Online reaction to previews of a new look to Alabama’s biggest website

al.com 2012 front page redesign

Online reaction to previews of a new look to Alabama’s biggest website.

Storified by Wade Kwon · Wed, May 23 2012 18:02:40

Working the grand opening at Birmingham’s newest grocery store

My day at Freshfully

Working the grand opening at Birmingham’s newest grocery store

Storified by Wade Kwon · Tue, May 08 2012 12:12:36

Video: A look inside the Freshfully market

Today’s runoff results from state and metro Birmingham races … (Primary results from March 13.)

More election coverage for Vote 2012.

The general election takes place Nov. 6.

Runoff results

Winner in red

• • •

More Vote 2012 coverage.

Election results from today’s primaries in Alabama and the Birmingham metro area …

More election coverage in our Vote 2012 special report.

(Updating throughout the evening.)

Update March 14: Voter turnout statewide was around 30 percent.

The runoff takes place April 24.

Democrats

(Contested races only)

Winner in red | Runoff candidates in blue

Republicans

(Contested races only)

Winner in red | Runoff candidates in blue

Tweets

This just in on Twitter …

(Or visit the TweetGrid page.)

Facebook

Visit the Birmingham, Ala., page on Facebook.

• • •

More Vote 2012 coverage.

Photo: Kevin Dooley (CC)

The polls are open! Vote before 7 tonight for candidates in national, state and local races.

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Call Jefferson County: (205) 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): (205) 481-4105, Shelby County: (205) 669-3913.

Or Search Your Polling Place on AlabamaVotes.gov.

Wade on Birmingham:
primary election results tonight

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• 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.
• Call the secretary of state at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683) or visit her site, StopVoterFraudNow.com.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (205-325-5203) or Shelby County (205-669-3713).
• E-mail us at Vote2012[at]wadeonbirmingham.com.

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

A: Check out these sample ballots for each county.

You’re voting for president, U.S. Representative, state and county officials.

Q: Who should I vote for?

A: Before you hit the voting booth, check out our roundup of newspaper endorsements from across Alabama.

Video: “NBC Nightly News” interviews voters in Birmingham.

Let us know where and when you voted, and how many votes were cast before yours.

• • •

More Vote 2012 coverage.

Samford celebrates its second Southern Conference championship.

Samford will return to the NCAA Women’s Tournament to play No. 2 seed Duke (24-5, 15-1) on Sunday in Nashville.

The No. 15 Bulldogs earned their trip after winning its second consecutive Southern Conference championship on March 5 by beating Appalachian State 54-43. The Blue Devils are making their 18th consecutive tourney appearance, almost always as a Top 5 seed.

Samford (20-12, 12-8) exited the 2011 tourney after a first-round loss to Florida State 76-46. Duke lost to N.C. State 75-73 in the ACC tournament quarterfinals on March 2.

The game airs at 6:30 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2.

Brackets:

• NCAA Women’s Tournament

Video: The Bulldogs learn they’ll face
Duke in the NCAA Women’s Tournament. 

Photo: Rob Boudon (CC)

Several Alabama newspaper editorial boards have made their endorsements for primary races, including president, congressional and state offices.

Before you hit the polls Tuesday, see which candidates earned plaudits and why.

• Birmingham News
• Daily Home (Talladega)
• Decatur Daily
• Opelika-Auburn News
• Selma Times-Journal
• TimesDaily (Florence): president | state supreme court and Public Service Commission

Spring is still a week away, but Alabama voters are headed to the polls extra early this year to pick their party candidates.

To help you see the full candidate list for your district, we’ve included sample ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties for the primaries. (The Jefferson County ballots, 11 pages and 36 pages, include versions for every district.)

Also included is the Alabama Voter Guide 2012, which has information on voting procedures and frequently asked questions.

For easier viewing, you can print, download or zoom to full screen with each ballot.

Primary elections take place Tuesday across the state.

• • •

Sample ballots for all 67 counties.

