CHELSEA GOVERNMENT ACADEMY LAUNCHES
Where: Various city of Chelsea facilities
When: Beginning September; twice monthly
Details: Go behind the scenes of local government with the new Chelsea Government Academy. Launching in September, the interactive program gives residents an inside look at the people, departments and services that keep the city running. Participants will meet city leaders and staff, tour facilities and learn about areas including public safety, infrastructure, parks and recreation, planning and community development. The academy meets twice monthly over several months and is designed to help residents better understand — and become more involved in — their local government.
More Info: cityofchelsea.com
BIRD NERD BASICS: BEGINNER’S BIRDING CLASS & GUIDED BIRD WATCHING
Where: Oak Mountain State Park, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, 200 Terrace Drive
When: Sept. 12, 10 a.m.
Cost: Registration required; see event website for details.
Details: Grab your binoculars and discover the world of birding during Bird Nerd Basics at Oak Mountain State Park. Designed with beginners in mind, the program introduces participants to the basics of identifying and observing birds before heading outdoors for a guided bird-watching walk. Led by park interpretive staff, the experience offers a fun and approachable way to sharpen your observation skills while discovering some of the feathered residents and visitors found throughout the park.
More Info: alapark.com
SDEA GOLF CLASSIC
Where: Greystone Golf & Country Club, Founders Course, 4100 Greystone Drive
When: Sept. 15
Cost: Registration required; see event website for team and sponsorship information.
Details: Hit the links for a good cause during the 2026 SDEA Golf Classic benefiting the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association. Golfers will enjoy an afternoon of competition at Greystone’s Founders Course, along with special contests, prizes and drawings. Lunch will be served following registration and practice time, with dinner and an awards gathering after the round. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will help provide scholarships for students attending the STS Institute, SDEA’s ministry training school.
More Info: sdeagolf.com
BACKYARD APOTHECARY: PLANTAIN
Where: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive
When: Sept. 19, 1 p.m.
Cost: See event website for registration and park admission information.
Details: Take a closer look at one of the useful plants growing right underfoot during Backyard Apothecary: Plantain at Oak Mountain State Park. This educational nature program focuses on the plaintain, a common plant with a long history of traditional uses. Participants will learn how to identify the plantain, explore its place in the natural world and discover why this often-overlooked plant has earned a spot in the backyard apothecary.
More Info: alapark.com
JOHO MISSIONS 5K AND FUN RUN
Where: Chelsea
When: Sept. 26, 5K at 8 a.m.; Fun Run at 8:30 a.m.
Cost: $35 for the 5K; $20 for the 1-mile Fun Run
Details: Lace up your running shoes for the JOHO Missions 5K and Fun Run in Chelsea. Open to runners of all ages and experience levels, the event offers both a 5K and a 1-mile Fun Run for those looking for a shorter distance. Gather family and friends for an active morning while supporting JOHO Missions and its work. Race-day registration for the 5K begins at 7 a.m., with advance registration also available online.
More Info: runsignup.com/Race/AL/Chelsea/JOHOMissions5K
MIGRATION & MOONLIGHT
Where: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive
When: Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: See event website for registration and park admission information.
Details: Spend an early fall evening outdoors during Migration & Moonlight at Oak Mountain State Park. This seasonal nature program explores the fascinating movement of wildlife during migration while taking advantage of the sights and sounds of the park after daylight begins to fade. Guests can learn more about the animals that travel through Alabama each year and discover how changing seasons shape their journeys.
More Info: alapark.com
OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Sept. 5: Junior Ranger Guided Program: Respecting Wildlife, 11 a.m.
Sept. 5: Monarchs & Milkweed, 1 p.m.
Sept. 7: Scales & Tails, 1 p.m.
Sept. 11: Camp and Jam, noon.
Sept. 12: Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Leave No Trace, 2 p.m.
For additional dates, registration information and park admission fees, visit alapark.com.
MT LAUREL LIBRARY
Sept. 8: MahJong Open Play, 1–4 p.m., Ann Price Activity Room.
Sept. 14: Mt. Laurel Needle Arts Group, 2–4 p.m., Ann Price Activity Room.
Sept. 22: MahJong Open Play, 1–4 p.m., Ann Price Activity Room.
For a complete list of September events, visit northshelby.librarycalendar.com/events/month.
NORTH SHELBY LIBRARY
Sept. 9: Mommy & Me Music Group, 10:30–11 a.m., Meeting Room.
Sept. 14: Middle School Monday Meetup, 4–6 p.m., Children’s Department Activity Room.
Sept. 14: Novel Horizons Book Club, 6–7 p.m., Mueller Annex Classroom.
Sept. 17: Knotty Yarn Club, 5–6:45 p.m., Mueller Annex Classroom.
Sept. 22: Tiny Hands Craft Time, 10:30–11 a.m., Children’s Department Activity Room.
Sept. 28: Makers Club Monday, 3:15–4:15 p.m., Children’s Department Activity Room.
For a complete list of September events, visit northshelby.librarycalendar.com/events/month.
CHELSEA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Weekly (Wednesdays): Tot Time – Preschool Story Time, 10:30–11 a.m.
Weekly (Thursdays): Musical Munchkins, 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Weekly (Fridays): BYOC – Bring Your Own Craft, 1–2 p.m.
Sept. 8 & 22: Paws for Reading, 3–4 p.m., Chelsea Public Library. Young readers can practice reading aloud to specially trained Hand in Paw therapy dogs.
Sept. 15: Read.Play.Create. Teen Program – Author James Nelson, 5 p.m. Celebrate the launch of local young author James Nelson’s debut book, Infinite Squad.
Sept. 21: Beyond Books – Disney Trivia, 6 p.m. Family-friendly trivia; registration available online or at the circulation desk.
For a complete list of September events, visit cityofchelsea.com/calendar.aspx.
