Category Archives: Guest columnist

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’

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

Woman rocketed by experience growing up in Birmingham

Carol Edge
Carol Edge

Today’s guest columnist is Carol Edge.

Everyone knows the history, knows that Birmingham was aka the most segregated city in the nation, knows that Birmingham was aka Bombingham, and if they don’t know the litany of events in 1963 — well, they ought to.

American history is yoked to civil rights history. It’s what we’re founded on, what we have grandly succeeded at and dismally failed at. Continue reading Woman rocketed by experience growing up in Birmingham

Birmingham overcomes giant mud hole in middle of city to beat out Elyton

Melissa Young
Melissa Young

Today’s guest columnist is Melissa Young.

Elyton—once Jefferson County’s seat and a springboard of possibility—is now just a tiny blip on Birmingham’s historic radar.

Located in the Arlington-West End neighborhood, it’s the current home of Princeton Baptist Medical Center and local landmarks like Elmwood Cemetery and Arlington Historic Home and Gardens

 Few people know, however, that in 1870, Elyton was predicted to be the site of the state’s next economic miracle.  Continue reading Birmingham overcomes giant mud hole in middle of city to beat out Elyton

The TV interview with a Birmingham doctor that changed my life

M
Mike Royer

Today’s guest columnist is Mike Royer.

I could tell you all about interviewing Jimmy Carter when he was running for President in 1976.

Or, the 20 minutes I spent interviewing President Bill Clinton right after he was first elected.

I think they’re pretty good stories and I’d be happy to tell you about the interviews sometime. Continue reading The TV interview with a Birmingham doctor that changed my life