Category Archives: Guest blogger

Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

A one-of-a-kind world-class asset could change the face of Birmingham

October 10, 2023 David Sher 27 Comments

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. Continue reading A one-of-a-kind world-class asset could change the face of Birmingham →

Alabama, Guest blogger

Bart Starr, Jr.: Governor Ivey–Please intervene before a man is killed for a crime he didn’t commit

February 25, 2020 David Sher 4 Comments

Today’s guest columnist is Bart Starr, Jr.

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

(Editor’s note: Nate Woods was executed March 5, 2020. This piece was published February 25.)

In 1998 our family had the honor of meeting a wonderful couple who had endured an unspeakable tragedy. Continue reading Bart Starr, Jr.: Governor Ivey–Please intervene before a man is killed for a crime he didn’t commit →

Guest blogger, UAB, What's great about Birmingham

The ingenious idea that could change the perception of B’ham forever!

February 19, 2020 David Sher 32 Comments

Today’s guest columnist is Vance Wesson.

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

Seattle has the Space Needle… Dallas–the Reunion Tower.

Visit the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio or the Calgary Tower in Alberta Canada.

Wow! What an experience!

But all of them, including the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, and the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls are similar in design. Continue reading The ingenious idea that could change the perception of B’ham forever! →

Alabama, Guest blogger

I was furious when we moved to B’ham: Roy Wood, Jr. of Comedy Central

February 4, 2020 David Sher 4 Comments

Roy Wood, Jr. (Photo by Jill Friedman) — Roy Wood, Jr. at Alabama Bicentennial (Photo by Jill Friedman)

Today’s guest blogger is Roy Wood, Jr.

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

I was furious when we moved to Birmingham.

Absolutely furious!

Like most 2nd graders I had my network of friends. I was cool with the local guy at the corner store who gave me extra candy and I‘d finally earned a starting position on the little league team. Continue reading I was furious when we moved to B’ham: Roy Wood, Jr. of Comedy Central →

Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

The backstory on what saved downtown Birmingham

January 22, 2020 David Sher 11 Comments

Today’s guest blogger is Michael Calvert.

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

Everyone’s thrilled with our highly energized downtown.

Downtown Birmingham was dying.

Now there’s construction everywhere.

What happened?

Here’s the backstory. Continue reading The backstory on what saved downtown Birmingham →

Guest blogger, Race relations

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 →

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 →

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 →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham