John R. Whitman
Today’s guest columnist is John Whitman.
I’m an entrepreneur and a business academic from the northeast who happily married into Birmingham.
Prior to Birmingham, I spent four years helping to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Huntsville to cultivate high-tech, high-growth startups. Continue reading Can Birmingham become an entrepreneurial city? →
Mike Diccicco
Today’s guest columnist is Mike Diccicco.
I’m a white guy that grew up in the 60’s in Birmingham. Moved there in 2nd grade, left after graduating high school in 1967.
During that whole time, I had one black friend, a kid named Jackie, same age as me, who lived in an old farmhouse a half-mile through the woods from our modest rancher on Lynn Acres Drive in Roebuck. Continue reading White and black parents talked differently to their children →
Terry Barr
Today’s guest columnist is Terry Barr.
In my adopted hometown of Greenville, we have two synagogues and one Jewish deli.
I am not a member of either religious house because long ago I distanced myself from organized practice, except of the yoga, or writing, kind. Continue reading Man sheds tears over old Birmingham restaurant →
Photo of Atlanta graffiti by Stacy Sher
By David Sher
My wife and I just got back from a trip to Atlanta to visit our son and family.
Oh! The traffic.
Just shoot me!
Not even rush hour traffic—this was the weekend. Continue reading Birmingham ready to pounce on Atlanta’s vulnerability →
John Lyda
Today’s guest columnist is John Lyda.
I have always wanted to attend a Magic City Classic football game between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Alabama State Hornets, the state of Alabama’s two largest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Year after year I’d find myself once again allowing the Classic weekend to come and go, telling myself, “I’ll go next year”. Continue reading Are ‘Over-the-Mountain’ Caucasians welcome to Magic City Classic? →
Rendering of proposed downtown Birmingham amphitheater. Source: Corporate Realty
By David Sher
I didn’t expect to be writing a column about the new $50 million amphitheater proposed for downtown Birmingham.
I’m not a politician or business person involved in the project and the only information I have is what I’ve read on-line. Continue reading Did Birmingham backstab Pelham? →
Ryan Hankins
Today’s guest columnist is Ryan Hankins.
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” This is the title of the second-longest-running Off-Broadway musical (according to Wikipedia, at least).
The phrase also seems to summarize Alabamians’ thoughts about our state constitution. Continue reading Our Constitution out of control →
Malcolm Carmichael
Today’s guest columnist is Malcolm Carmichael.
My friend, Mike Buchanan, and I, both mature residents of suburbs south of the city, read the hype and wondered: what’s riding the Xpress really like?
Is it different from the existing bus service we’ve tried with limited success?
What will it accomplish? Continue reading Vestavia geezer stunned by Birmingham’s leap into 21st Century →
Brenda Starnes
Brenda Starnes is guest columnist today.
I have the unique experience of having lived and worked in Nashville, Charlotte, and Birmingham.
I love Birmingham—that’s why I moved back—but Nashville and Charlotte have one big advantage over Birmingham. Continue reading Can Birmingham put Humpty Dumpty back together again? →
Current Downtown YMCA Branch
By David Sher
The downtown YMCA building is up for sale.
I am likely the longest continuous member of the Birmingham YMCA–if not, I’m close. Continue reading You won’t believe what went on at Downtown YMCA →
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To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham