In the mid 1980’s when I was Chairman of Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), I was asked to make some comments at the opening of one of the first loft apartment projects in downtown Birmingham.
At the time, I don’t think 150 people lived downtown. Continue reading Pinch me! This is the new Birmingham!
ALDOT closed I-20/59 through downtown–and the sun came up the next day.
I don’t know if this has been a fiasco or a nonevent, but I do know it’s time we take control of our future. Continue reading Who do we blame for I-20/59 shutdown?
I publish an article about our Birmingham region every week, but this piece affects me more directly since I live in Vestavia Hills.
It also impacts my wallet since I spend a lot of money in my community and Vestavia raised our sales taxes from 9 to 10% last year. Continue reading What we can learn from Vestavia Hills
Homewood is hot!
Homewood has great schools, beautiful neighborhoods and friendly people. It’s convenient to just about everything and has a booming downtown. It seems like a new restaurant opens there every month. Continue reading Time for a tough talk with Homewood
Some things you just can’t make up.
All of us in Alabama and most of the civilized world know that on December 1st, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts came off the bench for an injured Tua Tagovailoa to lead Alabama to a come-from-behind victory over Georgia in the SEC championship game. Continue reading Alabama quarterbacks & UAB coach have heart
Let me make this clear.
I’m talking about metropolitan Birmingham—not just the city of Birmingham. Yes, all seven counties including Shelby County.
Things are looking up—but not when we are measured against other regions. Continue reading 3 very bad numbers for greater Birmingham
What’s going on in America?
Everyone seems to be divided.
Republican/ Democrat
White/Black
Conservative/Liberal
Rich/Poor
No one seems to want to cooperate to achieve common goals. Continue reading Pinch me! Is this really Birmingham?
I live in two different worlds.
The world of my contemporaries—folks 50, 60, 70 years old who are generally happy with the status quo.
And the world of 20, 30, and 40 year olds—who are desperate for change.
I make some of my contemporary friends nervous. Continue reading Look out divided Birmingham: Here come the Millennials!
My wife and I are a Costco family
We shop Costco every week, eat free snacks, and look forward to chance meetings with friends—many we haven’t seen in years. Continue reading Oh no! Homewood, Vestavia, & now Hoover
It’s been a wild ride publishing ComebackTown.
I never dreamed publishing a weekly blog about how to create a more prosperous Birmingham could be so challenging—but so DARN interesting!
I’ve learned so much about human nature, Birmingham, and our suburban neighbors. Continue reading What I’ve learned about Birmingham, Mtn. Brook, & people