Author: Jon Eastwood

Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. Former county recycling manager in the UK. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours.

131 Hospitals and 40K employees depend on Encompass Health’s information technology department in Birmingham. They’re hiring too!

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Encompass Health’s Information technology Group is responsible for 131 hospitals and over 40k employees. Photo via Encompass Health

Birmingham based Encompass Health’s growing Information Technology Group (ITG) department is looking for talented techs to join their collaborative team. And, it’s not just about the coding.  It’s about making a difference in people’s lives. Bham Now sat down with a few ITG employees to find out what sets the department apart in the industry and what it’s like to play such an integral role for the nation’s leading provider in integrated healthcare services. They also gave us the inside scoop on some sweet open jobs.

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Coffee and Collisions brings the region’s brightest startups, founders, and influencers together at EDPA. Find out how

EDPA’s Coffee & Collisions. Where the ideas flow as freely as the Joe! Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now.

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Do you have a great new business idea or enjoy networking with other movers and shakers in Birmingham? EDPA’s Coffee & Collisions events take the guesswork away from starting a new business and provide a fun and casual meeting place where the ideas flow as freely as the Joe! Find out more and mark your calendar for the next Coffee & Collisions on June 5.

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You’ll ROFL at Little Shop of Horrors. Enjoy music, laughs and a bloodthirsty plant live on stage at RMTC Cabaret Theatre through June 2. Use code: Bham7 to save $7.

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Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Little Shop of Horrors. Photo by Stewart Edmonds via Red Mountain Theatre Company.

Are you a live comedy-horror musical fan?  I am now.

Red Mountain Theatre Company has another monster hit on its hands. The tremendously funny musical, Little Shop of Horrors, is being performed at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre until June 2. The show inspired by 1950’s rock’n’roll and motown, featuring lovable characters, and a mysterious singing plant with a plan to take over the world! Get tickets now (use discount code BHam7 to save $7)

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EDPA’s next Alabama Launchpad finale set for Tuskegee, Thursday, May 9 to celebrate and support entrepreneurship

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Alabama Launchpad offers a platform for entrepreneurs and startups to compete for major seed funding. (Photo via EDPA)

Entrepreneurs, innovators, and business startups from across Alabama are travelling to Tuskegee Thursday, May 9 to find out who will be awarded part of the $150,000 on offer from the EDPA at Cycle 2 of the 2019 Alabama Launchpad competition. Find out who made the final, why the EDPA chose Tuskegee this time around, and how you can apply for next cycle of Launchpad funding.

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Little Shop of Horrors opens May 17 at Red Mountain Cabaret Theatre starring Birmingham’s Jessica Clark. Use code: BHam7 to save $7. Win Tickets!

Jessica Clark will play the role of Audrey in Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Little Shop of Horrors (Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now)

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Birmingham based performer, Jessica Clark, discusses the upcoming Red Mountain Theatre Company production of Little Shop of Horrors, and her role as Audrey in the must watch rock comedy sci-fi horror musical.  Get tickets now (use discount code BHam7 to save $7)

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New mixed-use development a possibility at the Sherman Industries cement plant near Railroad Park

The Sherman Industries cement plant, near Railroad Park, could soon be redeveloped for mixed-use. (Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now)

Birmingham could be about to get another exciting mixed-use development project in the pipeline at a high-profile site, two blocks away from Railroad Park.

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Find out more about the Iron Age building restoration project and the one-of-a-kind glass windows being installed

The cast-iron façade of the Iron Age building on 20th St North, will feature impressive 6ft wide, 16ft high glass panels. Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now.

The restoration project at Birmingham’s Iron Age Building (20th Street North) is progressing at speed, with some pretty impressive panes of glass being installed this week. Find out more about this unique restoration, the owners desire to preserve the past, and what the future holds for this historic downtown building.

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Grab a bargain at the Junior League of Birmingham’s Bargain Carousel, April 27 and 28 and featuring Bargain Bash, the preview party, April 25. Find out how to win tickets!

Bargain Carousel shoppers browsing through over 100,000 items on sale. Photo via Junior League of Birmingham.

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If you enjoy getting a good deal at rock bottom prices and supporting good causes, you’ll love attending the Junior League of Birmingham’s Bargain Carousel, in Hoover, on Thursday, April 25, Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.

This is not your typical garage sale! Over 100,000 gently-used items will be on sale at affordable prices. Find out more about this fantastic fundraiser; the preview party, Bargain Bash; and how each purchase helps fund the JLB’s community projects.

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Record Store Day is this Saturday, April 13. Here’s what you need to know about the vinyl countdown in Birmingham

Vinyl record stacks at Seasick Records. Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now

Now in its 12th year, Record Store Day is a global celebration of music culture which sees independently owned record stores join forces for a fun day of live music performances and very limited special releases.

Find out what’s going on for Record Store Day in Birmingham so that you can plan your day.

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Outstanding volunteers to be celebrated at Hands on Birmingham’s IGNITE Awards on April 10. Purchase Final Tickets now.

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IGNITE 2018 Student Volunteer of the Year, Amrita Lakhanpal. Photo via Hands on Birmingham.

IGNITE 2018 Student Volunteer of the Year, Amrita Lakhanpal. Photo via Hands on Birmingham.

The spotlight is warming up to shine on local community champions who will be recognized for their volunteerism and love of the community at Hands on Birmingham’s IGNITE Citizens Volunteer Celebration, on April 10.

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A sneak peek at living in the Thomas Jefferson Tower. Confessions of a Brit turned Birminghamian. Photos included.

A Zyp Bike station is conveniently located outside TJ Tower. Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now
Exploring Birmingham using a Zyp Bike. Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now

Sometimes you know that you’ve just got to go for it! That’s what happened to me, a Welshman from the United Kingdom, who met a girl from Alabama, and eventually married her. This is my experience of moving to modern Birmingham and living at the historic Thomas Jefferson Tower.

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Jeffrey Bayer and David Silverstein to start new innovation hub on Highland Ave. in Birmingham

2130 Highland Ave. Birmingham. Site of a new creative space for startups, coming soon. Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now

You’ve probably heard about several start-up platforms in Birmingham.  Innovation Depot, UAB, REV Bham and EDPA’s Launchpad are a few.  But there will be a ‘new kid on the block’ coming soon to Highland Ave. Find out more.

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What is Birmingham smiling about right now? 5 ways to make that smile even brighter

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Some of the friendly staff at Vestavia Family Dentistry & Facial Aesthetics

Some of the friendly staff at Vestavia Family Dentistry & Facial Aesthetics.  Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now

Birminghamians have SO much to smile about. Springtime has finally arrived. Outdoor festivals are opening. UA, AU and UAB football practice is kicking off.  Vulcan Park has started their walking tours. You’re smiling from ear to ear. But wait. Does your smile need a spring pick-up?  No worries. Bham Now and Vestavia Family Dentistry & Facial Aesthetics have got you covered with tips to brighten those pearly whites right here.

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United Ability’s Belinda Dorough on the love of her life and being an advocate for people with disabilities

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Belinda Dorough enjoying the United Ability garden

Photo by Jon Eastwood for Bham Now

Belinda Dorough’s smile lights up the room as she discusses her love for her husband, Daniel Creech, and her advocacy journey for people with disabilities in Birmingham and beyond.

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