Category Archives: Alabama

“It’s a Thick Book” shows at Virginia Samford on Monday

Posted on April 20, 2007 | Leave a comment

Still image from “It’s a Thick Book” DVDJust in case you’ve missed one of the more talked about documentaries in our state, your next opportunity to view it is close (really close). The next screening of “It’s A Thick Book” in the Birmingham area is scheduled for next Monday, April 23 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Samford Theatre in Caldwell Park. The film was made by Homewood High School graduate Lewis Lehe. The ACCR Foundation has been using the forty-five minute documentary “as an entertaining and engaging way to help others learn about [the] 1901 state constitution.” The foundation is working towards constitutional reform for the world’s largest and longest governing document – the Alabama state constitution.

Just in case you miss Monday’s showing, the next screening event is scheduled for Trinity United Methodist Church on April 26 and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on May 22. You can also order your own free copy of the DVD by visiting their website (to order, click on “Get Involved” link).

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Posted in 35205, Alabama, Birmingham, Events, State Constitution

It’s not too late to go to PhotoCamp tomorrow!

Posted on April 20, 2007 | Leave a comment

PhotoCamp Birmingham logo

Professional and amateur photographers rejoice; PhotoCamp is near! The one day workshop will take place tomorrow (Saturday, April 21) at the Homewood Public Library (1721 Oxmoor Road; directions) from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is building off of the success of Birmingham’s BarCamp, providing an intense one-day “un-conference” where you are not only the audience, but potentially a presenter as well. BarCamp focused on our tech community, while PhotoCamp switches gears and provides the same opportunity to members of our photog community. The agenda is based on whatever participants want to learn about and what they are able to share with others.

PhotoCamp is being sponsored by the Birmingham Public Library; they wrote about the event on their blog. Check out the event information on Upcoming.org or the official wiki page for the event for additional information.

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Posted in 35209, Alabama, Birmingham, Events, Homewood

Ex-President Clinton talks to Dems tonight

Posted on April 20, 2007 | Leave a comment

Bill Clinton imageIf people think the Friday evening commute along Highway 280 is already too long as they approach I-459, they may just want to leave a little earlier this afternoon. Former President Bill Clinton is giving the keynote address at this evening’s Jefferson-Jackson celebration of the Alabama Democratic Party at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. According to the Associated Press, the party expects to net $250,000 for use in preparing for the 2008 election season.

The event is named for former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson and is commonly used by local offices of the Democratic Party as the title of their annual fundraising event. Don’t try to get tickets; it’s already sold out. It may just be the excuse you need to find something to do that keeps you from venturing down the road for a little while this evening. If you really wanted to go, they’re saying that they’ll hold a similar event this fall. (Read: advanced warning of additional traffic problems).

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Posted in 35243, Alabama, Alabama Democratic Party, Bill Clinton, Birmingham, News

So what does Memphis think of Birmingham’s planned entertainment district?

Posted on April 20, 2007 | Leave a comment

The Memphis Flyer earlier this afternoon posted a blurb in their Business Buzz section that linked to our own Birmingham News. The brief discusses an article by News reporter Stan Diel filed earlier this month about Performa Entertainment Real Estate, Inc., the firm that the BJCC is planning to hire to develop an entertainment district with retail adjacent to the existing facility.

Rendering of BJCC entertainment district

The fact that no one has commented on the expose so far can be interpreted a number of ways, but for now it just says that it may just be a non-issue for those in The River City. According to the announcement released by the BJCC in February trumpeting the agreement, both sides are aiming for completion of the project within the next 18-24 months.

If the Flyer had waited for two more days, they could have included a link to the feature story in the current issue of Black & White, discussing some of the local perspectives on the issue. Christina Crowe’s piece assumes that the approval of the project is imminent. We’ll see if we can’t figure out if that’s the case and let you know later today.

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Posted in 35203, Alabama, Birmingham, BJCC, News, Performa Entertainment Real Estate

The scene from the Apple Store The Summit opening

Posted on April 14, 2007 | 2 comments

The view from inside the Apple Store

For those that were not able to attend the Apple Store opening, here are a couple of images from the Saturday morning event. More than 1,000 people visited the first retail store for the electronics company in Alabama on April 14 at the Summit shopping center near I-459. For those wondering just how big of an event this would b, check out the line that awaited those that arrived shortly after 10 a.m…

The line outside of the Apple Store The Summit

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Posted in 35243, Alabama, Apple, Birmingham, Uncategorized

Reconciler’s plan to provide housing stalls at neighborhood level

Posted on April 12, 2007 | 2 comments

Kathy at Birmingham Blues points out an interesting story in today’s Birmingham News. Her post from earlier today discusses the recent decision by the Ensley Highlands neighborhood association to not support a proposal by Reconciler Development, Inc., an affiliate of the Church of the Reconciler, to renovate several abandoned homes in the neighborhood. This article previously posted on the News’ site but available on Knowledgeplex.org provides a little more background on the issue.

The non-profit development corporation would have had potential occupants assist in renovating the properties as permanent residences for mentally and physically healthy people that are trying to get their lives back on track to secure a permanent residence. Neighborhood residents appear to fear that allowing the project to move forward would cause a decrease in property value and a potential increase in drug activity, both denied by representatives of the non-profit.

The earlier article points out that city officials have made all aware that Reconciler Development does not need neighborhood approval for the project to move forward; however it appears that Rev. Higgs has decided to look elsewhere to implement his plan.

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Posted in 35218, Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham News, News

AmSouth signs being replaced throughout the city

Posted on April 12, 2007 | Leave a comment

Lost in yesterday’s approval of demolition plans for the former Birmingham News building was the pending formal removal of the AmSouth name from area banks. AmSouth merged with Regions Bank last year and during yesterday’s Design Review Committee meeting, four banking centers that currently carry the AmSouth name received approval for new signage.

The bank locations approved yesterday are located in Ensley, Five Points South, the Birmingham Green (20th Street North) and Midtown (University Boulevard).

According to Steve Looney with Commander Board Signs, the new signs may be installed in as little as six weeks. It’s possibly your last chance to capture a glance at the local bank’s logo before it fades into history.

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Posted in 35203, 35205, 35218, 35233, Alabama, AmSouth, Banking, Birmingham, Business, Design Review Committee, Regions Bank