Texan married into a family feud when he moved to Birmingham

January 14, 2020 David Sher 4 Comments

Today’s guest blogger is Joe Adams.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

A while back, my good friend Bill Ivey wrote a piece for ComebackTown about the history of Birmingham that recounted the elitists, racists, and snake-oil salesmen who built Birmingham.

It provided a great bibliography, with histories that told the story of how Birmingham was established. After more than a decade here, I’m still learning about the place I now call home.

It’s a lot to ponder. Continue reading Texan married into a family feud when he moved to Birmingham →

Birmingham Schools, Guest blogger

At long last Birmingham students have options

January 8, 2020 David Sher 1 Comment

Today’s guest blogger is Felicia Huntley.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

I wish the same thing for my son as you wish for yours.

I want for my son to have a chance in life.

I know he will never be successful without a quality education.

I live within the city limits of Birmingham, and up until now, parents have had very few educational options for their children. Continue reading At long last Birmingham students have options →

Guest blogger, Race relations, Regional collaboration, What's great about Birmingham

Author of ‘Why we escaped the Mtn. Brook bubble’ has second thoughts

January 2, 2020 David Sher 5 Comments

Today’s guest blogger is Maury Shevin.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

I questioned the diversity of our suburbs when I wrote, “Why we escaped the Mountain Brook bubble.”

But, two recent events have given me pause for reflection. Continue reading Author of ‘Why we escaped the Mtn. Brook bubble’ has second thoughts →

David Sher posts, Population

Can our suburbs survive if B’ham’s a donut hole?

December 24, 2019 David Sher 15 Comments

Editor’s note: ComebackTown’s celebrating its 8th anniversary. I thought it might be insightful to republish the very first piece (Jan. 3, 2012). Since publication, the City of Birmingham’s population has stabilized…and our region’s making great progress–all good news! Continue reading Can our suburbs survive if B’ham’s a donut hole? →

David Sher posts, Regional collaboration

Hoover leadership showing courage and vision

December 17, 2019 David Sher 6 Comments

I’m not sure I appreciated it at the time, but it was a big deal.

The year was 2010 and the event was the opening of Railroad Park.

You would expect William Bell, the mayor of Birmingham, to be one of the speakers, but next to him was Tony Petelos, the then mayor of Hoover. Mayor Petelos spoke enthusiastically about the new park and the future of our Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area. Continue reading Hoover leadership showing courage and vision →

Guest blogger, UAB, What's great about Birmingham

Scarbinsky excited about B’ham sports

December 10, 2019 David Sher 4 Comments

Today’s guest blogger is Kevin Scarbinsky.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

It happened in Birmingham.

Bear Bryant and 315. Bo over the top. Van Tiffin and the kick and “It’s good!” “It’s good.” “It’s good!” “It’s good.”

It was good. It was very, very good. It was the Iron Bowl, and it was the heart of big-time sports in this city. Past tense. Continue reading Scarbinsky excited about B’ham sports →

Birmingham Schools, Crime, David Sher posts, Race relations, Technology, What's great about Birmingham

It must suck to be a Birmingham hater

December 3, 2019 David Sher 13 Comments

You know about the Birmingham haters if you read the comments on al.com, ComebackTown, or any other Birmingham media.

Who are these people?

Why are they so antagonistic towards Birmingham?

And why are they against their own city, county, or region? Continue reading It must suck to be a Birmingham hater →

Guest blogger

What fractured Birmingham can learn from Asheville

November 26, 2019 David Sher 7 Comments

Today’s guest blogger is Emily Truncellito.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

Editor’s note: This piece was written as a response to “Why would anyone want to vacation in Birmingham?”

Nestled in the Blue Ridge link of the Appalachian Mountain chain is the tourist hot spot of Asheville, NC.

I lived in Asheville for over 20 years and worked in tourism there, witnessing the industry vacillate between incorporating the native population and excluding it. Continue reading What fractured Birmingham can learn from Asheville →

David Sher posts

Five Points South: Don’t let the ‘naysayers’ win

November 19, 2019 David Sher 12 Comments

Graffiti on front door 20th Street-- heart of Five Points South — Graffiti on front door 20th Street– heart of Five Points South

I’ve published more than 400 pieces about our Birmingham region in the past seven years.

But I was completely blindsided by comments on the I believe in Birmingham Facebook page for the article, Five Points South landlords are self-destructive.

Continue reading Five Points South: Don’t let the ‘naysayers’ win →

Corporate community, Guest blogger, Technology, What's great about Birmingham

Business woman’s brilliant business idea for Birmingham

November 12, 2019 David Sher 5 Comments

Today’s guest blogger is Britney Summerville.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

Shipt is one of Birmingham’s great start-up success stories. The company went from a few employees to a $550 million acquisition in less than five years.

The big question is, ‘How can Birmingham replicate that success?’

Building from within isn’t the only way to grow a region. Continue reading Business woman’s brilliant business idea for Birmingham →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham