Alabama Teller Machine: Vice President Cheney is in Dothan today for a private fund-raising dinner for Gov. Riley. Up to 50 couples at $5,000 per couple are expected, netting a possible quarter million for the governor’s re-election campaign. The event in Houston County is expected to help Bush more than Riley, at least in terms of popularity. Two questions: Will Riley go hunting with Cheney? Will they serve quail or– duck!!
• Cheney visit could raise more than $200,000 for Riley [Associated Press]

Capital idea: Another Washington visitor, a reporter for the Post, spent some time recently with our pal Kelly to find out more about the city turning out so many “American Idol” notables. While the reporter doesn’t stray too far from the usual suspects, and makes the obligatory 5,632nd mention of Birmingham’s turbulent civil rights role, she echoes Kelly’s long-standing tenet: Plenty to do in this town, despite the naysayers.
• Tuning In to Birmingham [Washington Post]

Where there’s smoke: More Alabama-based barbecue restaurants are extending their reach across the country, including Dreamland, Golden Rule, Jim ’N Nick’s and Full Moon. Can the state’s eclectic style win over fans of (lesser) forms, such as Texas-style, dry rub and mustard-based (shudder)? John T. Edge, food expert and writer who once listed Niki’s as one of the Top Five restaurants in the country, said, “I think it can work. Hell, the South sold the world Coca-Cola.” Meanwhile, more people are dining out than cooking at home, going so far as to dump their kitchens.
• Alabama barbecue restaurants spreading across South and beyond [Associated Press]

Also:

• Plan C: punt
• This headline may be monitored for quality assurance
• What’s hot in school supplies: digital pencils, boots that only you can afford

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You can either be
helpful or hindrance when you
service customers.
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Wish it would rain more
and wash away worries of
land going barren.

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I hope for more love,
more joy and laughter, and we
can lose all the pain.

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Tap dance: Birmingham has a unique way of dealing with a drought: Use more water. Such has been the result this week of the water works’ call for conservation. More than 127 million gallons flowed on Wednesday, compared to 125 million gallons on Sunday; the restrictions were announced Monday. More than a fourth of that water (estimated) was used for lawns and shrubs. When we’re all showering once a month and dying of thirst, thank your neighbors with the lovely landscaping.
• Water use high despite warnings [Birmingham News]

Dauphin do-over: Should taxpayers keep coughing up increasing amounts to repair homes on Dauphin Island? Should the federal government insure homes along the coasts, even if it can’t afford it? We meant to mention this edition of one of our fave newsmagazines, “Now,” but you can watch or listen to or download the July 7 broadcast. Residents say that tax dollars bail out homeowners in other areas hit by floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Critics argue that areas such as Dauphin Island will be destroyed time and again, and that government assistance promotes development in unsafe areas. We say if homeowners chose to live on an active volcano, most people wouldn’t feel too sorry when their houses melted in the lava.
• Still in Harm’s Way [‘Now’ on PBS]

Your to-do list: 1. Before you head to Function in the Junction on Saturday, learn about the sad history of Tuxedo Junction’s decline. 2. See my story in the July 21 print edition of Birmingham Business Journal on a residential development in Crestwood. Here’s a sample: “Urban living has been all the rage lately, thanks to numerous condo developments in the works. But those looking for homes close to the city center have another option, one that stands out by not standing out. Crest Parc is one of the latest housing developments in one of Birmingham’s older neighborhoods. One selling point, developers say, is its combination of traditional exteriors with modern features inside.” At select newsstands and bookstores today.

Also:

• Truckers take out frustrations by ramming houses
• Insurgent storms strike select city targets with sudden vengeance
• Extra phone books make for lousy reading material at Homewood dentist’s office

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Summer’s kiss reveals
passion on dusty day with
no relief in sight.

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Phone chat must be quick
or minutes will add up and
cost us a fortune.

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Rainbow coalition: Barring a recount surprise, Patricia Todd has won House District 54 in the Democratic runoff over Gaynell Hendricks. Todd, pictured at left, is believed to be the first openly gay state legislator, the same state that overwhelmingly approved a second ban on gay marriage six weeks ago. More surprising was that Todd and Hendricks ran a civil campaign in a majority black district with all kinds of demographics to win over. We met both candidates along the way and were torn between two energetic, hard-working, smart women. If only every race could have two or more qualified candidates to woo voters … Also, those few that voted across the state Tuesday were courted at a cost of, oh, say $20 million.
• Todd holds slim lead in bid to become 1st openly gay legislator [Associated Press]

