This is very exciting news for Brummies, and there really isn’t another city that deserves this accolade more than Birmingham. Although Derry, Norwich and Sheffield all have their very unique cultural features, there is no denying that Birmingham is diverse with colourful cuisine, astounding music, and cutting edge art. Not only is Birmingham the heart of the UK, but it is the centre of multicultural flair. With everything from food, music and community arts, there is no other city more open to new and interesting cultures.

Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture in 2008, and in 2013, we hope that Birmingham can help to build on what has already been very successful. The improvements in the city of Liverpool city have certainly not gone unnoticed and the winning city of 2013 will see both financial and social benefits. This could really make a difference to Birmingham.

“It’s a testament to their hard work – and dedication to culture – that they’ve come so far in what has proven to be a very tough competition. I’m really pleased that we attracted such a strong and varied field. It just goes to show the richness of culture across the UK.” — Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister

Find a sushi buffet and you’ll probably get your money’s worth, but how can you be sure that you’re getting the best quality Japanese grub? Birmingham is diverse with international cuisine and here you will find everything from Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, Carribean, Jamaican, Mongolian, Mexican, Morrocan….and so much more! But feeding a fully fledged Japanese diet is not exactly pocket friendly. So why dont you make your own?

If you are interested in sushi classes in Birmingham, Your Sushi can give you the know-how. Learn how to make sushi from scratch with Your Sushi workshops, held every month in Birmingham city centre. If you love Japanese cuisine and you want to be taught by the specialists then book your class at the Novotel Center (B1 2HT). Your Sushi can also offer private classes and sushi events for up to 250 people.

Home sushi classes start from £190, and Your Sushi Party Packages start from £450. For more information, visit the Your Sushi website.

One common misconception is that cities can’t be green, but some of the greenest areas are large UK cities – so if you want to do your bit for the International Year of Biodiversity, you need to think about your carbon footprint.

Birmingham residents have already been encouraged to take part in National Nest Box Week. The aim of this project was to prepare for the breeding season which starts in Spring, and with more people putting up bird nest boxes in their gardens, the more wildlife we can encourage in and around the Birmingham area.

There is a direct correlation between biodiversity and global warming. So it is crucial to reduce your carbon footprint, reduce your energy consumption and to save energy wherever possible. There are plenty of things we can think about if we want to be more environmentally friendly – recyclying, re-using, choosing products with less packing, and walking/cycling instead of driving.

I found a great website that is a hub full of brilliant eco friendly ideas. Cindy Fuller Home is a site for people who want to save money, as well as save the environment. There is info about gardening, crafts, and recipes on making your own beauty products. Visit Cindy Fuller Home today – it’s fab!

Your mum loves you unconditionally. Yep, even if you’re ugly, smelly, annoying, difficult, or just a complete and utter moron – she still has to care. That’s why she deserves the best.

But we all have different sized budgets. So here’s a little guide to help you out with Mother’s Day in Birmingham.

Splash Out on a Spa Break!

Let’s set some ground rules here. Only people who earn more than their parents can splash out on a luxury spa gift package. Why? Because you’ll show the rest of us up! If you want to show your mum just how much you and your wallet loves her, send her to the Marriott Hotel & Spa. There is a 21 day advance booking rate, and currently prices start from just £59.00. More info here.

Treat Her to a 3 Course Carvery

Say, “Mum, put those Marigolds down. We’re taking you out!” For just £10.95 per head, your family can enjoy a delicious 3 course carvery at the Goldies Brasserie with Copthorne Hotel.

The Gift that Costs Very Little…

We’re just coming out of a recession. Not everyone has money burning holes in their wallets. Some of us are a little low on funds. If you want to save money while putting thought and personal touches to your gift for mum, visit Cindy Fuller Home for gift making ideas. You can make beauty products or things for the home. And keep a look out for the Mother’s Day competition – coming soon! Cindy Fuller Home

Now it has been announced that the library will be teaming up with the British Film Institute to open a ‘Mediatheque’, where Birmingham residents will be able to enjoy classic films, television and home movies. Not only will this give the library a whole new dimension, but it will be a great attraction in the city. Bringing people back to a traditional library facility, just like the good old days when we didn’t have the convenience of the internet, the 2013 library will be merging old with new.

