Good morning, Montgomery! In today’s edition: Gee’s Bend quilts at a hotel, 2026 arts lineup with Frozen and The Lehman Trilogy, Chris Janson, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Textile heritage meets hospitality: Visitors to the new Elevation Hotel in Montgomery are greeted by a Gee’s Bend quilt pattern, and the hotel features works by celebrated quilters like Loretta Pettway Bennett — see whose work is featured.

Big year for the arts: Montgomery’s 2026 calendar is filling with events, including Mardi Gras in Prattville, an April Wilson Pickett Arts Festival, Frozen and The Lehman Trilogy, Shen Yun, with dates still unannounced — check out the full lineup.

A packed year ahead: Montgomery’s 2026 lineup will feature Hank Williams’ memorial service, Prattville Mardi Gras, April’s Wilson Pickett and Arts Festival, plus productions Disney’s Frozen and The Lehman Trilogy, with dates coming — check out the full lineup.

Hometown venture takes root: A West Montgomery native has launched Southlawn Coffee Company, bringing a new business to his side of the city. Veteran Kenya Vinson offers online orders for specialty coffee and tea — read the full story.

Charting the next chapter: Montgomery is planning a post-2026 strategic plan as the 2022 to 2025 blueprint nears expiration, outlining goals and inviting residents and local businesses to help shape a lasting legacy — see how to get involved.

Warrantless seizures now possible: Alabama’s new hemp rules took effect January 1, requiring retailer licenses and capping THC in beverages and edibles at 10 milligrams, with consumables capped at 40 milligrams after industry pushback — get all the details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

✂ Ribbon Cutting: Children’s Policy Council Book Vending @ Autauga County Court House | Tuesday (1/13) at 10:00 AM – Prattville is breaking out the giant scissors for a book vending machine at the Autauga County Courthouse, the kind of vending we can all get behind. Come clap, say hi to the Chamber, and show we’re open for business, and for books.

👶 Toddler Tuesday @ Panther Playroom | Tuesday (1/13) at 10:00 AM – Let the tiny dictators run while you talk to adults at this toddler meetup. Ages 0 to 3, with half-off from 10am to 12pm, $7.50 for the first kid, $5 for the second, plus questions, commiseration, and playdate plotting.

🌿 Growing and Caring for Houseplants @ First Presbyterian Wetumpka | Tuesday (1/13) at 12:00 PM – Swap your desk salad for a lunch chat with Emily Stamm, horticulturist and AU grad student, on keeping houseplants alive, and even thriving. Bring a sack lunch, your questions, and that fern you keep apologizing to, because help has finally arrived.

🚶 January Moms’ Social Stroll @ Wetumpka Farmers Market | Wednesday (1/14) at 10:00 AM – New year, same knees, so let’s keep it simple with a free moms’ social stroll. All stages welcome, from belly bumps to stroller marathons, with conversation that actually finishes a sentence. No fees, no pressure, just fresh air, a steady pace, and adult company.

🌱 Seed Sorting for Seedy Saturday @ Highland Gardends Community Center | Wednesday (1/14) at 5:00 PM – Lend a hand prepping for next Seedy Saturday by repackaging bulk seeds into tidy little envelopes. It is indoors, so no mud, just good conversation, kid-friendly tasks, and a crash course in seeds with fellow Montgomery gardeners getting ready for the 9th annual seed event.

🎉 118th Founders’ Day Celebration @ The Nest at ASU Stadium | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Founders’ Day at The Nest means one thing, pink and green everywhere, and 118 looks good on her. Beta Nu Omega hosts a free social to mix, mingle, and dance, with food and drinks for purchase, plus a whole lot of sisterhood, scholarship, and service.

🎤 Chris Janson @ Montgomery Performing Arts Centre | Friday (1/16) at 7:30 PM – Take a night off and catch Chris Janson bringing big-country energy, harmonica swagger, and hits like Buy Me a Boat, Fix a Drink, and Good Vibes. It’s sing-along fuel for grown-ups who prefer great songs, real talent, and a painless reentry to normal life tomorrow.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📣 Own or manage a local business?

Meet BaseLocal Business — a free and easy way to get your business happenings in front of our readers.

How it works:

• Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
• We’ll manually verify your business is legit
• Once verified, you’ll be able to share events, news, and special deals with us any time

Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Montgomery locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.

We also regularly spotlight verified businesses just because we think they’re great.

Click here to get started (it’s free) →

📻 Montgomery report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 74°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 85%

Showers and thunderstorms before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 74, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 54°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny. High near 54, with temperatures falling to around 49 in the afternoon. North wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind 0 to 5 mph.

Most popular house this week

More than 9 acres in Pike Road with over 3,500 square feet of well planned space. A 36 by 60 barn, pond, and gazebo complement a bright living room with an overlook balcony and an eat in kitchen with an island and walk in pantry.

Main level suite adds multiple closets and double vanities. A second bedroom and full bath sit downstairs, with two more bedrooms and a full bath up, plus an office or fifth bedroom. Over the attached two car garage, a large flex space offers interior and exterior access. Pike Road schools, near the new park, Baptist South, Hyundai, and Eastchase.

Take a peek inside →