Tag Archives: celebration

Iron pour formally kicks off Sloss’ visitors center construction

Commemorative Iron Pour underwayThis afternoon city officials, members of Sloss Furnaces‘ board of directors and members of the general public gathered for something a little different than your regular groundbreaking for its visitors center. Those gathered in the shed of the historic site got to witness an iron pour commemorating the start of construction of the new 10,000 square foot facility next week.

The pour was no doubt a nod to the national historic landmark site’s designation as the only 20th century blast furnace being interpreted as a museum in the country as well as its reputation throughout the country as a center for metal arts. According to the press release for the event, the space “will use applied science, history, and interactive technology” as it attempts to inform visitors about the iron-making process. As reported yesterday by The Birmingham News, the Sloss Foundation will be covering $1 million of the cost of construction & all of the currently estimated $3 million cost for creating the center’s exhibits. The remaining $4 million will be covered by the city.

If you’ve never experienced an iron pour at Sloss, here’s a taste:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=028WR091I4U]

The visitors center is scheduled to open in late 2013.

UAB is going dancing on Tuesday

Congrats to the UAB Blazers mens basketball team for making it into this year’s NCAA Tournament! As you can tell from this video shared on CBS 42’s website last night, they were pretty excited about it themselves.

Last night UAB learned they’d be playing fellow No. 12 seed Clemson on Tuesday evening as one of the First Four games. Tip-off will be at 8 p.m. CT; the game will be played in Dayton, OH and aired on TruTV. They are one of two Conference USA teams in this year’s tournament, down from four last yearUAB brought home conference hardware last week, with Coach Mike Davis being named Conference USA coach of the year and guard Aaron Johnson garnering player of the year honors.

It will be the Blazers’ first trip to “The Dance” since the departure of former head coach Mike Anderson in 2006 and their 14th appearance overall.

Last night’s selection didn’t come without some folks questioning the choice (cue ESPN).

Video: CBS 42.

Check out the floating Christmas tree!

Railroad Park's first Christmas tree. acnatta/FlickrUPDATE: According to the park’s Twitter account, the tree’s already floating before 5 p.m. (complete with a photo to prove it).

Well, it’s not floating yet, but it will be before the end of the night…

Birmingham’s Railroad Park ushers in its first holiday season this afternoon starting at 5 p.m.

Sometime between 5 and 6 p.m. this tree will be “launched” into the park’s man-made lake.

The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, though weather forecasts calling for a 90% chance of rain and a low of 32° were reasons enough for Mayor Bell to request a time change.

Those attending can bring g a new, unwrapped toy to support the Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services Toy Drive and enjoy hot chocolate and music from Neo Jazz Collective.

Incidentally, if you attend tonight’s event, you may get a chance to introduce yourself to the park’s new executive director, Camille Spratling. The former executive assistant to the president of Birmingham Southern College started last week. Katherine Billmeier will continue on as a consultant to the park until the end of the year.

Photo: Railroad Park’s first Christmas tree. acnatta/Flickr

Rickwood Field turns 100

America’s – and the world’s – oldest ballpark officially turned 100 years old on Wednesday afternoon and The Friends of Rickwood Field organized a celebration befitting the occasion.

Unfortunately the weather didn’t exactly want to cooperate to allow a three-inning exhibition game to be played.

Hundreds still gathered under the grandstand attempting to stay dry while they heard words from Birmingham mayor William Bell’s chief of staff Chuck Faush and A.H. “Rick” Woodward III, grandson of the park’s builder, among others. A new sign from the state tourism office was unveiled, joining the historical marker already located in front of the ballpark’s main entrance. The video up above is of former Birmingham Barons owner Art Clarkson reading a letter from the team’s current parent club, the Chicago White Sox.

Incidentally, the demolition of the Sox’s former home, Comiskey Park, back in 1991, led to Rickwood’s current designation.

The Hops are free! It’s time to celebrate!

Free the Hops glass - courtesy of freethehops.orgThis morning Governor Riley signed the “Free the Hops” bill into law, news that seemed to make most of the folks here in Birmingham and the rest of the state of Alabama quite happy as Memorial Day weekend begins.

Here in the Magic City, it’s been announced that there will be a celebration this evening at The J. Clyde beginning at 5 p.m. that will feature a cask ale courtesy of Good People Brewing Company. It also means that all drinks and appeitzers will be $4.

Photo: Courtesy of freethehops.org.

It’s still Hip to be Civic

catalystfrontpage

Screenshot of Catalyst’s new website.

I couldn’t pass up a chance to plug Catalyst’s new website before we continue on this morning’s food kick. This evening they’ll officically launch their redesigned website with an event at Rojo featuring a performance by Matthew Mayfield and a remote by Live 100.5 FM. If you’ve got a moment, stop on by, especially since the first 75 that show up get free drink vouchers. If you get a chance, send us some photos from the event so we can share them with our readers… just saying…

Birmingham Urban League celebrates 40 years

Birmingham Urban LeagueThe Birmingham Urban League will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this Friday at the Harbert Center. Both the Urban League and the Birmingham Urban League Young Professionals (BULYP) advance their missions through the delivery of programs that empower area racial and ethnic groups.

Both groups focus specifically on education, housing, workforce development and youth services. They are working together to close gaps by addressing the problems that racial and ethnic groups face in the areas of education, economics, health, civic engagements and civil rights.

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