need to do is complete a simple form through the official campaign website by March 10. Register now at wish.org/alabama.
ALABAMA HAS A MOBILE MINIATURE THERAPY HORSE No horsing around here! Winnie—lovingly called “Winnie the Mini”—is Alabama’s first mini therapy horse. She is “dedicated to bringing smiles, laughter & healing to hospitals, schools, nursing homes & rehabilitation facilities” across Alabama, her Facebook page explains. Winnie has been all over the state (and all over the news!) loving on individuals with all kinds of struggles and sparking joy wherever she trods. It’s more than just “petting a pony”—according to UCLA Health, “Humans interacting with animals have found that petting the animal promoted the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin—all hormones that can play a part in elevating moods.” Animals have proven to be a great source of comfort for individuals, especially those who may be lonely, anxious, or experiencing chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s. Here are a few fun facts about Winnie: She’s 14, her favorite color is pink, she can bow and smile on command, and she loves a good Blueberry Poptart. Her flex is that she was a 2025 NASCA Highpoint Champion. To learn more about Winnie, contact (659) 223-5177 or follow them @Winnie-The-Therapy-Mini on Facebook for adorable, heartwarming photos and videos.
Photo by Bianca Brasher
BIRMINGHAMPARENT.COM | MARCH 2026 11
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