Tag Archives: Facebook

Yes, cash mobs are a good thing…

Cash. BlantantWorld.com/Flickr.The cash mob has found its way to Birmingham, AL in recent months. The folks at Magic City Post have recently held two events in the metro area so far and late this morning there were mentions floating around the local digital network that a Birmingham Cash Mob brand page had been created on Facebook.

The movement’s got its roots in Buffalo, NY and it’s continued to gain traction as a shop local movement continues to spread across the country as gas prices continue to go higher (as evidenced by the success of Carrie Rollwagen‘s (of Church Street Coffee & Books) Shop Small blog here in metro Birmingham.

According to the page’s info section:

Once a month, we’ll be hitting up locally owned and operated businesses armed with $20, a smile, and a love of Birmingham. Then we’ll head over to a local watering hole to celebrate the awesome night.

While we’re not sure who the organizers of the page are, we do know that they aren’t going to announce the unwillingly happy recipient of their generosity until they reach 500 people. Based on a quick reading of the site linked to on the page though, it may be safe to admit that they’ll try to coordinate their first effort with what will probably be referred to as National Cash Mob Day on March 24.

They’ve also set a goal of having at least 100 people “like” the page today. If you’re on Facebook and you’re interested in supporting local businesses, this could be yet another way to stick with your principles.

Photo: Cash. BlantantWorld.com/Flickr.

BJCC posts Marketplace renderings online via Facebook

Marketplace General OverviewThe BJCC posted architectural renderings of their long-planned entertainment district to their fan page on Facebook yesterday.

The proposal has gone before (and was approved by) Birmingham’s Design Review Committee in April and a drive by the construction site gives folks the impression that substantial work will begin soon. There were some concerns about a digital sign included in the design proposal though it appears as though they’ve been settled. Visitors to the fan page’s post have offered additional feedback on the design and the project.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new development, including a new hotel, restaurants and shops, was held back in late-January.

They also announced that there would be a link to a progress camera in the coming weeks and hinted that they’d be taking suggestions for the development’s name. Its working name is currently The Marketplace.

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.

New hope for independent film fans in Birmingham

It’s only been two weeks since the annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival took place in downtown Birmingham, AL. It appears that some are preparing to take advantage of momentum from projects like Railroad Park to provide a year-round venue for locals to enjoy independent film in the immediate metropolitan area while a new movie theater on the city’s east side has recently pledged to fill that need, at least partially.

A Facebook group appeared shortly after the festival, inviting people to become fans to help build support and interest in a new art house theater. Birmingham Indie Film Supporters appears to be loosely affiliated with the film festival’s parent organization, the Alabama Moving Image Association.

It’s interesting to note that in the midst of this recent wave of Facebook activism, Birmingham’s newest independently owned cinema complex, The Edge 12 located in Eastwood, told reporters for CBS 42 in August that they were planning to dedicate two screens to independent, non-commercial films.

BhamArchitect reports that one of the two screens is currently showing 2009’s The Girl Who Played With Fire, keeping in line with CrestwoodNorth’s tweet that only half of the screens were currently being used.

11K strong and growing effort to Save Live 100.5

Save Live 100.5Since our last post about the return of the radio carousel to Birmingham, AL for Live 100.5 FM, more than 11,000 more people have joined the group on Facebook set up to attempt to save the radio station from a pending format change (though as of this post less than 1,200 have signed an online petition asking for Citadel Broadcasting to change its mind). It’s been helped along by pleas on Twitter courtesy of artists like Sara BareillesIngrid Michaelson, and Pete Yorn .

The URL for the new station, an FM-simulcast of WAPI-AM, has already been secured (incidentally one day after parent company Citadel Broadcasting presented its reorganization plan to creditors due to its bankruptcy filing back in December). It also already established its own presence on Facebook via a regular personal profile.

Fans of the station’s current format will want to know that a concert has been organized for this Wednesday, February 17 beginning at 8 p.m. at WorkPlay on Birmingham’s Southside. The music venue has shared its thoughts about the situation on its website as of this afternoon. The lineup for the show includes Will Hoge, Matthew MayfieldThe Enemy Lovers and DJ CO CO with proceeds benefiting the Jimmie Hale Mission and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

There also appears to be a group organizing to be at the start line and then along the Mercedes Marathon route tomorrow (Sunday) morning holding up signs to inform more people about the situation at the radio station.

The word on the street is that Live 100.5 FM will cease original programming in its current format when tomorrow’s broadcast of Reg’s Coffee House is finished at 2 p.m. CT.

Wish for Fish at McWane this summer

Wish for Fish - McWane Science CenterMcWane Science Center is adding a new Shark & Ray Touch Tank to their World of Water aquarium in July and they’re looking for folks to help them stock it. You can support the new interactive experience as a Guppy, a Sting Ray or a Bonnethead Shark among other things. You can visit their website to contribute to Wish for Fish or if you’re on Facebook, become a member of their Cause and spread the word!