Heads and tales: Around the bend
By Wade Kwon
Upscale racing: If Indycars are too dainty and stock cars too tacky, how about the ultimate driving machines? The Porsche 250 takes place this weekend at the Barber Motorsports Park with sleek sports cars racing for glory. And for the ladies … TV’s Dr. McDreamy will be at the track on Saturday. Yes, Patrick Dempsey from “Grey’s Anatomy” will be part of the driving festivities. Take that, Ricky Bobby.
• ‘Unbelievable show’ [Birmingham News]
Like when Elvis met Nixon: President Bush may be commander-in-chief, but will he volunteer for the Soul Patrol? The 10 most recent “American Idol” finalists, including Birmingham’s champion Taylor Hicks, will meet the prez this afternoon, the same day he’s meeting with British prime minister Tony Blair. Susan Whitson, Hicks’ ninth-grade English teacher from Hoover High and now Laura Bush’s press secretary, suggested the pop summit. The Soul Man already has one notable fan in the White House, Secretary of State and fellow Birminghamian Condoleeza Rice. Since Vice President Cheney came to Alabama on Monday to help out Gov. Riley, it’s only fair we send our most powerful man to help out Dubya. Also, how a Birmingham T-shirt company cranked out big orders for Bush and Rice.
• Political Stage Is Next for ‘Idol’ Stars [Los Angeles Times]
To-do list: 1. See a movie. We’ve added even more free movies in the Wade on Birmingham Summer 2006 Movie Guide, including this weekend’s African Film Festival at the Birmingham Museum of Art and Sundown Cinemas in Old Town Helena. 2. Meet the artists of Artwalk at tonight’s free Brewhaha. It’s 6 to 10 in the second-floor loft at Starbucks in Five Points South. What a deal: free coffee and pastries, two-for-one deal at Surin West and wristband good for free glass of wine at Chez Fonfon, free salsa lesson at Fred Astaire Dance Studio and a wine and cheese reception and urban living presentation at iii’s. 3. Get a head start on the school year. The Back to School Blast takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Metropolitan Church of God. Children K-12 can receive free backpacks with supplies, free eye/hearing/dental exams, care packages, haircuts and more. 4. Wish Dre’s Ramblings a happy first anniversary.
Also:
- Drought forces five-year-old’s lemonade stand to serve powdery shots
- New nightclub, old barflies
- Soccer moms turning into sucky grandmas
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