The environment is a big part of the fourth annual Moss Rock Festival, both in setting and in theme. Eco-inspired art, ideas for sustainable living and guided hikes are part of the two-day celebration at Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover.
The free event includes music performances, kids’ activities, even a high-gravity beer tasting (for $10 extra).
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visitors must park at nearby Regions Park (formerly the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium); shuttles will run throughout the day to the event site.
Market Street Services will work with the newly merged Birmingham chamber group over 6 months on the planning process.
Back in August, Gary Farmer of Opportunity Austin came to Birmingham to share Austin’s secrets of success with various civic groups. His talk? “What Unstuck Austin.”
The Austin Chamber of Commerce launched Opportunity Austin in 2004 with a 5-year plan to create 72,000 new jobs and increase payroll by $2.9 billion. Instead, the plan, funded by area businesses, created an estimated 123,400 jobs and increased payroll by $5.6 billion.
Before, Austin had fallen into a slump, losing jobs and residents. The chamber was underfunded and understaffed (its Web site page for business relocation was “under construction” … for 5 years!), and one staff member missed a key meeting with an auto manufacturer.
The chamber worked with Market Street to assess the region’s strengths and weaknesses, then have businesses invest in the plan, with full transparency.
Farmer talked about how Austin began competing hard with cities across the country to land companies outside of the state. Many had misperceptions of Austin, believing it to be an oil town like other Texas cities.
Having completed the first 5-year plan, Opportunity Austin has moved on to developing its next 5-year plan [pdf] with more funding, bigger goals and an adjusted strategy. Farmer said that Birmingham could also overcome its regional fractures, governmental problems and stagnant economy, but only by forming a regional plan and funding it properly.
The slides above provided by Farmer show Austin’s changes and successes in economic development.
Can Birmingham and the seven-county region develop a plan and fund it? Could the area grow into a Southern leader?
One group already has 3,600 members and counting. Based on the dialogue within the group, it’s clear not all who join support the cause outright. Another group started back in the spring with a different agenda, Fire Larry Langford.
Langford has said he plans to appeal the conviction, which could send him to prison for up to 805 years. Sentencing will take place in early 2010.
Video: More on the online campaigns to support Langford
The city’s election commission has set a special mayoral election for Dec. 8, just 36 days away. Candidates must file by Nov. 18 to qualify.
Who’s on the possible short list? Patrick Cooper, Emory Anthony, Carole Smitherman, Stephen Hoyt, even Richard Arrington. The Birmingham News and Birmingham-Southern political science professor Natalie Davis weigh in.
Meanwhile, several other post-Langford headlines caught our eye today …
Langford appointee Steve Sayler resigned today. He was the city’s finance director, and was Jefferson County’s finance director under Langford. Acting Mayor Smitherman, who said Sayler didn’t keep the council or the mayor’s office fully informed on city finances during his tenure, has ordered a comprehensive review of the books.
Bare Hands Gallery rolls out its seventh annual Dia de los Muertos festival tonight. The Hispanic celebration, a k a Day of the Dead, features altars to the departed, along with music and food.
The event takes place from 5 to 10 inside and around the gallery, 109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. S. [map]. Admission is $10, $3 for age 7 to 12, free for age 6 and younger.
The free event includes music performances, kids’ activities, even a high-gravity beer tasting (for $10 extra).