Being built in Centenary Square, the new Birmingham library will offer free access to the British Film Institute’s rarest titles. The national BFI archive will provide a long history on film and through new media, kids and adults alike can learn about the rest of the world and what we’ve achived through film. Already being described as the “digital dukebox” of film, this will become one of Birmingham’s most exciting attractions.

In order to attract people back to libraries, Birmingham Library teamed with the British Film Institute, will be using the latest form of media and fusing it with traditional books.

The first British Film Institute Mediatheque opened in London in 2007, and this has been extremely popular with Londoners. Now Birmingham will be able to boast it’s own media centre, and even though these facilities are going to be set up in other areas of the country, Brummies will be pleased to know that their’s is going to be one of the biggest.

But it’s not long before Spring breaks and hopefully we can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style! With that little thing called ‘natural warmth’ preferbly. The official events have now been annouced for Birmingham and Sunday 14th March is going to be a big day!

This year, March 14th brings an eventful selection of celebrations. There’s Mothers Day, and another special day that’s just too x-rated to mention (Google it if you must), and the St Patrick’s Day Festival in the heart of the Midlands. Right here in Birmingham city.

Just like every year, this will be a massive event and tens of thousands are expected out on the streets of Digbeth to watch the 2010 St Patrick’s Day Parade. Since 1996, us Brummies have been setting the bench mark for Paddy Day celebrations and this year’s procession will be absolutely spectacular! Running from Camp Hill to the famous Bullring, the parade will feature floats, dancers and pipe bands and BBC West Midlands will be there to cover the entire celebration. Whether you’re spending Sunday 14th March with your mum, or you’re going to be otherwise occupied (Really, you must Google it), don’t forget to pop to Digbeth if you get a chance to enjoy this wonderfully green tradition here in Birmingham.

American crime series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, has become an absolute sensation here in the UK. Also known as CSI: Las Vegas, there have been various spin-offs from this addictive show, such as CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. The television drama premiered back in 2006 and has become such a craze in the UK that Birmingham Bullring is taking this into their own hands…

The people at Big Cat Group have taken this into their hands, and will endeavour to put it into yours @ The Birmingham Bullring this month. Want a hands-on experience in solving crimes CSI style? Don’t miss out on the event on February 26th.

From Friday 26th February, you can get your hands dirty in an interactive crime experience. Visitors to the Bullring in Birmingham get to take on the role of a forensic expert. You can become the crime-solver in your own Las Vegas CSI fantasy right here in Birmingham as you will be confronted with a realistic crime scene. Using the most high tech forensic technology, you will be required to collect evidence and make an intelligent analysis on the crime presented infront of you. So can you cut it? Do you have what it takes to be a CSI agent?

‘CSI: The Experience’ @ Bullring Birmingham can be located on the Middle West Mall.

Admission:-

• Adults – £9.75
• children (aged 5-17) – £7.00

(Group bookings and concessions are available. For more info, visit the Bullring website.)

Jamaica and Birmingham now unite to provide a training camps for the track and field team, and the world’s fastest runner, Usain Bolt will be right here in the West Midlands!

Usain is Jamaican sprinter, and as the fastest man in the world, he has won three Olympic gold medals in his time. He also holds the world record for the 1oo metre race, 200 metre race and the 4×100 metre relay.

The Jamaican athletes have signed a deal to train in Birmingham, ready for 2010. This means that our city will now have two high profile camps to be proud of, and signed between the Jamaicans and the Americans, this entire deal is worth an estimated £15 million to Birmingham. The entire team that will be residing and training in Birmingham have a total of 11 medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Brummies will be proud to have them in our wonderfully diverse city. With so much to offer in music, fine cuisine and entertainment, we’re sure that Usain Bolt and the rest of team will feel very welcome here.

“These (Jamaicans) are the fastest athletes in the world. It underpins Birmingham’s credibility as the UK’s sporting city.” — Mike Whiteby, Birmingham City Council leader.