Tag Archives: Community

Instagrams of Birmingham? There’s an online home for them

instagrambham badgeSome who’ve been online in Birmingham, AL for a while probably remember the Magic City Flickr Group. It still exists (with more than 20,600 photos and 800+ members as of this digital entry) as does The Terminal‘s Flickr Group, Birmingham Weekly‘s SEEN pool, and a profile maintained by Weld for Birmingham.

Well there appears to be a new and growing group of individuals who’ve turned to the popular photo sharing app Instagram to expose themselves and others to images of Alabama’s largest city. Instagram Birmingham lives entirely online; its Twitter profile only has 10 followers (& it hasn’t said anything… yet), but its brand page on Facebook currently has 80 people sharing what they’ve been able to capture digitally – with that number only able to go up.

The group connects using the hashtag #instagrambham when sharing their images on Twitter. Local fans of the smartphone app have gathered in person before as well, including back in March as part of the first annual Instagram International Photowalk. Incidentally, our namesake in the UK is preparing to hold one their own on July 26 as part of the next international photowalk that weekend.

Maybe we’ll learn some more about how our folks plan on taking part soon?

United Way launches new online initiative

iamunited.org screenshotThe United Way of Central Alabama has launched a new online initiative inspired by the national organization’s long-running “Live United” campaign.

The new “I am United” website presents a new way for the UWCA to “promote opportunity and engagement among those who want to help” while leveraging Facebook accounts.

Visitors must log in using their Facebook account to fully engage with the site, allowing them to potentially cross-post ways they’re engaging in the community, earn badges to let others know about their level of participation and learn about volunteer opportunities via an events calendar. You’ll also be able to nominate “champions.”

It does not replace the organization’s official website, which currently reminds us that they reached their 2010 goal by raising more than $37.2 million. The organization has also re-branded their YouTube and Twitter profile accordingly.

Community input sought for conservation plan

Freshwater Land Trust logoDo you have any suggestions for what should be included in a community conservation plan for metro Birmingham?

The Freshwater Land Trust would love to hear from you this afternoon, October 19, (beginning at 4 p.m.) at Vulcan Park.

While we’re thinking of it, now may be a good time to make sure you’re aware of the Land Trust’s ARTSCAPE event, taking place in one month at the Avon Theater in Birmingham’s Lakeview district.

What are you dreaming for Birmingham?

It's time to imagine Birmingham's future...We already told you about today’s Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham annual meeting a couple of week’s ago.

Today, I had the privilege of writing this post for the foundation’s Imagine blog. I’d ask you to check out the post, learn why the green bracelet that you see here is significant and then share your dream for The Magic City and the surrounding region either by clicking here to comment on the post over there or putting your answer over on Magic City Question.

I’d ask that you share your comments even after today’s events are over.

Lend a hand to the homeless this weekend

Hands on Birmingham is still looking for volunteers to help with this Saturday’s Project Homeless Connect at Boutwell Auditorium.

From their website: “On Saturday, April 5, approximately 500 volunteers, public servants, non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations and citizens will assemble under one roof to help people who are homeless in our community through Project Homeless Connect. This innovative one-day event is about breaking the cycle of homelessness, increasing access to services and ending chronic homelessness in Central Alabama. … Be a part of Birmingham’s solution to homelessness.”

People attending the event from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be offered a variety of services from help with housing and employment to pet care and haircuts.