Tag Archives: Alabama

Mayorpalooza ends tonight!

Bell vs. Cooper Bob Farley/f8PhotoMany people are rejoicing in the fact that the journey to the special election to serve out the remainder of former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford ends tonight – though the reasons for that relief vary depending on who you talk to.

There’s bound to be endless coverage of the election results across Birmingham virtual landscape but the City of Birmingham will be posting the election results on their website starting at 7:15 p.m. tonight. You could also check out the results from various sources, including Fox 6AL.com and Wade on Birmingham.

Of course, I have my own opinions about today’s vote, but I did vote this afternoon. I hope that you did too. We’ll post a photo of the winner after it’s been determined.

Austin shares Parking in Front Yard Ordinance online

Johnathan F. AustinOne of the more active people on Twitter in recent days in Birmingham, AL is City Councilor Johnathan Austin. He’s recently started live-tweeting portions of the weekly City Council meetings and has given those following his account a chance to get to hear a little more about upcoming projects than folks have been able to in the past.

That would include a tweet late yesterday that included a link to the proposed “front yard parking ordinance” that is scheduled to go before the council for a vote in the near future.

Check it out and share your thoughts down below. They are after all still looking for public input…

I want a Tequilabot

We think that several people who’ve already seen Cantina‘s newest commercial (created by Vacant Manifesto) are probably thinking the same thing right now. We’re a little late to the party, especially considering that Heavy.com wrote their post about it on January 2, with it hitting BuzzFeed sometime last week as well.

For those of you that don’t frequent those sites (or the website that the commercial was created for – Birmingham’s newest online magazine, Pavo – we just couldn’t pass this opportunity up…

Mayorpalooza continues through Friday

BellvCooper Bob Farley/f8PhotoIt had to seem just a little too quiet – but now we’re seeing the sprint begin in the race that is Birmingham’s special election for a new mayor next Tuesday, January 19.

We’ve already seen a debate on Sunday (the Birmingham Business Alliance is still working on uploading the video from that event but the audio is now up ) and last night (which we live blogged). The candidates are still scheduled to appear on Fox 6 tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. and in succession as part of a special On The Line at 12 p.m. (William Bell) and 1 p.m. (Patrick Cooper) Friday on WBHM 90.3 FM.

We’ve even put up some audio from the last time the candidates ran for mayor. It seems like only two years ago… oh wait, it was. But at least it’s almost over (we think).

Photos: Bob Farley/f8Photo

How can you help Haiti from Birmingham?

PHOTO: House split in half in Haiti. marvinady/twitpicDue to the tragic events that occurred in Haiti’s capitol city in the last 24 hours, a common question is being asked by not just Birmingham, AL residents but everyone is “How can I help?” Well thankfully there are several answers…

Currently 98.7 Kiss FM and WAGG 610 AM is broadcasting from Kelly Ingram Park (across from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute) and they’re collecting any loose change that you may find or have so that it can benefit Transform Haiti and the American Red Cross.

Verizon Wireless has asked customers that want to donate money to the American Red Cross text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to current relief efforts.

MSNBC has created a list of charities that are currently active in Haiti.

If you know of any other ways to help, add them to the comments section below.

Photo: House split in half in Haiti. marvinady/Twitpic

Source: BBVA Compass outsources IT help desk

bbva compass signWe’ve learned that BBVA Compass plans to announce that it will be outsourcing its IT (information technology) help desk. The decision would affect between 25-40 of the multinational bank’s employees in Birmingham, AL. Those employees would have the option of applying for work with the firm that has been awarded the account but would only be guaranteed no more than 60 days of work.

The story sounds similar to one that occurred last fall in Decatur, AL when 35 employees were told they would be laid off by the end of the year. Some of those jobs were moved to Texas with others outsourced to Atento, a unit of a Spain-based telecommunications and technology giant. By the way, BBVA Compass’ parent company is based in Spain.

We’ll update as more information becomes available.

Go shopping for the AEC

Alabama Environmental Council logoIt’s almost lunchtime, so you may be considering where to go for lunch or if you have some time to run some errands. Well if you happen to find yourself at the Whole Foods Market in Mountain Brook (or you’re not sure where to go for lunch, dinner or groceries), 5% of all sales made today out there will go to benefit the Alabama Environmental Council (this also gives you a chance to check out their new website).

Staff and volunteers from the AEC will be on hand to distribute materials (including their brand new stickers) and selling t-shirts among other things. Plus, if you get out there before 3 p.m. you’ll have a chance to drop of e-waste for recycling thanks to the folks at Technical Knock Out.