Category Archives: Regionwide

Hoover’s Petelos participates in “Region” event for the first time

Tony Petelos headshotWhen Tony Petelos steps to the podium later this morning at the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce‘s State of the Region event , it will mark the first time that the city’s mayor has taken part. The mayor of Hoover will join Birmingham mayor Larry Langford and seven (7) area county commissioners, speaking before a sold-out audience of more than 450 people at the Harbert Center to give an overall picture of the metropolitan area’s present situation and future plans. Both mayors have already made their speeches to their respective cities; Petelos spoke to Hoover earlier this month, with Langford making his remarks on Tuesday.

For those of us unable to attend (or for those that are just curious), myFoxAL.com will be streaming the event, available through this link beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Take a Moment: Consider giving your time on MLK Day

It’s not too late to register for Hands On Birmingham‘s annual Day of Service. Their goal is to get 2,000 volunteers working for good across the Birmingham metro area on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They’ve got a wide range of projects from painting classrooms to landscaping. It’s quite a list and there is something for every skill range. HOB is hoping you’ll “make your day off a day on.”

The day kicks off with a Kick-off luncheon at 11:30 a.m. for all pre-registered volunteers in the Boutwell Auditorium Upstairs Exhibition Hall. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a canned good for Greater Birmingham Ministries and Collat Jewish Family Services. After lunch, it’s time to do good from 1-4 p.m. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt at their project site. Feeling good for helping others ain’t bad either.

Bell enters commission race

William Bell headshotWhether or not the results are challenged in court (as has been indicated by the governor’s office), there will be a notable race for the Jefferson County Commission seat vacated by Larry Langford in order for him to serve as mayor of Birmingham.

Birmingham City Councilor William Bell announced his intentions to seek the seat currently occupied by George Bowman. He’s the sixth person to declare their intention to run in the February 5 special election.

If Bell were to win, there would be an appointment to the City Council until an election was held to name his successor. Want to know more? Check out Kyle’s post on Mixed Media.

Photo credit: Bob Farley/f8photo

Birmingham becoming hotspot for coffee roasters

We were batting around the idea of doing a story about the numerous coffee roasters that have set up shop in metro Birmingham.. little did we know that the folks at Bhamdining.com were thinking the exact same thing (and they’ve already finished their story!).

Check out their post about The Magic City becoming a “coffee roaster heaven!”

Don’t forget to write ALDOT before December 28

Conservation Alabama logoConservation Alabama took the time late last night to post an entry about a request for questions and comments regarding the proposed Northern Beltline that was published in yesterday’s Birmingham News, but not on the department’s website (though we are not sure that it is required).

We won’t necessarily bore you with the details of the post; we’d rather you take it upon yourself to read the entry. We will say that several of the questions raised deal with the long term effects of the construction of the road. What we will do is post the contact information if you feel so inclined to write a letter to Brian Davis, ALDOT Division 3 Engineer, during this holiday season. We have a feeling that some of you may want to:

Mr. Brian Davis – Division Engineer
Third Division – Alabama Department of Transportation
1020 Bankhead Highway West 35204
P.O. Box 2745
Birmingham, AL 35202-2745

Attn.: Mrs. Sandra F. P. Bonner

Something other than holiday parties this weekend?

Well, Christina’s got a couple of suggestions for you and one of them could even lead to enjoying some snow (though they’re saying there’s a chance that we may actually get the real stuff this weekend!).

That’s right, it’s time to find out what to do if you don’t have plans (yet) for this weekend (and to check out Timetable’s new header).

UPDATE #2: The First 100: Rep. Davis to challenge area leaders about regionalism today

Congressman Artur Davis will address a group of leaders from around the region at 12 p.m. at the Harbert Center, challenging them to begin to work together for the good of the metropolitan area. It is part of the Leadership Birmingham initiative. There are some that may remember that regionalism was an issue that caused great concerns during our YP issues survey.

The speech will be carried in its entirety over on myFoxAL.com (will provide link to archive once created).

UPDATE 9:25 a.m., 11.20.2007; Here is the link to the speech, archived in two parts on myFoxAL.com.

If you get a chance, we’d like to know your thoughts about the speech after its over.