The world’s about to discover a one-of-a-kind Birmingham attraction

Gerald Watkins
Gerald Watkins

Today’s guest columnist is Gerald Watkins.

The world’s about to discover a unique Birmingham attraction.

An attraction that even many local folks don’t know much about.

A huge event is coming to Birmingham!

An event that that virtually no one saw coming. Continue reading The world’s about to discover a one-of-a-kind Birmingham attraction

Birmingham dodged a bullet, but missed the opportunity of a lifetime

Ron Blatman
Ron Blatman

Today’s guest columnist is Ron Blatman.

The year was 1998.

Oklahoma City was moving full speed ahead with huge economic development projects that were transforming the city.

They called it MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects Strategy).

Birminghamians were captivated by the Oklahoma City experience and sought to emulate its success. Continue reading Birmingham dodged a bullet, but missed the opportunity of a lifetime

Man with Mtn. Brook legacy makes extraordinary prediction–could actually succeed

Bucky McMillan, Head Coach Samford University
Bucky McMillan, Head Coach Samford University

Today’s guest columnist is Bucky McMillan.

Editor’s note: Bucky McMillan grew up in Mtn. Brook and coached basketball at Mtn. Brook High School where he won five state championships.

In 2020, he became the head basketball coach at Samford which had only one winning season in the 14 years preceding McMillan’s arrival.

This week his Samford team earned  an invitation to the the NCAA Tournament winning the championship game of the SoCon tournament.

He wrote this column for ComebackTown three years ago entering  his second season at Samford: Continue reading Man with Mtn. Brook legacy makes extraordinary prediction–could actually succeed

Birmingham, a story of Communism you may not know

Dr. Thomas Reidy
Dr. Thomas Reidy

Today’s guest columnist is Dr, Thomas Reidy.

A blackjack split open Joe Gelders’s head before three men shoved him into a nearby sedan. It was late in the evening on the 26th day of September 1936.

The kidnappers drove an hour and half from Birmingham to a wooded area near Maplesville, where the tormentors stripped Gelders naked but for his underwear, then beat him nearly to death.  Continue reading Birmingham, a story of Communism you may not know

Tribute to Birmingham FBI Special Agent who cut the legs out from under two evil men

Rob Langford
Rob Langford

Today’s guest columnist is T.K. Thorne.

Rob Langford is probably not a name you are familiar with. He was a quiet, thoughtful man who wanted to make things better.

When the FBI chose him to serve as Special Agent in Charge of the Birmingham, Alabama office, he came with an open mind. Continue reading Tribute to Birmingham FBI Special Agent who cut the legs out from under two evil men

Look out Broadway–Birmingham is ‘comin’

Keith Cromwell
Keith Cromwell

Today’s guest column is Keith Cromwell.

Of course Birmingham is The Magic City, because I’ve seen dreams come true here with my own eyes.

I took the helm of Red Mountain Theatre (RMT) as Executive Director in 2003 and I’ve been overwhelmed with the potential for Birmingham and its youth. Continue reading Look out Broadway–Birmingham is ‘comin’

Without Birmingham there is no Homewood

Homewood City Hall
Homewood City Hall

By David Sher

I know I’m going to take some flak.

When I publish columns about how our region would prosper with local government consolidation or collaboration, I brace myself for negative comments from folks who think their suburb is superior to Birmingham and imply we’d all be better off if Birmingham didn’t exist. Continue reading Without Birmingham there is no Homewood

Poignant plea: Parents need marijuana for suffering kids

Dr. Sam Blakemore
Dr. Sam Blakemore

Today’s guest columnist is Sam Blakemore.

“Sam, I’m angry at God… that little girl is too precious for Him to do this to her.

She doesn’t deserve this; and I’m mad at God for doing this to her!”

I saw rage in her father’s eyes because Anna’s health was taking a turn for the worse. Continue reading Poignant plea: Parents need marijuana for suffering kids

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham