Wade on November 2006

A last look at the ’06 …

Then and now

Low Tide: To no one’s surprise, Alabama coach Mike Shula was fired after a lackluster 6-6 season and 26-23 overall record after four seasons. Shula walked in the footsteps of giants: Price, Franchione, Dubose, Curry, Perkins …

Shula’s departure leaves Joe Kines as interim head coach for Thursday’s Independence Bowl against Oklahoma State. The coaching search will extend into 2007, and anyone who’s anyone has already turned down the job while fattening their paychecks at their current positions. Our prediction: Big Al or a coin toss between the Rammer Jammer fellows.

Riley by a landslide or two: To no one’s surprise, incumbent Bob Riley trounced Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley for governor. Riley had already bested cantankerous Bible thumper Roy Moore for the Republican nomination.

The Republicans took over the Jefferson County Commission, which will be, has been and is in very hot water. Three current commissioners and two former ones received subpoenas this week as part of an SEC investigation into sewer bond documents, along with 17 other people and companies of interest. Our prediction: That $1 billion sewer debacle is our own Big Dig, reeking for years to come.

Crack in the Sidewalk: The resignation was just the beginning. Or the middle. Erik Jambor, director of the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival and a co-founder, quit after the board changed up personnel and duties.

In December, board members met with concerned filmmakers, volunteers and others at the monthly Sidewalk Salon to discuss the festival’s finances, future and everyone’s role. Our role will be hobnob with the film geeks, then mock them quietly.

Sustain or contain? Catalyst and City Stages held a town hall to hear from fans about how to fix the three-day music festival. It’s part of a joint effort to raise $1 million to erase Stages’ debt and start a rainy day fund.

We’ve been told by Catalyst officials that a report from the town hall would be available to the public and would not be available to the public. Clearly, the festival isn’t the only one trying to find its way these days.