• • •

Jefferson County: Democratic ballot

Jefferson County: Republican ballot

Shelby County: Democratic ballot

Shelby County: Republican ballot

Alabama Voter Guide 2012

• • •

More Vote 2012 coverage.

A Lake Martin product has a “savage” and apparent blessing of supermarkets statewide

We know how great Alabama food is, and we have 10 more months to tell the story. But not every product shows us at our best.

The state tourism department declared 2012 as the Year of Alabama Food for its annual themed campaign. I have pointed out that the diversity is sorely lacking in the featured restaurants [Facebook | Google+], but we’ll save that discussion for another day. The state’s first food-themed travel campaign was in 2005.

While the Year of Alabama Food spotlights restaurants and their dishes, another lesser-known program has been running since 2004, Buy Alabama’s Best.

This ongoing campaign by the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers focuses on homegrown products. During this month and September, an undisclosed portion of proceeds from sales of these products goes to Children’s of Alabama. The Buy Alabama’s Best logo on supermarket shelves marks which ones are members.

For instance, this one.

The label for Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce, made in Lake Martin

This is Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce, made in Lake Martin.

With more than 10,000 products in a typical supermarket, you may have missed it. But alongside Milo’s sweet tea, Sister Schubert’s homemade rolls, Bud’s Best Cookies and John’s slaw dressing, Mike Elliott’s sauce is among the featured Alabama few.

Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce, with the Buy Alabama’s Best logo,
on the shelf at Western Supermarket on Southside

(We’re not entirely sure Mike Elliott’s product is an official Buy Alabama’s Best member, since it’s not listed as a manufacturer on the website.)

Update March 6: Ellie Smotherman Taylor, executive director of the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association, said in an email: “Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce is not part of the AFMPA and also not affiliated with the Buy Alabama’s Best campaign.”

Originally from Birmingham, Mike Elliott — a k a Michael Wilson — has lived in Lake Martin since 1997. He worked in the restaurant business and started bottling his sauce 1 year ago this month, according to his website.

Asked by email about his label, Elliott said, ”My ‘logo’ is a long story. He is a character that has been with me for quite some time.

“He’s meant to portrait that once trying my sauce that it will turn you into a savage and will do anything to get some of that savory sauce.”

The “savage” depicted on the label echoes centuries-old stereotypes of the black community, ones that continue to rile in Alabama. In June, the corruption “bingo” trial revealed that state Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale had called black customers of a Greene County casino “aborigines.”  The remarks sparked public outrage and condemnation. (He apologized for his comments 3 months later and is currently running for Congress.)

Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce can be found across Alabama, including Winn Dixie. In Birmingham, it’s in Alabama Goods in Homewood, Piggly Wiggly on Clairmont, V. Richards in Forest Park and Western Supermarket in Mountain Brook and on Southside.

Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce, at the Western Supermarket
in Mountain Brook

Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce, on the meat/seafood display
case at V. Richards

Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce, at the Piggly Wiggly on Clairmont

I have to wonder if the buyers for those supermarket chains ever considered if the label would offend customers.

As the state increases its food and dining promotion, shoppers will see even more of Alabama’s homegrown merchandise, a move Elliott supports.

“I’m an Alabama-made product,” he said. “I believe and support all Alabama-made products from Millie Ray’s sweet rolls to Dirt Road Gourmet and Conecuh Sausage. If Alabamians would look within, it’s amazing what this state has to offer.”

• Mike Elliott’s BBQ Sauce | Facebook and Facebook
• Buy Alabama’s Best
• Year of Alabama Food

From left, Emma Stone, and Oscar nominees
Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis star in “The Help.”

Hollywood has been reaching deep into Alabama’s past, present and future this week …

• Last week, “Red Tails” opened nationwide. The George Lucas-produced action movie follows the story of Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen in their aerial battles against German pilots and their ground war against discrimination. The stars include Terrence Howard and Method Man. “Red Tails” reached No. 2 last weekend in box office take.