Give, and ye shall receive: Birmingham-Southern College turned over $368,000 raised to benefit the 10 rural Alabama churches burned earlier this year. Among the big contributors and co-campaign leaders were AmSouth Bank, Fox 6, the Community Foundation of West Alabama and the National Conference for Community and Justice. The rebuilding doesn’t end with the oversize novelty check: The college will invite church reps to a dinner in the fall. Lane Estes, executive assistant to Birmingham-Southern College President David Pollick, said, “I see ongoing relationships coming out of this. It has provided opportunities for us to reach out and for them to use us as a resource.” Like a good neighbor, ’Southern is there. Also, (mega)Church at Brook Hills has a just-turned-28-year-old senior pastor: And a little child shall lead them.
• Burned churches will split $368,000 [Birmingham News]

A little more mileage: With as many cars as Americans tear up, smash up and drive into the ground every year, you’d think we’d be neck deep in radiators and lug nuts by now. But hope remains for clunkers and other large junk. American Cast Iron Pipe Co. has upgraded its recycling center for $4.5 million to turn all that metal into municipal water pipes. Since 1991, the plant has recycled 7 million cars — enough for two cars for every adult in Alabama. Wow. The upgrades will improve capacity by 15 percent. The center also pays cash for cans, copper, appliances and other scrap metal. Now that we know what happened to regular cars, let’s find out who killed the electric car.
• Junked cars, odds, ends find new life as pipes [Birmingham News]

Also:

• Water restrictions imperil gurgling fountain of calm
• Bill collector sneaks up on Southside residents, swipes their barrels with straps used for clothing
• New Talladega track pavement made from blood of the innocents, synthetic tar

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Lots of hot air and
conflict across the borders.
Blame global warming.

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Middle East crisis,
day 47,000 …
Fighting continues

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How dry we am: Dying crops, potential for sweeping forest fires, no rain expected for one to three months — it can only mean one thing … football drought season in Alabama. This one’s gonna be a scorcher, with predictions of an abnormally dry season lasting six to 12 months. Birmingham water officials joined other cities today in asking residents to curb water use. The region’s only hope? A tropical storm or hurricane, says one meteorlogist. All we are, for now, is dust in the wind.
• Drought looming as one of worst [Birmingham News]

Runoff reminder: State primary runoffs are Tuesday, so go out and vote. While turnout is expected to be low (can turnout be negative?) and contested races are few, at least one interesting contest is on the ballot. In our House district, white lesbian activist Patricia Todd and black businesswoman Gaynell Hendricks are competing in the Democratic race. No Republicans ran in the majority black district. Todd would be the first openly lesbian state representative, and either candidate would slightly increase the abysmally low number of women legislators.
• Voters to decide Jeffco, Shelby legislative races [Birmingham News]

Red all over: Dear Black and White: We’re a little worried. Well, more concerned and sad than worried. We say this as a friend and former contributor who wants you to succeed as an alternative publication. In the latest issue, one reporter openly trumpets her inability not only to land an official comment from McWane Science Center and the Birmingham police, but also to cultivate other sources or, at worst, have a backup story ready to go. A columnist spends nearly 2,000 words cataloging his poor parents’ battles with the county roads and sheriff’s departments. While it is lamentable that those in power don’t always cooperate fully or at all with the news media, it’s even more lamentable to validate such behavior with unattributed articles. Another columnist decries inoffensive double-talk and longs for “plain talk.” We hope we have succeeded. Signed, Bummed in Birmingham

Also:

• Bowl game sponsorship to be awarded to 100th ticket purchaser
• Huffman family returns from vacation, vow never to do it again
• Incoming students to be tagged like cattle

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Two Birmingham residents are in the hunt for $1 million in the 10th installment of the reality TV competition, “The Amazing Race.” The CBS show, taped this summer, pits 12 teams of two in a race around the world.

Karlyn Harris of Helena and Lyn Turk of Birmingham are listed as 32-year-old “best friends.” Harris is a program analyst, and Turk is a fourth-grade teacher. The two are the first “Race” contestants from Alabama.

Updated with corrected premiere date …

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Get to know me and
you’ll find I’m a raconteur
without a finish.

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Everyone lend a
hand to bring new folks into
the cultural fold.

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1. Baptists battle for who will lead them back into wilderness
2. Cops to promote “Puppies for Guns” trade
3. Bus survey arrives late, refuses answers not written on exact change
4. Bureaucrats take extra-long smoke break to make up for late arrival
5. Out-of-work teachers, bankers form long bread line
6. Remodeled restaurant still smells like fried ham
7. Over-the-mountain mayors vow to form ‘kick-ass’ garage band
8. Minor leaguers need seasoning in steroid abuse
9. Brighton mom still ‘phoning it in’ on dinner prep
10. Trussville embraces cultural diversity of Purple Onion

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