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
By David Sher
If you’re a ‘Birmingham critic,’ this column is not for you.
What the City of Birmingham is doing is ambitious, strategic, and definitely would not be expected from a governmental entity. Continue reading This column should muffle Birmingham critics
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
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’
Today’s guest columnist is Jake McKenzie.
What is Birmingham’s BRAND: The fundamental nature of who we are, what we embody, and how The Magic City resonates with the world?
It’s our message to the world is what makes Birmingham unique. Continue reading What is Birmingham’s brand?
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
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
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
By David Sher
How can the City of Birmingham grow population and prosper when parents feel compelled to flee the city when their children reach school age?
I have a question for parents with school age children who live/work in the Birmingham area. Continue reading Can Birmingham City Schools save Birmingham?
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