Category: Civic

Reflections on Washington – Birmingham Women Share Their Stories

The Women’s March on Washington, as experienced and retold by the following Birmingham residents;

EMILY PETERSON

photo courtesy of Emily Peterson

“I woke up this morning on a bus full of strangers in foggy darkness at a truck stop in Virginia. Chartered busses filled the parking lot. I made my way off the bus and into the packed convenience store full of sleepy women with flat hair and sweatshirts and pink knit hats. There was a line for the women’s restroom that wrapped out the door. But there was an excited energy in the air — tired, but excited.

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Take a special Sunday hike with the Freshwater Land Trust

For twenty years, the Freshwater Land Trust has become one of the most respected and successful land trust organizations in the South. Throughout the years, they have saved and protected special places in the Magic City; including restored industrial sites transformed into green spaces to endangered darters found no where on earth but in our local springs and streams.   This year, the land trust is providing the public with an unique opportunity to see firsthand these special places they have saved through their 2017 Sunday Hike Series.

High Ore Line Trail – Photo from the Freshwater Land Trust

Start 2017 off right this week

For 2017, start your tour of Freshwater Land Trust hosted hikes this Sunday, January 29th, 2:00 at the High Ore Line Trail.

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New York Magazine recognizes Birmingham’s newly elected 9 black female judges

From New York Magazine – Photo by Andre Wagner

Jefferson County made history last November electing nine black women to district and circuit judgeships.

The historic event was recognized nationally this weekend with a feature story by New York Magazine.

Check out the story at New York Magazine:

Why the Election of 9 Black Female Judges in Alabama Matters

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Talladega College Marching Tornado Band fundraiser tops $672K

Talladega College MarchingTornado Band -Screenshot from NBC News

The controversy over the Talladega College Marching Tornado Band appearance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration parade has turned into one of the single greatest fundraising  efforts ever for the school, according to the college’s president Billy Hawkins.

As of Sunday evening, January 22nd, the GoFundMe page had raised $672,703. The original goal was to raise $75,000.  How did they do it?

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Locals Joined Women’s March on Washington – Possibly largest demonstration in history

Birmingham, participants Washington March on D.C.
Chris, Avery and Peggy Biga meet up with friends at the Washington march. (photo courtesy of Peggy Biga)

On Saturday, January 21, scores of Birmingham residents converged on the nation’s capitol for the Women’s March on Washington.  The crowd (some estimates are over a million) came from every corner of the country and the world to advocate on behalf of women’s rights and human rights.  Some of the Alabama delegation documented their experiences through social media posts and photos.

According to Vox News,

…political scientists say they think we may have just witnessed the largest day of demonstrations in American history.

According to data collected by Erica Chenoweth at the University of Denver and Jeremy Pressman at the University of Connecticut, marches held in more than 500 US cities were attended by at least 3.7 million people.

The google docs spreadsheet, where counts are being tallied across the world shows that Birmingham contributed between 5000-10,000 participants to the historic event.

See photos/videos from locals who were there:

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The new Empire Hotel Renovations are almost Complete

Referred to as the “Heaviest Corner on Earth”, the location of the Empire Hotel, among 3 other giants, caught the eye of visitors and locals in the early 1900’s.

Now, the Empire Hotel has been given a taste of Bham revitalization and will hopefully be opening soon.

Located on 1st Ave. and 20th St. North, the Empire Building has seen its fair share of Birmingham.

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“Box Row” – Avondale – Beginning Construction Soon

A point of pride for the Magic City is the revitalization Avondale has experienced over the last 5 years, and it isn’t slowing down any time soon.

Next up – Box Row will soon add a new flavor of growth within east Birmingham.

Image result for Box Row
A rendering of what Box Row will look like on the corner of 3rd Ave. and 42nd St. South – by Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds

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Birmingham to D.C. Here we come!

Hundreds of Birmingham women, men and children are on their way to our nation’s capitol for the Women’s March on Washington, tomorrow, Saturday, January 21. Whether by car, plane, bus, with personal funds or on scholarship, they’re all packed and headed out to make a stand for their beliefs in women’s rights.

Washington protest marchers wait to board a departing bus.

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“East West”, newest asian inspired restaurant, hits downtown Birmingham

Following his roots, Colby Conklin says beginning his own restaurant in Birmingham just makes sense.

The experience he possesses in restaurant management, being a partner at Chuck’s Fish and heavily involved with the restaurant Five operations, certainly proves his ability.

East West Birmingham
via East West FB page

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Compilation of the 5 part Guide to our Startup & Revitalization Organizations

They’re not just tech. based companies, but those that specialize in helping entrepreneurs reach their potential.

To make it easier on you to understand each org., I have compiled part 1 through 5 of the “Guide to Magic City Startup and Revitalization Organizations…”

Photo by Wade Cline

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Developers Selected for Southtown Court Overhaul

2016 brought wind of a potential redevelopment of the Southtown Court property located between UAB and Saint Vincent’s Hospital on University Boulevard.

In a recent report, we discovered how important the decision to redevelop or not to truly is, and what the community thinks.

Aerial Shot of the Southtown Court Projects

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Hands on Birmingham – MLK Jr. Day of Service at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

“It was nice to see everyone come together like Dr. King wanted.” ~ Hands on Birmingham volunteer DeMarco Harris

68 people of all ages volunteered and celebrated MLK Jr. Day at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve – Photo from Jessica Findley

MLK Jr. Day in Birmingham is more than just a day off.  It is a day of giving back and building up the community. For 17 years, organizations like Hands on Birmingham (HOB) have been one of the driving forces behind our region’s MLK Jr. Day of Service.

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