GOP nominee to tour Black Belt, hit Birmingham fund-raisers

Republican presidential nominee John McCain has returned to Alabama to lure voters in a state that went for Mike Huckabee in February. The Arizona senator will start in Selma this morning, which has already seen visits by Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

After a swing through the Black Belt, he’ll stop tonight in Birmingham for a fund-raiser at the Sheraton ($1,000 and $2,300 for tickets) and then to Soho in Homewood for a young professionals fund-raiser (a thrifty $100 per ticket).

The Black Belt is among the poorest regions in the nation, though U.S. Steel announced Friday that it would build a $150 million, 75-job plant in Sumter County later this year.

Just 197 days until Election Day.

Can McCain win over the evangelicals and traditional Southern Republicans who voted Huckabee? What do you think?

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

The words of Harper Lee live on.

Since January, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative has pushed reading in a big way with Project Mockingbird. Everyone reads the same book, the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

(We still have our well-worn, beloved copy from ninth grade.)

The end draws near, but not without a few events to celebrate:

• Mary Badham, the Birmingham-born actress who played Scout in the film version, will speak from 7 to 9 tonight at the Hoover Library Theatre. Free, but reservation required (205-444-7820).
• The 10th annual author festival Alabama Bound will focus entirely on the book. In between the seminars will be performances by the Four Eagles Gospel Singers and Red Mountain. Free, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Central library.

Plus more chances to discuss the book and see the movie, all on the events calendar.

Diana Ross, Flaming Lips set to headline

Ten weeks and counting until the 20th anniversary edition of City Stages. Organizers have announced the first round of acts performing on Father’s Day weekend (June 13-15) in downtown Birmingham, including:

• Diana Ross
• The Flaming Lips
• Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
• Buddy Guy
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• The Roots
• Citizen Cope
• Sean Kingston
• Galactic
• Will Hoge

Three-day passes go on sale Friday through Ticketma$ter for $37.50 ($45 and $50 closer to the event dates).

What do you think of the lineup? How does it compare to the Crawfish Boil or Bonnaroo? (Same booking agents as Bonnaroo, but also same restrictions on artist exclusivity.) Is it better than the 2007 lineup? Tell us in the comments.

Plus, video previews after the jump …

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Roger loses Jax State job

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com

Enterprise’s Roger Shultz has shed more than 100 pounds so far on “The Biggest Loser,” but now he’s shed even more: his job with the Gamecocks.

The former Alabama lineman had served as associate athletics director at Jacksonville State University, but was fired after a nearly six-month absence while in California on the show. He remains in the running for the $250,000 grand prize, to be awarded on the live finale April 15.

He says he might open a gym in Birmingham with his former teammate and TV partner Trent Patterson, one that emphasizes a monthlong approach to fitness. Performa district, anyone?

Plus, he still has “In the Trenches,” his weekly radio show with Stan White in the fall. Oh, and a longer lifespan, blah blah blah.

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Shape up: more “Biggest Loser” at biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com.

The good news is that Birmingham Shout is still around for a third year, providing films with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes. The bad news is that it’s down to five movies and a short (as opposed to 16 films in 2007), moving up to March instead of April.

Info

• Film schedule: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. S. [map]
• Tickets: $7 per film, $5 for students and members. All-day pass for $17, $15 for students and members.
• For more info, visit the official site or call (205) 324-0888.
• MySpace profile

Previews after the jump …

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In honor of the 10th year (more or less) of the Birmingham Area Music Awards, we present a sensational 18-track mix of the nominees. Tonight at the Carver Theatre, Birmingham Weekly will recognize the newest BAMA winners, as chosen by the readers.

Hip-hop, rock, gospel, classical, jazz and pop fill the mix (though it could use a few more ladies, cough). The full playlist will run you about $18 on iTunes.

Check it out for yourself …

1. “Ride On King Jesus,” by Dr. Henry Panion III
2. “You,” by Michael Warren
3. “Heart,” by Ryan Kinder
4. “Worldwide,” by Shonuff
5. “Groove U Baby,” by Mose Stovall
6. “Some Things,” by The Dexateens
7. “We Can’t Lose,” by LP
8. “22 Days Too Long,” by Adam Hood
9. “Mother to Son,” by Langston Hughes
10. “Les Saisons, Op. 37b: Barcarolle (juin),” by Yakov Kasman
11. “The Six Realm: V. The Human Realm,” by Justin Brown, Michaela Fukacova and Odense Symphony Orchestra
12. “Blue Eyed Savior,” by Oteil and the Peacemakers
13. “Horseshoes and Handgranades,” by Thed Weller and John Paul
14. “Favorite Sin,” by Within Reason
15. “Bese Me Mucho,” by Dan Sartain
16. “Sweet Tea,” by Eric Essix
17. “Tilt,” by Wild Sweet Orange
18. “Work,” by Caddle

Tickets for the 7 p.m. awards and concert — with performances by the Sixth Avenue Male Chorus, Thed Weller, Jason Bailey, Eric Essix and Feijoada — are $10 ($15 at the door).

Did your favorite local musician make the nominee list? Who should win tonight? Tell us in the comments.

It’s almost 4,000. That would be the number of U.S. military members killed during the war in Iraq, marking its fifth year today. The deadliest year, so far, was 2007, with 901 killed.

Among the fallen are 75 Alabamians, including those killed since the War on Terror began in 2001. To them, we pay this tribute.

	Staff Sgt. George T. Alexander Clanton (the 2,000th U.S. military death in Iraq)
	Sgt. Aubrey D. Bell Tuskegee
	Capt. Donnie R. Belser Jr. Anniston
	Pfc. Joseph R. Berlin Jr. Chelsea
	Pfc. Stephen D. Bicknell Prattville

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You shivered in horror at the redneck zombies of “Hide and Creep.” Now, Crewless Productions prepares to launch your fears … into space.

Such is the setup for “Interplanetary,” which our pal Chance Shirley has been filming for more than a year around Birmingham. The sci-fi/horror comedy should be out eventually, but the good folks at Crewless put together a three-minute preview for last weekend’s OmegaCon.

Like “Hide and Creep,” yours truly has a cameo (as seen in the preview below). Despite that, it should be a good flick.

Click image for Quicktime trailer. NSFW!

This limited-edition trailer will be available only until April 1.

For more on the film’s progress and insights from the director, check out the official blog, Everybody on Mars Is Dead.

Also:

• When “Hide and Creep” went national

A burning car in the Georgia woods found six years ago today led back to a Hoover home. Convicted killers Jessica McCord and husband Jeff had set the car on fire, but not before putting the bodies of Jessica’s ex-husband Alan Bates and his wife Terra in the trunk.

The tale of murder and families torn apart served as fodder for an episode on the Oxygen show, “Snapped,” which premiered Oct. 14. The episode repeats at 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Check out the 10-minute Webisode …

Also:

• Feb. 19, 2003: Classmate’s conviction brings simpler times to mind

Any idiot can blog. Don’t believe me? See for yourself at next week’s panel.

As part of its monthly meeting, the Alabama chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will sponsor “To Blog or Not to Blog?” a discussion of whether corporations should blog.

The panelists:

• John Archibald writes a thrice-weekly column for the Birmingham News, which can be found in the Metro section and on his blog. For example, he exposed Mayor Langford’s election payoff of local media personalities to attack other candidates and the newspaper.

• André Natta founded the Terminal, an online publication about Birmingham and the surrounding area. He also writes on his personal site, Dre’s Ramblings.

• And me.

(Hint: I’ll be the one without the beard.)

The moderator:

• Carl Carter, of Carter-Harwell Public Relations, writes on his business blog Over Coffee and his personal site, the Carter Family Workbench.

The event, $14 at the door, takes place at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Alabama Power Metro Auditorium, 1313 Sixth Ave. N. To reserve your spot, fill out the form. The deadline is noon Friday.

The blogosphere has spoken.

Bell wins Jefferson County Commission seat

Mike Huckabee has won the Republican primary in Alabama. He has 41 percent of the votes with 99 percent of the boxes counted. CNN says that he’ll win 14 delegates, while John McCain (at 37 percent) will win 13 delegates.

Barack Obama has won the state’s Democratic primary. He has 56 percent of the votes with 99 percent of the boxes counted. CNN projects that he’ll earn 20 delegates, while Hillary Clinton, with 42 percent of the vote, will earn 21(!) delegates.

Also, Birmingham city council member William Bell has won Place 1 on the Jefferson County Commission.

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Polls are open in Alabama, now until 7 tonight. Go vote.

• If you don’t know your polling place, you can find it through this online form. Or call Jefferson County, 325-5550; Jefferson County (Bessemer only), 481-4105; or Shelby County, 669-3913.
• If you have problems at your polling place:
  • Notify a poll worker immediately.
  • Obtain a complaint/evaluation form (or download jpgs of page 1 and 2). Print it, fill it out, copy and mail it.
  • Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
  • And notify the probate court for Jefferson County (325-5203) or Shelby County (669-3713).

We’ll have the results as they’re available tonight and Wednesday.

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Super Duper Tuesday is almost here, your chance to pick a President. Are you ready to hit the polls?

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Don’t just guess the location: Make the call today to find out. Jefferson County: 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): 481-4105, Shelby County: 669-3913.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out the sample ballots (PDF) by congressional district [map] and party …

• Democratic Party: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
• Republican Party: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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Four campaigns visit in next three days

Get ready for the last-minute push, Alabama, from the would-be POTUSes.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will stop by Birmingham on Monday, or in religious circles, Super Duper Tuesday Eve. Details to follow.

Bill Clinton, stumping for Hillary, added a Birmingham stop on Saturday at Knox-Windham Gym on the Miles College campus [map]. The free event takes place at 12:30 p.m.

As previously reported, Mike Huckabee returns to Alabama on Saturday, with a stop at noon in Tuscaloosa. And John McCain will be in Birmingham at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sheraton. Both events are free.

A reminder: Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday. Because the rest of us vote on Tuesday.

Have you made up your mind yet? Who’s your pick for prez?

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Clinton (the other one), Huckabee to visit state

You know Alabama has hit the big time when not one but two former Arkansas governors come a’callin’ …

Former President Bill Clinton will attend a Hillary fund-raiser in Huntsville starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and $1,000 a head. To attend, call (256) 536-0770. He’ll also be at a public rally, but details have not been announced.

And candidate Mike Huckabee returns after a seven-day absence, hitting Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Shelby County, Montgomery and Dothan on Saturday (though not all at once, we assume). Times and locations have not been finalized. He previously visited Samford last Saturday.

Remember: Absentee voter registration ends today.

We vote on Tuesday.

Update: No Shelby County for Huck. The Tuscaloosa site will be noon at Open Door Baptist Church, 1761 McFarland Blvd. N.

Will you be rallying for Clinton (the other, other one), Huckabee or John McCain this weekend?

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.