Today’s guest columnist is Maury Shevin.
Birmingham has done it!
After decades of stagnation and missteps, Birmingham continues to make decisions that prove to the world that we are not the Birmingham of old. Continue reading We showed the world what Birmingham is today
By David Sher
We’re counting down the days.
Graffiti will be disappearing one by one.
Trash and litter on the sidewalk and streets will become rare.
Our homeless neighbors will receive regular outreach to help connect them to services and resources they need. Continue reading Finally 5 Points South gets it right
Today’s guest columnist is Michael Sznajderman.
Hey Birmingham. Why do we have such low self-esteem?
Yes, we have a dark history.
Yes, our steamy summers can be trying.
And yes, we’ve got some tough issues that aren’t easily solved. Continue reading Don’t be surprised: People love Birmingham!
Today’s guest columnist is Barbara Keight Staub.
“I would’ve beaten King if those damn merchants hadn’t given in.” — Bull Connor, Commissioner of Public Safety, 1963
Nine years after Brown vs. Board of Education ordered the integration of public schools, most private facilities in the Deep South were still segregated in 1963. Continue reading The secret meeting that changed Birmingham
Today’s guest columnist is Tyler Jones.
After our first night in Crestwood, I knew we were not alone in this old house.
The neighbor’s blueberry pie had been raptured by mice. Or was it the Norway rat?
Then the water came. It came from the ceiling, from the fireplace, from underneath the back door. Continue reading Do we have the courage to reimagine Birmingham?
Today’s guest columnist is Ken Grodner.
In my business, I have the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people, but none as special as Birmingham’s Italian Stallion, Lou Scripa.
Lou and his wife Rose were considering a condo complex, and I had the good fortune to show them the property.
After spending the morning with Rose and Lou, Rose says to me, “You know, Lou holds a number of World Records.”
Today’s guest columnist is Rebecca Rothman.
Some things are so far-fetched you can’t make them up.
I’m a happily married mom of two well-adjusted teenagers. I work in finance. I volunteer at my temple, host Shabbat dinners, and drive carpool to Girl Scouts. I am a practical person!
And yet here I am at the age of 48, performing stand-up comedy. Continue reading Something funny is going on in Birmingham
Today’s guest columnist is Frank McPhillips.
Charles Zukoski, Jr was Mountain Brook’s first mayor, elected in 1942, weeks after the City was incorporated.
He also was, without doubt, among the most brilliant and creative public servants in Mountain Brook’s history, lauded by the Birmingham Post-Herald as the City’s Thomas Jefferson “who established its law and precept [and] brought light and order to its human relations.”
Zukoski also harbored a secret that wasn’t revealed until after he left office. Continue reading The stunning secret of Mountain Brook’s first mayor
By David Sher
Larry Ellison announced this week he plans to make Nashville Oracle’s world headquarters.
National media announced this week that JD Sports plans to acquire Hibbett, a public company headquartered here in Birmingham.
Birmingham used to have 30 public companies headquartered here. Now we will drop from eight to seven. Continue reading Birmingham’s surprising opportunity
Today’s guest columnist is Chervis Isom.
Editor’s note: Chervis Isom passed away in 2023. He was raised by an intolerant father, but he grew up to be a remarkable man with a remarkable life. He wrote the following piece. titled The Right Cross in 2016.
“Your mother is upset that you’re spending so much time with that Catholic girl. It’s good to have friends, but you shouldn’t get serious with her. She’s Catholic you know, and you can’t change them.” Continue reading Growing up in Birmingham, my father struck me for dating a Catholic girl