Posts by davidsher:
Downtown Birmingham was really cool when I was growing up
November 28th, 2023
By David Sher
I grew up in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s and the number of contemporaries I can share my memories with is shrinking.
I feel compelled to tell my story of growing up in Birmingham—specifically downtown—because it was a unique time that young people today will find difficult to comprehend. Read the rest of this entry “
What a fragmented Birmingham can learn from a city that’s even more fragmented
November 21st, 2023
Today’s guest columnist is Ron Blatman.
I know cities.
I write about cities.
I produce documented series about making cities better places.
I’ve always been fascinated with Birmingham, Alabama and… Read the rest of this entry “
Mtn. Brook parents, don’t give up on your children’s future in Birmingham
November 14th, 2023
By David Sher
People ask, “Why do you write about Mountain Brook?”
The answer is simple. I’ve lived much of my life in Mountain Brook.
If I had grown up in Trussville, I would probably write about Trussville. Read the rest of this entry “
Alabama Business Hall of Famer driven to build Birmingham
November 7th, 2023
Today’s guest columnist is Mike Mouron.
I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1972 in Accounting and became a CPA.
Never did I dream when I moved back to Birmingham in 1985 that I would found Capstone Development in 1990 —and it would become a company that exceeded my wildest expectations. Read the rest of this entry “
Jeff Bezos is not going to save Birmingham
October 31st, 2023
By David Sher
I’ve been active in our Birmingham business community most of my adult life and I’ve never seen Jeff Bezos, the third richest man in the world, and the founder of Amazon.
I’ve not seen him in downtown Birmingham, in Vestavia Hills, or in any of our suburbs. Read the rest of this entry “
Red Mountain Cut idea goes viral (New video)
October 26th, 2023
By David Sher
Two weeks ago Bryson Stephens grabbed Birmingham’s attention with a brilliant idea for a lighted bridge alongside the Red Mountain Cut–an idea that could change the face of Birmingham.
The response has been positive and overwhelming.
Called “Gateway to the City, Bridge to the future,” a new website and video have just been launched. Read the rest of this entry “
Unprecedented $50M grant huge boost for Birmingham
October 24th, 2023
Today’s guest columnist is Dontrelle Young Foster.
A once vibrant community, full of life and promise, now sits quietly in a forgotten area.
Located just a stone’s throw away from Legion Field and steps from A.H. Parker High School is the once bustling neighborhood known as Smithfield. Read the rest of this entry “
New partnership marks stunning victory for our parks
October 17th, 2023
This week’s guest columnist is Tom Spencer.
This month, the Jefferson County Greenways Commission is launching a national search for a superintendent to lead the development of a system of large-acreage public parks, bringing together Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. Read the rest of this entry “
A one-of-a-kind world-class asset could change the face of Birmingham
October 10th, 2023
Today’s guest columnist is Bryson Stephens.
(Illustrations below show what is possible for our Red Mountain Cut)
On a chilly winter day in 2015, my 11-year-old daughter and I climbed the eastern wall of the Cut in Red Mountain.
A few months prior, a businessperson had told me that the Cut “looked like crap.” The last time I had physically been there was on an elementary school field trip in the early ‘80s, so I wanted to see it for myself. And it seemed like a good father-daughter excursion. Read the rest of this entry “
My mama loved this Birmingham restaurant
October 3rd, 2023
By David Sher
While in school in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s I worked in my dad’s retail store in downtown Birmingham summers and weekends.
We were a small family business so mom worked there also.
We couldn’t all go to lunch at the same time so I usually went with one of my parents. Read the rest of this entry “