How we’re overcoming distrust that has plagued Birmingham

Jennifer Andress
Jennifer Andress

Today’s guest columnist is Jennifer Andress.

The history of the Birmingham area is a complicated one, to put it mildly.

Regional strife led to thirty-five separate competing municipalities in Jefferson County, each operating for its own benefit. Continue reading How we’re overcoming distrust that has plagued Birmingham

It’s not too late for Alabama to save $100’s of millions and cut crime

Carla Crowder

Today’s guest columnist is Carla Crowder.

The State of Alabama suddenly has a lot of money.

Federal funds are pouring into the state and lawmakers are figuring out right now how to spend this windfall. This is taxpayer money; we should pay attention. Continue reading It’s not too late for Alabama to save $100’s of millions and cut crime

Massive 750 mile trail system planned for Birmingham

Carolyn Buck
Carolyn Buck

Today’s guest columnist is Carolyn Buck.

We are laser-focused on building a massive trail system for Birmingham.

Seven hundred and fifty miles of multi-use trails, parks, bike lanes, and sidewalks to connect Jefferson County residents. Continue reading Massive 750 mile trail system planned for Birmingham

UAB Health System’s new CEO’s vision for Birmingham and Alabama

Dr. Selwyn Vickers
Dr. Selwyn Vickers

Today’s guest columnist is Dr. Selwyn Vickers.

Growing up in Alabama has always been a significant point of pride for me.

Throughout my training years at Johns Hopkins Medicine and my seven years as chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, I knew I would find my way back here. Continue reading UAB Health System’s new CEO’s vision for Birmingham and Alabama

Greatest college football team was not coached by Saban

Norman Jetmundsen wearing vintage football helmet
Norman Jetmundsen wearing vintage football helmet

Today’s guest columnist is Norman Jetmundsen.

In the country as a whole — and certainly in Alabama — college football is tantamount to a religion.

It’s what people read, write, watch, talk and argue about, not just during the season, but all year round.

It is natural, therefore, that much time and energy is spent in debating who were the greatest teams in the history of the game. Continue reading Greatest college football team was not coached by Saban

Atlanta man has crazy bold Elon Musk idea for Birmingham

Wood Hughes
Wood Hughes

Today’s guest columnist is Wood Hughes.

In the early 1890s, a newly married young South Carolina man was looking for a better life than the worn fields and swamps then owned by his family.

He decided to move his Charleston bride to the booming town of Atlanta where he got on with the Atlanta Police Department. Continue reading Atlanta man has crazy bold Elon Musk idea for Birmingham

UAB President Watts had a rough 2014—what’s happened since?

Dr. Ray Watts
Dr. Ray Watts

On December 4, 2014, I did something I had never done before and have never had to do again.

On that day, as publisher of ComebackTown, I published a column which I naively titled, “UAB lucky to have Ray Watts as President.”

Two days earlier Dr. Watts had announced the cancellation of UAB Blazer football.

The response was immediate, ugly, and personal. Continue reading UAB President Watts had a rough 2014—what’s happened since?

A Birmingham barbershop–Where men spew hate

Chervis Isom (Photo by Hugh Hunter)

Today’s guest columnist is Chervis Isom.

As a young boy I always enjoyed my visits to the Johnson barbershop on 12th Avenue North in the Norwood neighborhood of Birmingham.

I liked the place because it was a man’s world where men talked about men stuff—sports and politics—and there were no women around to hold them accountable. Continue reading A Birmingham barbershop–Where men spew hate

One of neatest cities in America in Jefferson County

John Hardin
John Hardin
Barry Smith
Barry Smith

Today’s guest columnists are John Hardin and Barry Smith.

It’s really quite unique!

Jefferson County is home to one of the neatest cities in America–a Mayberry-like town that enjoys incredible diversity and embraces that diversity.

Diverse, yet has one of the best, if not the best, school system in Alabama. Continue reading One of neatest cities in America in Jefferson County

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham