Tag Archives: B’ham

A historic stroll through Birmingham is expanded

Posted on January 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

Birmingham's Civil Rights Walking Trail expandsFolks walking along 6th Avenue North between 19th and 17th Streets in downtown Birmingham may notice some large orange signs now located along the sidewalk. The four signs are the latest additions to the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail, first unveiled in August 2009. As first reported by The Birmingham News when the first signs were unveiled, the first portion of the trail will take people from Kelly Ingram Park to Linn Park.

This sign is located at the corner of 19th Street and 6th Avenue North in front of First Church Birmingham.

Photo: Birmingham’s Civil Rights Heritage Trail expands. acnatta/Flickr

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Posted in history, The City

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Mayorpalooza ends tonight!

Posted on January 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

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 6, AL.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.

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Posted in Election 2010

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Austin shares Parking in Front Yard Ordinance online

Posted on January 14, 2010 | 1 comment

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…

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Posted in Online, The City

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Mayorpalooza continues through Friday

Posted on January 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

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

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Posted in Election 2010

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How can you help Haiti from Birmingham?

Posted on January 13, 2010 | 4 comments

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

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Posted in Take a moment

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Source: BBVA Compass outsources IT help desk

Posted on January 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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Posted in Banking, Business

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Happy Birthday Kyle!

Posted on January 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

b-metro cover for January 2009The leader of Birmingham’s War on Dumb turns 33 today so we thought you’d want to show him some love – maybe even on the wall of his Facebook profile.

You may also want to check out the cover story written about Birmingham Weekly‘s Kyle Whitmire over on b-metro’s website.

One more thing you may want to check out – since we’re getting back to work – is Kyle’s most recent column, no doubt leaving folks with more questions than answers as Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins announces that she will not seek reelection…

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Posted in The City

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