• Black history also plays a role in Tuesday’s Oscar nominations, which included two state connections. Montgomery native and Auburn grad Octavia Spencer earned a spot in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Minny Jackson in “The Help.” Earlier this month, she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

The movie, based on Kathryn Stockett’s novel of the same name, follows the relationship of a young white woman and two black maids in Jackson, Miss., in the 1960s. “The Help” earned four nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Viola Davis and another Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Chastain.

In the Best Documentary Short category, “The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement” scored a nomination. The 25-minute movie tells the story of James Armstrong, who marched carrying the American flag at Selma on Bloody Sunday in 1965. He was the first to file suit to desegregate Birmingham’s schools. Armstrong died at 86 in 2011 of heart failure.

Director Robin Fryday of San Francisco teamed up with director Gail Dolgin, who received a previous Oscar nomination for “Daughter from Danang” and died from breast cancer in 2010. “The Barber of Birmingham” had its Birmingham premiere in March at the Alabama Theatre.

The Academy Awards airs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 on ABC 33/40.

• “A Smile as Big as the Moon” tells the true story of Mike Kersjes, a high school football coach and special education teacher who leads his special needs students to Space Camp in 1988. Kersjes and Joe Layden co-wrote the original book of the same name. The movie, filmed at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and also in Wilmington, N.C., stars John Corbett, Moira Kelly and Cynthia Watros. It has its Huntsville premiere  at 7 tonight and airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC 33/40.

Video: Minny (Octavia Spencer) gets a taste of revenge
in a scene from “The Help.”

Video: George Lucas discusses the struggle to find funding
for “Red Tails.”

Video: interview with director Robin Fryday and
James Armstrong’s grandson Darren on
“The Barber of Birmingham.”

Video: a look at “A Smile as Big as the Moon”

Video: a look at the storm damage in a Center Point neighborhood

Storms and tornadoes made an unwelcome encore following their devastating march through Alabama on April 27. A series of tornadoes and severe storms passed through the central portion of the state in the early Monday morning hours.

Two were killed, and hundreds were injured. Hardest hit areas in Jefferson County included Center Point, Clay, Oak Grove and Trussville. Center Point received so much damage that Center Point Parkway wasn’t cleared to reopen for 2 days.

Hundreds of houses were destroyed or damaged along the path, which mirrored the same path of the deadly April tornadoes. Center Point Elementary, built in 2003, was damaged beyond repair and will have to be bulldozed and rebuilt.

Gov. Bentley declared a state of emergency for all counties.

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Audio: storm survivor stories

ABC 33/40 viewer-submitted photo

An EF-3 tornado tore through Center Point Monday.

Relief efforts are under way:

• Texting REDCROSS to 90999 will donate $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
• Those affected by the storms can call the Red Cross on a special line at (205) 439-7800, option 6.
• Donations can be made online to Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief fund and the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services fund (specify for ”January 2012 Tornado Relief”).
• The Junior League of Birmingham is collecting nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies and batteries at its office, 2212 20th Ave. S. [map] during office hours.
• Three Trussville churches are collecting water, food, toiletries, diapers, cleaning supplies and more.

Gallery: Jan. 23 storm aftermath

Video: Scott Douglas spars with Stephen Colbert
on the Jan. 16 “Colbert Report.”

“The Colbert Report” took up Alabama’s immigration law, HB56, once again. Monday, host Stephen Colbert “debated” Scott Douglas, executive director of Greater Birmingham Ministries.

The law has stirred debate over federal enforcement of immigration, labor rights, employment and more. Douglas spoke out against the law, saying the federal government should enforce a rewritten national law, rather than having local law enforcement uphold up to 50 separate state laws.

The comedy show had done a segment on HB56 in October, focusing on the law’s impact on state agriculture.

Video: “The Colbert Report” on Alabama’s immigration law
in October. 

Angela Blake

The Alabama Social Media Association holds educational lunches
throughout the year at the Hill Event Center at the Alabama
Theatre downtown.

In honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, I want to turn the spotlight on one of my favorite Birmingham nonprofit organizations …

It was 1 year ago at this time that I was deep in the throes of creating a new nonprofit organization. Six weeks later, we launched.

The Alabama Social Media Association has been an exciting journey of planting seeds, asking for favors and bringing to life a sorely needed resource: social media education.

I’ve always known Birmingham to be a font of social media experts, people who offer great advice and think innovatively about how we share information in the 21st century. Why were these folks not getting more recognition?

Because this city has grown a thriving digital community, we needed to put the spotlight on it throughout the year. It has been home to great conferences, including this past weekend’s WordCamp Birmingham, and many user groups. But very little for those who don’t work in the industry to jump in and learn and discover.

In 2011, we put on five free educational events, offering networking, lunch and a speaker with a 45-minute presentation. We met a great cross-section of the community, from law enforcement, from churches, from nonprofit groups and utilities and banks and startups. And we had a lot of fun. In addition, ALsocme held social events nearly every month to expand our social circles.

Behind the scenes, it has been a never-ending list of funds to find, people to meet and tasks to do or delegate. I have found it is one thing to serve on a board for an established organization, but quite another to build everything from scratch.

The truly exciting part is doing it our way, redefining expectations and constantly striving to improve, so that we may reach more people and share the bounty of social media knowledge in our community.

If you want to find out more about the Alabama Social Media Association, visit the website and also sign up for the free email newsletter. And if you’d like to volunteer to help with our events, our blog and more, fill our our application form. If you have a question, email alsocme@gmail.com.

• Alabama Social Media Association website | Facebook | Twitter @ALsocme
  

Video: a look at the Alabama Social Media Association

They’re with the band: Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit star
in the 2000 coming-of-age film, “Almost Famous.”
It’s part of the 2012 Thursday Club Cinema lineup.

Black and White’s Thursday Club Cinema series last graced the screen at the Alabama Theatre 12 years ago. At the turn of the millenium, before Blu-Ray, or Netflix, or Hulu, or iPads and Redbox.

The weekly series returns tonight with a six pack of films all made around the previous 1998-2000 run.

(Note: Links below are affiliate links.)

• Tonight: “The Big Lebowski” [Amazon | iTunes]
• Jan. 19: “Donnie Darko” [Amazon | iTunes]
• Jan. 26: “Rushmore” [Amazon]
• Feb. 2: “Best in Show” [Amazon | iTunes]
• Feb. 9: “Almost Famous” (director Cameron Crowe’s “bootleg cut”) [Amazon | iTunes]
• Feb. 16: “The Limey” [Amazon | iTunes]

Tickets are $9 online or at the door. The movies start at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N., downtown [map].

For more information, visit the Black and White page or email thursdayclubcinema@readbw.com.

• Thursday Club Cinema on Facebook

Video: “Tiny Dancer” sing-along, in a scene from
“Almost Famous”

Video: At the movies with Frank the rabbit,
in a scene from “Donnie Darko”

Video: Jane Lynch and Jennifer Coolidge discuss family dynamics,
in a scene from “Best in Show”

Video: a look at the life of Gene Bartow

He coached basketball at six universities, with a .647 record.

He took UAB to the NCAA Men’s Tournament an astonishing seven times in a row in his first 8 years as new head coach.

And he served as the school’s first athletic director, after 34 years in coaching, including a 52-9 record at UCLA.

Gene Bartow died Tuesday at age 81 after a 2-year fight with stomach cancer. He’s best known as the “father of UAB athletics.”

On Saturday, Memphis plays UAB in the Conference USA season opener, otherwise known as the third annual Bartow Classic. Two dollars of every ticket sold goes to the Coach Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. at Bartow Arena, airing on CBS Sports Network. Tickets are $22-$27.

Video: tribute to Gene Bartow

• Chinese New Year is Jan. 23, marking the year of the dragon.